Day 1: Depart
Overnight flight to Vietnam, you will lose one day en route as you will cross the International Date Line

Day 2: Arrive Hanoi (D)
Our first destination in Vietnam is Hanoi, a city of lakes, parks, villas, mansions, and an old French Quarter. Upon arrival you will transfer to the hotel and check in. You will have time to relax before taking an orientation tour of the city visiting the heart of Hanoi, the Moan Lake Area with colonial-era buildings along the wide streets, and the fascinating old quarter with its 36 ancient streets of commercial trade. This evening enjoy a welcome dinner with a traditional music show.

Day 3: Hanoi/Hoa Lu (B, L, D)
Take a full day excursion to Ninh Binh, 100km from Hanoi. Visit the Dinh and Le Dynasty temples in Hoa Lu, an ancient capital of Vietnam from 968 to 1009. The highlight of the trip is a sampan ride to Tam Coc, known as Vietnam’s “Inland Halong Bay” Then onwards to the Bich Dong cave pagodas dating from the 17th century.

Day 4: Hanoi/Ha Long (B, L, D)
After breakfast enjoy a scenic drive to Ha Long via Hai Phong, board a Huong Hai junk for lunch before cruising Ha Long Bay. This is a magical day gliding the emerald green waters and visiting hidden grottos.

Day 5: Ha Long/Hai Phong (B, L)
After breakfast on board, cruise the islands of Halong Bay. Enjoy swimming and fabulous photography opportunities. After lunch return to Hanoi by coach and enjoy a free evening for shopping or whatever you want.

Day 6: Hanoi sightseeing (B, L)
This morning we take a ½ day tour visiting Hanoi’s most interesting sites. We will visit Ho Chi Minh’s humble house on stilts, the Temple of Literature, the historical museum, Presidential Palace, and the One Pillar Pagoda. The afternoon is free but we might suggest a Pedi cab ride to the streets where handicrafts are sold. In the evening enjoy a water puppet show and dinner.

Day 7: Hanoi/Hue (B, L, D)
Transfer to the airport for your flight to Hue. Check into the hotel, and then visit the Imperial Citadel, which is modeled after the Forbidden City in Beijing. Enjoy the Royal dinner.

Day 8: Hue (B, L, D)
This morning cruise the Perfume River to visit Thien Mu Pagoda and the Mausoleum of King Minh Mang. The afternoon is your leisure time.

Day 9: Hue/DMZ (B) (Lunch on DMZ tour only)
Today you have a choice: You can take the day off or do as you wish, such as lay by the pool, rent a bike, go shopping, whatever you like. Or, you can tour what was known as the DMZ (Demilitarized Zone). We will leave around 7:30am and go north on Hwy 1, pass over rivers and through small villages going toward Dong Ha. We then go on route 9 to Dong Ha, Con Thien, Cam Lo, and Camp Carroll. Even if you have no interest in the war sites, you will enjoy the scenery. Lunch is at a local restaurant. Everyone is on their own for dinner arrangements. Lunch is only served if you are on the DMZ tour.

Day 10: Hue/Hoi An (B, L, D)
We will head south on Hwy 1 past Phu Bai, and may other villages like Phu Loc, then we will go up a winding road to the top of Hai Van Pass. We will stop at Lan Co village for sightseeing. While in the Danang area we will visit the Cham Art Museum and Marble Mountain, maybe a short stop at the beach the marines landed on March 9th 1965. Then on to Hoi An Beach Resort Hotel for a three night stay. You are on your own for lunch the first day only. This evening enjoy a nice dinner on the riverside terrace of the hotel.

Day 11: Hoi An- My Son (B,L,D)
Ancient historical site: My Son – Cham Holy See. Return to Hoi An Resort. In mid-afternoon our guide will take anyone who is interested to visit the World Heritage site of Old Town Hoi An. If not the afternoon is free.

Day 12: Hoi An (B)
Free Day

Day 13: Hoi An / Nha Trang (B,L,D)
After breakfast, transfer to danang airport for the flight to Nha Trang. The rest of the day is free to relax at the beach, enjoy the pool or explore on your own.

Day 14: Nha Trang / Dalat (B,L,D)
Our day begins with the scenic drive to Dalat visiting Po Nagar Cham Towers, Po Klong Garai Cham Towers, and travel over Ngoan Muc Pass. We will walk in the French District and the Central Market.

Day 15: Dalat (B, L)
Sight seeing includes the famous Valley of Love, Tuyen Lam Lake, Chinese Pagoda Flower Garden and embroidery center.

Day 16: Dalat / Ho Chi Minh City (Siagon) (B, L)
This morning do some last minute shopping at Dalat Market before driving to HCMC. In the afternoon we will have a walking tour of downtown Siagon, including Notre Dame Cathedral, the former Presidential Palace, and the History Museum.

Day 17: Ho Chi Minh City / Mekong Delta (B, L, D)
Three hours south to Cai Be Boat Station. Lunch at Biao Bonsai Gardens. Then on to Can Tho, where we check into Victoria Can Tho.

Day 18: Can Tho / Ho Chi Minh City (B)
Cruise on a river raft to visit the bustling floating markets at Cal Rang and Phong Dien. Then we head back to HCMC. On your own for lunch and dinner.

Day 19: Ho Chi Minh City - Cu Chi Tunnels (B, L, D)
Visit Cu Chi in the morning, Afternoon is free time. You have the option of skipping Cu Chi and can be on your own in Siagon until early evening. About 6:30pm we transfer to Binh Quoi Village for our farewell dinner, it includes a half liter of wine per person.

Day 20: Departure (B) (airline meals)

Included:

• Accommodation is on a twin share (double occupancy) basis
• Private transportation as per itinerary, including boat cruises on the Perfume River, Nha Trang, and Mekong
• English speaking guide
• Full board per itinerary:  B=breakfast, L=lunch, D= dinner
• Entrance fees to sights listed
• Water Puppet Show Ticket
• Royal Dinner
• Cyclo fees in Hanoi
• Gift of  mineral water
• All taxes included

Excludes:

• Personal expenses (drinks, tips, etc)
• Optional visits
• All that is not listed on the inclusive list

Important Note:

The price for this entire trip is cash discounted. We take credit cards. 

Payment:

$500 deposit per person due on March 3rd, 2008.  Final Payment in full is due on April 1, 2008.

VISA Requirments:

A valid US passport is required (with at least 6 mo after March 6th, 2008 return date left on your Passport.)
 
You must obtain a VISA to visit Vietnam.  You can go on-line to get the application form and instructions.

Please apply your VISA by December 15, 2007 this will avoid delays and give the Vietnamese Embassy time to process your Vietnam VISA and get your passport back to you.

Trip Cancellation Penalty:

Up to March 15th the cancellation fee is $200.

After April 1st the cancellation fee is $1000.  We   will try to get back some of your airline ticket, but there are no guarantees, we will have to follow airline policy.

Price: $2,875 complete, Double Occupancy