Vietnam Family Fun with Cruise Adventure (09 Nights / 10 Days)

Welcome to Hanoi, Vietnam’s capital city. Hanoi blends old world charm with the dynamic hustle and bustle of new Asia. Its French colonial past is evident from the traditional architecture and enchanting lakes, in sharp contrast with the throng of thousands of motorbikes and numerous new cosmopolitan restaurants and boutiques. To the north of the central Hoan Kiem Lake lies the frenetic maze of narrow streets of the Old Quarter, while the south is home to the broad tree-lined boulevards and majestic buildings of the French Quarter.You will be met on arrival at Hanoi International Airport by your guide for private transfer to your hotel of choice. The rest of your day is free at leisure to enjoy the hotel facilities or venture out for your first experience of Hanoi.

The day starts with a visit to the Temple of Literature, Vietnam’s first university. Constructed in 1070, the gardens and well-preserved architecture offer a relaxing glimpse into Vietnam’s past. Afterwards, take a walking tour of Hanoi’s Old Quarter, also known as the ‘36 streets’. This bustling area of narrow streets and alleys is home to literally thousands of small businesses and shopkeepers. It’s a great place to explore with plenty of fantastic photo opportunities.We will have lunch at KOTO Restaurant. KOTO or ‘Know One Teach One’ is supported by Street Voices, an NGO dedicated to offering a brighter future to street and disadvantaged youth in Vietnam. The youth in the KOTO training program study hospitality, English and life skills and gain essential experience working at KOTO restaurant.

Transfer to Hai Phong, about 3.5 hours drive, where you will board your boat for your overnight trip through Halong Bay.Spectacular Halong Bay comprises around 2000 karst limestone peaks jutting out of calm emerald waters. Designated as a World Heritage Site for its incredible natural beauty, the forested islands are dotted with caves and home to a variety of bird life. Whether cloaked in mist or bathed in sunshine, a cruise through this beautiful bay is one of Vietnam’s absolute highlights.

Wake up early and join a Tai Chi class on the sun deck as the first rays of the sun touch the water. Coffee, tea and breakfast pastries are ready for you in the dining room to start the new day.We will cruise to Tra Bau, a secluded spot where we will enjoy a morning of kayaking around the tiny islands admiring the tranquil yet stunning scenery. Back on board enjoy a hearty breakfast as we start our journey back through beautiful Halong Bay to the pier.Your guide and driver will meet you for the transfer back to Hanoi and for your flight to Danang and your onward transfer to Hoi An.

Wake up to beautiful Hoi An, Vietnam’s most atmospheric town, with elegant architecture and a lovely riverside setting. From the 15th to the late 19th century it was one of Asia’s most important ports, drawing traders from Europe, America and from across the east, notably China and Japan. Now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Old Town buzzes with charming restaurants, stylish bars and expert tailors set amidst historic temples and traditional shop houses. Surrounding the town are picturesque rice fields and sleepy back lanes, while a few miles to the east lies a glorious palm-fringed coastline.Today we are going fishing! This tour takes you to visit the old port town Tra Nhieu, settled in a peaceful countryside location on the Thu Bon river bank. You will transfer to a central meeting point in Hoi An and cycle to Thu Bon wharf on Bach Dang street where you will take a local ferry along the river to Tra Nhieu fishing village. This is a truly peaceful area where the typical features of traditional Vietnamese villages are still maintained, with little paths winding around local garden houses shaded by scented betel-nut trees. You will be given a brief introduction to the history of the village, the surrounding area and the traditional handicrafts of the village such as farming, fishing, poultry and livestock breeding, and mattress making.Sadly, it will be time to bid farewell to the local fishermen and catch the boat back to the wharf, from where you will cycle back to Hoi An town.In the afternoon, take a walking tour of the picturesque ancient town center of Hoi An, with its buildings that display a blend of local and foreign influences from days gone by. You will visit former merchants’ houses, a Chinese communal hall, colorful markets and the iconic and famous 400 year-old Japanese Covered Bridge.Stroll back to your hotel to plan an evening in Hanoi at your leisure, enjoying some traditional Vietnamese cuisine and soaking up the atmosphere of the Old Quarter of Hoi An.

An early start to the day today as we head off to a traditional Vietnamese cooking class. We start off at the colorful market where you will experience the amazing sights, sounds and aromas of this busy place. We will have the opportunity to interact with the local sellers and purchase some of the ingredients to be used in the cooking lesson. The cooking class is an interesting and fun way to learn about the delicious local cuisine. Running for about 2 hours, the class includes demonstrations from the chef, a chance to cook some dishes and then enjoy them all over a very tasty lunch, after which we will transfer back to the hotel.This afternoon you will go back to the center of old Hoi An town and visit the home of a local craftsman for a silk lantern making workshop. These beautiful silk lanterns first made their appearance in Hoi An in the late 16th century when the Chinese and Japanese settled there. Originally, the lanterns had the practical use of lighting up homes, but because they were so beautiful, they were also used as special decorations for festivals and family gatherings. Locals also used to hang the lanterns outside their homes as they believed it brought good luck to their families and the town. After listening to a brief history of the lanterns from your host, he will then demonstrate how they are made and then it will be your turn to make your own lantern, which you can then take home as a souvenir of your time in Hoi An.The remainder of the afternoon and evening is free at your leisure to enjoy and make the most of your last night in Hoi An.

Transfer to Danang airport for your flight to Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC).Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel of choice and enjoy the rest of your first day in HCMC at leisure. Enjoy the facilities of your hotel or wander out and explore this vibrant and modern city.Commonly referred to as Saigon, HCMC is Vietnam’s largest city and undisputed commercial capital. It is a dynamic city that is currently enjoying the fruits of Vietnam’s economic boom, with lavish hotels, decadent restaurants and trendy nightspots continually being added to the cityscape. Yet against the backdrop of new-found confidence, frenetic development and urban bustle, the boutique charm of Ho Chi Minh City still lives on amongst the tree-lined boulevards, quaint wooden shops, old temples and colonial architecture.The evening is reserved for an exciting street food around HCMC by vespa. Our tour begins at 18.00 with a pick up at your hotel before hitting the buzzing streets of the city. Tonight offers you a chance to experience the nightlife of local Saigonese from the back of a vintage Vespa scooter. The city comes alive come sundown and people congregate on sidewalks, parks and all over the city at the end of each day. The first stop on your culinary exploration will be to sample some light evening snacks. We will continue on to a traditional street restaurant for dinner and drinks, where we will sample some of Saigon’s best authentic street food. An evening out in HCMC is also not complete without a visit to a Vietnamese-style coffee shop. Continue on and wrap up the evening at one of the many local clubs, where the new generation of Vietnamese unwind after a busy day at work. This exciting night adventure finishes at 22.00 when you will be taken back to the hotel.

An early 07.00 depart from the hotel to transfer to the speedboat for the 90-minute trip to Cu Chi. You’ll cruise past the entire city and its modern skyline before passing through more rural scenery as you travel northwest to Cu Chi. A light breakfast will be served en route.The Cu Chi Tunnels consist of an incredible underground tunnel network constructed by Vietnamese resistance fighters, known as the Viet Cong, during both the French and American wars. You will start the visit with the Ben Dinh section of the tunnel. Here you can imagine what it was like to be a Viet Cong soldieur as you crawl through the tiny, dimly lit tunnels and you will even have a chance to fire a number of assault rifles, such as the M16 rifle or AK-47, as well as a light machine gun like the M60 at the purpose- built shooting range. This is a fascinating and thoroughly enjoyable tour where history really comes to life.Late morning you will head back to Ho Chi Minh City by speedboat, while enjoying a delicious picnic lunch on board. Your vehicle will be waiting upon disembarkation to take you back to your hotel, where the rest of the day is to be enjoyed at leisure.

Early morning 08.00 drive to the delta town of Cai Be about 105km away. The vast Mekong Delta lies southwest of Ho Chi Minh City and is where one of the world’s great rivers splits into numerous branches before emptying into the South China Sea. Criss- crossed with canals and tributaries, this fertile region is where much of Vietnam’s produce is grown. Alongside the lush green rice fields, fruit orchards and picturesque waterways you’ll find riverside settlements bustling with traditional industries, laid back cities and a few remaining floating markets, all offering a fascinating insight into rural Vietnamese life.On arrival, board your boat for a cruise along the delta’s waterways. Start your journey by passing by Cai Be’s floating market, once a busy place to trade fruits and vegetables and nowadays a quiet and quaint local market. Continue on to a cottage factory where puffed rice, rice paper and coconut candies are made. Return to the boat for the cruise to Dong Hoa Hiep Island, admiring the scenery and the daily life of the local villagers along the way. Enjoy a delicious Mekong style lunch, sampling specialties of the area, before transferring back to the city and your last night in HCMC.

After check-out, you will be met and transferred to the airport for your flight back home.