Memorable Family Trip in Vietnam (South to North) 14 Days

Ho Chi Minh City, formerly known as Saigon, is the largest and busiest city in Vietnam with a population of 7 million people. Much of the daily life takes place on the streets, which are lined with shops, stalls and vendors with their wares spread out on the footpath.

Ho Chi Minh City is a destination rich in activities that will keep all members of the family entertained. Begin the 9-day tour with a 1.5 hour drive to Cu Chi for exploration of its infamous tunnels (as an optional extra the return journey can be taken by speedboat along the Saigon River). The famous Cu Chi Tunnels consist of an incredible underground network constructed by Vietnamese resistance fighters (Viet Cong) during both the French and American wars. Visitors can crawl through the tunnels, learning about how the soldiers and their families lived during wartime periods.

Return to Ho Chi Minh City in the afternoon for a special tour of Reunification Palace.

The site itself is historical site with both indoor and outdoor exhibitions with a lot of shades and tree. Kids can enjoy some free time outdoor as they are in park while parents listen to amazing victory of Vietnam against American War.

Rest of the day at leisure so kids can go back to hotel, escape the heat in swimming pool and relax for dinner at hotel or nearby restaurant.

Ben Tre is the best option for a day trip to the Mekong Delta from Saigon, since it is only around 2 hours away, and 15 minutes from My Tho. However, this wonderful destination retains an authenticity which has been somewhat lessened in nearby My Tho.

This picturesque and friendly Mekong Delta town has historically seen very few travelers, but the recent opening of a bridge connecting Ben Tre and My Tho has made it far easier for day trippers to visit from Saigon.

Our one day cruise excursion starts at 8:00 am from the lobby of your hotel in Saigon with a drive to Ben Tre. While there, you can take a walk along the waterfront, lined with French era shops and houses, and you'll see plenty of coconuts being unloaded from boats for dispatch around the country. Then, jump on a boat for a couple of hours of cruising on the Mekong River. You will enjoy your delicious lunch at a local restaurant or on board. The excursion will end at around 4:00pm. You then will take the direct flight to Nha Trang.

Upon arrival in Nha Trang you will be picked up by driver only, he then take you to hotel for check in. You have dinner at hotel before stay overnight in Nha Trang.

Enjoy your breakfast at hotel, you then will be dropped off at the pier.

0830H-0900H Arrival at the port where you will be greeted by the Experiences Manager with a welcome drink. Introduction to Nha Trang Bay, the locals, the food, the culture, the emperor, safety. Start cruising through the spectacular landscape of Nha Trang Bay.

0900H-1030H Cruising past the Tam, Mot, and Mun Islands in Nha Trang Bay. Your destination is Bai Cau in Dam Bay Lagoon, near the famous diving Mun Island site where you can opt for some scuba diving.

1030H-1230H You arrive at our Emperor Cruises’ Secret Beach in Bai Cau where you can either go snorkeling, swimming, fishing, walking, kayaking in either a normal or glass-bottomed kayak, or try a basket boat. Alternatively, just relax at our Mango Bar under the big tree, enjoying the stunning views of the Emperor Cruises’ sails against the clear blue waters of the bay.

1230H-1400H After so much activity, you will surely be hungry. You will be served a sumptuous set lunch on board with local beers, fine wine, or premium spirits as the boat anchors at Tam Island with its tranquil lagoon and fish farms.

1430H-1530H The next destination of this afternoon is Mieu Island for a walking tour to visit the local fishing villages. Learn about the way of life away from the mainland and interact with the friendly locals while learning a little about the daily lives of the villagers. Spend a few minutes exploring the beautiful landscape by basket boat as you head over to fish farms.

1530H-1600H You then transfer back to the mother by speedboat. Welcome back to the boat and enjoy a refreshing coconut milk, which is the specialty of the region. Cruise back to Nha Trang Harbor, catching a glimpse of the Bao Dai Villas as we return to the mainland.

1600H At the port your boat will be waiting to take you back to your hotel.

Notes: From November to April or on windy days with big waves, the mother boat will anchor at Mot Island for those who want to go scuba diving. We use our speedboat to transfer you to Our Emperor’s Secret Beach in Dam Bay for beach time and water activities such as swimming, sunbathing, and kayaking in the area before cruising back to Nha Trang Harbor.

The cruising itinerary is subject to change due to the weather.

You will enjoy your time in resort and relax on beach whole day.

You enjoy your breakfast at hotel before being dropped off at the airport for your flight to Da Nang. Up on arrive in Da Nang, you will be picked up by driver and guide and be transferred to hotel for check in.

In the afternoon, you will discover the Hoi An Ancient Town. From the 16th to 18th centuries, Hoi An was a thriving international commercial port for Chinese, Dutch, French, Japanese, Portuguese and Arab traders. These people came primarily to trade in the high grade silk, which is still produced in the area, as well as ceramics. Today, Hoi An is a quaint riverside town, popular with tourists for its eclectic architecture, tailors shops, and numerous cafes. Some of the buildings in the narrow streets have remained unchanged for more than a century. We enjoy a half-day walking tour through the narrow winding streets of the Ancient Quarter visiting Chua Ong Pagoda, Chinese Assembly Halls, the 200- year old Tam Ky ancestral house, and the Japanese Bridge. Following the tour there will be free time to shop or relax. Overnight in Hoi An.

This tour provides you with a close-up and intimate exposure to both the local farming and fishing communities. Accompanied by your tour guide, you commence the day leisurely cycling along country roads witnessing local Vietnamese rural life first hand, discovering all manner of photo opportunities - coming and visiting a beautiful organic vegetable village, watering and planting vegetable, hoeing a soil with local farmer, riding a water buffalo in a rice paddy field; seeing ducks swimming along the rice farm or farmers tending their crops. The photo opportunities are endless. As well you will experience the friendliness of the local people greeting you along the way. Later you will board our boat for a river cruise to meet and engage with local fishermen and enjoy a hands-on experience of traditional net fishing. You will also experience paddling the unique Vietnamese bamboo basket boat while the waterways of coconut palm paradise. This tour provides you with a cultural window into the ways of life of both our farming and fishing communities.

Enjoy your last day in Hoi An. Take your time to drink a cup coffee in the ancient town or make a tailor – made clothes for you.

You will take the morning flight to Hanoi. Upon arrive in Hanoi you will be picked up by driver an guide. They then take you to hotel for check in.

In the late afternoon, you will see water puppet show then taste amazing Hanoi ice cream  - favourites of both kids and adults alike. Then dinner before overnight stay in Hanoi.

Today, you will visit Ho Chi Minh's complex, including the mausoleum of the nation's founder and leader. Here, large crowds gather to pay their respects to the man they simply call “Uncle Ho” as they silently file past his glass sarcophagus. The Presidential Palace and Uncle Ho's wooden stilt house can also be seen here. One of must-see places in the complex is the One Pillar pagoda dating back to the 11th century.

The next stop is the Temple of Literature, the site of Vietnam's oldest university and dedicated to one of the world's most famous scholars, Confucius. Inside the temple grounds, huge steles rest on the backs of even larger stone turtles (in Vietnam's culture, the turtle represents longevity). The stele recorded the names of the successful candidates who later became mandarins in the Emperor's court.

You also pay a visit to the Ethnology Museum to have a glimpse into the richness and diversity of Vietnam 54 ethnic groups.  There are both indoor and outdoor exhibitions. The Museum is large with a lot of workshops, ethnic minority house replicas, water puppet outdoor theatre and some traditional games sessions so kids are free to have some good time and parents still can enjoy the museum and culture.

Then go to Hanoi Old Quarter where you can take a leisure walk around Hoan Kiem Lake and a fun electric car ride around Hanoi Old Quarters.

NOTE: Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum is closed on Mondays and Fridays. Some musuem is closed on Monday so there will be other alternative options if you depart on Monday and Friday.

At 8:00 am, your driver will pick you up at your hotel in Hanoi to travel to Halong Bay on a comfortable journey in private vehicles. There will be a 30-minute stop en-route for refreshments. You arrive at our Emperor Cruises dock at around noon and our team will welcome you in our lounge before boarding. Our Experiences Manager will assist you with boarding to start cruising in Bai Tu Long Bay through the many beautiful islets (scenes from the film ‘Indochine’ were filmed here). Bai Tu Long Bay has a wild beauty and the panoramas from the boat are unforgettable. An a la carte lunch will be served at our Royal Restaurant on the main deck. Savor delicious Vietnamese food while admiring the grace of the bay. Visit Vung Vieng fishing village, the famous pearl-growing village, to view the fishing tanks of the local people. You have time to observe the process of feeding pearl as well as learning a little about the life of the local people. Proceed to Vung Vieng floating village to board bamboo boats so the locals can row you around their village and oyster pearl farming plots. Return to the boat by speedboat. The cruise continues from the Vung Vieng fishing village to Cong Do (sleeping area), where you will enjoy the wonderful beauty of Bai Tu Long Bay at sunset, admire the striking islands and islets, relax, indulge yourself and savor the peaceful atmosphere which can only be found out here among the islands. Choose from kayaking, just relaxing or taking afternoon tea and watching the sky color change as the sun sets. Enjoy wine tasting, attend our chef’s cooking demonstration and try your skills in the art of traditional Vietnamese cooking (making spring rolls) in a truly stunning setting. Enjoy our a la carte 5-course menu for dinner on board as you experience the charm of Bai Tu Long Bay at night. Evening activities: enjoy our Movie Night, Board Games or our Massage and Spa services or even go squid fishing. Overnight on board Emperor Cruises.

Wake up to the gentle lapping of the water against the boat and as the first rays of the sun announce a new day. Before enjoying breakfast have cookies and tea and then try the tai chi session on the sundeck as the sun rises over Bai Tu Long Bay.

Explore the area of Hon Co Island and Co Cave (Grass Cave, also known as Thien Canh Son). You can revel in the breathtaking view of Bai Tu Long bay from up high, as well as the glorious long white-sand beach of Hon Co Island. Afterwards relax on the beach, go swimming in the crystal clear water and explore the cave. Return to the cruise by speedboat. Arrange the luggage and check out. Enjoy brunch on board while cruising back to the mainland. Arrive back at Emperor Cruise dock, Halong City for disembarkation where your driver waits to take you back to Hanoi or the airport for your onward journey or home.

This day trip to the surrounding areas of Hanoi visits two villages, each of them specializing in their own trade. It is ideal for those people who are interested in craft and artwork and wish to take a unique souvenir of Vietnam home with them. The people of Bat Trang are famous for their ceramics. This is where Hanoians come to buy their pottery. The village of Dong Ho has, for generations, been the place where Vietnam's most famous folk paintings were made. The trip also includes a detour to one of the most remarkable pagodas in North Vietnam called Chua But Thap.

You leave Hanoi at 8:00 am for a 30 minute drive to Bat Trang. Once there, you will walk through the village, visiting different homes and observing the ceramic production process. After lunch, you will take a drive for another 20 km to the village of Dong Ho to visit the home of traditional folk painting in Vietnam. These artisans have been producing fine woodblock prints for centuries. You will conclude your trip with a visit to the But Thap Pagoda before returning to Hanoi.

There is no activity today. You have free time to going shopping before be transferred to the airport for your onward flight to back to your country.