Family Highlights & Beyond
Bespoke Holiday Itinerary / Experience Tour

This is a superb tour for families looking to explore Vietnam who prefer to do more than just tick off popular tourist spots. You’ll cover some of the main sites in a fun way and discover exciting off-the-beaten-track adventures that few visitors get to experience.

You may want to mix and match components of this itinerary to suit your calendar, your children's ages or your preferred level of adventure. As a starting point, we hope it inspires you with a range of exciting possibilities. Call us on 020 924 7133 to discuss your holiday in depth..

Highlights include

• Paddling past idyllic steeped paddy fields as you raft along the Cham River in Pu Luong Nature Reserve
• Weaving through the countryside by train to reach picturesque rural retreats
• Getting to grips with Vietnam's amazing cuisine on a fun and interactive street food tour in Hanoi
• Cycling through paddy fields and exploring the caves and limestone mountains of Ninh Binh province
• Splashing in the pool and hitting the beach at the coast
• Exploring the tropical tributaries of the Mekong Delta and spending the night in a homestay

As with all of our suggested itineraries, we can change this holiday to suit your budget, style and expectations. Find out about our exclusive Journey Planner here.

• International Flights (which can be omitted from your quotation if you prefer).
• Accommodation as described.
• Privately guided tours and transfers.
• Original Experience Travel Group "Signature" experiences.
• Full financial protection (full ABTA and ATOL bonding).
• Meals as described.
• 24 hour in-country backup whilst away.
• Your own dedicated travel expert in the UK

For more on our pricing policy read here.

DAY 1  DEPART THE UK

 Depart the UK on your overnight flight to Hanoi.

DAY 2 GOOD MORNING VIETNAM

 We have plenty of suggestions to help you beat the jetlag and get immersed in Hanoi life as soon as you arrive, however if you’d rather just go to your hotel and sleep then of course this is fine!

 If you arrive early morning we can take you on a short walk around the lake where the locals do their aerobics, Tai Chi and badminton. This would be followed by a noodle breakfast and early check in at your hotel. If you arrive in the late afternoon then we might recommend a rooftop restaurant with a sunset view over the lake. The day will be structured to your preferred pace.

DAY 3 - 4  EXPLORING HANOI

Hanoi is alive with culture, history and local day-to-day life bustling all around you. Travelling by jeep and cyclo you’ll learn a little about the cultural traditions at the Ethnology Museum, get lost in the hidden alleyways of the old quarter and taste some of the street-food and ice cream for which Hanoi is famous. 

DAY 5 & 6 PU LUONG NATURE RESERVE

Departing Hanoi with your guide and driver you’ll travel, via a breathtaking mountain pass, to Pu Luong Nature Reserve. The nature reserve lies along two picturesque mountain ridges far away from the usual tourist trail.

During your stay dinners and picnic lunches are included and there will be plenty of time for a range of activities. Explore the beautiful retreat, with its captivating panoramic views and tranquil setting. Go bamboo river rafting along the Cham river, descend into the beautiful local valley for a walk around the tumbling rice terraces. There is a chance to interact with the villagers living in the hills above the retreat. Glimpse daily life, explore the working farmland and rice fields, and learn about the colourful local textile craft.. 

DAY 7 & 8 NINH BINH & TRANG AN ECO SYSTEM

Departing Pu Luong Retreat you’ll travel two hours through beautiful countryside to UNESCO Heritage site Trang An Ecosystem. Here you’ll board a rowing boat (small sampan) to travel along the small river, explore the caves and river surrounded by dramatic limestone mountains and green field landscapes. You’ll stay in a boutique retreat with a lovely swimming pool, in the paddy fields.

Activities during your stay here include a cycle ride on a very quiet and peaceful trail devoid of any tourists. Soak in the magnificent beauty of the surrounding beautiful limestone mountains and a short hike will take you to the top of Hang Mua for an aerial view of the region. You will stop at a local house in a peaceful village with an amazingly beautiful setting then there will be a chance to visit Bai Dinh Temple, Vietnam’s largest Buddhist temple complex and an important pilgrimage site.

On Day 8, after time to freshen up at the hotel and enjoy dinner at a local restaurant you’ll transfer to Thanh Hoa railway station to board the overnight train (around 10pm) due south for Hue.

NB - it's possible to stop short of Hue in Dong Hoi which is the gateway to Phong Nga National Park, home to some of the world's largest caves and a range of adventure activities. We could tailor the trip to include a couple of days here - call for details 

DAY 9 AND 10 HUE  THE ANCIENT IMPERIAL CITY

You’ll disembark the train in Hue around 9am. Your local guide and driver will meet you for the transfer to your hotel and you’ll stop for breakfast en route. After checking in the rest of the morning and early afternoon is free to swim and relax. Mid afternoon you’ll head to the city pier where you’ll pick up kayaks for a paddle down the perfume river to Hen Island. Explore the island, known for its mussels, before paddling back to town and transferring to a cyclo to explore the alleyways of the city and taste some delicious regional dishes.

On your second morning in Hue you can choose how to explore the monuments of the ancient Imperial City. Either explore the remains of the Citadel or take a cycle tour around the various Emperors' tombs. The afternoon is free to swim and relax or, if it's not too much of a history overload, we can combine both morning tours to make a full day of culture and education! 

DAY 11 VESPA COASTAL ADVENTURE

Today you’ll all have the chance to travel south to Hoi An riding on the back of individual Vespa bikes, each with an experienced guide. This is a fantastic way to explore rural villages and marvel at the remarkable coastal scenery and famous bay views.

If you’d prefer to travel by car or train (perhaps if the children are young) then this can be easily arranged too. Whichever way you travel, you’ll wind up at your beach hotel in Hoi An in the afternoon, your luggage having been transferred too. 

DAY 12 & 13 HOI AN AND THE BEACH

After a morning introductory tour of Hoi An town, your time here is free to relax and enjoy the beach and hotel pool. If you’d prefer we can arrange further activities such as cycling adventures in the countryside.

NB extra days can be added at the beach if preferred. 

DAY 14 & 15 HO CHI MINH CITY

It's a short flight south to Ho Chi Minh City (or an overnight train if you’d prefer) where you’ll be met by your guide and transferred to your hotel.

During your time in the city there will be a full day to enjoy our specially crafted Saigon Family Tour. This includes the city's main sights such as the enthralling Presidential Palace where you can explore the old wartime communications bunkers and learn a little about the Vietnam War.  There is also a chance to visit the captivating Cu Chi Tunnels; the river route is quicker and more interesting than sitting in the car. This is an educational tour but children generally still find it interesting, if only due to the novelty of climbing into the underground tunnels! 

DAY 16 & 17 MEKONG DELTA HOMESTAY

For the last part of your adventure you’ll transfer into the lush green Mekong Delta region. Here you will explore the palm-fringed waterways, farmlands and villages by cyclo, sampan boat and bicycle. You’ll stay overnight in a local homestay where you can catch fish and pick vegetables before enjoying a delicious dinner with your hosts. In the afternoon of day 17 you’ll return to Ho Chi Minh City for your final night in Vietnam. 

DAY 18 FLY HOME

 Return to the UK.