Begin in charming Hanoi, Vietnam's artistic and intellectual capital. Explore the fascinating Old Quarter and its hundreds of specialty shops selling silk clothing, lacquerware, embroidered linens, furniture, bamboo, cooking utensils, ceremonial objects and more. Walk around Hoan Kiem Lake, ride a cyclo to dinner, and watch a delightful performance of Vietnam's water puppet theater. Dine in French colonial villas converted into gourmet restaurants. Enjoy people watching at stylish cafes. Shop for impressive modern art in the city's numerous galleries. Also visit Hano 's main cultural attractions, including the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, his House on Stilts, the One Pillar Pagoda, the Fine Arts Museum and the Temple of Literature.

Alternatively on a day trip, cruise along the dramatic limestone islands of Halong Bay.

Next, fly to Ho Chi Minh City (former Saigon), the country's commercial center and home to a growing number of upscale restaurants and shops. Visit Chinatown, the Thien Hau Pagoda, the Reunification Palace, the Opera House and Hotel de Ville. If desired, also visit the powerful War Remnants Museum. Explore colorful outdoor markets and Dong Khoi Street, the city's main shopping boulevard with fashion boutiques and accessories designed by up-and-coming Vietnamese designers, hill tribe crafts, high quality linens and housewares. Try Saigon's strong Vietnamese iced coffee and a banh mi (baguette sandwich).

Take a day trip to the Cu Chi Tunnels and watch an unusual religious ceremony at the main temple of Cao Daism, a unique fusion of world religions.

On another day trip, tour the narrow canals of the Mekong Delta to experience the traditional side of Vietnamese river life.

* This tour can also be taken in reverse, visiting HCMC first, concluding in Hanoi .

 Detailed Itinerary:

Day 1 :Arrive Hanoi

Upon arrival at Hanoi 's Noi Bai International airport, you will be greeted by our guide and transferred to your hotel. Evening water puppet performance.
 
Day 2 :Hanoi City Tour (B/-/-)

Vietnam's artistic and intellectual capital. Explore the fascinating Old Quarter and its hundreds of specialty shops selling silk clothing, lacquerware, embroidered linens, furniture, bamboo, cooking utensils, ceremonial objects and more. Walk around Hoan Kiem Lake , ride a cyclo to dinner. Dine in French colonial villas converted into gourmet restaurants. Enjoy people-watching at stylish cafes. Shop for impressive modern art in the city's myriad galleries. Also visit Hanoi's main cultural attractions, including the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, his House on Stilts, the One Pillar Pagoda, the Fine Arts Museum and the Temple of Literature. 
 
Day 3 :Hanoi - Halong Bay - Hanoi (B/L/-)

Upon meetingt you at your hotel at 8:00 am by Vietnam TripAdvisor's minibus/car and tour guide, we drive to Halong City, approximately 3 hours away. Once at Halong City you will board our private boat for a four-hour cruise of this stunning area, stopping along the way to visit one of the limestone caves in the area. As we cruise, our boat staff will serve a sumptuous local seafood lunct. After 4 hours, we cruise back to the harbor and return you to your hotel in Hanoi.
 
Day 4 :Hanoi - Ho Chi Minh City (B/-/-)

Transfer and flight to HCMC. Afternoon, private tour of Ho Chi Minh City, the country's commercial center and home to a growing number of upscale restaurants and shops. Visit Chinatown, the Thien Hau Pagoda, the Reunification Palace, the Opera House and Hotel de Ville. If desired, also visit the powerful War Remnants Museum. Explore colorful outdoor markets and Dong Khoi Street, the city's main shopping boulevard with fashionable boutiques and accessories designed by up-and-coming Vietnamese designers, hill tribe crafts, high quality linens and housewares.
 
Day 5 :Ho Chi Minh City - Mekong Delta (B/L/-)

The Mekong Delta is the southernmost region of Vietnam. It is often referred to as the rice bowl of Vietnam as it produces three crops of rice per year. The fertile Mekong Delta is also famous for its tropical fruits and flowers. The Delta area marks the end of a 4,500 km journey made by the Mekong River after having traveled through six countries. Traditional transportation in the Delta is by boat along a vast network of canals and channels. Boating along these canals and visiting the floating markets always proves to be a fascinating and rewarding experience for all visitors. Leave HCMC to lush My Tho where you will board a private boat to go through the green vegetation of the canals to an orchard, where guests are treated to a delicious lunch in a bonsai garden in the heart of the Mekong, complete with succulent tropical fruits. We also visit the snake farm Dong Tam that breeds snakes for, among other things, snake wine and enjoy a bonsai garden in Trung Luong before VietnamTripAdvisor.com pick up and we heading back to HCMC.
 
Day 6 : Ho Chi Minh City - Cu Chi Tunnels (B/-/-)

Half-day private excursion to the Cu Chi Tunnels. At its height, the tunnel system stretched over 250km. from Saigon to the Cambodian border and was three levels deep. The network included innumerable trap doors, specially constructed living areas, storage facilities, weapons factories, field hospitals, command centers and kitchens. Today the remaining tunnels have become a major tourist attraction giving the visitor a unique experience and a feel of what underground life during the U.S.-Vietnam War must have been like. Afternoon free at leisure in town.
 
Day 7 : Depart Vietnam (B/-/-)

There are no activities planned for today. You enjoy your free time until transfer to airport for your onward flight.

	Price per person in USD in party of
	1p	2-3p	4-5p	6-8p	9-12p	13-20p	Sql
Luxury(5*)	3498	1914	1764	1693	1672	1632	611
Deluxe(5*)	2436	1498	1348	1286	1256	1236	345
First Class(4*)	1896	1168	1018	968	956	916	210
Superior(3)	1512	921	771	686	679	639	114
Standard (2*)	1386	886	688	646	598	568

Place	First class (3*)	Superior (4*)	Deluxe(5*)	Luxury
Ha Noi Hotels	Thien Thai, Namhai 1 hotel Majestic Salute, Hoa Binh Palace, or similar	Sunway Hotel,Guoman Hanoi Thang Loi Hotels or similar	Melia Hanoi, Horison, Sheraton or similar	Sofitel Metropole,   Hanoi Hilton or similar
Ha Long Bay	Phoenix Cruise	Emeraude, Victory Cruise,	Indochina Sail, Ginger, Valentine cruise	Jasmine, Red Dragon Cruise
Ho Chi Minh city Hotels	Liberty 1,2,3 4 Hotel Metropole Saigon, Oscar Saigon	Grand Saigon, Rex, Kim Do Hotel	New World Hotel	Park Hyatt, Caravelle Hotel

Tour price includes: 
 

• A private transfer and transportation
• Accommodation in twin share basis with daily breakfast
• French or English Speaking Guide
• Domestic flights: Hanoi-Saigon
• Domestic departures taxes
• Boat trip in Halong Bay and Mekong Delta
• Meals as stated in the itinerary
• Sightseeing tickets
• Services charges and government taxes

Tour price excludes: 
 

• International flights
• Entry Visa and visa fees
• International departures taxes
• Personal expenses, tips and gratuities
• Travel insurance
• Meals and beverage
• Optional surcharge for business class flight from $100 per person