Day 1: Arrive Hanoi and transfer to your hotel.
Overnight Hanoi.
Day 2: Morning tour of Hanoi visiting the Temple of Literature, One Pillared Pagoda, Hoan Kiem Lake and the Museum of Ancient and Modern Art. Your guide will introduce you to Vietnamese art both ancient and modern. A light buffet lunch will be enjoyed at one of Hanoi’s premier galleries.
Dinner at the Artists' Restaurant, frequented by local Vietnamese artists.
Overnight Hanoi. (BLD)
Day 3: Today you will visit two local craft villages. Bat Trang was established in the 11^th by Thanh Hoa potters. The secrets of these master potters have been carefully passed down from generation to generation. The beautiful ceramics produced today are made in the age-old tradition of the Thanh Hoa potters. The artisans of Bat Trang say that the traditional notions of yin and yang, and the incorporation of the five basic elements of metal, wood, water, earth and fire are key to the production of their fine pottery. You will be invited to learn about Vietnamese ceramics from the potters and painters of Bat Trang. Journey a short distance northeast to Dong Ho. For 400 years and over 20 generations, the extended family of Nguyen Dang Che mastered the art of producing woodblock prints. Many of the woodblocks used today are original, carefully preserved by Mr. Che. The paper and inks used are made by in the same manner as produced by their ancestors.  Return to Hanoi. This evening attend a performance of Vietnamese Water Puppets at the Thang Long Theater.
Overnight Hanoi. (B)
Day 4: Morning flight to Hue, the imperial capital of the Nguyen dynasty. Ruling from 1802-1945 the Nguyen emperors were the last of the kings of Vietnam, but the classical music, art and architecture continues to thrive. Your exploration starts with a boat ride on the Huong Giang (Perfume River) to Linh Mu Pagoda continuing to the beautiful mausoleum of emperor Minh Mang. Lunch will be enjoyed at one of the lovely riverside restaurants. This afternoon you will visit the School of Fine Arts.  A special dinner of Hue specialties will be served this evening, together with traditional classical Hue music.
Overnight Hue. (BLD)
Day 5: After a morning visit to the Imperial Purple Palace, patterned after the Forbidden Palace in Beijing, you will learn about the tradition of Hue conical hat making. Although found throughout Vietnam, Hue is famous for the beautiful hidden designs and art that are the trademark of its hats. Afternoon at leisure.
Overnight Hue. (B)
Day 6: Depart Hue crossing the Hai Van Pass through beautiful scenery where the mountains look down on the ribbon of white sand dotted with small fishing villages bordering the South China Sea. Enjoy a seafood lunch at the idyllic fishing village of Lang Co, before reaching Hoi An. The well-preserved 600-year-old Hoi An is a living museum displaying an eclectic mix of restored homes, winding streets and ancient bridges. Enjoy a walking tour of Hoi An. Time to explore the antique shops, art galleries and markets on your own.
Overnight Hoi An. (BL)
Day 7: This morning visit the Cham Sculpture Museum. This open-air museum houses the finest collection of Cham sculptures in the world. Drive out to China Beach where lunch is waiting on the ocean terrace of the beautiful Furama China Beach Resort. Transfer to DaNang airport for the afternoon flight to Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City). Transfer to your hotel.
Overnight Saigon. (BL)
Day 8: This morning you will enjoy a panoramic tour of  Saigon, the temporary home to famous writers such as Somerset Maugham and Graham Greene. Feel the French influence in the lovely architecture of City Hall, Notre Dame Cathedral, the Central Post Office and feel the power of recent history in a visit to the Presidential Palace, renamed Reunification Palace. Continue to the History Museum. Light buffet lunch will be served at one of Saigon’s fine art galleries. A visit will be scheduled to the studios of one of Vietnam's internationally known artists.  This evening starts with a cocktail in the topiary garden of the Rex Hotel followed by dinner and folk show at the Rex Royal Court Restaurant.
Overnight Saigon. (BLD)
Day 9: This morning you will visit one of Saigon's well-known lacquerware workshops where you will be guided through each intricate step in the labor intensive art of producing Vietnam’s finest lacquerware. Afternoon at leisure.  On your final evening in Vietnam dinner will be served under the stars at Binh An Village, where you will be entertained with modern Vietnamese music, dance and folklore.
Overnight Saigon. (BLD)
Day 10: Transfer to the airport. (B)