Vietnam highlights, Vietnam Tours, Hanoi tours

Day 1) Arrive Hanoi, transfer to hotel. Welcome and orientation. Overnight in Hanoi.

Day 2) Hanoi city tour. Among the many highlights will be the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, One Pillar Pagoda, Temple of Literature, Hanoi Opera House and Hoa Lo Prison (Hanoi Hilton). Overnight in Hanoi.

Day 3) Drive through the Red River Delta countryside to Halong Bay, a UNESCO World Culture Heritage site. Aboard the boat, the ever -changing scenery is spectacular as you cruise among the more than 2,000 limestone karsts. Visit beautiful limestone caves and grottos, then at a quiet anchorage, you'll have time for swimming and kayaking. Overnight on the boat.

Day 4) Continue cruising and stopping at points of interest. Return to harbor around noon and drive back to Hanoi. Afternoon free time. In the evening, you can attend the famous Waterpuppet Show, unique to Vietnam. Performed for centuries, the techniques were once closely guarded secrets between villages, each striving to be the best. Overnight in Hanoi.

Day 5) Drive south stopping at Hoa Lu, the 11th century capital of the Dinh. Although little remains from that time, the two existing temples were built in the 17th century. Continue driving to Tam Coc, called the "inland Halong Bay". You'll travel by rowboat along 3 km of peaceful river winding among the rice fields and towering karsts. Overnight in Hanoi.

Day 6) You'll begin the Northwest experience today, to a region that is home to more than 50 ethnic minorities. The first stop will be in Mai Chau a collection of White Thai villages. You'll have time to stroll among the stilt houses typical of this area, bargain for crafts, and watch talented weavers. In the evening there are performances of traditional dance by the local people before you drift off to sleep in one of the stilt guesthouses.

Day 7) There is major road construction in this area which will determine our actual itinerary here for a while.
We plan to continue to Dien Bien Phu, but may have to revise this to Son La. Overnight in Son La or Dien Bien Phu.

Day 8) Driving through White Thai and Black Thai regions, you'll enter the areas of the various Hmong peoples as you gain altitude, never far from the border with Laos. Continue through Lai Chau and deeper into

the mountains toward the quaint town of Sapa. Weather permitting, you'll have spectacular views of Fan Si Pan, Vietnam's highest mountain, and the amazing terraced rice fields on the steep slopes surrounding Sapa. Overnight in Sapa.

Day 9) Walking tour of Sapa. Set in steep hills, the scenery is beautiful, the town is quaint, bustling with Hmong and Red Dao vendors. There will be time for short treks if the weather allows, and wandering through the local markets and crafts shops. Overnight in Sapa.

Day 10) Morning drive to Lao Cai, the border crossing with China. From here you can either continue into China with one of our

tours, or drive back along the Red River to Hanoi. Overnight in Hanoi.

Day 11) Free time in Hanoi to shop and and prepare for departures.
Farewell dinner. Overnight in Hanoi

Day 12) Transfer to airport for departures or continue traveling.