Route: Ha Noi – Ha Long – Hue – Da Nang – Hoi An – Cu Chi Tunnels – Ho Chi Minh City
Duration: 10 days/9 nights
From north to south in 10 magical days. This trip, as with all our family range, is specifically geared towards adults and children alike. A wonderfully balanced itinerary that ensures you get to see all the key sites whilst keeping the kids entertained.
We can also tailor this holiday to meet your exact needs – your holiday, your way.
Day 1: Hanoi Arrival
Upon arrival in Hanoi you’ll be met by your guide who will transfer you to your hotel. The remainder of your day is at leisure.
Hanoi, Vietnam’s capital, ranks amongst the world’s most attractive and interesting cities. It was first the capital of Vietnam in A.D. 1010, and though the nation’s capital moved to Hue under the Nguyen dynasty in 1802, the city continued to flourish after the French took control in 1888. In 1954, after the French departed, Hanoi was declared Vietnam’s capital once again. The remnants of over 1,000 years of history are still visible here, with that of the past few hundred years wonderfully preserved.
Overnight in Hanoi.
Day 2: Hanoi, City Tour, Cyclo Treasure Hunt (B/L)
For early risers an early morning visit to Hoan Kiem Lake is recommended. The lake is a hive of activity from 5am as the locals take exercise around the lake, playing badminton, jogging, or practicing Tai Chi.
After breakfast, meet your guide and drive to the Museum of Ethnology, one of Hanoi’s leading attractions, with interactive displays and a wide collection of well-preserved objects and documents. It is also a great place to learn about Vietnam’s 52 ethnic-minority peoples.
From the Museum of Ethnology, you’ll head back to the centre of town via Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum. Enjoy lunch at Khai’s Brothers Café, which offers a wonderful fusion of Vietnamese and European dishes. If you’ve got room left, you should also sample some of Hanoi’s famous ‘street food’, made and served by Vietnamese women in traditional dress. After lunch, enjoy a cyclo treasure hunt through Hanoi’s Old Quarter.
Overnight in Hanoi.
Day 3: Halong bay Cruises (B/L/D)
After an early breakfast it’s a three hour drive to Halong Bay, passing through some typical North Vietnamese countryside and a number of small towns.
A natural wonder of the world and one of Vietnam’s five UNESCO World Heritage Sites, the magnificent Halong Bay is home to three thousand jagged limestone islands that emerge from emerald green waters. While some islands are no more than large rocks others are far more substantial in size. From May to August the warm waters of the bay are ideal for swimming.
You will be welcomed aboard a traditional junk, the same style that has been travelling the bay for 100’s of years. During your cruise you will disembark at several locations allowing you to explore huge caves, relax on sandy coves and enjoy panoramic views from cliff tops. In the evening enjoy dinner and drinks in the dining cabin whilst watching the sunset over the bay. Throughout your cruise the food will be in plentiful supply and lovers of freshly caught seafood will be particularly happy.
Overnight on board.
For those over the age of 12, there will also be an opportunity to kayak for 2 hours
Day 4: Halong Bay Cruise, Hanoi, Hue (B)
In the early morning many of the islands are alive with the sound of various sea birds that nest in the thick green vegetation that engulf the limestone karsts. Enjoy coffee and breakfast onboard whilst cruising slowly back towards the mainland.
You will dock in the late morning and, having disembarked, you will transfer back to Hanoi in time for your connecting flight to Hue.
En route to Hanoi Airport make a stop at a village famous for making some of the incredible water puppets you may have seen in Hanoi. Meet with some of the locals and take a tour of the the village and their puppet ancestor “stalea”. The highlight of the visit is the puppet performance in the local theatre.
Hue remained Vietnam’s capital until 1945, when Bao Dai, the last of the Nguyen emperors, abdicated. Many of Hue’s attractions are found along the banks of the Perfume River that flows through the centre of town. After your evening arrival at your hotel, you’ll probably be ready for a new style of Vietnamese cuisine. Food in Hue is spicy hot, with lots of chilli. Reflecting its Imperial roots, it is often served in beautifully presented, taster portions, a kind of Oriental nouvelle cuisine!
Overnight in Hue.
Day 5: Hue, Perfume River Cruise (B)
Take a morning boat trip on the romantically named Perfume River, passing the 10-metre thick protective walls of the Citadel on board a Vietnamese ‘dragon boat’. A short distance up river is perhaps Hue’s best-known religious site, the Thien Mu Pagoda with its distinctive seven-storey octagonal tower. Having explored the pagoda and its beautiful grounds, return to Hue via Dong Ba market.
The remainder of your day is at leisure.
Overnight in Hue.
Day 6: Hue, Hai Van Pass, Danang, Marble Mountain, Hoi An (B)
Morning departure for Hoi An, driving the stunning route via Hai Van Pass (Ocean Cloud Pass)and the wonderfully photogenic fishing village of Lang Co before reaching Danang. Visit the beautiful Non Nuoc Beach and the Cham Museum containing the finest collection of Cham sculptures in the world. You will also stop at the sacred hills known as the Marble Mountains, which contain dozens of Buddhist shrines.
After checking in to your hotel, the remainder of your day is at leisure.
Once known as Faifo, Hoi An was one of the Orient’s major trading ports in the 16th and 17th centuries. Despite the passing of 200 years and the ravages of weather and war, the centre of Hoi An remains much the same as it was in its heyday. It is also one of the best places in Vietnam to shop for souvenirs at bargain prices including silk, handicrafts, antiques and paintings.
About 5km from the centre of town is Cua Dai beach, popular with both locals and visitors alike for its sandy beach, warm sea and seafood stalls.
Hoi An boasts a huge range of restaurants and cafés to choose from and is famed throughout Vietnam for such wonderful dishes as Cao Lau, Hoang Thanh and White Rose. Cao Lau, a delicious soup made with noodles, pork and greens, is only found in Hoi An, and must be made with water from the town’s ancient well.
Overnight in Hoi An.
Day 7: Hoi An, Lantern Workshop (B)
Your morning is at leisure.
Hoi An is a highlight of any family’s visit to Vietnam. It has a charming town centre, easily small enough to pedal or walk around.
In the afternoon visit a local workshop to learn how they make the colourful lanterns you will have seen on display throughout the Hoi An. To complete the day take a boat ride at sunset on the idyllic Thu Bon River.
Overnight in Hoi An.
Day 8: Hoi An, Ho Chi Minh City, City Tour (B)
Morning transfer to Danang for your flight to Ho Chi Minh City.
Ho Chi Minh City is the largest city in Vietnam and is located near the Mekong delta. It was originally the main Cambodian port before being conquered by the Vietnamese in the 16th century and named Saigon. The city was then renamed once again, after the North Vietnamese invasion of South Vietnam in 1975, becoming Ho Chi Minh City (named after the North Vietnamese leader).
Today, the city centre is still adorned with wide elegant boulevards and historic French buildings. However, it is undoubtedly the economic powerhouse of Vietnam and high rise office towers are starting to take their place amongst the wonderful colonial architecture.
Upon arrival you will transfer to your hotel. In the afternoon there is a fascinating tour of the city’s historical sites. Your guide will be happy to personalise your programme, however not to be missed is the War Remnants Museum, a startling reminder of the effects of the war with America. There are old helicopters, aircraft and replica French gaols to look around, as well as a photographic display of the environmental and human consequences of Agent Orange (not suitable for young children). You can also visit the Presidential Palace, a fascinating building trapped in time – the architecture and décor is pure 60’s kitsch – and the spot where the last Americans departed Vietnam. Alternatively, take a trip to China Town, with its bustling markets and outdoor cafes.
Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.
Day 9: Ho Chi Minh City, Cu Chi Tunnels, Water Park (B)
Make a morning visit to the famous Cu Chi tunnels – an incredible underground tunnel network constructed by Vietnamese resistance fighters during the long struggle for independence. The tunnels, over 250km in length and up to three levels deep in places, played a huge part in the Viet Cong’s victory over the Americans, allowing them to control a large rural area surrounding Ho Chi Minh City.
Today, some of the remaining tunnels have been opened to tourists, offering a unique insight into what underground life must have been like during the ‘American’ war.
En route back to the city stop at the Dam Sen Amusement and Water Park.
The evening is at leisure. Ho Chi Minh City is a great city to explore in the evening with a large variety of excellent restaurants.
Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.
Day 10: Ho Chi Minh Departure (B)
Your day is at leisure until your transfer to the airport for your onward flight.
Price:
| Hotel Class | 2 pax | 3-4 pax | 5-8 pax | 9-10 pax |
| 3 Star | Request | Request | Request | Request |
| 4 Star | Request | Request | Request | Request |
| 5 Star | Request | Request | Request | Request |
.
Includes:
* English speaking, local guide
* All accommodation listed
* Land transportation by private air-conditioned vehicles
* Any domestic flights listed (unless marked otherwise)
* All admission fees at attractions, temples and activities as mentioned in the itinerary
* All meals listed
* International flight reconfirmation.
Excludes:
* Any meals not listed in the itinerary
* Drinks, other than water on activity days
* Personal expenses (laundry, telephone, drinks, tip…)
* Travel insurance
* All other services not listed in ‘inclusive’
Notes: This itinerary and price is for your reference. You are advised to tell us about your specific demand and purpose about your trip, then VietStyleHoliday will design the more detail itinerary of your own tour for free, and it will be definitely fit your conditions of time and budget:
- Click Request Info to ask or send us more enquiry about this tour or part of them which interests you.
- Click Book Tour if you like to have a trip as our suggested itinerary, then we will send you the more detailed itinerary and quote.
- Click Customize Tour if you like to make your own tour with your chosen destinations and related conditions, we will design and send you the tour program and budget as you wish.
Related posts:
This info is the cat’s paamjas!