The colorful markets don’t even begin to outshine the smiles of the warm welcoming people of Vietnam! Begin your tour in the old French colonial capital of Hanoi, where French architecture mixes with ancient practices. Enjoy a tour of the city including Hanoi Hilton, where American prisoners of war, including John McCain, were held, and explore the old markets by cyclo-rickshaw. Next, head to the UNESCO World Heritage site of Halong Bay, where you will board a traditional Vietnamese junk boat to explore the bays and limestone karst formations: pedal through rice paddies to remote villages, kayak and hike through caves and more. Then, head south by train to Hue, where we will board a dragon boat to visit royal tombs, and then continue on to Hoi An, a cultural capital. Here, we will learn to cook Vietnamese food and have lots of free time to explore the colorful markets and relax on beautiful white sand beaches. Continue south to Saigon, now known as Ho Chi Minh City, where we immerse in the history of the Vietnam War (called the American War there) with visits to the War Museum and the Cu Chi Tunnels, built by the Viet Cong during the war. Our last stop in Vietnam, the Mekong River Delta, takes travelers into a whole different life along the river. Meander narrow waterways to see how locals live. The next day, fly to Siem Reap, our base to explore the UNESCO World Heritage site of Angkor Wat!

This tour is ESCORTED by the Travel With Kids television series host family who has spent several summers exploring the region as a family! In addition, English-speaking Vietnamese tour guides will be available 24 hours a day and local guides will provide expert insight!

Day 1:

Arrive Hanoi. Hop a group transfer from the airport.

Overnight at May De Ville Old Quarter Hotel or similar.

Day 2:

In the afternoon, depart for half-day Hanoi tour including stops at Hoa Lo Prison, also known as the Hanoi Hilton where prisoners of war, including John McCain, were held during the war. In the evening, explore the colorful market streets by cyclo (three-wheeled pedal rickshaw) and catch a water puppet show before returning to your hotel.

Overnight at May De Ville Old Quarter Hotel or similar. (B)

Day 3:

After breakfast, board a transfer to the UNESCO World Heritage site Halong Bay. Enjoy the views across lush rice paddies before arriving at the bay and boarding our home for the next three days, a traditional junk boat, which has been refurbished to a luxury small ship cruise. After exploring a beautiful lagoon and relaxing by the water, get back on board the ship for dinner. At night, try your hand at squid fishing.

Overnight on Bhaya Cruise (or similar). (B,L,D)

Days 4:

Today, we head deeper into Halong Bay, exploring small lagoons, caves, remote villages and more. Wake up your mind and body this morning with Tai Chi classes before kayaking through amazing caves and in the afternoon explore caves on foot. Later, choose to relax on the sundeck or join a Vietnamese cooking demonstration.

Overnight on Bhaya Cruise (or similar). (B,L,D)

Day 5:

After breakfast, transfer back to Hanoi for a short flight to Hoi An. Enjoy an afternoon at leisure.

Overnight Hoi An Boutique Hotel (B)

Day 6:

Today, we learn to cook Vietnam style! In the morning, visit the markets to stock up for the day’s activities. Learn about the local fruits, vegetables and plants and how they are used, then learn to cook some of Vietnam’s most famous dishes. For lunch, enjoy the food you just cooked! Enjoy the afternoon at leisure, exploring Hoi An’s colorful markets or relaxing at the beach.

Overnight Hoi An Boutique Hotel (B, L)

Day 7:

Spend a free day exploring Hoi An. Options could include having a suit or dress made (Hoi An is famous for its tailoring and silk work), snorkeling or scuba diving, beachside massages and much more!

Overnight Hoi An Boutique Hotel (B)

Day 8:

After breakfast, transfer to the airport for a short flight to Saigon, or Ho Chi Minh City. Spend the afternoon at leisure, learn about the city’s rich history possibly stopping at the former Presidential Palace from where the South Vietnamese efforts were strategized during the war and the War Remnants Museum, which has tanks and helicopters and offers a Vietnamese perspective on the war.

Overnight Silverland Jolie Spa Resort or similar. (B)

Day 9:

After breakfast, we will head to the water world of the Mekong Delta where we will explore narrow waterways by boat visiting local markets and witnessing traditional life in the Mekong. After visiting a brick factory where bricks are still hand-made, board a boat to a small village stopping at several workshops along the way. Try your hand at weaving and experience the traditional way of living in the Mekong. After indulging in a traditional lunch with regional specialties, enjoy some leisure time before returning to Ho Chi Minh. 

Overnight Silverland Jolie Spa Resort or similar. (B)

Day 10:

In the morning, a transfer will pick you up for a half-day tour of the famous Cu Chi Tunnels. This vast network of tunnels (more than 100 miles of them!) stretched from Saigon to the Cambodia border and was used by the Viet Cong to launch attacks and seek shelter during the war. Today, tourists can climb through the tunnels and learn about the rural war efforts. Optionally, visitors can fire an AK47 or MK16, the weapons carried by the soldiers during the war, at a nearby rifle range. 

Return to Saigon for return flight home or onward journey to Cambodia.

Optional Add-On: 

Day 1:

After breakfast, transfer to the airport for short flight to Siem Reap, Cambodia, our base for exploring the amazing temple complex at Angkor. Spend the afternoon at leisure. 

Overnight Navutu Dreams Wellness Spa and Resort or similar. (B)

Day 2:

After breakfast, head out for a tour of the Angkor Archeological Complex, a UNESCO World Heritage site, dating back to the 12th century. Visit the ancient capital of Angkor Thom, Bayon Temple, unique for its 54 towers decorated with over 200 smiling faces, and the most famous of all Angkor Wat, where you may see Buddhist monks meditating and monkeys making mischief. 

After watching the sunset over the temples, return to town for a farewell dinner.

Overnight Navutu Dreams Wellness Spa and Resort or similar. (B)

Day 3:

After breakfast, it’s time to pack up and transfer to the airport for your return flight home.

Pricing:

$3190.00 per adult

$2990.00 per child (11 and under)

Includes:

-          9-nights accommodation in 4- to 5-star hotels

-          Flights from Hanoi to Danang, Danang to Ho Chi Minh and from Ho Chi Minh to Siem Reap (for those adding on Cambodia option)

-          All breakfasts, four lunches and two dinners

-          English speaking guide on all days

-          All ground transfers with the group

-          Tour of Hanoi including cyclo tour of markets

-          Kayaking and bike riding/hiking tours Halong Bay

-          Vietnamese cooking class

-          Cu Chi Tunnels tour

-          Sampan boat trip and visits to workshops and homes on Mekong Delta

-          Guided tour of Angkor Archeological Complex (for those adding on Cambodia option)

Does Not Include:

International airfare to/from Vietnam, expenses of personal nature (gratuities, passport/vaccination fees, beverage and activities not included in tour, etc)

Payment Schedule:

Deposit: $500 per person due to hold space

Second Payment: 50% of balance due 60 days after deposit

Final Payment: 50% of balance due 120 days after deposit

Cancellation Policy:

Deposit: Non-Refundable

Remainder of payments:

Up to 200 days prior to tour departure: 50% refundable

199 to 120 days prior to tour departure: 25% refundable

119 days to date of departure: 0% refundable

Pricing and itinerary subject to change based on participation, availability, currency fluctuation and more. Deposit is non-refundable.