Spend two weeks exploring the wonders of Vietnam. You kids will love taking a boat ride in Halong Bay, meeting students their age in Hanoi, playing on the beach and crawling through the Cu Chi Tunnels. You’ll be amazed at the history, beauty and culture of this amazing country.
Day 1 Hanoi – Arrival
Arrive at Noi Bai airport in Hanoi where you will be met and transferred to your hotel.
Meals Included: None
Overnight at Hilton Opera Hotel – 1Double with 2extra beds Suite Room
Day 2 Hanoi – City Tour
This morning start by discussing with your guide what you would like to do and see today. There are so many options that we like to leave it up to you and your guide to decide what suits you best. Some interesting highlights that you may want to consider are the Hanoi Hilton, where John McCain and other prisoners were held during the war, it now houses a museum; the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum where you can see Uncle Ho laid out to rest; or if you like art you can visit the Fine Art Museum or see which local galleries are offering shows. The Temple of Literature is always a relaxing area to stroll through and is a great stop before or after lunch which you will have at KOTO, a restaurant benefiting at risk youths. Your guide will be with you all day so discuss what suits you and then have fun!
Attend a water puppet show to experience a truly traditional Vietnamese evening. Enjoy a relaxing meal sampling the delicious cuisine of Vietnam. Your guide will be on hand to transfer you to and from the restaurant, and to help you select your meal.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Overnight at Hilton Opera Hotel – 1Double with 2extra beds Suite Room
Day 3 Hanoi – Village Tour with Duc
Your guide, Duc will meet you at your hotel and you will head out of town for about an hour and a half to Lai Xa village. It is 25 km from Hanoi. You will walk out and visit Kim Chung Primary and Secondary school and talk to the students. Return to the village and have lunch with a local family before visiting Linh Tien pagoda. In the late afternoon return to Hanoi.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch
Overnight at Hilton Opera Hotel – 1Double with 2extra beds Suite Room
Day 4 Halong Bay with Kayaking Day 1
Your guide will meet you at your hotel at 8:00 am and you will take a private minivan with driver to Halong Bay (Approximately 31/2 hours). Arrive in Halong Bay and board a Vietnamese “junk” (boat) where you will have lunch. Then take a fantastic cruise in Halong Bay, where the cast limestone islands rise vertically out of the water and you will wonder if you are dreaming or sailing into a movie set. Visit Dinh Huong, Ga Choi, Dog, and Snail Island. Paddle from Titov beach to Luon cave. Enjoy dinner on the boat followed by optional night paddle, fishing and drinking of Vietnamese wine before heading to your air-conditioned cabin.
Overnight onboard Huong Hai Junk – 1Double with 2extra beds Deluxe Room
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 5 Halong Bay with Kayaking Day 2
After an early breakfast on the boat continue kayaking in this incredible area from Luon Cave towards the islands of Man’s Head and Tortoise Islands. Return to the boat after your morning paddle to rinse off and enjoy your last lunch aboard as you make your way back to Halong City. Return to Hanoi in a private car. Spend the afternoon at your leisure.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch
Overnight at Hilton Opera Hotel – 1Double with 2extra beds Suite Room
Day 6 Hoi An – Arrival and City Tour
You will be picked up at your hotel and taken to Noi Bai airport for your flight – (flight from Hanoi to Danang included). Arrive in Danang where you will be met and transferred to your hotel in Hoi An. Your guide will meet you at your hotel and take you on a walking tour of Hoi An. Visit the Ancient Town including the beautiful Chua Cau, or roofed bridge, Hoi Quan, the ancient meeting places, some ancestral family homes and some of the lovely and hidden pagodas. Have lunch at a local restaurant. Spend the afternoon at your leisure.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch
Overnight at Hoian Beach Resort – 1Double with 2extra beds River View Suite Room
Day 7 Hoi An – Day at Leisure
Have a free day to explore on your own.
Meals included: Breakfast
Overnight at Hoian Beach Resort – 1Double with 2extra beds River View Suite Room
Day 8 Hoi An – Day at Leisure
Have a free day to explore on your own.
Meals included: Breakfast
Overnight at Hoian Beach Resort – 1Double with 2extra beds River View Suite Room
Day 9 Hoi An- Bike ride through countryside
You will head out from your hotel by bicycle stopping to see some of the highlights throughout Old Town Hoi An. You will then head out of town into the countryside. After exploring all morning you will enjoy lunch with the guide’s family and have traditional food with them; feel free to ask questions and relax, they love to have guests and if you bring some photos from home they would love to hear about your lives as well. Then head back to Hoi An.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch
Overnight at Hoian Beach Resort – 1Double with 2extra beds River View Suite Room
Day 10 Saigon – City Tour
Drive to Danang (an hour) where you will transfer to the airport for your onward flight (flight from Danang to Saigon included). Arrive in Saigon where you will be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel.
Our guides are the experts so we leave you in their hands to discuss and decide what you want to see and do with your half day. There are some great markets if you are in the mood to shop or you can visit some of the museums like the History Museum, or some pagodas, like Thien Hau Lady Goddess Pagoda and Jade Emperor Pagoda. If you are interested in the history of the Vietnam War, then we recommend that you take the time to visit the Reunification Hall , formerly known as the Presidential Palace, and the War Remnants Museum. Chat with your guide and decide what suits you!
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch
Overnight at Grand Hotel – 1Double Deluxe Suite 2Bedroom
Day 11 Saigon – Temple and Cu Chi Tunnels with War Veteran dinner
Leaving Saigon behind and heading northwest in to Tay Ninh province you will find the Cao Dai Great Temple. Here we will stop for you to see where Cao Daism is practiced and witness the midday mass. Cao Daism is a unique religion worshiping Jesus, Confucius and Buddha! Have lunch at Ngoc Tuyet restaurant in Tay Ninh.
After lunch you will be driven back in a southeasterly direction to arrive at the Cu Chi tunnels. Here you will learn about, and be given the opportunity to descend into, the tunnels themselves where the guerilla fighters constructed an amazing underground base and village network during the French Resistance, and the Vietnam War. Finally, to end your trip, you will be taken to the private home of Mr. Nam, a war veteran of the Vietnamese American war. Here you will have the opportunity to meet and chat with him and his family whilst enjoying a delicious home cooked dinner before heading back to Saigon.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Overnight at Grand Hotel – 1Double Deluxe Suite 2Bedroom
Day 12 – Mekong Delta Exploration
This morning you will be driven to Cai Be village in the Mekong Delta (approx. 2.5 hours). At Cai Be board a private boat to explore Cai Be floating market and visit local families making popped rice (a favorite of the team!), coconut candies, rice paper…various local homemade Vietnamese products from the Mekong area. Then you’ll have lunch in a beautiful traditional garden house and be presented with local dishes such as, Elephant ear fish rolled and wrapped with rice paper, different Vietnamese vegetables and fruits served with tamarind dipping sauce
After lunch, you’ll carry on with your boat trip to Vinh Long, passing small and beautiful canals with peaceful tranquil villages. Time permitting you can even visit a local brick/pottery factory. After this your private transport will pick you up in Vinh Long and will drive you to Mr Nam ‘s homestay in Can Tho. The home stay is in Cai Tac and it is about 16km away from the city. Check in the home stay and then relax, your guide can help with translating with the family, so don’t be shy, you can ask questions about their life and the history of their country.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch
Overnight at Mr Nam’s Homestay
Day 13 – Mekong Delta to Saigon
Wake up early and enjoy a one hour bicycle ride around the village, stopping to take photos wherever suits you. You will then take a boat to the Cai Rang Floating Markets, a less touristy market that will be bustling this early in the morning. Have lunch at a local restaurant on route as you return to Saigon in the afternoon.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch
Overnight at Grand Hotel – 1Double Deluxe Suite 2Bedroom
Day 14 Saigon – Departure
You will be picked up at your hotel and taken to the airport for your departing flight.
Meals included: Breakfast
Tour Rate Starting at: $10,700 for a family of 4 (2 adults and 2 children)
Price includes:
- Air tickets Hanoi – Danang – Saigon
- Boat tickets as specified above
- Accommodation as specified above
- Air-conditioned car/van with driver
- Licensed English speaking guides
- Tours and admission fees as mentioned above
- Meals as specified in itinerary, including water
Price excludes:
- Personal expenses
- Visa fees
- Airport tax
- Drinks (except water) and meals not mentioned in itinerary
- Tips
