Plan your family’s spring break around seeing the highlights of Vietnam this year. This 10-day tour starts in the North with an immersion into Vietnamese culture and history, then takes participants out on the waters of UNESCO World Heritage Site Halong Bay for an overnight cruise amongst the remarkable limestone formations. Next, the tour gets active in historic Hoi An where you will walk amongst the ancient town and ride bicycles on Cam Kim Island. Finally, spend your last days in Saigon exploring the cultural diversity of this amazing nation.
This tour is timed to take advantage of the excellent weather throughout Vietnam in the spring, but can be done during other times of year as well.
Day 1 Hanoi: Arrival
Arrive at Noi Bai airport where you will be met by your guide and driven the 1 hour journey to Hanoi.
Meals Included: None
Overnight at Hanoi La Siesta Hotel & Spa – Family Suite
Day 2 Hanoi: City Tour
Hanoi, originally named Thang Long or “City of the Ascending Dragon,” was the first capital of Vietnam in A.D. 1010. Situated in the Centre North of Vietnam, the city is known as one of the most attractive and interesting places for visitors. Plus, after the fusion in 2008, Hanoi ranks in top 20th biggest cities of the world.
Hanoi’s sightseeing highlights, which cannot be missed, include the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and Museum, where you can see Uncle Ho laid out to rest. Ho Chi Minh was the founder and president of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam. Also, the National Art Museum or Fine Art Museum; the Hoa Lo Prison; central Hoan Kiem Lake, where Hanoians enjoy their early mornings with Tai Chi and “Vietnamese style” aerobics in a very peaceful atmosphere; the Old Quarter, where streets are named after the individual trades practiced here since the 15th century; the Hanoi Hilton, where John McCain and other prisoners were held during the war now houses a museum; the Ethnology museum and the Temple of Literature as an example of Vietnamese architecture where it is always relaxing to take a stroll. Hanoi is Vietnam’s cultural center, and the galleries, puppetry, music, and dance performances are worth staying at least a few days to take in. This morning start by discussing options with your guide what you would like to do and see today. Your guide will be with you all day so discuss what suits you and then have fun!
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch
Overnight at Hanoi La Siesta Hotel & Spa – Family Suite
Day 3 Hanoi: Market and Street Food Tour and Village Tour
This morning you will be met by a celebrated chef at your hotel at 08:30am.
Today you will get a chance to experience Hanoi in a truly unique way – by eating local food in the most local of places. Most of the areas visited will be outside of the main tourist areas. First, you will head to a local market where you will learn about and taste some of the ingredients used in the local cuisine and see how locals engage in their routine of price negotiating. The chef will introduce you to some of the vendors and explain the uses of the food being sold. If you are interested in purchasing anything at the market, the chef will assist you in your negotiations. After your haggling, relax and enjoy a Vietnamese Ca Phe (coffee) or Tra (tea) with the locals at one of the chef’s favorite sidewalk cafes in the historic French Quarter. Here the chef will give an overview of the Hanoi food scene and discuss the daily life and culture of Vietnam from an expat’s perspective. Lunch will follow with the chef at one of Hanoi’s Bun Cha establishments to enjoy traditional grilled pork and rice vermicelli noodles with fresh herbs, greens, and crispy spring rolls (Nem Ran) like true Hanoians. After lunch you will be transferred back to your hotel.
At 1:30 pm your guide and private car will meet you at your hotel and take you to Dong Ngac Cultural Village, located about 15km from Hanoi center. This is an ancient village and a Cultural Heritage Site in honor of its educated and heroic people recognized by the kings of Vietnam. It is only a 30-minute drive and soon you will find yourself entering the gate of the village to visit Dong Ngac Communal House, the grounds and architecture of which are built in the shape of a dragon. From your guide as you wander deeper in to the village you will learn about the importance of the ancestor worship palaces to the Pham, Do and Hoang families living in the neighborhood. The oldest house in the village belongs to the Do family and is more than 300 years old. Here you will hear about the King and why he respected his general who lived here. Take special note as you walk down the cobbled streets of the village in and out of the historical homes that each brick is part of a dowry of brick cobbles paid for by grooms’ families in earlier times when the daughters of Dong Ngac Village wed. Leave the village around 4:30pm to return to your hotel in town.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch
Overnight at Hanoi La Siesta Hotel & Spa – Family Suite
Day 4 Halong Bay Cruise Day1: Halong City to Bai Tu Long Bay and Thien Canh Son Cave
Today your guide will meet you at your hotel at 8am. You will leave bustling Hanoi behind as you are driven to Halong City and wonderful Ha Long Bay. Your journey will take around 3 ½ hours through the historical countryside of the Red River Delta which is peppered with hundred-year-old villages.
Arrive at Ha Long City by midday where you will transfer to the pier to board your junk. Enjoy a welcome drink before relaxing with a fresh seafood lunch, while cruising in the magnificent Bai Tu Long Bay (the peaceful northern part of Ha Long Bay, commonly overlooked by most visitors). Take in the breathtaking serenity of your surroundings. Mid-afternoon you can jump in for a quick swim in the crystal clear waters before your visit to Thien Can Son Cave. A short cruise further will bring you to Hon Co Island where you can spend the late afternoon swimming, kayaking, or simply relaxing on the white sandy beach. You will finish the day on board with dinner around 7pm followed by time to relax and reflect on your day.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Overnight at Dragon’s Pearl Junk Cruises – 1Double & 1Twin Cabin, Join trip.
Day 5 Halong Bay Cruise Day 2: Vung Vieng Fishing Village / Hoi An: Arrival
Today’s early start with breakfast around 7:30am is a wonderful opportunity to admire the bay waking up around you. An hour later you will be taken in a traditional rowboat to meet the local people who call Vung Vieng fishing village their home. Learn all about their daily life, the floating school and fish farms. Enjoy your lunch as you cruise back to Hon Gai Harbor to disembark at the pier around midday.
Your guide will meet you as you disembark and will transfer you back to Hanoi. Along the way you will have the opportunity to take a comfort break and stretch your legs. You will arrive at Noi Bai airport in time to connect with your flight – Vietnam Airlines VN175 departing Hanoi at 19:10 & arriving Danang at 20:30.
Your guide will meet you at Danang Airport for your private transfer to your hotel in Hoi An for check-in.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch
Overnight at Boutique Hoi An Resort – Two Bedroom Beach Villa
Day 6 Hoi An: Wander the Ancient Town
Your guide will meet you at your hotel and together you will head out on a walking tour of Hoi An for a few hours. Visit the Ancient Town, which is home to the beautiful Chua Cau, (roofed bridge), as well as Hoi Quan, the ancient meeting places, some ancestral family homes and some of the lovely hidden pagodas. In the spirit of tradition, you’ll also have the chance to enjoy the famous cuisine of Central Vietnam in a local restaurant in the old part of town. Return to your hotel after lunch and enjoy the rest of the day at your leisure.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch
Overnight at Boutique Hoi An Resort – Two Bedroom Beach Villa
Day 7 Hoi An: Cam Kim Island Bike Ride
Your guide will transfer you to the rendezvous point for your bike ride. After setting up your bicycle, catch your private 30 minute boat cruise over to Cam Kim Island. You will hop off at a secluded point to begin your ride. Along the way you will meet the families that produce traditional crafts such as ornate furniture, coracles (traditional bamboo basket boats) and sleeping mats. If you wish, you will also have the chance to take a short ride in a coracle on one of the small canals. With your guide, follow the winding paths in and out of the country hamlets. Head to the local ferry for different 15 minute boat experience back to Hoi An on the mainland.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch
Overnight at Boutique Hoi An Resort – Two Bedroom Beach Villa
Day 8 Saigon: Arrival and Truc Mai House Music Experience
Your guide will meet you at your hotel for your private hour-long transfer to the airport in Danang and will ensure that you arrive in time for your onward flight – Vietnam Airlines VN109 departing Danang at 09:35 & arriving Saigon at 11:05.
Arrive in Saigon where you will be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel.
Early evening, your guide and driver will transfer you to the Mai Family Home. The stories of Vietnamese history and culture can be heard and understood through its traditional music. Mr. Truc and Mrs. Ngo (husband and wife), along with the other members of the family, are experts at playing traditional Vietnamese musical instruments such as the monochord zither, bamboo xylophone, and stone lithophone, among others. They have been granted special permission to share their knowledge with guests in Vietnam and for an hour you will be taken on a journey back in time. Enjoy a private concert as they tell you stories and play their traditional melodies. Then you will have the opportunity to try your hand at playing the instruments in their collection. At the end of the evening with these wonderful people, you will have unique personal insight into the culture and history of Vietnam. You will then be taken to a restaurant for your dinner and later returned to your hotel.
Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner
Overnight at Grand Hotel – Ancient Wing Two Bedroom Grand Suite
Day 9 Saigon: City Tour
Our guides are the experts so we leave you in their capable hands to discuss and decide what you want to see and do with your 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. The Vietnamese Traditional Medicine Museum gives another insight into Vietnamese culture. Chat with your guide and decide what suits you!
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch
Overnight at Grand Hotel – Ancient Wing Two Bedroom Grand Suite
Day 10 Saigon: Villages and Markets of the Mekong Delta and Departure
The latest recommended time for your guide to meet you and set off this morning is 7:30am. The earlier the start the better, so as to catch the market in Cai Be when it is most active. This morning you will be driven to Phu Nhuan Bridge in Phu An village, located in the Mekong Delta approximately 2 hours away from Saigon. Here you will board a small private boat to explore this small shady river and begin with a short cruise. Take a break along the way at a unique village, where you can enjoy a walk around the area, meet some of the friendly locals and learn more about how they cultivate the many rice paddies in the area. Return to your boat and continue along the river for a further 50 minutes, until you reach colorful Cai Be. Continue on for a short distance until you reach Tan Phong Island, where you will step ashore for a short bike ride of about 40 minutes (longer or shorter depending on your preferences), taking in the island’s luscious gardens and peaceful village life. At the end of the bike ride, you will 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, as well as different Vietnamese vegetables and fruits served with tamarind dipping sauce. After lunch, if time permits, you may then enjoy being rowed along in a traditional sampan boat alongside the banks of the fruit gardens and through the narrow shady canals. Enjoy the waterways a little longer as you cruise on back to Cai Be where your private transport will be waiting for you. Relax on the drive back to your hotel in Saigon (a drive of about 2 ½ hours), where you should arrive around 5:30pm.
Please note: You have the option to begin with Cai Be and end with Phu An village. Your guide will discuss the day with you in advance.
You will be picked up at your hotel and taken to the airport for your onward flight
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch & Snack
PLEASE NOTE
This itinerary is currently in progress and does not reflect hotel room availability. The pricing is not final until the itinerary has been confirmed and booked.
Tour Rate starting at: $ 8,500 total for a family of four (two adults and two children ages 6 & 10)
Price includes:
- Air tickets as specified above
- 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
