Travelling through Vietnam by train can be the most memorable and rewarding way to experience and enjoy the beautiful landscapes of Vietnam. This 15 day program introduces you to the highlights of Vietnam from the sparkling clear waters of Nha Trang and Ha Long Bay to the exciting nightlife of Ho Chi Minh City to quiet, introspective Ha Noi. Along the way, feast on one of the world’s most and to meet the friendly local people.  Day 1: Ho Chi Minh City - Arrival Arrive in Ho Chi Minh City (formerly Saigon) and transfer to hotel. The rest of the day is free for relaxation. An optional walking tour of Dong Khoi Str. (formerly Rue Catinat.) and Le Cong Kieu Str., two of Ho Chi Minh City's most famous streets, is available. Welcome dinner at Blue Ginger restaurant with music. Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City. Day 2: Ho Chi Minh - Vinh Long - Can Tho Drive to Cai Be. Take a boat trip on the Mekong to island and enjoy daily life activities. Visit local houses and have lunch at a garden. Back to Vinh Long by boat and road to Can Tho. Dinner at a local restaurant. Overnight in Can Tho. Day 3: Can Tho - Ho Chi Minh City Morning boat trip on the Mekong river to enjoy the colourful Cai Rang floating market. Return to Ho Chi Minh City. Check in at hotel. Dinner at a local restaurant. A relaxing "Health and Beauty" package is optional. Participants can enjoy 30 minutes of one of the following: shampoo and head massage; manicure; foot massage or facial massage. Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City Day 4: Ho Chi Minh City - Cu Chi Tunnels - Night train to Nha Trang After breakfast, drive to the extraordinary Cu Chi tunnels, just outside Ho Chi Minh City. During the war for independence, “Viet Cong” guerillas built the labyrinth of narrow tunnels virtually underneath U.S. bases, using them to hide during bombing raids and to stage surprise attacks. Optional side trips en route to Cu Chi include visits to see how rural people live and work. View occupations such as cashew nut farming, duck breeding, rice farming and production of rice paper, a key ingredient in Vietnamese cuisine. Return to Ho Chi Minh City in the afternoon for a half-day city tour. Visit the Reunification Palace, Notre Dame Cathedral, Saigon Post Office, China Town, Binh Tay Market and Thien Hau Temple. In the evening, transfer to the Saigon Railway Station to board on the overnight train to Nha Trang. Overnight on train. Day 5: Nha Trang Arrive in Nha Trang early morning and transfer to hotel. Enjoy Nha Trang’s turquoise waters and white sandy beaches. Take a boat cruise to offshore islands in Nha Trang Bay. In the afternoon, visit Po Nagar Cham Towers, Long Son Pagoda, Cathedral of Nha Trang and Oceanographic Institute. A visit to a local fish and food market is optional. Overnight in Nha Trang. Day 6: Nha Trang - Da Nang by train - Hoi An Transfer to railway station for the day trip to Da Nang. Along the way, enjoy the stunning panorama of mountains, rice fields, and ocean. Arrive in Da Nang in late afternoon, then transfer to the ancient trading port of Hoi An. Overnight in Hoi An. Day 7: Hoi An Take a walking tour of this quaint town, visiting ancient merchants’ houses, a Hoi Kien temple, the 400-year-old Japanese Covered Bridge, and the colourful riverside market. Visit a workshop where artisans make Hoi An’s famous lanterns. Guests learn how the lanterns are made then have a chance to create their own lanterns, from designing the frame to gluing the cloth. Finish the day with a sunset boat trip on the Thu Bon river to Thanh Ha pottery village. Overnight in Hoi An. Day 8: Hoi An - Da Nang - Hue After breakfast, make the short drive to Da Nang. Stop en route at the Marble Mountains, famed for being a “Viet Cong” guerillas hideout during the Vietnam War. In Da Nang, visit the Cham Museum, housing the world’s best collection of Cham artwork. A continuation to Hue, passing over a spectacular mountain pass and by a seaside fishing village. Arrive in Hue and transfer to hotel. Take a short trip to Dong Ba Market, and enjoy a cyclo ride back to the hotel. The rest of the day is free. Overnight in Hue. Day 9: Hue - Night train to Ha Noi Morning boat cruise through the centre of Hue on the romantic Perfume River. Visit the seven-storey Thien Mu Pagoda along the riverbank. Transfer by car to visit the Imperial Citadel. Visit the elaborate tombs of Emperor Khai Dinh and Tu Duc. Stop en route at local families to learn how Vietnam’s famous conical hats and colourful incense are made. In the afternoon, transfer to railway station for the overnight train to Ha Noi. Overnight on train. Day 10: Ha Noi Arrive in the morning and transfer to hotel. Rest of morning is free for rest or to begin exploring the city. In the afternoon, take a half-day city tour to visit Temple of Literature, Fine Arts museum and Lake of Restored Sword. Take a one-hour cyclo ride through the old quarter to enjoy the Ha Noi’s beautiful late-afternoon colors. In the evening, enjoy a water puppet show - a remarkable Vietnamese art form that combines traditional music, fireworks, underwater puppeteers, and elaborate puppets floating gracefully over water. Overnight in Ha Noi. Day 11: Ha Noi - Hai Phong After breakfast, visit Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, Ho Chi Minh’s former home, and One Pillar Pagoda. Afternoon drive to Bac Ninh, the cradle of traditional Vietnamese music and theatre. On arrival take a bull-drawn cart through country lanes to visit Dinh Bang Communal House and Do Temple. Enjoy local folk songs before proceeding to Hai Phong for the evening. Overnight in Hai Phong. Day 12: Hai Phong - Ha Long - Ha Noi Early morning drive to Ha Long Bay. Relax on a 5-hour boat cruise through magnificent Ha Long Bay, a UNESCO designated World Heritage Site. Enjoy a seafood lunch on board. Return drive to Ha Noi, stopping en route at the Dong Trieu ceramics factory. Overnight in Ha Noi. Day 13: Ha Noi - Mai Chau - Hoa Binh This morning we drive to Mai Chau and visit the local minority ethnic villages of Hmong and Thai. Lunch in the village. Back to Hoa Binh for overnight. Evening enjoy ethnic music and dance while sipping “Can” alcohol. Overnight in Hoa Binh. Day 14: Hoa Binh - Ha Noi After breakfast, drive back to Ha Noi. Lunch and transfer to hotel. Free untill farewell dinner at a good restaurant in Hanoi. Overnight in Ha Noi. Day 15: Ha Noi - Departure The morning is free for shopping until transfer to Noi Bai International Airport for departure.