Vietnam for Families

13 days visiting

• Hanoi
• Hue
• Hoi An
• Saigon

From $3730 AUD pp (2 pax)

Day 1 Hanoi (Dinner: Meals incl. in itinerary (Vietnam) )
Arrival in Hanoi
Upon clearing Customs and Immigration, your guide will present you with a welcome packet including all necessary documentation and vouchers and all contact information of your guide and local offices.
Transfer by air conditioned vehicle
Transfer to/from restaurant
Enjoy Vietnamese cooking class and market visit with local chef (Private)
On arrival at the cooking center, you will be welcome and invite a cup of La Han tea. The chef will then brief about Vietnamese cuisine, highlight the contents of the traditional meal. You will discuss with the chef and choose to cook either street foods, Vietnamese foods or international foods. Take a short walk to Chau Long Market – enjoy a tour of the ‘wet’ market highlighting unusual items such as durian, live seafood, silk worms and an assortment of fresh herbs and vegetables. Choose the suitable herbs and ingredients and return to the Hanoi Cooking Centre and commence the cooking class. You will prepare dishes under the guidance of experienced chefs at your own work station and each workshop will conclude with tasting the food you have prepared, accompanied by local beer or wine, in a comfortable dining area. At the end of the class receive detailed recipe cards to take home – Overnight in Hanoi

Day 2 Hanoi – Halong – cabin / onboard (Vietnam) (Breakfast: Hotel / Lunch: Meals incl. in itinerary (Vietnam) / Dinner: Meals incl. in itinerary (Vietnam) )
By vehicle from Hanoi (city) to Halong Bay
Transfer to/from Tuan Chau Marina Port
Cruise aboard the Violet Cruise through Halong Bay, day 1 of 2 * No local guide *
After being welcomed onboard begin the cruise through the World Heritage Site of Halong Bay. Enjoy a buffet lunch while passing picturesque areas such as the Mat Quy and Am Islets. Visit the Tien Ong Cave (sensible footwear required) – the most recently explored cave, showing evidence of human civilization dating back to 10,000 – 8,000 BC. The cave is just 5 meters above sea level, 50 meters deep and covers 1,000 square meters. Continue the voyage to the Cua Van Fishing Village, the oldest and biggest fishing village in Halong Bay. The village is reached via smaller boats that each takes a maximum of four persons. After returning to the boat in the late afternoon there is the opportunity to watch, and even take part in, a traditional Vietnamese cooking demonstration conducted by the energetic chef. Relax and enjoy dinner on board. Overnight on board – Overnight in cabin / onboard (Vietnam)

Day 3 cabin / onboard (Vietnam) – Halong – Hanoi (Breakfast: Hotel )
Cruise aboard the Violet Cruise through Halong Bay, day 2 of 2 * No local guide *
For early risers complimentary tea, coffee and pastries are served in the restaurant, and there is also the option of joining a Tai Chi class on the open deck. A smaller boat will then take guests to a natural white sandy stretch of beach with crystal clear water. Climb to a hill top for a last view over Halong Bay before returning to the boat for the slow cruise back to Halong City. Enjoy a full breakfast while passing picturesque areas including Titov Island, the Tam Cung Cave and Poem Mountain. Disembark at Tuan Chau Pier at around 11am.
By vehicle from Halong to Hanoi (city)
Walk the Rail Tracks of Hanoi
From Phung Hung Street we will start our exploration on foot. We will walk towards Long Bien train station, cross the bridge and take the stairs down onto the urban island. There’s time for a well-earned rest and to visit the orchards. After crossing the bridge, we can either transfer by car or walk to Gia Lam train station. Train tickets in hand, we will board the train to cross over the bridge to the other side of Hanoi. This is a local train full of atmosphere, and we will be riding with the locals in the hard seater wagon. On week days the train will stop at Long Bien, while on Saturday and Sunday it will stop at Hanoi Station. – Overnight in Hanoi

Day 4 Hanoi (Breakfast: Hotel / Lunch: Ngon Villa Hanoi )
Bespoke Family Experience in Hanoi
The entire family can get crafty today. We’ll hop into an open-sided electric cart for a fun one-hour tour around the city. An artisan will show us how to craft colourful paper masks. We’ll indulge the kids with an ice cream or a tasty doughnut-style snack made from sticky rice – it all depends on the weather. The Museum of Ethnology has reconstructions of traditional long houses and stilted houses just waiting for the children to explore. The last stop is to watch a private water puppet show in a private house. The children will even have the rare chance to play with the puppets and make them dance. Today’s Highlights: Museum of Ethnology, electric cart ride, local crafts, water puppet sho – Overnight in Hanoi

Day 5 Hanoi – Hue (Breakfast: Hotel / Dinner: Les Jardins De La Carambole )
Transfer by air conditioned vehicle
Flight from Hanoi to Hue
Transfer by air conditioned vehicle
Sightseeing in the Imperial Citadel
Let’s go back in time and bask in the beauty of the Nguyen dynasty. The 19th century Imperial Citadel is a city within a city. The striking Flag Tower and imposing Ngo Mon Gate lead into spacious courtyards, palaces, pavilions, reception halls and lotus ponds
providing a fascinating glimpse into court life. Today’s Highlights: Flag Tower, Ngo Mon Gate, Dien Tho Palace, Thai Hoa Palace
Visit the Imperial Tomb of Emperor Tu Duc
The Imperial Tomb of Tu Duc was designed and built by the longest reigning Vietnamese emperor,Tu Duc, during his lifetime, and was used as a retreat for meditation, reading and theatre performances. Take some time to soak in the tranquil atmosphere, and wander among the gracefully proportioned pavilions, courtyards and lotus ponds
Transfer to/from restaurant
– Overnight in Hue

Day 6 Hue – Danang (Breakfast: Hotel / Lunch: Meals at Local House (Vietnam) )
Thuy Bieu village with Lunch at Local House
Rumoured to be haunted, a flashpoint for anti-government protests, and the site of a famous self-immolation by a monk. Thien Mu Pagoda will lure us in with its beauty, elegant architecture and evocative past. We continue by boat to Thuy Bieu Eco-village where we can explore by bicycle or foot
it’s up to you. Either way, we’ll get to chat with the locals, see them making incense, and visit an ancient ancestral temple. After lunch in a local home, we get to relax with a therapeutic massage by blind masseurs. Today’s Highlights: Thien Mu Pagoda, Thuy Bieu Village, massage.
By vehicle from Hue to Danang
Drive south from Hue to Danang along scenic mountain roads with spectacular views over the coastline. Highlights along the way include the dramatic Hai Van Pass, the high dividing line between the climate zones of North and South Vietnam; and Lang Co, a lovely stretch of beach curving outwards between a clear blue lagoon and the East Vietnam Sea – Overnight in Danang

Day 7 Danang – Hoi An – Quang Nam (Breakfast: Hotel / Lunch: Meals incl. in itinerary (Vietnam) / Dinner: Meals incl. in itinerary (Vietnam) )
By vehicle from Danang to Hoi An
Journey south past the Marble Mountains and small villages.
Excursion to Bho Hoong village and A Roang village, day 1 of 2
On arrival in Bho Hoong, we’ll meet Mr Bay, an an ex-soldier who is now the Old Father of the village. He’s take us around the village to see the central Goul house and hear all about the different families and the traditions they follow. We’ll see the villagers in their traditional handwoven outfits, wearing wicker backpacks. In the evening, we can relax over dinner and traditional music performed by the Co Tu people. Today’s Highlights: Bho Hoong village, Co Tu villag – Overnight in Quang Nam

Day 8 Local Village (Vietnam) – Hoi An (Breakfast: Hotel / Lunch: Meals incl. in itinerary (Vietnam) )
Excursion to Bho Hoong village and A Roang village, day 2 of 2
We’ll head out along the Ho Chi Minh trail with incredible views of Truong Son Mountain. A trek through A Roang village and the surrounding area will stretch our legs. After lunch in the village hall, we’ll continue to Hue passing through countryside inhabited by the Ko Tu and Ta Oi ethnic people. Today’s Highlights: Trek through A Roang village, Ho Chi Minh Trail
Sightseeing in Hoi An
Pretty as a picture Hoi An! The quirky mix of Chinese, Japanese, Vietnamese and European influences make this ancient town a photographers’ paradise. We’ll walk through the narrow winding streets past ochre-hued stone houses, lantern-filled shops and colourful fishing boats. One of the most iconic sights is the Japanese Covered Bridge. There are also ancient temples and merchant homes over 200 years old. Today’s Highlights: Japanese Covered Bridge, Sa Huynh Museum, Tran Family Chapel, Phuoc Kien Assembly Hall, Lantern Making Worksho – Overnight in Hoi An

Day 9 Hoi An (Breakfast: Hotel / Lunch: Meals incl. in itinerary (Vietnam) )
Pedal and Paddle in Hoi An
Take off your shoes and roll up your trousers! We’re going to join the farmers in the rice paddies to learn how to plant rice and tend to the soil using basic tools still used today. Our lunch will be cooked from the fresh ingredients found on the farm. In addition we’ll explore the countryside and riverside villages by boat and bicycle. In local workshops we’ll see how traditional handicrafts are made. A local family will welcome us into their home for a cup of tea. We’ll take a spin in a round basket boat and paddle through the intricate nypa-palm waterways and mangrove forests. This is a fun day for all the family to engage with nature and the local way of life. Today’s Highlights: Tra Nhieu village, cottage industries, Cam Thanh village, farm experience – Overnight in Hoi An

Day 10 Hoi An – Danang – Saigon (Breakfast: Hotel / Dinner: Nha Hang Ngon )
By vehicle from Hoi An to Danang airport
Flight from Danang to Saigon
Transfer by air conditioned vehicle
Hidden Saigon at Night
We’ll experience at night at the opera – the Saigon Opera House, built by the French in 1898. We’ll watch a fascinating and energetic cultural show that blends contemporary dance with traditional folk music and breathtaking acrobatics. After the show we’ll sit outside among the locals to sample authentic Vietnamese street food. The evening ends in a hidden coffee shop to listen to local musicians performing Vietnamese and Western songs. Today’s Highlights: Cultural show at Saigon Opera House, streetfood, local bar – Overnight in Saigon

Day 11 Saigon (Breakfast: Hotel / Lunch: Home-hosted lunch in Ben Tre )
Pedal and Paddle in Ben Tre
We could end up feeling fruity as we cruise the Mekong River Islands! This area may be Vietnam’s -rice bowl’ but fruit orchards and coconut groves also thrive here. We’ll stop to see all the different uses for coconuts. A bicycle ride will bring us to the home of local antique collector, Uncle Six, who will show us how he climbs the coconut trees using just his bare hands. We can even try if we want! A rowing boat will take us along the water palm creek giving us a glimpse of daily life on the delta. Lunch will be an assortment of delicious dishes cooked by one of the locals of the Mekong Delta. Today’s Highlights: Ben Tre by boat and bicycl – Overnight in Saigon

Day 12 Saigon (Breakfast: Hotel / Lunch: Local Restaurant (Vietnam) )
Saigon Family Experience
Start the day with a visit to the Reunification Palace. After the visit of the historic building, the kids will enjoy hopping around in the playground behind while the parents watching and having a cup of tea or coffee. Then the kids will have a chance to make their own cakes by join-in baking class with Chef and enjoy their products after finishing. After lunch, the family will explore Saigon Zoo and botanical garden where you’re not only see the animals but bring the food to feed them also. Continue the trip to Ben Thanh market. Have a walk through the market with plenty of shops and interesting wet section where the kids can see many alive and kicking poultry and reptiles and fish. You might also find some nice souvenirs or collectibles. Finish tour with a fun ride by cyclo back to the hotel and enjoy smoothie at local shop en route. – Overnight in Saigon

Day 13 Saigon (Breakfast: Hotel )
Transfer by air conditioned vehicle