A Vietnam Family Tour of Adventure, culture & Fun – Hanoi, Ninh Binh, Halong Bay, Phong Nha, Hue, Hoi An, HCMC

Day 1 Arrive Hanoi
Upon arrival in Hanoi, be met and transferred to your hotel for your next 3 nights’ accommodations.

Day 2 Hanoi
This morning, enjoy a tour of Hanoi. Although it is the modern-day capital of Vietnam, Hanoi still retains the mystique and charm of past centuries. Narrow lanes and traditional shophouses invite an exciting exploration by walking. We set out to Hanoi’s Old Quarter, a fascinating maze of narrow streets that date back to the 13th century. Each street was named after the items sold there, so we’ll come across streets selling clothes, silver goods, religious items, silk, china bowls – even coffins! Amongst these crowded, twisty streets we’ll stumble upon art galleries, streetside cafes, steaming food stalls and incense-filled temples. Continue to a local wet market followed by “Train Street” where you’ll walk along the very narrow streets of rail tracks in the middle of the city’s residential area. Next, visit Temple of Literature, one of the best-preserved examples of traditional Vietnamese architecture. Founded in 1070 and dedicated to Confucius, this was also the site of Vietnam’s first university. End the morning with Hoa Lo Prison (a.k.a. Hanoi Hilton), a prison used by the French colonists in French Indochina for political prisoners and where the late John McCain was held captive for 5+ years. Your tour this morning includes a yummy bowl of Pho` (Vietnamese Noodle Soup) at a local joint. Return to your hotel to relax and freshen up.

Later, enjoy a “Night Foodies Tour” to observe and sample the city’s culinary delights. Walk around the narrow streets and then pull up a plastic stool at some of the outdoor street cafes and try Vietnamese favorites such as grilled skewers, several kinds of Pho, or hot pot during the cooler winter months. Finish off with a cup of Vietnamese coffee or a glass of sweet sugar cane juice. Overnight in Hanoi. (B,L,D)

Day 3 Hanoi / Ninh Binh
This morning, travel to Hanoi’s countryside and embark on a cultural and scenic adventure to Ninh Binh. Often called “Halong Bay on land,” Ninh Bingh is a stunning region in northern Vietnam known for its dramatic limestone karsts, winding rivers, and lush rice paddies. Upon arrival, enjoy a bicycle ride through the countryside passing local villages and rice fields to catch a glimpse of the region’s agriculture life. Then roll up your sleeves, put in your boots, and take part in the fun daily life activities with local fishermen/farmers. Here, you’ll have a chance to catch crab and mudfish using traditional rattan tools, or try your hand at planting rice in the fields. Engage in a casual talk with the local farmer to get an insight into his family and lifestyle. For lunch, take part in a hands-on cooking demo with the chef before enjoying some Ninh Binh specialties.

Later this afternoon, get on a row boat and glide along the tranquil river to Galaxy Cave. Recently discovered in 2007 due to its small size and hidden location, the cave is beautifully untouched with natural formations of stalagmites & stalactites in shimmering colors. Continue by riverboat along the tranquil river beautifully complemented with stunning views to die for. Overnight in Ninh Binh. (B,L)

**Note: Cycling distance is approximately 13-15km approx on flat terrain and does not require technical abilities. This portion of the trip is optional for those who prefer to tour by foot/car or if conditions do not permit. 

Day 4 Ninh Binh/ Halong Bay Cruise 
This morning, travel by road (4-hours) for Halong Bay, yet another UNESCO World Heritage site renowned for its emerald waters and nearly 2,000 limestone karst islands in mesmerizing seascape. Here, we’ll enjoy a day of bliss aboard a small luxury ship for a tantalizing cruise around Halong Bay and Lan Ha Bay (depending on ship). Highlights include shore excursions to several islands, cave exploration, kayaking (optional and conditions permitting) and swimming. Lunch and dinner are served on board. (B,L,D)

Day 5 Halong Bay / Hanoi / Phong Nha
Early morning drive to Hanoi airport for your flight to Dong Hai. Continue by road to Phong Nha. After settling in at your lodge, visit Dark Cave a 6km cave with no artificial lights in near complete darkness. To approach the cave, you’ll swing over the longest zip-line in Vietnam over Chay River followed by crossing a wooden bridge to the cave entrance. Moving deeply into the cave, you will find many ancient fossils that are over a million years old. Time permitting, enjoy swimming or kayaking on the river before returning to the lodge for dinner and overnight.(B,L,D)

Day 6 Phong Nha Ke-Bang National Park (Oxalis Wild Tu Lan Cave Tour)
Morning pick up for a 1.5 hour drive to the Oxalis Adventure office for a safety briefing and equipment collection.  Today’s program begins with a trek on a flat path past a peanut field and grazing buffalo. A river crossing leads to the Rat cave. You will enjoy the picnic lunch at the entrance before visiting the cave, a small but beautiful cave. Drop downhill into the next valley. Cross the valley on a flat path to reach to Lom Com hill with the 150m climbing and descending. More hills and jungle trekking before you drop down to Tu Lan Valley and your camp for the night. Finish off the day with a swim into the beautiful lake near by the Camp. Dinner is prepared and served by the porter team. (B,L,D)

***Note: activities in Phong Nha Ke-Bang National Park on join basis with other participants (max 10 passengers). You will be camping tonight where amenities will be very basic. For additional details about this portion of the program, please refer to the Oxalis Adventure website. 

Day 7 Phong Nha Ke-Bang National Park (Oxalis Wild Tu Lan Cave Tour)
After breakfast, explore and swim Ken Cave. After lunch at the camp, swim into the wet entrance of Tu Lan Cave followed by a short climb that leads you into the dry passage. Trek around the valley to Kim Cave. Enter the small entrance via a short climb and follow the dry passage to meet the underground river. A series of short swims and waterfalls brings you to the beautiful To Mo Valley and your camp for the second night. (B,L,D) 

***Note: activities on join basis with other participants (max 10 passengers). You will be camping tonight where amenities will be very basic. 

Day 8 Phong Nha Ke-Bang National Park (Oxalis Wild Tu Lan Cave) / Phong Nha / Hue
After breakfast, a challenging steep hill will lead you to Hang Song Oxalis. This cave has an amazing display of cave coral. Take your time and appreciate this cave. Descend the steep hill for snacks and tea or coffee. Cross To Mo Valley to enter Hung Ton Cave next to the small waterfall. Swim along to the dry passage, where you will climb a metal ladder with the extra protection of a safety line. Follow the dry passage to the exit.

From here the route follows the same way as the first morning: cross the flat valley, climb a short hill, cross the river and buffalo fields to the office. Back at the office enjoy a shower and a tasty lunch at a local restaurant before departing for Hue by private car. Check-in at your hotel in Hue upon arrival.

***Note: activities on join basis with other participants (max 10 passengers). 

Day 9 Hue / Hoi An
This morning, enjoy a cyclo ride over the historical Trang Tien Bridge to visit the colorful Dong Ba market. We’ll enjoy a foodie experience with a chance to sample some of the city’s delicious local fares for which Hue is so famous amongst the local Vietnamese folk. Visit the Imperial Citadel where Vietnam’s royal family once resides before continuing on a scenic drive to Hoi An. Check-in your beachfront resort and enjoy the balance of the afternoon at leisure. (B) 

**Note: local snacks on passengers’ own expense 

Day 10 Hoi An 
Enjoy today to rejuvenate, relax and explore beautiful Hoi An or enjoy some beach time on your own. (B)

Day 11 Hoi An 
Start the morning on a river trip to the small pottery village of Thanh Ha where village elders can be seen turning the pottery wheels whilst other members of the family work on other aspects of the finished products. Afterwards, continue to Kim Bong, a village specializing in woodwork. Dating back to the 15th century, the settlement was an important source of boat building for the nearby port of Hoi An. Today, using specialist tools and techniques passed down from that period, local craftsmen specialize in handmade furniture and ornate sculptures.

Return to Hoi An Town by boat. Discover beautifully preserved old merchant houses, atmospheric temples and lively markets as you stroll through the back streets of this enchanting destination. You will visit the iconic 400-year-old Japanese Bridge and the busy waterfront, where colorful fishing boats bob up and down on the Thu Bon River. Continue to a workshop where you’ll be roll up your sleeves and start painting local folklore masks undert the guidance of a local artisan. Bring home your DYI masterpiece creation! Wrap up the morning with a 30-min hands-on making traditional white rose Hoi An dumplings. Laugh and learn how to make the outer cover of each dumpling that looks like a white flower then add the filling of minced shrimp and pork. Return to your resort and enjoy the balance of the day at leisure. (B,L)

Day 12 Hoi An / Ho Chi Minh City 
Transfer for your short one-hour flight to HCM City. Upon arrival, commence sightseeing of the city starting with a visit to the historic former Presidential Palace. This landmark gained its place in history as the first North Vietnamese tanks passed by, signifying the end of the Vietnam War. Take a walk along Book Street, passing by the Notre Dame Cathedral followed by the colonial-era Post Office, featuring classic Gothic, Renaissance, and French colonial designs. Continue to Ben Thanh market for some street food + souvenir hunting. Check-in to your hotel in the city center for your next 2 nights’ accommodations. (B)

Day 13  Ho Chi Minh City (Cu Chi Tunnels, Evening Show)
This morning, a short drive outside the city takes you to the Cu Chi Tunnels. This underground network was dug in 1948 for the guerrillas to hide from French air and ground sweeps. It also served as communication routes and food and weapon caches as well as hospitals and living quarters for guerrilla fighters throughout the Vietnam war. The tunnel system was improved and expanded to create an underground city of meeting areas, storerooms, living quarters that extends for more than 200KM in length, stretching from Saigon to the Cambodian border which remained totally undetected until after the war. Here, You’ll have the option to go below the surface and visit sections of the tunnels first hand. The more adventurous may go deeper and your guide will be on hand to give guidance on the degree of expected difficulty. Afterwards, return to the city and enjoy the balance of the afternoon at leisure to relax and further explore the city on your own.

This evening, enjoy the spectacular A O Show (pronounced Ahhh! Ohhh!) at the Saigon Opera House, a 60-minute production that depicts the transformation of modern Vietnamese society, taking the audience from the serenity and peacefulness of rural village life to the mayhem and frenzy of city dwelling through the medium of dance and music. Using acrobats, contemporary dancers, jugglers and martial arts experts, the performance is accompanied by an ensemble of harmonious instruments. After the show, enjoy time at leisure to relax and explore the vibrant surroundings of your hotel. (B,L)

Day 14 Return Home
Transfer to the airport for your departure flight home, connecting in Hong Kong. Arrive the same day. (B)

****END OF PROGRAM****

• Prices are per person, based on double occupancy
• Prices includes all entrance fees, domestic air taxes, hotels taxes & service charges
• Phong Nha portion of Tour does NOT operate in October due to weather patterns (heavy rains & flooding)
• Holiday surcharges and/or compulsory gala dinners at hotels apply between Dec. 20 – Jan. 05
• A visa is required for Vietnam. Not included in package.
• All flights, hotels, cruises and excursions are subject to availability at time of reservation