Family Adventure | Vietnam | Experience Travel Group

This holiday is ideal for second-time visitors to Vietnam or adventurous families who want to discover the country beyond the typical tourist trail. Vietnam has epic scenery, but many visitors miss much of it; on this holiday, you’ll explore by raft, river, train and bike, taking in the mountainous North, the limestone caves of Phong Nha and the central coast. The suggested itinerary entirely skips the major cities, although we can include them in your bespoke holiday proposal.

Highlights include

Paddle past terraced paddy fields as you raft along the river in Pu Luong Nature Reserve
Weave through the countryside by train to reach picturesque rural retreats
Cycle past dramatic limestone mountains and explore caves in Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park
Discover ancient traditions or hit the beach on the coast near Hoi An

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

This is a sample itinerary which we will tailor to suit you. Prices are dependent on destination, flights & dates but ETG holidays always include the following:

International flights (if required)
Guides, drivers & their tips
Accommodation
Specified meals & snacks
Your immersive experiences
Internal & regional transfers

Get in touch with us for your bespoke proposal
or see more on our ETG Pricing Guide

Call for a bespoke proposal 020 7924 7133 1-888-577-8452

DAY 1 DEPART THE UK

Depart the UK on your overnight flight to Hanoi.

DAYS 2 & 3 BA VI MOUNTAIN NATIONAL PARK

On arrival in Hanoi, meet your local guide and driver and transfer to Ba Vi Mountain National Park. The forested area is just a 55km drive but feels like a world away from the bustling city, offering a tranquil gateway to the country's mountainous, scenic north.

DAYS 4 & 5 PU LUONG NATURE RESERVE

Drive past breath-taking mountain scenery into the Pu Luong Nature Reserve, lying along two mountain ridges. Explore the beautiful retreat that provides captivating panoramic views in a tranquil setting. Head out on a bamboo river raft or descend into the beautiful valley for a walk around tumbling rice terraces. Interact with the villagers living in the hills above the retreat and enjoy a glimpse into daily life as you explore the working farmland and rice fields.

DAYS 6 & 7 NINH BINH & TRANG AN ECOSYSTEM

Departing Pu Luong, you'll travel east through the beautiful countryside to Trang An Ecosystem, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in the Ninh Binh province.

Head out on a cycling tour through the quiet and peaceful trails, soak in the magnificent beauty amongst the mountains or take a short hike to the top of Hang Mua for a spectacular aerial view of the region. Stop at a local house in a peaceful village before a chance to visit Bai Dinh Temple, Vietnam's largest Buddhist temple complex and an important pilgrimage site.

On Day 7, 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 10 pm) due south for Dong Hoi.

DAY 8-10 PHONG NGA KE BANG NATIONAL PARK

You'll arrive at Dong Hoi early and transfer to your accommodation on the edge of Phong Nha-Ke Bang. This remarkable national park has underground rivers and a vast network of incredible caves.

Outside of the cave explorations, there are numerous activities to enjoy here - kayaking, trekking, taking a bike ride along with the rural riverside villages or learning about the significance of the Ho Chi Minh Trails (through which soldiers moved supplies from North to South Vietnam during the war).

DAY 11-14 HOI AN

Depart Phong Nga-Ke Bang National Park and board the day train to Danang; this route offers some marvellous views of the countryside – especially as you weave south from Hue through the mountains. Disembark the train in Danang, and transfer to your beach hotel.

Although it's more built-up than the other areas you've visited – the Hoi An area offers the best of both worlds with beach, countryside and the bustling ancient town. You could choose to relax by the pool or head into town to taste some delicious food, see some historic sites or explore the countryside by Vespa.