Day 1 Fly Australia - Hanoi
Fly to Hanoi, welcome by your guide and transfer to hotel. Stay at Boss Hotel for two nights.

Day 2 Hanoi
Hanoi is a unique city with tree-lined boulevards, French colonial architecture, peaceful lakes and oriental temples. This city tour includes such sights as Ho Chi Minh's Mausoleum and his house on stilts, the One Pillar Pagoda, the Temple of Literature, Quan Thanh Temple and Tran Quoc Pagoda on the edge of West Lake. After lunch at a local restaurant, continue with a visit to the Ethnology Museum to give you an overview of the ethnic diversity of Vietnam. End the day right in the heart of Hanoi with a visit to the 'Lake of the Restored Sword' and exploring Hanoi's Old Quarter, also known as the '36 streets', on foot, a great way to see this very typical area of Hanoi. (B/L)

Day 3 Hanoi - Halong Bay
0800 depart for the 3.5-hour drive to Halong Bay. Journey there through the rich farmlands of the Red River Delta, observe everyday life of Vietnamese villagers as they work the rice fields, take pigs to the market on motorbikes and plough the fields with their water buffaloes. Arrive from Hanoi late morning and welcome at the pier. Check-in procedures and transfer to your boat for the overnight journey into the Bay.

Lunch is served on board as you cruise into Halong Bay. Cruise by rock formations with such names as Sail, Dog and Dinh Huong. Towards the end of the day set anchor for the night as the sun sets followed by dinner. Stay overnight on Bai Tho Junk. (B/L/D)

Day 4 Halong Bay - Hanoi - Danang - Hoian
On your return to Halong City enjoy brunch as your boat weaves its way back to the dock. Upon disembarkation your driver will meet you for the transfer back to Hanoi. If time allows return to Hanoi otherwise straight to the airport. Drive to Noi Bai Airport in Hanoi for the 1-hr flight to Danang. On arrival your private vehicle will be waiting for you for the 40-minute transfer to Hoi An. Overnight in Hoi An Hotel for two nights. (B/L)

Day 5 Hoian
Hoian was a major Asian trading port in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries and its architecture and relaxed lifestyle have changed little over the years. This morning take a walking tour of the ancient town centre to visit the former merchants' homes, the 400 year-old Japanese Covered Bridge, a Chinese communal hall and the colorful market. Afternoon free at leisure. (B/L)

Day 6 Hoian - Hue
This morning leave Hoi An for Hue, the former imperial capital of Vietnam. Drive there over the Pass of Ocean Clouds dropping down to the wonderfully photogenic fishing village of Lang Co. Start by visiting the Imperial Citadel from where the Nguyen Dynasty ruled between 1802 and 1945. After exploring the ruins of this wonderful monument take a cyclo through the 'Old City' to Tinh Tam Lake where the Emperors used to come to relax, full of lotus flowers in summer there are many local style coffee shops around the lake where university students come to study. Drive onto Thien Mu Pagoda, constructed in 1601, the 21-meter tall tower is the centrepiece of the pagoda follow by the Mausoleum of Tu Duc, built decades before its occupant's death the tomb was used as a palace retreat before the emperors resting place. Overnight at Parkview Hotel in Hue. (B/L)

Day 7 Fly Hue - Ho Chi Minh City
Transfer to Hue Airport after breakfast for the 1-hr flight to dynamic Ho Chi Minh City, still called Saigon by the locals. A full day city tour takes in the city's bustling Chinatown and begins with a visit to the Thien Hau Temple. Continue to lively Binh Tay Market. See the incredible display of fresh produce that is offered and simply stroll through the market seeing and enjoying the variety of goods for sale. A stop will also be made at the FITO museum, Vietnam's first traditional medicine museum.

After lunch visit the War Remnants Museum and the former Presidential Palace. From there stroll by some of the major sights of colonial Ho Chi Minh City: the Notre Dame Cathedral (from outside), Old Saigon Post Office, Dong Khoi Street (formerly Rue Catinat), the Continental Hotel, Opera House and City Hall. Overnight at Asian Ruby Hotel for 2 nights. (B/L)

Day 8 Mekong Delta
Drive to My Tho where you will take a boat trip over the Tien River to Ben Tre Island. Half way across the river you will stop at Phoenix Islet where you will encounter local families making coconut rice paper as well as handicrafts made from coconut shells. From here continue to Tan Thach where you'll pick up your bicycle and begin your 8-km ride through the coconut groves and remote villages, along the way observing the simplicity of life on the Mekong. After lunch take leisurely boat trip passing by an eclectic mix of Mekong style boats laden with sand, fruit, fish, and coconuts. Delve back in time stopping at the small family run cottage industries that trade in coconuts, as well as traditional salt making workshop, a grass mat weaving hamlet and a brick kiln factory. (B/L/-)

Day 9 My Tho
Free at leisure until being transferred to the airport for flight home. (B/-/-)

Day 10 Arrive Australia