9 Day Family Trip to Vietnam

Itinerary

Day 1: Ho Chi Minh City Arrival & Street Food Tour

Upon arrival in Ho Chi Minh City, you will be greeted by your driver who will take you to your hotel. In the evening, you will embark on an exciting and one of the best Vietnam tours of Saigon by scooter, sampling delicious local food along the way. Accompanied by a friendly and knowledgeable local rider, you will weave through the narrow streets and alleys of Saigon, exploring different districts and hidden corners. You will visit Chinatown and an evening local market before heading to Ho Thi Ky wholesale flower market. Here, you will have the opportunity to take a walk through the bustling market and even learn how to make crispy banana crackers. Then, hop back on the scooter and enjoy a scenic 30-minute ride through alleyways, past fashion shops, food vendors, and a popular walking park where locals exercise at night.

After the exhilarating scooter ride, you will stop at a local eatery to savour some Pho (Beef Noodle Soup) and Banh My (Vietnam’s most famous street food). Then, you will head to Nguyen Thien Thuat area, renowned for its diverse cuisine and rich local culture. Here, you will have the chance to taste a variety of dishes from different regions of Vietnam, as this area is home to many people from all over the country. Lastly, your guide will take you to a popular local drinking spot where you can relax, chat, and learn more about the city’s cuisine and way of life, while sipping on some beer or a soft drink. Your tour will conclude around 10:00 PM.

Please note: Vegetarian food can be arranged.

✓ Dinner

Day 2: Mekong Delta Life Boat Trip

You will be picked up from your hotel and taken to the pier for a full day tour of the Mekong Delta by speedboat. You will leave the busy streets of Saigon and enter the lush, green waterways of the Delta. On board, a light breakfast will be served as you make your way through narrow canals.

Your first stop will be Tuong Van Pagoda, where your guide will explain the significance of Buddhism in the delta. Next, you will visit a lively riverside market filled with local goods, exotic fruits, and an array of fish and shellfish. This is a great opportunity for some photos.

You will then reach the expansive Mekong Delta known as the Delta of Nine Dragons, due to the 9 distributaries that branch off from the main river. Travelling through the delta, you will reach the quaint Thu Thua area where you can explore the winding canals shaded by dense foliage. Here, you may have the chance to visit a riverside home that houses large Burmese pythons, a village and its surrounding rice paddies, and a farmhouse where you can sample coconuts and Mekong whisky.

Alternatively, you may stop at a local merchant to try a variety of local products, whiskey, and wine, take a walk along the river to a traditional home where three generations live, and visit a village to taste fresh coconuts straight from the tree. This will give you a fascinating glimpse into life in the Mekong Delta (Your guide may combine elements from both routes).

After lunch at a local pagoda, you will visit an orphanage run by Buddhist monks and then explore a vibrant Cao Dai Temple before cruising back to Ho Chi Minh City.

✓ Breakfast, Lunch

Day 3: Mui Ne Transfer & Beach Relaxation

Start your day with a scenic drive from Ho Chi Minh City to Phan Thiet, followed by a visit to the picturesque Mui Ne beach. Here, you can spend your time however you please – whether it’s unwinding, taking a dip in the sea, or soaking up the sun. Your comfortable accommodation will be right on the beach in a hotel.

While Phan Thiet town may not have much to offer, except for a high-end hotel and an excellent golf course, the nearby Mui Ne beach is renowned for its expansive sandy stretches and impressive sand dunes. With a variety of beachfront hotels to choose from, ranging from charming bamboo villas to bungalows, each with beautiful and well-maintained gardens, privacy and tranquillity are guaranteed. Dotted along the beach road are numerous dining options, serving a mix of local and international cuisine. Other than taking long walks on the 18 km beach and enjoying the pleasant evenings, there are not many activities in Mui Ne, except for the option to visit the golf course in Phan Thiet.

✓ Breakfast

Day 4 and 5: Mui Ne Beach Resort

Relax and enjoy your free time during your family trip to Vietnam!

✓ Breakfast

Day 6: Mui Ne, Hanoi Flight & Water Puppet Show

Today during your Vietnam travel, you will have the entire day to yourself to pursue any activities you desire, until it’s time to depart for Tan Son Nhat airport for your flight to Hanoi. In the evening, you will have tickets to attend a traditional Water Puppetry performance, a charming and playful representation of rural life in northern Vietnam.

✓ Breakfast

Day 7: Hanoi City Tour

During your visit to Vietnam’s capital city, you will have an entire day to immerse yourself in its culture and history. During one of the best Vietnam tours, a knowledgeable guide will accompany you to several significant landmarks, such as the Temple of Literature. This ancient site, constructed in the 11th century, was the first university in Vietnam and continues to be a popular tourist destination. You will also get to see Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum, where the revered leader lived and worked, as well as a museum dedicated to his memory.

After enjoying a delicious lunch, you will get the opportunity to visit the tranquil Tran Quoc Pagoda, the oldest temple in Hanoi, located along the peaceful Ho Tay Lake. Next, you will experience the bustling energy of the Old Quarter, a vibrant hub of shopping streets, diverse cuisine, and a mix of architectural styles such as traditional tube houses, religious buildings, artisans’ workshops, colonial houses, and modern structures.

Optional activity: Arrive in Bat Trang to explore the quaint alleys and witness the local artisans creating their beautiful products. You’ll also have the chance to visit several houses that serve as both workshops and showrooms. After exploring Bat Trang, you’ll hop on bicycles and ride along the scenic riverside, passing through the surrounding villages of Hanoi. The leisurely bike ride covers approximately 7km on a peaceful road that runs alongside a tributary of the Red River. Next, you’ll be driven to Dong Ho village, renowned for its traditional paintings. This will be followed by a picnic lunch before heading to Tam Tao village, where you’ll be treated to a performance of Quan Ho music by the talented local singers at the commune house. These singers have been officially recognized as part of Vietnam’s ‘living heritage’.

✓ Breakfast

Day 8: Ha Long Bay Cruise 

In the morning, a shuttle bus will pick you up after breakfast to depart for Ha Long Bay. This stunning location is a UNESCO World Heritage Area and boasts the world’s largest karst landscape made of marine limestone. Upon arriving at Tuan Chau harbour, you will board the Authentic Sail Halong. Indulge in a lunch of delicious Vietnamese specialties and fresh seafood while cruising towards Gia Luan Cat Ba area. Here, we will take a smaller boat to explore the breath-taking scenery. Our journey will then continue through Hoa Cuong area, where we can marvel at the thousands of limestone islands peppered throughout the bay.

Following your journey, you will arrive at the enchanting Hoa Cuong area, nestled in the heart of Ha Long Bay. Within this picturesque locale, the grandeur of limestone cliffs envelops you in a world of alluring wilderness. Like a slumbering princess, the unspoiled beauty of Hoa Cuong awaits your arrival. In particular, you will be awestruck by the sight of a monumental limestone islet jutting out from the crystal waters, aptly named Thumb Rock. As a testament to nature’s benevolence, Thumb Rock conveys a message of serenity to all who pass through Ha Long Bay. Be sure to have your camera ready to capture the magnificence of this spot. In the afternoon, a visit to the fish farm and floating house is in store, before the cruise sets off towards the Ba Hang area. During this journey, you will encounter iconic landmarks such as Dog Rock, Duck Rock, Fighting Cock Rock, and Lu Hung Islet, formerly known as Ba Hang fishing village. After the villagers relocated, Ba Hang remains a hidden gem, awaiting discovery. Take the opportunity to paddle through its charming tunnels on a 45-minute kayak or bamboo boat excursion.

Explore one of the most stunning caves in Ha Long Bay, Thien Cung cave. With the guidance of our expert, take a journey through this extraordinary museum of natural beauty, crafted with precision by Mother Nature. As the day winds down, you will be transported back to Hanoi via shuttle bus for your overnight stay.

✓ Breakfast, Lunch

Day 9: Hanoi Departure Flight

Free morning in Hanoi before departure flight from Noi Bai airport.

✓ Breakfast