By vehicle from Hanoi to Halong Bay
Journey east along Highway 5 across Hai Hung Province and around Halong Bay.Boat trip Halong Bay (4 hours)
Cruise on a traditional wooden boat among the emerald waters and craggy limestone cliffs of Halong Bay, stopping at different islands to explore some of the many caves in this area. Sail past floating villages, fishermen casting their nets and pearl fisheries and observe the rhythms of daily life on the bay. Overnight in Halong.

By vehicle from Halong to Ninh Binh with sightseeing at Huai Phong
From Halong, travel to HAI PHONG, Vietnam's third most populous city, the main industrial center   of the north and one of the country's most important seaports. Take a couple of hours to stop at some of the town's highlights, including the DU HANG PAGODA, a beautiful example of traditional Vietnamese architecture and the communal house of DINH HANG KENH, known for its 500 relief sculptures in wood. Continue onwards to Ninh Binh.

Excursion to Cuc Phuong National Park and Kenh Ga floating village, with boat trip

Excursion to Tam Coc (Dry Halong Bay) with boat trip
Journey just outside town to TAM COC, or DRY HALONG BAY. This area is famous for its breathtaking scenery, where dramatic limestone formations rise sharply out of green rice paddies and wetlands. Embark on a small, hand rowed sampan, and begin your journey along green waterways. The name Tam Coc means "three caves" and you will pass under a sequence of three caves - Hang Ca, Hang Giua and Hang Coi - as your boat glides past green rice fields and lotus ponds.

By vehicle from Ninh Binh to Vinh
Drive to Vinh on National Road No.1
Excursion to Kim Lien and Hoang Tru
KIM LIEN: Ho Chi Minh's birthplace. The house in which he was born in 1890 is maintained as a sacred shrine and is a favorite pilgrimage spot for Vietnamese people. Ho's childhood home is a simple farmhouse, reflecting his humble background.

By vehicle from Vinh to Dong Hoi
Excursion to Phong Nha Cave
Journey northwest across Quang Binh Province.
PHONG NHA CAVE: located in the village of Son Trach, there are meters of underground passageways filled with abundant stalactites and stalagmites. It was formed approximately 250 million years ago.

By vehicle from Dong Hoi to Dong Ha
Excursion to Vinh Moc Tunnel and Quang Tri Citadel
QUANG TRI: the town was once an important citadel city. During the war, it was heavily bombed and not many of the original buildings of the time are left.
VINH MOC TUNNELS: 2.8km of tunnels built by the villagers of Vinh Moc, who lived in one of the most heavily bombed places. The people began tunneling by hand into the red clay earth and made the tunnels their home.
By vehicle from Dong Ha to Hue

Excursion to Thien Mu Pagoda and Tomb of Emperor Minh Mang with boat trip
Enjoy a leisurely boat ride down the PERFUME RIVER, stopping first at the iconic THIEN MU PAGODA, an elegant seven-tiered octagonal tower which has become Hue's most widely recognizable monument. Continue cruising into the countryside to the IMPERIAL TOMB OF MINH MANG, a majestic complex of courtyards, pavilions and temples in a beautiful natural setting.
Visit the Imperial Tombs of Tu Duc and Khai Dinh
Venture into the countryside around Hue to the IMPERIAL TOMB OF TU DUC. Tu Duc, the longest reigning Vietnamese emperor, designed and built this elegant tomb during his lifetime, using it as a retreat for meditation, reading and theater performances. Take some time to soak in the tranquil atmosphere, wandering among the gracefully proportioned pavilions, courtyards and lotus ponds. Afterwards visit the IMPERIAL TOMB OF KHAI DINH, dramatically located on a hillside. The last of the monumental tombs of the Nguyen dynasty, completed in 1931, this tomb incorporates distinct European elements into the traditional Vietnamese architecture.

Sightseeing in the Old Imperial City
Located in the heart of Hue is the IMPERIAL CITADEL, a vast complex built in the early 19th century and modelled after the Forbidden City of Peking. The original walls stretched for 10 km and were surrounded by a wide moat. Today, most of the buildings have been destroyed due to bombing during the Vietnam-American War, but the monuments that remain provide a fascinating glimpse into the court life of the Nguyen Dynasty. Approach the city past the striking FLAG TOWER, where a giant Vietnamese flag waves proudly overhead, to the imposing NGO MON GATE, the main entrance to the Imperial Enclosure. Enter into an area of spacious courtyards and serene lotus ponds, and visit THAI HOA PALACE, the magnificently decorated reception hall, the HALLS OF THE MANDARINS, and the original NINE DYNASTIC URNS, among other sites. Visit Dong Ba Market
DONG BA MARKET: a local market near the Imperial City
By vehicle from Hue to Danang
Journey south from Hue over scenic mountainous roads with spectacular views over the coastline. Halfway between Danang and Hue lies the dramatic HAI VAN PASS, the high dividing line between the climate zones of north and south Vietnam. Continue past LANG CO, a lovely stretch of beach curving outwards between a clear blue lagoon and the South China Sea, before arriving at Danang. Sightseeing in Danang
Danang is a thriving regional center, one of the largest cities in Vietnam. Tour the CHAM MUSEUM, an elegant colonial building which now houses the finest collection of Cham sculpture in the world and briefly pass CHINA BEACH, a famous R&R spot for American soldiers during the Vietnam-American War. Continue south to Hoi An, stopping enroute to visit the MARBLE MOUNTAINS, five stone hillocks, once islands, that now rise sharply from the surrounding ricefields. Riddled with caves and shrines, they are said to each represent one of the five elements of the universe.
By vehicle from Danang to Hoi An
Journey south past the Marble Mountains and small villages.

Sightseeing in Hoi An with a boat trip on the Thu Bon River
The exquisitely preserved merchant town of HOI AN was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1999. Its colorful shophouses and temples reflect a diverse heritage, dating back to the 16th and 17th century, when it was a major port for Western, Chinese and Japanese traders. Today it is a thriving center of traditional crafts and a shoppers’ paradise, best explored on foot.
Wander through the cobbled streets, past low tile-roofed buildings, the bustling central MARKET and the small HARBOUR where colorfully painted boats are moored. The walking tour will include visits to a PRIVATE HOUSE, where members of the same family have lived continuously for centuries in a traditional setting; to one of the FAMILY CHAPELS built by prominent merchant or official families as centers for ancestor worship; and to a typical CHINESE-STYLE PAGODA or ASSEMBLY HALL. Finally, continue to the famous JAPANESE COVERED BRIDGE, first constructed in 1593 by the Japanese community of Hoi An to link the town with the Chinese quarters across the stream.
In the afternoon, board a local boat and cruise down the THU BON RIVER, enjoying the unspoiled countryside and stopping to visit a POTTERY VILLAGE and a WOODCARVING VILLAGE before returning to Hoi An harbour.

By vehicle from Hoi An to Qui Nhon
Journey south along the coast and Highway 1 past Tam Ky and Quang Ngai. This region is one of the most arid in Vietnam. The nearby plains are dominated by rocky, roundish mountains and support some marginal irrigated rice agriculture.
Sightseeing in Qui Nhon
Tour the highlights of QUI NHON town, visiting the two Cham towers of THAP DOI, which feature unusual curved pyramidal roofs; LONG KANH PAGODA, the most important temple in town; and QUANG TRUNG MUSEUM, dedicated to Nguyen Hue, the second oldest of the three brothers who led the Tay Son Rebellion and crowned himself Emperor Quang Trung in 1788. The museum is known for its demonstrations of binh dinh vo, a traditional martial art that is performed with a bamboo stick.

By vehicle from Qui Nhon to Pleiku
By vehicle from Pleiku to Buon Ma Thuot
Overnight in Buon Ma Thuot

Buon Ma Thuot is the capital of Dac Lac Province and the largest town in the western highlands. The region's main crop is coffee which is grown on plantations, many of which were originally set up with the help of former East Germany.
ETHNOGRAPHIC MUSEUM: This comprehensive museum is a good place to get an understanding of the 31 distinct ethnic groups in Dak Lak Province. Displays feature traditional Montagnard dress, as well as agricultural implements, fishing gear and musical instruments.
TUA: close by Buon Ma Thuot is the Ede hamlet of Tua, whose inhabitantse raise animals and grow manioc, sweet potatoes and maize. Ede society is matrilineal and matrilocal (centred on the household of the wife's family). Extended families live in long houses.
Excursion to Dray Sap Waterfalls and Ede Village
Head outside town to visit the spectacular DRAY SAP WATERFALLS, which cascade over a 100m width in the middle of a beautiful rainforest setting. On the way back to town, stop at the EDE VILLAGE OF TUA to learn about the traditional lifestyles of the Ede people. Although the town has become largely assimilated in appearance, the village families continue to live in traditional longhouses and follow a matrilineal hierarchy.

By vehicle from Buon Ma Thuot to Nha Trang
Journey east along Highway 26 down the mountains to the coast past Buon Mrong and Ninh Hoa.Afternoon at leisure

Sightseeing in Nha Trang with a visit to the seawater aquarium by boat
Nha Trang is the capital of Khanh Hoa Province and has one of the most beautiful municipal beaches in Vietnam.
PO NAGAR CHAM TOWERS: built between the 7th and 12th centuries, this site was used for Hindu worship as early as the 2nd century AD. The towers serve as the Holy See honoring Goddess Yang Ino Po Nagar, the Goddess of the Dua clan which ruled over the southern part of the Cham Kingdom, covering Kauthara and Pan Duranga.
PASTEUR INSTITUT: founded in 1895 by Dr Alexandre Yersin (1863-1943). Today the institute coordinates vaccination and hygiene programs for the country's southern coastal region. Dr.Yersin's library and office are now a museum.
OCEANOGRAPHIC INSTITUTE: founded in 1923, it has an aquarium and specimen room open to the public. The twenty-three ground floor tanks are home to a variety of colorful live specimens of local marine life, including seahorses.
LANG SON PAGODA: founded in the late 19th century, this pagoda still has monks residing on the premises. The entrance and roofs are decorated with mosaic dragons constructed of glass and ceramic tile. At the top of the hill behind the pagoda is a huge white Buddha seated on a lotus blossom.
NHA TRANG CATHEDRAL: built in the French Gothic style and complete with medieval style stained glass windows, it stands on a small hill overlooking the train station.
BAO DAI VILLAS: the former retreat of Bao Dai, Vietnam's last emperor. Between the mid-1950s and 1975, Bao Dai's Villas were used by high-ranking officials of the South Vietnamese government, including President Thieu. The villas are set on three hills with brilliant views of the South China Sea, Nha Trang Bay and Cau Da dock.

By vehicle from Nha Trang to Saigon
Journey south along the coast and Highway 1 past Dien Khanh, Lam, Phan Rang, Phan Tiet, Xuan Loc and Bien Hoa. Ninh Tuan Province, where Phan Rang is located, is home to tens of thousands of descendents of the Cham people.

Sightseeing in Saigon and Cholon (Chinatown) 8 hrs
Saigon is the largest of Vietnamese cities, with the hustle and bustle of Vietnamese life visible everywhere. There are street markets, sidewalk cafes and sleek new bars. The city churns and bubbles. Yet within this teeming metropolis are 300 years of timeless traditions and the beauty of an ancient culture. To the west of the city is District 5, the huge Chinese neighborhood called Cholon, which means 'Big Market'.
NOTRE DAME CATHEDRAL: built between 1877 and 1883 and set in the heart of Saigon's government quarter. It has a neo-Romanesque form and two high square towers, tipped with iron spires. In front of the cathedral is a statue of the Virgin Mary.
CENTRAL POST OFFICE: a French-style building with a glass canopy and iron frame, situated next to the Notre Dame Cathedral. The structure was built between 1886 and 1891 and is by far the largest post office in Vietnam.
CITY HALL: completed in 1908, also known as “Hotel de Ville”, and located at the northern end of Nguyen Hue Boulevard. With its ornate gingerbread fa?ade, it looks like the town hall of a French town. (May be viewed from the outside only).
OPERA HOUSE: built around the turn of the century and first renovated in the 1940s, the building housed the lower division of the National Assembly. Today it is a Municipal Theatre and also known as the Saigon Concert Hall. (May be viewed from the outside only).
JADE EMPEROR PAGODA: was a key meeting place for Chinese secret societies. It has very colorful and mysterious ambience.
REUNIFICATION PALACE: this was the Independence Palace of the South Vietnamese president and was stormed by tanks on 30 April 1975, signifying the fall of South Vietnam. It has been preserved in its original state.
WAR REMNANTS MUSEUM: collections of weapons and photographs from two Indochina wars are exhibited along with the original French 'Guillotine' brought here in the early 20th century.
BEN THANH MARKET: the central market of Saigon, its surrounding streets make up one of the city's liveliest areas. Everything commonly eaten, worn or used by the average resident of Saigon is available here.
GIAC LAM PAGODA: the oldest pagoda in Saigon, built at the end of the 17th century. Because the last reconstruction here was in 1900, the architecture, layout and ornamentation remain almost unaltered by the modernist renovations that have transformed so many other religious structures in Vietnam. Ten monks live in this pagoda, which also incorporates aspects of Taoism and Confucianism.
BINH TAY MARKET: Cholon's main marketplace, much of the business conducted here is wholesale.

Excursion to Cu Chi Tunnels and Tay Ninh
CU CHI TUNNELS: Cu Chi was an important base during the American War, because of its strategic location. The Vietcong built a 200km long network of tunnels connecting command posts, hospitals, shelter and weapon factories. Dug out of hard laterite by hand tools without the use of cement, this amazing network was never discovered.
TAY NINH: this town serves as the headquarters of one of Vietnam's religions, Caodism. The Caodai Great Temple at the sect's Holy See is one of the most striking structures in all of Asia and was built between 1933 and 1955. The area's dominant geographic feature is Nui Ba Den (Black Lady Mountain), which towers 850m above the surrounding plains.

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