Day 1: Arrive Saigon

Arrive Ho Chi Minh City and transfer to your hotel.
Overnight Ho Chi Minh City
(Meals: none)

Day 2: Cu Chi Tunnels

In the morning, enjoy a half day tour to the Tunnels of Cu Chi.
This amazing underground camp served as a refuge for thousands of Viet Cong during the war. For years the American military had no idea that the enemy lived literally beneath their feet in 125 miles of tunnels, staging camps, hospitals, operations bunkers, and more. Today we can climb down into the tunnels to view their rooms and passageways. (This is not for the claustrophobic, as it is a very close space and you must slide along on your stomach at times.) Beforehand, watch a documentary that explains Cu Chi&rsquos importance during the war.

Back to Saigon for lunch at local restaurant.

This afternoon discover the contrasts of bustling Ho Chi Minh City. You will visit the former Presidential Palace, which is now preserved as a museum, including the underground communications bunkers, headquarters for the Saigon Government during the American War.

Continue to the History Museum, which houses an excellent display tracing the origins of the indigenous Vietnamese. A water puppet performance is housed in the grounds. Visit also the Notre Dame Cathedral, a Neo-classical structure dating back to the 19th century, with the beautiful Post Office building opposite Central Market (Ben Thanh Market) where you will wander the colourful stalls and stands of this central area of trade and commerce. After the market, stroll down Le Loi and Dong Khoi Street, &lsquothe shopping street in Saigon.

Overnight Ho Chi Minh City.
(Breakfast, Lunch)

Day 3: Saigon &ndash Hanoi

Transfer to the airport for a morning flight to Hanoi, capital of Vietnam.
On arrival in Hanoi, you meet and transfer to the city and begin a full day sightseeing tour with your local guide.

Visit Ba Dinh Square, where silent sentries guard the marble and granite mausoleum where Ho Chi Minh lies in state. (Subject to opening times the interior of the mausoleum can be visited).
See the simple cottage where Uncle Ho lived and worked.

Nearby, visit the Ho Chi Minh Museum, an extraordinary tribute in abstract form to the life of the 'father of the country' and the evolution of Vietnamese independence. French architecture is a feature of Hanoi, and the nearby former Governor's Residence is a fine example. See also the One Pillar Pagoda, and hear the legend of its construction, born from the love of an emperor in the 11th Century.

Lunch at local restaurant.

This afternoon enjoy an orientation of the tree-lined streets of Hanoi, resplendent with French colonial architecture, including the recently restored Opera House. Pass by Hoan Kiem Lake, also known as Lake of the Restored Sword from the legend that surrounds it enroute to one of the city's fascinating museums (Army, History or Fine Arts, depending on your preference). Continue to the Temple of Literature, built in 1070 and then dedicated to Confucius, it is a serene retreat from the busy streets outside, and later became Vietnam's first university.

Then take to the streets on foot for a walking tour of the Ancient Quarter or 36 Streets District. This densely populated corner of the city was once a centre of commerce where goods were sold under the street name of a particular guild. Still a thriving community of sellers today, you will see street names such as Sugar Street, Tin Street and Paper Street. Ancient homes and temples are interspersed with stores in this souvenir hunter's paradise!

Overnight Hanoi.
(Breakfast, Lunch)

Day 4: Thay and Tay Phuong Pagoda

Rich in Buddhism, the north of Vietnam is home to the country's most colourful and revered pagodas and temples. Located 40 kilometres southwest of Hanoi lies the Thay Pagoda (Master's pagoda). Whilst a temple is a place worship the dead, a pagoda is a place to worship the Lord Buddha.

Thay Pagoda is widely known for its finely carved statues in lacquer and gold of Buddha in his past and present form and for its colourful Buddhist ceremonies performed here during auspicious dates of the Lunar calendar.

Water puppetry is also occasionally performed in the courtyard of the pagoda but this is generally limited to festivals and holiday periods. Only 6 kilometres further away lies Tay Phuong Pagoda situated at the top of a small hillock. Built in 1794 the pagoda is famous for its vast display of finely carved wooden statues of former monks from the 18th Century.

Return to Hanoi and rest of the day is your free time. Lunch on your own today.

Day 5: Depart Hanoi

At leisure until you are transferred to your onward flight.
(Breakfast)

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