Vietnam Family Grand Journey – 18 Days

Today, start your journey with a visit to the Museum of Ethnology which provides an interesting glimpse into Vietnamese lengthy history through over 10,000 artifacts and objects as well as 15,000 photos. They clearly depict a perspective of the lifestyles, activities, traditions, customs, and habits of 54 ethnic groups. Then head to the Temple of Literature, built in the 11th century and dedicated to Confucius.

After lunch, travel to Huu Tiep Lake to see the wreckage of an American B-52 bomber lying as a memorial to the war. Then visit Hoa Lo Prison, constructed by the French to imprison Vietnamese politicians. It is bound to be a moving visit. Continue your journey to Ngoc Son Temple on a small island at Hoan Kiem Lake accessible by the red wooden bridge named The Huc. Travel back to your hotel in the late afternoon. Your family can relax at the hotel or enjoy the interesting Water Puppet Show (optional) to know more about the history and traditions of Vietnam dating back over a millennium.

Today, your family will be taken to the Bat Trang Pottery Village which is located about 15 kilometers outside of Hanoi, surrounded by fertile farmland. You will have a chance to watch the artisans forming, painting, and glazing their ceramic products, which will be baked for several days in huge kilns. Return to Hanoi in the afternoon.

Today, travel from Hanoi to Sapa via the expressway (approximately 5 hours). After lunch at the hotel in Sapa, you will be picked up by a private vehicle to drive to the charming Silver Waterfall with a great view of the surrounding mountains and the lush forests. Continue the discovery with a visit Heaven Gate where your family can see the magnificent Mount Fansipan, ‘the roof of Indochina’ at the height of 3143 meters.

In the morning, leave Sapa town and depart to Lao Chai village. On arrival, you will experience the daily life of the local community. Then take a leisure walk from Lao Chai to Ta Van village, where the friendly hill tribes live. Take a rest at a local stilt house and enjoy a delicious lunch prepared by the host. Afterward, enjoy soft trekking through bamboo forests to touch the rustic nature of Sapa. Continue and explore the Red Dao people at Giang Ta Chai village before returning to the town.

Today, your family will have free time to explore the town, visit the local market. Then you will be privately transferred back to Hanoi (about 5 hours of traveling). The rest of the day is your time to recover from the long transportation.

In the morning, head to the UNESCO World Heritage Site Halong Bay with scenic limestone karsts, untouched islands, interesting grottoes, and aquamarine waters. (about 4 hours of traveling). After embarkation, enjoy lunch on board while cruising towards Halong Bay’s famous limestone formations. In the afternoon, explore Thien Canh Son Cave, a fascinating natural cave filled with diverse stalactites and stalagmites. Afterward, return to the boat where you can relax on the sundeck, indulge in a massage, kayak to discover hidden corners or swim in clear waters of the bay.

Later, behold the sunset over the enchanting Halong Bay with your favorite drinks or join in a cooking demonstration by the cruise’s chef to learn more about Vietnamese cuisine. After dinner, experience lavish services on the cruise or participate in exciting night squid fishing.

Wake up early this day with a Tai Chi lesson on the sundeck which is good for your health. After breakfast on board, visit Vung Vieng fishing village by rowboat where you can find approximately 50 families living in clusters of houses.

Later, return to your boat where brunch will be served on board while cruising back to the harbor. Then disembark from the ship then transfer back to Hanoi. Next, take a domestic flight from Hanoi to service to Danang (the approximate flight time is about 120 minutes). On arrival, enjoy a scenic transfer from Danang to Hoi An with a private vehicle (about 40 minutes). Overnight in Hoi An

Today, ride a bicycle through old streets to the home of a craftsman (small children share the same one with their parents). Your family will receive a brief introduction to the history of traditional lanterns and the process of making them. Then you will have an opportunity to create your own lanterns and keep it as a souvenir.

Next, travel to a Hoi An cooking school, where you will learn to cook Vietnamese traditional food with instructions from local chefs, have lunch and relax. Return to the hotel in the afternoon.

After breakfast, your family will be privately transferred from Hoi An to Hue (approximate travel time is three hours). On arrival, you will have time to relax and recover from the long transfer. In the afternoon, you will have a chance to see how the local people live in Vy Da village, enjoy the Hue special coffee and learn more about ancient architecture. Later in the afternoon, come back to Hue City and participate in a kite-flying contest. The person flying the kite the highest wins.

In the morning, visit the Hue Citadel, Vietnam’s former imperial capital as well as the UNESCO World Heritage Site. From outside to inside, explore Hue Capital Citadel, Royal Citadel, Forbidden City, and Tomb of Emperor Khai Dinh.

In the afternoon, cruise along the Perfume River to see the Tomb of Minh Mang Emperor. Back on the Perfume River, visit the Thien Mu Pagoda, an active Buddhist monastery with its origins dating back to the 17^th century.

Today, board a flight from Hue to Ho Chi Minh City (Approximate flight time is one hour and 30 minutes). On arrival, your family will be privately transferred between the airport and your accommodations. Later, start your visit today at Cholon, the city’s Chinatown and widely regarded as the largest one in the world by area. Continue to visit Jade Emperor Pagoda, one of the most interesting religious constructions in the country. The pagoda filled with smoky incense own elaborately carved figurines as well as decorated panels of carved gilt woodwork which is dedicated to Taoist and Buddhist deities.

Finally, head to the city center where the French colonial presence can be felt at the Notre Dame Cathedral and Saigon Central Post Office. Marvel at stunning architectures with rich Renaissance, Gothic and French influences.

The mighty Mekong River is the lifeblood of Southeast Asia, especially Vietnam. Mekong Delta is truly the biological treasure trove of unique species that can be found nowhere in the world. Today, head to Cai Be town. Next, travel to Hoa Binh Phuoc islet, a fascinating maze of shady creeks that are best explored from the comfort of your boat. After lunch, visit a bonsai garden, where you can see and learn a few tips on caring for trees. Later, visit traditional families of producing tiles, ceramics, rice paper, and coconut candy. Travel back to the city before dark.

This morning, take a domestic flight to Phu Quoc Island, the Pearl at the Gulf of Thailand. After the check-in, the rest of the day is your family leisure to enjoy the beach and experience opulent services.

These two days are your free time to explore the island including visit pepper farm, Dinh Cau rock, fish sauce factory, Phu Quoc national park (optional)… You can take a private boat to explore the untouched small island and enjoy the pristine beaches there.

Today, take a domestic flight back to Saigon. Your family can choose to relax at the hotel, explore the city on your own (amazing street foods and dozens of attractions) or spend half-day visiting Cu Chi Tunnels (optional), the key to the victory of Vietcong against the powerful American troops and the puppet South Vietnam government in the Vietnam War.