Amazing Family Vietnam Experience 13 Days/ 12 Nights

Hanoi - Airport: 30km, ~40min drive

Upon arrival at Noi Bai Airport, meet our guide and driver who then escort you to the city center. After making sure of your successful hotel check-in, they will be pleased to leave you free time for your own lunch and leisure to recover after the long flight.

Meals Included: None
Accommodation: Hotel in Hanoi

After breakfast at hotel, we start the day trip with a visit of the Ho Chi Minh Complex. This famous site compromises Ho Chi Minh’s mausoleum (closed on Mondays & Fridays), his former stilt-house residence, the Presidential Palace and Ho Chi Minh Museum. We then visit the Temple of Literature constructed in 1070 to worship Confucius, which was served as the first University of Vietnam. The site also honors 82 Vietnamese doctorates who passed a number of rigid exams in the feudal ages. Their names, birthdays and birthplaces are engraved in 82 headstones perched on stone tortoises. It is widely believed that touching the heads of these tortoises will bring luck. Its peaceful green compound with its neatly maintained lawns, gardens and lotus ponds make it a tranquil hideaway the city’s bustle and heat. Lunch will be served at a nice local restaurant. 

In the afternoon, we visit Museum of Ethnology (closed on Mondays, the alternative is the History Museum) dedicated to Vietnam's 54 officially recognized ethnic groups with both indoor and outdoor sections. While the in-housed exhibition is particularly informative, the outdoor display continues in the museum’s garden with fascinating examples of traditional houses of numerous minority groups, the Kinhs to the ethnic groups of the Central Highlands. We then enjoy a 45-minute-cyclo tour to the Old Quarter where you can see streets with century-aged trees and French Colonial buildings. We then head to Ngoc Son Temple set on a tiny islet in the middle of Hoan Kiem Lake. Ngoc Son Temple dates back to the 13th century, and the lake itself is the picturesque heart of Hanoi, frequented by tourists and locals alike. 

In the evening you enjoy the water puppet show, the unique Vietnamese traditional art. This art is originated rural festivals in Vietnam. The artists-men and women-stand waist-deep in the water to manipulate the puppets, making them move, talk and laugh and even dance on the surface of the water.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Hotel in Hanoi

Hanoi - Hiep Hoa: 55km, ~1h20min drive

8h00 - 8h30: Our driver and tour guide pick you up at your hotel then depart to Hiep Hoa - Bac Giang. It takes you 45 minutes to get village. You’ll have a chance to explore a busy Hanoi to a peaceful countryside.

9h30: Arrive a local’s family and warmly - welcomed by a host. You’re invited to enjoy welcome drink with local sweeties. Here you will get the chance to see the house architecture and their daily life. Our guide will tell you about family’s tradition, ancestor worship of Vietnam...

9h45: You’ll take a bike then cycle through small alleys to see daily life of villagers. You’ll visit communal house. The guide will tell you about its history and importance to the villagers. Then, you’re heading to pagoda and temple along amazing rice fields.

11h00: You’ll have a chance to take part in “cooking class”. Our guide will teach you how to make “papaya salad”.

11h45: You enjoy local lunch with variety of local fresh food.

13h00: You’ll take part in “Kite Making Class”. The kite is known as a “child-hood toy” for kids in Vietnam. The guide will teach you how to make a kite by yourself. After that, you are able to use your “own product” to fly it in the blue sky.

14h30: You get changed and disguised as a real farmer in farming uniform. Preparing farming equipment. Then, you’ll get on water buffalo cart (known as “ Rolls - Royce Phantom of Vietnam” for farming works). You’ll learn how to transplant rice, plough the land...explore the farming process of wet rice in Vietnam.

16h00: You’ll have chance to fly your hand-made kite in the blue sky along the rice field.

17h00: Back to family then get changed. You’ll say goodbye a peaceful village and leave for Hanoi.

18h00: Arrive your hotel. End of services.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Hotel in Hanoi

After breakfast at hotel, we visit Halong market before boarding to a refurbished wooden sailing junk for a cruise through the limestone cliffs and emerald waters of Ha Long Bay to enjoy a fantastic view of the picturesque scenery blending with the sky and some 3,000 limestone this World Heritage Site. While being on board, we will be served a sumptuous fresh, local seafood lunch followed by swimming and exploring some of the limestone caves in this area. Try the feeling of witnessing the sunset on boat is really great. Dinner on board. The captain then will anchor for the night nearby a remote island.  In the evening, there is the option for night fishing or just sit out on the deck and relax under the stars.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Overnight on Junk

Hanoi - Hue: 770km, 1h flight

Waking up surrounded by the tranquil beauty of the bay, we have time for an early morning dip with joys and emotions for watching sunrise on sea followed by breakfast. The cruise continues to move around the bay for us to discover more secluded areas, we then take kayaking and swimming in the stunning bay. The junk will be near us at all times serving as a backup vessel for those that require it. At around midday we will return to the main harbor before transferring to our awaiting vehicle for a 3-hour journey to Noi Bai airport for flight to Hue. Upon arrival Hue, pick up & transfer to hotel in Hue.

Meals Included: Brunch
Accommodation: Hotel in Hue

After breakfast at hotel, we start the day with a leisurely boat trip on the poetic Perfume River. There will be a stop at Dong Ba Market to buy ingredients for the evening cooking class. En route you will visit Thanh Tien village where paper flower are produced, Van Mieu Temple and Thien Mu Pagoda also known as “Heavenly Lady Pagoda”, the symbol of Hue city. 

We will then continue the cruise towards Thuy Bieu eco-village, an ancient village situated on the bank of the Perfume River. Arrival here, we will take part in a cooking class to prepare typical Hue dishes with the instructions our chef, then enjoy your creations in the open air riverside restaurant surrounded by luxuriant trees.

The afternoon is reserved for cycling through the peaceful village, visiting several communal houses, ancient temples and the highlight: the garden- house, a typical and unique feature of Hue. Soaking your feet in medicinal herb water followed by an excellent massage by blind people will refresh you after a day of sightseeing.

If time permits, we visit Hue Imperial City, the last royal city of Vietnam with various beautiful structures including the Flag Tower, Ngo Mon Gate, Nine Dynastic Urns, Nine Holy Cannons, Thai Hoa Palace and the Forbidden City or Tu Cam Thanh. Built in the 19th century by the Nguyen dynasty, the City was home to the former Emperors of Vietnam 1802 until 1945.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Hotel in Hue

After breakfast at hotel, we set out for the exploration Hue Imperial City, the last royal city of Vietnam with various beautiful structures including the Flag Tower, Ngo Mon Gate, Nine Dynastic Urns, Nine Holy Cannons, Thai Hoa Palace and the Forbidden City or Tu Cam Thanh. Built in the 19th century by the Nguyen dynasty, the City was home to the former Emperors of Vietnam 1802 until 1945. Lunch at a local restaurant. In the afternoon, visit the elaborate mausoleum of former emperor Tu Duc, which was built between 1864 and 1867 by 3000 soldiers and workers. Afternoon leaving Hue, we continue our south bound journey to the old trading town of Hoi An. The scenery en route is very beautiful. We make a stop at Lang Co beach for coffee and refreshments before winding our way up the spectacular Hai Van Pass to admire the stunning views north to Lang Co beach and south to Danang City. Continue on our way down to the other side and head to Da Nang where we will stop at the Cham Museum, the famed Danang Beach, and the Marble Mountains. Arrival in Hoi An, we check in the hotel.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Hotel in Hoi An

After breakfast at hotel, we follow the narrow lanes lined with centuries-old houses influenced by Chinese, Japanese, French and European architectures and visit its numerous places of interest: the 400-year old Japanese Covered Bridge – the symbol of Hoian, the Phuc Kien Assembly Halls typical of Hoian’s original architecture, the local market, etc. We will drop a visit to a workshop where artisans produce one of Hoian specialties: lanterns, widely used in Vietnam for decoration on the occasion of the feast days. Initiated by the craftsmen who will show the manufacturing process, you learn how to make a lantern that you can keep as a beautiful memory of your stay in Hoi An. Then we drive to Cam Thanh Water Coconut Village for a boat trip before transfering back hotel.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Hotel in Hoi An

Breakfast at hotel and then day is yours to freely explore the peaceful riverside town in your own time.

Meals Included: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel in Hoi An

Danang - Ho Chi Minh: ~850km, 2h flight

After breakfast at hotel, our driver will meet and transfer you to airport for flight to Ho Chi Minh. Upon arrival, our guide and driver will meet and escort you to hotel in city center for check-in.

In the afternoon, we take a half day to visit all famous sites of this bustling city. The first destination is the Reunification Palace (outside visit) which was the former residence of the President of South Vietnam until April 30, 1975 when North Vietnamese tanks came crashing through the front gates thus bringing the Vietnam War to a dramatic end. This will be followed by some French colonial structures including , the Notre Dame Cathedral & the Old Saigon Post Office. Notre Dame Cathedral was built between 1877 and 1883, and the stones used to create it were exported entirely France. Apart the religious meaning, the most captivating point of this Cathedral is its neo-Romanesque style of architecture. Next to the cathedral stands the Central Post Office, finished in1891. It is another fine example of French architecture and is Vietnam's largest post office (still in operation !). After visiting the War Remnant Museum, we continue our trip to the bustling Ben Thanh Market, which is a fantastic place for bargains of every kind! There are a number of vendors and food stalls in the market food section that offers guests many delicious dishes. You also can find many goods for daily use as well as variety of eye-catching local crafts and souvenirs.

Meals Included: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel in Ho Chi Minh

Ho Chi Minh- Cai Be: 140km, ~2h30min drive

Breakfast is served at hotel. 08:00a.m: our driver will meet and transfer you to Cai Be - approximately 2h drive south Saigon. 10.00a.m: Get welcome onboard. Upon embarkation on your sampan you will be welcomed with fresh towel by our crew. Start to visit some local home factories to observe the traditional procedure of making rice ice paste, coconut candies and other specialties. Proceed to Cai Be colorful floating market, cruise among local barges full of fruits and vegetables. Take a direction to Vinh Long and Sa Dec, cruise upstream Tien Giang River is, one of the two largest arms of the Mekong. Sail a narrow canal to discover the hideaway unspoiled landscapes, luxuriant gardens and enjoy the airy atmosphere in countryside. Pass several traditional brick factories while cruising and have an interesting onsite visit to one of them. Continue the journey to Sa Dec, the little "Venice" in the Mekong Delta with numerous narrow canals, and different kinds of trading activities. Disembark at the local market place and begin your exploration in this charming Sa Dec town by walking along narrow streets and take pictures of beautiful old houses and Chinese temples. Stop at an ancient house dating 1890, home of Ong Huynh Thuy Le, former "lover" of famous French novelist Marguerite Duras. Lunch will be served on board while cruising down to Can Tho along a beautiful narrow canal. Passing under Several wooden "monkey bridges" and tiny typical villages before pulling a stop to visit Cao Dai Temple. The last stop before sunset is a splendid ancient house or "Nha Co" dating the early 19th century. After the personal welcome of owner, a romantic candlelight dinner will be catered in an unique atmosphere. After dinner, continue to proceed to Can Tho.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Song Xanh Sampan Cruise

Can Tho - Ho Chi Minh: 180km 4h drive

The journey starts at 6.00 AM with breakfast being served at 7.00 PM, while approaching Cai Rang floating market, the largest market in the whole Mekong Delta Region. Cruise Among local barges full of fruits and vegetables and enjoy the hustle and bustle of morning market. The excursion ends at around 10.00a.m at Ninh Kieu Pier after-visiting Can Tho's local market. Drive back to Ho Chi Minh.

Meals Included: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel in Ho Chi Minh

After breakfast at hotel, time is free until our driver meet and transfer you to Tan Son Nhat airport for your flight to your next destination or back home. Thank you very much for travelling with us!

Meals Included: Breakfast