Activities

Day 1: Arrive Hanoi.

Transfer to hotel on arrival in Hanoi. After settling in take a stroll around Hoan Kiem Lake perhaps stopping off to visit Ngoc Son Pagoda or one of the many coffee shops and ice cream parlours around the lake. Discover the unknown parts of Hanoi’s Old Quarter on foot. The bewildering maze of narrow streets tells a fascinating story of Hanoi where past meets present. Sample typical North Vietnamese cuisine in the evening in one of Hanoi’s best restaurants. Overnight hotel.

Meal: Dinner

Day 2: Exploring Hanoi

Early morning exercises around Hoan Kiem Lake is a must for the more active. After breakfast, drive to the Museum of Ethnology. The Museum of Ethnology is one of Vietnam’s best with interactive displays and a wide collection of well preserved objects and documents. It is also a great place to learn about Vietnam’s 52 ethnic minority peoples. From the Museum of Ethnology, drive back to the centre of town via Ho chi Minh’s Mausoleum. Enjoy a great buffet lunch at Brother’s café, a wonderful fusion of Vietnamese and European dishes, plus local street food made and served by Vietnamese women in traditional dress. After lunch enjoy a tailor made treasure hunt by cyclo through Hanoi’s old quarter. Overnight hotel. (B,L,D)

Meal: Breakfast; Lunch; Dinner

Day 3: Halong Bay cruise and kayaking 

Arrive early. Depart early for Halong Bay and a cruise on board the luxurious traditional junk, a wonderful replica of a classic steamship for the ultimate Halong Bay experience. While cruising the emerald green waters of the bay perhaps try a traditional Vietnamese foot massage while other family members are kayaking. Stop off to explore many hidden grottoes and caves, or kayak out to one of the small-secluded beaches. Enjoy optional high tea in the late afternoon. A sunset cocktail is served on the sundeck followed by a buffet dinner. If a steam ship doesn't fit, cruise by private or shared wooden junk. There will be traditional games available for evening entertainment and perhaps an informal Vietnamese language lesson. Overnight on board junk.

Meal: Breakfast; Lunch; Dinner

Day 4: Return to Hanoi

Wake up to fresh coffee and a wholesome breakfast before cruising back to the quay. Early morning Tai Chi is an optional extra on the sundeck before breakfast. Transfer back to Hanoi in time for lunch. If travelling by junk return to port slightly later. En-route the junk weaves through strange-shaped rock formations that invite comparisons from fighting cocks to dragons and even General de Gaulle’s nose! After another wonderful fresh seafood lunch on board disembark at the dock at Halong City. Transfer back to Hanoi by road. There is a combination of activities for the afternoon in Hanoi. Explore the countryside surrounding Hanoi by bike or choose to sip coffee or shop in the Old Quarter. For museum lovers there is the Temple of Literature and Army Museum to visit as well as St Joseph’s Cathedral. Overnight in a hotel.

Meal: Breakfast; Lunch; Dinner

Day 5: Hanoi – Hue

The morning is at leisure until transfer to the airport for the mid morning flight to Hue. Check into hotel on arrival and freshen up. After lunch, visit the Imperial Citadel from where the Nguyen Dynasty ruled between 1802 and 1945. Hear the story of the Nguyen Emperors narrated in a child friendly way, learn about the contrasting personalities and deeds of past Imperial Emperors. Visit Hue’s best-known religious site, Thien Mu Pagoda, and the mausoleum of former emperor Minh Mang, in a tranquil setting of gardens and lakes. There will be quiz/crossword sheet available for children from 8 – 13 years old, and colour-in Emperor identification kit for younger children. Overnight in hotel.

Meal: Breakfast; Lunch; Dinner

Day 6: Hue - Hoi An

Morning visit to Tu Duc and Khai Dinh mausoleums before taking classic drive along the coast of Vietnam passing by some beautiful beaches such as the well known Lang Co beach and lesser discovered Binh Anh beach to Hoi An. Enjoy lunch enroute stopping at several points of interest along the way. Overnight in Hotel.

Meal: Breakfast; Lunch

Day 7: Hoi An Highlights

Hoi An is a highlight of any visit to Vietnam. For the family, it is a relaxing little town, small enough to pedal around, but with a myriad of interesting things to do. The morning is at leisure or take a guided stroll to visit a small cottage industry to witness the process of silk production, from larvae to caterpillars to cocoons and afterwards take a trip in a sampan along the Hoi An riverfront. There are many superb restaurants to select for lunch, whether by the waterfront or in town, a few even pride themselves on great western cuisine. Have lunch in one of the many family run restaurants serving Hoi An specialties such as Cao Lau, Hoang Thanh and White Rose. Cao Lau is a delicious soup made with noodles, pork and greens that can only found in Hoi An. The afternoon is free or enjoy an optional Vietnamese cooking class or a bike ride out to the beach exploring some tracks and trails into the paddy fields. Overnight in Hotel.

Meal: Breakfast; Lunch

Day 8: Hoi An – Ho Chi Minh City

After leisurely morning, drive to the airport in Danang for the one hour flight to Ho Chi Minh City. On arrival at Ho Chi Minh City be met by our guide at the airport and drive to your hotel. Time permitting; spend the rest of the afternoon on a fascinating tour of the historical sites of downtown Saigon. Not to be missed is the War Remnants museum, a gruesome reminder of the effects of the war with America. There are old helicopters, aircraft, replica French gaols as well as a photographic display of the environmental and human consequences of Agent Orange. (NOT appropriate for very young children) Visit the Presidential Palace, a fascinating building trapped in time - the architecture and décor is pure 60's kitsch. View the place where the last Americans departed Vietnam and explore below ground an air raid shelter where a sense of history still lingers in the air. Alternatively take a trip to China town with bustling markets and outdoor cafes. In the evening, dine on the Saigon River on the deck of an old passenger boat. Enjoy the glittering lights of downtown Saigon. Overnight in hotel.

Meal: Breakfast; Lunch; Dinner

Day 9: Ho Chi Minh City – Cu Chi tunnels

Cycle back roads to the Cu Chi Tunnels, which were more than 250 km long and three levels deep, were important for the Viet Cong victory over the Americans as they allowed the Viet Cong to control a large rural area around Sai Gon. Today the remaining tunnels have become a major tourist attraction giving the visitor a unique experience of what underground life in the American war was like. The district of Cu Chi was the most bombed shelled, gassed, defoliated, and generally devastated area in the history of warfare. It was declared a "free fire zone" which meant that artillery fire fell on it at night, and that bomber pilots were encouraged to drop unused explosives and napalm on the area before returning to base. In essence, anything that moved was considered a target and blown away. While U.S. forces relied on artillery support from fixed "Fire Bases," the Vietnamese used their tunnel system to move their artillery around, making it difficult for the U.S. troops to locate them. In one tunnel complex in Cu Chi the U.S. found two 105 field pieces in perfect working condition. They would be stripped down outside, taken into the tunnels and assembled during the day for maintenance, stripped again, and then taken back through the tunnels to be reassembled in a new location outside and used the next night. After visiting the tunnel, en joy lunch in a local restaurant near the tunnels. Transfer back to Hanoi. In the evening, enjoy the farewell dinner in one of the Top restaurants of Saigon – The Mandarin. Night at hotel

Meal: Breakfast; Lunch; Dinner

Day 10: Depart Ho Chi Minh City

At leisure until transfer to airport for onward flights.

Meal: Breakfast

INCLUSIONS:

• Accommodation in Luxury hotels in twin share with daily breakfast
• Transfer & back-up by private A/C vehicles
• Biking related services:
• Local bike hire (Mountain bike with front suspension: TREK 4500/4300) including bikes’ transportation between sites, spare parts and helmets if requested.
• Local fruits, snacks and bottled drinking water (5 littre/1 biker/1 day) in cycling days.
• Simple First Aid Kit.
• Lunches + Dinners as indicated in itinerary.
• 02 English Speaking Biking Guides for cycling days only
• All entrance fees as indicated in itinerary.
• Boat trips as indicated in itinerary.
• Cyclo tour in Hanoi
• 2days /1 night on Emeraude Classic cruises or traditional Junk. Shared junk but staying private twin cabin
• Kayak, paddles & life jacket in Halong bay during the cruise (double sit inside composite kayak)
• International flight reconfirmation (if any)

EXCLUSIONS:

• Domestic flight Hanoi – Hue & Danang - Saigon
• Alcoholic drinks & drinks at mealtime + Optional visits + Personal expenses (Telephone, laundry...).
• Personal travel insurance.
• Tips for guide, driver, boat crew & hotels’ porters.
• Meals not indicated in the itinerary.
• All air tickets with airport taxes.
• Other services not clearly indicated in the Package Inclusion above