Vietnam Family Tour

Itinerary

• Day 1: Arrival in Hanoi

  Arrive in Hanoi and enjoy the fast-track assistance at the airport before meeting your guide for the private transfer to your downtown hotel. On the way, your enthusiastic and informative guide will brief the country and its dynamic capital for you.

  For the first night in this oriental country, we recommend a French dinner with Vietnamese touches at La Terrasse Du Metropole in Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi, to buffer your western stomach.

  Hanoi

• Day 2: Hanoi Old Quarter and Historical Sites

  Get deeper acquainted with this country from a visit to Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, where you will be in the long line of nationals who are waiting soulfully to pay respect to their beloved leader. The strict security in this area will put you in heavy communist air.

  Walking out of the solemn air, you will then see Ho Chi Minh's House on Stilts, perceiving his simple life and understanding why he is loved so much by his people. A few minutes walking away are the opulent President Palace built by the French and the iconic One Pillar Pagoda.

  After a hearty Vietnamese lunch, at the China-inspired Temple of Literature, which is dedicated to Confucius and boasts as the Imperial Academy in feudal eras, you will get a direct impression of the cultural origin of this country. Later on, explore the Old Quarter on rickshaws for glimpsing into local life.

  B L Hanoi

• Day 3: Water Puppetry, Former Vietnamese Pilot

  Dive in the fantasy world of water puppetry this morning. In a traditional village where everything about water puppetry is deeply rooted, you will meet the artisans who make the puppets out of wood, talk with the puppeteers who give them life, visit the artist who is revolutionizing this art, and attend a private water puppet performance.

  After lunch with the troupe, proceed to the unassuming home of Mr. My, a former Vietnamese hero pilot in the Vietnam War, to hear the history come to life. The evening is at your disposal. It will be a good idea to take a bespoke street food tour to discover and try some of the most authentic eateries in Hanoi.

  B L Hanoi

• Day 4: Hanoi - Halong Bay

  Travel about three hours by road for a relaxing cruise to spot the stunning beauty of Halong Bay.

  The cruise begins with welcome drinks and a safety briefing, designed off the beaten track, outfitted with authentic Vietnamese cuisines, and crammed with colorful onboard or water activities. Enjoy it the way you like, sunning yourself on the deck, discovering untouched scenery by kayaking, or refreshing yourself in mineral seawater.

  B L D Halong Bay

• Day 5: Halong Bay - Hanoi - Hoi An

  Start a new day in the dreamlike surrounding. The early birds can join in the Tai Chi demonstration on the sun deck. Continue the cruise after breakfast to explore a well-hidden cave. After brunch on board, disembark and travel by road to Hanoi for a short flight to Da Nang.

  On arrival, approach a nipa palm mangrove tucked away between the beach and the ancient port town of Hoi An. Board a private boat cruising slowly along the Mekong-like arroyos and the Thu Bon River. Drawing closer to Hoi An with its yellow walled ancient houses, the township is unveiled along the riverside with hundreds of lanterns reflecting in the waters.

  B L Hoi An

• Day 6: Hoi An: Countryside Biking

  A bicycle ride through the charming countryside, past bucolic villages, and farmlands. Stop at a village where you can get hands-on experience of a farmer's life by helping water crops or plant rice. Adventurers can even drive a water buffalo. At the noon, share a meal with a local family and enjoy the garden-fresh vegetables and herbs.

  The afternoon is yours to explore the old town of Hoi An. If you want a break from local cuisine, we would like to suggest a dinner at the wildly acclaimed Prime Steakhouse, which is said to serve the best steak in Hoi An even in the whole country of Vietnam.

  B L Hoi An

• Day 7: Hoi An Basket Boat Cruise & Cooking Class

  Start a lovely day at the Hoian Market, where your guide will help you communicate with local traders and purchase fresh ingredients for the cooking class later. Next, get on the bamboo basket boat to fish crabs while cruising the nipa palm forest. There is also a chance to experience local fishermen's traditional fishing way. The cooking class will start at noon in the Coconut village and costs around two hours. Under the direction of our chef, you will cook some typical Vietnamese dishes and enjoy your works proudly. Finish the fascinating tour at around 2:30 pm, return to relax in your hotel, or enjoy the nearby beach.

  B L Hoi An

• Day 8: Hoi An - Ho Chi Minh City, A Touch of Old Saigon

  Leave idyllic Hoi An behind and move on to Saigon, today's Ho Chi Minh City. Known as the Paris of the Far East, this tropical city is still full of French flavors today, mixing the strong colors of southern Europe and Indochina.

  Savor its French air in the afternoon by browsing some of its time-honored colonial buildings: The Opera House, the City Hall, the Notre Dame Cathedral, and the Central Post Office.

  Get on a vintage Vespa food tour in the evening to taste its Indochina flavors. Sit on the back of a vintage Vespa and follow your veteran driver to seek tasty snacks, aromatic cafes, and celebrated desserts hidden in busy streets or quiet alleyways.

  B L Ho Chi Minh City

• Day 9: Cu Chi Tunnels & War Museum

  It is an educational day for an in-depth understanding of war and peace. In the morning, out of the city, you can squeeze into a short stretch of Cu Chi Tunnels to know how the Viet Cong survived underground. Boys may want to pay extra to fire live rounds from different weapons.

  In the afternoon, at the War Remnants Museum within the city, you will get more graphics of the Indochina War and the Vietnam War. The fearsome war scenes always remind people to cherish peace.

  B L Ho Chi Minh City

• Day 10: Ho Chi Minh City - Mekong Delta

  Mekong Delta, a couple of hours away from Saigon, is a wonderful world for kids to discover. In the river-land mixed town of Cai Be, visiting a local wholesale floating market, rowing through palm-tree rivers, exploring the orchards and farms, cycling around the rural countryside, etc. All will be an eye-opener for your kids.

  After the tour, proceed to Can Tho for the night.

  B L Can Tho

• Day 11: Mekong Delta - Ho Chi Minh City

  One of the highlights in Can Tho is visiting the Cai Rang Floating Market, the biggest of its kind in the Mekong Delta. At the busiest time (between 6 am and 9 am), you will marvel at a unique scene - lots of larger-sized boats overload goods like fruits anchor and create lanes for smaller boats weaving in and out. Later, a biking tour with beautiful delta scenery will keep the kids entertained.

  In the afternoon, go back to Saigon through a 4-hour drive.

  B L Ho Chi Minh City

• Day 12: Ho Chi Minh City, Departure

  Meet your guide and driver when you are ready for the private transfer to the airport. Farewell Vietnam and start a new journey.

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