Days 1 & 2:  Travel from the US to Vietnam.  Check in to the Rex Hotel.

Day 3:  Saigon city tour.  Presidential Palace, Remnants of War Museum, lacquerware factory, History Museum.

Day 4:  Full day tour to Tay Ninh where you will be able to attend the fascinating temple ceremony at noon, stroll through the formal gardens, and view murals depicting the theology and history of this incredible religion unique to Vietnam.  Then go to the infamous Cu Chi Tunnels in which Viet Cong lived and from which they attacked Saigon and the US Embassy.

Day 5:  Boat cruise on the Mekong River from the provincial capital of My Tho.  Vinh Trang Pagoda, an orchard island where you can try numerous tropical fruits and visit in a farmer's home or the beekeeper's house, and a gondola ride through narrow canals.  Lunch at a riverside restaurant featuring "elephant-ear fish."

Day 6:  Saigon sightseeing and shopping; Cho Lon, Saigon's Chinatown; Thien Hau Pagoda; xich-lo ride from Cho Lon to Downtown Saigon; site of Old US Embassy; Gustav Eiffel -designed central post office; Notre Dame Cathedral; Saigon riverfront; shopping on Dong Khoi (Tu Do), Le Loi, and Nguyen Hue Streets and more.

Day 7:  Morning flight to Da Nang.  Stay at the Bamboo Green Hotel.  Da Nang City tour:  Cham Museum, Marble Mountains where you will get a panoramic view of the whole city, and China beach which was an R&R Center during the war (bring a swim suit).

Day 8:  Full-day excursion to Hoi An ancient town.  Japanese
covered bridge, historic Japanese merchant homes, Truong Family Chapel, Chinese community halls. Then visit the My Son
archaeological site, the most outstanding ruins of the ancient Cham
civilization. Return to Da Nang.

Day 9:  This day begins with an early start to drive to Hue over
the Hai Van Pass.  Photo stops at the pass, on the mountain road and at Lang Co Village and beach.  Check in to the Huong Giang Hotel.  Tour the Citadel, Vietnam's forbidden city and home to the Nguyen Dynasty emperors, and the Flag Tower.  After lunch we will cruise on the Perfume River to the Thien Mu Pagoda, oldest and most important Buddhist Shrine in Vietnam.  We will also visit the mausoleum park of Emperor Tu Duc. 

Day 10:  Morning flight to Hanoi.  City tour after check-in at the Hanoi Horison Hotel.  Temple of Literature, Army Museum, and the remains of the infamous "Hanoi Hilton" (Hoa Lo Prison).

Day 11:  Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, Uncle Ho's House on Stilts and the One-Pillar Pagoda.  Then we depart fro Ha Long Bay in time for a swim or stroll on the beach before dinner.  Cross the Bach Dang River, site of two Vietnamese naval victories over Mongol/Chinese invaders.  Ha Long Bay Hotel.

Day 12:  Cruise in Ha Long Bay among the 3,000 islands.  Swim at an island beach or off the boat in a deep lagoon.  Go spelunking in natural caves.  On-board seafood feast of freshly-caught fish, crabs,and shrimp.  Return to Hanoi.

Day 13:  Walking/shopping tour of Hanoi's Old Quarter.  Fine Arts Museum.  Free time in the afternoon.  Water Puppet Theater after a farewell dinner.

Day 14:  Return flight to the United States.