Wondrous Vietnam Family Tour – 15 Days

Southern Vietnam Family Tour – 4 Days

Day 1: Saigon Arrival (D)

Welcome upon arrival by local tour guide and driver, we then transfer to the hotel. Relax in the rest of the day and have welcome dinner at a fine local restaurant in town. Overnight in Saigon.

Day 2: Saigon City Tour (B, L)

After breakfast, understand more about history in the War Remnants Museum and the Reunification Palace, spend time reflecting at the Thien Hau Pagoda, admire French-colonial architecture at theGeneral Post Office, Opera House and Notre Dame Cathedral, and weave through the narrow maze of streets in Chinatown. Before going back to the hotel, we have time shopping at Ben Thanh market.

Day 3: Cu Chi Tunnels – Saigon Zoo – Suoi Tien Amusement Park (B, L, D)

We are met by local tour guide and the driver then head to the Cu Chi tunnels, otherwise known as the “Iron Triangle” or “Iron Land”. On our way there we will drive through the pleasant countryside; rubber plantations and rice paddies. Before entering the tunnels, we will see a short introductory video showing how they were constructed, followed by an exploration of the maze of tunnels, some of which have been widened to allow tourist access. Also on display are various mantraps and the remains of an American tank, as well as numerous bomb craters made by 500lb bombs, dropped by B52 bombers. After that, we transfer back to Ho Chi Minh City for lunch.

In the evening, visit Saigon Zoo and Botanical Gardens, one of the oldest natural preservation center in the world, conserving about 550 animals and more than 2,000 tropical plant species. Afterward, refresh the family trip by an excursion to Suoi Tien Amusement Park for fun-filled moments with your children. With the unique theme of Buddhism, your family will revel in waterslides, rollercoaster, parades, 4D theater, an aquarium. Leave the park before dark, then move to a local restaurant for dinner. Overnight in Saigon

Day 4: Saigon – Mekong Delta with Homestay (B, L, D)

This morning, travel to Cai Be colorful floating market, is known as a wholesale floating market. The wholesalers on big boats often moor here. The buyers often take the smaller boats so they can easily find what they are looking for following the tall wooden poles which hang samples of the goods on the big boats. Here, the boat will take us among local barges full of fruits and vegetables. After the market, we stop at local workshops to visit rice paste, coconut candy, pop-rice, pop-corn production or we visit the handicraft village where the local people make special products of rice-net for spring rolls, fish sauce, soya sauce, cooking salt, sewing coconut-leaves for cottage proof….Then we stop for lunch.

In the afternoon, the rowing boat will take us deeper into the countryside along the canals. It’s time we feel the peaceful air while passing traditional houses which made of wood, palm tree leaves; farmers catching fishes or picking up fruits by the ancestral way in Mekong Delta. Arriving at the homestay, we check in and enjoy the last but not least activity of the day is biking. It will be so amazing to bike on village paths to see the local farms, houses, real life and the ancestral ways to pick up fruits in Mekong Delta…

In the rest of the day, we learn cooking some dishes with the owners, then enjoy dinner and have a cup of tea or rice wine when talking together. We can ask the locals about the culture, people, and history of this Island. They do not mind to answer some personal questions. Overnight at home-stay

Central Vietnam Family Tour – 4 Days

Day 5: Mekong Delta – Saigon – Fly to Danang, transfer to Hoi An (B, L)

After breakfast, we walk along the village to enjoy the fresh air in the morning then we fare-well with the host, take the boat trip to the brick kilns to see how the beautiful potteries are made from clay. Along the river, we can see more about the floating villages, the catfish farm… Arriving Vinh Long town late morning, we visit the local market then back to Ho Chi Minh city. Lunch on Mekong Restop restaurant on the way.

After that, depart Saigon and take the flight to Danang. Welcome upon arrival at Danang airport then transfer to Hoi An. Checking in and relax. Overnight in Hoi An.

Day 6: Hoi An Walking Tour & Cooking Class (B, L, D)

We have an early start today as we make our way into Hoi An town to Hai Scout Cafe. After a welcome drink, we will visit Hoi An’s colorful markets to experience the sights, sounds, and aromas of this amazing place. During our market experience, we will have the opportunity to interact with local sellers and purchase some of the ingredients to be used in our impending cooking lesson.

We will then board a private boat for a leisurely cruise along the Thu Bon River which will take us to the Red Bridge Cooking School. The cooking lesson runs for about 2 hours with each dish first being demonstrated by the Red Bridge’s master Chef before we prepare the same dish ourselves. Included in the class is a brief introduction to Vietnamese food carving and plate decoration. After the lesson, we will sit down and enjoy what we have just prepared for lunch.

Later this afternoon we undertake a walking tour through the World Heritage listed town of Hoi An. Often featured in newspapers and traveling shows such as ‘Getaway’, this small quiet town is now a very popular spot to visit. Hoi An is known for its excellent food, interesting architecture and countless tailors. So whether it’s a new pair of shoes or an outfit that you’re after, there is something here for you. And of course, if you need a break from it all, sit down in one of the many coffee shops where the smell of French pastries will be just too tempting to resist! Overnight in Hoi An

Day 7: Hoi An Farming & Fishing Tour (B, L)

This morning as we head off to our Farming & Fishing Life Eco Tour. Starting at Tra Que Village, we will get a personal insight into the local farming communities. We set about joining the farmers in preparing their land for sowing, helping to fertilize the garden using seaweed from the local river and watering it in using huge tin cans strapped to our backs. Following this, we will begin our leisurely cycling tour through the countryside witnessing local Vietnamese rural life first hand.

Late morning we will board our Hoi An Eco-tour boat for a river cruise. Here we will meet and witness local fishermen working their craft, before enjoying a hands-on experience of traditional net fishing. We then transfer to a Vietnamese bamboo basket boat for a quick race and ride down a coconut palm-lined waterway. Lunch today is on board our boat which is prepared using vegetables picked earlier at Tra Que Village. After lunch, we have some free time to wander around Hoi An town center before heading back to the hotel to prepare for dinner.

Northern Vietnam Family Tour – 8 Days

Day 8: Hoi An – Danang – Fly to Hanoi (B)

This afternoon, we transfer back to Danang for our flight to Hanoi. Welcome upon arrival then the driver takes us to the hotel. Overnight in Hanoi.

Day 9: Hanoi City Tour – Night Train to Sapa (B, L)

Venture out this morning to explore Vietnam’s capital city. First, reach the Ho Chi Minh complex where we will spend time at Ho Chi Minh’s mausoleum, his former stilt-house, the Presidential Palace,the Ho Chi Minh Museum and One Pillar Pagoda.

After lunch, we visit the Museum of Ethnology and the Temple of Literature. Later this afternoon, we enjoy a 1-hour cyclo tour of the French-inspired “old quarter”. Our lunch today will be at KOTO restaurant. KOTO, founded by Vietnamese Australian Jimmy Pham, is a non-profit organization which is run by local children who Jimmy recruited from the streets. Check out time at 18:00 for the night trainto Sapa. Overnight on train.

Day 10: Sapa Trekking Tour (B, L, D)

After the early arrival in Lao Cai today, we will transfer to Sapa for our trekking tour, where we will enjoy spectacular scenery as we head to the Y Linh Ho village of the Hmong people. After lunch, we head to the Muong Hoa Valley, on the way passing through the villages of Lao Chai and Ta Vanwhere we will have a chance to meet some of the locals.

Tonight we enjoy a homestay at one of the hill tribe villages. Homestays are a great way to get a feel for the culture and really understand more about the daily lives of the local people. A common saying is… ‘you will arrive as a guest but leave as a friend’.

Day 11: Sapa – Hanoi (B, L)

Enjoy breakfast with our hosts before bidding them goodbye. Today will include a visit to the Giang Ta Chai village of the Red Dao minority people, we will also trek through a bamboo forest and pass by a majestic waterfall; taking time to rest and enjoy the surroundings. After lunch, we will continue toward Su Pan village where we will start our journey back to Sapa by car. Spend the remainder of the afternoon at leisure in Sapa before returning to Lao Cai to board the overnight train back to Hanoi.

Day 12: Hanoi – Halong Bay (Overnight on Deluxe Junk Cruise) (B, L, D)

On arriving in Hanoi, we will have breakfast and some time to freshen up at a mini hotel before our drive to Halong Bay for an overnight cruise on a deluxe junk. Our buses will travel through breathtaking scenery en route to a World Heritage area of outstanding beauty. Upon arrival, we will board our private boat and cruise around this secluded bay which has been referred to as the 8th Natural Wonder of the World. Whilst cruising we will explore forgotten caves and have the opportunity to canoe or swim from the boat. In the evening enjoy a seafood feast for dinner.

Day 13: Halong Bay – Hanoi (B, L, D)

After Taichi lesson this morning, a sumptuous western breakfast will be served for you to enjoy whilst watching the sun rise over magical Halong Bay. After breakfast, e continue cruising around this amazing UNESCO World Heritage Site and explore some more of the intricate cave systems that make Halong truly unique. After a delicious lunch, we head back to Hanoi. Tonight, we enjoy 1 hour Water Puppet show and enjoy our farewell dinner at a fine restaurant.

Day 14: Hanoi – Water Park at Royal City & Food Tour (B, L)

Spend half of the day at the water park at Royal Vincom City and shopping around. In the afternoon, take a cyclo tour and explore the Hoan Kiem Lake with Ngoc Son Temple and enjoy the amazing street food there such as Bun Cha (Rice vermicelli with grilled pork) or Cha Ca (Grilled Fish with turmeric). Overnight in Hanoi.

Day 15: Hanoi Departure (B)

Free time at leisure to do some last minute shopping before we bid Vietnam goodbye and transfer to the airport for our flight home. Vietnam Family Tour 2 week itinerary ends.