Although it is the modern-day capital of Vietnam, Hanoi still retains the mystery and charm of past centuries. The narrow lanes and traditional shops houses in the Old Quarter are easily explored by foot. Here you can buy anything and everything: traditional Chinese medicine, silk pyjamas, tombstones and local crafts. Explore the Museum of Ethnology which contains artifacts from 54 different ethnic groups and reconstructions of traditional longhouses, cemeteries and other distinctive ethnic buildings. Also visit the Hoan Kiem Lake, Ngoc Son Temple, the tiny Tortoise Pagoda, and pass by the magnificent Opera House and St Joseph's Cathedral.
Overnight in Hanoi. 

Travel by road from Hanoi to Halong Bay, board your charming traditional wooden junk and check into your cabin. The mystical landscape of this UNESCO World Heritage site is where over 3,000 limestone rock islands with sheer vertical sides and topped with thick jungle vegetation, rise out of the emerald sea. The wind, rain and sea have carved out dramatic caves and grottoes in some of the islands that can be explored. After lunch spend the rest of the day soaking up the sun on the top deck and admiring the spectacular scenery. That evening the cruise chef will prepare a delicious seafood dinner to be served onboard the boat. 
Overnight onboard in Halong Bay

Start the day with a cup of coffee on the deck whilst watching the sun rise from behind the limestone karsts. After breakfast, visit a beautiful limestone grotto then board the boat for a final glimpse of Halong Bay while cruising back to the dock. Travel by road to Hanoi and board a flight to Hue. 
Overnight in Hue

The 17th century city of Hue once served as the capital of Vietnam and houses ancient temples, imperial buildings and French-style edifices. Board a local boat and cruise down the Perfume River to the iconic Thien Mu Pagoda, an elegant seven-tiered octagonal tower. Explore the Imperial Citadel which was modeled after the Forbidden City of Peking and contains monuments that provide a fascinating glimpse into the court life of the Nguyen Dynasty. Enter via the imposing Ngo Mon Gate and visit: Dien Tho Residence where the Queen mother lived; the magnificently decorated Thai Hoa Palace; the Halls of the Mandarins; and the original Nine Dynastic Urns, among other sites.
Venture into the beautiful countryside around Hue to visit the Imperial Tomb of Tu Duc, the longest reigning Vietnamese emperor, who built this elegant tomb during his lifetime, using it as a meditation retreat and for theatre performances. Wander among the gracefully proportioned pavilions, courtyards and lotus ponds. Also visit the Imperial Tomb of Khai Dinh, dramatically located on a hillside. Completed in 1931, this tomb incorporates distinct European elements into the traditional Vietnamese architecture. 
Overnight in Hue 

Travel by road via the dramatic Hai Van Pass and past Lang Co, a lovely stretch of beach curving outwards between a clear blue lagoon and the South China Sea. In Danang, visit the Cham museum that houses an incredible collection of Cham art, many dating to the 4th century, and pass by Non Nuoc Beach, a famous spot for American soldiers during the Vietnam-American War. Visit the Marble Mountains which consist of 5 stone hillocks that rise sharply from the surrounding rice fields. Riddled with caves and shrines, they are said to each represent one of the five elements of the universe. When the Champas ruled this area, these same caves were used as Hindu shrines. 
Afternoon at leisure to relax or explore Hoi An.
Overnight in Hoi An 

The exquisitely preserved merchant town of Hoi An was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1999. It is a picturesque riverside town and was one of South East Asia's major international ports during the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries. Best explored by foot, you can wander through the cobbled streets, past low tile-roofed buildings and to the small harbour where brightly painted boats are moored. See the Japanese Covered Bridge Pagoda constructed in 1593 by the Japanese community to link the town with the Chinese quarters across the stream. Visit the Sa Hunyh Museum, the 200 year old Tran Family Chapel, and the Phuoc Kien Assembly Hall dedicated to the goddess of the sea. In the afternoon, board a local boat and cruise down the Thu Bon River past the unspoiled countryside to see the traditional art of pottery and woodcarving.
Overnight in Hoi An.

Travel by road to Danang and take a flight to Ho Chi Minh City: a vibrant metropolis teeming with energy, activity and motion. The emerging modern skyline competes for space with colonial buildings and traditional temples. Outside on the streets, young professionals zip by on motorbikes, chatting on mobile phones while inside the quiet temple courtyards, worshippers pray amidst clouds of incense. 
Visit the Reunification Palace, formerly the Independence Palace of the South Vietnamese president. This 60s style building was famously stormed by tanks on April 30, 1975 signifying the fall of South Vietnam. It has been preserved in its original state, and the tanks remain on display near the entrance gates. Also visit the Emperor of Jade Pagoda, the neo-Romanesque Notre Dame Cathedral and the Central Post Office. Pass by classic European-style landmarks such as the ornate City Hall, the old Opera House and end up at the central Ben Thanh Market, where you can buy a vast array of goods and handicrafts.
Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City 

Time at leisure to explore more of the sights of Saigon.