Vietnam Family Holiday

Vietnam is a destination that offers points of interest for mums, dads and kids alike. In this tour that is specifically tailored to families, discover the country’s beauty through trips to famous islands, beach towns and urban landmarks. The kids will love the overnight cruise with kayaking, squid fishing, caving, paddling bamboo basket boats through the mangrove forest, also the water puppet show, mixed with just enough of the cultural stuff to keep everyone happy!.
Journey highlights:
Squeeze in the scrambling alleyways of Hanoi’s timeworn Old Quarter
Glide with a languorous rowing boat ride onward Tam Coc - Ninh Binh
Explore Halong Bay’s spectacular scatter of islands on a traditional junk boat
Stroll around the iconic ancient town of Hoi An and visit the most highlights
A day being the ultimate fish farmers on Thu Bon River
Visit Saigon’s most historical highlights
Get active through the canals in the water base land of Mekong Delta


[*Notes]
- This itinerary is a privately guided tour, designed just to show you what is possible.
- We can tailor this trip, it's inclusions and the accommodations, to meet your requirements, budget, and interests.

DETAIL ITINERARY

Day 1 - Arrive Hanoi
Welcome to our beautiful Vietnam! Upon arrival, our guide and driver will be waiting to transfer you to your hotel in the Old Quarter. Check-in and spend the rest of the day free to relax in your room or stroll down the Walking Street to enjoy the ambiance of the capital of Vietnam.

Option: Street food walking tour in the Old Quarter 
 
Meal: None
Accommodation: Hotel in Hanoi
 
Day 2 - Hanoi sightseeing (B,L)
Our guide and driver pick you up at the hotel to explore Hanoi capital. The first destination is Ho Chi Minh Complex which includes Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum, the Presidential Palace, His House-on- Stilts, One Pillar pagoda…
Afterward, we will visit the Temple of Literature - known as Vietnam’s first University built in the 10th century. Have lunch with Pho bo Hanoi or Hanoi Noodle soup with beef and served with Hanoi flavorful spring roll. After lunchtime, tour continues visiting Museum of Ethnology where you could learn a lot about diversified cultural of 54 ethnic groups in Vietnam.
Return to city center and enjoy an hour cyclo tour to discover the colonial side of the city, the city’s traditional 36 streets in the Old Quarter, Hoan Kiem Lake and Ngoc Son Pagoda at the edge of the lake. Close your day by the traditional water puppet show. This typical and enchanted performance consists of a succession of scenes evoking images of daily life and legends, accompanied by traditional music. One can only but is charmed - or at least amused - by these small wooden puppets moving by themselves on the surface of the water. They are indeed activated by an invisible under-water mechanism, the existence of which you will totally forget after a few minutes. Return to your hotel later this afternoon and free at your leisure.
 
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch 
Accommodation: Hotel in Hanoi
 
Day 3 - Hanoi - Halong Bay on land: Tam Coc – Bich Dong – Trang An (B,L)
After breakfast, transfer by private car from Hanoi to Ninh Binh (2 hour driving). You will arrive at Tam Coc – Bich Dong and start your rowing boat trip. Tam Coc literally means "three caves", which consists of three natural caves — Hang Cả, Hang Hai, and Hang Ba — on the Ngo Dong River. You will be amazed with the spectacular scenery of rocky peaks, canals and the rice field along the riverbank, which is stunning and even more eye-catching in the rice-harvest season. In the afternoon, move to Bich Dong Pagoda, UNESCO site which is on a short drive to the South of Tam Coc. Afterwards, we head to Trang An, one of the key places which have been selected for important scenes of the blockbuster movie “Kong - Skull Island”. Trang An is normally referred to as a “Halong Bay on land” or an “outdoor geological museum” for its coverage of nearly 2,200 ha surrounded by limestone, hills, and river valleys. The only way to discover the place’s beauty is on a small bamboo boat. Return to Hanoi in the late afternoon and free at your leisure.
 
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Hotel in Hanoi
 
Day 4 - Hanoi - The real fascinating Halong Bay (B,L)
Leave Hanoi this morning and head straight to Halong bay a stunning UNESCO World Heritage site with its 3,000 islands of towering limestone dotting the bay and Gulf of Tonkin (180km – 3.5 - 4 hour driving). After arriving at noon, you will board a beautiful boat for an amazing trip admiring the breath-taking sceneries on Halong Bay with an excellent menu of fresh seafood for lunch. Return to your hotel in Hanoi in the afternoon and spend the rest of day free at your leisure.
 
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Hotel in Hanoi

Option: Overnight cruise available, please contact us to be advised of the supplement cost

Option: Street food walking tour in the Old Quarter 

 
Day 5 - Hanoi - Danang - Hoi An (B,L)
The day is free at your leisure until transfer back to Noi Bai airport for a brief flight to Danang. Picked up by our local guide and transferred to hotel in Hoi An.
 
Meal: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Hotel in Hoi An
 
Day 6 - Fisherman’s farming life - Hoi An’s hidden corners (B,L)
After breakfast, we depart your hotel for a discovery around Hoi An. On arrival at Cua Dai pier, embark for a boat ride to the mouth of Thu Bon River to enjoy the daily activities of fishers such as throwing fishing net and trading their products. Your boat then continues cruising for about half an hour to a fishing village. Changing to smaller bamboo boat (a coracle) to discover a distinctive mangrove forest and try your hand on fishing crabs. Under the blurry sunlight inside the forest, you might feel a mysterious atmosphere covering this whole area. This excursion also gives you a chance to admire skillful fishermen who are working in the forest. Enjoy a delicious BBQ seafood meal at a lovely local house. 
Return to the Hoi an ancient town center and take a stroll to visit this recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage site because of its unusually well preserved ancient streets and homes. Set out to explore the quaint cobblestone streets of the town with the more than two-century- old Chinese houses. Sites include the Japanese Bridge, the Chinese Temple, and Phung Hung Chinese-trading house. After the visit, free to wander around, our guide is happy to suggest some best tailor shops in town for you. Or if you are looking for a relaxing end, try out a cup of tea or coffee at “Reaching Out Tea House” - a very special and unique ancient house that offers fabulous drinks served by impaired staff. The rest of day is then free at your leisure.
 
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Hotel in Hoi An
 
Day 7 - Hoi An leisure day (B)
The day is free at your leisure relaxing by the beach or exploring the ancient town yourself.
 
Meal: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel in Hoi An
 
Day 8 - Hoi An - Danang - Ho Chi Minh City sightseeing (B,L)
Breakfast is served at the hotel.
Then, you will be transferred to the airport for your flight to Ho Chi Minh City. Upon arrival, you will be met our tour expert and we will have a city tour around Ho Chi Minh City. Firstly, we will visit Chinatown where one can buy anything in one place. Then peek into Thien Hau Pagoda - built in 1760 by the Chinese in Vietnam, the Reunification Palace - the place marked the victorious time of Vietnamese Army.
 
Option: A O Show
 
Meal: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Hotel in Ho Chi Minh City
 
Day 9 - Ho Chi Minh City - Into the Mekong delta (B,L)
The program starts with the visit to Cai Be a colorful floating market, cruising among local barges full of fruits and vegetables. Then, an optional stop can be made at local workshops where you can see how rice paste, coconut candy, pop-rice, and popcorn are made. It is so interesting to visit the handicraft village where you can see how they make some special products like making rice-net for spring-rolls, or sewing coconut-leaves… A delicious lunch will be served under the shade of local orchards on An Binh Island.
After lunch, the rowing boat will take you deeper into the countryside on smaller canals to enjoy the peaceful time. Here, you will be able to see traditional houses made of wood and palm tree leaves and to see some local activities. You will have an opportunity to get on with the local people and see how they catch fish or pick up fruits by ancestral ways in Mekong Delta.
One more stop can be made at the nursery garden where you can learn how to have some high quality fruit trees. This offers you a choice to know the real famous farmers – Mr. Tiger & his son who are very successful in Vietnam agriculture. We will enjoy some kinds of fruit from their garden as well as home made rice wine when listening to the traditional music. The boat will take you to visit the floating village to see how people farm catfish under their houses.
The cruise ends at around 3:30 pm in Vinh Long where your driver will be waiting for your transfer back to Ho Chi Minh City.
 
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch 
Accommodation: Hotel in Ho Chi Minh City
 
Day 10 - Goodbye Ho Chi Minh City (B) 
Enjoy breakfast at the hotel and you are free on your own until transferred to Tan Son Nhat International airport for your departure flight onward home or other destinations.
 
Meals: Breakfast
 
End of services.

Some beach extensions you may like 

Phu Quoc Island Holiday 4 days
Nha Trang Beach Vacation 4 days
Mui Ne Beach Vacation 4 days

 
 

This tour is built upon our firsthand knowledge & experience, offering you the best choices available. The price of this trip varies depending on the number of people in your party, dates of departure, and availability of ground services.

The prices are quoted in US Dollars per person based on 2 pax/room

 

 

Categories

2 pax

4 pax

6 - 8 pax

Single Sup.

Superior

923

754

683

218

First-class

1055

884

815

349

Deluxe

1389

1219

1150

685

Child from 4 – 10 years old: 75%

Please click on CUSTOMIZE YOUR TRIPS and supply the required information, enabling us to send you your personalized quote within 24 hours!

Note: Amendments CAN be made to this tour to suite your requirements, but may incur price changes

 


WHAT'S INCLUDED?
Accommodation with daily breakfast at selected hotels 
Private vehicles and drivers
Domestic flights
Transport from Hanoi to Halong and return by mini van
Private English speaking guides (Other languages if available, upon request)
Meals as mentioned in the itinerary (7 lunches , 1 dinner and everyday buffet breakfast at hotel)
Entrance fees for all mentioned sights visited
Vietnam visa authorization letter
Drinking water available on the vehicles
Service Charge & Government Taxes

WHAT'S NOT INCLUDED?
International flights 
Personal expenses (such as laundry, telephone, drinks, etc.)
Any bank fees or charges at your end
Meals other than those mentioned in the itinerary
Personal travel insurance
Tips for tour guide and driver in each region
Vietnam visa stamp fee
Other services not mentioned above

HOTEL SELECTION:

The hotels listed below are our suggestions for the best value on this tour.  However, Asia Essence Tours offers many more options of hand-picked hotels, with different "star ratings", allowing you to customize the vacation to meet your taste and budget.
  

LOCATIONS

SUPERIOR CATEGORY

FIRST CLASS CATEGORY

DELUXE CATEGORY

LUXURY

Hanoi

Mercury Center  Hotel Emerald Waters Classy  Ambassador  Golden Rooster

Hotel du Larc  Hanoi Garden Hotel & Spa  Imperial Hotel & Spa

La Siesta Premium  La Siesta Classic Ma May La Sinfonia Del Rey

Capella
Sofitel Legend Metropole

Halong Bay

Venezia Cruise

Aspira Cruise Genesis Cruise Luxury Regal Cruise
Dora Cruise Madeline Cruise

Heritage Cruise Binh Chuan
 Le Theatre Cruise

Ginger Cruise

Hoi An

Hoi An Luna Villa
 Eden Hoian Villa
 HoiAn Merrily de Art

Hoi An Ancient House Village Resort & Spa  
La Siesta Resort & Spa

Palm Garden  Boutique Hoi An

Four Seasons The Nam Hai or Intercontinental Peninsula Danang

HCM City

Hoang Lan Hotel or Ben Thanh Retreats or Acnos Hotel

Au Lac Charner or Silverland Yen

Mia Luxury Saigon

Park Hyatt or Reverie

 

ABOUT HOTELS:

We, at Asia Essence Tours, are aware that a good tour must have good hotels. As the hotel cost will be the major expense of your vacation in Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos, it is essential that all of the hotels chosen by us are the highest quality for the price paid. All of our prices are based on twin, double or queen shared rooms.

BELOW IS AN EXPLANATION OF THE HOTEL "STAR" RATINGS:

Superior/ 3 Star (from US$ 50 - US$ 80 per room/night)

The Superior/ 3 Star Hotels are good value and normally centrally located. They all have comfortable en-suite rooms, good amenities and public areas to relax in. They are usually family run hotels, so offer great personalized service for your enjoyment and comfort. Most first class properties offer an in-house restaurant, and some may even have a swimming pool!

First-Class/ 4 star (from US$ 100 - US$ 150/ per room/night)

The 4* First-Class Hotels offer a wide range of services. Many superior hotels feature a choice of several in-house restaurants. In addition virtually all of them have a swimming pool. Some may even feature a spa or health club. This grade of hotel offers more for your enjoyment and comfort, while still remaining affordable.

Deluxe/ 5 Star (from US$160 - US$ 240++/ per room/night)

These 5* Deluxe hotels are usually owned by Worldwide, well known Hotel chains. The deluxe hotels feature excellent locations, offer the highest standards of service and facilities, and are known as the best hotels in each region. Facilities such as swimming pools and spas are the norm, and guest rooms are luxurious. These hotels offer first class service and amenities throughout.

ASIA ESSENCE TOURS™ BESPOKE STYLE SUITS EVERYONE

Flexibility: The sample itinerary can be modified to suit your interests, budget as well as your personal wishes including departure date, duration, accommodation used & how long you spend in each destination.

Tailor-Made Journey: This trip can be tailor made to create a unique holiday for your individual requirements by travel experts with intimate knowledge of the destination. It is a more individual trip that will suit those who enjoy immersing themselves in new cultures and environments, with the flexibility to plan a trip at your own pace. Quality and value are the hallmark of the trips, with most services being provided on a private basis.

Commitment to Excellence: We enjoys excellent relationships with all of the highly regarded hotels and finest properties in our destinations as well as with service suppliers so that we are able to negotiate the most attractive prices for our clients, which enables us to provide exclusive holidays and affordable special offers. We create one-of-a-kind vacations for groups and individuals. We love our destinations and do our best to make sure that our customers feel the same way. Our job is to make sure that everyone gets the right balance of comfort and excitement to enjoy the experience of a lifetime.

 

Extend This Tour With...

Best of Northern Vietnam


Best of Southern Vietnam


Hanoi Saigon Experience


Best of Central Vietnam