Vietnam Coastal Explorer (Family) 14 days Tour

Itinerary

Day 1: Saigon

An arrival transfer is provided from the airport if you are joining directly on to the tour or have booked pre-tour accommodation at the joining hotel and have advised us of your arrival details (please check your voucher). After you clear customs, a representative from our local agent will transfer you to your hotel. There will be a pre-tour briefing at 6.30pm (exact time to be confirmed in a notice at the hotel foyer) Please note that your Tour Leader will collect your travel insurance details, so please bring them with you. The meeting is generally followed by an optional group meal out at one of Saigon's many fantastic eating spots.

Day 2: Saigon

Meals included: 1 breakfast

This morning we enjoy a city tour that includes visits to the Reunification Palace, War Remnants Museum, Notre Dame Cathedral and Ben Thanh Market. The afternoon is left free for independent sightseeing, shopping or a chance to cool off and splash around at the excellent Dam Sen Water Park. The Water Park is easily accessed by bus or by taxi and is highly recommended, especially for the kids! Overnight in Saigon.

Day 3: Mekong Delta

Meals included: 1 breakfast, 1 dinner

Depart Saigon by road to the agriculturally rich Mekong Delta and the town of Cai Be, where we begin a Mekong River boat trip that takes us past a floating market. The scenery here is lush and impressive, with many terrific 'photo ops' along the way. We stop to visit typical riverside villages, where we have a chance to meet the people and learn about the local commercial enterprises. After sampling various tropical fruits, we continue on to our overnight homestay, located on an island in the Mekong River. Our accommodation for the night is in a large communal room that is separate to the actual living quarters of the family. Bed linen and mosquito nets are provided and we also recommend you bring a small towel as there are basic bathroom facilities available.

Day 4: Saigon

Meals included: 1 breakfast

Today we take an early morning walk through the island’s orchards and navigate our way through the narrow canals in a traditional wooden sampan. We then take another boat from our homestay island to rendezvous with our vehicle, which takes us back to Saigon.

Day 5: Saigon - Nha Trang

Meals included: 1 breakfast

This morning we visit the wartime guerrilla stronghold of Cu Chi Tunnels, before returning to Saigon around lunchtime. (Note: Don’t wear good clothes this morning, as at Cu Chi you will be crawling through the tunnels. However, it is not obligatory to crawl though the tunnels if you do not wish to do so!). We then collect our luggage from the hotel and head out to the airport for our flight to Nha Trang.

Day 6: Nha Trang

Meals included: 1 breakfast

Spend a relaxing day cruising around Nha Trang’s offshore islands. Seafood lunch is served on board. Snorkelling equipment is also provided, including kids’ sizes. Note: Subject to suitable weather conditions, please take along a hat, sun block, swimwear and a towel.

Day 7: Nha Trang - overnight train

Meals included: 1 breakfast, 1 lunch

Today is free, but it is an ideal place to relax, either by the hotel pool or at the nearby beach across the road. You might like to take an optional excursion to visit the Po Nagar Cham Towers or Thap Ba Hot Springs and Mud Bath Centre. Late this afternoon we transfer to the railway station in time to catch the overnight 4-berth, soft sleeper train to Da Nang. The beds on board come with a pillow and sheets, although some people may wish to bring their own sleeping sheet (purely optional and not a necessity). Also, breakfast tomorrow is not the best food you will find in Vietnam, so it is recommended that you purchase some snacks before boarding in Saigon. This journey is in keeping with the adventurous nature of our trips and allows you to experience a taste of the 'real’ Vietnam.

Day 8: Danang - Hoi An

Meals included: 1 breakfast, 1 dinner

On arrival at Danang railway station, we board our waiting vehicle and head towards Hoi An, the World Heritage-listed ancient port town that dates back to Portuguese trading days. This afternoon is left free for you to enjoy the sights of Hoi An at your leisure, do some shopping or to relax by the hotel swimming pool. In the evening you can join an informal cooking class, where you can learn how to make some of Hoi An’s famous specialty dishes and even participate in rolling your own spring rolls.

Day 9: Hoi An

Meals included: 1 breakfast

A walking tour of Hoi An’s old town includes a visit to the Japanese Bridge, an ancient house, and a Chinese assembly hall. We then have further free time to enjoy a town that has become many visitors’ favourite destination in Vietnam. There are many optional activities that you can enjoy - maybe hire a bike, take a boat trip on the river, relax on the nearby beach or by our hotel's swimming pool. Overnight in Hoi An.

Day 10: Hoi An - Hanoi

Meals included: 1 breakfast

This morning we transfer to Danang where we visit Marble Mountain and China Beach. Note: Appropriate footwear (runners rather than thongs) should be worn for the walk up Marble Mountain. The walk takes about an hour and involves climbing approximately 200 steps. After the morning activity, we transfer to Danang Airport in time to catch a flight to Hanoi. On arrival in Hanoi we make our way to our hotel in town. This evening we enjoy a performance of Hanoi’s famous Water Puppets - kids and parents will be equally delighted!

Day 11: Hanoi

Meals included: 1 breakfast, 1 lunch

This morning we enjoy a city tour of Hanoi that includes visits to the Mausoleum of Ho Chi Minh, the ‘House on Stilts’, One Pillar Pagoda, Temple of Literature and the Hoa Lo Prison (nicknamed the ‘Hanoi Hilton’ by American POWs). Lunch is included at the KOTO restaurant, a unique set-up where disadvantaged youth and street children are given the chance to become professional chefs or bar and service staff. We have a chance to meet these young people who are being afforded opportunities in life because of this unique project. You are at leisure this afternoon to enjoy a stroll around the Hoan Kiem Lake or a walk through the Old Quarter. Overnight in Hanoi.

Day 12: Hanoi - Halong Bay

Meals included: 1 breakfast, 1 lunch, 1 dinner

Depart Hanoi for the three-and-a-half-hour drive to the bayside resort town of Bai Chay. Upon arrival, we board our boat, put our bags in our cabins and begin a memorable cruise amongst the remarkable limestone formations of Halong Bay. A lunch of local seafood is served on board and there are opportunities for swimming, visiting one of Halong Bay’s many limestone grottoes and even kayaking around the bay. Weather permitting we can watch the sunset over Halong Bay whilst our crew prepares tonight’s dinner. Overnight on boat. Note: Just prepare a daypack for your overnight Halong Bay tour. Main luggage can be stored at the hotel in Hanoi. Don’t forget a hat, sun block and swimwear. Northern Vietnam can be quite cold during the winter months and at this time you will also need to bring some warm clothing. It is also advisable to carry a sturdy pair of shoes for visiting the grottoes. All boats used by us have twin-share cabins with en suite facilities and air-conditioning. We also have the chance to get active and do some kayaking on Halong Bay.

Day 13: Halong Bay - Hanoi

Meals included: 1 breakfast

After breakfast and perhaps an early morning kayak we continue sightseeing and cruising around Halong Bay, before returning to port and driving back to Hanoi. Tonight is our chance to celebrate the end of a terrific family journey through a beautiful country. Overnight in Hanoi.

Day 14: Hanoi

Meals included: 1 breakfast

Your tour finishes after breakfast. An airport transfer is not included Transferring to Hanoi's Noi Bai Airport Shared: Minibuses leave from the Vietnam Airlines Head Office regularly and the cost is approximately US$2 per person. It is best to check the exact times of departure and pre-book a seat. Private: The Hanoi Airport Taxi company provides a very good service for a set price of US$10 per vehicle. You can arrange to be picked up from your hotel. Your tour leader or the hotel receptionist can assist in booking this for you, if required.