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Itinerary in brief
Day 1:  Hanoi - Arrival
Day 2 : Hanoi - Halong
Day 3 : Halong - Ninh Binh
Day 4:  Ninh Binh - Vinh
Day 5 : Vinh - Hue 
Day 6 : Hue
Day 7: Hue - Danang
Day 8: Danang - Hoi An - Qui Nhon 
Day 9: Qui Nhon - Nha Trang
Day 10 : Nha Trang - Saigon
Day 11 : Saigon
Day 12 : Saigon - Mekong Detail
Day 13 : Saigon - Departure 

Detail Itinerary

Day 1:  Hanoi -Arrival
Sightseeing Hanoi (half day)
Hanoi, a city of lakes, shaded boulevards and public parks, is the capital of Vietnam. It is a very attractive city with French style buildings and less traffic than other cities in Asia.
ONE PILLAR PAGODA: built by the Emperor Ly Thai Tong, who ruled from 1028 to 1054. Constructed of wood on a single stone pillar, it is designed to resemble a lotus blossom.
TEMPLE OF LITERATURE: founded in 1070 by Emperor Ly Thanh Tong, who dedicated it to Confucius in order to honor scholars and men of literary accomplishment.
HOAN KIEM LAKE: right in the heart of Hanoi, this lake contains an islet with the tiny Tortoise Pagoda, topped with a red star.
OPERA HOUSE: a magnificent 900-seat opera house built in 1911. (May be viewed from the outside only).Overnight in Hanoi.

Day 2 : Hanoi - Halong[ B]
Sightseeing Hanoi
Visit Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum
HO CHI MINH MAUSOLEUM: in the tradition of Lenin and Stalin before him and Mao after him, the final resting place of Ho Chi Minh is a glass sarcophagus set deep in the bowels of a monumental edifice that has become a site of pilgrimage. (Closed Mondays and Fridays).
Visit Ho Chi Minh's House
HO CHI MINH'S HOUSE: a stilt house where Ho lived on and off from 1958 to 1969. The house is built in the style of Vietnam's ethnic minorities, and has been preserved just as Ho left it.
Visit Museum of Ethnic Minorities
MUSEUM OF ETHNIC MINORITIES: opened in 1997, this museum is located on the outskirts of Hanoi. (Closed on Mondays).
By vehicle from Hanoi to Halong Bay
Journey east along Highway 5 across Hai Hung Province and around Halong Bay.Overnight in Halong.

Day 3 : Halong - Ninh Binh [ B]
Boat trip Halong Bay (4 hours)
This four-hour boat ride explores Halong Bay, passing the islands of Trong, Mai, Am, Chen and Cong Troi (Heaven Gates). Stop at one of the islands and visit of one of the following caves.
HANG DAU GO: a huge, three-chambered cave, which is reached via 90 steps. The cave derives its Vietnamese name from the third of the chambers, which is said to have been used by Trang Hung Dao during the 13th century to store bamboo stakes used against the Mongol invaders.
BO NAU: the "Pelican" caves.
THIEN CUNG: "Heaven Palace."
By vehicle from Halong to Ninh Binh
Journey south across the provinces of Ha Tay and Nam Ha.Overnight in Ninh Binh.

Day 4:  Ninh Binh - Vinh [ B]
Excursion to "Dry Halong Bay" by boat
'Dry Halong Bay' or Tam Coc, is best seen by rowboat via the Ngo Dong River. With these boats, visitors are able to enter the caves silently, making for a peaceful and unique experience.
DRY HALONG BAY: Also called Tam Coc, meaning "three caves", it boasts exquisite scenery with huge rock formations rising from the rice paddies. The caves, Hang Ca, Hang Giua and Hang Cuoi, are 127m, 70m and 40m respectively in length.
By vehicle from Ninh Binh to Vinh
Journey to Vinh on Highway 1.Overnight in Vinh.

Day 5 : Vinh - Hue [ B]
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 Hue
Journey south along Highway 1 past Ha Tinh, Dong Hoi, Dong Ha, Quang Tri and Huong Dien. This central part of Vietnam saw plenty of action during the American War and many bomb craters are visible. It is also a very poor area, with a harsh climate characterized by typhoons and arid weather.Overnight in Hue.

Day 6 : Hue [ B]
Sightseeing Thien Mu Pagoda and Tomb of Emperor Minh Mang with boat trip
THIEN MU PAGODA: just outside of Hue, on the bank of the Perfume River, this was a hotbed of anti-government protest during the early 1960s. Behind the main sanctuary of the pagoda is the Austin motorcar which transported the monk Thich Quang Duc to the site of his 1963 self-immolation.
TOMB OF EMPEROR MINH MANG: a complex built in 1840 by King Minh Mang, known for its magnificent architecture, military statuaries and elaborate decorations. It is perhaps the most beautiful of Hue's pagodas and tombs.
Sightseeing old Imperial City
IMPERIAL CITY: located in the Citadel, it was built in the early 19th century and modeled after the Forbidden City in Peking. There are numerous palaces and temples within these walls, as well as towers, a library and a museum.
NGO MON GATE: the principal entrance to the Imperial Enclosure, facing the Flag Tower. The central passageway with its yellow doors was reserved for use by the emperor, as was the bridge across the lotus pond.
THAI HOA PALACE: built in 1803 and moved to its present site in 1833, Thai Hoa Palace is a spacious hall with an ornate roof of huge timbers supported by 80 carved and lacquered columns.
HALLS OF THE MANDARINS: these buildings, in which the mandarins prepared for court ceremonies held in the Can Chanh Reception Hall, were restored in 1977.
NINE DYNASTIC URNS: these were cast in 1835-36. Traditional ornamentation was then chiseled into the sides of the urns, each dedicated to a different Nguyen sovereign.
FORBIDDEN PURPLE CITY: this was reserved for the personal use of the emperor. The only servants allowed into the compound were eunuchs, who would pose no threat to the royal concubines. (Today the site is in ruins).Overnight in Hue.

Day 7: Hue - Danang [ B]
Visit Imperial Tomb of Emperor Tu Duc
TU DUC TOMB: once the Royal Palace of Tu Duc, who ruled Hue more than 100 years ago, this tomb consists of pavilions in a tranquil setting of forested hills and lakes. The tomb was constructed between 1864 and 1867. Tu Duc, who was the longest reigning Emperor, lived a luxurious life.
By vehicle from Hue to Danang
Journey south along Highway 1 past the Hai Van Pass and Lang Co.
HAI VAN PASS: the pass crosses over a spur of the Truong Son Mountain Range that juts into the South China Sea. It is an incredible mountainous stretch of highway with spectacular views.
LANG CO: a pretty, island-like stretch of palm-shaded sand with a crystal-clear lagoon on one side and many km of beachfront facing the South China Sea.
Sightseeing Danang, China Beach and at the Marble Mountains
Vietnam's fourth largest city marks the northern limits of Vietnam's tropical zone, boasting a pleasant year-round climate.
CHAM MUSEUM: founded in 1915 by the Ecole Francaise d'Extreme Orient, the open-air collection of Cham sculpture is the finest in the world. Many of the sandstone carvings are breathtaking.
CHINA BEACH: made famous in the American TV series of the same name, it stretches for many kilometers north and south of the Marble Mountains. During the war, American soldiers were airlifted here for 'rest and relaxation'.
MARBLE MOUNTAINS: five stone hillocks, once islands, made of marble. Each is said to represent one of the five elements of the universe. The largest and most famous, Thuy Son, has a number of natural caves in which Buddhist sanctuaries have been built over the centuries. When the Champas ruled this area, these same caves were used as Hindu shrines.
Overnight in Danang.

Day 8: Danang - Hoi An - Qui Nhon [ B]
By vehicle from Danang to Hoi An
Journey south past the Marble Mountains and small villages.
Sightseeing Hoi An by cyclo
Hoi An is a picturesque riverside town south of Danang. Known as Faifo to early western traders, it was one of South East Asia's major international ports during the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries. It is best to visit some of the following sites of Hoi An by walking around and/or by cyclo.
QUAN CONG TEMPLE: founded in 1653, the main altar is dedicated to Quan Cong, whose partially gilded statue is in the central altar at the back of the sanctuary. Stone plaques on the walls list contributors to the contruction and repair of the temple. The temple was open to all Chinese traders or seamen and is dedicated to Thien Hau – it’s a small chinese style temple with a lintel gate, a rockery courtyard and lucky animals depicted in statuary.
PHUOC KIEN PAGODA: Chinese pagoda built around 1690 and then restored and enlarged in 1900. It is typical of the Chinese 'clans' that were established in the Hoi An area. The temple is dedicated to Thien Hau Thanh Mau (Goddess of the Sea and Protector of Sailors and Fishermen).
JAPANESE COVERED BRIDGE: the first bridge on this site was constructed in 1593. It was built by the Japanese community of Hoi An to link them with the Chinese quarters across the stream. The bridge was provided with a roof so it could be used as a shelter from rain and sun.
TRAN FAMILY CHAPEL: this house for worshipping ancestors was built about 200 years ago with donations from the family members. The Tran family traces its origins to China and moved to Vietnam around 1700. The architecture of the building reflects the influence of Chinese and Japanese styles.
SA HUYNH MUSEUM: located near the Japanese covered Bridge, it contains exhibitions from the earliest period of Hoi An's history.
PHUNG HUNG HOUSE: one family has been living here for already 8 generations. The house is a combination of Vietnamese, Japanese and Chinese style.
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.Overnight in Qui Nhon.

Day 9: Qui Nhon - Nha Trang [ B]
By vehicle from Qui Nhon to Nha Trang
Journey south along the coast and Highway 1 past Tuy Hoa and Ninh Hoa. This region is one of the most arid with nearby plains dominated by rocky, roundish mountains, supporting some marginal irrigated rice agriculture.
Sightseeing Nha Trang
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, the 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.
CHONG ROCKS: famous for its different sized rocks.
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 23 ground floor tanks are home to a variety of colorful local marine specimens, including seahorses.
LANG SON PAGODA: was founded in the late 19th century and continues to have resident monks. The entrance and roof are decorated with mosaic dragons constructed of glass and ceramic tile. At the top of the hill behind the pagoda is the 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.
Overnight in Nha Trang.

Day 10 : Nha Trang - Saigon [ B]
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.
PO KLONG GARAI CHAM TOWERS: the four brick towers constructed at the end of the 13th century, during the reign of the Cham monarch Jaya Simhavarman III, were built as Hindu temples and stand on the top of a crumbly granite hill.Overnight in Saigon.

Day 11 : Saigon [ B]
Sightseeing 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 façade, 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.
THIEN HAU PAGODA: built by the Cantonese congregation in the early 19th century. The pagoda is one of the most active in Cholon and is dedicated to Thien Hau. It is said that she can travel over the oceans on a mat and ride the clouds to wherever she pleases.
Overnight in Saigon.

Day 12 : Saigon [ B]
Excursion to My Tho with boat trip on the Mekong
MY THO: capital of Tien Giang Province. The economy is based on fishing and the cultivation of rice, coconuts, bananas, mangoes, longans and citrus fruit.
MEKONG DELTA: this is the southernmost region of Vietnam, formed by sediment deposited by the Mekong River. Silt deposits extend the delta shoreline at the mouth of the river by as much as 79m per year. The area is known as Vietnam's 'bread basket' and produces the rice which feeds the entire country. Visit one or two of the islands with traditional handcrafts, bee farms and coconut candy production.
DRAGON ISLAND: the island has many longan orchards which can be visited and the lush, palm fringed shores of the island are lined with wooden fishing boats.
PHOENIX ISLAND: until his imprisonment and the consequent dispersion of his flock, the coconut Monk (Ong Dao Dua) led a small community on this island.
VINH TRANG PAGODA: a beautiful and well maintained sanctuary, this is the oldest pagoda in the delta. The charitable monks here provide a home to orphans, disabled and other needy children.Overnight in Saigon.

Day 13 : Saigon - Departure [ B]
today we have free time until transfer to airport for your flight to your home.