Vietnam Family Holiday

On arrival at Noi Bai International Airport, your guide welcomes you and escorts you to the hotel. Take the opportunity to settle in, unpack and relax before beginning your journey.

Accommodation: In Hanoi
Meals: Not included

Discover Hanoi's rich history, starting at the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum complex, where you can observe his stilt house and The One Pillar Pagoda—a unique Buddhist temple on a single stone pillar rising from a lotus pond. Visit the ancient Temple of Literature, a classic example of Vietnamese architecture and the country's first national university.

Head to Bat Trang, a traditional handicraft village in Hanoi's suburbs. Immerse yourself in the beautiful handicrafts and friendly atmosphere of the village. Explore a workshop to witness the process of making ceramics, where professional potters and artists create beautiful masterpieces.

Experience the ancient ceramic kiln, Lo Bau Co, built in the late 19th century using firewood for heating. Continue to the next workshop, where you'll receive expert guidance and a demonstration of how to use a potter’s wheel. Get creative and mould your own piece of ceramic while spinning the potter’s wheel.

Take a leisurely walk through the village's back lanes, featuring various styles of intricate brickwork and unusual architecture. Finally, emerge at a beautiful temple on the riverbank. Visit the ceramic market to view the enormous range of pottery products made in the village, then transfer back to the hotel.

Accommodation: In Hanoi
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Set off to Moon Garden Homestay, a small retreat hidden amidst the lovely landscapes of rural Hanoi. This is an ideal place to escape from the hustle and bustle of the capital and experience Vietnam’s traditional rural life. Enjoy a welcome drink with local fresh green tea before learning how to cook traditional dishes of Vietnam such as spring roll – voted as one of the ten best dishes in the world by CNN Travel. Stroll around Ky Son village to engage and interact with the friendly locals. Visit the villager’s bee house, kindergarten (Closed on Sat, Sun, and Holidays), and the village market.

Try your hand at catch-and-release fishing in the pond. Explore a local beer shop and taste Bia Hoi – an authentic Vietnamese beer, accompanied by delightful local delicacies. Relax and rejuvenate with a traditional steam bath, enhanced with fragrant herbs like lemongrass, pomelo leaves, and holy basil leaves. Observe the evening Buddha worship before dinner. Conclude your day with a soothing foot bath in warm water, blended with gingers, salt, and mugwort medicinal herbs.

Accommodation: In Ky Son
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Join Yi Jin Ying, a traditional exercise manual containing a series of breathing exercises that dramatically enhance physical health when practised consistently. Hop on bicycles for a leisurely ride to discover Ky Son, Tam Son, Van Minh, and Cham farming communities. Cycle to Duong Lam ancient village, visit Mia Pagoda, and Mong Phu Communal House. Ride back along the ritual paths of Thang Thac village, passing the Ngo Quyen tomb, and Phung Hung temple. Enjoy having your fingers dipped in a fragrant lime bowl and gently massaged. Spend the rest of the afternoon swimming at a local pool. The leisure is yours to relax or mingle with the host family. If you would like to learn some Vietnamese, one of the family members can be your best teacher. Round off your captivating day with a singing contest at your resort.

Accommodation: In Ky Son
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Cycle: Distance – Approx. 16 – 17 km; Grade – Easy

Hit the road to Mai Chau – the gateway to the impressive Northwest area of Vietnam, stop en route at the local market of the Muong ethnic minority, and Thung Khe Pass, and cross many villages and lush rice paddies on the way. Arrive in Van Village – home to the Thai minority and be welcomed by your homestay hosts with an authentic lunch. Spend some time to relax before exploring the shady pathways and take the opportunity to interact with local people and learn about their daily life and customs.
Explore the traditional way of weaving and try your hand at the farming experience: preparing and fertilizing the land, raking the ground, sowing, watering … using the traditional methods of hundreds of years ago – no electrical machinery, just buffaloes. A football match with the local children will be an excellent chance for your kids to make friends and truly enjoy the countryside atmosphere. Spend the night in a traditional stilt house with our friendly Thai hosts.

Accommodation: In Mai Chau
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

The following morning, visit Mai Chau market where you can see local products & wet market. Here, you can find plenty of freshly picked herbs, vegetables, meat, and fish, which are commonly served in a home-cooked meal by the locals. If lucky, you can find food stalls selling some unique kinds of food like crickets, grasshoppers, or other insects, which are the locals’ favourites to pair with wine or beer. Hike on small paths, past green rice paddies and local stilt houses, and discover the natural beauty of the valley. Gain insight into the lifestyle of Thai ethnic. After stopping for a picnic lunch, continue your hike through rustic villages and lush terrain before meeting the driver, and then it will be time to relax by a pool. Return to the homestay and learn how to use the local fishing techniques using round and cast nets for catching fish or even try to catch a fish by hand. Enjoy a Thai traditional performance, a unique live dance, and music by villagers.

Accommodation: In Mai Chau
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Trekking: Distance – approx. 10 km; Grade – Easy

Embark on a road trip and drive along a less-travelled route with peaceful landscapes to Ninh Binh (Approx. 3 ½ hour drive) and check into your hotel. The rest of the day is at your leisure to relax or explore the surrounding area.

Accommodation: In Ninh Binh
Meals: Breakfast

Saddle up on your bicycles and embark on a leisurely ride, passing through villages, plantations, and farmlands en route to Hoa Lu. Hoa Lu is the ancient capital of Vietnam dating back to the 10th and 11th centuries. Explore the sacred Dinh King and Le King temples and gain insight into the history of Vietnam followed by a delightful local lunch. Afterward, drive to Tam Coc, known as the "three caves," which consists of three natural caves — Hang Ca, Hang Hai, and Hang Ba — on the Ngo Đong River. Take an afternoon boat ride on the tranquil waters of the river, meandering through rice fields and limestone karsts, and passing through the caves. End your day with a short transfer back to the hotel.

Accommodation: In Ninh Binh
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Spend the day in the misty, lush Cuc Phuong National Park, the oldest and largest natural reserve in Vietnam. Cuc Phuong is a renowned and picturesque conservation area that boasts an engaging cultural and wildlife heritage and enchanting scenery. Visit the Endangered Primate Rescue Centre – one of the highlights of Cuc Phuong National Park, where you can see some of the rarest primate species in the world. Continue to explore the Turtle Conservation Centre, which currently houses over 1100 individuals of 19 turtle species native to Vietnam, of which there are 3 found in Cuc Phuong. Embark on an adventure trek through the forest, a great way to discover the diverse flora and fauna of nature. Take time to rest and relax at the hotel pool. Other activities include a boat ride on Van Long Wetland Nature Reserve, sitting atop a buffalo cart, and exploring the lush countryside.

Accommodation: In Ninh Binh
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Bai Tu Long Bay occupies three-quarters of the Halong Bay World Heritage site, as well as many islands in Van Don, Cam Pha District. Even now, Bai Tu Long remains an extensive unexplored area. The cruise in Bai Tu Long Bay is off the beaten track and offers unique experiences.

Your day begins with the scenic drive from Ninh Binh to Halong City. The drive will take you through the rich farmlands of the Red River Delta, with vivid green rice fields, water buffaloes, and Vietnamese village life. Arrive at Halong International Cruise Port in time to board your boat and set sail through the emerald-green waters of Bai Tu Long Bay. Admire the endless and fascinating formations of limestone islands and enjoy a seafood lunch. Climb the pathway to explore a cave that is set below the forest shade and a mountain cliff. Return to the boat and cruise to the overnight anchorage. Time to enjoy a cocktail on the sundeck and a cooking demonstration. After dinner, you may like to try your hand at squid fishing - or simply relax and rest.

Accommodation: On the boat
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Please note: The cruise itinerary may be subject to change depending on weather conditions.

Enjoy the morning beauty of Bai Tu Long and immerse yourself in the peaceful atmosphere with a cup of coffee. Practice Tai Chi, one of the oldest traditions of East Asia, on the sundeck. Following breakfast, a day boat will take you deeper into the Bay. Enjoy a leisurely day of sightseeing, swimming, and kayaking in a less-visited part of Bai Tu Long Bay. Play a volleyball game on a pristine beach or fly a kite from the boat. You will return to the mother boat in time to catch the sunset over the bay. The boat sets anchor for the second night among the limestone karst formations.

Accommodation: On the boat
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

The following day, wake up to the sun illuminating the spectacular rock formations. The boat sets sail towards Vung Vieng – one of the largest fishing villages in Bai Tu Long Bay. The village is set in a closed lagoon, surrounded by mountains, an excellent setting for some good photos. Take a rowing bamboo boat out to explore the village and experience the daily life of local people living on the bay. Enjoy breakfast (or brunch) on board as the boat cruises back to port, passing along the most scenic routes in the bay. Disembark and transfer to Hanoi; the remainder of the day is yours to rest, shop, or explore the city.

Accommodation: In Hanoi
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch (Brunch)

Today, it's time for you and your family to return home after a memorable Vietnam holiday. Transfer to the airport according to your flight schedule.

Accommodation: Check-out time is 12:00
Meals: Breakfast