Vietnam Family Holiday – 14 days

BRIEF ITINERARY

 

 

Day 1: Hanoi arrival

Day 2: Hanoi – Ha Long bay

Day 3: Halong Bay – Hanoi

Day 4: Hanoi

Day 5: Hanoi – Hue

Day 6: Hue arrival

Day 7: Hue city

Day 8: Hue – Hoi An

Day 9: Hoi An Cooking Class

Day 10: Hoi An

Day 11: Hoi An – Ho Chi Minh city

Day 12: HCM – Mekong Delta

Day 13: Ho Chi Minh – Cu Chi

Day 14: Ho Chi Minh departure

 

 

DETAILED ITINERARY:

 

Day 1: Arrival in Hanoi

 

 

Upon arrival in Hanoi, our driver will pick you up from the airport or train station and take you to your hotel. You will have the rest of the day to explore the city on your own. We suggest checking out the Hoan Kiem Lake, visiting the Mausoleum of Ho Chi Minh, the serene Temple of Literature, or the Fine Arts Museum.

 

 

Day 2: Hanoi – Halong Bay (B, L, D)

 

 

After breakfast, we will pick you up from your hotel and travel to Halong Bay. After a short break on the way, we will take you to the spectacular World Heritage site of Halong Bay. Here, you will have lunch and sample regional fresh seafood while cruising through the bay’s sandy coves and 1,969 limestone islands. Lavender Cruise will take you on the most wonderful route where only a few cruises go through.

 

 

Day 3: Halong Bay – Hanoi (B, L)

 

 

Enjoy the sunrise on the bay, and join in on some fun activities before we take you back to Hanoi.

 

 

Day 4: Free and Easy Day in Hanoi (B)

 

 

After breakfast at your hotel, you will have the entire day free in Hanoi to relax, go shopping and explore the city on your own.

 

 

Day 5: Night Train to Hue (B)

 

 

After breakfast at the hotel, you will have free time to explore Hanoi city on your own. Later, our driver will pick you up and take you to Hanoi railway station to catch a night train to Hue city.

Note: There are 4-soft berths per tourist cabin with A/C. You may share it with other passengers. It takes around 13 hours from Hanoi to Hue. Please contact us if you want to upgrade to a private train cabin or internal flight from Hanoi to Hue.

 

 

Day 6: Arrival in Hue – Free and Easy Day (Meals: No)

 

 

Arrive in Hue and transfer to the hotel. You will have the entire day free to rest or explore Hue city on your own.

 

 

Day 7: Hue City Full Day Tour (B, L)

 

 

After breakfast, our tour guide will pick you up from your hotel to start the tour. You will visit Thien Mu Pagoda, the Imperial Citadel, the Nguyen Hue Royal Antiques Museum, Dong Ba Market, Khai Dinh King’s Tomb, Minh Mang King’s Tomb, and the Conical Hat and Incense Stick Villages.

 

 

Day 8: Transfer from Hue to Hoi An (B)

 

 

After breakfast at your hotel, we will transfer you by private car to Hoi An. We will drop you off at Lap An Lagoon, Lang Co Beach, Hai Van Pass, Marble mountain for taking photos if requested. Arrive in Hoi An, drop off at the hotel, and you will have the rest of the day free to explore Hoi An Ancient Town on your own.

 

 

Day 9: Hoi An – My Son Sanctuary (B, L)

 

 

We will leave Hoi An and cross the Cua Dai bridge with its spectacular views of the Hoi An river system, mountains, and Cham islands. We will arrive at the fishing village alive with activity as the market traders sell their evening’s catch, providing some great photo opportunities. We will then go to My Son, the “Valley of Kings,” where your walking tour to the Cham ruins begins. Afterward, we will start our boat trip on the Thu Bon river, where you will have a soft lunch (Quang-style noodle with pork and shrimp) served on the boat.

 

 

Day 10: Hoi An – Free and easy day (B)

 

 

Start your day with a hearty breakfast at your hotel. Today, you have the day to yourself to explore Hoi An at your own leisure. You can rent a bicycle and ride around the town to soak in the rich culture and ancient architecture. Some people like to go shopping or visit the old Chinese mansions, while others head to the beach to enjoy the sun and sand.

 

 

Day 11: Hoi An – Ho Chi Minh city (B)

 

 

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel before spending some free time until our driver arrives to take you to the airport. Today, you will take a flight to Ho Chi Minh City and stay in the most touristic area of the city.

 

 

Day 12: HCM – Mekong Delta (B,L)

 

 

Immerse yourself in the natural beauty and rich culture of the Mekong Delta region on this day trip. Leave the hustle and bustle of Ho Chi Minh City behind as you head to My Tho, a town located on the left side of the Mekong River. On arrival, visit Vinh Trang pagoda which dates back to the late 19th century. Board a sampan and cruise down the river around the four beautiful islands of Dragon, Unicorn, Phoenix and Tortoise.

Stop over at Unicorn Island, walk along the country lanes to see orchards and enjoy the local folk song music performed by the locals. Visit the fruit plantation and take a ride on a hand-rowed sampan through Thoi Son canal. Experience the beauty of the countryside, visit a family business, and enjoy a visit to a honey-bee farm, tasting honey tea and coconut candy.

After lunch at a local restaurant, take some break time. In the afternoon, go cycling around the Tan Thach village to experience the local daily life in the Mekong Delta. Those who don’t want to cycle can relax in a hammock and enjoy the cool breeze.

 

 

Day 13: Ho Chi Minh – Cu Chi tunnel (B)

 

 

Today, our tour guide and driver will pick you up from your hotel to drive to Cu Chi, located 70 km from the Ho Chi Minh City center to the Northwest. Cu Chi was known as the “area of steel” during wartime, with over 200km of tunnel systems that were considered an unbreakable underground village in the Vietnam-American war. It is a legendary destination for both Vietnamese and foreign visitors.

Upon arrival, enjoy a short introduction and an introductory video about how the tunnels were constructed and how the people survived in the harsh conditions of the war. Spend your time exploring the remaining area and tunnel systems, including the specially constructed living areas with kitchens, bedrooms, storage, weapons factories, field hospitals, and command centers. There are also many hidden trap doors and dangerous traps within the maze-like tunnels for security purposes during the war. Afterward, special tea and cassava (guerilla’s food during the war) will be served.

Take a break for relaxation or for those who want to try shooting a real gun. Then, get transferred back to your hotel.

 

 

Day 14: Ho Chi Minh departure (B)

 

 

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel and then take some free time until our driver arrives to transfer you to the airport for your departure.