EXCEPTIONAL VIETNAM FAMILY HOLIDAY – 15 DAYS

* BRIEF ITINERARY:

Day 1: Arrival – Hanoi – Cyclo Tour around the Old Quarters

Day 2: Hanoi Full-day City Tour – Water Puppet Show

Day 3: Hanoi – Halong Bay Cruise Tour

Day 4: Halong Cruising Tour – Hanoi

Day 5: Hanoi – Hue – Sightseeing Tour

Day 6: Hue City Tour – Da Nang Beach Tour – Hoi An Ancient Town

Day 7: Hoi An Sightseeing Tour

Day 8:  Hoi An free day

Day 9: Hoi An – Danang flight to Nha Trang

Day 10: Nha Trang Beach Tour 

Day 11: Nha Trang Sightseeing Tour to Da Lat

Day 12: Da Lat Flight to Saigon

Day 13: Saigon City Tour – Excursion to Cu Chi tunnels

Day 14: Saigon Tour to Mekong Delta

Day 15: Saigon – Departure

Day 1: Vietnam Family Holiday to Hanoi, Halong, Hue, Hoi An, Nha Trang, Saigon:  ARRIVAL – HANOI CITY TOURS (-/-/-)

On arrival at Noi Bai Airport, you are met and transferred to hotel for check in. Then, you enjoy a tour by cyclo around the old quarter streets to experience the daily life of the local people.

O/N in Ha Noi. 

 Day 2: HANOI FULL-DAY SIGHTSEEING TOURS (B/-/-)

Today we commence our exploration of Hanoi with the Ho Chi Minh Complex, which contains the mausoleum of the nation’s founder Ho Chi Minh, the Presidential Palace and the Ho Chi Minh’s house on stilts. Close to this complex is the One Pillar Pagoda, whose origins date back to the foundation of city.

We follow it with a visit to the Temple of Literature, which is well known as the first university of Vietnam and the History Museum with an excellent collection of artifacts illustrating the Vietnamese history. Later on, we will take a short visit at Hilton Prison where Vietnamese soldiers did captured & detained American pilots from 1967 till 1973 to learn more about the history of Vietnam War against American Imperialists.

In this afternoon, visiting the outlaying Ethnologic Museum is also a major part of our sightseeing. This gleaming mansion is dedicated to Vietnam’s 54 ethnic groups. Afterwards we drive to the Tran Quoc Pagoda and Quan Thanh Temple. They are some major highlights set by the beautiful West Lake. We also visit the old quarters and the peaceful lake of Hoan Kiem with its sacred temple. In front of this lake is the famous water puppet theatre where we will see a fantastic performance.

O/N in Ha Noi. 

DAY 3:  HANOI SIGHTSEEING TOURS – HALONG BAY CRUISE TOURS (B/L/D)

After having breakfast at hotel, you will be picked by our guide & driver at hotel then driven to Halong Bay – 170km from the East of Hanoi. On the way, you will have chances to stop by green paddies to see the Vietnamese farmers working on their fields or you might get by a Humanity Center where we are nursing the disabled Children who are left behind the War & they are victims of Agent Oranges caused by American troops.

At around 12:00, you will reach to Halong Bay recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site since 1994. The islands in Ha Long Bay are mainly limestone and schist islands most lying in the two main areas: the southeastern part of Bai Tu Long Bay and southwestern part of Ha Long Bay. They are the result of many times of rising and lowering processes of the continent to form a karst. The process of nearly full erosion and weathering of the karst created the unique Ha Long Bay in the world. In 2000, UNESCO recognized it as the World Heritage for the second time for its geographical and geomorphologic values.

On arrival at 12h30, we are welcome on the traditional boat and have welcome drink. Start the boat trip to visit Halong Bay with outstanding natural beauty of many Islands such as Con Cho Island, Dinh Huong Island, Canh Buom Island, Ga Choi Island and have fresh seafood lunch served on board.

In the afternoon, you will have opportunity to visit one of the most beautiful cave in Ha long Bay- Sung Sot Cave or Surprising Cave, then swimming on Titop Island or do kayaking to visit Luon Cave while enjoying sunset. Apart from this, fishing with seine and owing bamboo boat (on request)

Dinner and overnight on boat.

DAY 4:  HALONG BAY CRUISE TOURS – HANOI FAMILY TOURS (B/-

In this morning, we will keep on our journey by junk-boat to to explore more islands & natural beauties of Halong Bay.

At around 10:30: you will have a brunch served on cruise before reaching to Halong Harbour at around 12:00. Right here our car will be at disposal to pick you up then drive back to Hanoi with stopover at Dong Trieu Ceramic village.At around 15:30: You will get to Hanoi & the rest of time you will be free on your own

O/N in Ha Noi.  

Day 5:  HANOI FAMILY TOURS – HUE  FULLDAY OF SIGHSEEING TOURS (B/-/-)

After breakfast at hotel, you will be transferred to Noi Bai airport for a morning flight to Hue. Upon arrival, you will be escorted by our guide & driver then driven to your hotel for a drop of your luggage. Later on, we have a boat trip on the romantically named Perfume River visits Hue’s best-known religious site, Thien Mu Pagoda. The beautiful riverside Thien Mu Pagoda is one of the oldest ancient architectural structures for religious work ship in Hue.

We then transfer to enjoy a taste of the scenic countryside and an enjoyable visit to the mausoleum of Khai Dinh Mausoleum to admire the spectacular architecture which was influenced by Oriental and Western styles. This impressive landmark reflects the beautiful architecture, intricate decor and mysterious statues. Afterwards, we start our sightseeing tour with the massive citadel named the Imperial Citadel where the Nguyen Dynasty ruled between 1802 and 1945 including Flag Tower, Noon Gate, Nine Dynastic Urns, Nine Holy Cannons, Thai Hoa Palace, and Forbidden Purple City.

This royal residence was all but destroyed during the 1968 Tet Offensive, however it is still fascinating to walk among the ruins. Close to this masterpiece is Hue Imperial Museum which displays an interesting collections of bronzes, Chinaware, court robes and various emperors’ personal belongings

By the end of the day, we will have one more chance to take a glancing tour of Hue with a walk to the bustling Dong Ba Market that sells a wide variety of local goods and handicrafts. Along the way we pass many fantastic eating spots, all ideal for visitors to sample some local delicacies.

O/N in Hue

Day 6:  HUE SIGHTSEEING TOURS – DANANG – HOIAN FAMILY TOURS (B/-/-)

Our guide and driver welcome you at hotel in Hue and transfer you to leave Hue city for Hoian. You will be driven along National Highway No1 and see more of beautiful landscapes of rice fields, Cau Hai Lagoon, local villages. You will have chance to see Lang Co beach – one of the most beautiful beach in Asia to enjoy nice view. Next you will see the spectacular view of Hai Van Pass through windy road to the summit. From here the panorama of Lang Co Beach, Da Nang city is under your eyes. It is the ideal spot to take wonderful photos of forest and mountains. Arrive Da Nang, you will discover Da Nang city including Cham Museum where shows the collection of Champa sculptures to learn more of Cham culture and then Marble Mountain which is well known as Five Mountains to visit and discover pagoda, cave and view of Da Nang city from the summit. You arrive in Hoian in the early afternoon 

O/N in Hoi An.  

Day 7: HOI AN & MY SON SIGHTSEEING TOURS (B/-/-)

Am: In the morning you will make a visiting to My Son Sanctuary to explore the Ancient Champa Kingdom and its spectacular culture. Here is the chance for you to enjoy Apsara traditional music show. Then you will be back to visit Thanh Ha ceramic village. You have chance to try to make a product under the guidance of workshop owner, receive a little gift called To He before leaving. Take the boat on Thu Bon River back to Hoi An Ancient Town. Have lunch at restaurant.
Pm: This afternoon you will make a walking around old streets to discover the charm of Hoi An Ancient Town including Japanese Covered Bridge, Chinese Assembly Halls, Sa Huynh Museum, old houses and the local market… Hoi An is an ideal for shopping and making tailor with reasonable price. Drop you off at your hotel in Hoi An and end tour.

Overnight in Hoi An

Day 8: HOI AN FREE DAY (B/-/-)

Overnight in Hoi An

DAY 9: HOI AN  – DANANG FLIGHT TO NHA TRANG  (B/-/-)

Pick up at the hotel and tranfer to the airport for the flight to Nha Trang

On arrival at Cam Ranh airport, you are met and transferred to your hotel for checkin

O/N in Nha Trang

DAY 10:  NHA TRANG BEACH TOURS (B/-/-)

Breakfast at the hotel. Take the morning boat trip to visit the Tri Nguyen Aquarium and the off-shore islands around Nha Trang, including Mun Mot island. Enjoy swimming and beach activities. Lunch at Tam island with fresh seafood. Afternoon visit the Po Nagar Cham Tower, it is dedicated to Yan Po Nagar, the goddess of the country.

Then continue to visit Chong Promontory – looks like the work of a giant, who carelessly put several massive rocks together. On one side of the rock, facing the sea, there is a deep handprint with the five fingers close together. And finally, discover Oceanographic Institute – established on 14 September 1922, is the National Oceanographic Institution, responsible for research and investigation in the ocean.

O/N in Nha Trang.

DAY 11: NHA TRANG BEACH TOURS – DALAT SIGHTSEEING TOURS (B/-/-)

Drive to Dalat city, 1500 m above the sea level.  Refresh with a little bit cool of the highland city,  which was known as “A little Paris” or “a flower city”. Visit the Tuyen Lam Lake – a natural lake situated on top of a hill covered with pine trees, 6km east of Dalat City. The lake has been surrounded by many stories and legends with sorrowful endings in which the heroine drowns in the lake to keep her true love forever.

Discover King Bao Dai’s summer palace – filled with artefacts from decades and governments past and is extremely interesting, then take time to visit city flower garden and Dalat Market, one of the most beautiful markets in the highland with a wide array of flowers, fruits and vegetables.

O/N in Da Lat. 

DAY 12:  DA LAT  – FLIGHT TO HO CHI MINH (B/-/-)

Free time to discover Dalat market until transfer to the airport for the flight to Saigon.

Arrive Ho Chi Minh, check in hotel.  Afternoon free at leisure. 

Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City. 

Day 13: HO CHI MINH CITY TOURS + CU CHI TUNNELS (B/-/-)

Morning: A half-day city tour of dynamic Ho Chi Minh City, still called Saigon by many locals, includes the Notre Dame Cathedral, Old Sai Gon Post Office, the Chinatown, the former Presidential Palace. 
Afternoon: Transfer about 30km north-west of Ho Chi Minh City to Cu Chi town. Cu Chi tunnels were used as the base from which the Vietnamese mounted their operations of the Tet Offensive in 1968.

The Cu Chi tunnels consist of more than 200km of underground tunnels. This main axis system has many branches connecting to underground hideouts, shelters, and entrances to other tunnels, the tunnels are between 0.5 to 1m wide, just enough for a person to crawl along.  Transfer back to Ho Chi Minh City. 

O/N in Ho Chi Minh City.

Day 14: HO CHI MINH CITY – MEKONG DELTA CRUISE TOURS – HO CHI MINH CITY (B/L/-)

Heading out of town, we travel by roads to the Mekong Delta. This plain region boasts the largest rice bowl of Vietnam. On arrival in My Tho we board a boat navigating around the intricate small canals, which is a great way to observe the local lifestyle close-up and catch a view dotted by many islands. The exciting river trip will pass by the lush green vegetation towards the famous Unicorn Island where we have a chance to stroll around an orchard, taste many seasonal fruits and see farmers at work.

We navigate some narrower canals using small rowing boats to Ben Tre Province for an interesting visit to some local industries. The extra enjoyment is a lunch at one of the famous local eating spots. We drive back to Ho Chi Minh, stopping off en route to see the beautiful Ving Trang Pagoda and the Saigon’s Chinatown, locally named Cho Lon. This bustling area is crammed with sacred temples and mysterious, narrow lanes.

 O/N in Ho Chi Minh. 

Day 15:  HO CHI MINH CITY – Departure (B/-/-)

 At leisure until transfer to Tan Son Nhat Airport for departure flight (check out hotel before 12h00)

Inclusive of above prices:       

• Transportation in private with air-condition
• Accommodation in double/twin shared room with daily breakfast at hotel
• Local English speaking guides
• Admission fee to indicated sights
• Domestic flights Hanoi-Hue/Danang-Nha Trang/Da Lat – Saigon on economy class
• Saigon & Cu Chi Tunnels, Mekong Delta tour, Hanoi City tour, Hoi An & My Son tour, Nha Trang & Dalat tour
• 1 night Halong Bay Cruise
• Water Puppet Show
• Luggage handling and drinking water

Exclusive of above prices:

• Visa stamping fee on arrival
• Travel Insurance in all kinds
• Single room (quoted separately)
• Other foreign language guide
• Peak tourist season or special event rates
• Tip, drinks and other personal expenses