Our first stop is Hoa Lu ,the ancient capital of Vietnam (968-1009) with two temples of two Kings Dinh and Le. The trip offers spectacular scenery with opportunity to meet a host of smiling children a long the way. Arriving in Tam Coc, we take a rowing boat trip for 2 hours on Ngo Dong river, crossing beautiful rice paddy.

We also make a visit to the Temple of Literature – the first university of Vietnam, which is now dedicated to Confucian worship and “Hanoi Hilton” –a nick name given by US pilots during the war. For lunch we are going to taste a speciality of Hanoi: “Pho” (Noodle soup). In the afternoon we take a cyclo tour around the Old Quarter.

After breakfast at a local restaurant our guide will pick you up for a short walk along buffalo paths and trails through several hill tribe villages of Lao Chai and Tavan, home to H'mong, and Dzay people. This is a absolutely spectacular walk through stunning scenery inhabited by some of the friendliest people you can meet.

We have the opportunity with a motorbike tour around town, a great way to get off the beaten track & see Vietnam in close-up, On this action packed day you will see the Imperial Citadel and Forbidden Purple City, the Thien Mu Pagoda, one of the king’s tombs and Bunker Hill. You will feast on a Buddhist vegetarian lunch at a pagoda.

We jump on our car and keep driving south to Cai Be (approx. 3 hours), we board our waiting boats to cross the upper Mekong River and explore its intricate waterways. This is our introduction to a world where life depends on the river. We visit a fruit orchard where we can sample tropical fruits, before continuing on to visit some local cottage industries.

From Nha Trang city we are transferred by road and boat to the secluded Whale Island. Two days to swim, sail, relax and explore the island or go snorkeling. There is plenty of free time here for you to enjoy the beautiful beach and perhaps sample Nha Trang's famous nightlife.