Highlights of Vietnamvietnam

About The Hotel

Vietnam is an exciting destination for families. Modern meets traditional with the vibrancy of the bustling cities, to the peace and calm of the hillsides. The food is a major draw and kids cannot help but love our streetfood tours and cookery classes. This “highlights” tour offers a taste of the North and the South, beginning on the beach to acclimatise you (sure you please everybody!) and ending in Hanoi but it can equally be done the other way round. All our itineraries come with private transfers and English speaking guides and are flexible to suit your requirements.

Day 1 – Arrival into Danang

Your representative will meet you on arrival and take you through passport control and customs. You will then be taken by private car to your hotel.

Day 2 – Danang/Hoi An

Your first day will be spent at leisure adjusting to the new time zone and enjoying the facilities of the hotel and the beach. Spend the evening at the hotel’s restaurant and enjoy a good night’s sleep before tomorrow’s activities begin.

Day 3 – Hoi An

Following breakfast, you will enjoy a half-day cycling tour of Cam Kim island. Crossing the Thu Bon River by wooden boat, your adventure begins with a visit Kim Bong carpentry village and boat building workshop before heading further into the lush interior. Cycling around the island is a real treat. Paddy fields, out-of-the-way settlements, vegetable farms and even water buffaloes to ride across all add to the appeal of this little-visited island. There will be plenty of opportunities to stop and interact with the local communities during your leisurely cycle ride: observe local farming methods, learn about the art of mat weaving, try to make your own rice noodle and see how bamboo basket boats are made.

The evening will be spent exploring Hoi An at night and enjoying some street food and shopping.

Day 4 – Hoi An

Enjoy a two-hour lantern making class in the cosy workshop of Hoang Lee. Having seen these in Hoi An at night, you will appreciate the skill and dedication that goes into making these delicate paper creations. They are fully foldable to take home with you. From here, you will head to a private food tour around Hoi An market followed by a countryside cooking lesson.

The evening is spent at leisure.

Day 5 – Hoi An/Danang/Hanoi

Check out from your hotel today and take a short domestic flight to Hanoi. From here you will be transferred by private car to your hotel where the remainder of the day and evening can be spent exploring the city at your leisure.

Day 6 – Hanoi

This morning you will meet your guide for an incredible “Hidden Alleys” street food tour where you will get to sample some of Vietnam’s most iconic dishes such as Bun Cha and Banh Mi. Aside from various stops down little hidden side streets, you will get to visit a cafe to enjoy Vietnamese coffee with stunning views over Hoan Kiem Lake. The rour lasts around 3 hours, after which time you are free for the remainder of the day and evening to relax as you wish.

Day 7 –  Hanoi/Ha Long 

Leaving Hanoi early this morning, you will be driven to Halong City, a journey time of approximately 3.5 hours. On arrival, you will transfer to a junk for your cruise on Halong Bay. Sailing through emerald waters and past rocky islets and lush islands, a delicious lunch will be served on board.

As night falls, the boat will drop anchor in a peaceful spot. Enjoy a refreshing drink and the view from the sundeck before sitting down to a leisurely dinner which will either be served on deck or inside the dining room depending on the vessel and local weather conditions.

Day 8– Ha Long/Mai Chau

This morning you will head to Mai Chau breaking up the long journey by stopping in some local villages and meeting some of the Muong tribe. You will spend lunch at a local house before continuing your journey on to your Eco-lodge set in one of the most spectacular locations in Mai Chau with a backdrop of rice paddies and emerald mountains.

Dinner can be at the hotel or a recommended local restaurant.

Day 9 – Mai Chau

Enjoy a hearty breakfast this morning in preparation for a few hours of gentle trekking. You will be walking through local villages and rice paddies, meeting some local tribes along the way.

The afternoon and evening can be spent relaxing at leisure.

Day 10 – Mai Chau/Hanoi

The village rises early so after breakfast, you have the opportunity to visit the nearby colourful market place where Vietnamese jostle with local ethnic groups over a variety of fresh food produce. Mai Chau is known for its production of colourful embroidery, which can be seen being woven by hand in many of the nearby homes. You will enjoy a walk through the community inspecting the intricacies of this craft and will be able to see the many activities of rural life in this part of the north.

After this exciting morning, you will begin your journey back to Hanoi where you can spend the remainder of the day and evening exploring Hanoi’s vibrant night scene.

Day 11 – Hanoi

Today you will have the option to spend your last day at leisure or have a half-day shopping tour with a private guide who can help you fill your suitcase with traditional Vietnamese goods (We can highly recommend this!).

Evening at leisure.

Day 12 – Hanoi/Home

Bid your farewells to this incredible country and begin your journey home. A private car will be organised to transfer you to Hanoi Airport.

Family Facts