Day 1: Hanoi Arrival

Arrive in Hanoi where you are greeted by your guide to transfer to your hotel to check–in and get settled to rest or sleep after your long flight to Vietnam. We overnight at a comfortable, modern hotel in Hanoi.

Day 2: Hanoi (B/L/D)

After breakfast at the hotel, start your day with an exhilarating one hour tour by cyclo, a chauffeur-pedalled tricycle, through the old quarter. This bustling area of narrow streets and alleys is home to literally thousands of small businesses and shopkeepers. The ambience of the centuries-old market has changed little over time. Hanoi is the only city in Vietnam that has retained its merchants' quarter. A maze of narrow streets lined with myriad shops, the Old Quarter is fascinating. It's a great place to explore, especially by cyclo, with plenty of photo opportunities all around you. The afternoon is free in Hanoi to rest or to explore on your own. Later, we'll gather for a Vietnamese dinner at a local restaurant. Vietnamese cuisine is diverse and delectable. Dining at local restaurants will be a pleasant and integral part of our trip. We overnight once again at our Hanoi hotel.

Day 3: Hanoi Sightseeing Tour (B/L)

This morning, meet your guide at the hotel to depart on your tour after breakfast. Your first stop will be Ho Chi Minh's Mausoleum, as well as his private residence from 1954 until 1969. Built despite his request for cremation, the final resting place of Ho Chi Minh is a glass sarcophagus set deep in a monumental edifice that has become a site of pilgrimage. A pagoda, built of wood on a single stone pillar is designed to resemble a lotus blossom and has become an important symbol for the people of Hanoi. We continue to the National Fine Arts Museum - an eclectic mix of contemporary Vietnamese art, religious pieces, lacquer-ware and sculptures. We move to the Temple Of Literature, Vietnam's first university. Constructed in 1070, its well-preserved architecture and peaceful gardens offer a glimpse into Vietnam's past.
Enjoy a luscious mid–day lunch before encountering Hoa Lo Prison, the Buddhist Tran Quoc Pagoda on West Lake (one of the oldest in Vietnam) and Quan Thanh Temple (Taoist, dating from the Ly Dynasty). Our last stop today will be the Museum of Ethnology, where you observe Vietnam's diverse culture through the Museum's unique presentation of artifacts and dress used in daily life. We'll then return to our hotel for a brief rest. Later on, attend a traditional water puppet show, a uniquely northern Vietnamese art form especially designed for depicting scenes from rural life and episodes of national history. We overnight at our Hanoi hotel.

Day 4: Hanoi - Hai Phong - Halong (B/L/D)

Hanoi – Hai Phong - Ha Long. Morning: dive 2h to Hai Phong the third biggest city in Vietnam. After visit city center, Hang Kenh communal house, Du Hang pagoda. Try some local cuisines with sea flavors: seafood spring role, shrimp noodle soup.Afternoon continue to Ha Long city. Stay Overnight.

Day 5: Halong - Hanoi - Hue (B/L)

Boarding wooden junk, seafood lunch on boat, and cruise for 4h on the Bay passing Dinh Huong, Litter Duck, Fighting Cocks Islands and some floating villages. Visit Thien Cung, Dau Go caves on an Island. Return the wharf and drive 3.30h back to the air port for fly to Hue. Overnight in Hue.

Day 6: Hue (B/L/D)

Hue. Morning 8am: visit Great Enclosure of Royal Citadel, the complex of Noon Gate, Royal Palace, and Temples build in 1802. Visit some famous local restaurant for testing: Nem Lui a kind of minced pork with sugar cane, Banh Beo, Bun Bo or sour beef noodle for lunch.Afternoon: take a boat on the Perfume River go up stream visit Thien Mu Pagoda, further boat cruise to Minh Mang King’s Tomb. Dinner in Tinh Gia Vien Restaurant for royal cuisine introduction. Overnight in Hue.

Day 7: Hue - Hoi An (B/L/D)

Hue - Hoi An. Drive along the sea coast southward, climb up on the Cloudy Pass, some stops on the way for taking pictures, pass Da Nang City and visit Champa Sculpture Museum. Arrived in Hoi An. Lunch in a traditional restaurant to enjoy some Center dishes: Cao Lau, tapioca noodle, wonton. Afternoon: Walking in the Unesco World Heritage of Hoi An ancient Street, visit Japanese Bridge, Old house, Chinese Congress Hall, Museum in the street of thousands lanterns reflecting on the water of Hoai River. Dinner with Center speciality in the atmosphere of Hoi An ancient street. Overnight in Hoi An.

Day 8: Hoi An - Cooking Class (B/L/D)

Hoi An Cooking class. Cooking class in a Famous restaurant of Hoi An of “Quang region” cuisines. Lunch with food prepared. Afternoon free to walk in the market, streets, Cua Dai beach. Overnight in Hoi An.

Day 9: Da Nang - Ho Chi Minh City (B/L/D)

Morning: pickup to Da Nang airport and fly to Ho Chi Minh City. Check in the hotel. Lunch with famous dish Banh Xeo, and some Southern dishes.Afternoon city tour in district 1, visit War Remnant Museum, Reunification Palace, Post office, Notre dam Cathedral, then pass by People Committee Hall and walk around Ben Thanh market. Dinner in Binh Quoi cuisine village to try different Southern dishes. Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.

Day 10: Ho Chi Minh - Cooking Class (B/L/D)

Ho Chi Minh City. Cooking class. Morning: free until the time for take part in the cooking class with focus Southern cuisines and having lunch with food prepared. Afternoon: walk in Binh Tay market and visit Vinh Nghiem pagoda to learn some vegetarian food. Free at night. Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.

Day 11: Depart Ho Chi Minh City (B)

Your guide and car will meet you at the hotel for your departure transfer to Saigon's airport.