Friday, May 10, 2013

Notifications for small group family holiday

Small group family holiday

This is a 'small group family adventure' - typically you will join several other families and travel in a group of approx. 16 people. The trips are great value and a great way for you and your children to meet new people! While itineraries are pre-planned there is some flexibility and you'll have plenty of time to yourselves. Please check with the operator to confirm the minimum age for this trip

How Family holiday in Vietnam makes a difference

On this trip: By using a local Vietnamese ground agent and employing professional local Group Leaders we are able to make a real difference to the areas our groups journey through on this trip. Using family run hotels and eating in local restaurants we are able to distribute income into local economies evenly throughout our visit. Working closely with our ground agents, we support the Binh Luc Children’s Centre near Hanoi. Established in 1990, it provides a home for 41 orphans aged between 6 and 15 years old. Groups will have the opportunity to visit the centre during their stay in the area. Small gifts of; clothes (remember Vietnamese children are smaller than those in the UK), writing paper, pens, pencils and crayons, and sports equipment are always welcomed should travellers wish to donate and the local industry can further be supported if these things are purchased locally. Continued donations from our ground agent in Vietnam have already improved nutrition at the centre considerably. Other recent improvements include a better dining room and kitchen, and separate toilet building.

Our return to Hanoi from Halong Bay travels via the Sao Do Charity Centre. Set up in the early 90’s by a war veteran to help disabled children in the region, the centre was initially a small factory producing handicrafts, such as embroidery and stone carving to sell through shops in Hanoi and Saigon. Recently, they opened to family holiday travelling to / from Halong Bay, allowing the centre to sell their products directly to the public. The centre now employs over 100 physically and mentally disabled people, allowing them to make a reasonable income on top of their lodging, food and training.

Our Responsible Travel Code: Clients who travel with us will automatically receive a copy of our Responsible Travel leaflet. This contains details and advice on how you can make a positive difference when you travel. If you would like a copy in advance of travel please contact us.

Charity Partnerships: We work in partnership with Plan International. Plan works with some of the world’s poorest communities where three out of four children die before the age of five. We also support Friends of Conservation – an international charity committed to working with local people to develop a balance between their needs and the wildlife with which they share the natural habitat and ecosystems. Other charities that we work closely with include Born Free Foundation and The Travel Foundation, a UK charity that has been established to promote responsible travel for family holiday practices throughout the whole of the travel industry.

Carbon Balancing: Global warming is a real issue and is a direct result of your family holiday . We have teamed up with Climate Care to give you the opportunity to offset the carbon emissions from your flight. You’ll be asked upon booking if you want to donate – with set amounts from £5. As a company we offset the carbon emissions from all staff travel in full.

Our Foundation: We’ve highlighted a few of the ways in which we offer our support, financially or otherwise, and now you can, too. We have set up our own foundation, which will administer funds donated by you. A small donation of £1 per person will be taken when booking a holiday and that money will be put to good use by one of our carefully selected projects. If you don’t want to make the donation, just tell us when you book.

Family tour to experience the sheer excitement of Vietnam

This two week family tour takes you to experience the sheer excitement of Vietnam. Your family holiday is set up to visit busy cities, scenic bays and river deltas for a fantastic mix of things to see and do which will keep the whole family entertained. Mixing with the friendly Vietnamese, you discover a fascinating country and of course some great food. Highlights include exploring by cyclo (rickshaw), a water puppet show in Hanoi, boat trips to fantastic islands with great beaches, ancient pagodas and temples, wonderful markets, a trip on an overnight train and much more!

Day-by-day itinerary

Day 1-2:     Hanoi Take an overnight flight to Hanoi. On arrival you’ll transfer to your family  first night’s accommodation. Hanoi is sometimes called the Paris of the Orient, with shaded boulevards, verdant parks and ochre buildings that retain an old-world charm.A welcome meeting for your family tour is at 6pm this evening when you will meet your group leader and the rest of your family group. Please ask at the hotel reception for details.Thien Thai Hotel (AAA) - 2 nights (B)
Day 3:     Hanoi Today begins with breakfast at the KOTO restuarant which is part of a program where street children can learn hospitality skills that will enable them to find employment. You can rest assured you are helping to improve lives as you eat your breakfast today!Later take a cyclo tour through the ancient "39 Streets" to discover amazing selection of shops in the Old Quarter; silk, silver, enamel bracelets and embroidery are among the best buys and the street names bear testimony to the business conducted there; Silk Street, Rice Street, Vermicelli Street, and even Boiled Fish Street! Some of the galleries boast the works of painters from all over Vietnam.This evening you’ll make a visit to one of the water-puppet theatres to enjoy a performance of this fantastic art form - unique to Vietnam and best seen in Hanoi. The kids will be mesmerised! (B)
Day 4:     Halong Bay From Hanoi your family will travel for four hours by charter minibus to the coast and beautiful Halong Bay, whose name means ‘descending dragon’. The name derives from a Vietnamese legend that the gods sent a dragon to protect the people there. Arriving around lunchtime you’ll jump straight on a boat in this secluded bay, marvelling at the 2000 limestone peaks that emerge from the sea. You’ll have the opportunity to visit spectacular caves crammed with stalactites and stalagmites and, weather permitting, to swim from your boat, before spending the night on-board.Cruise Boat - Berth in twin-cabin - 1 night (BLD)
Day 5:     Overnight train Today you return to Hanoi (approx 3.5 hours). In the evening you board an overnight train to Da Nang. Conditions on the train are basic - but it's a great travel experience where you can mix with local people. The trains typically have four or six-berth soft sleeper compartments, a sheet, pillow and blanket are provided (you may prefer to bring your own sheet sleeping bag. You may be required to share with passengers from outside the group, or of the opposite sex. Most trains have dining facilities but you may prefer to bring your own supplies with you. Berth on overnight sleeper train - 1 night (B)
Day 6-7:     Hue Hue was once the capital of the Nguyen emperors, packed with influential people: bureaucrats, royalty, traders, astrologers and courtiers, who left behind many beautiful reminders of their times. For a fascinating look at life in Hue today, you make your way down to the Perfume River to embark on a journey by dragon boat. Explore the Thien Mu Pagoda (the Temple of the Heavenly Lady), possibly the most famous of all Vietnam’s pagodas. Legend tells of ‘fairy maids’ who predicted that a king would build a pagoda and bring great wealth to the countryside. Situated on the banks of the peaceful Perfume River, it is one of Vietnam’s best-loved buildings.Discover the elaborate tombs of the Nguyen emperors. The tombs are situated among the houses of local farmers who grow rice, fruit and vegetables here. It is this location that gives rise to the views of the Vietnam you know from television; local farmers in straw hats working in paddy fields beneath towering palms. You’ll visit one of the seven tombs, all of which follow a similar layout: statues of mandarins, elephants and horses, a pavilion where a stele (obelisk) tells of each emperor’s glorious reign and a temple where he was worshipped after death. N.B - for departures 5 April 2013 and 8 April 2013 - The Dragon boat will be replaced with a private bus tour due to the Hon Chen boat Festival. Thanh Lich Hotel (AAA) - 2 nights (B)
Day 8-10:     Hoi An Travelling south by bus you climb up and over the spectacular Hai Van Pass, the top of which is crowded by hawkers selling all kinds of souvenirs and people who have stopped to enjoy the magnificent view below. Approximately four hours after leaving Hue, you’ll arrive in Hoi An - a relaxed and laid-back place, where cars are prohibited from the narrow streets of the old town, preserving the atmosphere in the centre as it would have been in colonial times.Settled over the years by a variety of nationalities, including the Spanish and Portuguese, the old town is a fascinating place to visit. The fading beauty of the beautiful shops, houses and cafés add to the charm; Hoi An is bound to be a highlight of the trip. Walking or cycling tour are the only ways to soak up the atmosphere of the old streets. Take a guided tour on foot and can walk down to the riverside market where fresh fish are unloaded and through the backstreets of this colourful town, past temples to the covered Japanese Bridge. Visit the Children's Hope in Action Centre and meet some local children at this community project.The rest of your family time is left free to relax in this beautiful area. You could take your family tour further impressive by a taxi or make the easy five-kilometre bicycle ride through the rice paddies and shrimp ponds to Cua Dai beach. Alternatively Hoi An is one of the best places to shop for souvenirs, especially if you’re looking for t-shirts, paintings or ceramics. For those interested in getting clothes tailored, this is definitely the place to shop – see Top Tips. Another good idea is to take a boat trip out to a village specialising in ceramics and boat-building (optional).Van Loi Hotel (AAA) - 3 nights - Swimming Pool (Bx3)
Day 11:     Ho Chi Minh City Today you make the short drive (one hour) to Danang and take a flight south to Ho Chi Minh City, previously known as Saigon, the cosmopolitan powerhouse of the south and a fascinating mixture of old and new. Victory Hotel (AAA) - 3 nights - Swimming Pool (B)
Day 12:     Mekong Delta This morning you leave the city behind and head for Vietnam’s rice-bowl – the Mekong Delta, a journey of approximately three hours. Enroute visit the village of My Tho and learn about rural life. In a garden restaurant in the heart of the Delta you can sample the "elephant ear fish". Board sampans (local rowing boats) to reach the main boat. Cruise through the waterways of the Mekong, zigzagged with ramshackle ‘monkey bridges’ and busy with local traders. Disemark at Ben Tre town where you make a visit to a local candy factory, including some sampling of course! Then return to Ho Chi Minh. (BL)
Day 13:     Ho Chi Minh City Today is a well earned chance to cool off and let off some steam at the local water park. Great fun for all your family trip here as you ride the waterslides. The rest of the day is free to explore the city as you wish or take on of the optional excursions available. (B)
Day 14-15:     Fly home The tour ends today. Clients travelling on our group flights transfer to airport for your overnight flight home. (B)

Great introduction to Vietnam via a family tour in 2013

This family tour is a great introduction to Vietnam. The family trip combines essential sites and hidden places: Hanoi, Saigon, World Heritage Hue, charming Hoi An, the rarely visited Central Highlands and picturesque Mekong Delta.

Discover the country’s past and present – ruined temples of the Cham Empire, glorious pagodas & royal tombs of the Nguyen Dynasty, the more recent, tragic sites of the Vietnam War & the friendly people, exotic cuisine, fantastic landscapes & exciting cities of Hanoi & Saigon.

Take the family trip

We treat each family as a tour on your own and can therefore tailor our usual itineraries to suit the requirements of your family and the ages of your children. Some families choose to do an itinerary as given, others prefer to do the active/adventurous part of the tour with one of our family tour leaders and then go to the beach for a few days on their own afterwards.

We have successfully provided tours for families with children from ages 5 to 18
Day-by-day itinerary

Day 1:    Depart from London
Day 2:    Arrival in Hanoi, check-in to a downtown hotel and afternoon free to wander or relax before an evening trip to see the City’s unique water-puppet show. (Note: a 2 day/1 night extension to explore the incredible scenery of World Heritage Halong Bay is available should you so wish.)
Day 3:    Day tour for family of this beautiful old city with it’s French colonial ambience: lakes, parks and temples and a stroll through the bustling backstreets of the old quarter before an evening flight to Hue - the ancient imperial capital of Vietnam – and check-in to our centrally located hotel.
Day 4:    Time to check out the numerous UNESCO World Heritage Sites of this historic city: morning cruise by ‘dragon boat’ along the Perfume River to visit some of the majestic tombs of the former emperors and afternoon walk around the ancient Citadel.
Day 5:    More recent history with a family trip to the infamous DMZ, (demilitarized zone), to visit some of the key sites of the Vietnam War, including the Vietcong tunnels at Vinh Moc, Hien Luong Bridge on the 17th parallel, which marked the border between former South and North Vietnam, and Khe Sanh Combat Base – scene of some of the most intense fighting of the war.
Day 6:    Short drive to nearby Hoi An Town with stop-offs on the way at mountainous Bach Ma National Park and the beautiful and spectacular beach at Lang Co.
Day 7:    Well-preserved and charming, World Heritage site Hoi An was one of SE Asia’s most important ports during the 17th – 19th centuries. A half-day tour  for your family of the old town and waterfront area and a free afternoon to roam the beautiful old streets at your family leisure or bicycle down to the nearby beach for a dip or massage.
Day 8:    Morning relaxing or a visit to the bustling silk market and an afternoon trip to the atmospheric ruined temples of My Son – Vietnam’s most important Cham site. The city was occupied from the 4th to 13th centuries before succumbing to its powerful Khmer and Vietnamese neighbours.
Day 9:    Transfer to nearby Danang for a flight to the Central Highlands and the provincial capital of Buon Me Thuot. Afternoon, a classic trip visit to the fascinating Ethnographic Museum to discover the culture and lifestyles of some of the area’s numerous ethnic minorities.
Day 10:    Day exploring the beautiful Lak Lake region with visits to some of the local ‘Montagnard’ minority villages, elephant riding around the lake, and a boat trip to take in some of the stunning scenery before continuing south to Dalat for our overnight stay.
Day 11:    Due to it’s cool temperatures the former French hill station of Dalat, is now equally popular with modern day Saigonites. Time to explore the bustling little town as well as a hike in the scenic pine covered hills of the surrounding Central Highlands.
Day 12:    Continue the family trip south to Nam Cat Tien National Park – an outstanding area of well preserved lowland jungle and swampland and one of the country’s last refuges for many large mammal species such as elephant, tiger, leopard and Javan rhinoceros as well as plentiful birdlife and one of Vietnam’s last remaining crocodile colonies. Afternoon nature hike and overnight in National Park bungalows.
Day 13:    An opportunity for a further morning hiking tour in this exceptional setting before heading on to Saigon. Late afternoon arrival and check-in to our centrally located hotel.
Day 14:    Morning tour of Cholon, the city’s Chinatown district, with the afternoon to explore, shop or sit in a cafe and watch the non-stop spectacle of the city’s traffic!
Day 15:    Our three day exploration of the picturesque Mekong Delta begins with a journey south to Vinh Long with a stop-off at one of the area's unique and spectacular Cao Dai temples. Afternoon scenic boat cruise through the Delta's maze of waterways to discover the region's spectacular scenery and the local cottage industries and handicraft manufacturing of the, still very traditional, villages. Overnight stay as guests of a friendly local family on one of the myriad islands.
Day 16:    Morning stroll or cycle ride around the tranquil island before a visit to the bustling floating market of nearby Vinh Long Town before continuing on to Can Tho. Afternoon to explore the town or check-out the interesting Mekong Delta Museum.
Day 17:    Your family tour will be continue to visit some of the Delta’s traditional floating markets and a fascinating tour of the former Vietcong jungle base at Xe Quit before returning to Saigon.
Day 18:    Time to relax, last minute shopping or more sites before an afternoon return flight to London, via Bangkok.
Day 19:    Arrival in London

Independent family adventure holiday

These family trips are designed for those of you who prefer to travel just with your family, and not in a group with other families. The itineraries are set but you can typically depart at a time to suit you.
How Family holidays to Vietnam makes a difference

This family tour is a brand new addition to the our roster. Our first trip left in January. Therefore we have yet to fully determine the best way that we can make a positive impact on the regions that we visit. Our senior tour-leading staff is set to lead the trips and will be actively seeking ways that we can be constructive and responsible visitors to Vietnam.

To date we are encouraging maintenance of traditional handicrafts and supporting people with disabilities (in a region where disabilities can utterly preclude gainful employment) by visiting, and encouraging purchases from, the Hong Ngoc Humanity Centre in Sao Do town, near Hanoi. This is an entirely Vietnamese-run NGO, which allows disabled children and young adults to learn vocational skills relating to the manufacture and marketing of handicrafts. More on how we are having a positive impact on Vietnam soon.

Information: Providing suitable, relevant information for our customers; to help them to gain a wider understanding of our style of tourism that focuses on learning, genuine interaction with the local communities, reciprocity and cultural exchange processes. To be aware of the potential impact of tourism on the local society, culture and environment, and to behave and dress appropriately with a respect and appreciation for local customs, mores and traditions and a respect for the ecology of areas visited. Our guides and leaders thus facilitate communication of our values to both travellers and local communities, educating them in sustainable tourism practices

Group sizes: By limiting groups to small sizes we aim to reduce the impact on both local communities and the environment whilst allowing for greater genuine interaction with said communities. It also results in a higher guide/customer ratio thus greater facility for supervision and individual assistance and allows us to use smaller hotels and restaurants and employ the services of more genuinely ‘local’ operators perhaps not otherwise well equipped for larger groups.

Destinations: We combine the well known tourist sites with many off-the-beaten-track, rarely visited destinations thus diverting tourist revenue and contact with responsible tourism into areas not usually benefiting as well as providing a more authentic view of the region visited.

Local products: As much as possible we aim to employ local personnel, (guides, drivers, agents etc), use local restaurants and smaller privately owned accommodation. Customers are also encouraged to buy and use local products and services as much as possible in order to support and stimulate the local economy.

Instruction: By explaining our methods and the reasons behind them local agents, guides and hotels in Vietnam are encouraged by us to adopt further responsible tourism practices themselves and guides and drivers are provided with additional training in this respect.

Family tour in Vietnam interacting with Vietnamese people and experience daily life.

 Travelling with children: We recognise that travelling with children can be difficult. This tour is aimed at families and includes activities designed to attract the interest of young and old alike. Vietnam is very much a ‘child friendly’ country with plenty to see and do. We’ll provide you with an experienced guide who can interpret Vietnam’s rich culture at on different levels so that each member of your family tour will be able to interact with local people and experience their daily life.

This 12-day family tour is based in the south of Vietnam between four destinations: Ho Chi Minh City (Indochina’s largest metropolis), the Mekong Delta and its unique lifestyle, Dalat (built by the French in the Central Highlands), and Nha Trang (Vietnam’s version of the Côte d'Azur). Highlights include Ho Chi Minh City’s famous Ben Than market, the wartime vestiges and Cholon, better known as Chinatown.

The Mekong Delta Cruises offers a fascinating waterborne culture – floating markets, a myriad of tiny islands interlaced with narrow channels, exotic fruit orchards and rich biodiversity. Perched on the edge of a series of plateaux, Dalat and its hinterland have many attractions.

It’s Vietnam’s market garden – glorious flowers, fruit and vegetables in abundance, as well as the bizarre Crazy House, a cable-car ride, remarkable temples, riding on the back of an elephant and more besides. Nha Trang is the nearest thing to a traditional seaside resort. Strung alongside a magnificent bay, its long sandy beach, offshore islands, hot springs and other attractions makes for a satisfying conclusion to the family tour.

Travelling with children: We recognise that travelling with children can be difficult. This tour is aimed at families and includes activities designed to attract the interest of young and old alike. Vietnam is very much a ‘child friendly’ country with plenty to see and do. We’ll provide you with an experienced guide who can interpret Vietnam’s rich culture at on different levels so that each member of your family tour will be able to interact with local people and experience their daily life.

The activities on your itinerary will be carefully tailored for a variety of levels of participation. For example, we can include a visit to the underground tunnels used by the Viet Cong during the war, having  photography tour next to a Dalat cowboy next to an orchid nursery, an elephant ride, and a boat trip in Nha Trang Bay complete with snorkelling, entertainment and even a floating bar.

Another ‘thrilling’ experience is riding on the back of a motorbike – much safer than it sounds! For older and more venturesome youngsters (and parents?), you might consider a firing range where you can shoot an AK 47 and other weapons near the Cu Chi Tunnels, or venturing onto the back of an ostrich in the Mekong Delta. We choose mature guides who are happy to assist with children and teenagers so that offspring and parents can both enjoy Vietnam’s rich culture and environment at an appropriate level.

Best time to go: The weather for most of this tour is suitable all year round. The only exception is from the middle of October to late December when the sea is muddy during the rainy season in Nha Trang.
Day-by-day itinerary

Day 1:    Ho Chi Minh arrival. Arriving at Tan Son Nhat airport in Ho Chi Minh City, you’ll be met and driven to your hotel. You’ll have time to relax after your journey before a Welcome dinner. You’ll spend the night in Ho Chi Minh City.
Day 2:    Ho Chi Minh City/Cu Chi Tunnels/Ho Chi Minh City. A morning drive will take you to visit the famous Cu Chi tunnels, a Byzantine maze of underground passages, chambers, rooms and booby traps used by both the Vietminh and the Viet Cong to suddenly materialise as if from nowhere, launch a lightning ambush, and vanish equally rapidly. Continue the family tour You’ll visit the huge Ben Thanh market, one of the liveliest areas of Ho Chi Minh City, is packed with every conceivable commodity. You’ll also call in at the Jade Emperor Temple. It’s one of the best Taoist temples in Vietnam, with superb effigies, remarkable carved panels of the descent to Hell and somewhat incongruous terrapin and tortoise sanctuaries. In the evening, you’ll cruise ride in a cyclo to discover the city. You’ll spend the night in Ho Chi Minh City.
Day 3:    Ho Chi Minh City/Vinh Long/Can Tho. After escaping from Ho Chi Minh City’s urban sprawl, you’ll travel to Vinh Long. There, you’ll cruise on the Mekong River, visit Cai Be floating market, fruit orchards, a traditional family-run brick kiln, and drop in to look at some traditional cottage industries - a workshop making the huge coffins unique to the Mekong is particularly interesting. You’ll then drive further into the Mekong Delta to Can Tho where you’ll spend the night. Free optional Ostrich riding and Crocodile ‘fishing’.
Day 4:    Can Tho/Ho Chi Minh City. The day begins with boarding a boat to cruise to Cai Rang and Phong Dien floating markets on the Mekong Delta – both the journey and the markets provide insights into the Mekong rural lifestyle. In the afternoon, you’ll return to Ho Chi Minh City where you’ll spend the night.
Day 5:    Ho Chi Minh/Dalat. In the afternoon, you’ll fly to Dalat City. On arrival, you’ll be met and driven to the city centre for your check-in. You’ll then visit Dalat market, followed by dinner. You’ll stay in Dalat.
Day 6:    Dalat. In the morning, continue the family tour, a cable car will sway you downhill to the Truc Lam Pagoda. It’s quite plain, but is surrounded by an attractive flower garden. There are good views of the lake that lies below and can be reached by steps, and the thick forests on the far side. You’ll then cruise across the Tuyen Lam Lake for an hour’s elephant ride on the island in the middle of the lake. You’ll spend the night in Dalat.
Day 7:    Dalat. You’ll have the whole day to explore Dalat on the back of a motorbike tour . Your guide will take you to visit Emperor Bao Dai’s Summer Palace, the Crazy House, and the Lam Ty Ni Pagoda. If he’s in a good mood, you might be granted an audience with the ‘Mad Monk’, famous for his prodigious output of artworks. You’ll spend the night in Dalat.
Day 8:    Dalat/Nha Trang. In the morning, you’ll leave for Nha Trang. The car and driver will take you to your hotel, which will overlook the Bay. You’ll spend the night in Nha Trang.
Day 9:    Nha Trang. After breakfast, continue the family tour, a car will arrive to take you to board a boat for a whole-day cruise to some of the small islands in the bay. You’ll anchor off Mun Island for snorkelling (snorkel and fins available on the boat at a small charge), and eat lunch on board near Mot Island with ‘entertainment’ and a wine and fruit party. You’ll spend the night in Nha Trang.
Day 10-11:    Nha Trang free. The day will be free for strolling in the town, lazing on the beach, or whatever takes your fancy. You’ll spend the night in Nha Trang. As an alternative, you may choose to visit the mud baths in Nha Trang or take a river tour and visit rural areas engaged in a variety of cottage industries.
Day 12:    Nha Trang/Ho Chi Minh City departure. You’ll be free in the morning until your car and driver arrive to take you to Nha Trang airport for your flight to Ho Chi Minh City to connect with your departure flight.

Tailor made the family tour

This family tour can be tailor made to create a unique holiday for your individual requirements by travel experts with intimate knowledge of the destination. It is a more luxurious trip that will suit those who enjoy immersing themselves in new cultures and environments before relaxing in comfort in some of the best and most characterful local accommodation! Quality and value are the hallmark of these trips.
How Tailor made family holiday in Vietnam makes a difference

We have built strong links with local communities, craftspeople, singers and musicians who are maintaining threatened traditions. We offer visitors an opportunity to meet them, thereby valuing their activities and thus helping towards their survival.

For example, at Vinh Long in the Mekong Delta, the local people will welcome an opportunity to perform their traditional Tai Tu music for you. You’ll help raise awareness of the need for conserving the old houses that are significant relics of the Mekong history.

Wherever possible, we contract local indigenous suppliers, assist them to improve the quality of their services and pay them direct rather than through intermediaries. By booking this tour, you’ll be helping us to support Vietnamese service providers, small businesses, boat owners and other poor people in communities in areas such as the Mekong Delta.

Apart from the above, we’re also keen to raise awareness of the need for environmental and cultural conservation among young people. With this in mind, we use local freelance guides with wide experience and knowledge of cultural traditions and ecology, combined with an ability to interpret the milieu in each destination in a way that has meaning for adults and children. For this family tour, you’ll have several different guides from various provinces of Vietnam.

The ultimate family adventure Vietnam’s rich culture


Each family holiday is tailor-made to suit your interests, tastes, budget and length of stay – and of course, the age of your children. 

We think that Vietnam has everything you could possibly need for the ultimate family adventure tour in South East Asia.

Each family holiday is tailor-made to suit your interests, tastes, budget and length of stay – and of course, the age of your children.

There’s Vietnam’s rich culture and temples but also plenty of time for beaches, water parks and other sites of interest to children whether it’s scrambling around in the Cu Chi Tunnels or a treasure hunt by cyclo in Hanoi’s Old Quarter.

Typically, a family holiday would include travelling the length of the country, with a few nights in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, an overnight junk experience in Halong Bay plus a few days or more in Hoi An to enjoy both the UNESCO-protected old town and the surprisingly undeveloped beach.

Vietnam has a host of great beaches. We’ll help you choose the best according to the likely weather pattern around your date of travel – options include Hoi An, Phu Quoc, Mui Ne and Con Dao.

You can experience the slower pace of the Mekong Delta Cruises with its floating markets, or the rice paddy valleys of Sapa or Mai Chau.

Vietnam also offers wildlife experiences, with the turtle and primate conservation centres at Cuc Phuong or staying in luxury safari tents at Cat Tien National Park.

We provide private guides for all our holidays and adventures, each of whom is highly experienced in looking after families. You will also benefit from your own private driver and vehicle so you won’t be cramped up in a bus or have your programme dictated by others.

Find out more about our Vietnam Family Tour, other holiday ideas in Vietnam and our suggested itineraries throughout Vietnam Tours.

Friday, May 3, 2013

Vietnam Family Tours - Places you want to go in Vietnam


Vietnam Family Tours - You wake up to the sounds of the Mekong River welcoming a new day. Enjoy breakfast on the "Lady Hau" while cruising to the floating market. When the "Lady Hau" arrives at Cai Rang floating market, guests are transferred to a local traditional boat to enter the market.

Day 1: Arrive Ho Chi Minh City (former Saigon)
On arrival at Ho Chi Minh's Tan Son Nhat International airport, you will be greeted by our guide and transferred to your hotel in town, overnight in HCMC.

Day 2: Ho Chi Minh City (B)
You start a tour in Ho Chi Minh City, the country's commercial center and home to a growing number of upscale restaurants and shops. Visit Chinatown, the Thien Hau Pagoda, the Reunification Palace, the Opera House and Hotel de Ville. Lunch will be held at local restaurant. Also visit the moving War Remnants Museum. Explore colorful outdoor markets and Dong Khoi Street, the city's upscale shopping boulevard with boutiques selling clothes and accessories designed by new Vietnamese designers, hill tribe crafts, high quality linens and house wares.

Day 3: Ho Chi Minh City - Mekong Delta (B)

This morning you set off for a drive through the Mekong Delta to the town of Vinh Long, well-known for its floating market. Here, we will board our private boat Cai Be Princess Cruise for a cruise along the maze of waterways and canals to Vinh Long. We will stop at the home of a Bonsai gardener for a sumptuous Delta lunch, including the popular dish of 'Elephant ear fish, before continuing our exploration of the tributaries and canals of the delta, overnight in Can Tho.

Day 4: Mekong Delta - HCMC - Hue City (B)

You wake up to the sounds of the Mekong River welcoming a new day. Enjoy breakfast on the "Lady Hau" while cruising to the floating market. When the "Lady Hau" arrives at Cai Rang floating market, guests are transferred to a local traditional boat to enter the market. After sampling local fruits, our guide will escort the guests back to the hotel by local boat through myriad canals. (Starting at 6:30 AM, the Lady Hau cruise and tour extension takes around 4 hours; minimum 4 persons). Following this we will rendezvous with our vehicle for the drive to the town of My Tho to visit the Vinh Trang Pagoda and the Dong Tam snake farm. Transfer back to HCMC for flight to Hue. You get pick up and transfer to hotel, overnight in Hue.

Day 5: Hue city tour (B)

After breakfast in hotel, we board on a private boat for cruising on the romantic Perfume River. This time we head out for the countryside. Being the ancient capital, Hue is surrounded with ancient tombs of emperors past, and a visit to some of these tombs will be on the itinerary for today. The charming Lady Pagoda (Thien Mu Pagoda) will be the first stop of the day. Setting in converge of rivers, and giving you a great view on the Perfume River and surrounding area. From here you will take a drive to visit King Minh Mang's tomb & King Tu Duc's tomb.

This afternoon we visit the Citadel and the Forbidden Purple City, the Imperial Museum and the Dong Ba market, overnight in Hue.

Day 6: Hue City & Hoi An Ancient Town(B)

Start driving to Hoian passing the Hai Van pass. Once in Hoi An we visit one school in Hoi An before check in our hotel and have some free time to explore, overnight in Hoi An.

Day 7: Hoi An Ancient town (B)

We enjoy a half day orientation tour of Hoian including the Chinese Assembly Halls, the Japanese Covered Bridge, Phuc Kien Pagoda and Tan Ky House. Following the tour there will be free time to shopping or relaxing, overnight in Hoi An.

Day 8: Hoi An - Da Nang City - Hanoi  Capital(B)

Transfer to airport for flight to Hanoi for two-night stay. We pick you up and transfer to hotel. You enjoy the Water Puppet Performance and overnight in Hanoi.

Day 9: Hanoi city tour (B)
You visit Hanoi 's main cultural attractions, including the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, his House on Stilts, the One Pillar Pagoda, the Fine Arts Museum, the Temple of Literature and the Vietnam Ethnology Museum, in the afternoon, spend your own time to discover the Old Quarter, have dinner in your favorite restaurant and overnight in Hanoi.

Day 10: Halong Bay Excursion with Alova Day Cruises (B, L)

In the morning, you start a excursion to Halong Bay City, approximately 3 hours away. Once at Halong Bay City you are welcome on board for a four-hour cruise on the stunning bay, stopping along the way to visit one of the limestone caves in the area. As you are cruising, the boat crew will serve you a sumptuous local seafood lunch. After 4 hour navigation you sail back to harbor and rejoin car back to your hotel in Hanoi, overnight in Hanoi.

Option: You can stay overnight on deluxe traditional wooden boat

Day 11: Say goodbye to Hanoi for your next flight (B)

There is no activity planned for today. Enjoy your free time for souvenir shopping until transfer to the airport for your onward flight.
Be noted for Vietnam Family Tour packages:

Accommodation: Triple share is possible and must be requested at the time of booking. Please be clear whether a double bed plus extra bed is required or whether three separate beds are preferred. Where separate rooms for children are booked, interconnecting or adjacent rooms will be requested (subject to availability)

Tour guide: Local tour guide with international experience will give you the feeling of safety, protection. He will cares about every meal you eat, the room in hotel, especially he gives you the concept of how to behave well towards the locals. He also let you know all information about your tourist destinations

Things to bring: When you are on beach, you had better take sun cream, hat or cap with you. It is easy to catch flu or cold without careful preparation because the often changes of weather

Long clothes are advisable when you visit Ho Chi Minh mausoleum

Tips offered to tour guide and drivers are advisable when you have good services.
Tour Name:   Family Vacation from the South to the North
Duration:       11 days and 10 nights
Rate:               On request

Family Tour included:

- All private transfer, English Speaking Guide
- Accommodation shared in Twin/Double room with daily breakfast
- All In-tour flights as per itinerary
- Boat trip & cruise as per tour
- Meals as stated in the itinerary (B: breakfast; L: lunch; D: dinner)
- All sightseeing tickets, Vietnam visa on arrival approved letter ( Easy & recommended)
- Services charges and government tax

Family Tour excluded:

- International flights & departures taxes
- Beverages, travel insurance
- Personal expenses, tips and gratuities
- Vietnam visa stamp fee (US$ 25 & 02 passport photos per person)
- Others not clearly mentioned above

Vietnam Family Tour - Family travel in Vietnam with kids in 8 days



Tour Name: Vietnam Tour for Family 8 days/ Tours with kids, travel vietnam with children
Duration:       8 days and 7 nights from HCMC
Rate: On request


Itinerary for family tour  

Day 1. Arrive Ho Chi Minh City (former Saigon )
On arrival at Ho Chi Minh's Tan Son Nhat International airport, you will be greeted by our guide and transferred to your hotel in town. Overnight in HCMC.

Day 2. Cao Dai Temples & Cu Chi Tunnels (B)
This morning you drive to Cao Dai Temples in Tay Ninh - Cao Dai Holysee Temple is the cathedral of the Cao Daism religion with the Divine Eye - official symbol of Caodaism. Cao Dai followers worship Jesus Christ, Confucius, Taoism, and Buddha. Time to observe the midday service.

Following lunch you will drive to visit the Cu Chi Tunnels - Cu Chi Tunnels consist of more than 200km of underground tunnels. This main axis system has many branches connecting to underground hideouts, shelters, and entrances to other tunnels. The network included innumerable trap doors, specially constructed living areas, storage facilities, weapons factories, field hospitals, command centers and kitchens. Today the remaining tunnels have become a major tourist attraction giving the visitor a unique experience and a feel of what underground life during the U.S.-Vietnam War. Overnight in HCMC.

Day 3: HCMC Tour - Nha Trang Beach City(B)
From the morning you will enjoy the city tour unravels HCMC ( former Saigon) 's turbulent past and also provides a glimpse into the fascinating variety the city has to offer. This city tour includes The Reunification Palace, Notre Dame Cathedral and Old Post Office, Remnant War Museum , Giac Lam Pagoda, Chinatown with ancient pagodas and temples, and bustling Binh Tay Market. Transfer to airport for a short flight to Nha Trang. You are greeted and transferred to hotel. Overnight in Nha Trang.

Day 4: Nha Trang beach(B)
Free time at the resort. Overnight in hotel in Nha Trang.

Day 5: Nha Trang (B)
Free time at the resort. Overnight in hotel in Nha Trang.

Day 6. Nha Trang - Hanoi (B)
Today you leave Nha Trang for Hanoi capital. Pick-up and transfer to Cam Ranh airport for flight to Ha Noi. After check-in hotel you are transferred out for welcome dinner at a super restaurant in the French Quarter. In the evening enjoy the famous traditional Vietnamese water puppet show. Overnight in Hanoi .

Day 7. Halong Bay Excursion with Alovacruises.com (B/L/-)
In the morning you will drive to Halong Bay City, approximately 3 hours away. Once at Halong Bay City you are welcome on board for a four-hour cruise on the stunning bay, stopping along the way to visit one of the limestone caves in the area. As you are cruising, the boat crew will serve you a sumptuous local seafood lunch. After 4 hour navigation you sail back to harbor and rejoin car back to your hotel in Hanoi. Overnight in Hanoi.

Day 8. Hanoi City Tour - Departure (B)
The colonial capital city Hanoi is a unique Asian city with tree-lined boulevards, French colonial architecture, peaceful lakes and oriental pagodas and temples. This full-day tour takes you around Hanoi 's most interesting sights, including the Ho Chi Minh Complex: Ho Chi Minh's Mausoleum and his Stilt House, Presidential Palace and the One Pillar Pagoda nearby, and the Old Quarter also known as the 36 streets and guilds and the Vietnam Ethnology Museum. Transfer to airport for your onward flight.

To enjoy Vietnam Tours for Family please be noted:

Accommodation: Triple share is possible and must be requested at the time of booking. Please be clear whether a double bed plus extra bed is required or whether three separate beds are preferred. Where separate rooms for children are booked, interconnecting or adjacent rooms will be requested (subject to availability)

Tour guide: Local tour guide with international experience will give you the feeling of safety, protection. He will cares about every meal you eat, the room in hotel, especially he gives you the concept of how to behave well towards the locals. He also let you know all information about your tourist destinations

Things to bring: When you are on beach, you had better take sun cream, hat or cap with you. It is easy to catch flu or cold without careful preparation because the often changes of weather . Long clothes are advisable when you visit Ho Chi Minh mausoleum

Tips offered to tour guide and driver are advisable when you have good services. 5 USD/day for tour guide, 3 for driver are the reasonable amount

Family Tour included:
- All private transfer, accommodation shared in Twin/Double room with daily breakfast
- English Speaking Guide, In-tour flights as indicated in itinerary
- Boat trip & cruise as per tour, meals as stated in the itinerary (B: breakfast ; L: lunch ; D: dinner)
- All sightseeing tickets, Vietnam visa on arrival, services charges and government tax.

Family Tour excluded:
- International flight tickets & departures taxes, beverage, travel insurance
- Personal expenses, tips and gratuities
- Others not clearly mentioned above
Contact Custom Vietnam Travel for more information about this family trip to Vietnam's Family travel in Vietnam with kids in 8 days and the others also.