Days 1-2 Ho Chi Minh CitySoak up the endless electric energy of Ho Chi Minh City from above with a cocktail at a rooftop bar or get right in the middle of it slurping steaming pho at a street stall. Delve into an underground world of guerilla warfare in the incredible Cu Chi Tunnels. Days 3-4 Hoi AnLined with centuries-old temples, crumbling houses and gilded community halls, the streets of Hoi An offer plenty of sights to discover. The many art galleries, shops and cafes are also a great way to while away time. Days 5-6 HueHead up into the clouds, driving over the Hai Van Pass, en route to the regal city of Hue. Sense the spirits of the Nguyen dynasty amid the intricate tombs, ruined palaces and weathered pagodas within the crumbling citadel walls. There's also a chance to eat like the emperors once did, sampling royal rice cakes in one of the many riverfront restaurants. Day 7 HanoiRub shoulders with sombre groups of local Vietnamese in Ba Dinh Square, all here to pay respects to the country's revolutionary leader, embalmed and displayed in a glass case in an imposing mausoleum. Afterwards, discover exotic smells and intriguing sights in the evocative Old Quarter. Day 8 Halong BayThousands of towering limestone peaks form a stunning backdrop for a relaxing overnight boat trip over Halong Bay's deep green waters. Days 9-10 HanoiBack in the capital there's time for a cyclo ride past old French-style mansions, to peruse silk shops in Pho Hang Gai or to relax with a ca phe sua da (iced coffee with condensed milk) in an atmospheric cafe. Days 11-12 Halong BayHeadback to Halong Bay to continue exploring. Sail around the limestone karsts and explore stalactite-encrusted caves, before sharing a hearty seafood lunch on deck. Spend one night at sea, then head to jungle-clad Cat Ba, one of the few inhabited islands in Halong Bay. Discover fishing villages, trek through a national park or sip a beer on the beach. Days 13-14 Hua ShanTake a river boat to the isolated mountain village of Hua Shan. Visit a huge cliff-face fresco painted by the ancestors of the Zhuang people some 2,000 years ago. Day 15 LiuzhouNestled on the banks of the Willow River, Liuzhou features peaceful parks and the impressive Baota Shan seven-storey pagodas. Days 16-17 ChengyangStop to admire the waterwheels that lazily flood the paddy fields surrounding the village. Explore the area using the exquisite Dong 'wind and rain' bridges that cross many of the waterways in Chengyang. Days 18-19 Longji TerracesSoaring high into the sky, the Longji rice terraces are an awesome sight. Hike along the tiny stone paths that connect the remote villages of the Zhuang and Yao people. The terraces change with the seasons, from lush green in spring to white and frosty in winter. Days 20-22 YangshuoCycle through landscapes straight out of a classic Chinese painting. Ancient villages, delicate bridges, local markets and dramatic countryside make Yangshuo a real trip highlight. Days 23-24 Hong KongEnergetic Hong Kong is an exhilarating fusion of east and west. Cruise the harbour, shop at Stanley Market or admire the skyscrapers from above at Victoria Peak.
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