Vietnam Family Holidays 14 Days

Upon arrival, you will be picked up and dropped off at hotel in Hanoi central. The rest of the day is spent at your leisure

Night 1: Overnight in hotel in Hanoi

After breakfast at your hotel. The guide pick you up at your hotel and then visit the capital of Vietnam, a city that celebrated 1.000 years in 2010 has countless fascinating cultural and historic sites, and our day’s tour will visit the highlights.

See the grand and solemn mausoleum of Ho Chi Minh (viewed from outside; closed Mon and Fri), the ‘icon of Hanoi’ – The One Pillar Pagoda, West Lake’s Tran Quoc temple. After lunch, visit the beautiful Temple of Literature, and take a cycle to visit the bustling Old Quarter.

You’ll end your day with a visiting of Long Bien Bridge and Dong Xuan Market.

Night 2: Overnight at hotel in Hanoi

Have breakfast at hotel.

You enter Pu Luong Nature Reserve by road via a breathtaking mountain pass giving you a panoramic view of the whole valley. You arrive at your accommodation in time for a delicious lunch, followed by free time to explore the beautiful retreat, with its captivating panoramic views and tranquil setting.

You will be transferred to a place, about 12 km from the Retreat, where you will start your walk to the suspension bridge over the Cham River, afterward, you will walk follow the river, the landscape of the river, the rice field and the village were widened in your eyes, walk from village to village in search of stunning water wheels. Get up close to each wheel and discover how water is moved from river to handmade bamboo aqueducts via simple constructions of all sizes. Arriving at Chieng Lau village, where you can take a rest and enjoy tranquil streamside scenery. Walk to the main road to be transferred back to hotel (bungalow) for dinner.

Night 3: Overnight at hotel in Pu Luong

Have breakfast.

You have the chance to get close to village life and interact with locals living in the hills. A glimpse at daily life, walk around working farmland and rice fields, and learn about making and weaving colorful textiles, followed by lunch. Check out room

We leave Puluong for Ninh Binh. Upon arrival, check in hotel & rest.

Night 4: Overnight at hotel in Ninh Binh

After breakfast, our tour guide take you to Tam Coc. Boarding the sampan to go along the Ngo Dong River to visit 3 caves. Biking around Tam Coc (optional with surcharge applied-around USD 5/bike). 12h00 – 12h15: Having lunch. Going to visit Hoa Lu ancient capital of Vietnam. 

We will visit Ding King temple and Le King temple in the 10th century, finding out the heroic histories of these two king in Chinese Wars. Keep going to visit Mua cave. The place attracts visitors with its many interesting stories. Climb 500 stone steps, here you can see all the way to Tam Coc, and enjoy a stunning panoramic view of the countryside and Ngo Dong River. Get in the car to return to Ha Noi. 

Night 5: Overnight in hotel in Hanoi

Have breakfast at hotel

Driver pick you up around 8:00 to 8:30 am with our shuttle bus to start the 3-hour-and-a-half drive to Halong Bay through the paddy fields in the Red River Delta.

12:00: At Tuan Chau International Marina, a tender boat will take you to our  Cruiser. A refreshing welcome drink is served and you can check into your cabin.

13:00: When you are putting all of your stuffs into your cabin, our boat starts gliding out to the centre of the World Heritage Site. Your set menu lunch, at the boat’s restaurant, is would be served with fresh local seafood, but vegetable menu is always available at your request. From the marina area, our cruiser passes by Duck then Thumb Islands before reaching to Luon cave area for kayaking.

15:00 – 16:00: We have time to gear up for one hour kayaking around Luon cave area .Our guide will show you some basic safety guidelines and techniques to paddle before helping you to sit on our brand new sit-on-top kayaks. After that our boat will help you visit the Titop Island one hour for swimming, sun-bathing or getting a panoramic view on island peak.

17:00: As the sun sets over the bay, we head back to our cruise and relax. Coffee, tea and fruits will be available on the sundeck or you can order your favorite drink while our boat cruises to the night’s anchorage area.

19:00: Dinner will be served with local seafood. After dinner you may choose to enjoy drinks from the bar or top deck or experience squid fishing before retiring.

Night 6: Overnight on board

07:00 – 07:45: Enjoy the morning view of the beautiful landscape with a cup of coffee or tea. Have breakfast in the fresh air.

08:00 – 09:00: You will visit the impressive Cave of Halong Bay – Surprising Cave (Sửng Sốt) with your tour guide, a truly awesome and amazing cave to experience.

9:00 – 9:30: Check out of your cabin and settle your bill as our boat begins cruising back to the harbor. Experience more views of Halong Bay such as Fighting Cocks Island (Symbol of Halong Bay), Incense Burner and Stone Dogs Islands.

10:30: A cooking demonstration onboard shows you how to make authentic Vietnamese Spring rolls. You will learn about the recipes and techniques that create this popular dish of Vietnamese people.

11:00: Lunch is served on board during cruising towards the harbor.

11:45: Depart the Cruiser and travel by tender boat back to Tuan Chau International Marina where you then board the bus for your return journey to Hanoi.

Drop off at Aeon Mall Long Bien at around 14h30.Our driver with private car will pick you up from the van on the way to Hanoi then transfer you to Noi Bai airport. Arrive in Danang, pick you up and transfer to Hoi An. Free time.

Night 7: Overnight in hotel in Hoian

Option 1 – Cooking class:

Your cooking class today will begin with a visit to a colorful local market, buying all the necessary ingredients and heading back to prepare. Your chef will demonstrate how to cook some typical Vietnam cuisine, you will then start cooking yourself and enjoy what you have cooked 

In the afternoon, explore the enchanting time-capsule town of Old Hoi An on a walking tour with your guide. Hoi An was a major seaport in Asia and it resulted in a fusion of style and culture that has been perfectly preserved. Wander traditional Chinese shops, luxurious French homes, and an ancient Japanese bridge. The town is home to silk markets, Vietnamese food stalls, and talented street performers– all of which are sure to charm you. 

Option 2 – Vegetable village:

 Breakfast at your hotel and then it’s time for a little bit of exercise a bike ride to Tra Que Village and a visit to a local farm. This is a very special involvement in true Vietnamese rural life. You will learn about the history of the village and then be shown the daily practices of growing vegetables. You will learn how vegetables are used in traditional Vietnamese medicine. 

You will join in the activities of the farmers – collecting seaweed fertilizer, sowing, raking, watering, and picking. Your cultural immersion continues as you join the family to prepare and eat the lunch you have helped grow. You will also taste other local specialties such as Tam huu (spring roll) and Banh xeo (pancake). Of course, you must also join in the after-lunch nap before returning to the field to learn how to harvest and wrap the produce. Mid-afternoon we wave goodbye to your new friends and go back to Hoian to visit Hoian Old Quarter. Return to your hotel for relaxing 

Option 3 – Countryside biking or motor riding:

Our guide will pick you up at the hotel by motorbike, ride to Tra Que village and then ride back to the river for aboard a local ferry to Kim Bong Village. This village is not only famous for wood carving but weaving sleeping mats as well, so we will stop at a family to see how they weaved the mat for everyday use in the old times before having today’s popular mattresses. 

Visit a local family making the famous local noodle – Mi Quang is another chance to learn the local life. You also have a chance to make and eat the perfect banh dap (rice cracker). Riding into village Cam Thanh, then take the basket boat in Coconut Jungle.  Have lunch at Cam Thanh homestay. Back to town for a walking tour and free in the evening. 

Note: If you prefer biking to scooter tour, we can be flexible to modify the route, matching your ability.

Night 8: Overnight in hotel in Hoian

Have breakfast at your hotel in Hoi An. Pick you up and transfer to Hue. Drive through the Pass of Ocean Clouds for a stunning panoramic view of the mountains and sea. Arrive in Hue.

Visit the Imperial City, which is located in the Citadel. Modeled after the Forbidden City in Beijing, the Imperial City was built in the early 19th century. Explore the Thai Hoa Palace, with its spacious hall and ornate roof of huge timbers supported by 80 carved and lacquered columns. See the Halls of the Mandarins, the Nine Dynastic Urns and the site where the Forbidden Purple City once stood.

Also, you will visit Dong Ba market. Afternoon, you will take a boat on the Perfume River to visit Thien Mu pagoda and the Tomb of Emperor Minh Mang, built in 1840, which is known for its magnificent architecture and elaborate decorations and is considered one of Hue’s most beautiful pagodas. Overnight in Hue City. 

Night 9: Overnight in hotel in Hue

Depart cycling from the city center to Thuy Bieu village via the southern bank of the Perfume river. A bit busy at the beginning but worth it when you make it to the village. Then it’s time to swing around. Discover Tiger Fighting Arena, one of historical places, where elephants and tigers fought to the death for the entertainment of the Emperor, the royal family and the Mandarin.

Leave the arena behind, we continue biking to Elephant Temple which is a royal temple where the King’s war elephants were buried and honored. Continue riding to Thuy Bieu village, visit the first local house, and find out about silk paintingcraft by local people. Keep cycling along verdant paths in Thuy Bieu village for relax. Making incense stick private house – A thing can not lack of Buddha, ancestor anniversaries in Hue or general worship. Take a part in making: “banh nam” and “banh loc” – Hue specialty cakes – under the host’s instruction or learn how to make candy. You can enjoy them right after they have cooked.

Keep riding along the roads then leave Thuy Bieu village by dragon’s boat. The tour will be ended at Toa Kham Boat Dock at the city centre, then back to your hotel by bicycle.

Then transfer to the airport for your departure flight to HCM City. Upon arrival, your guide and driver will pick you up at hotel in center. Check in hotel and explore the nearby area on your own.

Night 10: Overnight hotel in Sai Gon

We’ll pick you up in the morning and take you to the Cu Chi Tunnels, a major part of the Vietnam-American War and a fascinating day trip– explore the mysterious tunnels, and find hidden doors and once-deadly traps. After lunch, we’ll go back to HCMC and spend the afternoon either visiting the War Remnants Museum or the Reunification Palace Palace, whichever you prefer. Then stroll around the city’s colonial streets in the evening to the Old Saigon Post Office, Dong Khoi Street, Continental Hotel, Opera House and City Hall.

Activities: You’ll visit the amazing Cu Chi Tunnels, then return to the city and choose either the War Remnants Museum or the Reunification Palace. Then you will enjoy the amazing French Colonial Buildings. 

Night 11: Overnight hotel in Hochiminh City

Have breakfast at hotel.

Our driver and guide pick up at hotel and transfer to Ben Tre. Arrive and visit various local workplaces to find many wonderful examples of how local people use ageless techniques to create their crafts, including activated charcoal, dried coconut, handy coconut husk brooms, and many family businesses using coir, or coconut fiber, to create amazing art. Cruise around the village roads by “Xe Lôi”, the local vehicle, which is a kind of motorized rickshaw. Kayak through the natural canals to get a unique experience of the peaceful beauty of the Mekong River as well as the rural life there. Having lunch at a local host house.

After lunch, you will have some time for relaxing before continuing with more activities- cycling around the village, or treating yourself to relaxing time to relish the beautiful countryside, fishing, and cooking with the locals. Enjoy dinner and an overnight homestay experience

Night 12: Overnight at homestay in Ben Tre

Early wake up to enjoy the peaceful countryside in the morning, and then have breakfast. Then take the boat on along the  River – one of tributaries of Mekong River, Sight-seeing lively activities along river as fishing, water transferring …..Stop at  brickwork – coconut charcoal making and coconut husking.  Then visit one of the plenty of coconut processing workshops where coconut candies are made and have a chance to learn the coconut candies making process located along canal ( Ms. Lan coconut candy workshop). Turn on natural scissors creeks where they look smaller and smaller to go to village. Take a walk to family making sleep mats. Afterward, being on a cart powered by a motorbike or biking  and traveling through some tranquil villages where vegetables gardens to be able to touch on real life and find out about tropical culture from Peasants. Lunch at local restaurant. Afternoon, take biking around the village, rowing-boat along water palm creek and boat  to Hung Vuong Pier. Then transfer back to Hochiminh City

Night 13: Overnight at hotel in Hochiminh City

You have free time in the morning until your private car arrives to take you to the airport for your next destination. This is the end of our Flavor of Vietnam with Sun Getaways Travel.

We thank you for joining us on this incredible experience to explore all the wonders of Vietnam. Goodbye, and we hope to see you again next time!