Explore the local culture, history and food as a family in Vietnam on this 11-nght tour.
There are plenty of fun experiences for the whole family to enjoy from city tours to visiting caves to experiencing the local culture in Vietnam.
The destinations that you will explore are:
– Ky Son
– Hanoi
– Cu Chi
– Ho Chi Minh City
– Danang
– Hoi An
– Phu Quoc
Upon arrival, be met by the private guide and be transferred to the hotel for check-in.
Time at leisure.
Overnight in Hanoi.
This morning, embark on a Hanoi city tour. The first stop is the Temple of Literature, or Quoc Tu Giam. Built in 1076, The Temple of Literature was Vietnam’s first university and was established within a temple to educate Vietnam’s royalty, mandarins and members of the elite. The university functioned for an incredible 700 years and its gardens and well-preserved architecture offer a fascinating glimpse into Vietnam’s past. Then meander through the bustling Old Quarters . View the local kids’ toy world in the Old Quarter and explore the daily life activities around the Restored Sword lake.
Welcome Vietnamese lunch is at Cau Go restaurant with the best view in town.
This afternoon, get ready for an immersive, behind-the-scenes experience in Hanoi. Step into the home of Mr. Liem, a passionate seventh-generation puppet maker and performer. Get an introduction to water puppetry, a traditional North Vietnam art form that dates back to the 11th century. Take a tour of Mr. Liem’s workshop where shelf after shelf is lined with wooden puppet parts in all shares and sizes.
Be entertained by a half-hour performance at a small theatre in his house. Learn about the folklore and legends presented in the show and the significance of the performance itself. After the show, join the puppeteers and learn basic techniques, using bamboo rods to move the puppets through the water. Then return to the workshop and paint a puppet. Use a range of typical bright and shiny colours to create a one-of-a-kind puppet, all the while learning more about this local art form.
Following this insightful glimpse into one of Vietnam’s most beloved art forms, say farewell to Mr. Liem and return to the hotel.
Overnight in Hanoi
Today’s tour begins at 08:30. After a sumptuous breakfast, drive 30 minutes to the ancient village of Bat Trang, a traditional porcelain and pottery community. Start exploring the old charms of the pottery village by walking through ancient and narrow alleys while admiring the unique architecture. Step into a local house and learn the intricate steps involved in making ceramic works of art from skillful craftsmen. Next, sleeves will be rolled up and hands sunk into soft clay while creating pottery using the time-tested techniques of the local craftsmen.
Afterwards, venture deeper into the village to discover a house where locals worship their ancestors. Here, a local elder explains the unique aspects of Vietnamese culture and its spiritual beliefs.
Conclude the trip by learning all about banh cuon or rice pancakes, a dish of northern Vietnam. Pay close attention to the master chef as he explains the art of creating this local specialty, and typically rewards visitors who are able to prepare the best banh cuon. After this fun and rewarding experience, sit down and enjoy a tasty self-made lunch of local specialties..
The trip concludes with a tour of the ceramic market that really puts the influences of Vietnam’s growing economy into perspective. Expected return to the hotel is around mid-afternoon.
Spend the afternoon at leisure to relax and enjoy the hotel.
Overnight in Hanoi
This morning discover Halong Bay in an ultimate way by the 12-seater Cessna Caravan seaplane offering magnificent views of Halong Bay’s 1600 islets from above, along with thrilling water take off and landing. Depart the hotel for a 40-minute transfer to Noi Bai Airport then embark on a join-in seaplane at 09:00 (10:00 in winter). Enjoy a 60-minute scenic flight to Halong Bay from 150 meters high for a unique and full of excitement experience while taking in breathtaking sights as the plane hovers above abundant islets.
Arrive at the jetty in Halong City towards noon and proceed with check-in formalities on board a cruise.
After the welcome onboard, a lunch will be served while cruising towards the bay itself. In the afternoon, relaxing on boat or join in some activities such as: kayaking; swimming, bamboo boat rowing; visiting caves to admire the majestic beauty of wild nature.
Overnight in Halong
Designated a World Heritage Site in 1994, Halong Bay is scatter of karst limestone islands, dotted with wind and wave-eroded grottoes. In Vietnamese, Ha Long means ‘descending dragon’. Dragons play a prominent role in Vietnamese culture, and the most popular legend has it that one such creature and her children descended from heaven to defend the Viet people from invaders, spraying fire and emeralds or jade. She and her children then stayed on Earth.
Enjoy the fresh morning in the middle of the bay, the sun rises on Halong in the morning and breakfast is served (brunch on some boats) while the vessels cruises slowly through the magnificent rock formations and back towards port.
Overnight in Halong Bay.
Enjoy the fresh morning in the middle of the bay, the sun rises on Halong in the morning and breakfast is served (brunch on some boats) while the vessels cruise slowly through the magnificent rock formations and back towards port. Disembark and transfer back to Hanoi airport for the flight to Danang.
On arrival to Danang airport, transfer to the hotel in Hoi An and spend the rest of the day free time at leisure.
Overnight in Hoi An
Hoi An Ancient town city tour
Pick up at 08:30 from the hotel in Hoi An and receive a short transfer to the historic town centre. From here, take a walking tour to explore the beauty of the Ancient Town. Hoi An was a major Asian trading port from the 15th to the 19th centuries whose architecture and relaxed lifestyle has changed little over the years making it traditionally a favourite destination for international visitors. The ‘Hoi An Ancient Town’ was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1999. Despite the passing of 200 years and the ravages of weather and war, the centre of Hoi An remains much the same today as it was in its heyday, when it was one of Asia’s busiest trading ports. Hoi An is an exceptionally well-preserved example of trading port from the 15th century to the 19th century in South East Asia. This walking tour is the best way to explore this UNESCO World Heritage Ancient Town, the wooden-fronted houses that once belonged to the town’s prosperous merchants, the Japanese-covered Bridge and the wonderful market as well as the silk, handicrafts, antique shops and galleries that take you back in time.
Overnight in Hoi An.
This morning, head into the tranquil countryside for an unforgettable Hoi An cycling tour. Discover unknown regions of Hoi An on two wheels from ancient temples and water coconut forests to communal organic gardens- and help out with the labour!
Then, paddle to lunch in a traditional basket boat before being rewarded with a delicious local feast.
Depart for the Hoi An cycling tour from the hotel at approximately 08:00 and transfer by road a short distance into the nearby countryside. On arrival at a typical hamlet, hop on the bicycles to begin exploring the village. Cycle along the lush water-coconut forest, beyond tranquil ponds and green rice fields. Take a break at Mr. Tien’s Temple – the initiator of the birds’ nests culture in this area. Spend time at Thanh Dong Organic farm – a 6000sqm organic garden supporting 14 local families. Learn about the rural lifestyle here and help out the farmers with their work, depending on the season, while learning more about local organic farming techniques in this area. Take a break at Mr. Meo’s house and listen to stories about the culture and history in this area.
Leave the farm behind for a 20-minute ride in a traditional basket boat along a small languid river takes guests to a special local restaurant situated in the middle of the rice paddy fields. Here enjoy a break in the shade and a delicious Vietnamese lunch. Afterwards transfer back to Hoi An Ancient Town or to selected hotel in Hoi An, arriving back at approximately 14:30.
Notes:
Biking distance is approx. 6-10 km along flat roads with little traffic.
The program and route may change depending on weather conditions.
Afternoon is free at leisure to explore the town on your own
Overnight in Hoi An.
Spend the morning at leisure until the transfer to the airport to the flight to Saigon. Upon arrival, be transferred to the hotel and spend the rest of the day at leisure until the evening cultural show.
Enjoy an unforgettable evening of culture at the historic Saigon Opera House. Witness a stunning blend of acrobatic arts, contemporary dance and traditional Vietnamese elements. After the lights dim, the stage comes alive for an hour-long A O Show. Performed by enthusiastic local dancers and artists, the show displays Vietnamese heritage and culture through contemporary choreography and traditional music. Be amazed by the stunning blend of acrobatic acts and contemporary dance.
Following this vibrant spectacle, step out into the streets and join the guide for a stroll back to the hotel. Enjoy the ambiance of Ho Chi Minh City at night, seeing street vendors selling fresh snacks, motorbikes carrying young couples and locals out for their evening exercise. (Remark – it is subjeyou have ct to the show schedule. Otherwise we will switch around with your time in Saigon)
Overnight in Saigon.
This tour begins at 9:00. Join Discovery Challenge Tour of Ben Thanh Market, a fun, interactive experience best suited for families or small to mid-sized groups. Upon reaching the entrance of this sprawling market, divide into small teams and receive the challenge ‘itinerary’ packet and a basic phrase book.
Spend the next hours completing the various challenges found in the book. Communicate with locals to answer riddles and purchase various items on the checklist. Share a laugh with a local vendors while trying to bargain for items in Vietnamese. Learn about exotic fruits and other unusual items while trying to translate the shopping list. Snap photos of typical market scenes and solve puzzles about Vietnamese culture.
After the time limit has expired, regroup at the market entrance and go to a coffee shop to sit down for a drink and swap stories of the treasure hunt, share new knowledge then tally up the results to determine the winner, bringing this unique Vietnam adventure to an end.
Approximate length: 3.5 hours
Time: 9:00 –11:30
Overnight in Saigon
This morning, take a short drive to the banks of the Saigon River. Board a private speed boat for this scenic Cu Chi tunnels cruise. Gaze upon the modern skyline of the city as the boat cruises across the water. Watch as the scenery changes, passing through urban neighbourhoods and then rural countryside.
After 90 minutes arrive at Cu Chi and explore the incredible network of 200 km underground tunnels. Crawl underground and get a better sense for what life was like living and fighting in the labyrinth of caves and tunnels. Hear remarkable stories of the residents’ resilience and see relics of the wartime weapons. Following the visit, return to the boat and relax while cruising back to the heart of Ho Chi Minh City. Spend the remainder of the afternoon free at leisure.
Overnight in Saigon
Spend the morning at leisure before checking out.
Be met by the guide and driver and transferred to the airport for the onward departure flight home.
This luxury 5* hotel, which opened in 1901, is located in Hanoi, Vietnam. It has a fantastic location for guests to easily explore the local sights and shopping due to it’s central location.
Fantastic facilities for all ages and a 5* service.
Rooms: 364
Location: Hanoi
Violet is ‘one-of-a-kind’ sailing along the famed Halong Bay in the Gulf of Tonkin and she grants the highest level of privacy for their residents.
Journeying through Halong Bay aboard this unique, luxury ship assuredly makes one’s stay unforgettable.
Cabins: 6
Location: Halong Bay
Anantara Hoi An Resort is located less than a kilometre from the historic quarter of Hoi An, in stunning gardens fronting the Thu Bon River.
A boutique hotel that offers riverfront dining, blissful spa experiences, and sunset river cruises.
Rooms: 93 including suites
Location: Hoi An
With its fantastic location, you can enjoy world-class restaurants in Ho Chi Minh City or for something more relaxed, try out the tranquil spa.
Perfect for families and couples alike, this is the perfect hotel for a stay in Saigon.
Rooms: 245
Location: Ho Chi Minh City
Inclusions
Accommodation in a shared TWN/DBL room, Meals as mentioned in the itinerary (excludes drinks) (B= Breakfast, L= Lunch, D= Dinner), Local English speaking guide during tour & transfer, Boat trips as mentioned in the itinerary, All admission fees at attractions mentioned in the itinerary, Transfers as mentioned by private air conditioned vehicle, Bottled water during tours and transfers.
Excludes
Drinks and other meals not mentioned, Domestic & international flights if not mentioned in inclusions, Price extra for Camera / Video, Laundry, telephone calls and expenditure of a personal nature, Tips, Travel insurance, Visa & Visa stamping fee to Vietnam, Gratuities to guides, drivers, boats staff, servant, Personal expenses (laundry, telephone, drinks, …), Any services not mentioned in the itinerary.
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