Day 1: ARRIVAL - SAIGON (-/-/-)
Fly to Saigon. Upon arrival at the airport, you will be met by our guide and transfer to your hotel.
Overnight in Saigon.

Day 2: COOKING CLASS - A HALF-DAY SAIGON CITY TOUR (B/L/-)
In the morning we will join a cooking class from 09:30 to 12:30 at the Vietnam Cookery Center. At the end of the class, you will enjoy food which you have prepared.
In this cooking class you will have a chance to prepare 3 items:
•    Salad
•    One local soup.
•    Braised fish or Pork
In the afternoon we will begin a half-day tour of Ho Chi Minh City which takes in Notre Dame Cathedral, the Old Post Office, and Reunification Palace. Then visit the historical museum, where you can have a great overview of the history of Vietnam.
Overnight in Saigon.

Day 3: SAIGON - DANANG - HOI AN (B/-/-)
This morning we will be at leisure before transferring to Tan Son Nhat airport for a departing flight to Da Nang. Upon arrival at Da Nang Airport, you are met and transferred to Hoi An, which was originally one of the major trading centers of Southeast Asia in the 16th century.
In the afternoon, take a walking tour through the ancient town of Hoi An with visits to Phuc Kien Congressional Assembly Hall, the Japanese Covered Bridge and Tan Ky ancient house. Then you have free time for discovering the town
Overnight  in Hoi An.

Day 4: COOKING CLASS WITH MS. VI - HOI AN (B/L/-)
This morning we will participate in a very special cooking class under the instruction of Ms.Vi, who is not only known as the owner of Morning Glory restaurant, but is also one of the most talented artisans of cuisine in Vietnam.
•    Cao lau
•    Fresh spring roll + shrimp
•    Papaya salad
•    Grilled Chicken & lime leaf
•    Crispy Pancake
In the afternoon, take a cyclo trip to the rural area of Hoi An. Follow the Thu Bon river bank and enjoy the great view of Hoi An town across the river. Then discover the villages of local people before taking a boat trip on the Thu Bon River. It is great chance to see the daily life activities of local people along the river. On the way back to Hoi An, enjoy the beautiful sunset on the river.
Overnight  in Hoi An.

Day 5: HOI AN - HUE (B/-/-)
This morning we drive from Hoi An to Hue, the ancient capital of Vietnam. Visit China Beach and the Cham Museum en route. Upon arrival in Hue, check in and have lunch at the hotel. In the afternoon, take a cyclo trip from your hotel over the famous Trang Tien bridge and to Dong Ba market. The cyclo will take you through the streets to the ancient citadel of Hue, and past local shops where you will observe daily life and see the architecture of this famous citadel. Stop at Noon gate of the Imperial Citadel for a walking tour to the inner area of the citadel where the Nguyen Dynasty ruled between 1802 and 1945. This tour includes the Flag Tower, Noon Gate, Nine Dynastic Urns, Nine Holy Cannons, Thai Hoa Palace, and the Forbidden Purple City.
Overnight in Hue.

Day 6: HALF-DAY HUE CITY TOUR - COOKING CLASS (B/-/D)
This morning we visit Thien Mu pagoda, the symbol of Hue city, and then we take a walk around Kim Long Village. It will be a great opportunity to learn about the lifestyle of the local people there. We then visit Tu Duc Tomb where we will discover the beautiful and impressive architecture of this unique construction in Hue and learn about its King. In the afternoon, we will have one more chance to take part in a cooking class at Tha Om restaurant.
Overnight in Hue.

Day 7: HUE - HANOI (B/L/-)
This morning we drive to Phu Bai Airport for the flight to Hanoi. Upon arrival, visit the Ethnology Museum before having lunch in a Season of Hanoi restaurant. Visit Hoa Lo prison, the place known as the “Hanoi Hilton” by American Pilots during the War. Check into the hotel. You will have time to freshen up before going to the Water Puppet show.
Overnight  in Hanoi.

Day 8: HANOI - COOKING CLASS (B/-/D)
In the morning we visit Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum - the symbol of the country, the Presidential Palace, Presidential Garden, Ho Chi Minh’s House on Stilts and One Pillar Pagoda. Then we visit the Temple of Literature - the center of culture in Hanoi.
At around 17:30, you will have the opportunity to take a Cooking class at Viet Kitchen Restaurant and learn how to prepare 3 traditional dishes of Hanoi. The chef of the restaurant, also known as Hanoian, will guide you on how to prepare the traditional dishes:
•    Nem (Fried meat rolls).
•    Ca Hap (Steamed Fish with dill).
•    Nom (Mixed Salad).
Overnight in Hanoi.

Day 9: HANOI -MAI CHAU (B/L/D)
Depart from Hanoi to Mai Chau - the peaceful valley to the West of Hanoi. This trip gives you a lot of photo opportunities with spectacular scenery of the mountain area and the rice fields. Upon arrival at Mai Chau, check in and have lunch at a local house of the Thai people in Pom Coong village. In the afternoon we will take a walk around the valley to visit some nearby villages, the carpeted green rice fields and the Mai Chau Market, where you can buy the food you will need for cooking at your home stay in the long house. After dinner, enjoy a traditional music show performed by local people in the village.
Overnight in the long house of Thai people.

Day 10: MAI CHAU - HANOI (B/L/-)
In the morning drive up to Xa Linh, then take a 2 hour trek through the primitive jungle to the area of Muong people. Located on a beautiful plateau on the bank of Hoa Binh reservoir, this village is hidden from tourists and is very friendly to visitors. You will have lots of chances to interact with the hill tribe people there before returning to the bus. Next we go to the village of the Mong people at Xa Linh. Then we drive back to Mai Chau for lunch at the house on stilts of the Thai family. After lunch, you can say good-bye to our very hospitable host and drive back to Hanoi.
Overnight in Hanoi.

Day 11: HANOI - HALONG BAY (B/L/D)

OPTION TOUR TO HALONG BAY FOR SUPERIOR, DELUXE & EXCLUSIVE CLASSES (DETAILS FOR STANDARD & FIRST CLASSES AT THE END OF THE DOCUMENT)

Morning depart to Halong bay through Red River Delta. Upon arrival to Halong, embark to the Junk and set sail through bay while lunch is served. Passage into the picturesque “Dragon descending to the sea” Bay has 1,969 limestone islets rising from the sea, many of them containing beautiful grottoes. After lunch, take a short trek to a nearby summit for a panoramic view of the bay dotted with our Junk, go swimming on a quite beach or sunbathing on the sundeck. Later afternoon, visit an interesting fishing village with opportunity to interact with fish men who have been living in the bay for almost three generations.
At sunset time, kayak or simply take a bamboo row boat to discover a water tunnel with many coral reefs in a scenic lagoon. Back on board, enjoy cocktails while watching sunset before dinner.
Overnight on Ginger Cruise.

Day 12: HALONG - HANOI (B/L/-)
Greet the day with a morning Tai Chi exercise with an opportunity to view the sunrise over the bay. After breakfast, visit beautiful limestone grotto then back to the boat for a final glimpse of the Halong Bay while cruising back to the dock. Drive back to Hanoi. The rest of the day is at your leisure.
Overnight in Hanoi.

Day 13: HANOI - Departure (B/-/-)
At leisure until transfer to Noi Bai Airport for departure flight.

OPTION TOUR IN STANDARD & FIRST WITH OVERNIGHT ON HUONG HAI JUNK

Day 11: HANOI - HALONG (B/L/D)
08h30: Pick up at hotel and transfer to Halong Bay.
12h30: We are welcome on the traditional junk and have welcome drink. Start the boat trip to visit Halong Bay, listed as a World Heritage Area of outstanding natural beauty. This picturesque "Dragon descending to the sea" Bay has 1,969 limestone islets rising from the sea, many of them containing beautiful grottoes. Visit of a grotto then seafood lunch on board.The excursion includes the visit to Con Cho Island, Dinh Huong Island, Canh Buom Island, Ga Choi Island. Swimming on Titop or Hoa Cuong beach. Watching sunset. Fishing with seine and owing bamboo boat (on request).
Dinner and overnight on board.

Day 12: HALONG BAY - THO HA VILLAGE - HANOI (Br/-)
Breakfast on board. Continue to visit other corners of Halong Bay. Brunch is served on board.
11h30: Transfer back to Hanoi. The rest of the day is free at leisure.
Overnight in Hanoi.