Family Discover Vietnam
Family Discover Vietnam
Family Discover Vietnam
11 Days
Visiting: Hanoi, Hạ Long Bay, Hue, Hội An, Ho Chi Minh City, Cu Chi Tunnels Tours, Mekong River Delta
Tour Overview
Gather the family for an introduction to Vietnam as we travel from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City. Kayak around the island cliffs of Halong Bay, master Kinh Van martial arts and cook up a fragrant Vietnamese meal during a homestay on the Mekong Delta. As we traverse the country, sleep aboard an overnight train and a traditional junk boat.
Hanoi - Explore Vietnam's vibrant capital, including the curious narrow streets of the Old Quarter.
Hoi An - Soak up the atmosphere of this charming ancient merchant's town on the banks of the Thu Bon River.
Ho Chi Minh City - Discover a secret underground weapons bunker and explore old Saigon's bustling back alleys.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1: Join Trip In Hanoi.
Location: Hanoi
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Flower Garden Hotel
Arrive in Vietnam's capital, Hanoi, which is famous for its rich culture, bustling life, and colonial influences. Its small lakes, busy streets and secluded alleyways are all waiting to be explored. For those arriving on time, our tour leader plans to meet you in the hotel reception at 6pm for the welcome meeting and for those that wish, there is the chance to go out for dinner. There are no other activities planned today, so you're free to arrive in Hanoi at any time. If you'd like an airport transfer, you'll need to arrive into Noi Bai International Airport (HAN), which is a 45-minute drive to the hotel. Should you miss the welcome meeting, our tour leader will leave a note at the hotel reception to inform you of any essential information. If your flight arrives earlier in the day, you might like to head to the Old Quarter and explore the maze of narrow lanes that are named after the various crafts of Hanoi's artisans. The pavements around here are filled with food sellers tempting you with steaming noodles, snacks and stir-fried delights, too.
Day 2: Tour Of Hanoi With Optional Cooking Class And City Tour.
Location: Hanoi
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Flower Garden Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
This morning we join our tour leader on a sightseeing tour of Hanoi, visiting the One-Pillar Pagoda, the Temple of Literatures and the Mausoleum of Ho Chi Minh. The afternoon is then free to perhaps take an optional cookery class, or explore Hanoi's elegant French Quarter on foot. In the evening there is the chance to witness a remarkable performance of traditional water puppetry. Set on a flooded stage, the stories tell tales of legendary heroes and everyday life, with dragons and unicorns often sharing the stage with fireworks and naval battles.
Day 3: Morning Drive To Ha Long Bay. Overnight Cruise On A Traditional Junk Boat, Visit Fishing Village, Sea Kayaking.
Location: Hạ Long Bay
Accommodation Name: Overnight Junk in Halong Bay
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Leaving Hanoi after breakfast, we drive using the new expressway for a two and a half hours to the Gulf of Tonkin and the breath-taking scenery of Ha Long Bay. A UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most visually impressive landscapes in South East Asia, Halong Bay is the setting for an overnight cruise. Boarding just after midday, set sail towards Bai Tu Long Bay. Lunch is served shortly after embarking, there is ample time after lunch to sit back and admire the towering limestone islands topped by rainforest that Halong Bay is so famous for. We make a stop to visit a Vung Vieng fishing village by rowing boat or kayak, the choice is yours. The rest of the afternoon is spent further exploring the bay scattered with hundreds of islands and dotted with caves and grottoes. Dinner is served on board, a chance to sample fresh sea food and regional dishes, we anchor overnight in Bai Tu Long Bay. There are between 10-18 en-suite cabins on board with a restaurant, bar and sundeck area. All bedding is provided. Please be aware, the boat may not be exclusive to our group and consequently we may be sharing with other tourists.
Day 4: Morning Sea Kayaking; Afternoon Drive To Hanoi And Overnight Train To Hue
Location: Hanoi
Accommodation Name: Overnight train from Hanoi to Hue
Meals Included: Breakfast
If you want to catch the sunrise over the bay this morning, you'll need to be on deck for 6:30am - it's well worth the early start though if the weather is clear. We'll have a light breakfast of pastries, tea and coffee before we disembark to visit the hidden Thien Canh Son caves, where we can see numerous stalactite and stalagmite limestone formations in an impressive cavern. Returning to our boat, we'll continue our cruise in the bay and enjoy a brunch served onboard. Returning to Hon Gai harbour, we'll rejoin our vehicle and drive back to Hanoi and the rest of the afternoon is free. If you'd like to freshen up before we catch the Reunification Express sleeper train to Hue, there will be two day-use hotel rooms available for our group. Tonight, we'll travel in soft sleeper compartments, with four passengers sharing each compartment. All bedding is provided. Please note, breakfast will not be included on the train, it's advisable to pick up snacks for the morning before we board the train.
Day 5: Arrive Hue. Visit Royal Tombs And Kite Making And Flying
Location: Hue
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Thanh Lich 2 Hotel
Arriving in Hue this morning, we enjoy some of the highlights of this historic city including a visit to the Royal Palace with its Terracotta Warriors guarding the entrance and the iconic Thien Mu Pagoda, home to the oldest monastery in the city. We also visit the house of a national champion kite flier for Vietnam where we are shown how to make traditional Vietnamese kites. Taking time to decorate our kites with iconic symbols such as dragons, birds and peacocks, we take our completed kites to the nearby Citadel grounds to try them out. The Citadel is an impressive monument that is almost 10 km in circumference with the Imperial City located in the centre of the Citadel which is more than 600m long on each side. Access to the Imperial City can be made by four entrance gates although the Noon Gate is only used for the King.
Day 6: Cycle Around The Countryside, Traditional Wood Painting And Martial Arts Demonstration
Location: Hue
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Vinh Hung Old Town Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
We travel to Trieu Son village which is located by the Perfume River on Hue's outskirts for a guided walk and boat ride. Our first stop is to Sinh village where we meet a local family that specializes in making wood paintings and they will teach the group how to make these traditional artefacts. We then take a leisurely cycle ride around the village and along countryside lanes to Thanh Tien village which is famous for paper flowers. Continuing through paddy fields and the Vietnam countryside, we arrive at Tien Non village where we board our cruise boat which takes us back to Hue (total cycling distance is approximately 6km). An included martial arts demonstration is our next stop with a visit to a dedicated martial arts school that practices the Vietnamese art of Kinh Van, the countries equivalent to Kung Fu which is based upon defence techniques from the actions of a tiger, cobra, and bird. The owner's ancestors were chosen to guard the Vietnamese king and he now teaches this ancient art. We then travel over the Truong Son Mountains and through the Hai Van Pass, as seen on the TV programme, Top Gear, to the historic merchant seaside town of Hoi An.
Day 7: Free In Hoi An; Optional Bike Hire Or Visit The Towns Famous Tailors
Location: Hội An
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Vinh Hung Old Town Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
The morning is free to wander through the historic heart of this World Heritage Site, taking in the wonderfully preserved buildings of what was once one of the busiest trading outposts in South East Asia. Discovering this delightful town, we recommend an early morning visit to Hoi An's fish market which presents the perfect setting for some great photographs and some priceless interaction with the locals. Visit the city's famous Japanese Bridge, before wandering through its historic collection of traditional wooden houses and Chinese temples. This afternoon you could hire bicycles and explore the surrounding countryside, experience a gentle river cruise, spend time at the beach, or grab the chance to visit some of Hoi An's famous tailor shops.
Day 8: Drive To Danang, Fly To Ho Chi Minh City. Explore Old Saigon, And Discover A Secret Weapons Bunker
Location: Ho Chi Minh City
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Huong Sen Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
Our drive to Danang this morning takes us past the five peaks of the Marble Mountains, originally believed to have been islands that were said to represent the five elements of water, wood, fire, gold and earth. On arrival in Danang, we then board the morning flight to Ho Chi Minh City. This afternoon we will experience a different side of Ho Chi Minh City. We make our way to District 3 by cyclo (cycle carriages with a seat at the front) and turn off the main thoroughfare and into the maze of narrow streets of this bustling district. Our walk takes us past ramshackle shopfronts, through local markets selling anything from colourful fruit to bootleg DVDs, and past houses, churches and schools, all squeezed into the small buildings that line the narrow alleys. It's a fascinating inter-connected community here that is a stones-throw from the city centre, yet feels a far cry from the modern buildings and throngs of tourists. We stop at a local stall for a traditional Vietnamese coffee (brewed coffee served sweet with condensed milk) where we can also sample 'Banh Mi' - a Vietnamese take on the humble French baguette - freshly baked and packed with a combo of traditional and more exotic, aromatic ingredients. The walk ends the so-called 'secret weapons' bunker'. A small unassuming 'tube house' nestled in a quiet neighbourhood hides a trap door in the floor, concealing a basement stocked full of rifles, grenades and ammunition. The bunker played a key role in the TET Offensive of 1968, it was the base from which the Viet Cong's "Team 5" launched their assault, and its location was only revealed after the end of the war. We have some time to explore the house and bunker, filled with decommissioned weapons and photographs, news clippings and memorabilia from the wartime.
Day 9: Morning Visit To Cu Chi Tunnels; Afternoon Free With Optional Visit To A Water Park
Location: Ho Chi Minh City, Cu Chi Tunnels Tours
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Huong Sen Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
After breakfast this morning we head out to visit the infamous Cu Chi tunnels. First constructed by the Vietnamese during their colonial war with the French, the tunnels were later greatly expanded and went on to achieve notoriety during the Vietnam War, when they served as an underground command base for 10,000 Viet Cong troops. Exploring Cu Chi gives some idea as to the conditions that the Vietnamese and their American adversaries had to endure (the tunnels are narrow and can be quite claustrophobic). The afternoon allows for more time in the city including an optional visit to the waterpark, a great way to cool off from the mid-day sun.
Day 10: Drive To The Mekong Delta, Cycle Ride, Homestay And Cooking Lesson
Location: Mekong River Delta, Ho Chi Minh City
Accommodation: Homestay
Accommodation Name: Ut Trinh & Ut Quynh Homestay
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Leaving the city, we drive to the Mekong Delta and catch a boat to the start point of our cycle ride. We cycle for around 10-12 km along the flat Cai Thai village path with constant views of the delta as we wind our way around its many tributaries. The route is often shaded which is helpful to combat the humidity (the boat can pick up cyclists at various stopping points if required). Along the way, we visit Mrs Nani's home who will show us how to make rice paper in the traditional way and Mr and Mrs Chin's home who will provide refreshments that include her famous 'Banh Tieu' (traditional doughnut). We return to the boat where we have lunch on-board and sail close to our night stop. Transferring from our cruise boat to a sampan craft, which is a small traditional boat that is regularly used by the villagers to travel along the delta, we complete our journey to our homestay close by. Set in a lovely garden setting with a main lounge area and dining room, accommodation is en-suite (shower and toilet) with traditional décor throughout. After settling into our comfortable accommodation, we have a Vietnamese cooking lesson in the early evening followed by a delicious home prepared meal.
Day 11: Morning Cruise On The Mekong Delta. Drive Back To Ho Chi Minh City Where The Trip Ends.
Location: Ho Chi Minh City
Meals Included: Breakfast
Leaving the homestay behind, we'll cruise back along the Mekong Delta passing small floating markets and soaking up the atmosphere of this unique trading point, a vast network of rivers and islands that crisscross agricultural villages, paddy fields and mangrove swamps. Bidding farewell to our boat crew, we'll then drive back to Ho Chi Minh City. We'll aim to be back in Ho Chi Minh City around 3pm. For those with evening flights, a day-use room will be available. If you'd like an airport transfer today, you'll need to depart from Saigon's Tan Son Nhat International Airport (SGN). The earliest your flight can depart is 5pm.
What's Included
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Train Tickets
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All Domestic Transportation (including internal flights)
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Airport Transfers at Destination
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Accommodation
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Meals – Half Board
Breakfast: 8
Lunch: 2
Dinner: 2
What's Not Included
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1 bottle of Mineral Water per person per day
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Country Entry Visas
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Tipping and Gratuities
Why Book this Tour
This holiday is designed for families who want to explore a specific country in South East Asia and enjoy travelling on a variety of transport options - bus, train, boat, flight and bicycle. There are a number of easy active elements to this adventure including trying out Vietnams answer to Kung Fo, sea kayaking in the stunning Halong Bay, kite flying and cycling along the Delta - this adventure also allows us to meet local people and visit their homes including when we make kites and rice-paper. A great trip from one end of the country to the other.
Meals
Breakfasts: 9
Lunches: 2
Dinners: 2
Check out our Q&As
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Are the local guides on the tour English speaking?
Yes
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Will I know the names and details of all the accommodation before I depart?
Yes
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Can you assist with pre or post tour accommodation?
Yes
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Company Instant Book
Yes
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What is the maximum group size?
20
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What is the standard of the hotels on this tour?
1 nights comfortable homestay
7 nights comfortable hotel
1 nights comfortable junk
1 nights simple overnight train -
Are children permitted to take part in the tour?
Yes
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Will there be an escort accompanying this tour?
Yes
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Is there any free time to explore places during the tour?
Yes
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Are airport transfers included in this tour?
Yes, on the first and last day of the trip only
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I'm going on a walking/cycling trip-do I need to train?
It will depend on the grade and how fit you already are. Check the trip page for details of the walking or cycling grade and how far you’ll be walking/cycling each day. For moderate or challenging trips in particular we’d recommend doing some walks or cycles before you leave to build up your fitness and prepare you for the distances being covered.
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Who will be my travelling companions on the tour?
We have a wide range of ages nationalities on our small group trips and they come from all walks of life.
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Should I get travel insurance?
Yes–it is a condition of booking that you are fully insured when travelling with us
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How long has the tour company been trading?
At Explore, we're the experts in adventure travel. Our small group adventure holidays have been running since 1981. Today, Explore is one of the most trusted travel companies in the UK with over 500 trips to more than 120 countries.
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Can I join the tour once it has departed?
Yes, but there are no concessions for doing so, and we must have a record in your booking advising as such before the trip departs.
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Am I contributing to any charity by booking the tour?
Being a responsible company is a large statement, something that has to be entwined within the very fibre of a company. Discover the charities and partnerships we support as part of this at https://www.explore.co.uk/about/sustainability/charities-and-partners
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What happens if I need to change my holiday date once I’ve booked?
We want to be as clear as and as honest as possible about what happens if you decide to that you no longer wish to travel on your trip. Our booking conditions have details of the costs you’ll incur when you cancel-these charges depend on how long it is before your planned departure.
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What is the accommodation like?
We choose comfortable accommodation in the best locations possible. We opt for small, local and family-run accommodation where we can, as opposed to large chain hotels. We typically use hotels that are the equivalent of European 3-star, and you’ll usually have an en suite room. Occasionally, where we want to get off the beaten trail we may stay in more basic accommodation.
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What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?
Sustainability is embedded within the fibre of Explore, it emanates from the inside out. But as we enter a new decade it is clearer than ever that our world needs help, and Explore has created a sustainability strategy based on the 2015 UN’s Sustainable Development Goals.
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What policies are in place for Covid-19?
Our flexible booking and safety policies mean you're protected before and during your travels with us. Receive a full refund if your trip is cancelled, transfer your trip free of charge up to 10 days before departure minus any irrocoverable costs.
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Do I need to be very fit to book with you?
All our trips require some level of active participation. This could be on a cultural trip, trek, safari, expedition or voyage. It is in the interests of all members of the group that everyone should be capable of fully participating in the activities of their chosen trip.
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What documents will I receive before I travel?
Final documents will include a comprehensive trip itinerary, climate and country information, budgeting and packing advice visa and passport information and details on optional activities available.
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
Yes on most of our trips. Most trips are based on customers sharing twin-bedded rooms. If you book a group trip as an individual, you will share a room with someone of the same sex. However, on many trips we offer the opportunity to pay a supplement to pre-book a single room, known as our single room option. On some trips a single room will be provided every night, on others it will be provided o
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Do we have to be vaccinated against Covid-19 to travel
It’s now a condition of booking a trip with us that customers should have one of the following before they travel - — Be vaccinated against COVID, having received the full recommended course, and allowing enough time for immunity to take effect. Full vaccination includes any booster required to keep the vaccine valid. — Have taken a negative test (rapid antigen or PCR) within 72hrs of departure.
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Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?
Explore will only offer hotels that have specific COVID-19 protocols in place and comply with local government guidelines. We will ensure these measures include; enhanced room cleaning, ventilation, social distancing, regular cleaning and disinfection of high frequency touch points in public areas, food safety, staff re-training and minimising contact within the properties.
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Free Date Changes
Explore! allows you to make 1 free date changes, as long as the change is made at least 70 days before the start of the tour.
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Low Deposit
Explore! requires a minimum deposit of 10% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 70 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of explore! charges.
Up to 70 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 69 days before tour starts: Forfeit 30% of booking price.
At 41 days before tour starts: Forfeit 60% of booking price.
At 27 days before tour starts: Forfeit 90% of booking price.
At 13 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.