Upon arriving in Hanoi, your driver will personally meet you at the airport and transfer to your hotel. The rest of the day is time at leisure.

Overnight at hotel in Hanoi.

In the morning, visit Ho Chi Minh Complex including Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum, the Presidential Palace, House-on-Stilts, and the Ho Chi Minh Museum. After that, visit the Temple of Literature, originally built as a temple to Confucius, this is the site of Vietnam’s first University dating back to 1070. The temple highlights the importance that Vietnamese society place then and now on education.

Lunch at a local restaurant.

Continue your guided tour with a visit of the Museum of Ethnology. This museum is widely acknowledged as the best in the country and has an extensive display dedicated to Vietnam’s 54 Ethnic minority peoples. As well as the comprehensive array of exhibits inside, there are also traditional tribal houses reconstructed within the ground.

Then, go back to the center of Hanoi to visit Ngoc Son Temple and Hoan Kiem Lake: The Ngoc Son temple is set on a tiny island on the Hoan Kiem Lake, its history dating back to the 13th century. The temple is reached by crossing the The Huc Bridge which literally means the ‘Place Touched by Morning Sunbeams’. The Hoan Kiem Lake is the local point of the city and the source of many legends.

A 45 minute Cyclo Tour takes you through the Old Quarter. Also known as the 36 streets, this bustling area of narrow streets is home to literally thousands of small businesses and shopkeepers. Originally each of the 36s names’ was related to the products being sold there. It’s a great place to explore on foot with numerous photo opportunities.

In the evening, attend to a traditional water puppet show at Thang Long Theartre.

Overnight at hotel in Hanoi.

In the morning, departure for Halong Bay through the scenic countryside. The world heritage site Halong Bay is truly one of Vietnam’s most impressive scenic sights. Heading out of the town embark on a Chinese style junk for an exploration of the legendary Halong Bay.

A seafood lunch will be served while cruising through the bay. The limestone karsts formations are littered with beaches.

Explore the Surprising Sung Sot cave reserving amazing stalactites and stalagmites.

Overnight on Cruise in Halong Bay.

Wake up with the calming sound of waves crashing on the nearby islands. Drink a coffee or tea and watch the world going by in the bay. Sitting on the upper deck, enjoy the breathtaking beauty of the rocky islands rising from the crystal-clear water of the bay. The quiet is almost eerie, you can hear birds singing, cicadas chirping ashore and the gentle lapping of the waves against our boat, the perfect soundtrack to accompany the fresh air and gentle breeze.

The junk is cruising back to the harbor while the brunch is served.

Arrival at the harbor by noon, transfer to Noi Bai airport for the afternoon flight to Ho Chi Minh city. Meet your guide, transfer to the hotel for check-in. The rest of the day is free at leisure.

Overnight at hotel in Ho Chi Minh.

In the morning, meet Asia Top Travel’s tour guide at your hotel lobby and departure through the pleasant countryside to Cu Chi. Spend the next hour exploring the maze of tunnels where the Vietnamese could escape bombings, hide from enemy, and mount surprise attacks. Also on display are various mantraps and the remains of an American tank as well as numerous bomb craters made by 500 pound bombs dropped by B52 bombers.

After lunch in Cu Chi, head back to Ho Chi Minh city and take a half day city tour. Start by looking at the Notre Dame Cathedral, built between 1877 and 1883. This is one of the best examples of classical French colonial architecture. Nearby is the Old Post Office, another example of French colonial architecture and is also the country’s largest post office. Then, move on to see the Reunification Palace. This is one of the most important building in the city. Here on April 30th 1975 the ‘American War’ officially ended when tank number 843 of the North Vietnamese Army crashed through the gates of what was, at the time the residence of the President of the Republic of Vietnam. Continue with a visit of the War Remnants Museum (Museum of American War Crimes), this is a poignant display of the futility of war. Before finishing the tour,depending on the time, there is a wide selection of goods at Ben Thanh Market to see. The tour finishes at approximately late afternoon, when you are transferred back to your hotel.

Overnight at hotel in Ho Chi Minh.

Free morning at your own leisure until the transfer to the airport for your flight departure.