Vietnam Family Discovery with Siem Reap – Angkor Wat – 17days

In the morning, you'll head to the Cu Chi Tunnels. Before entering, you'll watch a brief introductory video detailing the construction of the tunnels. On display, you'll find various mantraps, the remains of an American tank, and numerous bomb craters created by 500-pound bombs dropped by B52 bombers. You'll spend the next hour exploring the maze of tunnels, gaining firsthand insight into how the Viet Cong communists survived in this underground network. Your children might even have the chance to crawl through a section of the tunnels at the end of the tour. Afterwards, you'll drive back to Ho Chi Minh City.

This afternoon, a fun family activity awaits you at VinSpace, known as the "family art blast." VinSpace is a boutique art studio offering a variety of art workshops for both adults and children. Family Art Blast invites children of all ages and their adult companions to join in collaborative, hands-on art-making activities. It's a wonderful opportunity for your family to create art and enjoy quality time together! Overnight stay in Ho Chi Minh City.

After an exhilarating first day, we shift gears today as we travel south from the city to explore the captivating Mekong Delta. Few experiences are more relaxing than a leisurely cruise through the laid-back tropical landscape of the delta. Our vessel of choice is the cozy and comfortable Bassac. Following a welcome drink and an introduction to the ship and crew, we set sail up the Tien Giang River, enjoying lunch on the upper deck along the way. In the afternoon, we visit a village nestled on the banks of the Mang Thít River, gaining firsthand insight into Delta life. We take a leisurely stroll through nearby fruit orchards and rice fields before returning to the Bassac for sundowner drinks, as the sun sets over the magical waterways of the Mekong. Dinner awaits us as the Bassac continues its cruise along the Mang Thit River, anchoring downstream from the quaint Tra On market.

After breakfast, you'll make a quick stop at Tra On floating market before heading to Cai Rang, the largest floating market in the region. Here, many locals from the Delta gather to trade fruits and other goods from their boats. We'll disembark and then return to Ho Chi Minh City for one final night.

This morning, we bid farewell to Vietnam and take a short flight across the border to Siem Reap, Cambodia. After completing customs and immigration procedures, we meet our local guide and drive a short distance to the town where we check in and refresh ourselves before our afternoon adventure begins.

Hop into a private remork (tuk-tuk) for a 15-minute ride to the South Gate, and walk along the ancient city wall with your guide, stopping to photograph the magnificent demons lining the causeway. Spend about an hour exploring the lost temple of Prasat Chrung before continuing to the 12th-century Bayon Temple, which is surrounded by 51 stone towers, each adorned with four serene faces of a smiling bodhisattva.

Your knowledgeable guide then takes you to the Terrace of the Elephants, the Royal Palace, and the Terrace of the Leper King, where you can spend up to two hours learning fascinating stories about the Khmer kings who once ruled the ancient city.

After your private tour, enjoy your evening at leisure. If you're feeling social, take a dip in the outdoor pool during happy hour. Alternatively, retreat to your air-conditioned room and enjoy dinner and drinks ordered from the room service menu.

Begin your day early by leaving your hotel approximately 30 minutes before sunrise. Travel by remork (a local vehicle) to the jungle-covered Ta Prohm temple, which is part of the UNESCO-listed Angkor temple complex. These ancient monuments have been preserved in the same condition as when they were discovered in the 19th century.

Afterward, return to your hotel for breakfast and then explore the renowned Angkor Wat. This 12th-century temple, also a UNESCO World Heritage site, is exceptionally well-preserved. During your private tour, you’ll discover numerous stone temples that were once surrounded by wooden palaces, public buildings, and houses—now vanished.

Later in the afternoon, drive to Banteay Srei, a small temple built in the 10th century. Located 19 miles (32 km) from Siem Reap, this UNESCO-listed temple is dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva. Its intricate sandstone carvings have earned it the nickname ‘Citadel of Women,’ showcasing the exquisite artistry of Angkor.

Conclude your day by exploring at your own pace and enjoying a provided lunch.

After breakfast, enjoy a 30-minute morning drive by remork to the outskirts of Siem Reap for a 15-minute ox-cart ride through the scenic countryside. Next, continue by air-conditioned vehicle to Cambodia’s largest freshwater lake, Tonle Sap. Designated as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, the lake feeds the Mekong River during the dry season and expands significantly during the monsoon season.

Board a local boat at the riverbank for a 30-minute ride to Kompong Phluk, the largest floating village on the lake, where you'll spend the rest of the morning. Here, you'll have the opportunity to observe the daily activities of Cambodian villagers living along the shore, gaining insight into how their lives are influenced by the rhythms of the water.

After lunch at a local restaurant, the rest of your day is free for you to spend as you wish.

In the afternoon, we'll take a flight north to Danang, the largest city in Central Vietnam. Upon arrival, a coach will be waiting to transfer us along the coast to one of Vietnam's most enchanting destinations: the ancient trading port of Hoi An. Our hotel is conveniently located on the edge of the pedestrianized Old Town, making it an ideal base for personal exploration.

Under the guidance of your local guide, embark on a leisurely cycling adventure along country roads to immerse yourself in the authentic rural life of Vietnam. Later, your family will step aboard a boat for a river cruise, where you’ll have the opportunity to meet local fishermen and try your hand at traditional net fishing. Additionally, you’ll experience paddling in the unique Vietnamese bamboo basket boats. This tour offers a glimpse into the daily lives of both farming and fishing communities. The rest of the day is yours to relax or explore. Overnight: Hoi An.

Today, your family will enjoy participating in an engaging cooking class. The day begins with a visit to the local market, where a chef will guide you through an hour-long tour to learn about and select fresh Vietnamese ingredients. Your kids will have the chance to buy ingredients for the cooking class, following a provided shopping list. After gaining insight into Vietnamese food culture, nutrition, herbal remedies, and cooking techniques, you'll participate in a hands-on class that includes cooking and cutting techniques. Afterward, your family will sit down to savor the dishes you have prepared together.

Enjoy the rest of the day exploring the town on your own, relaxing by the swimming pool, or spending time at the nearby beach. Overnight in Hoi An.

Hoi An is renowned for its shops, particularly its numerous tailors. If you wish, you can have an entirely new wardrobe custom-made here! The riverside market is always bustling, especially in the early morning when the day’s catch arrives. You might enjoy taking a boat ride with one of the local women across the Thu Bon River. Alternatively, you could rent a bicycle and take a scenic ride to Cua Dai beach, about 4 km away, stopping at some of the neighboring villages along the way. One thing is certain – there is no shortage of activities in this charming town!

Following breakfast, we continue our journey to Hue, the former imperial capital of Vietnam. Along the way, we make a brief stop in Danang to explore the Cham Museum, home to an exceptional collection of Cham sculptures. The drive to Hue offers breathtaking scenery, including the ascent of the Pass of Ocean Clouds and the picturesque fishing village of Lang Co. Upon arriving at our splendid art-deco hotel, La Residence, we freshen up before embarking on an evening culinary adventure. Our destination is a private ‘garden house,’ associated with the ancient Hue Royal Imperial Court. 

Hue is situated along the banks of the Perfume River, named for the aroma of tropical flowers believed to be carried down from orchards upstream. After a morning spent exploring the expansive Citadel, the residence of the Nguyen Emperors, and enjoying a cyclo tour through the Old Town, we will take a scenic boat ride up the river to visit the Thien Mu Pagoda.

The countryside around the city is dotted with the tombs of former emperors, and you might choose to use your free afternoon to explore these magnificent and atmospheric remnants of Vietnam's imperial past.

A short flight north takes us from the former to the current capital, Hanoi, a city characterized by a fantastic mix of styles and influences. Our accommodation here is the prestigious Metropole Hotel, one of Vietnam's oldest and most elegant colonial properties, located in the French Quarter near the Opera House and just a few minutes' walk from Hoan Kiem Lake. One of the best ways to understand Vietnamese culture and the regional differences is through its cuisine. We have arranged for our favorite local food expert, Mr. Tu, to combine a tour of Hanoi's old town with an introduction to the markets, cuisine, and eating habits of North Vietnam. As we wander through the narrow lanes, we'll sample pho tiu and bun dau, pick out the best seasonal fruits, and perhaps stop at a French-influenced patisserie for coffee and cakes. There is no better or tastier way to get to know the city.

Ho Chi Minh passed away before the end of the Vietnam War, but the esteem in which he was held led to the preservation of his body and the creation of a grand mausoleum in Hanoi, where the Vietnamese people could pay their respects. Our exploration of the city begins here, at the complex that includes the Stalinist mausoleum, the Presidential Palace, and Ho Chi Minh's more modest private residence. Our next stop is the Temple of Literature, Vietnam's first university built in 1070, featuring beautiful gardens and well-preserved architecture. After lunch, to provide context for the journey ahead, we will visit the excellent, recently opened Ethnology Museum, which thoughtfully and interactively explains Vietnam's diverse minority cultures.

The journey through the Red River Delta to Ha Long City takes approximately four hours. Upon reaching Ha Long City, we will transfer to our private boat for a cruise on the crystalline emerald waters of Halong Bay, allowing us to admire the breathtaking scenery of this World Heritage Site. While on board, we will enjoy a sumptuous lunch featuring fresh, local seafood, followed by a swim. Additionally, we will have the chance to explore some of the area's limestone caves. Our accommodation for the evening will be on our boat, offering a first-class view of the sun setting over the bay.

After breakfast on board, we will continue cruising to explore more of Halong Bay. Following an early lunch, we will return to the harbor, where our vehicle will be waiting to transfer us back to Hanoi. Upon arrival, we will check in to our hotel for the night. Overnight stay in Hanoi.

This morning, our journey comes to an end with a group transfer to the airport.