DAY 1: Depart UK.

DAY 2: Arrive Hanoi.
On arrival in Hanoi you will be met by our representative and transferred to your hotel for three nights.

DAY 3: Hanoi. Included sightseeing.
Vietnam's capital is an attractive, laid back city with charming French style buildings, lakes, shaded boulevards and public parks. Our included sightseeing tour will take you to many of the city's most interesting buildings and landmarks, including the One Pillar Pagoda - built by the 11th century Emperor Ly Thai Tong and designed to resemble a lotus blossom, the Temple of Literature - founded in 1070 by Emperor Ly Thanh Tong and dedicated to Confucius, beautiful Hoan Kiem Lake and the magnificent 900-seat Opera House. (B, L)

DAY 4: Hanoi. Included excursion to Chua Thay and Chua Tay Phuong Pagoda and Water Puppet Show.
An exciting full day excursion to Chua Thay Pagoda and Chua Tay Phuong Pagoda. The former, also known as Heavenly Blessing, is dedicated to Thich Ca Buddha. The water puppet show is performed in the Municipal Water Puppet Show Theatre, which is located on the shore of Hoan Kiem Lake. Chua Tay Phuong Pagoda consists of three parallel single-level structures built on a hillock, said to resemble a buffalo. Seventy-six figures carved from jackfruit wood, many from the 18th century, are the pagoda's most celebrated feature. (B, L)

DAY 5: Hanoi - Halong.
We drive east through Hai Hung Province and around Halong Bay to Halong for an overnight stay. Enjoy an included boat trip which takes you past the islands of Trong, Mai, Am, Chen and Cong Troi ('Heaven Gates'). You'll also stop off at one of the island's to visit the fascinating caves. (B, L, D)

DAY 6: Halong - Hanoi - Danang (included sightseeing) - Hoi An.
We journey around Halong Bay to Hai Phong, then west through Hai Province to Hanoi, where you will board your flight to Danang. On arrival, our included sightseeing tour will show you many of the major attractions of Vietnam's fourth largest city, which marks the northern limits of the country's tropical zone and has a pleasant year-round climate. Sightseeing highlights include the Cham Museum, China Beach and the Marble Mountains - five former islands, each said to represent one of the five elements of the universe. We continue through attractive rural scenery and charming, traditional villages to Hoi An, where you'll stay for two nights. (B, L, D)

DAY 7: Hoi An.
Known as 'Faifo' to early western traders, Hoi An is a picturesque riverside town and was one of South East Asia's major international ports during the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries. The day is yours to explore the town's fascinating attractions, which include the 17th century Quan Cong Temple and Phuoc Kien Pagoda, the Japanese Covered Bridge, the Tran Family Chapel, the Sa Huynh Museum, the Phung Hung House, and the Quang Dong Pagoda. (B, L, D)

DAY 8: Hoi An - Hue. Included sightseeing.
We drive past Danang, Lang Co, a pretty, island-like stretch of palm-shaded sand, and through the spectacular Hai Van Pass to the historic walled city of Hue, situated in the foothills of the Annamese Cordillera mountain range, for an overnight stay. Our included sightseeing tour of the 19th century Imperial City, modelled on Beijing's Forbidden City, includes visits to the Ngo Mon Gate, the Thai Hoa Palace, the Halls of the Mandarins, the Nine Dynastic Urns and the Forbidden Purple City. (B, L, D)

DAY 9: Hue (included sightseeing) - Saigon.
The day begins with an included boat trip on the beautiful Huong Giang ('Perfume') River to the Thien Mu Pagoda, a hotbed of anti-government protest during the early 1960s. Behind the main sanctuary of the pagoda is the Austin motorcar which transported the monk Thich Quang Duc to the site of his 1963 self-immolation. We then head for the airport for your flight to Saigon where you will be met by our representative and driven to your hotel where you'll stay for three nights. (B, L)

DAY 10: Saigon. Included sightseeing.
Vietnam's largest city bustles with life, its streets are packed with markets, sidewalk cafes and sleek new bars. Yet within this teeming metropolis are 300 years of timeless traditions and the beauty of an ancient culture. Our included sightseeing tour will show you many of the major sights, including Notre Dame Cathedral, the Central Post Office, City Hall, the Opera House and the Jade Emperor Pagoda. It also includes a visit to District 5, the huge Chinese neighbourhood called Cholon, which means 'Big Market'. (B, L)

DAY 11: Saigon. Included visit to Cu Chi Tunnels.
Our included full day excursion takes you first to Cu Chi, an important base during the American War because of its strategic location. The Vietcong built a 200 kilometre long network of tunnels connecting command posts, hospitals, shelter and weapon factories. Then it's on to Tay Ninh, a town which serves as the headquarters of one of Vietnam's religions, Caodism. The Caodai Great Temple at the sect's Holy See is one of the most striking structures in all of Asia, and there's also a chance to see the magnificent Nui Ba Den ('Black Lady Mountain'), which towers 2790 feet above the surrounding plains. (B)

DAY 12: Saigon - Phnom Penh. Included sightseeing.
Fly to Phnom Penh, where you will be met by our representative and driven to your hotel for an overnight stay. You then have the rest of the day to explore this picturesque and lively city on our included sightseeing tour. Sights include the Royal Palace, the 19th century home of the Royal Family, the 15th century Wat Ounalom, one of the city's most impressive temples, the Museum of Genocide, the Khmer Rouge's main torture and interrogation centre and the bustling Russian market, an ideal place for bargain hunting. We suggest a stroll along the river bank at sunset to observe the local life of the city. (B)

DAY 13: Phnom Penh - Siem Reap. Included sightseeing in Angkor.
Fly to Siem Reap and transfer to your hotel for two nights. Our included sightseeing excursion will take you to nearby Angkor, the ancient Khmer capital. You'll visit the splendid Angkor Wat, a UNESCO World Heritage site famous for its beauty and splendour, dedicated to the Hindu God Vishnu. Afterwards, we visit Angkor Thom, the former fortified Royal City built by King Jayavarman VII, which offers many fascinating sights including the Bayon and Baphuon temples, the Terrace of Elephants, the Terrace of the Leper King, and Phimeanakas or 'Celestial Palace'. (B, L, D)

DAY 14: Siem Reap. Included sightseeing in Angkor.
A second day to marvel at the amazing sights of Angkor. You'll visit the exquisite 10th century Banteay Srei Temple and Ta Keo, the first Angkorian monument built entirely of sandstone, with a 165-foot high central tower. (B, L, D)

DAY 15: Siem Reap - UK.
Transfer to the airport for your overnight flight to the UK. (B)

DAY 16: Home landing in the UK.