Vietnam Family Tour

Arrive at Noi Bai International Airport, meet your driver for an airport transfer with a private vehicle and English speaking guide. The driving distance is approximately 45 minutes.

Your visa should be pre-arranged, or be sure that your visa-on-arrival letter is in your carry-on luggage. Please go to custom desk as your first point of entry into the country and present these documents for visa upon arrival. 

Morning, take a full day city tour beginning with Ho Chi Minh Complex  which features the life of Ho Chi Minh, the nation’s founder. At the complex, visit the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, where the nation’s founder’s body is preserved (closed on Monday, Friday and through October - November), the colonial Presidential Palace, originally the French Governor Office and a fine example of French architecture in Hanoi, and the rural style Ho Chi Minh’s house on stilts where Ho Chi Minh lived and worked. Stop by one of Hanoi’s icons, the One Pillar Pagoda, built in the 11th Century in dedication to Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara or Buddha of Compassion and reminiscent of a lotus blossom rising from a pond. Continue to the Temple of Literature, known as the first university of Vietnam built in 1070 by the Ly Dynasty to honor Confucius, sages and outstanding Vietnamese scholars.

Afternoon, come to the West Lake, the largest lake of Hanoi and visit Tran Quoc Pagoda, the oldest pagoda of Hanoi, built in the 6th Century and located on an islet in the lake. Take a cyclo tour through Hanoi’s downtown to sightsee the Old Quarter of 36 ancient streets, the Trang Tien Plaza shopping center, the colonial French-built Opera House, an elegant architectural landmark of Hanoi modeled after the Palais Garnier opera house in Paris and visit an antique Vietnamese-style house at 87 Ma May Street. End the tour by relaxing over a cup of coffee at a rooftop café and enjoying the full panoramic view of the legendary Hoan Kiem Lake (The Returned Sword Lake whose name comes from a legend of a sacred sword) at sunset. Evening at leisure. Dinner at HOME restaurant 

Morning pickup at 8:00 AM from your hotel for transfer to Ha Long Bay, which is about 160 km or 3 hour drive away. On the way, you will see some rural areas of the Red River Delta with plenty of chances to take photos of Vietnamese farmers working in paddy fields. Stop half way to visit a handicraft workshop of fine clothes and embroidered paintings.

Arrive in Ha Long City at 11:30 AM and check in aboard the booked junk when your journey across Ha Long Bay starts. Ha Long Bay meaning Descending Dragon Bay in Vietnamese as legend has it that it was where a holly dragon landed down from sky. The bay, famous as one of the world’s wonders and heritage sites whose formation dates back 500 million years, consists of around 2,000 karst islands and islets scattered over an area of 1,553 km2.

After the welcome drink is served, start cruising while having lunch on board and enjoy the mighty bay view. Ha Long Bay meaning Descending Dragon Bay in Vietnamese as legend has it that it was where a holly dragon landed down from sky. The bay, famous as one of the world’s wonders and heritage sites whose formation dates back 500 million years, consists of around 2,000 karst islands and islets scattered over an area of 1,553 km2. The bay cruise will continue with up close sighting of Dinh Huong Island, Ga Choi Island, Dog Island, Sail Island, a visit to Sung Sot Cave and swimming stop at Titov Beach. Relax to enjoy the bay view at sunset, have dinner after, go fishing at 09:00 PM and spend a night on board.

Early risers can enjoy the splendid yet tranquil view of the bay at the crack of dawn. Breathe the sea’s fresh air, feel the morning breeze and hear the sounds of birds above. Have breakfast and cruise to visit Human head shaped island and Tortoise Island. Continue to cruise into Bai Tu Long Bay to discover the adjacent bay of “The Little Dragon Bowing to His Mother” as it is named. Check out and have lunch on board while heading to shore. Disembark and transfer back to Hanoi to catch an express train to Hue. En route, stop to visit But Thap Pagoda in Bac Ninh province whose architecture and sculpture works are rated as the finest of Vietnam’s classical Buddhist art back in 17th Century.

Flight time is approximately 1hour and 15 minutes. On arrival in Hue airport, our guide and driver will pick you up then move to hotel for check in. Dinner at Vuon Y Thao restaurant 

Morning, start a sightseeing tour of Hue City beginning with Hue Citadel, a well-known UNESCO-recognized World Heritage Site which is a 520 ha fortress-like grand complex built in the early 1800s and featuring three enclosures separated by heavy ramparts namely Kinh Thanh Hue (Civic City) as the outer, Hoang Thanh (Royal City) as the middle and Tu Cam Thanh (Forbidden City) as the inner. Move on to Khai Dinh Tomb, the burial site of Khai Dinh, Vietnam’s second-to-last king, and the most elaborate compared to other kings’ tombs. The tomb shows a vivid European influence in architecture despite its Asian style. Take a boat cruise along the Perfume River for sightseeing and visiting two prominent historical landmarks namely Minh Mang Tomb, where Minh Mang, the 2nd Emperor of the Nguyen dynasty was buried, and Thien Mu Pagoda, a Buddhist monastery still in use with its origin dating back to 1601.   

Afternoon, you are transferred to Da Nang (110km) by car. Admire the beautiful landscape on the road through the Hai Van Pass. Enjoy a stunning headland-and-bay panoramic view from the pass, which for miles hugs the mountainside along the shoreline and overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Continue on to Hoi An for overnight. Dinner at Full Moon restaurant 

Morning, discover your Hoi An tour with your guide and bike are ready at your hotel then cycle through old streets to a lantern making family. Colorful lanterns are an unmistakable part of Hoi An’s visual identity as the craft of lantern making has been passed down to present town dwellers from generations of their ancestors. You’ll observe and learn how to make lanterns in the traditional way under the guidance of friendly and skilled hosts. You will practice all production steps including whittling bamboo into splints and bending them into a frame, cutting fabric to size and gluing it to the frame to complete a lantern. Next continue to a Hoi An cooking school, where you will learn to cook traditional Vietnamese food, have lunch and relax. After lunch, you will be shown how to decorate and pack your lantern and you are presented it as a souvenir in Hoi An. Say goodbye to the host and ride back to the hotel in the afternoon time. Refresh before having dinner at local restaurant 

Morning, transfer to Da Nang airport. On the way, stop over at Non Nuoc village or marble village known for its stone-carving products.

Take a 45 minute flight to Nha Trang. Arrive in Nha Trang, welcome by our guide and transfer to your hotel.

From a wilderness part of the Cham Empire before 1653, Nha Trang was transformed into a town during the colonial French rule and became the metropolitan capital of Khanh Hoa Province in 1937. The coastal city is well-known for its long pristine sandy beaches on the turquoise sea, which are ranked among the world’s best as well as scenic islands and coral reefs.

Afternoon, take a short city tour to visit the Por Nagar Temple, which is a vestige of the ancient Cham culture, the Oceanography Institute, which showcases the local marine life’s diversity and the Hon Chong Promontory, which offers a unique view of the sea and the boulder-stacked shore. The tour ends with a visit to Dam market. 

Morning, transfer to Cau Da Jetty to board a boat visit Nha Trang Bay, one of 29 world’s most beautiful bays by Travel and Leisure, and cruise to Tam Island and Mun Island, the two off-shore locations with clear water, beautiful corals and rich marine life ideal for water sports and recreations. Continue the boat trip to Mot Island, Bai Tranh, enjoy snorkeling and sunbathing there or take some of available optional activities, which include scuba diving, jet skiing, windsurfing and parasailing. The underwater sight of marine biodiversity will open before your eyes with colorful corals and fishes up close. Boat trip to Tri Nguyen Aquarium will be made. Lunch included. Finish the trip at around 17:50pm. 

Morning, transfer to Da Lat, the capital of Lam Dong Province. On the way, enjoy the landscape of highlands and take photos of countryside life. Lunch at a restaurant en route

Arrive in Da Lat, transfer to you hotel and spend time at leisure. Built back in the early 1900s as a colonial French resort 1,500 m above sea level, Da Lat City boasts a pleasing temperate climate and an exquisite European appearance with elegant French-style villas, churches, boulevards, parks and flower gardens among pine hills. The city’s surrounding is notably marked with scenic waterfalls. 

Morning, start a full day city tour to visit Truc Lam Zen Monastery, which recreates the spirit of Zen Buddhism in the Tran dynasty, Paradise Lake, a 350 ha water expanse between pine hills, the Chicken Village inhabited by Co Ho ethnic minorities, flower gardens representing the prominent local trade of flower growing, the Bao Dai’s Summer Palace, vacation home of Vietnam’s last king, the Crazy House characterized by a ghostly cave-like design and the Valley of Love featuring a romantic lake amid pine greenery.

Late afternoon and evening at leisure for sightseeing and shopping at Da Lat Market. 

Morning, at leisure until transfer 300 km South to Ho Chi Minh City. Lunch at a restaurant en route.  Arrive in Ho Chi Minh City and check in hotel. Ho Chi Minh City formerly named Saigon is the largest city and economic center of Vietnam always bustled with activities of modern life. It is where businesses converge and shoppers indulge themselves into unlimited choices. However the city also carries with it a rich historical legacy in contrast with its dazzling glamor.

Afternoon, take a half-day city tour to visit Saigon Notre-Dame Basilica, a neo-Roman cathedral built by the colonial French with materials entirely imported from Marseilles, Saigon Central Post Office, which was designed and constructed in the early 20th Century by the famous French architect Gustave Eiffel, the Jade Emperor Temple (Phuoc Hai), a rare Taoist structure in Vietnam built in 1909, the War Remnants Museum, which features an extensive collection of exhibits including weaponry, photos and documentation on Vietnam’s wars with the French and Americans, and the Reunification Palace the South Vietnam President’s residence and symbol of the Southern Administration’s reign until end of April 1975.

Morning, meet your guide and transfer about 75 km North-west of downtown Ho Chi Minh City. Discover the famous Cu Chi Tunnels, which were once a major underground hideout and resistance base of Viet Cong forces during the two wars against the French and the Americans. The tunnels, entirely hand-dug, formed a highly intricate network of interlinked multilevel passageways at times stretched as far as the Cambodian border and totaling over 120 km in length. Its complexity was beyond imagination containing meeting rooms, kitchens, wells, clinics, schools, depots, trenches and emergency exits all aimed for guerrilla warfare. The tunnels were deep and strong enough to withstand destructive bombings and self-contained enough to outlast prolonged sieges. Return to the city at noon time for a rest

Afternoon, tour in the city starting with Saigon Notre-Dame Basilica, a neo-Roman cathedral built over 130 years ago by the colonial French with materials entirely imported from Marseilles and stained-glass windows from Chartres. Next, visit Sai Gon Post Office, a fine colonial building which was designed and built in the early 20th Century by the famous French architect Gustave Eiffel. Move on to Cho Lon or the city’s China Town where you will visit the Jade Emperor Temple (Phuoc Hai), a rare Taoist structure in Vietnam built in 1909 in dedication to the Lord of Heaven. It’s filled with smoky incense and fantastic carved figurines and still buzzing with worshipers, many lounging in the front gardens. Dinner at Saigon boat cruise 

Morning, pickup at your hotel to transfer about 136 km to Vinh Long, a riverside town in the vast Mekong Delta, the world’s largest delta. Take a boat cruise to lively Cai Be floating market where sellers and buyers bargain and exchange goods from their boats. Proceed through a fascinating maze of shady canals to Hoa Binh Phuoc Island. Beautiful landscape of zigzag canals, lush vegetation, peaceful villages and activities of rural life will make you a delightful sight. There on the island, visit some local farmers’ homes, interact with warm-hearted hosts and learn about their trades of bonsai gardening, tile and ceramic production and rice paper and coconut candy making. Lunch at family house with traditional local food

Afternoon, transfer to back to Ho Chi Minh for leisure time 

Free at leisure until transfer back to Ho Chi Minh City or extend your tour by taking a morning speed boat to Phnom Penh, Cambodia.