A Vietnam Family Tour of Adventure, culture & FUN – Hanoi, Ninh Binh, Halong Bay, Hoi An, Can Tho, HCM City

Day 1 Arrive Hanoi (Welcome to Vietnam): Arrive in Vietnam’s capital, where you’ll be met by your private guide and transferred to your luxury hotel for a two-night stay. Settle in and enjoy the lively energy of the city at your doorstep. 

Day 2 Hanoi (History, Culture & Flavor): Set out on a curated excursion that traces the heart of Hanoi’s culture and history. Explore world-class museums and temples, hear stories of resilience at Hoa Lo Prison, and glide through the Old Quarter’s maze of alleys on a cyclo, each corner alive with the hum of daily life that has echoed for centuries. Pause for coffee at a local café before returning to your hotel for a leisurely afternoon.

As night falls, dive into Hanoi’s legendary street food culture on a guided foodie adventure. Pull up a plastic stool beside locals in the Old Quarter, sampling signature dishes like silky bánh cuốn, smoky barbecue skewers, and refreshing fruit desserts. End the evening at a hidden café with views overlooking Hoan Kiem Lake, savoring coffee—or beer—as the city glimmers below. (B,D)

Day 3: Hani / Ninh Binh (Limestone Peaks & Rural Traditions) Today’s adventure brings a heavy dose of Vietnam’s scenic and cultural charm. A landscape of karst cliffs and emerald rice paddies, Ninh Binh reveals Vietnam’s pastoral beauty and enduring ways of life. Pedal through rice paddies, mingle with farmers in the fields, glide by sampan into hidden caves, and discover dramatic limestone peaks.

A two-hour drive in the comfort of your private vehicle takes you to Ninh Binh, also known as “Halong Bay on Land”. Begin the morning with an invigorating bicycle ride through rice paddies and riverside villages, where daily life flows in rhythm with the land. Join farmers in their fields—try planting rice, or help fishermen catch crab and mudfish using traditional tools. For lunch, take part in a hands-on cooking demonstration with your local hosts, preparing regional specialties.

Afterwards, glide by hand-rowed sampan into Galaxy Cave, a hidden wonder discovered in 2007. Stalactites glitter overhead as you drift deeper inside, before continuing along tranquil waterways framed by soaring karsts. Check in to your countryside retreat with time to relax and soak in the peaceful surroundings. (B,L)

Note: Cycling distance is approximately 13–15 km on flat terrain and requires no technical ability. This portion is optional and may be replaced with touring by foot or car if preferred or if conditions do not permit.

Day 4 Ninh Binh / Halong Bay (From Picturesque Landscape to Dreamy Seascape): This morning, set out on a scenic four-hour drive to Halong Bay, renowned for its emerald waters and nearly 2,000 limestone karst islands rising dramatically from the sea. Upon arrival, step aboard your intimate luxury vessel and ease into a day of serenity and discovery. Cruise through enchanting waterways framed by soaring cliffs and secluded coves, each turn unveiling new vistas of breathtaking beauty.

Enjoy shore excursions to picturesque islands and ancient caverns, with opportunities to kayak or swim in tranquil lagoons. Onboard, savor freshly prepared lunch and dinner featuring regional flavors, accompanied by sweeping views of the bay. As evening falls, the calm waters and gentle rhythm of the ship set the stage for romance and quiet relaxation. (B,L,D)

Note: Cruise routing and shore excursions vary slightly by vessel, though experiences remain equally captivating.

Day 5 Halong Bay / Hoi An (From Emerald Waters to Ancient Alleyways): For the early riser, join a Tai Chi session on the sundeck while tea, coffee and assorted pastries are served. Later, enjoy a final chance to kayak or simply relax on deck before savoring brunch on board. Disembark and transfer to Hanoi Airport for your afternoon flight to Danang, then continue by private transfer to Hoi An, where lantern-lit streets and historic architecture welcome you for the next three nights. (B)

Day 6 (Hoi An – A Living Museum): Begin your day wandering Hoi An’s UNESCO-listed Old Town, where lantern-draped lanes lead past centuries-old merchant houses, temples, and lively riverside markets. Step into the town’s creative spirit with a mask-painting workshop guided by a local artisan, followed by a hands-on lesson in crafting White Rose dumplings—a beloved local specialty. The afternoon is yours to unwind at the pool or explore the town at leisure. (B,L)

Day 7 Hoi An (Your Day, Your Way): Today is a canvas for your own adventure. Linger on tropical shores, browse galleries and tailor shops, or wander colorful markets at your own pace. Optional excursions—from exploring the ancient ruins of My Son to a leisurely river cruise or a lively Vietnamese cooking class—offer something for every interest. However you choose to spend it, Hoi An reveals a kaleidoscope of heritage, cuisine, and relaxation. (B)

Day 8 Hoi An / Can Tho (From Ancient Town to Timeless River Life): Fly south to Can Tho, the gateway to the Mekong Delta. Upon arrival, you’ll be welcomed and transferred to your riverside resort. After time to settle in, board a traditional sampan for a tranquil cruise through the Mekong’s labyrinth of waterways. Glide past hidden canals and stilted villages, where children wave from the banks and fishermen mend their nets, before returning to your resort for the evening. (B)

Day 9 Can Tho / HCM City (From Floating Market & River Life to Bright Lights and Big City): Rise early for an unforgettable journey to Cai Rang, the Mekong Delta’s most iconic floating market. Watch as boats piled high with pineapples, melons, and fragrant produce trade in a dazzling flurry of color and sound, much as they have for generations.

Return for a leisurely breakfast before continuing north to My Tho in the Upper Mekong Delta. Visit a family-run fish farm, then step onto a tranquil island for a hands-on beeswax workshop with local artisans. Drift by hand-rowed sampan along coconut-shaded creeks, then travel village paths by bicycle or buggy to fruit orchards and mushroom farms, meeting growers along the way, before journeying onward to Ho Chi Minh City for your final two nights. (B,L)

Day 10 HCM City (A City of Contrasts): This morning, get acquainted with the city by visiting its iconic landmarks, including the Reunification Palace, Notre Dame Cathedral, the Central Post Office, and City Hall. Then, enjoy some souvenir hunting at the city’s famed Ben Thanh Market, a lively hub for street snacks, spices, and local crafts, before returning to your hotel to relax by the pool or explore the famed District 1.

This evening, be captivated by the A O Show—a dazzling 60-minute performance blending acrobatics, dance, and music to portray Vietnam’s evolution from serene village life to vibrant modern cities. (B)

Day 11 HCM City (Explore the Historic Cu Chi Tunnels): This morning, take a short drive outside the city to the legendary Cu Chi Tunnels. First dug in 1948, this vast underground network grew into an elaborate 200-kilometer system stretching toward the Cambodian border. Serving as hiding places, communication routes, storage depots, and even field hospitals during the Vietnam War, the tunnels remain one of Vietnam’s most extraordinary historic sites. Here, you’ll have the option to descend below ground to experience the tunnels firsthand. The afternoon is yours to relax, shop, or discover more of Ho Chi Minh City at your own pace.  (B)

Day 12 Depart HCM City (Farewell Vietnam): Your private transfer brings you to Tan Son Nhat airport, where your guide ensures a seamless departure for your flight—concluding a Vietnam family holiday of comfort, discovery, and unforgettable experiences. (B)

• Prices are per person, based on double occupancy, 2 passengers traveling
• For 3 and 4 passengers traveling together, deduct $200 and $350 per person from tour price, respectively. 
• Prices include all entrance fees, domestic air taxes, hotels taxes & service charges
• Price excludes transpacific air (i.e. flights to/from Vietnam), personal expenses, beverages and gratuities to guides and drivers.
• Holiday surcharges and/or compulsory gala dinners at hotels apply between Dec. 20 – Jan. 05
• A visas is required for Vietnam. Not included in package.
• All flights, hotels and land services are subject to availability at time of reservation