Family Adventure in Vietnam 15 Days

Family Adventure in Vietnam 15 Days
 
(15 Days - Departs Daily on a Private Basis)
Hanoi, Mai Chau, Halong Bay, Hoian, Chi Minh City
   
Overview Itinerary
 
Day 01: Arrive Hanoi, transfer to hotel for a 2 night stay
Day 02: Morning tour of Hanoi city, afternoon at leisure
Day 03: Drive to the Mai Chau Valley for a 2 night stay
Day 04: Exploring the Mai Chau Valley
Day 05: Drive back to Hanoi for a 1 night stay
Day 06: Drive to Halong Bay for a 2-night cruise around the waters of Halong Bay
Day 07: Activities to explore the outer islands
Day 08: Sunrise cruise. Return to Hanoi for a 1 night stay
Day 09: Transfer and fly to Hoian for a 4 night stay
Day 10-12: Days at leisure in Hoi An.
Day 13: Fly to Ho Chi Minh, afternoon excrusion to Cu Chi tunnels
Day 14: Ho Chi Minh free day
Day 15: Transfer to airport. End of service.

Day 1: Arrive Hanoi
Upon arrival at Hanoi airport you will be welcomed to Vietnam by your private English speaking guide, and then transferred to your hotel. The rest of the day is at leisure. Overnight in Hanoi.
 
Day 2: Hanoi (B)
Morning tour of Hanoi: Today's tour of Hanoi starts with a visit to to Ho Chi Minh's complex, including the mausoleum of the nation's founder and leader. Here, large crowds gather to pay there respects to the man they simply call Uncle Ho as they silently file past his glass sarcophagus. The Presidential Palace and Uncle Ho's wooden stilt house can also be seen here. One of must-see places in the complex is One Pillar pagoda dating back 11th century. From far view its shape looks like a huge lotus flower. The next stop is the Temple of Literature, the site of Vietnam's oldest university and dedicated to one of the world's most famous scholars, Confucious. Inside the temple grounds, huge steles rest on the backs of even larger stone turtles (in Vietnam's culture, the turtle represents longevity). The stele recorded the names of the successful candidates who later became mandarins in the Emperor's court.
 
Afternoon cyclo tour of the Old Quarter & Water Puppet show: After some time to relax at your hotel you will set out to enjoy a relaxing cyclo ride through Hanoi's Old Quarter. The best way to explore the picturesque area of the Old Quarter is by "cyclo" (a three-wheeled bicycle taxi). Also known as the "36 Streets District", it was once the thriving commercial centre of the city. Each of the 36 short lanes used to specialise in a particular trade represented by one of the guilds. This is still reflected in the names of certain streets: like Silk Street, Gold Street and Fish Street. Among the ancient homes and attractive temples there is a multitude of tantalising souvenir shops. Afterwards you will be dropped off at a nearby theatre to enjoy one of Vietnam's unique and traditional arts. Water puppetry is a highly entertaining form of theatre using the water surface as a stage. Standing waist-deep in the water, the master puppeteers are hidden behind a bamboo screen. The technical virtuosity of the puppeteers is startling and the music enticing. The entire atmosphere is truly enchanting. Many of the brief episodes relate to scenes of daily life.
 
Day 3: Hanoi – Mai Chau (B)
Today you take a drive West toward Mai Chau with one stop in Hoa Binh City for refreshments or coffee (pay yourself). Continue driving toward Mai Chau valley, about another 1.5 hours away, stopping on the way to take in the spectacular scenery. Arrive in the picturesque Mai Chau valley surrounded by spectacular karst rock formations and rice paddies, check in hotel and spend the afternoon at your leisure or independently explore the idyllic natural surroundings. For evening enjoyment, you may choose to take part in a traditional dance show with Ruou Can - a local wine. Overnight in Mai Chau
 
Day 4: Mai Chau (B)
Breakfast at hotel. Cycle to explore Mai Chau beautiful ethnic villages including Na Thia, Nhot, Pom Coong, Lac and Chieng Chau villages. Be welcomed by the friendly local people, talk with them and discover their traditional culture. Total cycling time is around 2 – 3 hours on flat village paths. Take it all in: the spectacular scenery of Mai Chau and the relaxed rhythm of local life. Return Mai Chau Ecolodge for relaxing in swimming pool. Overnight in Mai Chau
 
Day 5: Mai Chau – Hanoi (B)
After breakfast, spend this morning to relax or begin the journey back to Hanoi. Arrive Hanoi this afternoon. Overnight in Hanoi.
 
Day 6: Hanoi - Halong Bay & stay overnight on board (B, L, D)
Depart from Hanoi and travel by shuttle bus to the spectacular World Heritage site of Halong Bay in the Gulf of Tonkin (approximately four hours). Arrive at your jetty in Halong City towards noon and proceed with check-in formalities. After your welcome onboard, a lunch will be served while cruising towards the bay itself. In the afternoon, enjoy some visits and/or activities (depending on each boat’s itinerary) or just spend some time relaxing on board. Towards the end of the day the boat sets anchor for the night among the karst formations. Dinner is served on board. Overnight aboard on Halong Bay
 
Day 7: Halong Bay (B, L, D)
Halong Bay Cruise: This morning there is the option to wake early to enjoy Tai Chi instruction on the sundeck (duration about 30 minutes). Coffee, tea and breakfast pastries served before transferred to the Day Boat. Day time activities include cruising to less trafficked areas of the Bay, visiting cave, kayaking, swimming or relaxing (depending on each boat’s itinerary and weather conditions). Lunch is served on board mid-day. Return by tender to the overnight boat. Rejoin the cruise and relax onboard as we sail to the overnight anchorage.
 
Day 8: Halong Bay – Hanoi (B)
Enjoy your fresh morning in the middle of the bay, the sun rises on Halong in the morning and breakfast is served (brunch on some boats) while the vessels cruises slowly through the magnificent rock formations and back towards port. Disembark and travel back to Hanoi by shuttle bus.
 
Note: 3 days cruise itinerary is subject to change bases on each cruise company, transfer by cruise’s shuttle bus (driver pick-up, there is no tour guide on the bus), english speaking guide is available on board.
 
Day 9: Hanoi – Danang – Hoian (B)
This morning, your guide and driver will transfer you to the airport for your flight to Danang which is located on Vietnam's central coast; upon arrival you will be greeted by our guide and transferred to Hoi An ancient town, which is an exceptionally well-preserved example of a South-East Asian trading port dating from the 15th to the 19th century. Its buildings and its street plan reflect the influences, both indigenous and foreign, that have combined to produce this unique heritage site. Overnight at hotel in Hoian
 
Day 10-12: Hoian (B)
At leisure: You have these days free to relax in Hoi An. Alternatively there are opportunities to visit the beach, cycle in some beautiful countryside, visit the ruins at My Son, discover the artists of Hoi An or see a tailor to get some clothes made.
 
Day 13: Hoi An – Da nang – Ho Chi Minh (B)
This morning, your guide will meet you at your hotel and transfer you to the airport for your flight in the morning. Upon arrival in Ho Chi Minh city, you will be greeted by our guide and enjoy a half-day private excursion to the Cu Chi Tunnels. The tunnels consist of more than 200kilometers of underground tunnels. This main axis system has many branches connecting to underground hideouts, shelters, and entrancesto other tunnels. The network included innumerable trap doors, specially constructed living areas, storage facilities, weapons factories, field hospitals, command centers and kitchens. Today the remaining tunnels have become a major tourist attraction giving the visitor a unique experience and a feel of what underground life was like during the U.S.-Vietnam War. Accommodation at hotel in Ho Chi Minh city.
 
Day 14: Ho Chi Minh - At leisure without guide & transfer (B)
Today at leisure in Saigon: You have full day at leisure to explore this bustling city independently. You can see such landmarks as the Reunification Palace, Cathedral of Notre Dame, Centre Post Office and War Remnants Museum, featuring collections of weapons and photographs from the two Indochina wars. Stroll down follow Dong Khoi Street, the city’s main shopping boulevard with fashionable boutiques and accessories designed by up-and-coming Vietnamese designers, hill tribe crafts, high quality linens and house-wares…Accommodation at hotel in Ho Chi Minh city.
 
Day 15: Ho Chi Minh Departure (B)
Free at leisure until your transfer by private car to Hanoi Airport for your onward flight home.

- Check-in time at hotel: 14:00 -  Check-out time: Before 12:00

- The Hung Kings Anniversary from 6 April 2017 to 7 April 2017
- Victory Day & Labour Day from 29 April 2017 to 02 May 2017
- Independent Day from 02 September to 03 September 2017
- Christmas Eve gala dinner (December 24, 2017)
- New Year’s Eve gala dinner (December 31, 2017)
- New Year & Holiday: 24 December 2017 to 10 January 2018
- Lunar New Year from 15 Feb 2018 to 20 February 2018