BEST LIFETIME VIETNAM FAMILY HOLIDAY – 13 DAYS

* BRIEF ITINERARY:

Day 1: Arrival – Hanoi Sightseeing Tour

Day 2: Hanoi – Halong Bay

Day 3: Halong Bay – Hanoi – Flight to Hue

Day 4: Hue Sightseeing Tour

Day 5: Hue – Hoi An Sightseeing Tour

Day 6: Hoi An – Tra Que – My Son Sightseeing Tour

Day 7: Hoi An – Danang – Flight to Nha Trang

Day 8: Nha Trang Beach Leisure

Day 9: Nha Trang – Ho Chi Minh city – Sightseeing Tour

Day 10: Ho Chi Minh city – Tay Ninh – Cu Chi

Day 11: Ho Chi Minh city – Cai Be – Vinh Long – Can Tho

Day 12: Can Tho – Ho Chi Minh city

Day 13:  Ho Chi Minh city – Departure 

DAY 1: Lifetime Vietnam Family Holiday from North to South & Along the Coast: ARRIVAL – HANOI CITY TOURS (-/-/-)

Arrive in Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam. The city was founded in 1010 on the right bank of the Red River and was then known as ‘Thang Long’, roughly translated as “Soaring Dragon.” Hanoi is one of the most charming cities in South East Asia with its authentic street scenes, large shady avenues, numerous lakes, manicured gardens and well-preserved architecture.

Transfer from Noi Bai airport to the hotel for check in and short break. If time permits, join us on a city sightseeing highlights. The tour includes a visit to the complex of memorials to Ho Chi Minh (visit outside), the Single Pillar Pagoda, the Temple of Literature and a rickshaw ride through the lively Old Quarter.

Overnight in Hanoi.

DAY 2: Lifetime Vietnam Family Holiday from North to South & Along the Coast: HANOI SIGHTSEEING TOURS TO HA LONG – OVERNIGHT ON CRUISE (B/L/D) 

After having breakfast at hotel, you’ll be picked up by our shuttle bus to get to Halong bay
12h00: Arrive Halong Bay.

12h30: Boarding Royal Heritage Cruise for departure. Welcome drink will be served

13h00: Lunch is served while cruising through the Bai Tu Long Bay.

15h15: Visit splendid Surprising Cave (Sung Sot Cave). This is one of the most beautiful grottoes in Halong

 Bay. You will feel surprised about imposing stalagmites, stalactites and many legend stories about that. 
16h15: Time for kayaking around Luon Cave area. You will have got around 45 minutes to explore Halong bay and some tunnel by yourself.

17h00: Back to Royal Heritage Cruise and drop anchor in the calm water surrounded by beautiful islets for swimming.
17h30: Enjoy the complimentary sunset party on the sundeck with green tea and fresh fruits. 

19h00: Dinner is served in the restaurant. 

21h00: Take some leisure time to enjoy chatting at the bar or enjoy some night fishing. 

Relax and spend a romantic night on our Cruise

DAY 3: Lifetime Vietnam Family Holiday from North to South & Along the Coast: HA LONG CRUISE TOURS – HANOI – FLIGHT TO HUE (B/L/-)

06h30: Rise up early with Tai Chi exercises or a photo hunt 

07h30: Have breakfast at sunrise

08h30: Continue your cruise to Titov Island 

09h15: Continue cruising and exploring the Bay by a visit to Hoa Cuong fishing Village, Ba Hang fishing village, Ga Choi Island, Dinh Huong islet and more….

10h00: Join Vietnamese Cooking Demonstration

10h30: Enjoying a traditional Vietnamese lunch while cruising back through Halong Bay to the pier.

11h30: Disembarkation. Time to say goodbye to the crew.

DAY 4: Lifetime Vietnam Family Holiday from North to South & Along the Coast: HUE FULL-DAY SIGHTSEEING TOURS (B/-/-)

The day is spent discovering Hue, capital of Vietnam from 1802 to 1945 during the reign of the Nguyen dynasty. Begin with a cruise along the peaceful Perfume River, taking in the endless surrounding greenery heading to Thien Mu pagoda, the symbol of Hue city. After embarkation, you’ll climb a number of steps to reach it, but the effort is worth it. 

The Thien Mu Pagoda has its roots in a local legend: an old woman once appeared on the hill and said that a Lord would come and build a Buddhist pagoda for the country’s prosperity. Hearing of this, Lord Nguyen Hoang ordered the construction of the pagoda of the “Heavenly Lady” (Thien Mu). The octagonal Phuoc Dien Tower (1864) in the front of the complex rises 21 meters high and has seven levels.

The seven successive tiers, each of which is dedicated to a human form taken by the Buddha or a step to enlightenment depending on whom you ask. Near the entrance gate are 12 huge wooden sculptures of fearsome temple guardians with real facial hair. Near the rear of the complex houses a national relic: the car in which the monk Thich Quang Duc rode from his temple to Saigon on June 11, 1963. He stepped out of the car in an intersection, sat down in the lotus position, and burned himself to death in protest against the regime’s violations of religious freedom.

Continue your tour with a visit to the Citadel, seat of the Nguyen Dynasty emperors. Construction began in 1804 under the orders of the first Emperor Gia Long after the site had been selected using principles of geomancy. The site is composed of three sections; the capital city (Thanh Kinh), the imperial city (Hoang Thanh) and the Forbidden City (Cam Thanh). It was largely destroyed in 1968 during the fighting that engulfed Hue following the Tet Offensive. Today, efforts are being made to restore and preserve this invaluable piece of heritage

In the afternoon, transfer to the tomb of Emperor Khai Dinh to admire the unusual combination of architecture that blends a traditional Chinese past with a modern Western future. Follow it with a visit to Thuy Xuan incense village, one of the last villages preserving the traditional profession, the elegant beauty of the old Capital. Overnight at the hotel in Hue.

DAY 5: Lifetime Vietnam Family Holiday from North to South & Along the Coast: HUE SIGHTSEEING TOURS TO HOI AN (B/-/-) 

Depart Hue for Hoi An along Highway 1 which links Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh city. This drive is reputedly the most beautiful in all Vietnam, taking you past coastal fishing settlements, most notably Lang Co with its stunning lagoon backdrop. The drive also takes you over Hai Van Pass, or ‘pass of the ocean clouds’. En route stop in Da Nang for a visit to the informative Cham Museum, which houses one of the largest collections of Cham artifacts in the world (optional).

En route, stopping in a village of stone carvers at the foot of the Marble Mountain. Continue on to the delightful town of Hoi An which stands on the banks of the Thu Bon river, some thirty kilometers southeast of Da Nang. Around the fifteenth century, this old port town in the kingdom of Champa was known as Faifo. Check-in to hotel on arrival.  Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant.

The afternoon is spent strolling through the narrow streets of this atmospheric old town. This former port, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is full of architectural gems that show a range of influences. Visit the Japanese bridge, the temple of the genie of water,  the Fujian temple and the fish market. Around the seventeenth century Hoi An was one of the busiest ports in South East Asia, with Chinese, Portuguese, Japanese, Dutch, French and English merchants visiting the town in search of spices, lacquer ware, and ceramics.

Enriched by the proceeds of this trade many merchants constructed beautiful homes. One can admire these charming houses along Tran Phu Street, one of the oldest in Hoi An. Architecture in the old town tends to show an integration of Sino-Japanese influences in a local style. Most buildings share the same overall plan; built on two levels, they are constructed like a tube between two streets that run parallel. In the late afternoon take a boat ride on the Thu Bon River for the chance to view some beautiful rural scenery, finishing at around sunset. 

Overnight at the hotel in Hoi An.

DAY 6: Lifetime Vietnam Family Holiday from North to South & Along the Coast: HOI AN SIGHTSEEING TOURS TO TRA QUE VILLAGE THEN MY SON SANCTUARY – HOI AN (B/-/-) 

Depart early for the village Tra Que, where you can learn more about rural life in the region. Meet the locals and participate in some of their daily activities, whilst learning more about their lifestyle. Finish off your experience with a delicious lunch featuring some of the produce grown locally.

In the afternoon, continue your exploration of the area with a trip to My Son. Located approximately 60 km south of Da Nang this site is considered the most important Cham site in Vietnam and is classified by UNESCO as world heritage. The collection of temples, shrines and towers were constructed in a stunning valley and is ringed by verdant rainforest.

My Son was the ancient capital of a powerful Cham kingdom, which held sway over this part of central Vietnam between the 2nd and 13th C. The visit to My Son offers us a glimpse into the fascinating history of this Malayo-Polynesian culture. The trip is a must for aficionados of architecture and the history of the Cham people. At the conclusion of your tour return to Hoi An and enjoy an sunset drink by the Thu Bon river. 

Overnight in Hoi An

DAY 7: Lifetime Vietnam Family Holiday from North to South & Along the Coast: HOI AN – DA NANG – FLIGHT TO NHA TRANG (B/-/-)

DAY 8: Lifetime Vietnam Family Holiday from North to South & Along the Coast: NHA TRANG BEACH TOURS – (Seat-in-Coach Tour)(B/-/-) 

DAY 9: Lifetime Vietnam Family Holiday from North to South & Along the Coast: NHA TRANG – FLIGHT TO HO CHI MINH CITY – SAIGON SIGHTSEEING TOURS (B/-/-)

Breakfast. Free until transfer to the airport for flight to Ho Chi Minh City. Arrival in Ho Chi Minh City and picked up by the local guide.

Begin your exploration of this frenetic city with lunch at a local restaurant. Not only is Ho Chi Minh city the most important economic Centre in Vietnam, it also has some very imposing colonial architecture which belies in fascinating past. Almost a hundred years of French rule bestowed upon the city some pearls of colonial architecture. Visit the central post office, designed by Gustave Eiffel, and the Notre Dame Cathedral, inspired by its counterpart in Paris. 

Continue your city tour with a visit to District 5, formerly known as Cho Lon or China Town. Cho Lon, or ‘big market’, with its congested streets is where most of the city’s ethnic Chinese population lives. The district lives up to its name in the form of Binh Tay wholesale market. Founded in 1778 the market sells a stunning array of goods and produce, ranging from fish to incense. Finish your city tour with a stop at Thien Hau temple, otherwise known as ‘Temple of the Heavenly Lady’, to marvel at its intricate friezes and coils of incense. 

Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City

DAY 10: Lifetime Vietnam Family Holiday from North to South & Along the Coast: HO CHI MINH CITY TOUR TO TAY NINH AND CU CHI TUNNELS (B/-/-)

Excursion to Tay Ninh to visit the spectacular Cao Dai temple, the Cathedral of the religion of the same name. This sect, originating in Vietnam, draws freely from other philosophies of Christianity and Confucianism. The architecture of the cathedral is stunning, neither Eastern nor Western. You can attend the main ceremony at Noon (Remove your shoes before entering). Lunch at a local restaurant.

Continue to visit Cu Chi, where the Viet Cong confused the Americans through a miracle of primitive technology. The guerrillas escaped from their enemies through a maze of resistant bomb tunnels that span nearly 200 km. Most of these tunnels are too narrow for Western visitors, who usually, rapidly become claustrophobic. But a small portion of the labyrinth has been enlarged to give tourists a glimpse of the city underground Cu Chi. Back in Ho Chi Minh City at the end of the afternoon.

Overnight at the hotel in Ho Chi Minh City

DAY 11: Lifetime Vietnam Family Holiday from North to South & Along the Coast: SAIGON SIGHTSEEING TOURS TO CAI BE VINH LONG AND CAN THO (B/-/-)

Start early by road to Cai Be located 105 km south of Ho Chi Minh City. Now boarding a boat on the Mekong through the floating markets of Cai Be, where you can admire displays of fruits and vegetables. Explore islands, visiting factories where they prepared delicious sweets based small coconut, popcorns, rice cakes and so on. Lunch in a garden of bonsai or in an old house. You will enjoy the famous fish “elephant ear”. 

Continuation of visit by a small sampan ride through the shady canals to Vinh Long. You will cross over the parkway many small boats carrying fruits, vegetables and fish. Parkway in orchards, tasting tropical fruits. In late afternoon, transfer by road to Can Tho, an important rice in the Mekong Delta, known as the Capital of the West, located at the edge of Hau Giang, arm the southern Mekong. Dinner. At night, it is good to stroll on the docks Ninh Kieu, bordering the river

Overnight in Can Tho

DAY 12: Lifetime Vietnam Family Holiday from North to South & Along the Coast: CAN THO – HO CHI MINH CITY (B/-/-)

Parkway morning boat to the floating markets of Cai Rang, then continuation to the discovery of small channels through the islands covered with lush flora. Cycle the parkways and paths through orchards (optional), tasting tropical fruits. Lunch. Landing. Return to Ho Chi Minh city. Overnight in Ho Chi Minh city

DAY 13: Lifetime Vietnam Family Holiday from North to South & Along the Coast: HO CHI MINH CITY – DEPARTURE (B/-/-)

Free day until departure. Enjoy a last stroll to admire the colonial architecture, visit the colourful markets or take a trip through the frenetic streets in a cyclo. Free until departure from hotel. Transfer to the airport for departure flight. Breakfast included.