Day 1: Arrival Hanoi (D)

Arrival transfer to hotel for two-night stay. Welcome dinner at Wild Rice Restaurant in Hanoi. Overnight at Sofitel Metropole Hanoi.

Day 2 Hanoi City Tour (B)

Start your luxury adventure trip in Hanoi , Vietnam 's artistic and intellectual capital. Explore the fascinating Old Quarter and its hundreds of specialty shops selling silk clothing, lacquerware, embroidered linens, furniture, bamboo, cooking utensils, ceremonial objects and more. Walk around Hoan Kiem Lake , ride a cyclo to dinner, and watch a performance at the Thang Long Water Puppet Theater. Dine in French colonial villas converted into gourmet restaurants. Enjoy people watching at stylish cafes. Shop for impressive modern art in the city's many galleries. Also visit Hanoi 's main cultural attractions, including the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, his House on Stilts, the One Pillar Pagoda, the Fine Arts Museum and the Temple of Literature.

Overnight at Sofitel Metropole Hanoi.

Day 3 Hanoi - Victoria night train to Lao Cai (B)

You will be able to enjoy a free day of leisure in the colonial city Hanoi . You may like to visit the bustling, narrow streets of the Old Quarter, or perhaps opt for some cultural sights by viewing some of Hanoi 's many museums, in particular the Museum of Ethnology dedicated to Vietnam 's 54 ethnic minority peoples. Perhaps you could visit Hoa Lo prison, formerly known by its inmates as 'The Hanoi Hilton'. Some of its more notable guests included Senator John McCain and Douglas Peterson, the first post-war US Ambassador to Vietnam . You could stroll around the French quarter where many of the Embassies are located. Maybe a shopping expedition in the old quarter or just relaxing around one of the many parks and lakes that helps to make Hanoi one of the greenest cities in Asia. Your trip to Sapa starts with an overnight train journey from Vietnam 's capital city to the border town of Lao Cai . The luxury Victoria Express departs at 22:00 p.m. Overnight on train.

Day 4 Lao Cai - Sapa (B)

The train arrives at the Lao Cai train station at approximately 06:00. There will be a vehicle waiting to transfer us to Sapa. The drive to Sapa is only 33 km but it takes around 1.5 hours. Once at Sapa, we will check into the Victoria Hotel in order to freshen up, and have breakfast at TaVan Restaurant in the hotel and then enjoy a free morning to explore around town. Aftert 10 a.m. pickup from the hotel, there will be a walking tour to the hill tribe villages of Cat Cat, home to the Black H'mong minority peoples. As we walk to the villages nestled in the valley below Sapa, we will meet some of the local minority people on their way to and from Sapa. Here we have the opportunity to share cultural experiences with the families that live in the area. Overnight at Victoria Sapa Hotel.

Day 5 Sapa - Hanoi (B)

Following breakfast, we explore the Sapa Sunday market and then set out on our 3-4 hour trek that will take us along buffalo paths and trails and through several hill tribe villages of Lao Chai and Ta Van, home to H'mong, and Dzay people. This is an absolutely spectacular walk through stunning scenery inhabited by some of the friendliest people you can meet. We will stop for a picnic lunch on the way to Ta Van village. This afternoon we transfer back to Lao Cai for the Victoria Express train journey back to Hanoi . The train departs at 21:15. Overnight on train.

Day 6: Hanoi - Halong Bay (B,L)

Arrive in Hanoi at around 5 am in the morning. Pick up from here, transfer to Restaurant and Café Koto for a breakfast and morning coffee. You leave Hanoi by private vehicle at 8:30 a.m. arriving at the jetty around 12:30 p.m. Our crew welcomes you on board the Emeraude Classic Cruise while you enjoy a welcome drink, check-in to your cabin. Lunch with fresh seafood is served at 1:00 p.m while beginning a 3.5 hours cruise into mystic Halong Bay to see the amazing karsts with different formations: Mat Qui (Monster's face) islet, But Moc islet, Cap De islet, Trong (Drum) cave, Trinh Nu cave, floating fishing village, with its unique way of life. Then head to Luon cave to enjoy swimming, sun bathing at Ti Top beach or climb the peak of the mountain for a breath-taking panorama view of Halong bay. Enjoy another seafood feast for dinner and for the night owls, there is an option of night fishing. Overnight on cruise.

Day 7 Halong Bay - Hanoi (B)

Rising to the lapping waters of the bay we have time for an early morning dip followed by breakfast. Sitting on the upper deck, you can relax while taking in the breath-taking beauty of the rocky islands rising from the emeraude water of the bay. After breakfast explore Sung Sot cave (8:00 to 9:00), swim and relax at Soi Sim beach. At 9:30 boat starts cruising back to the jetty while brunch is served from 10:30 to 11:30. We continue cruising through the bay, along the way seeing more of the fascinating formations. Checkout is at 11:45. Boat arrive at harbor by noon for the drive back to Hanoi . Drop off at your hotel. Overnight at Sofitel Metropole Hanoi.

Day 8 Hanoi - Nha Trang - Evason Hideaway Ana Mandara & Six Senses Spa (B)

Pick up at your hotel and transfer to Noi Bai airport for your short flight to the the resort of Nha Trang to spend 3 nights in a secluded private Beach Pool Villa overlooking beautiful Ninh Van Bay at the Evason Hideaway Resort at Ana Mandara.

Day 9 Evason Hideaway Ana Mandara & Six Senses Spa (B)

Free time to snorkel or dive among the coral reefs in crystal blue waters, hike nature trails, cool off in your private plunge pool, indulge in spa treatments or just relax on the white sand beach and admire the unspoiled mountain and sea views.

Day 10 Evason Hideaway Ana Mandara & Six Senses Spa (B)

Enjoy your time and facilities of the resort at your leisure.

Day 11 Nha Trang - HCMC. (B)

Transfer to Nha Trang airport for your short flight to HCMC, the country's commercial center and home to a growing number of upscale restaurants and shops. Visit Chinatown, the Thien Hau Pagoda, the Reunification Palace , the Opera House and Hotel de Ville. If desired, also visit the moving War Remnants Museum . Explore colorful outdoor markets and Dong Khoi Street , the city's main upscale shopping boulevard with boutiques selling clothes and accessories designed by new Vietnamese designers, hill tribe crafts, high quality linens and housewares. Try the south's strong Vietnamese iced coffee and a banh mi (baguette sandwich) and enjoy what HCMC nights have to offer. Overnight in Park Hyatt Saigon Hotel.

Day 12: Departure (B)

Tour ends after breakfast, followed by a transfer to Tan Son Nhat airport for your onward flight home. Cam on va chao tam biet quy khach! Thank you for travelling with us, we hope to serve you again soon.

 Tour price includes:

•  All private transfer and transportation
•  Accommodation in twin share basis with daily breakfast
•  French or English Speaking Guide
•  Domestic flights: Hanoi-Saigon and airport taxe
•  Boat trip in Halong Bay
•  Meals as stated in the itinerary
•  Sightseeing tickets
•  Visa approved letter
•  Services charges and government taxes

Tour price excludes:

•  International flights
•  International departures taxes
•  Personal expenses, tips and gratuities
•  Travel insurance
•  Meals and beverage
•  Visa stamp fee

Start your chic adventure in the charming capital of Hanoi , Vietnam 's artistic and intellectual capital. Explore the fascinating Old Quarter and its hundreds of specialty shops selling silk clothing, lacquerware, embroidered linens, furniture, bamboo, cooking utensils, ceremonial objects and more. Walk around Hoan Kiem Lake , ride a cyclo to dinner, and watch a performance at the famed Thang Long Water Puppet Theater. Dine in French colonial villas converted into gourmet restaurants.

Enjoy people watching at stylish cafes. Shop for impressive modern art in the city's many galleries. Also visit Hanoi 's main cultural attractions, including the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, his House on Stilts, the One Pillar Pagoda, the Fine Arts Museum and the Temple of Literature .

Board the luxury Victoria Express train bound for remote Sapa, a mountain village near the Chinese border. Trekking to villages, visit local markets where hill tribe minorities (including Hmong, Red Dao, Tay , Xa Pho and Giay) trade their goods. View spectacular waterfalls and drive through mountain valleys. Explore the hill station town of Sapa , and visit several villages where the tribes live. During free time, enjoy your mountain chalet hotel, where guests can enjoy fondue by the fire, swim, play tennis, and take mountain walks. Mountainous northern Vietnam is one of the best places in Asia to visit hill tribe villages and see dramatic mountains covered with terraced rice fields.

Return to Hanoi and then travel Halong Bay for a memorable adventure on of the most beautiful bays of the World with kayak, boating activities, caves climbing. See Halong Bay in style on board Bhaya - a newly built wooden junk featuring twenty luxurious cabins furnished in classic Eastern style. A truly memorable experience awaits passengers as you cruise this delightful Bay, reveling in its tranquility as travelers escape the bustling tourist sights. Start a new day with calming Tai Chi, dine on fresh seafood on the deck, then retire to the private plush cabin - just some of the highlights of Bhaya's exceptional Halong Bay cruise.

Next fly to the resort town of Nha Trang to spend several days in a secluded private villa overlooking beautiful Ninh Van Bay at the Evason Hideaway  Ninh Van Bay. Snorkel or dive among the coral reefs in crystal blue waters, hike nature trails, cool off in your private plunge pool, indulge in spa treatments or just relax on the white sand beach and admire the unspoiled mountain and sea views.

Continue to dynamic Ho Chi Minh City , the country's commercial center and home to a growing number of upscale restaurants and shops. Visit Chinatown, the Thien Hau Pagoda, the Reunification Palace , the Opera House and Hotel de Ville. If so desired, also visit the powerful War Remnants Museum . Explore colorful outdoor markets and Dong Khoi Street , the city's main shopping boulevard with shops selling clothes and accessories by new Vietnamese designers, hill tribe crafts, high quality linens and housewares. Try the southerners' strong Vietnamese iced coffee and a banh mi (baguette sandwich).

Take a day trip to the Cu Chi Tunnels and watch an unusual, eclectic religious ceremony at the main temple of Cao Daism , a unique fusion of world religions Alternatively, spend the day cruising the narrow canals, take option to kayak and cycle to discover the depth of Mekong Delta.

The tour can be booked at last minute, and can be customized to suit individual interests and schedules.