Just under two and a half weeks. Capture a complete and thorough portrait of Vietnam’s history and culture, to be explored and enjoyed at a comfortable, yet adventurous pace

Days 1&2 Hanoi... browse through the various home-shops that line the different traditional “Guild Streets”, which make up Hanoi's thousand-year-old Old Quarter; visit all the must see sights, including the famous Ethnology Museum and the historic University –The Temple of Literature, that dates back to the 11th century; learn about Buddhist practices in a serene lakeside pagoda and join in a unique water puppet show that features the Viet folklores and culture.

Day 3 NinhBinh... learn about the national heroes Dinh and Le, who founded the ancient capital of Hoalu, dating to the 10th century; glide down a narrow stream in a small rowboat and enjoy a ride through Tamcoc area, which is shaded by steep limestone cliffs that jut out of the blazing green rice paddies. Overnight in NinhBinh.

Day 4&5 Halong... enjoy a spectacular drive through the northern rural landscapes from NinhBinh to Halong; navigate among the strangely shaped islands that dot this vast emerald Bay aboard a traditional wooden junk; taste the superb fresh seafood and overnight in its elegantly decorated cabins.

Day 6&7 Sapa (overnight train Hanoi-Sapa on night the 5th)... marvel at views of steeply terraced rice paddies, jagged mountain peaks and villages populated by diverse ethnic groups; trek to ethnic Hmong, Dao and Zay villages to learn about the locals' distinctive fabric dying, weaving and embroidery techniques.

Day 8&9 Hue (flight Hanoi-Hue late in the morning)... explore the charms of The Citadel in this former Imperial City with many well preserved royal monuments; join Buddhist nuns for a vegan meal in a shady pagoda; inhale the haunting scent of frangipani blossoms at the gardens surrounding the riverside tombs built for Vietnam's last emperors; enjoy the sunset over the Perfume river while cruising aboard a dragon boat.

Day 10&11 Hoian... after a rewarding drive through the scenic Ocean Clouds Mountain Pass, wander through the picturesque streets of this 16th century trading port, where the buildings remind us of its Chinese, Japanese, French and Vietnamese architectural styles; explore the ruins and sanctuary of My Son, the religious capital of Champa Kingdom, which covered the area from the 4th to 13th centuries.

Day 12&13 NhaTrang (flight DaNang-NhaTrang)... explore the daily life of the local fishermen as you walk through a fishing village in a nearby island; further your boat trip into the dazzling blue bay that surrounds this festive beach town and search for a pristine beach in some other islands to relax while sunbathing.

Days 14&15 Dalat... take another beautiful drive through the mountains and view some ethnic villages en route; hike through pine forests, fruit orchards and flower gardens in this former French colonial resort town ; walk to the vibrant night market in the center of town and savor a cup of lusciously rich coffee or taste the famous artichoke tea which Dalat is famous for.

Days 16&17 Saigon (flight Dalat-Saigon)... lose yourself in the maze of Ben Thanh, Saigon's Central Market, where you'll find everything from a cashmere scarf to a bundle of vegetables; make a quick phone call home in one of the elegant booths in the Central Post Office, one of many French-era buildings that add grace to this modern metropolis; explore the complicated network of underground tunnels in Cuchi, which were used by the V.C and guerilla fighters during Vietnam war,

Day 18&19 Can Tho... discover the lush beauty of the Mekong Delta as you wind your way down narrow canals on a sampan that glides along fruit orchards, paddy fields and sleepy villages; visit a floating market, where vendors display the delta's bounty of fruits and vegetables on their boats. Though busy selling and buying, they will never forget to throw you happy smiles and wave at you.

Day 20 Saigon... relax at leisure or try some last-minute shopping before your time to depart Vietnam.  

This itinerary can be customized to suit travelers' schedule and interests