Vietnam Family Adventure

Day 1 : Hanoi

On arrival in Hanoi you will be met and transferred to your hotel.

Day 2 : Hanoi

Today explore the charming city of Hanoi, with its yellow ochre colonial buildings, tree-lined boulevards and scenic lakes. Visit the historic Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, an imposing monument of marble and granite built to house the preserved body of beloved Vietminh leader Ho Chi Minh. Visit the One Pillar Pagoda, a Buddhist temple built in 1049 of wood in the shape of a lotus blossom and set on a single stone pillar. Continue on to Ho Chi Minh’s House nearby, a simple wooden house in a tranquil setting where Ho Chi Minh lived and worked. Next, visit the Temple of Literature, Vietnam’s first national university built in the late 11th century, an example of well-preserved traditional Vietnamese architecture.

In the afternoon, visit the fascinating Museum of Ethnology (closed on Mondays) then drive back to central Hanoi for a 1-hour cyclo tour through the famed Old Quarter known for its streets named after the original 36 artisan guilds that date as far back as the 13th century. Explore the fascinating maze of back streets then conclude the day by watching an entertaining water puppet performance, a uniquely northern Vietnamese art form said to have originated in the flooded rice fields of the Red River Delta.

Day 3 : Hanoi

This morning head for Bat Trang Pottery Village, a half-millenary old traditional Vietnamese town. This village has a deep artisanal history for visitors to uncover as they stroll through gaining valuable insight into the art of making Vietnamese ceramics. After learning the process of moulding and carving clay pots, dishes and vases, try to test your skills and creativeness by making your own pottery with help from the Bat Trang craftsmen. Before leaving the village, enjoy a hosted lunch in an ancient Bat Trang house. The afternoon is at leisure.

Day 4 : Hanoi > Halong Bay

Travel to Halong Bay where you will board your deluxe junk boat. Discover the mysterious Tien Ong Cave. Covering an area of 1,000 m2 with stunning stalactites and stalagmites, the cave is one of the finest caves in Halong Bay. Back on board enjoy a cooking class with authentic Vietnamese food. Enjoy dinner on board as the sun sets over enchanting Halong Bay while the boat anchors for an overnight stay. Retire to your cabin or join the crew for squid fishing!

Day 5 : Halong Bay > Hanoi

Wake up early and partake in a Tai Chi demonstration on the upper deck. After breakfast the boat sails to Cua Van floating village. Opt for a kayak or traditional rowing boat to go around discovering local life on the waters. Return to your boat and relax. Enjoy the brunch before checking out. Arrive at the jetty late morning and transfer back to Hanoi by road.

Day 6 : Hanoi > Hue

Morning flight to Hue. Upon arrival, check into your hotel. This afternoon’s tour explores Hue, once the imperial capital of the Nguyen Lords from the 17th to the 19th centuries. Hue’s splendid emperors’ tombs, ancient pagodas and Citadel contribute to its undeniable royal charm. Then take a boat trip on the romantically named Perfume River to visit Thien Mu Pagoda, Hue’s best-preserved religious monument, built in 1601. Drive to the Royal Tomb of Minh Mang. The second Nguyen Emperor, Minh Mang ruled from 1820-1841 and was known for his isolationist and conservative Confucian policies. He designed his own tomb but died before it was complete. His son and successor finished the tomb which is renowned for its symmetry and grandeur, situated in a picturesque forest setting.

Day 7 : Hue

Today explore the remains of the Imperial Citadel at the centre of the Complex of Hue Monuments inscribed by UNESCO as a World Heritage site. Enter through the towering main gate and appreciate the magnificent architecture and gardens while your guide explains the events and the intrigue surrounding the former royal court. Despite being heavily bombed during the Vietnam War, there are some incredibly well-preserved sections intact and others which are being carefully restored. Enjoy a short visit to the Royal Antique Museum and one of its Royal Tombs.

This afternoon, if weather permits, try your hand at kite flying, and visit the home of Mr Cu, a kite craftsman, learning how to create a kite yourself.

Day 8 : Hue > Hoi An

Transfer to Hoi An and enjoy a half day walking tour of this ancient World Heritage town. Between the 15th and 19th centuries, Hoi An was a prosperous trading port, attracting Chinese, Japanese, Dutch, Portuguese and Spanish ships amongst others. Today, Hoi An is recognised for its well-preserved architecture, pedestrian-only streets and distinctive local cuisine, allowing visitors a glimpse of its illustrious past. Hoi An’s narrow lanes are ideal for a guided walking tour of its many atmospheric sights including: the old merchant houses with influences from Chinese, Japanese and Vietnamese architecture; the 400-year-old Japanese Covered Bridge, first built in the 1590s by the Japanese community to link them with the Chinese quarters across the stream; the Assembly Hall of the Chaozhou Chinese Congregation with its intricate woodcarvings; and the colourful market with stalls brimming with local specialties including silk, which can be turned into fashionable garments within a day or two.

Day 9 : Hoi An

Today is all about food! Set on three acres of lush tropical gardens, the Red Bridge Cooking School is one of the highlights of the culinary scene in Hoi An. Meet up with your chef and other guests at Hai Café in the Ancient Town for a brief introduction and a welcome drink. Meander through Hoi An’s colourful central market with your chef and take in the sights, sounds and aromas of the bustling market scene. Learn how to select fresh produce and ingredients essential for Vietnamese cuisine. Embark on a relaxing 20 minute boat trip to the Red Bridge Cooking School. Take a tour of the school’s herb garden before your hands-on cooking class, then enjoy the dishes you have prepared in the lovely restaurant overlooking the river. Board a local boat for a short cruise along the Thu Bon River back to Hoi An town. The remainder of the day is at leisure.

Day 10 : Hoi An > Danang > Dalat

Transfer to Danang airport and fly to Dalat. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel.

Day 11 : Dalat

Begin today’s exploration of Dalat at the serene Truc Lam Zen Monastery on Phung Hoang Mountain, a tranquil haven with panoramic views of Tuyen Lam Lake and the hills and plains below. Immerse yourself in the culture of monastic life while enjoying the majestic vista. Continue to the vibrant village of Van Thanh, a colorful oasis within the serene landscape. Marvel at the vibrant flowers that give the village its fame and its many picturesque fields. Thereafter, visit a nearby silk processing factory to witness the intricate artistry involved in transforming silkworms into silk cloth, gaining insight into the fascinating and meticulous craftsmanship required to transform this raw material into luxurious fabric.

In the afternoon, venture to Linh An Pagoda, perched on a hill adorned with captivating statues, including the renowned Happy Buddha. Delve into the history of the area with its caves and tunnels shaped by volcanic rocks, some of which were repurposed by soldiers during wartime. Finally, visit Me Linh, a significant center for the cultivation of weasel coffee, rice wine, and cricket farming.

Day 12 : Dalat > Nha Trang

After breakfast enjoy a morning at leisure before your transfer to Nha Trang.

Day 13 : Nha Trang

Nha Trang is known for its fabulous year-round sunny weather, turquoise water, and a white sandy beach stretching the entire length of the city. Transfer to the pier and take a 45-minute cruise to Mun (“Ebony”) Island, named after the black rock formations southeast of the island. Enjoy snorkelling (mask and a snorkel provided) in the crystal clear waters of this protected maritime reserve known for its vivid coral and diverse marine life, including a large diversity of nudibranchs, shrimps, crabs and cowries. Cruise to another island and enjoy lunch at a local restaurant before making your way back to the pier and your hotel.

This afternoon visit the Po Nagar Cham Towers, built between the 7th and 12th centuries and still actively used for worship by Cham, Chinese and Vietnamese Buddhists. From here, take a short walk to the boat docking station. Enjoy a 45-minute boat ride along the Cai River and take in countryside scenery that includes sleepy villages under the shade of coconut trees and children in crisp uniforms on their way to school. Visit a village that makes clay stoves where you can chat with the locals to learn how they have preserved this traditional craft for generations. Then drive to a historic home and enjoy a cup of tea and seasonal fruit. Visit a family who makes woven mats out of sedge, a grass-like flowering plant.

Day 14 : Nha Trang > Saigon

After breakfast transfer to the airport for you flight to Saigon. On arrival, check in to your hotel.

Day 15 : Saigon > Ben Tre > Can Tho

Depart with your guide for the 1.5 hour drive from Saigon to Ben Tre in the Mekong River Delta, exchanging city scenes for lush rice paddies and fruit farms. At the pier, embark on a fascinating motor boat excursion past stilt houses, fish farms and scenes of countryside living. Arrive at Turtle Island, and sample freshly picked fruit and coconut milk while interacting with a local farming family. Tour a family-run coconut candy workshop. Explore more of the Delta’s many canals from a rowing sampan and enjoy country hospitality as you sip a cup of honey tea while taking in a traditional folk song performance. A local lunch will be served at the town of My Tho before continuing on a 2 hour drive to your Can Tho hotel where you will have the evening free.

Day 16 : Can Tho > Saigon

Rise early and board a local boat to explore the famed Cai Rang floating market where dozens of boats laden with fruits, vegetables and fish from all over the Delta jostle for trade. Notice the long poles with sample products for sale tied to the top so as to be seen from afar as well as the many small boats providing boat-to-boat service of meals and refreshments. Have your camera ready as this vibrant wholesale market on the water makes for excellent photo opportunities. Relax and enjoy the cruise back to the hotel where we will freshen up before lunch at a local restaurant on the way back to Saigon.

Day 17 : Saigon

After breakfast, check out of your hotel ahead of your transfer to the airport.