From North To South Vietnam Family Holidays 11 Days

Morning Embark on a journey to Hanoi, with the option to partake in a cooking class and a city tour. Join your tour guide this morning for a captivating sightseeing expedition in Hanoi. Visit notable landmarks such as the One-Pillar Pagoda, the Temple of Literature, and Ho Chi Minh's Mausoleum. Afternoon Enjoy leisure time in the afternoon, with the opportunity to engage in an optional cooking lesson. Stroll through Hanoi's charming French Quarter. Night Experience a mesmerizing traditional water puppetry performance. *The narratives unfold on a water-filled stage, recounting tales of mythical heroes and everyday life, featuring dragons and unicorns, complemented by pyrotechnics and naval battles.

Morning Depart from Hanoi after a satisfying breakfast, en route to Ha Long Bay. Commence an enchanting overnight cruise on Halong Bay. *Halong Bay, acknowledged as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and featuring one of Southeast Asia's most captivating landscapes, serves as the backdrop for this memorable cruise. Set sail to explore the wonders of Halong Bay. Engage in sea kayaking and visit a local fishing village. Enjoy a delightful lunch immediately upon boarding. Afternoon Relax and marvel at the majestic limestone islands adorned with rainforest in Halong Bay. Explore a fishing village by either rowing boat or kayak, depending on your preference. Spend the remainder of the afternoon discovering the bay, adorned with caves and islets. Night Drop anchor for an overnight stay in Ha Long Bay, with dinner served on board. Indulge in fresh seafood delicacies and traditional specialties. Accommodation: Halong Bay Cruise

Morning Proceed with the second-day exploration following a light breakfast featuring pastries, tea, and coffee. Venture into a captivating cave showcasing a variety of stalactite and stalagmite limestone formations in a remarkable cavern. Return to our boat and continue cruising through the bay. Enjoy a delightful brunch served onboard. Afternoon Reconvene with our transportation and journey back to Hanoi from the port. The remainder of the day is at leisure, with access to two-day use rooms for refreshing. Night Head to the central railway station in Hanoi to board the Reunification Express overnight sleeper train bound for Hue. Travel in comfortable four-passenger soft sleeper cabins with all bedding provided. *Please note that breakfast will not be provided on the train, so it is advisable to purchase snacks for the morning before boarding.

Accommodation: Overnight train to Hue

Morning Reach Hue and explore the captivating attractions of this historically rich city. Wander through the Royal Palace, guarded by Terracotta Warriors. Continue to the iconic Thien Mu Pagoda, home to the city's oldest monastery. Afternoon Visit the residence of a Vietnamese national champion kite flier. Learn the art of crafting traditional Vietnamese kites. Engage in decorating kites with iconic motifs such as dragons, birds, and peacocks before launching them on the Citadel grounds. Stroll through the Imperial City, marveling at its ancient architecture. *The Imperial City is situated at the heart of the Citadel, spanning over 600 meters on each side. The Citadel itself is an impressive structure with a diameter of around 10 kilometers, featuring four entry gates, with the Noon Gate exclusively used by the King. Night Return to your hotel for a relaxing evening in your private room. Optionally, consider participating in the Hue Night Culinary Tour Half-day to delve deeper into Hue's traditional cuisine.

Accommodation: Hotel in Hue

Morning Embark on a cycling adventure through the picturesque countryside, featuring traditional wood painting and a martial arts class. Begin your guided walk and boat trip to Trieu Son hamlet along the Perfume River. First stop at Sinh village, where you'll meet a local family specializing in wood painting. Gain insights into the creation of these traditional artifacts. Cycle through the hamlet and country lanes to Thanh Tien village, renowned for its paper flowers. Continue the journey through paddy fields and the Vietnamese countryside to Tien Non hamlet. Board the cruise boat to Hue, covering a cycling distance of approximately 6km. Afternoon Explore a dedicated martial arts school, delving into the Vietnamese art of Kinh Van, similar to Kung Fu, focusing on tiger, cobra, and bird defense tactics. Proceed to Hoi An, an ancient coastal town situated across the Truong Son Mountains and the Hai Van Pass. Night Explore Hoi An at your leisure or savor the local cuisine with the option of the Hoi An Motorbike Street Food Tour Half Day, commencing at 6 pm. Overnight in Hoi An

Accommodation: Hotel in Hoi An

Morning Indulge in a day of self-discovery in Hoi An. For inspiration, consider the 10 Best Tours in Hoi An. *Recommendation for you: Commence your day with a visit to Hoi An's fish market, capturing fantastic photos and fostering unforgettable interactions with the locals. Explore the city's historical collection of traditional wooden houses and Chinese temples, with a visit to the iconic Japanese Bridge. Afternoon Opt for a bicycle rental to explore the scenic countryside. Enjoy a leisurely river cruise or unwind on the beach. Visit renowned tailor shops for a taste of Hoi An's famed craftsmanship. Night Unwind after an active day. Treat yourself to a rejuvenating massage service available around your accommodation.

Accommodation: Hotel in Hoi An

Morning Drive to Danang and then catch a flight to Ho Chi Minh City. Explore the 'Secret Weapons Bunker' in Old Saigon. The morning journey to Danang takes us past the five peaks of the Marble Mountains. *The Marble Mountains, once believed to be islands, symbolize the five elements of water, wood, fire, gold, and earth. Afternoon Experience a different facet of Ho Chi Minh City. Head to District 3 and navigate the maze of alleyways that compose this lively district. Traverse through local markets and run-down storefronts. Pause at a local stand for a traditional Vietnamese coffee and 'Banh Mi,' a Vietnamese take on the French baguette. The adventure concludes at the 'secret weapons' bunker, marked by a trap door in the floor of an inconspicuous 'tube home' nestled in a serene neighborhood. The bunker, filled with guns, grenades, and ammunition, served as the base from which the Viet Cong's "Team 5" launched their Tet Offensive attack in 1968. Its existence remained concealed until after the war. Explore the home and bunker, adorned with deactivated weaponry, photographs, news clippings, and military mementos. Night Delight in a romantic evening with a Luxury Dinner Cruise on the Saigon River. Overnight in Saigon. 

Accommodation: Hotel in Ho Chi Minh

Morning Explore the infamous Cu Chi Tunnels, initially constructed by the Vietnamese during their struggle against the French colonial forces. These tunnels gained prominence during the Vietnam War, serving as an underground command post for 10,000 Viet Cong forces. Gain insights into the challenging conditions faced by both the Vietnamese and their American adversaries (the tunnels are narrow and can be quite claustrophobic). Afternoon Enjoy additional time in the city during the afternoon, with the option to visit the waterpark—a fantastic way to escape the midday heat. Consider joining the Ho Chi Minh City Half-day - Small Group tour for a deeper exploration of Saigon. Night Experience the evening on Bui Vien Street, renowned as Southern Vietnam's Lan Kwai Fong. Accommodation: Hotel in Ho Chi Minh City

Morning Depart the city and head to the Mekong Delta Board a boat to commence our cycling adventure Cycle approximately 10 - 12 kilometers along the flat Cai Thai village route The route is often shaded, providing relief from the humidity (the boat can pick up cyclists at various points if needed) Visit Mrs. Nani's house for a demonstration of the traditional method of making rice paper Stop at Mr. and Mrs. Chin's house for refreshments, including her renowned 'Banh Tieu' (traditional doughnut) Return to the boat and enjoy lunch on board Afternoon Sail to our overnight destination Conclude the day by transferring from our cruise boat to a sampan craft for the journey to our homestay nearby The accommodation is en-suite (with shower and toilet) and features traditional décor Nestled in a charming garden setting with a central sitting area and dining room Night Participate in a Vietnamese cooking class in the early evening Sample your culinary creations and savor your dinner.

Accommodation: Hotel in Mekong Delta

After departing from the homestay, cruise back through the Mekong Delta Traverse small floating markets along the way Absorb the atmosphere of this distinctive trading center, an intricate network of waterways and islands weaving through agricultural communities, rice fields, and mangrove swamps Head back to Ho Chi Minh City Anticipate reaching Ho Chi Minh City around 3 p.m. Ensure that your flight departs no earlier than 5 p.m.

Accommodation: Not Applicable