Vietnam Coastal Explorer (Family)

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Day to Day 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.

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Your Trip

What's Included

• The services of Peregrine's expert English-speaking local tour leader.

• Sightseeing (including entrance fees where relevant): Saigon's Reunification Palace, War Remnants Museum, Notre Dame Cathedral and Ben Thanh Market; Cu Chi Tunnels; Hoi An; China Beach; Marble Mountain; and Hanoi's Mausoleum of Ho Chi Minh, One Pillar Pagoda, Temple of Literature and Hoa Lo Prison.

• Local flights: Saigon to Nha Trang and Danang to Hanoi.

• Mekong River boat trip with visits to a floating market and riverside villages.

• Overnight homestay with a local family on a Mekong River island including a traditional wooden sampan canal cruise.

• Full day boat cruise on the South China Sea off Nha Trang, with a seafood lunch.

• Lunch at KOTO café in Hanoi – a project providing vocational hospitality training to underprivileged young people.

• Performance of Hanoi’s famous Water Puppets.

• Overnight cruise on a traditional boat on Halong Bay with a seafood lunch and dinner (non-seafood also available) and accommodation in twin-share cabins with en suite facilities and air-conditioning.

• Overnight train from Nha Trang to Danang, with accommodation in a 4-berth 'soft sleeper' class compartment (a pillow and sheets provided).

• Free time to explore Saigon, Nha Trang, Hoi An and Hanoi.

• Arrival transfer.

Summary of accommodation, transport & meals

Transport

• Canoe
• Plane
• Private vehicle
• Sleeper train

Accommodation

• 10 nights Comfortable hotel
• 1 night Overnight train
• 1 night Homestay
• 1 night Boat

Meals

• 13 breakfasts
• 3 lunches
• 3 dinners

Highlight of Highlights

Exploring Vietnam by Boat

After exploring the Mekong Delta’s waterways by boat, head to Nha Trang for a relaxing day cruise around its offshore islands - swim, snorkel and enjoy a delicious seafood lunch; and then hop aboard a memorable cruise amongst the remarkable limestone formations of Halong Bay.

Not Included

International airfares, visa costs, departure taxes, insurance (obligatory on all trips), departure transfer, other meals, drinks, snacks, any optional additional tours or activities during free time, spending of a personal nature such as gratuities, laundry, drinks, souvenirs.

Responsible Travel

Koto

KOTO (Know One, Teach One), is a training centre and restaurant set up to help disadvantaged kids in Hanoi to get off the streets and into a stable living and working environment. Each year an integral part of the training is a field trip in Vietnam.

Every July/August, students participate in an annual field trip.

"The aim is not only to build teamwork but also to ensure the young people at KOTO get the chance to see more of their own incredible country. We want to teach a responsible attitude to the environment and give the trainees an opportunity to learn and grow through the experience. We also want to reward their hard work," explains founder, Jimmy Pham.

Peregrine continues to support KOTO and is currently fundraising through the Peregrine Community Trust to sponsor part of, or the complete, field trip each year, at a cost of between US$5000 and US$7000. In addition, KOTO greets every Peregrine group that comes to Hanoi with their fantastic menu and friendly service.

KOTO continues to grow and develop as many more street kids and disadvantaged youths pass through its doors and go on to successful jobs in the hospitality and tourism industries.

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Important Information

Flight tickets: Saigon-Nha Trang and Danang-Hanoi
Flight tickets will be given to you by your tour leader before you board these flights.

Local Tour Leaders
By employing and training local guides to lead our group holidays, there is a two-fold benefit. Firstly, we provide employment opportunities for the local community. Just as importantly is the benefit to you, the traveller. Your tour leader’s friendship, humour, passion and intimate knowledge of the region will be key factors in making your holiday a success.

Tipping
Tipping has become an accepted part of tourism in South East Asia. Your tour leader will be able to advise you in this area; however, as a guideline we would recommend tipping 10% of the total bill in restaurants and a small tip to hotel bellboys for carrying your bags.

At you pre-tour briefing your tour leader will discuss with you the idea of running a tipping kitty, whereby everybody contributes an equal amount and then the tour leader pays the tips and keeps a record of all monies spent (except restaurant tips). The record can be checked at any time and any money remaining at the end of the tour is returned to group members. This is often the easiest way to avoid the hassles of needing small change and knowing what is an appropriate amount to tip.

It is customary to tip your tour leader, at the end of the trip, if you are happy with the service. A minimum tip of US$2 per day, from each member of the group, is the usual amount expected.

Age limits and responsibility for minors
Our family trips are not recommended for children under the age of six. There must be at least one parent/adult guardian for three minors. Parent/adult guardian must be fully responsible for their minors throughout the entire trip. If you have a question regarding age and suitability, please contact us for further advice.

Infrastructure and Tet Holiday Period
Please note that Vietnam is a developing country whose infrastructure may differ from what you expect in your homeland. Expect poor road conditions and be prepared for some inconveniences due to such things as restaurants or tourist sites being closed and our regular transport services not always being available, especially so during the Tet holiday period (Vietnamese New Year).

During Tet (Vietnamese New Year), most businesses will be closed as Vietnamese people usually spend this period returning to their homes and celebrating with their families. This will involve a major burden on all forms of transport, and despite booking in advance, tickets for planes and trains especially are extremely difficult to obtain. Even if bookings are obtained, transport services during this period will be overcrowded and heavy delays are to be expected, so you will need to make sure that you pack your sense of humour. In order to facilitate your travels during the Tet period, we may need to substitute your train/plane journey with a private bus trip, if required.

This is an 'adventure' trip and we hope to expose you to all aspects of Vietnamese culture. Please be open-minded.

About this Information

The information provided here is given in good faith and has been compiled with all reasonable care. However, things change and some of the information may become out of date. Please keep this in mind when you read it and check with us if you want to be sure about something. The document was correct at time of printing, but you can check online for the most up to date version.  If you have any queries, please contact your travel agent or our staff in Australia. We are here to help you!

Last Updated

7 May 2012

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