Vietnam Family Holiday Comfort
Vietnam Family Holiday Comfort
Vietnam Family Holiday Comfort
13 Days Starting in Hanoi and ending in Ho Chi Minh City
Visiting: Hanoi, Halong Bay, Hue, Hoi An, Ho Chi Minh City, Mekong Delta
Tour operator:
Tour code:
TVFK
Recommended For:
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
2 - 16
Age range:
5-99
Special diets catered:
Vegetarians
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Activities:
Tour Overview
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.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1: Hanoi
Location: Hanoi
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: dinner
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.
Included Activities:
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Day 2: Hanoi
Location: Hanoi
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: breaksfast, lunch
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.
Included Activities:
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Day 3: Halong Bay
Location: Halong Bay
Accommodation: Overnight Boat
Meals Included: breaksfast, lunch, dinner
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.
Included Activities:
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Day 4: Hue
Location: Hue
Accommodation: Overnight Sleeper Train
Meals Included: breaksfast
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.
Optional Activities:
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Day 5: Hue
Location: Hue
Accommodation: Hotel
Welcome to Hue! Your leader will help you chose a local, tasty breakfast option this morning after you disembark the overnight train. As the former imperial capital of Vietnam, Delve further into the fascinating former capital today. You will visit the Imperial Citadel, which is the best-preserved remnant of a large citidel and Royal centre that once existed on this fortified site. The unique fortifications are fascinating, even though much of this place has sadly been destroyed by war. The foliage-covered ruins make for an interesting couple of hours of exploring. You will visit the Forbidden Purple City, which was almost totally wiped out during the Tet Offensive in 1968. The gaping holes left by bombs give an idea of the shocking destruction wreaked upon the country during the war.
Afterwards, you will take a visit to Thien Mu Pagoda, which is considered by many to be the unofficial symbol of Hue. It's an active Buddhist monastery originating in 1601. One of the most poignant displays here is a car belonging to a former monk who, in 1963, drove to Saigon and set himself alight to protest against the treatment of Buddhists by the South Vietnamese regime.
Included Activities:
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Day 6: Hue
Location: Hue
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: breaksfast
After breakfast you and your family will visit Tu Duc Tomb, Emperor Tu Duc enjoyed the longest reign of any monarch of the Nguyen dynasty, ruling from 1848-1883. Next up we pay a visit to a local non-government organisation that supports Hue’s deaf community by providing training, employment, support and a place to connect with others. Take part in a traditional paper flower making class with members of the community – this exercise is conducted in silence using body language and sure to be a special experience the whole family will remember.
This afternoon you will journey through the streets of Hue on a cyclo tour. Travelling around the citadel, passing through the local fruit and vegetable marketing before stopping over at Ho Chi Minh’s house.
Included Activities:
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Day 7: Hoi An
Location: Hoi An
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: breaksfast
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.
Included Activities:
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Optional Activities:
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Day 8: Hoi An
Location: Hoi An
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: breaksfast, lunch
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 and pop into a local restaurant where you’ll learn how to make ‘white rose cake’, one of Hoi An’s most popular street foods. These tasty savoury dumplings are made with rice paper and minced shrimp and named after their resemblance to a white flower. Once your local instructors have taught you how to make these delicious parcels, sit down together and tuck into your creations for lunch. This hands-on experience is one the whole family will enjoy!
Day 9: Hoi An
Location: Hoi An
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: breaksfast
The rest of your time is left free to relax in this beautiful area. 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. Or simply spend your day by the pool.
Day 10: Ho Chi Minh City
Location: Ho Chi Minh City
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: breaksfast, lunch
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.
Included Activities:
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Optional Activities:
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Day 11: Mekong Delta
Location: Mekong Delta
Accommodation: Homestay
Meals Included: breaksfast, lunch, dinner
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.
Included Activities:
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Day 12: Ho Chi Minh City
Location: Ho Chi Minh City
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: breaksfast, 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.
Included Activities:
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Day 13: Ho Chi Minh City
Location: Ho Chi Minh City
Meals Included: breaksfast
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.
What's Included
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Mekong Delta - Local market visit
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Hanoi - Water puppet show
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Complimentary Airport Arrival Transfer
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Hanoi - Temple of Literature
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Hanoi - Ho Chi Minh Complex: Ho Chi Minh, Stilt House and Museum
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Hanoi - Koto Restaurant lunch
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Hanoi - Museum of Ethnology
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Hue - Imperial City Full Day Tour Urban Adventure
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Halong Bay - Overnight Boat Cruise
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Hue - Royal tomb of Emperor Tu Duc
What's Not Included
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Tipping and Gratuities
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International Travel
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Airport Transfers at Destination
Transport
- VIETNAM FLIGHTS:
- Please provide your exact name (including middle name) as per passport 45 days prior to your trip's departure date for flight tickets to be issued. Internal flights will be on the following safety audited airlines: Pacific Airlines, Vietjet or Vietnam Airlines.
Accommodation
- GENERAL ROOMING CONFIGURATIONS:
- Family of two: All family groupings of two will be accommodated in a twin room.
- Family of three: Wherever possible we will put you in a triple room. Please be aware that in some places triple rooms are in short supply. This means that a triple room will often be a twin room with a rollaway bed or mattress on the floor. Where triple rooms aren’t available it will be at your discretion which of your family takes the single room.
- Family of four or more: You will most likely be accommodated in two twin rooms. Where possible, we will accommodate your family in a quadruple room.
- While we do our very best to ensure that family groups are roomed close together (in some cases, we can arrange adjoining rooms), we can’t guarantee this. Most family holidays occur during peak season and we sometimes have little to no control over the exact placement of rooms within a hotel. Please be understanding if we are unable to room your family in immediate proximity of one another.
Included Activities
- Complimentary Airport Arrival Transfer
- 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
- Hue - Imperial City Full Day Tour Urban Adventure
- 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
Important Information
- 1. Please note that these trips are for adults and children travelling together and there must be at least one child under 18 with you.
- 2. Minimum age: 5 years old. Please note that anyone aged under 18 must be accompanied by (and share accommodation with) a parent or legal guardian.
- 3. A discount of 10% applies on this trip to children 17 or younger at the time of travel.
- 4. Please provide your full name exactly as per passport at the time of booking (including any middle names listed on your passport) for train and flight tickets. Ticketing fees may apply for amendments to details within 45 days of departure, and in some cases you will be required to cover the cost of issuing a new ticket.
- 5. A single supplement is available if you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip. The single supplement exclude Day 3 (Overnight Boat), Day 4 (Sleeper Train) and Day 11 (Homestay) where you will be in shared accommodation and is subject to availability. Please speak to your booking agent for further information.
- 6. A complimentary airport arrival transfer is included; valid if you are arriving on Day 1 or if you have booked pre-tour accommodation through us. You must provide your flight details to your booking agent at least 14 days prior to travel.
- 7. This trip starts with a welcome meeting at 5 pm on Day 1 in Hanoi. This trip ends on Day 13 and you are free to leave at any time.
- 8. Tet is Vietnam's New Year festival, held annually in late January or early February based on the lunar calendar. While this can be a fascinating time to travel and experience this event, expect some shop closures and busier than usual local transport. Opening hours at some tourist sites may also be affected or closed. Although we make all reasonable efforts to avoid disruption, a flexible approach from the traveler is appreciated.
- 9. During the rainy months (approx. June to October), our mode of transport can be changed at short notice due to weather conditions.
Check out our Q&As
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Are the local guides on the tour English speaking?
Yes
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Are children permitted to take part in the tour?
Yes if aged 15+ and accompanied by an adult
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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. -
Are all the relevant entry visa’s included in the price of the tour?
No
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Are airport transfers included in this tour?
Yes, Complimentary Airport Arrival Transfer
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Are international flights included in this tour?
No
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Are all entrance fees included in the price?
Yes, except optional activities
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What policies are in place for Covid-19?
Please contact us for latest COVID-19 policies
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Intrepid Travel has been taking travellers around the world for over 30 years
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Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?
Yes
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What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?
Since 2002, The Intrepid Foundation has supported over 130 organisations across the world. We’re creating positive impact through the joy of travel, community and connection.
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
Over 50% of traveller travel solo with Intrepid. You can choose to share a room with another solo travelle of the same sex for no additional charge, or choose to pay a single supplement if you’d like your own room. Please request this when booking, and we will secure you a single supplement wherever possible. Please note, if you are booking a last-minute trip, it may be harder for us to secure a single room
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Free Date Changes
Intrepid Travel allows you to make 10 free date changes, as long as the change is made at least 56 days before the start of the tour.
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Transfer as credit to Future Tours
Intrepid Travel allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform intrepid travel, 56 days before departure.
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Low Deposit
Intrepid Travel requires a minimum deposit of 400 USD per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 56 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of intrepid travel charges.
Up to 56 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 55 days before tour starts: Forfeit 30% of booking price.
At 30 days before tour starts: Forfeit 60% of booking price.
At 14 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.
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Terms and Conditions
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