ACTIVE FAMILY VIETNAM, CAMBODIA & LAOS

Detailed Itinerary

• Day 1

  LUANG PRABANG ARRIVAL START FAMILY TOUR TO LAOS, VIETNAM, CAMBODIA

  Welcome to Luang Prabang! Your private guide and van will meet you at the arrival gate and transfer you to your hotel for checking in after your completion of all necessary immigration requirements. 

  Start your family tour to Laos, Vietnam, Cambodia with the first city tour in Luang Prabang (either by bike, tuktuk, or van) at the former Royal Palace (now the National Museum).. Continue your ride to Wat Mai, a temple renowned for its golden bas-relief, and Wat Sensoukarahm which features a beautiful dazzling golden façade. Spend some time at Children Culture Centre (CCC) where children are taught not only in arts and culture but also how to live a better life. In Luang Prabang, the CCC offers free of charge activities such as traditional dances, music, singing, drawing, puppetry, painting, reading, storytelling, games, and handicrafts.  
   
  End your first day with a favorite traditional game of Petanque with the locals. Your playmates and audience will cheer you up and give you hints to improve your games. Enjoy some snacks and drinks in between the games before your special Laotian dinner with the food you need to grill by yourself at Sindat Restaurant.
   
  After dinner, take a stroll through the night market which rests on some city streets. Dozens of vendors come to sell their products which include handicrafts, clothes, souvenirs, and house wares. The friendly atmosphere and beautiful goods make it one of the best places to shop in Laos. 
   
  Overnight in Luang Prabang.
• Day 2

  LUANG PRABANG - KHUANG SI WATERFALL

  Optional: For early risers, there is a special dawn visit to watch long lines of orange-robed monks leave their pagodas on barefoot down the streets to collect offerings from Luang Prabang residents. The beautiful, serene ceremony highlights the spiritualism of the Laotian people. (This activity is highly recommended for your family in this tour to Laos, Vietnam, Cambodia). After that, return to the hotel for breakfast. 

  Pick up at your hotel for a short transfer through the Luang Prabang countryside to Kuang Si Waterfalls (32 km to the southwest of the city). Along the way by the Mekong River with various viewpoints, you will witness gorgeous landscapes of many rice fields, hills, and villages.  An opportunity for you to learn about the traditions and culture of an ethnic minority at a village where the local people have remained their culture unchanged for centuries.
   
  Upon reaching Kuang Si Waterfalls, relax and enjoy the magnificent natural surroundings. The water tumbles down and cascades gently into several cool, clear pools where you can enjoy a refreshing swim. The adventurous may walk to the top of the falls via a steep track where stunning views are awaiting them. Kuang Si Waterfalls also is a place where a rescue center for protecting sunbears, the endangered species, is located. Enjoy a gourmet picnic lunch next to the falls before returning to Luang Prabang.
   
  Afterward, take a book party at Big Brother Mouse - a non-profit charity organization which provides Laotian children with free libraries and access to reading materials at any of its centers in Luang Prabang and Vientiane. Most children in Laos have never seen a book other than a textbook. Tourists are welcomed to Big Brother Mouse’s centers and to make their donations of reading materials to remote villages.
   
  Before dark, climb 328 steps to the top of Mount Phousi to enjoy a panoramic view of the city and the surrounding countryside. A simple, yet charming café The Blue Lagoon (highly recommended for dinner) serves a large collection of delicious local and western dishes which can surely meet your whole family’s expectations.
   
  Overnight in Luang Prabang.
• Day 3

  LUANG PRABANG - HANOI

  The National Museum at the former Royal Palace, which displays a lovely collection of the artifacts reflecting the richness of Lao culture dating from the days of the early kings right through the last sovereign, and the Central Market are not to be missed. After visiting these sights in the morning, you will have free time for your own exploration of the town and strolling around the shopping area. The Laos tour ends after your transfer to the airport for an afternoon flight to next destination in the Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos family tour, Hanoi.

  Upon arrival in Hanoi, your guide and private car will meet you and transfer you to your hotel. Vietnam’s quaint capital is a city of wide tree-lined boulevards, beautiful lakes, colonial buildings, wonderful museums, and rich culture. Hanoi has much to offer, and you can’t leave it without wishing to have some more days (if not more) to explore this city of a thousand years old. 

  Depending on your arrival time, you may see a water puppet show at Thang Long Water Puppet Theater on the same day. Even though water puppetry is considered to have originated in the Red River delta during the Ly Dynasty in the 11th century in Vietnam, it has really flourished in recent years. Some of the earliest groups were found in Nguyen Xa Commune, Dong Hung District in Thai Binh Province. Some famous groups of water puppetry were also found in Hai Phong City, Hai Duong Province, and Dong Anh District in Ha Noi. If visiting the cradle of this art is on your list, Vietnamstay can help you see any of the places mentioned. If you do not have that much time to travel, you can visit a famous artist family in the center of Ha Noi. After the show, you will stroll down to the old quarter and have dinner at Hanoi Little Restaurant. 
   
  Overnight in Ha Noi.
• Day 4

  EXPLORE HA NOI ON THE TWO WHEELS

  This 25 km loop including biking through many historical sites, beautiful lakes, gorgeous pagodas and temples, lovely streets, and etc., is an ideal way to explore Ha Noi. You will have good opportunities to touch the local culture and watch Ha Noi from a quiet side – West Lake. We will work hard to make sure a nice and safe Hanoi day trip with the least traffic for you.

  08:00 A.M. you will be picked up at your hotel and transferred to the meeting point in front of Intercontinental Hanoi Hotel. The places we will pass include:
  • Ha Noi villas in old and new styles
  • Stop at Phu Tay Ho: The temple, perhaps the most popular place to worship in Ha Noi, was built in the 16th century to worship Mother Goddess, to whom the temple is dedicated. 
  • See Buddhist pagodas such as Tao Sach Pagoda, Kim Lien Pagoda.
  • Stop for a cup of coffee and/or tea by the lake. You have now seen much of the west lake and some of the city of Ha Noi. There are some minutes for you to witness the beauty of the lake again. The west lake is also a place many national kayaking athletes use to practice for their next tournaments. 
  • Admire beautiful Vietnam national flower – lotus if you are biking in Ha Noi in the summer.
   
  Your biking trip is not just about great fun to see the West Lake and part of Ha Noi, it is an eco-friendly and emission free way of travel to make our world in a better place.
   
  Your lunch will be served in a nice Vietnamese buffet restaurant. In the afternoon, our city tour will start with a visit to the Temple of Literature. In 1076, Quoc Tu Giam - Vietnam's first university - was established next to the temple to educate the children of the Vietnamese royalty, mandarins, and members of the elite. The university functioned for an incredible period of 700 years, and its gardens and well-preserved architecture offer a wonderful glimpse of Vietnam’s past. If you are lucky enough, you may meet a calligraphy master and have an opportunity to learn about this art work. Do not forget to ask him for your lucky words. You will continue to visit the fascinating museum – the Vietnam Museum of Ethnology. This place is a research center and a public museum exhibiting the 54 ethnic groups of Vietnam. 
   
  At the end of the afternoon visit Hanoi’s Old Quarter also known as “the 36 streets”. Take a walking tour through charming Hang Be Market and around gorgeous Hoan Kiem Lake. This bustling area of narrow streets and alleys is home to literally thousands of small businesses and shopkeepers. Do not forget to bring some hand-made gifts from this city to your beloved ones at home. Back to your hotel and be on your own for the rest of the day. 
   
  Overnight in Ha Noi.
• Day 5

  HANOI – TRAIN TO LAO CAI

  The full Hanoi day tour commences with visit to Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum, His House on Stilt, One Pillar Pagoda, Tran Quoc pagoda followed by Van Mieu – Temple of Literature.

  Lunch at a local restaurant. In the afternoon, discover more of Hanoi with the visit to Ethnology Museum of Vietnam.

  Return to the Old Quarter of Hanoi for walking around the old streets and stop to visit Ngoc Son temple then enjoy a traditional Water Puppet shows at Thang Long Theater.

  In the evening, you will take a night train to Sapa, the cloudy town in the northern Vietnam which shouldn't be missed in your family tour to Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos.

• Day 6

  LAO CAI – SAPA - CAT CAT & TAFIN VILLAGES

  Arrive at Lao Cai Train station at about 6.30, welcome by our local guide and take a ride to Sapa. Have breakfast and relax before exploring Sapa Town. In the afternoon, take a 2km trek to Cat Cat Village, home of H’mong Ethnics.

  Meet & talk with locals to learn more about their daily life. Then continue the ride to Ta Phin village (12km from Sapa) home to the Red Dzao minority. Visit Ta Phin Cave, Ta Phin handicraft shops and explore the daily life of Red Dzao. Here you have good choice to buy woven and textile brocades, which are hand made by ethnic people. Visit a small hamlet of Black H'mong people here too.

  Overnight at your hotel in Sapa.
• Day 7

  SAPA - LAO CHAI - TA VAN VILLAGES

  reakfast at hotel and check out at around 9:00-10:00am. You’ll use a private car to visit Lao Chai village of Black H’mong people. Then trek a little to visit Ta Van village of Dzay ethnic people.

  Drive back to Sa Pa for lunch at your own arrangement. A short shopping in town before moving to Lao Cai station.

  Dinner at Lao Cai. Have a train trip back to Hanoi. Overnight on an AC 4 berth soft sleeper train to Hanoi.

• Day 8

  HANOI - HA LONG

  Arrive early morning (around 05:30-06:00) in Hanoi). You will be transferred to a local restaurant for breakfast.

  08:30am leave Hanoi for Halong Bay, the world heritage site by UNESCO, which is one of your best experience in this long family tour to Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos.

  After 03 hour drive, we arrive in Halong Bay to explore its outstanding natural beauty. Upon arrival, transfer to a junk for a cruise around Ha Long Bay with a delicious local seafood lunch served on board. The cruise passes by many rocks and islets in many funny shapes. Again your dinner served on board.

  In the evening, enjoy the night fishing (optional) and later overnight on board. 

• Day 9

  HA LONG - HANOI – HUE

  In the morning, your breakfast or brunch will be served while doing further cruise trip to explore the beauties of the Bay before returning to the Wharf.

  Disembark around 10:30-11.00am. On return, before heading to Noibai airport we take a short stop at Dong Trieu Ceramic Village.

  Arriving in Phu Bai airport, you will be greeted by our guide and transferred to Hue for overnight.

• Day 10

  HUE COOKING CLASS & CITY TOUR

  In the morning, join a half day cooking class, we follow Mrs. Cuc, the owner of Y Thao Garden House to Dong Ba central market, where she gives an instruction on how to choose food for our cooking lesson at 9:30 a.m. at Y Thao Garden House. 

  Afternoon take a cyclo ride to visit the Imperial Citadel and the rest of the day then is free for relaxing. Overnight in Hue.
• Day 11

  HUE - HOI AN

  Today we will heading to Hoi An through Hai Van pass, and Lang Co beach – one of the most beautiful beach of Vietnam. Upon arrival, check in hotel then discover Hoian truly life. Walking tour around this enchanting port town. Follow the narrow lanes lined with centuries-old houses influenced by Chinese, Japanese, French and European architectures and visit its numerous places of interest: the 400-year old Japanese Covered Bridge, the Phuc Kien Assembly Halls, the local fish market… Around the town we can see a numerous art galleries and tailor shops, get some made-to-order clothes if you like. 

  The next tour is coming to the home of a craftsman in the old streets. Here you will have a brief introduction to the history, shape, and color of the lanterns as well as the many stages of making them. After that you can make your own lantern, decorate, pack and keep it as a souvenir of Hoian. This is one of the unforgettable experience for your children in this Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos family tour.
   
  Have dinner at the local restaurant. Overnight in Hoi An.
• Day 12

  HOI AN – WET RICE TOUR

  TOUR INTRODUCTION:

  Rice is the staple diet in many Asian countries, especially in Vietnam. Perhaps, you have seen rice growing in most of Asian rice paddy fields. However, you do not know the sequence of rice cultivation in Vietnam. It is still secret know how for the western tourists. We would like to organize the wet rice growing tour for you. Through this tour, we instruct you how to cultivate rice in the fields and also help you experience the hardships of Vietnamese farmers. We are sure this tour will make your family tour to Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos an extremely memorable experience.
   

  DETAILED PROGRAM:

  •  Morning pick up your at hotel by bicycle (In case of not being able to bike, van can be used to go as an option. • Starting biking to the countryside throughout the rice paddle, enjoy the fresh air with the nature

  • Meeting the local farmer, talking with them about their local farming daily life, having a cup of tea with them at the middle of the rice paddle field farm.

  • Wearing farming clothes before getting into muddy rice field like: Vietnamese authentic and traditional farmer clothes, conical hat, boost …etc …   

  • Listening to the tour guide introduced and explained about the process of the wet rice how to grow it.

  • Starting the farming works to learn how to grow wet rice with water buffalo plough, use agricultural water system.

  • Transplanting baby wet rice at the rice paddle field

  • Enjoy riding with water buffalo at a small pond at the rice farm

  • We finish the tour with a meal at  the local farmer at their house

  • After lunch, say goodbye to your hosted family and return to your hotel.

  • Overnight in Hoi An. 
• Day 13

  HOI AN – DANANG - HO CHI MINH CITY

  After breakfast at your hotel, you will be free until being transferred to the airport for an afternoon flight to Ho Chi Minh City.

  Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City. 

• Day 14

  HO CHI MINH CITY - CU CHI TUNNELS/WILDLIFE AT RISK

  Visit Cu Chi Tunnels, which are 70 kilometers North West of Ho Chi Minh City, created since 1948 to assist the Viet Minh to combat the French. This is an underground city with living areas, kitchens, storage, weapon shops, field hospitals, command centers. During the American War the entire area of Cu Chi was designated a fire free zone and was heavily bombarded. From 1988, two sections of the tunnels have been open for visitors.  

  You will then drive to Wildlife At Risk (WAR) which is dedicated to protecting the biodiversity of Vietnam by combating the illegal wildlife trade, raising environmental awareness and promoting the conservation of endangered species and their habitats - an sustainable tourism center. Child would love this center.
   
  Return to Ho Chi Minh and free in the afternoon. Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City. 
• Day 15

  HO CHI MINH CITY - MY THO/HO CHI MINH CITY/SIEM REAP

  Depart early in the morning to visit Mekong Delta.

  Upon arrival at My Tho, take a boat to Con Phung (Phoenix Island) at a Mekong River estuary. Stop at a garden restaurant for lunch. Then cruise along natural creeks and quiet villages in Ben Tre Province. Visit orchards, bee farms, taste natural honey, honey wine and tropical fruits, listen to local music, visit a distillery and a local coconut candy maker.

  You will drive straight to Tan Son Nhat airport in Ho Chi Minh City for a flight to Siem Reap, the must to visit city in Cambodia during family tour to Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos.

  Our car and guide will pick you up at the airport then transfer to hotel for check in. Dinner at local restaurant with Apsaras Dance show.

  Overnight in Siem Reap.

• Day 16

  SIEM REAP - ANGKOR COMPLEX

  Spend a full day to visit the Angkor Complex, which is the highlighted sightseeing spot in this family tour Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos.

  Visit the Angkor Thom (big Angkor) - 3km2 walled, of which South Gate of Angkor Thom, Bayon - the giant stone faces with 37 standing tower 4 carved faces, Baphoun - huge temple - mountain in the heart of Angkor Thom, Terrace of Elephants - 2.5m tall wall, the heart of Angkor Thom in front of Baphoun and Phimean Akas, carved elephants and giant graduals, Terrace of Leper King - a double terrace at the north end of Terrace of Elephants with deeply carved, demons and other mythological being and Phimean Akas temple. Lunch at local restaurant.

   
  Follow is the tour visit the famous Temple of Cambodia, Angkor Wat, and it's visually, architecturally and artistically breathtaking. It's massive three tired pyramid crowned by five beehive-like towers rising 65 meters from ground level and this temple is the centerpiece of any visit to the temple of Angkor. Enjoy the Sunset from top of Bakheng Hill.
   
  Overnight in Siem Reap. 
• Day 17

  SIEM REAP/BANTEY SREI/DEPARTURE - END START FAMILY TOUR TO LAOS, VIETNAM, CAMBODIA

   Breakfast at hotel, you will be free for relaxing or shopping until transfer to the airport for flight off.

Kindly contact us or send email to tour@vietnamstay.com for the updated price!

SERVICES INCLUDED:

• Hotel room with daily breakfast as mention or similar
• Transfer services in private air-conditioned vehicle
• Hanoi – Halong – Hanoi by shuttle bus.
• Entrance fees, other boat fees where applicable
• Meals as listed in the program B= Breakfast; L= Lunch & D = Dinner: pre-arranged at local restaurants based on local food with set menu.
• Tours with local English speaking guide on day with tours.
• Private excursions on Day 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 9, 10, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16.
• Sharing local guide on boat in Halong Bay.
• Join Cooking Class on Day 11
• Government taxes & service charges.

SERVICES EXCLUDED:

• Drinks and other meals not clearly mentioned
• Surcharge for special request on food, and meals.
• Entrance fees, guide service during free time.
• Travel insurance
• All kind of gratuities for guides, drivers & others
• Surcharge for public holidays (if any)
• Internal airfares in the tour (please refer to the airfare supplement)
• International airfare from/to Vietnam
• Vietnam Visa handling fee, visa stamping fee.
• Personal expenses such as Bar, telephone & Laundry bills
• All other service not stated in the program.

A. CANCELLATION POLICY:
The cancellation charges below refer to the non-transferable fee that is charged to the group member who has cancelled their tour:

• More than 45 days before departure: No cancellation charge
• Between 45 and 30 days before departure: 10% of total tour cost 
• Between 30 days and 15 days before departure: 25% of total tour cost
• Between 15 days and 7 days before departure: 50% of total tour cost
• Less than 7 days before departure: 90% of total tour cost
• No-show at the airport on the day of arrival/departure: 100% of total tour cost

B. CHILDREN POLICY (land service only)

• Child from 1- 4 yrs:  Free of charge if sharing bed with parents 
• Child from 5 – 6 yrs: charge 30% of adult price if sharing existing bed(s) with parents
• Child from 5 – 6 yrs: charge 50% of adult price if using extra bed/mattress in parents’ room
• Child from 7 – 11 yrs: charge 75% of adult price if using extra bed/mattress in parents’ room
• Child from 12 yrs up: pay as adult rate