Vietnam Family Tour - 12 Days

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Starts/Ends: Hanoi / Ho Chi Minh City
Route: Hanoi - Sapa - Ha Long Bay - Hoi An - Ho Chi Minh City - Mekong Delta.
Tour Duration: 12 days/ 11 nights
Dates: No fixed departure dates. You may go whenever you wish
Tour Type: Private tour
Tour Customizable: Absolutely! (Tell us your specific requirements in the inquiry form)

Tour highlights:

  • Visit rural market, vegetable village, home cooking class in Hanoi with local family.
  • Explore Hanoi old quarter by cycle tour (Rickshaw)
  • Visit one of the most attractive museums, the Ethnologic museum.
  • Enjoy the performance of the unique water puppetry.
  • Sitting on a tiny sampan, riding through the deep caves and beautiful landscapes in Trang An.
  • Visit the colorful market of the hill tribal people
  • Admire the amazing landscape of Sapa and visit the villages of ethnic people.
  • Discover the natural world heritage Halong Bay.
  • Visit the Old Town of Hoi An, a listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and My Son Holy land.
  • Explore the tunnels of Cu Chi
  • Enjoy the picturesque countryside in Mekong delta
  • Exploring Saigon, the bustling and vibrant hub of Southern Vietnam.

Day 01: Hanoi arrival
Flight details: Please advise!
Upon arrival, welcome by our tour guide and transfer to your hotel.
The rest of time is free in Hanoi. Overnight in Hanoi.

Day 02: Farm tour - Cooking class - Hanoi city tour (Meal: B, L)
This morning, you leave Hanoi center and drive about 35 minutes to the west of city. It is about 17 km from old quarter to Xuan Phuong vegetable village. Upon arrival, you will meet the host at meeting point and she will show you a local market since Le King Dynasty. It is the most famous market in the region where many traditional items for sales. If on market days (two or three times per week, other days market is not too crowded), people from all the surrounding villages would come to trade. People bring dogs, cats, pigs, chickens, ducks, and bamboo baskets to sell. Everyone is excited to meet each other on that day. You will be surprised about bustling and colorful market which is working under the canopy of old tree. You will see the old women chew betel and areca nut and blacksmiths work hard with his bright brazier. Right next to the market place is nice vegetable farms. We take a tour around vegetable fields growing a variety of produce including: bitter melon, corn, cauliflower, cabbage, tomatoes, green peas, snake peas and corn, as well as fruit gardens with oranges, pomelos, papaya and more (depend on the season to grow different crops)., You will learn more about background of vegetable and you may have chance to help a farmer working on his field. Afterwards, we go to her house for cooking delicious dishes. She will teach you how to cook some Vietnamese dishes by simple and traditional recipes. Enjoy local fresh vegetable, fruit, make traditional cake and talk about Vietnamese families’ custom together. After that we return to Hanoi.
In the afternoon, you will visit famous Ho Chi Minh complex comprising his Mausoleum (We will visit the outside of Mausoleum – the mausoleum is open until 11am), former residence, the impressive house on stilts and view the One Pillar Pagoda. The One Pillar Pagoda, formally Diên Huu is a historic Buddhist temple. It is regarded alongside the Perfume Pagoda, as one of Vietnam's two most iconic temples.
In the next step, proceed to the Ethnologic museum, which focuses on the 54 officially recognized ethnic groups in Vietnam, it is widely considered to be the finest modern museum in Vietnam and a tourist attraction in Hanoi.
Back to the city central, visit Ngoc Son temple, Hoan Kiem lake then take an hour cycle tour around the old quarter and attend the performance of the unique water puppetry before finish the day-off.
Overnight in Hanoi.

Day 03: Hanoi - Ninh Binh - Hanoi - Night train to Sapa (Meal: B, L)
08:00: Depart from Hanoi to Ninh Binh (100km - 2.5 hours), transfer directly to the port; get into a rowing boat (around 2.5 hours) to explore the picturesque waterways in Trang An ecological tourist site. Forested limestone mounts contrasting in emerald water, caves, lowland and rivers create a mysterious fairytale-like scene. We then visit a network of 11 caves with beautiful stalactites of all shapes and colors. Disembark and then have lunch at the local restaurant. After having short breaking, transfer to Hoa Lu, one of the oldest capitals in Vietnam dated to 968 – 1009. The remaining vestiges include two temples dedicated to Dinh and Le Kings. These temples are surrounded by beautiful hibiscus gardens, ponds with lotus blossoms and frangipani spreading a delicate perfume. Take time to relax in its airy and reflective atmosphere.
Overnight on the train.

Day 04: Lao Cai - Market - Sapa (Meal: B, L)
After early arrival at Lao Cai, a Chinese border town, we enjoy breakfast at a local Vietnamese restaurant before drive to overland to a market of the hill tribal people. Depending on the day of the week, you will visit one of the markets:

  • Bac Ha, home to the flower H’mong hill tribe minority people is open on Sunday
  • Can Cau market is open on Saturday
  • Coc Ly market is open on Tuesday
  • Cao Son market is open on Wednesday
  • Lung Khau Nhin market is open on Thursday.

In all these markets, we can meet hundreds of beautiful women from Flower Hmong tribe, who are famous for their wonderful craft and hand-made flowering clothes and textile fabrics, or intermingle with people from Black Hmong, Dzay, Dzao and other ethnic groups coming to the market not for purchasing stuffs, but for meeting and chatting – just once a week - like in a real cultural center. After lunchtime, we drive to Sa Pa.
After check-in to the hotel, we transfer to visit Cat Cat village. You will stop by a waterfall and a hydroelectric station for a while before continuing the trek on a dirt trail through rice paddy terraces. You also will enjoy spectacular scenery while walking along a narrow river.
In the evening, free time to explore the town.
Overnight in Sapa.

Bac Ha market
Bac Ha market
Sapa Vietnam
Terraced fields in Sapa

Day 05: Sapa trekking tour - Cable car to Fanxipan - Train to Hanoi (Meal: B, L)
Breakfast at the hotel.
08:00: Met up at your hotel in Sapa by local guide and driver and to Y Linh Ho village of Black Hmong minority, where you can take a rest while you are served lunch nearby the river.
After lunch, you head toward Muong Hoa valley. You will pass through Lao Chai village of Black Hmong minority and then Tavan village of Giay minority by following a very popular trekking route.
Continue on, then take a cable car to Fanxipan Mountain. Currently the highest point of Fanxipan is at 3,143m high. As you know the cable in Sapa is the world’s longest and highest cable car, running up from sleepy Sapa town to the Peak of Fanxipan Mountain, known as Indochina’s rooftop. Enjoy the view from the highest point of this incredible mountain. The lush green and subtropical vegetation makes this mountain really very beautiful. Take some pictures for unforgettable experience from the top. After taking scenery then get cable car back to Sapa.
Free time until transfer to Lao Cai railway station for a night train to Hanoi.
Overnight on the train.
Approx: 0, 5 hour driving / 5 hours walking / 1 hour lunch.

Day 06: Hanoi arrival - Ha Long (Meal: B, L, D)
05:10: Arrival Hanoi, you will meet our guide and driver then transfer to Larosa hotel or similar for breakfast, shower and take a short rest.
08:00: Pick up at your hotel
12:00 – 12:30: Embark at Hon Gai International harbor.
12:30 – 13:00: Check-in. Cruise begins with welcome drink and safety briefing.
13:30 – 14:30: Set menu lunch served in the outdoor dining room (depending on the weather) while cruising into magnificent Bai Tu Long Bay; admire the fascinating limestone karsts on the way.
15:00 – 17:00: Cruise to Vung Dang – Cong Dam area: Swim or relax on a white sandy beach; Go kayaking through the mystery Karst Mountains in Vung Dang area.
18:00 – 20:30: Return to Dragon Legend Cruise to refresh yourself in Mineral Seawater Pool, Fitness Room or the Spa and Massage Services before dinner.
20:30: Spend the rest of your evening relaxing, talking with the on board team, watching movies, listening to music...
Overnight in Tra San area

Day 07: Ha Long - Fly to Da Nang (Meal: B, L)
Flight: VN 197R 15SEP F HANDAD SS1 1900 2020
06:30 – 07:00: Start a new day with a Tai Chi demonstration on the sun-deck.
07:00 – 07:30: Take in the morning view of the Bay’s landscape with a cup of tea or coffee and enjoy breakfast in the fresh air.
7:30 – 09:45: Cruise to Cong Do area to explore the well- hidden Thien Canh Son Cave.
10:00: Check out your cabin.
10:45 – 11:30: Enjoy a Buffet while cruising towards the harbor.
11:30 – 12:00: Disembark.
Then we transfer to Noi Bai airport for a short flight to Da Nang. On the way, stop over for Dinh Bang Village in Bac Ninh Province to visit Do temple, this temple was building during the Le Dynasty and has been altered several times since. The major reconstruction took place under the reign of Le Trung Hung in the 17th century.
Overnight in Hoi An.

Day 08: Hoi An - My Son (Meal: B, L)
In the morning we drive 70 kilometers to My Son Holy land. Located 70 km southwest of Da Nang, My Son was the capital of the once mighty Champa Kingdom. It boasts a complex of ancient ruins that date back to 1,700 years ago, and is the most complete example of ancient Champa ruins in Vietnam.
In the afternoon, visit the Japanese covered bridge, Phuc Kien assemble hall, Phung Hung old house, Hoi An museum and Quan Cong temple.
The rest of time is fee to walk in the old town, feel the atmosphere of its original culture, enjoy shopping for tailor clothing, lanterns, shoes and food, or simply relaxing on the beach.
Overnight stay in Hoian.

Hoi An Ancient Town

Day 09: Hoi An (Meal: B)
Full day is free time at your leisure to relax on the beach or old town.

Day 10: Hoi An - Da Nang - Fly to Sai Gon - Cu Chi (Meal: B)
Transfer to the airport for flight to Sai Gon.
Upon arrival, we drive 70 kilometers North West to explore the underground tunnels in Cu Chi which system had been created long time back, from 1948 to assist Viet Minh in the combat with French. It was continuing built over 25 years later. It was an underground city with living areas, kitchens, storage, weapons factories, field hospitals, command centers. In places, it was housed up to 10,000 people who virtually lived underground for years… getting married, giving birth. During the American War the entire area of Cu Chi was designated a free fire zone and was heavily bombarded. From 1988, two sections of tunnels have been open for visitors. You may even have a chance to crawl through the tunnels yourself. We return to Saigon in the late afternoon.
In the afternoon, we visit the War Remnants Museum, Historically, the war museum as part of the Vietnam and World Peace museums system was born on Sep 4 1975 at 28 Vo Van Tan street, district 3, HCMC. Since its 30-year inception, the museum has attracted over 10 million arrivals of domestic and foreign tourists, especially, student delegations from provinces and cities nationwide. It helps reappear the then-wars, helping students well realize on the values of patriotism, struggle for peace and national liberation from forefathers. This museum includes 8 specific exhibitions and various collections of the truth of history (conspiracy and process from hostile forces for the war in Vietnam); crime evidences and war consequences; kinds of weapon and tools serving for the wars; prison (prison house system, concentration camp, torture, maltreatment, corporal mutilation and spiritual oppression against political prisoners).
14:00: Transfer to the airport for your departure flight at 17:00.
Remark: If time permits, you can discuss with our guide to visit Reunification Palace.
Overnight in Sai Gon.

Cu Chi Tunnels Vietnam
Cu Chi Tunnels
Cu Chi Tunnels Vietnam
Cu Chi Tunnels

Day 11: Sai Gon - Mekong delta - Sai Gon (Meal: B, L)
In the morning, take 2hrs drive to the Mekong Delta which is known as the rice bowl of Vietnam. Upon arrival, take a boat cruise around islets and tropical orchards through the Vam Xep canal to reach a small islet, followed by a relaxing walk along shady and palm fringed trails passing by local villages where you can see their peaceful daily life. Stop en route to visit a bee farm, interact with a local family. Visit coconut workshop to understand a typical family run business in this area.
Enjoy horse-drawn cart ride to visit handicraft village, a coconut candy factory, enjoy tropical fruit, traditional music and the take a rowing boat through the narrow tree-lined canals before returning to My Tho by motorized boat. Have lunch before heading back Saigon.
Later on, visit the Notre Dame Cathedral and Old Post Office. The post office, built between 1877 and 1883, is an excellent example of classic French colonial architecture.
Overnight in Sai Gon.

Day 12: Sai Gon city tour - Departure for flight (Meal: B)
Free time until transfer to the airport for flight to Hong Kong at 10:45.


Mekong delta
Notre Dame Cathedral
Notre Dame Cathedral

What is included?

  • 08 night hotel accommodation in twin shared as noted or similar
  • 01 night on the junk in Ha Long bay
  • Return train ticket on Victoria Train Superior cabin (Hanoi – Lao Cai – Hanoi).
  • Transportation in private air-conditioned vehicle
  • Boat trip in Ninh Binh, Ha Long bay, and Mekong delta.
  • Local English speaking guide
  • Admission fee to indicated sights
  • Meals as stated in the itinerary (B - breakfast, L - lunch, D - dinner)
  • Souvenir gift and mineral water.
  • Visa approval letter to Vietnam – if require.
  • Government tax and service charge.

What is excluded?

  • Visa to Vietnam.
  • Int’l Air tickets to / from Vietnam
  • Internal flights: Hanoi – Da Nang/ Da Nang – Sai Gon.
  • Travel Insurance in all kinds
  • Meals is not mentioned
  • Tip, drinks and personal expenses.
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