Day 1: (Friday) HANOI.
Welcome to Hanoi, a city of beautiful public spaces, lakes, tree-lined boulevards, landscaped parks and monuments that give the city an air of elegance and harmony with nature unique among Asian capitals. Upon arrival at Noibai International Airport, you will be warmly greeted by our local representative and transferred to your hotel, The Sofitel Plaza. Situated in central Hanoi, the Sofitel Plaza is a recognized landmark, tucked in between West Lake and the Red River. The tastefully decorated rooms, showcase the city with wall-to-wall windows which provide panoramic views of the city. The other features include two restaurants, three bars, a fitness center and complimentary wireless Internet in public areas. Rooms are air-conditioning with LCD satellite TV, direct dial telephone, small fridge and mini-bar, coffee/tea maker, in-room safe and a hair dryer in the private bath. This evening is free for you to relay and rest for the day ahead.

This evening we will meet to get acquainted as a group and walk to a nearby restaurant for a festive welcome dinner. Afterwards we will enjoy a traditional performance of a Water Puppet Show, a fascinating art form and major attraction in Hanoi that originated a thousand years ago in northern Vietnam.

(Breakfast, Dinner)

Day 2: (Saturday) HANOI.
Our day begins with a visit to the Temple of Literature, a peaceful series of walled courtyards and graceful gateways, and one of the best examples of traditional Vietnamese architecture. Founded in 1070 and dedicated to Confucius, this was also the site of Vietnam's first university. We'll see the miniature One Pillar Pagoda, dating from the 11th century. It is located near the vast Ho Chi Minh Memorial Complex, a lovely park setting that is home to a museum and the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, where the embalmed body of the nationalist leader is preserved as he was in life, and may be viewed through windows. His Stilt House, a simple two-room dwelling where he lived from 1958 until his final days in 1969 is on display nearby. Driving through the city, we'll pass by the "Hanoi Hilton" en route to visiting one of the city's famous attractions, the Museum of Ethnology. Here you will see the astonishing ethnic diversity in Vietnam, with art and artifacts from the 54 different ethnic groups that inhabit the country.

In the afternoon we will return to Hoan Kiem Lake to see Ngoc Son Temple, and the island with the tiny Tortoise Pagoda. Other colonial landmarks we will see are the magnificent Opera House (from the outside) and St Joseph's Cathedral. From the lake, we will hop into a Cyclo; a 3-wheeled buggy that is pedaled by a driver to explore the Old Quarter. This fascinating network of narrow alleys with shops and houses is also known as "The 36 Streets," each street named for the merchandise traditionally sold there. With a myriad of choices ranging from fabrics to crafts to medicines to tombstones. This is a shopper's paradise for native specialties, and is an endlessly interesting place to explore local life.

Tonight we will dine in one the city's best restaurants, Bobby Chinn's, the only dining establishment in Vietnam to win the prestigious 5 Star Diamond Award.

(Breakfast, Dinner)

Day 3 - (Sunday) HANOI.
Today we embark on an excursion to the countryside, to visit several small villages renowned for handmade crafts. These unique works are based on ancient methods of production, handed down from generation to generation in the northern delta area. They are the only remaining villages where these traditional crafts are still made as they were centuries ago.

"I wish I could marry you. I will buy Bat Trang bricks to build our house" . . . these are the beautiful folk words honoring the famous ceramic and pottery products of Bat Trang. A small village just 8 miles south east of Hanoi on the other side of Chuong Duong Bridge, Bat Trang pottery is known for exquisite style and quality of glaze. Vases, bowls, and all kinds of products are exported worldwide from this little community.

The art of making Rhamnoneuron paper - or poonah paper - was revered for its beauty and durability. Kings and mandarins used poonah paper to write valued records and certificates. Many such artifacts from more than five centuries ago are still intact without discoloration or blurred script. A material unique to Vietnam, poonah comes from the bark of the Rhamnoneuron plant and requires great skill to turn into paper. We will visit Dong Cao, the only hamlet in the northern province where villagers are still engaged in this craft.

Buying and exhibiting traditional folk paintings in the home is an ancient Vietnamese tradition. In the village of Dong Ho, a center for this painting, the beautiful colors were created in a process called diep. Some artists used seashells, which were then baked to create powders with exotic sparkling colors. Diep was mixed with glutinous rice and put on special paper. The works would carry greetings of prosperity for the New Year, or eulogize the five noble characteristics of Nhan (compassion), Nghia (righteousness), Le (respect), Tri (wisdom) and Tin (trust).

(Breakfast, Lunch)

Day 4: (Monday) HANOI / HALONG BAY.
This morning we'll journey east along Highway 5, traveling about 100 miles across Hai Hung Province to Halong Bay, one of the most beautiful natural sites in Vietnam. Halong means "the dragon descending to the sea."

Set in the Gulf of Tonkin, Halong Bay has some 3,000 sculpted limestone islands that, jutting from the clear emerald water, form a spectacular seascape. Because of their precipitous nature, most of the islands are uninhabited and unaffected by human presence. Halong Bay's outstanding scenic beauty is complemented by its great biological interest.

Welcome aboard the Jasmine, a deluxe 4-star junk. Built in 2007, the 1903s-inspired Indochine junk has 21 spacious cabins with outside views, a restaurant and a lounge. As we set sail, a delicious seafood lunch is served. Then, rest your eyes on the azure waters as we float through picturesque Bai Tu Long Bay, where a stop at an island allows time to enjoy sunbathing or a dip in the sea.

Later in the afternoon we will dock at Cua Van, a fishing village, where we'll board bamboo row boats for a pleasant cruise through the village, with a museum and a school among the floating homes. We'll visit Tien Ong Cave before reboarding the junk for a cocktail and sunset cruise. Dinner is served in the restaurant onboard, and later, we settle in for a comfortable sleep in the silence of the star-lit bay.

(Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 5: (Tuesday) HALONG BAY / HUE.
Rise early if you wish to start the day with a Tai Chi class on the deck. Enjoy the magnificent view as the sun rises over the sparkling emerald sea. Taking another route back to the dock at Halong Bag, we'll cruise past such sites as Pearl Farm, Phao Dai islet, Tam Cung cave, Hon Xep islet, and Dau Moi Temple. From the pier, we'll travel directly to Hanoi Airport for our flight to Hue. Established as the capital of unified Vietnam in 1802, Hue was not only the political but also the cultural and religious center under the Nguyen Dynasty until 1945. The Perfume River winds its way through the Capital City, the Imperial City, the Forbidden Purple City and the Inner City, giving this unique feudal capital a setting of great natural beauty. With good reason, the complex of Hue monuments have been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

For the next 3 nights we'll lodge at the luxurious, 4-star Saigon Morin, a grand hotel that retains the charm, atmosphere and elegance of its French colonial origins. The setting is gorgeous, with gardens, a courtyard restaurant, and a superb position along the Huong River and Trang Tien Bridge. Just a short walk away is the spectacular Citadel and Imperial Purple City. After a complete renovation in 1997, the hotel reopened with 183 spacious guest rooms, complete with air-conditioning, cable TV, direct dial telephone, complimentary internet access, mini-bar, coffee/tea maker, in-room safe and a hair dryer in the private bath. Additional amenities include an outdoor pool and gym with sauna, steam bath and a Jacuzzi. A total of 4 restaurants and 2 lounges offer gourmet cuisine with local, regional and international dishes.

(Breakfast)

Day 6: (Wednesday) HUE.
The imperial city of Hue is a showcase of ancient temples, imperial buildings and French-style edifices from the 17th century. We'll start the day with a dragon boat sail on the Perfume River to the iconic Thien Mu Pagoda, an elegant seven tiered octagonal tower which has become Hue's most widely recognizable monument. During the early 1960s, this became a center of anti-government protest. Located in the heart of Hue is the Imperial Citadel, a vast complex built in the early 19th century and modeled after the Forbidden City of Beijing. The original walls stretched for 6 miles and were surrounded by a wide moat. Most of the buildings were destroyed by bombs during the Vietnam-American War, but those that remain provide a fascinating glimpse into the court life of the Nguyen Dynasty - the powerful ruling family that rose to prominence in the 16th century and became the final dynasty in Vietnamese history.

We'll pass the striking Flag Tower, where a giant Vietnamese flag waves proudly overhead, to the imposing Ngo Mon Gate, the main entrance to the Imperial Enclosure. Spacious courtyards and serene lotus ponds lead to the Dien Tho Palace where we'll visit the residence of the Queen Mother. Thai Hoa Palace, the magnificently decorated reception hall, the Halls of Mandarins, and the original Nine Dynastic Urns, are among other sites that we'll see. At the Tu Duc Tomb we'll hear the story of Emperor Tu Duc, who ruled Hue more than 100 years ago. As the longest reigning Vietnamese Emperor of the Nguyen Dynasty, he lived a luxurious life, and even built his tomb while he was still alive to use it for meditation, reading and theater performances.

This evening we'll dine on Hue royal cuisine at the Royal Park, a restaurant surroundwomen ladies in long royal dresses.

(Breakfast, Dinner)

Day 7: (Thursday) HUE.
With a magnificent setting in the hills just outside of Hue, the Imperial Tomb of Emperor Khai Dinh is perhaps the best known of the Nguyen Dynasty tombs. Completed in 1931, six years after his death, it was the last lavish imperial tomb built in Vietnam. At the entrance, a long staircase is flanked by dragon sculptures. Although he ruled Vietnam for only 9 years following World War 1, Emperor Khai Dinh was enamored of Western culture. The king himself visited France in 1922, and as a result, his tomb least resembles oriental architecture.

In the afternoon we continue our cultural discovery of Hue. In addition to its extraordinary and historical monuments, this charming little city located along the Perfume River is also known as the country's capital of arts. Because of this, it is host to popular year-round festivals highlighting local artists, painters, poets, song-writers and theatrical performers. Experiencing the heart and soul of its people is how we'll spend the afternoon. We'll begin with a short trip into the countryside to see how local families live and work. A wonderful experience is to visit a traditional Hat Making Village. In Thanh Ha, we'll meet craftspeople who will proudly show us how they construct conical hats and make incense. We'll also visit the Vinh Tu Garden House, a tour that will show us the unique characteristics of what royal life was like in Hue. The owners will welcome us and give an interesting overview of their home.

A must-see experience is a trip to the Dong Ba Market, the largest and most significant local market in both Hue and Central Vietnam. We'll wrap up the afternoon with plenty of time to soak up the sites and scents of a bustling economy. The array of shopping is overwhelming, everything from souvenir items to bronze goods, sesame sweetmeats, conical hats, pottery, rattan and bamboo products, jewelry, tea, mandarins, and lotus leaves. Today, people visit Dong Ba Market not only because they can buy myriad goods and local food specialties, but because in their hearts it is a symbol of Hue's culture.

(Breakfast)

Day 8: (Friday) HUE / HOI AN.
This morning we will depart for Hoi An - just 65 miles away - travelling over scenic mountain roads with spectacular views of the coastline. Halfway between Danang and Hue lies the dramatic Hai Van Pass, the high dividing line between the climate zones of North and South Vietnam. We'll continue southwards passing Lang Co, a lovely stretch of beach curving outwards between a clear blue lagoon and the South China Sea. Upon driving through the large coastal city of Danang, it's only a short distance before we arrive in the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Hoi An.

Hoi An is an exceptionally well-preserved example of a Southeast Asian trading port dating from the 15th to the 19th century. Its buildings and its street plan reflect the influences - both indigenous and foreign - that have combined to produce this unique heritage site. The picturesque riverside town of Hoi An, known as Faifo to early western traders, was one of Southeast Asia's major international ports during the 17th, 18th, and 19th centuries. Today, this beautifully preserved historic city is best seen on foot.

Our walking tour will cover all the highlights. We'll see the Japanese Covered Bridge Pagoda, the first bridge constructed on this site in 1593 by the Japanese community of Hoi An to link the town with the Chinese quarters across the stream. The bridge was built with a roof so it could be used as a shelter from rain and sun. The Sa Huyn Museum is located nearby, and contains fascinating exhibitions from the earliest period of the city's history. The Tran Family Chapel was built approximately 200 years ago for worshipping ancestors. The family traces its origins to China but moved to Vietnam around 1700. The architecture of the building reflects the influence of Chinese and Japanese styles. Phuoc Kien Assembly Hall is a Chinese pagoda that was 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, the Goddess of the Sea and Protector of Sailors and Fishermen. Toward the end of the afternoon we'll visit a Lantern Making Workshop to observe the local workers as they make the frames and the silk cloth for the exquisite lanterns you will see throughout Vietnam.

Afterwards we'll check into our hotel, the Life Heritage Resort. Located along the scenic Thu Bon River, Life Heritage Resort Hoi An is a short stroll from the colorful and bustling old city. Touches of French, Dutch, Chinese and Japanese cultures make up the distinct ambience and atmosphere in the resort, a delightful place to stay and relax.

(Breakfast)

Day 9: (Saturday) HOI AN.
Today is an ideal time to learn how to make some of the delicious local dishes we have savored thus far. In the morning we'll start with a cup of coffee at the Hai Scout Cafe, and then walk to the Hoi An Market as our guide purchases fresh ingredients. The fun comes in chatting with the local vendors and experiencing the activity all around us in this colorful market. We'll then travel by boat on a leisurely 20 minute cruise up the Thu Bon River ( weather permitly) to reach the Red Bridge Restaurant and Cooking School, where together with our cook we will prepare five traditional dishes to enjoy for lunch. A demonstration of fruit and vegetable carving will amaze and delight us. On our return cruise to the Hoi An harbor front, we'll enjoy the views of unspoiled countryside. We will have the opportunity to visit several villages, such as the Thanh Ha Pottery Village, where local families specialize in producing simple earthenware products, and at Kim Bong Village, famous for woodcarving and boatbuilding.

(Breakfast, Lunch).