Itinerary in details:
DAY 1: ARRIVAL HANOI VIETNAM
Today you’ll land in Hanoi. Warmly welcome by tour guide at airport then transfer to Hanoi Downtown, a city of lakes, shaded boulevards, public parks, and the capital of Vietnam. Check into your hotel. Stay overnight in Hanoi.
DAY 2: HANOI SIGHTSEEING FULL DAY (B, L, D)
Hanoi, a city of lakes, shaded boulevards and public parks, is the capital of Vietnam. It is a very attractive city with French-style architecture. You have a full day of sightseeing ahead, including a visit to Ho Chi Minh complex and the Temple of Literature, founded by Emperor Ly Thanh Tong. Stop in the heart of Hanoi at Hoan Kiem Lake, which contains an islet with a tiny Tortoise Pagoda. After lunch at a local restaurant, visit Vietnam Women's museum. Conclude the first day tour in Vietnam by Water Puppet Show, Cyclo/electric car visiting the Old Quarter. Dinner time then transfer to Railway Station. Take night train to Sapa. Overnight on the train.
DAY 3: EXCURSION TO HALONG BAY AND STAY OVERNIGHT ON BOARD. (B, L, D)
Leave Hanoi for Halong Bay, one of the most magnificent scenic environments in the world, Halong Bay. Covering 577 square miles, this vast bay is filled with more than 3,000 limestone “peaks” or karsts that jut from the deep blue water as far as the eye can see. We’ll spend a day and a half, including an overnight with dinner and breakfast on board, exploring this overwhelming seascape from the decks of a traditional Vietnamese boat. Comfortable and intimate, your boat features hand-crafted wooden interiors including a dining room and pleasant air-conditioned cabins with private baths. Since we’re overnight on the water, we’ll be able to explore Ha Long Bay’s most beautiful spots with time to swim and even visit some of the largest rock formations and caves. This promises to be one of your most memorable travel experiences in Asia. Stay overnight on Boat.
DAY 4: HALONG BAY CRUISE - HANOI. (B, L)
Rising to the sound of lapping bay waters, we have time for an early morning dip followed by breakfast. Sitting on the upper deck, you can relax while taking in the breath-taking beauty of the rocky islands rising from the emerald water of the bay.
After breakfast, explore Sung Sot cave, swim and relax. Cruises back to the jetty while brunch is served while you are cruising through the bay, along the way seeing more of the fascinating formations. Cruise check-out. Rejoin car drive back to Hanoi for overnight. Arrive Hanoi at 4:30pm.
Tonight, you will take a night train to Lao Cai. Overnight on train.
DAY 5: SAPA ARRIVAL – TREKKING TO VILLAGES (B, L)
Arrive Lao Cai Railway Station at 6:00am. Pick up to Sapa town for checking in and freshening up. Having breakfast and start trekking down to Lao Chai village to visit the Black H'mong. Have a picnic lunch on the way then keep going along the valley to get to Ta Van village to visit the village of Dzay people, which supposed to be the most friendly one in mountainous area. The next is Giang Ta Chai village of Red Dzao tribe where you will see the amazing scenery and beautiful waterfall. In the afternoon, you get back Sapa Town. Free to discover Sapa market & stay overnight in Sapa Town.
DAY 6: SAPA FREE DAY (B, L)
Today is your free day to discover Sapa in your own way. There are a few options tours also: Sapa market tour which offers you and your family a glimpse of ethnic people's life, more trekking tour (for active family), ... Late afternoon, transfer to Lao Cai train station for the night train back to Hanoi. Overnight on the train.
DAY 7: HANOI FREE FOR LEISURE - DEPART TO HUE IMPERIAL CITY (B)
Arrive Hanoi in the early morning. Free until noon time. Leave Hanoi to airport for Hue City`s flight. Arrive Hue City in the afternoon. Transfer to hotel & check in. Overnight in Hue City.
DAY 8: FULL DAY SIGHTSEEING IN HUE CITY - OLD IMPERIAL CITY (B, L)
Spend full day to visit Hue City, Vietnam's political capital from 1802 to 1945 under the 13 emperors of the Nguyen Dynasty. Traditionally, the city has been one of Vietnam's cultural, religious and educational centers. Visit the Imperial City, which is located in the Citadel. Modeled after the Forbidden City in Beijing, the Imperial City was built in the early 19th century. Explore the Thai Hoa Palace, with its spacious hall and ornate roof of huge timbers supported by 80 carved and lacquered columns. See the Halls of the Mandarins, the Nine Dynastic Urns and the site where the Forbidden Purple City once stood. The Citadel has many things could satisfy your children's curiosity. Overnight in Hue City.
DAY 9: THIEN MU PAGODA - TOMB OF EMPEROR MINH MANG (B, L)
Just outside Hue, visit the Thien Mu Pagoda on the bank of the Perfume River, which was a hotbed of anti-government protest during the early 1960s. Next, visit the complex of the Tomb of Emperor Minh Mang, built in 1840, which is known for its magnificent architecture and elaborate decorations and is considered one of Hue's most beautiful pagodas. After lunch at a local restaurant, visit Tu Duc Tomb, which was built for meditation, reading and theater performances in a tranquil setting of forested hills and lakes. Your final stop is at Khai Dinh, the last monument of the Nguyen dynasty. It has a remarkably long staircase flanked by dragons, ceiling murals and ceramic frescoes. Return to your hotel on the riverbank where your Art Deco inspired rooms are reminiscent of the 1920s and 1950s. Overnight in Hue City.
DAY 10: LEAVE HUE TO DA NANG - HOI AN (B, L)
Today, journey south past the Hai Van Pass and Lang Co, over a spur of the Truong Son Mountain Range that juts into the South China Sea, with spectacular views along the way. Upon arrival in Da Nang, visit the Cham Museum, which features a fine collection of open air sandstone carvings. Stop at China Beach, made famous in the American TV series of the same name. It stretches for many miles north and south of the Marble Mountains. The Marble Mountains surrounding the area are five stone hillocks - once islands made of marble - and each is said to represent one of the five elements of the universe. There are many natural caves in which Buddhist sanctuaries have been built over the centuries. Transfer to Hoi An Ancient Town. Check in hotel & overnight in Hoi An.
DAY 11: CHAM ISLAND (B, L)
Morning, pick up at your hotel and transfer to the port Hoi An - Cua Dai Beach. Up on arriving in Cham island, visting Bai Lang, the boat shelter Hai Tang Pagoda. Lunch with seafoods.
Afternoon, free time swimming at Chong Beach, diving or relaxing on boat to see coral at Bim Beach.Go back to Hoi An. Overnight in Hoi An
DAY 12: FREE DAY GO SHOPPING (B, L)
Today, your family is free for shopping in Hoi An Town. Shops here are very famous for quick services of custome made shoes, tailor made clothes. Overnight in Hoi An.
DAY 13: LEAVE HOI AN TO SAIGON (B)
Fly to Ho Chi Minh City, Saigon, the largest city of Vietnam. There are street markets, sidewalk cafes and sleek new bars. This teeming metropolis offers 300 years of timeless traditions and the beauty of an ancient culture. To the west of the city is the huge Chinese neighborhood called Cho Lon, which means "Big Market." Notre Dame Cathedral, in the heart of Saigon's government quarter, is of neo- Romanesque architecture with two high square tower and iron spires. The Central Post Office is French-style and City Hall, known as "Hotel de Ville," is typical of the French architecture that would be seen in any village in France. Stay overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.
DAY 14: FULL DAY MEKONG DELTA TOUR - RIVER BOAT TRIP (B, L)
You and your family will be picked up at your hotel in Ho Chi Minh City. Depart for Cai Be by private car or van, stopping to take photos in Tan An town, overlooking the picturesque rice fields.
Arrive at Cai Be, and immerse yourself in a world of lush vegetation from the Mekong Delta as you pick through the fascinating and lively market, watching buyers bargaining for produce.
Next, take a rowing boat along the maze of shady canals. Head for a local orchard to enjoy the local tropical fruits, and visit artisan workshops to see the handicraft producers of the village at work.
Break for lunch at an orchard garden. If you prefer to relax, you can laze in a hammock.
Back on the water, continue by boat to Vinh Long City to stop off at a land market, where a car will take you back to Ho Chi Minh City at the end of your tour. On the return journey, there will be time to stop at a Bonsai Garden in My Tho. O/N at hotel in Saigon.
DAY 15: CONCLUDE SAIGON/HO CHI MINH CITY DEPART SIEM REAP CAMBODIA. (B, L)
Breakfast at hotel then transfer to airport for flight to Siem Reap - Cambodia. Arrive Siem Reap at noon time. Warmly welcome by Tour Guide & Car Driver at airport then transfer to Siem Reap City then visit Angkor Complex:
Visit Angkor Thom
The fortified city of ANGKOR THOM covers an area of 10 square km. Enclosed by a wall and wide moats, the city includes many of Angkor's most popular sights. Enter by the monumental SOUTH GATE over a causeway lined on either side by statues of demons and gods, each carrying a giant naga. Continue to the TERRACE OF THE ELEPHANTS and the TERRACE OF THE LEPER KINGS, former spaces for public ceremonies, both adorned with dramatic bas reliefs. Visit the ruined BAPHUON, ROYAL ENCLOSURE and PHIMEANAKAS before continuing to the mysterious BAYON TEMPLE. In this temple, one of the most popular and compelling in Angkor, explore the galleries of beautifully preserved bas reliefs and ascend narrow stairs to reach the central sanctuary, where you will find giant stone faces smiling enigmatically down at you from every angle.
Visit a temple for sunset
Watch the sun set over the Cambodian countryside from the upper terraces of an ancient Angkorian temple. Return to hotel for check in. Overnight in Siem Reap
DAY 16: SIEM REAP SIGHTSEEING FULL DAY (B, L)
After breakfast at hotel.Visit Angkor Wat - the crowning jewel of Khmer architecture, ANGKOR WAT is the national symbol and the highlight of any visit to Cambodia. The largest, best preserved, and most religiously significant of the Angkor temples, Angkor impresses visitors both by its sheer scale and beautifully proportioned layout, as well as the delicate artistry of its carvings. To approach the temple, first cross the vast moat, continuing along a broad causeway lined with naga balustrades. As you enter the main building, ascend through a series of galleries and courtyard before reaching the central sanctuary, which offers beautiful views back over the causeway and across the surrounding countryside. On the way, stop to enjoy the intricate stone carvings that adorn nearly every surface, with some 1,700 Apsaras, or celestial dancers, sculpted into the walls. Along the outer gallery walls run the longest continuous bas-relief in the world, which narrates stories from Hindu mythology, including the famous Churning of the Ocean of Milk. Angkor Wat is stunning at any time of the day, but sunrise and sunset are especially beautiful times to watch the play of light on the stones.
Visit Ta Prohm
TA PROHM: one of the most popular attractions of Angkor as much of the jungle has not been cleared and it looks very much as most of the Angkor monuments would have appeared when European explorers first stumbled across them.
Visit Banteay Srei Temple
Seemingly miniature in comparison to the other Angkor temples, BANTEAY SREI is considered to be the jewel of classical Khmer art. Built in pink sandstone, the walls are covered in exquisitely preserved carvings of unusual delicacy. Because of its small size, fairy-like atmosphere and extraordinary examples of Khmer sculpture, this temple is often a favorite with visitors. Transfer to hotel for check in. Overnight in Siem Reap.
DAY 17: CONCLUDE SIEM REAP (B)
Breakfast at hotel. In the morning, continue the temple tour to Takeo, Thommanon, Chau Say Tevoda and TaProhm, one of the area’s most beautiful temples. Ta Prohm has been left relatively untouched since it was discovered and retains much of its mystery. Its appeal lies in the fact that, unlike the other monuments of Angkor, it was abandoned and swallowed by the jungle, looking very much the ways most of the Angkor temples appeared when European explorers first stumbled upon them.
After lunch, transfer to Siem Reap International airport for departure to your homeland. Finish the unforgettable trip ! Good bye & see you again! Or you can return to Ho Chi Minh City for your homeland flight!