Vietnam Family Holiday with Teenagers – 9 days

BRIEF ITINERARY:

Day 1: Ha Noi arrival

Day 2: Ha Noi surrounding

Day 3: Ha Noi – Mai Chau

Day 4: Mai Chau – Ninh Binh

Day 5: Ninh Binh – Ha Long bay

Day 6: Ha Long – Da Nang

Day 7: Hoi An

Day 8: Hoi An

Day 9: Da Nang departure

DETAILED ITINERARY:

Day 1: Ha Noi Arrival

Welcome to Vietnam! Upon arrival in Ha Noi, you will have some time to settle into your accommodation before meeting your tour group at a Welcome Meeting at 5 pm. If you arrive early, you can take the opportunity to explore the charming city of Ha Noi. The city is home to tree-lined boulevards, ancient temples, and a rich, religious culture. You can take a stroll in the Old Quarter to uncover these cultural gems or head to the Temple of Literature, a serene oasis located in the heart of the city.

Day 2: Ha Noi Surroundings (B, L)

Today, you will have the chance to explore Ha Noi in more depth. After breakfast, you will embark on a guided tour of the city’s top attractions. You will visit the Ho Chi Minh Complex, which includes Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum, Stilt House, and Museum, the One Pillar Pagoda, and the Temple of Literature. You will have lunch at KOTO, a social enterprise that trains street kids for careers in the hospitality industry. After lunch, you will switch from 4 wheels to 2 and take a cycling tour around West Lake. The cycling route covers approximately 25 km (15 miles).

Day 3: Ha Noi – Mai Chau (B, L, D)

After breakfast, you will depart from Ha Noi to Luong Son, a region in Vietnam’s northwest. The drive is approximately 1.5 hours. Upon arrival in Luong Son, you will start your cycling adventure through Vietnam’s picturesque countryside. The route to Mai Chau is mostly along paved roads, and the area’s fresh country air and relative lack of traffic are a delight compared to Ha Noi’s hustle and bustle. Mai Chau is home to a variety of minority groups with their own unique culture and languages. While here, you will visit a social enterprise focused on preserving and celebrating the traditional crafts of the Thai minority groups who settled in northwest Vietnam. You will have the opportunity to learn about their lives and crafts and make an embroidery pattern or dye cloth. For those who do not wish to ride the entire way, there is a support bus that travels with the group during the entire cycling route. The cycling distance is approximately 60 km (37 miles). Note that at the homestay, you and your family will sleep on mattresses in a communal room. Bedding and mosquito nets are provided, and shared toilet and bathroom facilities are basic.

Day 4: Mai Chau – Ninh Binh (B, L)

Today is dedicated to exploring the villages and scenic countryside of provincial Vietnam. The journey from Mai Chau to Ninh Binh is fairly easy and leisurely-paced. You will have plenty of opportunities to hop off your bike and take some photos of the surrounding valleys, sugarcane farms, and rice paddies that compose the landscape. The final stop for the day is the small town of Ninh Binh. The Ninh Binh province is famed for its spectacular limestone karst scenery, lush rice paddies, and gently flowing waterways. The cycling distance is approximately 60 km (37 miles).

Day 5: Ninh Binh – Ha Long Bay (B,L,D)

After exploring Northern Vietnam by bike, today’s adventure takes us to the sea. Board a private bus for the drive to Ha Long Bay, a natural harbor filled with more than 2,000 limestone islands. The journey will take about 4 hours, with stops along the way. Once we arrive, we’ll set out on a kayak expedition to explore the countless beaches, caves, and grottoes of the area. Tonight we’ll dine and sleep on a traditional Vietnamese junk boat with twin-share cabins, air conditioning, private facilities, a bar, and a dining area.

Day 6: Ha Long – Da Nang (B,L)

Take some time to soak in the stunning landscapes of Ha Long Bay before disembarking the boat in the morning. We’ll then make our way back to Hanoi, where we’ll have day rooms to freshen up. You can join the group for dinner before heading to the train station for an overnight ride to Da Nang.

Day 7: Hoi An (B)

Arrive in Da Nang and take a short transfer to Hoi An, a beautifully preserved old city with a charming atmosphere. Spend the next two days exploring the town and its surroundings by foot and bike. Hoi An was a major international port in the 17th-19th centuries and has retained its historic feel.

Day 8: Hoi An (B)

Start the day with a guided orientation walk of Hoi An led by your trip leader. After lunch, hop on a bike and ride past rice paddies and shrimp ponds to Cua Dai beach. Hoi An is a great place to shop for souvenirs and get clothes tailored, and we’ll have time to do so. In the evening, enjoy a final feast with the group by the riverside.

Day 9: Da Nang Departure (B)

After breakfast, the tour ends. You can take a transfer to Danang airport for your onward flight or stay longer to explore the charming city.