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Halong will it take your family to visit this cultural haven?

With its friendly locals, delicious food and incredible scenery, Vietnam is the ideal place for a family adventure. Stroll the winding streets of Hanoi’s Old Quarter, laugh yourself silly at the water puppet theatre at Hoan Kiem and see ancient temples and pagodas alongside modern houses from a cyclo. Barter with stallholders at a floating market, explore the Forbidden Purple City and eat all the pho you can handle. With 13 days to adventure from the towering limestone karsts of Halong Bay to the frenetic markets of Ho Chi Minh City, you and your gang will get all the highlights of vivacious Vietnam in one neat package.

Start
Hanoi, Vietnam
Finish
Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Destination
Vietnam
Style
Comfort
Theme
Family
Code
TVFK
Physical rating
Ages
Min 5
Group size
Min 2, Max 16

Why you'll love this trip

  • A cyclo tour of Hanoi is an excellent introduction to bustling inner-city Vietnam, and the novelty of travelling on these three-wheeled wonders is a thrill for all ages.

  • There’s a perfect balance of included activities and free time, which is ideal in atmospheric destinations like Hoi An. Tailored threads, cooking class or beach day? Your choice.

  • Halong Bay is more than an amazing and unique natural wonder – it's a proper escape from the world around you. Sleep under the stars on a comfortable cruise boat and enjoy a sumptuous lunch and dinner on board.

  • By dining at KOTO in Hanoi, you and your family will not only feast on delicious northern specialties, you'll be supporting a cause that helps support disadvantaged youth with careers in hospitality.

  • Gain a real insight into village living with a special homestay in the Mekong Delta. You’ll access the homestay by water, and will be learning about daily life and laughing with the locals in no time.

Is this trip right for you?

  • This is Vietnam, so days are hot and sticky, and nights can get quite cool! Be sure to wear layers, use adequate sun protection and drink plenty of water.

  • You will visit a number of temples on this trip, and it's important to respect the local custom. Arms and knees should be covered. A light scarf is a good idea for covering shoulders and arms when it’s hot.

  • Be prepared for basic shared facilities at your Mekong Delta homestay (Day 11). The lack of creature comforts is, of course, a small price to pay for such an authentic local experience.

  • Your overnight train journey from Hanoi to Hue (Day 4) is quite long. The upside is, you'll wake up in a thrilling new destination and experience travelling like a local. While bedding is supplied some families opt to bring their own sleep sheets.

Map of Vietnam Family Holiday Comfort including Vietnam
Father and daughter travelling on a rickshaw down a busy Hanoi street on an Intrepid Travel tour.
Enjoy beautiful Vietnam with other like-minded families and children
Dragon statue in Hue, Vietnam as seen on an Intrepid Travel tour
Girl eating banh mi, a local street food, outside the restaurant in Hoi An, Vietnam on an Intrepid Travel tour.
A spread of local vietnamese food in Hoi An, Vietnam as seen on an Intrepid Travel tour
See the Ho Chi Minh mausoleum in Hanoi
A group of travellers on a walking tour past the Ho Chi Minh City Museum in Hanoi on an Intrepid Travel tour.
Group of travellers on a rickshaw tour through the busy streets of Hanoi on an Intrepid Travel tour.
Mother and daughter looking at period Vietnamese architecture at a temple in Hue, Vietnam on an Intrepid Travel tour.
Group Leader on a Intrepid Travel tour visiting Halong Bay in Vietnam
Enjoy beautiful Vietnam with other like-minded families and children
Experience local food and culture on a Real Food Adventure in Vietnam

Itinerary
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Xin chao! Welcome to Vietnam. You will be transferred from the airport to your hotel, and your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 5pm. Afterwards, enjoy a welcome dinner with your fellow families. Hanoi is famous for its beautiful lakes, shaded boulevards, verdant public parks and thriving Old Quarter. The latter is a veritable architectural museum piece that feels like a 1930s provincial French town – a great place to explore today if you have time.
Accommodation
  • May de Ville City Centre Hotel or similar (1 night)
Meals Included
  • Dinner
Special Information
It’s very important that you attend the welcome meeting as we will be collecting insurance details and next of kin information for each member of your family. If you are going to be late please let your travel agent or hotel reception know. Ask reception or look for a note in the lobby for more information on where the meeting will take place.

Embark on a full-day tour of the city. You will visit the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and Museum, and the tranquil Temple of Literature – an oasis of calm in the heart of town. Also head to the Museum of Ethnology to learn more about the diverse heritage of Vietnam. Enjoy some lunch at the KOTO restaurant – an excellent establishment and long-time friend of Intrepid which lives by the philosophy of 'know one, teach one'. It supports underprivileged local youth by giving them a chance at making a career in hospitality. In the evening, sit down to a traditional water puppet performance. This northern tradition, dating back nearly a thousand years, is performed alongside traditional Vietnamese music that employs drums, wooden bells, horns and bamboo flutes.
Accommodation
  • May de Ville City Centre Hotel or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Hanoi - Temple of Literature
  • Hanoi - Water puppet show
  • Hanoi - Ho Chi Minh Complex: Ho Chi Minh, Stilt House and Museum
  • Hanoi - Museum of Ethnology
  • Hanoi - Koto Restaurant lunch
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
Special Information
Please note that the Ethnology Museum is closed on Mondays. If you are on a departure that falls on a Monday in Hanoi, you will visit the Vietnamese Women's Museum instead. If you are arriving into Hanoi before the trip departs, we highly recommend you take the time to visit the Ethnology Museum in your own time as it is a real highlight.

Travel by minibus to the spectacular World Heritage-listed site of Halong Bay (approximately 4 hours). The bay is a breathtaking secluded harbour with some 2000 limestone islands jutting out of the waters of the Bac Bo Gulf. Board your private boat and cruise among the dramatic limestone peaks. There's an opportunity to swim in the famous Vietnam East Sea and explore caves filled with stunning stalactites and stalagmites. Spend a peaceful night on board, beneath a sky alive with stars.
Accommodation
  • Overnight boat (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Halong Bay - Overnight boat cruise with seafood lunch and dinner
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner
Special Information
Due to recent unforeseen changes by local authorities, many boats are no longer permitted to stay overnight on the bay. This has resulted in a boat shortage. To ensure all travellers are accommodated, a larger boat (usually with 12 cabins) may be used, and passengers may be split across multiple boats. A group leader will be present on each boat, and the route and onboard inclusions will remain the same.

Your sailing junk has twin-share cabins, air-conditioning and private facilities. There's also a dining room and bar.

Enjoy breakfast on the boat this morning and perhaps head out for an optional early morning kayak. Return to Hanoi by bus (approximately 3.5 hours). From there you will board an overnight train bound for Hue. As the former imperial capital of Vietnam, Hue holds the treasures of Vietnam's royal past. It's a curious mix of bustling streets and tranquil settings. Although conditions are basic on your train journey, overnight trains are a classic South East Asian experience and the best way to travel long distances with the locals. Lie back and enjoy the ride! Most trains have a dining carriage serving simple food, but it's a great idea to stock up on fresh bread, cheese and fruit before you head off.

Accommodation
  • Overnight sleeper train (1 night)
Optional Activities
  • Halong Bay - Kayaking - VND190000
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
Special Information
Sleeper trains typically have four-berth compartments (occasionally they're six-berth, depending on seasonal variations) which have bench seats that convert into sleeping bunks. A sheet, pillow and blanket are provided, although some travellers prefer to bring their own sleeping sheet. On occasion, passengers of different genders will be required to share a compartment and there will be occasions where you'll be sharing with local travellers or travellers who are not part of your group.

As the former imperial capital of Vietnam, Hue holds the treasures of Vietnam's royal past. It's a curious mix of bustling streets and tranquil settings. As well as the Imperial Citadel, you will visit the Forbidden Purple City, which was almost totally destroyed during the American War's Tet Offensive. The gaping holes left by bombs give an idea of the destruction wreaked upon the country during the war. Thankfully the ruins are now World Heritage protected and being restored.
Accommodation
  • Cherish Hotel Hue or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Hue - Imperial Citadel
Meals Included
There are no meals included on this day.

Enjoy a dragon boat cruise along the Perfume River to visit the royal tomb of Emperor Tu Duc. The tomb is set amongst 12 hectares of parkland that has been carefully decorated with frangipani and pine trees, tranquil lakes and impressive architecture – much of which survived the ravages of time and war. While you're here, take the opportunity to learn a little more about this figure who opposed the French involvement in Vietnam. You can also try your hand at making incense sticks and see how Hue’s unique conical ‘poem’ hat is made from palm leaves. You will also visit Thien Mu Pagoda, considered by many to be the unofficial symbol of Hue. It has been an active Buddhist site since 1601.
Accommodation
  • Cherish Hotel Hue or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Hue - Royal tomb of Emperor Tu Duc
  • Hue - Perfume River cruise
Meals Included
  • Breakfast

Travelling by bus (approximately 4 hours), head south through coastal rice paddies before traversing the spectacular Hai Van Pass. You'll all be treated to some stunning mountain scenery en route. After a brief visit to the beautiful China Beach, arrive at Hoi An. Recently declared a World Heritage site, Hoi An and its delicate beauty is being restored and preserved. Known as Faifo to early Western traders, it was one of South East Asia's major international ports during the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries. Today, parts of it look exactly as they did more than a century ago – it's the sort of place that grows on you the more you explore it.
Accommodation
  • Hoi An Riverside Resort & Spa or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Hoi An - Orientation walk
  • Hoi An - Old Town walking tour
Optional Activities
  • Hoi An - Cooking Class, Central Vietnamese - VND420000
  • Hoi An - Thu Bon river boat trip - VND100000
  • Hoi An - Countryside bicycle hire - VND40000
Meals Included
  • Breakfast

After breakfast, head out to spend the morning at Cua Dai beach. This beach is known for its stunning palm-fringed white sand and views of the Cham islands. Transfer back to town for lunch, before spending the afternoon learning how to make wonton cake. This hands-on experience is one the whole family will enjoy!
Accommodation
  • Hoi An Riverside Resort & Spa or similar (1 night)
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch

The rest of your time is left free to relax in this beautiful area. You could take a taxi or make the easy five-kilometre bicycle ride through the rice paddies and shrimp ponds to Cua Dai beach. Alternatively, Hoi An is one of the best places to shop for souvenirs, especially if you’re looking for t-shirts, paintings or ceramics. For those interested in getting clothes tailored, this is definitely the place to shop. You might also like to speak to your leader about arranging a cooking lesson and learn about the many layers of fresh herbs and flavours that can be found in Vietnam's fresh and tasty cuisine.
Accommodation
  • Hoi An Riverside Resort & Spa or similar (1 night)
Meals Included
  • Breakfast

Take a short flight to Ho Chi Minh City (approximately 1 hour). Formerly known as Saigon, this bustling metropolis is full of vibrant sights and sounds; a fascinating blend of old and new. Check out Ben Thanh Market and feast on a delicious lunch of local street food, and take an orientation walk. Afterwards, you're free to explore the city as you please. Your leader will have plenty of interesting ideas for you and your family. Consider scooting off on cyclos to Cholon, the Chinatown area of Ho Chi Minh City, or for a bit of temple-hopping. Otherwise, you could visit the Vietnamese version of a department store for some serious shopping.
Accommodation
  • Huong Sen Hotel or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Ho Chi Minh City - Orientation Walk
Optional Activities
  • Ho Chi Minh City - Reunification Palace - VND40000
  • Ho Chi Minh City - War Remnants Museum - VND40000
  • Ho Chi Minh City - Cu Chi Tunnel Experience Urban Adventure - USD43
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch

Head down to the Mekong Delta and visit unexplored Ben Tre where coconut is everything and anything. The journey to Ben Tre is south by private bus (approximately 2.5 hours). The fertile delta is famous for its abundant harvests of tropical fruits and flowers. On arrival, board your private boat and cruise along the maze of waterways to visit some local cottage industries. This is a fascinating behind-the-scenes look at a different part of the local economy. Then head to your overnight homestay by the water. Be invited into a family home for a true local experience – a chance to see daily life from the inside. You'll be sleeping on simple camp beds in dorm-style rooms, with all meals included. Bedding and mosquito nets are provided.
Accommodation
  • Homestay (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Mekong Delta - Boat cruise and homestay
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner

Rise early, as the locals do here on the delta. Enjoy a leisurely morning before heading back to Ho Chi Minh City on the bus. On arrival, you'll have free time to further explore the city at your own pace. This is an opportunity to do anything you might have missed the first time around. District 1 is a great place to walk around with the family. If you've fallen in love with Vietnamese food, sample some of the culinary delights you haven't got around to yet – perhaps some grilled cuttlefish or, for the adventurous, street-barbecued sea snails.
Accommodation
  • Huong Sen Hotel or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Mekong Delta - Local market visit
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Dinner

There are no activities planned for the final day and you are able to depart the accommodation at any time, provided you comply with the hotel’s internal check-out policies.
Meals Included
  • Breakfast

Meals

11 breakfasts, 5 lunches, 4 dinners

Transport

Boat, Minibus, Overnight sleeper train, Plane, Private Bus

Accommodation

Hotel (9 nights), Overnight Boat (1 night), Overnight Sleeper Train (1 night), Homestay (1 night)

Included activities

  • Hanoi - Temple of Literature
  • Hanoi - Water puppet show
  • Hanoi - Ho Chi Minh Complex: Ho Chi Minh, Stilt House and Museum
  • Hanoi - Museum of Ethnology
  • Hanoi - Koto Restaurant lunch
  • Halong Bay - Overnight boat cruise with seafood lunch and dinner
  • Hue - Imperial Citadel
  • Hue - Royal tomb of Emperor Tu Duc
  • Hue - Perfume River cruise
  • Hoi An - Orientation walk
  • Hoi An - Old Town walking tour
  • Ho Chi Minh City - Orientation Walk
  • Mekong Delta - Boat cruise and homestay
  • Mekong Delta - Local market visit

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Important notes

Please note that these trips are for adults and children travelling together and there must be at least one child under 18 with you.

Minimum age for children on this trip is 5 years old.

A discount of 10% applies on this trip to children 17 years and under at time of travel.

A single supplement is available on this trip with exception of Day 3 (Halong Bay), Day 4 (Overnight Train) and Day 11 (Homestay).

Essential trip information

Want an in-depth insight into this trip? Essential Trip Information provides a detailed itinerary, visa info, how to get to your hotel, what's included - pretty much everything you need to know about this adventure and more.

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