BEST OF VIETNAM FAMILY HOLIDAY

Detailed Itinerary

• Day 1

  Hanoi arrival (NO MEAL)

  Arrive in Hanoi, the capital of unified Vietnam. Meet and transfer from Noi Bai airport to your hotel. Free time at leisure.

   
  Overnight in Hanoi.
• Day 2

  Hanoi city – Home hosted meal (B, D)

  Spend the whole day to explore Vietnam’s capital city with your family members. Firstly, visit Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum, his modest stilt house where he chose to live and work and also the museum dedicated to his memory. We continue visit to the Temple of Literature, the first university in Vietnam dating back to the 11th century. Nowadays, students come and pray for a good luck in their exam. Enjoy lunch on your own expense.

  In the afternoon, discover the famed Old Quarter on foot. Walk through the hidden alleys and be amazed at the old style tube houses, and visit the lively local market and lovely peaceful temple Bach Ma. Next, hop on a traditional bicycle rickshaws move at leisure pace that’s perfect for photos and slow-moving sightseeing. Seat back and relax while your driver weaves through the busy streets, dodging speeding motorbikes and rolling past French colonial houses. Followed by the Water Puppet show – a uniquely Northern Vietnamese art form depicting scenes from rural life and episodes of national history.

  In the evening, experience a unique opportunity to join a local middle-class family in Hanoi for dinner. You will know how the local people live, their custom and their daily activities. The hosts are a young couple with two children who are very open minded. During the dinner, you can exchange stories about life, custom, kid education and also learn some secret to cook the local food. The dinner is about 2.5 to 3 hours.

  Overnight in Hanoi.

  Note: Shorts and tank tops are not allowed in Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum & pagodas.

• Day 3

  Hanoi – Ninh Binh – Hoa Lu – Tam Coc (B, L)

  Located around 90km from Hanoi, Ninh Binh is famous for amazing karst mountains, misty caves, history relics and wildlife.

  At 0830 AM: you’ll be picked up to travel to Hoa Lu – the former capital of Vietnam, about a two-hour drive from Hanoi. On arrival, you’ll visit two temples, one dedicated to Emperor Dinh and the other in memory of Emperor Le, followed by a brief visit to the remains of the Old Palace.

  Lunch at a local restaurant. You then visit Tam Coc (three caves), a peaceful valley among limestone ‘karst’ hills. There, you’ll be rowed along a gentle river between paddy fields and through the caves. On the way back, you’ll disembark for a pleasant stroll (about 2km) through the rural scenery to Thai Vi temple (optional: take a short drive to visit Bich Dong, 2 km from Tam Coc, which was conferred by a King the title “Vietnam’s second most beautiful grotto”. Climb up the Ngu Nhac Son (Buddha’s Palm Mountain), be charmed by the marvelous scenery offered by the mountains, rivers and pagodas. Transfer back to Hanoi in the late afternoon.

  Overnight at your hotel in Hanoi.

• Day 4

  Halong – Halong Bay – Cruise & Overnight on board (B, L, D)

  After breakfast at the hotel you'll head out to Ha Long Bay. The trip takes around 3 hours so it will be a stop halfway for coffee and a little break. Continuing last stretch past rice fields and small villages and arrive at Tuan Chau Island for a check on the boat. A fantastic cruise is next in line. A varied and eventful program waits during cruise with a visit to a fishing village, opportunities for swimming / kayaking, as well as a short lesson on making the Vietnamese spring rolls. Cruising on Halong Bay will bring your kids great time and experience in this Vietnam family holiday.

   
  Overnight in cozy comfortable cabin on board.
   
  Note: The cruise itinerary is subject to change without due to weather condition.
• Day 5

  Halong Bay – Hanoi – Danang – Hoian (Brunch)

  For early risers, there is Tai Chi lesson on the sun deck of the boat. For those not wanting to be part of this is just to sleep on. A light breakfast is served after the session and the boat starts up again and heading to Sung Sot (Surprise Grotto) and you take a trip into this huge cave consisting of 3 parts.

  Come back to the boat and a lovely brunch served by the crew. During brunch boat has started its journey towards the port and you make up and check out of the cabins.

  Back in the harbor at 11:00 and drive back to Hanoi’s airport. Take a short flight to Danang City.

  Upon arrival, driver meets and transfers you 38km further to Hoi An town.

  Overnight in Hoi An.

  Note: Cruise itinerary is subject to change according to weather condition.

• Day 6

  Hoian – Fish & Chips (B, L)

  The morning excursion offers you a closer look into the countryside life in the outskirt of Hoi An Ancient town. Such an amazing experience with first easy bike through picturesque villages, rice fields, graveyard, see water buffalos, water coconut gardens, then meet & talk with local villagers as you meet. Continuing with an exciting basket boat rowing on the water coconut river.

  Later on, we take boat ride on a stunning river to see how local fishermen catch fish, reach Tra Que organic village for a mini course of cooking class and enjoy tasty lunch prepared by your host. After lunch, cycle back to hotel.

  Overnight in Hoi An.

• Day 7

  Hoian & Lantern making (B)

  In the morning, you will do an easy walking tour to visit Hoi An ancient town, recently named as World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Visit Tan Ky House, a late 18th-century merchant’s residence. The Fukhien Association, also known as the Assembly Hall of the Fujian Chinese Congregation, was founded as a place where minority Fujian Chinese could hold meetings, the Japanese bridge. Next, visit the temple for the worship of Thien Hau, goddess of the sea and protector of fishermen and sailors. Visit a local workshop and learn how to make your own miniature Hoi An lantern taught by the workshop staff. Take your unique lantern home as souvenir.

  Afternoon is your free time at leisure.

  Overnight in Hoi An

• Day 8

  Hoian – Danang – Ho Chi Minh City (B)

  After breakfast at your hotel, leave to Danang airport for a short flight to Ho Chi Minh City. Meet and transfer to hotel upon arrival.

  In the afternoon, start to explore the sights of the city. Get far off of the tourist track with a unique walking excursion by foot through Ho Chi Minh City's Cho Lon District, or "big market". Sometimes referred to as Saigon's Chinatown district, explore the vivid and distinct charm of this little-explored corner of the city – and learn the local secrets behind one of the world's oldest and largest Chinatowns. Then take a stroll around the impressive old French-built post office and Notre Dame Cathedral before continuing to the City Hall area, another grand old colonial-era relic. Then leave guests free to explore the famous Dong Khoi area, home to the legendary Continental Hotel, made famous by Graham Greene in the Quiet American, and lots of popular restaurants, bars and boutiques. Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.

• Day 9

  Ho Chi Minh – Mekong Delta (B, L)

  After breakfast, leave behind the hustle and bustle of Saigon as we delve into the Mekong Delta, a patchwork of emerald greens and the rice bowl of southern Vietnam. After 2 hour drive, arrive in Ben Tre province crossing Rach Mieu Bridge, hop on a private motorize and we cruise through the waterways and cannel of the Mekong delta to visit fruits orchards and learn about the local cottage industries like brick kiln-making, coconut processing, sleeping mats. Take a motorized cart (tuk tuk) or bicycle on shady paths, passing by green rice fiends and vegetable plains. Lunch is served in local restaurant.

  After lunch, experience a rowing-boat ride along beautiful water palm creek before continuing by the motorized boat back to the pier. Then return to our vehicle for the onward journey to HCMC.

  Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.

• Day 10

  Ho Chi Minh City – Phu Quoc Island (B)

  Leave to airport after breakfast. Take a short flight to Phu Quoc Island. Meet and transfer to a hideaway beach resort. Relax by the beach.

  The next 4 days are surely the best part of your Vietnam family holiday! Enjoy the sunshine, the white sandy beach and have fun with kids!

  Overnight on Phu Quoc island.

• Day 11

  Phu Quoc Beach (B)

  Free for beach relax.

  Overnight on Phu Quoc island.

• Day 12

  Phu Quoc Beach (B)

  Free for beach relax.

  Overnight on Phu Quoc island.

• Day 13

  Phu Quoc Beach (B)

  Free for beach relax.

  Overnight on Phu Quoc island.

• Day 14

  Phu Quoc – Ho Chi Minh City – Departure (B)

   Enjoy the last moment by the beach. Then driver transfers you back to airport to take a short flight to Ho Chi Minh city and connect your international flight onward.

   
  We wish you a safe flight home!

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

Our services include: 

• Hotel room with daily buffet breakfast as mention or similar
• Transfer services in private air-conditioned vehicle
• Hanoi – Halong Bay – Hanoi by shuttle bus.
• Transfer from Phu Quoc airport – Hotel and vice versa by hotel’s shuttle service.
• 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 excursion on day 2, 3, 6, 7, 9.
• Sharing local guide on boat in Halong Bay.
• Government taxes & service charges.

Our services do not include: 

• 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 stamp 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