Vietnam Family Holidays 14 Days

Description

VIETNAM FAMILY HOLIDAYS 14 DAYS

Ha Noi → Pu Luong → Ninh Binh → Ha Long Bay → Hoi An → Hue → Da Nang → Ben Tre → Hochiminh City

Vietnam is perfectly suited for an engaging family adventure. There are few countries where children of all ages respond so spontaneously and where lasting friendships are formed on a daily basis.

Activity, variety and time to unwind and relax are keys to the success of this carefully crafted family adventure.

See more:

• Vietnam Off The Beaten Track 14 Days

• Best of Vietnam Tour 13 Days

• Best Cultural & Heritage Vietnam 12 Days

Flexible Itinerary

DAY 1. HANOI ARRIVAL

Activities:

When you arrive at the Noi Bai International airport you’ll be met at the baggage claim by our friendly guide. Just look for the sign with our Viet Heritage Travel logo and your name.

We’ll get you to your hotel and see that you’re comfortable, plus we’ll give you an introduction to the city at the same time. Then the rest of the day is yours to settle in, relax, and explore the area.

Hanoi is Vietnam’s capital city and home to seven million people. Traditional and refined with French colonial architecture, tree-lined boulevards, scenic lakes and a bustling Old Quarter, Hanoi has a sophisticated charm. Observe locals practicing Tai Chi by the lake, with barbers and food vendors plying their sidewalk trade.

Meals: N/A

Included: car, tour guide, Hanoi hotel, cultural, nature.

DAY 2. SIGHTSEEING OF HANOI

Activities:

You’ll have your breakfast at the hotel and then the local tour guide will pick you up to take you into the capital city of Vietnam. Hanoi is over 1,000 years old and during your day tour you’ll get to explore many of its fascinating cultural and historical sites. You’ll visit the imposing Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum where the preserved body of “Uncle Ho” has been laid to rest, the delicate One Pillar Pagoda, Tran Quoc Temple and the Quan Thanh Pagoda.

After lunch you can go to the Temple of Literature where you’ll get to see ancient Vietnamese relics, then you choose to go to Hoa Lo prison or Art/Women/ History Museum before experiencing railway street. You’ll end your day with a show at the water puppet theater – a beautifully unique cultural performance from northern Vietnam.

Meals: breakfast, lunch.

Included: car, tour guide, Hanoi hotel, cultural, nature, history, walking.

DAY 3. HANOI – PU LUONG – VILLAGE LIFE AND WATER WHEEL WALK

Activities:

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 transffed to a place, it about 12 km from the Retreat, where you will start your walk to suspension bridge over the Cham River, afterward you will walk follow the river, the landscape of the river, rice field and the village were widen 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 Pu Luong Retreat for dinner.

Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner.

Included: car, tour guide, Pu Luong hotel, cultural, nature, walking.

DAY 4. PU LUONG – NINH BINH

Activities:

You have the chance to get close to village life and interact with locals living in the hills above the Retreat. Glimpse at daily life, walk around working farmland and rice fields, and learn about making weaving colourful textiles, followed by lunch at the Lodge. Check out the Lodge. We leave Puluong for Ninh Binh. Upon arrival, check in hotel & rest.

Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner.

Included: car, tour guide, Ninh Binh hotel, cultural, nature, walking.

DAY 5. NINH BINH – HA NOI

Activities:

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 Viet Nam. We will visit Ding king temple and Le king temple in the 10th centery, finding out the heroic histories of this 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, enjoy a stunning panoramic view of the countryside and Ngo Dong river. Get on car to return Ha Noi.

Meals: breakfast, lunch.

Included: car, tour guide, Hanoi hotel, boating, heritage, nature, walking

DAY 6. HA NOI – HA LONG BAY

Activities:

We’ll pick you up at hotel in Hanoi and drive through the verdant Red River Delta to make our way to the famous UNESCO World Heritage site, Halong Bay. You’ll board a luxury junk ship for an overnight cruise– while you relax on-board you can marvel at the incredible limestone karsts that jut out of the sea and the thousands of jungle-covered islands that seem to float on the waves. The turquoise waters of the Gulf of Tonkin swirl around hidden grottoes and ancient caves to create an enchanting, timeless world.

We’ll serve you a fresh seafood lunch while you sit back and relax as you enjoy the incredible view with a drink in your hand. We’ll take you to a traditional fishing village where the locals have created an entire town on the decks of their boats, then you can explore Tien Ong Cave before returning to the cruise for cocktails, canapés, and a spectacular sunset. End your day with a romantic, candlelit dinner.

Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner.

Included: car, tour guide, cruise in Ha Long Bay, cruising, heritage, kayaking.

DAY 7. HA LONG BAY – HA NOI – HOI AN

Activities:

Begin the day with a Tai Chi class on deck in the early morning mist or just admire the beautiful scenery as the sun rises over the azure waters. Choose between an excursions to a secluded island with a sandy beach for a swim or join the chef for a cooking demonstration to learn more about Vietnamese cuisine.

Enjoy a leisurely brunch while your junk cruises Halong Bay, passing islets and caves as you make your way back to the dock. Your driver will meet you when you disembark and transfer you straight to the airport for a short flight to Danang. Meet your guide upon arrival and heading to your hotel Hoi An was a prosperous port from the 16th to 19th centuries trading with merchants from China, Japan, India, Indonesia and Europe who came to buy silk, spices and porcelain.

Hoi An’s UNESCO World Heritage Old Quarter is beautifully preserved with ornate pagodas, antique trading houses and old tile-roofed shops. It is a rich architectural fusion of Chinese, Japanese, Vietnamese and European styles. Many of the historic buildings lining the canals and pedestrian streets have been converted into art galleries, boutique restaurants, bars and cafes. Hoi An is surrounded by attractive countryside with traditional farming and fishing, and by sandy beaches with modern seaside resorts

Meals: breakfast, lunch.

Included: car, tour guide, Hoi An hotel, heritage, nature, cultural.

DAY 8. HOI AN DISCOVERY

Activities: 

Option 1 – Cooking class:

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

In the afternoon, exploring the enchanting time-capsule town of Old Hoi An on a walking tour with your guide. Hoi An was a major sea port 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 and a bike ride to Tra Que Vilage 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 the 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 a Tam huu (spring roll) and Bahn xeo (pancake). Of course you must also join in the after lunch nap before returning to the fiel to learn how to harvest and wrap the produce. Mid-afternoon we wave goodbye to your new friends and go back to Hoian for visiting Hoian Old Quarter. Return to your hotel for relaxing.

Option 3 – Countryside motor riding (no bicyle)

Our guide will pick you up at the hotel by motobike, riding 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 mat as well, so we will stop at a family to see how they weave the mat for every day use in the old time before having today popular mattresses. Visit a local family making the famous local noodle – Mi Quang is the other chance to learn the local life. You also have a chance to make make and eat the perfect banh dap (rice cracker). Riding into a small village , gearing up for an adrenalin pumping 300 metre bamboo bridge river crossing to the opposing landscape of the sea-board side of the island making our way to Duy Hai market and harbour. Here, the local ferry crossing takes guests to the water coconut palm fringed Cam Thanh village. Have lunch at Cam Thanh homestay. Back your hotel by motobike.

Meals: breakfast, lunch.

Included: car, tour guide, Hoi An hotel, cultural, heritage, nature.

DAY 9. HOI AN – DA NANG – HUE

Activities: 

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 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.

Meals: breakfast, lunch.

Included: car, tour guide. Hue hotel, cultural, nature, history, walking.

DAY 10. HUE TOURS – HO CHI MINH

Activities:

Depart cycling from city center to Thuy Bieu village via southern bank of 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 place, where elephants and tigers’fought to the death for the entertainment of the Emperor, the royal family and 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, find out 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 speciality cakes – under the host 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 airport for your departure flight to HCM city. Upon arrival, your guide and driver will pick you to hotel in center. Check in hotel and explore nearby area by your own.

Meals: breakfast, lunch.

Included: car, tour guide, HCM hotel, nature, cultural, history, walking.

DAY 11. HO CHI MINH CITY TOURS

Activities:

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, 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.

Meals: breakfast, lunch.

Included: car, tour guide, HCM hotel, history, walking.

DAY 12. MIGHTY MEKONG

Activities:

08h00 depart from the economic centre of Vietnam, Ho Chi Minh City, for a visually enchanting drive to Ben Tre. As you leave the bustling city behind, the scenery changes for lush rice paddies to an area is referred to locally as the rice bowl of Vietnam.

On arrival at Hung Vuong Pier (Ben Tre city). Take a boat on Ben Tre River – one of tributaries of Mekong River, Sight-seeing lively activities along river as fishing, water transferring…..Stop at brickwork to see how to make bricks in handy traditional style by printing and baking.

Visit one of the plenty of coconut processing workshops where the people to open coconut by hand ( husking coconut), coconut candies are made and have a chance to learn the coconut candies making process located along canal . Turn on natural scissors creeks where they look smaller and smaller to go to village.

Take a walk to family workshop making sleep mats. Afterward, You  have option: the first one: being on a cart powered by a motorbike, The second one is biking ( 4km) 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 ( Xứ Dừa)

Afternoon, take a rowing-boat along water palm creek and boat back to Hung Vuong Pier for arrival in Mekong Home. Welcome drink will be served, then check in your room.

Take rest for a while then go catching shrimp with family by traditional way.

Before enjoy the tasteful dinner by Ham Luong riverside, let’s join the cooking class to make “Banh xeo” – Vietnamese pancake with the family. The fresh dishes on offer include local vegetable, ingredients and flavors cooked in local style such as: caramelized pork, fish soup, young coconut and shrimp salad, spring roll…

After dinner, relax by lemongrass foot bath in 15 minutes. Overnight at Mekong Home.

Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner

Included: car, tour guide, homestay, cruising. Walking, cultural.

DAY 13. BEN TRE DISCOVERY – HO CHI MINH

Activities: 

Enjoy fresh air while breakfast is served.

After that, start cycling trip to Oc Island, passing by a local morning market. On the way, visit a coconut workshop and a local family, to talk with them, discover their lifestyle and try making baskets – a typical product of Ben Tre Province. Continue biking through the peaceful and beautiful village on Oc Island. Total cycling time is around 2 hours on flat village paths.

Back to Homestay. Check – out at around 12:00 p.m. Drive back in Ho Chi Minh city

Meals: breakfast, lunch.

Included: car, tour guide, HCM hotel, cultural, nature, walking

DAY 14. HO CHI MINH CITY DEPARTURE

Activities:

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 our Flavor of Vietnam with Viet Heritage 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! Viet Heritage Travel can also arrange additional customized trips for you if the above itinerary does not match your expectations. And if you love explore our country more, you can get our Vietnam tour for more choices.

Meals: breakfast

Included: car, tour guide.

Viet Heritage Travel