Hanoi – Halong Bay Cruise and Kayak – Hanoi - Hue – Hoi An – Ho Chi Minh City – Cu Chi Tunnels

This tour gives you a unique experience through traveling to the best and world renowned attractions in Vietnam, where you and your family will enjoy impressive sights and local specialties, with a little bit adventure in the tour itself.

Tour Highlights

• Spending your relaxing time strolling around the Hoan Kiem Lake, the little lake but the very heart of life in Hanoi
• Experiencing sitting on a cyclo, the popular mean of transport in Hanoi, enjoying views of what’s happening on the streets of the Old Quarter
• Cruising on board the luxurious Emeraude for Halong Bay experience, where you enjoy rock formation and cliffs views, kayak out to small- secluded beaches and explore many hidden grottoes and caves
• Visiting Hue, the Imperial City on the bank of Perfume River, remaining many cultural heritages, sightseeing to the Imperial Citadel and other sites like Thien Mu Pagoda, the mausoleum of former emperor Minh Mang, Tu Duc and Khai Dinh mausoleums
• Taking a classic drive along the coast of Vietnam passing the beautiful Lang Co beach and lesser discovered Binh Anh beach to Hoi An
• Visiting Hoi An, the ancient important international seaport town from the 16th century to the late 19th century, to take a leisure trip around or a guided visit to see silk production process
• Taking a sampan tour along the Hoi An riverfront, experiencing Hoi An cuisine specialties, enjoying Vietnamese cooking class or biking out to the beach and paddy fields
• Taking a fascinating tour of historical sites of downtown Saigon, the War Remnants museum, the Presidential Palace and bustling markets in Chinatown
• Exploring the famous Cu Chi, known for its 250- kms network of underground tunnels used by the Viet Cong during the Vietnam War
  

Detailed Tour Itinerary

Day 1 - Arrive Hanoi D
Transfer to hotel on arrival in Hanoi. After settling in take a stroll around Hoan Kiem Lake perhaps stopping off to visit Ngoc Son Pagoda or one of the many coffee shops and ice cream parlours around the lake. Discover the unknown parts of Hanoi’s Old Quarter on foot. Sample typical North Vietnamese cuisine in the evening in one of Hanoi’s best restaurants. Overnight hotel.

Day 2 - Exploring Hanoi B,L,D
Early morning exercises around Hoan Kiem Lake is a must for the more active. After breakfast, drive to the Museum of Ethnology. The Museum of Ethnology is one of Vietnam’s best with interactive displays and a wide collection of well preserved objects and documents. From the Museum of Ethnology, drive back to the centre of town via Ho chi Minh’s Mausoleum. After lunch enjoy a tailor made treasure hunt by cyclo through Hanoi’s old quarter. Overnight hotel.

Day 3 - Halong Bay cruise and kayaking (Choose Emeraude or junk)B,L,D
Arrive early. Depart early for Halong Bay and a cruise on board the luxurious Emeraude, a wonderful replica of a classic steamship for the ultimate Halong Bay experience. While cruising the emerald green waters of the bay perhaps try a traditional Vietnamese foot massage while other family members are kayaking. Stop off to explore many hidden grottoes and caves, or kayak out to one of the small-secluded beaches. Enjoy optional high tea in the late afternoon. A sunset cocktail is served on the sundeck followed by a buffet dinner. If a steam ship doesn't fit, cruise by private or shared wooden junk. There will be traditional games available for evening entertainment and perhaps an informal Vietnamese language lesson. Overnight on board junk or the Emeraude.

Day 4 - Return to Hanoi B,L,D
Wake up to fresh coffee and a wholesome breakfast before cruising back to Tuan Chau quay. Early morning Tai Chi is an optional extra on the sundeck before breakfast. Transfer back to Hanoi in time for lunch. If traveling by junk return to port slightly later. En-route the junk weaves through strange-shaped rock formations that invite comparisons from fighting cocks to dragons and even General de Gaulle’s nose! After another wonderful fresh seafood lunch on board disembark at the dock at Halong City. Transfer back to Hanoi by road. There is a combination of activities for the afternoon in Hanoi. Explore the countryside surrounding Hanoi by bike or choose to sip coffee or shop in the Old Quarter. Overnight in a hotel with pool.

Day 5 - Hanoi – Hue B,L,D
The morning is at leisure until transfer to the airport for the mid morning flight to Hue. Check into hotel on arrival and freshen up. After lunch, visit the Imperial Citadel from where the Nguyen Dynasty ruled between 1802 and 1945. Hear the story of the Nguyen Emperors narrated in a child friendly way, learn about the contrasting personalities and deeds of past Imperial Emperors. Visit Hue’s best-known religious site, Thien Mu Pagoda, and the mausoleum of former emperor Minh Mang, in a tranquil setting of gardens and lakes. There will be quiz/crossword sheet available for children from 8 – 13 years old, and colour-in Emperor identification kit for younger children. After dinner why not try Karaoke for some fun family singing. No trip to Vietnam is complete without a family Karaoke!! Overnight in hotel.

Day 6 - Hue - Hoi An B,L
Morning visit to Tu Duc and Khai Dinh mausoleums before taking classic drive along the coast of Vietnam passing by some beautiful beaches such as the well known Lang Co beach and lesser discovered Binh Anh beach to Hoi An. Enjoy lunch enroute stopping at several points of interest along the way. Overnight in Hotel with pool.

Day 7 - Hoi An Highlights B
Hoi An is a highlight of any visit to Vietnam. For the family, it is a relaxing little town, small enough to pedal around, but with a myriad of interesting things to do. The morning is at leisure or take a guided stroll to visit a small cottage industry to witness the process of silk production, from larvae to caterpillars to cocoons and afterwards take a trip in a sampan along the Hoi An riverfront. Have lunch in one of the many family run restaurants serving Hoi An specialties such as Cao Lau, Hoang Thanh and White Rose. The afternoon is free or enjoy an optional Vietnamese cooking class or a bike ride out to the beach exploring some tracks and trails into the paddy fields. Overnight in Hotel with pool.

Day 8 - Hoi An – Ho Chi Minh City B,L,D
After leisurely morning, drive to the airport in Danang for the one hour flight to Ho Chi Minh City. On arrival at Ho Chi Minh City be met by our guide at the airport and drive to your hotel. Time permitting; spend the rest of the afternoon on a fascinating tour of the historical sites of downtown Saigon. Not to be missed is the War Remnants museum, a gruesome reminder of the effects of the war with America. There are old helicopters, aircraft, replica French gaols as well as a photographic display of the environmental and human consequences of Agent Orange. (NOT appropriate for very young children) Visit the Presidential Palace. Alternatively take a trip to China town with bustling markets and outdoor cafes. In the evening, dine on the Saigon River on the deck of an old passenger boat. Overnight in hotel.

Day 9 - Ho Chi Minh City – Cu Chi tunnels B,L,D
After breakfast, spend a half day exploring the famous Cu Chi Tunnels , which were more than 250 km long and three levels deep, were important for the Viet Cong victory over the Americans as they allowed the Viet Cong to control a large rural area around Sai Gon. Today the remaining tunnels have become a major tourist attraction giving the visitor a unique experience of what underground life in the American war was like. Return to Saigon and in the afternoon celebrate the end of a great family holiday with a trip to Saigon’s waterpark, beloved by children and adults alike.

Day 10 - Depart Ho Chi Minh City B
At leisure until transfer to airport for onward flights.

Note: We can tailor make a family adventure to suit the ages and interests of your children.
We strongly recommend clients to purchase travel insurance.

"This itinerary may alter due to local conditions, the strength of the group and other unexpected circumstances. We will do our very best to adhere to the set itinerary, however we cannot be held responsible for any last minute changes that might occur. In all such circumstances, your biking or trekking guide will have the final say."

Note: We can arrange additional customized trips for you if the above itineray does not match your expectations.