Vietnam

HIGHLIGHTS OF VIETNAM

Family tours 12 Day(s)

Means of transport:
From $0

Day 1
HANOI ARRIVAL

On arriving at Noi Bai Airport, you will be picked up and transferred to the hotel in the city centre. Hotel check-in is available at 2 pm. You will have free time to take a rest after a long flight or head out to get a first impression of the city.

Day 2
HA THAI VILLAGE & BAT TRANG VILLAGE (B)

After breakfast we will take the road out towards the suburbs of Hanoi to inspect handicraft villages. The first stop is at Ha Thai Village. We will meet Mr. Chieu, responsible for the organization of the craftsmen of Ha Thai, who will show you the different stages of manufacturing lacquered objects. You will have the opportunity to practice applying lacquer (the last 3 production phases) and bring your own products home.
Afternoon, we will drive to Bat Trang, 15 km from the city center, known as the earliest ceramic village, established in Vietnam. There you will have a chance to explore a pottery workshop where villagers still make everything by hand. Your children can try their hand at clay spinning to make their own products. They will be more than happy bringing their mini masterpieces back home as a souvenir. We then return to Hanoi. 

Day 3
HANOI COOKING CLASS & STREET FOOD TOUR (B, L)

At 9 am, our tour guide will pick you up to go to the cooking centre to participate in a cooking class. First, we will walk to the local market and try buying ingredients like a local. There is a great variety of food on offer at all the street groceries such as: herbs, spices, vegetables, meats, fishes, fruits, etc. And they are all fresh. You will learn about how important herbs and spices are in authentic Vietnamese gastronomy. Have fun trying to communicate with local vendors using body language. Do not forget to take some photos with them. After completing your shopping, we will go back to prepare and cook the food. The tour guide will take you through all the necessary steps, from marinating and spicing, to decorating dishes with carved carrot flowers, lemongrass stems, banana leaves and curved chili. Learn to make the authentic magical sauce mixed from fish sauce, water, sugar, lime, chili, garlic, and herbs. And finally, you will get to enjoy a delicious lunch with all the food you have made. 
Our afternoon exploration begins with the Museum of Ethnology (closed on Mondays, the alternative on this day being the History Museum). The museum offers a wide range of informative and well-documented displays of the 54 ethnic groups in Vietnam, including colourful hill tribe costumes. The outdoor display is an impressive collection of traditional houses of various minorities from the north to the central Highlands.
Drive back to the Old Quarter for a 1.5-hour walking tour, specially designed for a deeper insight into Hanoian daily life. We will also visit the Ngọc Son temple (Temple of the Jade Mountain) which sits on a green islet in the middle of Hoan Kiem Lake, connected to the lakeside by a graceful scarlet bridge named The Huc (meaning the early sunlight welcoming place). The temple is dedicated to Tran Hung Dao - the General who defeated the Mongols in the 13th century and Van Xuong De Quan - the patron of literature and examinations. Ngoc Son temple and Hoan Kiem Lake are frequently visited by tourists and locals. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 4
HANOI – HALONG BAY (B, L, D)

Early breakfast and we leave Hanoi for Halong Bay. On the way we pass through countryside indicative of the Red River Delta, with endless rice fields and winding rivers. Arriving at Halong tourist harbour around noon, you will board an elegant wooden junk. A delicious lunch is served on board while the boat gently navigates through countless islands and limestone structures arising from the turquoise water. In the evening, a fresh seafood dinner prepared by a skilful chef awaits you. Enjoy a peaceful night on board in the middle of the quiet sea.
Please note that the itinerary is subject to change according to the cruise and weather conditions.

Day 5
HALONG BAY – FLIGHT TO HUE (B, L)

Nothing can be compared to waking up to a serene morning surrounded by karsts. You can have an early morning dip and then breakfast on board. We will continue to sail through the bay during the morning to explore hidden areas. The junk will always stay close serving as a backup vessel for those who need it. Around midday we will return to the main harbour & drive back to Hanoi airport to catch the flight to Hue. 
Night at the hotel.

Day 6
HUE - THUY BIEU VILLAGE - DISCOVER TRADITIONAL HANDICRAFT VILLAGES (B, L)

Start the morning with a boat trip on the poetic Perfume River. Our first visit is to Thien Mu Pagoda (Celestial Lady Pagoda) built in 1601 on the Northern bank of the river. With its seven-storey Phuoc Duyen tower, Thien Mu Pagoda became the symbol of the ancient capital and has often been mentioned in folk rhymes about Hue.
We continue cruising toward Thuy Bieu, a laidback village settled on the bank of Perfume River. The village is famous for its green Thanh Tra (a small kind of pomelo) orchards. Join the cooking class to prepare Hue’s signature dishes with our chef’s instruction and enjoy your delicious recently made food in the open-air riverside restaurant. The afternoon is reserved for a peaceful walk through the village, visiting communal houses, ancient temples, and the garden houses - a typical and unique feature of Hue. You will be well treated with a foot bath in medicinal herb water, followed by an excellent massage by blind therapist to recharge energy after a sightseeing day.
Following the lunch, we drive to visit the Tomb of Tu Duc designed by the Emperor himself before his death. The Tomb includes 50 monuments arranged unsymmetrically and shows the perfect harmony of buildings and nature. Take time to soak in its tranquil and relaxing setting. 
Continue to visit the Imperial City. In the ultimate royal city of Vietnam, we will have a chance to see beautiful structures including the Flag Tower, Nine Holy Cannons, Ngo Mon Gate, Thai Hoa Palace, Nine Dynastic Urns and the Forbidden Purple City or Tu Cam Thanh. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 7
HUE – HOI AN (B)

This morning we drive to meet a kite-making artisan who has won several kite competitions in Europe and Asia. He will show you how to make a typical Hue style of colourful kite. After finishing your work, it’s time to have fun flying your creations on the riverbank. 
After lunch, take the Mandarin Road from Hue to Hoi An. The scenic journey offers views of seemingly endless stunning beach landscapes and dense tropical forest. Along the road we can stop to take photos of Da Nang Beach. We will visit the Marble Mountains and the Cham Museum before arriving in Hoi An. Night at the hotel.

Day 8
HOI AN WALKING TOUR & CYCLING TO THE BEACH (B, D)

In the morning you will be taken on a half-day walking tour of Hoi An ancient town. In this UNESCO-recognised world heritage site you will visit Chua Ong Pagoda (dedicated to “Quan Thanh De Quan” - an ancient Chinese general), Chinese assembly halls, the 200-year-old Tan Ky house (with Japanese and Chinese influenced architecture), and the Japanese Covered Bridge (built by the Japanese then living in Hoi An to connect their quarter to that of the Chinese).
Afternoon, hop on a bicycle and ride to Phu Thinh beach, passing through lush paddy fields. On the way we will stop at the Precious Art Gallery Museum to admire the exhibition of photos and costumes of the 54 ethnic groups in Vietnam. You will have an enjoyable massage facing the sea, and afterwards swim freely at Phu Thinh beach. A Seafood diner is served right on the beach. After that we ride back to the hotel.

Day 9
HOI AN ECOTOUR – FLIGHT TO HO CHI MINH CITY (B, L)

At 8 am we will take a bicycle to ride from your hotel along the De Vong River to Cam An wharf. Board the boat to the Cua Dai sand dunes, enjoy net casting shows and learn how to cast them yourself with the local fisherman. Continue on to Cam Thanh Water coconut village, get a brief introduction to the history there. Then you will take a basket boat to traverse a tranquil waterway bordered by coconut-palms. The fishermen will teach you how to catch crabs (2 people/boat). We will divide the group into 2 teams for the basket boat racing and crabbing. A lovely present will go to the winner. You will be shown how to make funny stuff from water coconut leaves. Then we get back on the boat to go to Cam An wharf from where we will continue by bicycle to Tra Que village. Thanks to the special conditions of the rich soil and water, the village has long been known for growing many kinds of vegetables: lettuce, salad, houttuynia, flagrant knotweed, basil, coriander etc, with which the traditional specialities of Hoi An have gained their fame. Have lunch and participate in daily activities with local farmers there. 
In the afternoon, take the car to Da Nang airport to catch the flight to Ho Chi Minh City. You will be picked up and transferred to the hotel in the city centre. Night spent in the busy and colourful city.

Day 10
HO CHI MINH CITY – BEN TRE (B, L)

This morning we leave the hotel at 8 am and drive to Ben Tre Province in the Mekong delta. Upon arrival at Hung Vuong Pier (90km from Sai Gon), we get on a boat and cruise along the Ben Tre River. The boat stops at an artisanal brick factory for you to explore its imposing ovens. A sweet break is planned at a coconut candies workshop where you will watch how coconut flesh is used and processed. A short tuk-tuk bike ride on the winding small road of the countryside will take you deeper into the village and we will stop at a family braiding mats. The local restaurant prepares typical dishes of the Mekong delta for your lunch. Following, we board on a rowing boat to join the maze of canals and return to the landing stage. Stop at Mr. Sau Khanh's house, a very hospitable villager to see his antique collection. He will happily show you the special technique of climbing coconut palms. Overnight in the Coconut homestay.

Day 11
BEN TRE – HO CHI MINH CITY TOUR (B)

Start the morning with breakfast prepared by the family, then traverse a branch of the Mekong River by sampan. Later, you will journey by bike through the local countryside to see first-hand, daily life on the Mekong. The winding path meanders between charming traditional houses. Back on board the sampan, several stops are made along a canal for a chance to see coconuts being worked. You will disembark near the town of Cho Thom, say goodbye to your crew and travel by road back to Ho Chi Minh City.
 In the afternoon, you will visit the Notre Dame Cathedral Basilica of Saigon, constructed between 1877 and 1880 by the French. Only a few steps from the Cathedral is the General Post Office. People come here not for sending postcards or letters, but mostly to admire its interior with the arched roof and curved windows, reminiscent of early European railway stations. The city tour then continues along Dong Khoi Street heading to see the Opera House and the Peoples’ Committee building, built in 1897 by French architect Ferret Eugene. The 800 seat Opera House served as the home of the Lower House Assembly of South Vietnam after 1956. Night at the hotel.

Day 12
HO CHI MINH CITY – MUI NE (B)

After breakfast, we drive to Mui Ne (no guide), a getaway to paradise of pristine beaches, immense sand dunes, picture-perfect fishing villages, a vibrant nightlife, and friendly people. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 13
FREE TIME IN MUI NE (B)

Free time to enjoy the beautiful beach of Mui Ne. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 14
MUI NE – HO CHI MINH CITY – DEPARTURE (B)

Free time to discover Mui Ne then transfer to the Ho Chi Minh airport for your departure flight. End of our services.

OVERVIEW
From Halong Bay to the Mekong coconut jungles, or the imperial temples in Hue, this journey will take you from the north of this Southeast Asian dragon all the way to the south, with fascinating landscapes, rich culture, delicious gastronomy and above all, hospitable people.
HIGHLIGHTS
•    Discover hidden corners of Hanoi to take in the local lifestyle.
•  Cruise on the beautiful Halong Bay - a UNESCO-listed site, aboard a comfortable junk. Go kayaking, swimming and explore the remarkable caves.
•    Learn about the Nguyen dynasty during the trip to Hue
•    Experience an eco-tour in Hoi An
•    Get lost in the labyrinth of orchards and coconut jungles in the Mekong Delta
•    Relax in the golden sun and sand of Mui Ne Beach
 

OUR SERVICES INCLUDE:

  • Accommodation with breakfast on a Double/Twin Basis in Hotels listed or similar
  • 2 day/1 night cruise in Halong Bay
  • All entrance fees and sightseeing as mentioned in the program
  • Experienced English speaking tour guides except on free days (for other language guides supplements will be applied)
  • Meals as mentioned in the program (B=breakfast, L=lunch, D=dinner)
  • Transportation in private air-conditioned vehicles with driver
  • Boat trips in the Mekong Delta as mentioned in the program
  • Domestic flights Hanoi - Hue, Da Nang – Ho Chi Minh City in economy class
  • Bottled water during the tour day

OUR SERVICES DO NOT INCLUDE:

  • Rates and Hotels are subject to availability 
  • Domestic & International flights when not mentioned
  • Drinks and meals other than those mentioned 
  • Gratuities to guides, drivers, boat crews, wait staff... We recommend you allow USD$3-6 per day, per traveller. Tipping your guide is an entirely personal gesture.
  • Personal expenses of any nature like, laundry, telephone calls, shopping, incidentals at hotels etc.
  • Visa Stamping Fee for Vietnam
  • Travel Insurance 
  • Peak season or Public holiday surcharges if any
  • Other services not mentioned in the itinerary
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