Family Adventures in Northern Vietnam 9 nights

You will be greeted at the airport by our Vietnam Travel Centre representative and taken directly to your hotel to rest or explore as you choose. Ha Noi is the capital city of Vietnam and the second largest city next to Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon). It is a 1000 year old city that is packed full of diversity, character and vitality. The heart of the city is Hoan Kiem Lake where locals and tourists alike sit, walk or join in with daily Tai Chi and exercise groups. To the north of the city is the Old Quarter where an ancient style of living among the narrow streets and tiny buildings dominates. To the south of the Lake is the elegant French Quarter with its wide tree lined boulevards and Colonial style architecture. After a rest and lunch, you can enjoy a Cyclo ride around the central area to get a snapshop of this vibrant and busy city. After the cyclo ride, you can enjoy the unique traditional Water Puppet show accompanied by talented local musicians playing traditional instruments. Overnight in Ha Noi.

After breakfast, you guide will take you on a tour of the majorhistorical and cultural sites of the city starting with the Ho Chi MinhMausoleum. Ho Chi Minh was the revered Vietnamese leader who still commandshuge great respect throughout the country. The Mausoleum is in acommanding and impressive setting adjoining the Palace and governmentbuildings. In the same development there are also the Museum, some lovelygardens, a Pagoda and Ho Chi Minh's last house before he died. You will nextvisit the Temple of Literature, the oldest university in Vietnam. It wasestablished in honour of Confucius and, for 6 centuries was the centre oflearning for the Mandarins, the intellectuals, the administrators andpoliticians of the day when Vietnam was strongly connected with China. Forlunch, you will be taken to a local restaurant to try the famous Ha Noi Pho, adelicious noodle soup.Inthe afternoon, we will cross the Red river to Dong Ho village and visit somefamilies who have practiced traditional wood-engraving painting for generation.Our next stop will be Bat Trang pottery village. You will stroll in the smallalleys of this old village to watch local people producing their fine productsand visit some houses used as workshop and showrooms. Join in the local craftsand make your own product – a lovely souvenir from Vietnam. Overnight in Ha Noi

After breakfast, your driver will collect you from the hotel and take you to Ha Long Bay. The drive takes 4 hours through the Vietnamese countryside and lush rice paddy fields. You will arrive at the port around noon where the boat’s crew will be ready to welcome you on board and check you into your cabin. After a welcome drink and cruise briefing, you can sit back, relax and enjoy your cruise along this unique, beautiful and fascinating bay that features thousands of limestone karts (rock formations) and isles in various sizes and shapes.Savour a fresh, local seafood lunch while cruising on to Bai Tu Long Bay. Bai Tu Long is a larger and less commercial part of the area and offers a calm, peaceful, time stopping experience. The skipper will stop offering you opportunities for a swim. You can visit the mysterious Thien Canh cave and relax at a secluded beach. You will also get the opportunity to kayak and explore the bay up close. Back on the boat to enjoy a relaxing sunset. Dinner and overnight on board.

Early risers can enjoy the sunrise and the quiet breath-taking beauty ofthe karst landscape. Enjoy breakfast in the fresh morning air of the bay andthen visit the Vong Vieng fishing village on a rustic row-boat. This hundredyear old village is set in the most tranquil settings and you will be aweinspired by the simple ways of the villagers. Meet the locals, visit a floatingschool and discover how oysters are farmed here. On arrival back at the portyou will be transferred back to Hanoi for your overnight train to DongHoi.

You will be greeted in Dong Hoi and transferred to your home stay nearthe lovely Phong Nha – Ke BangNational Park.This is an area rich with history, nature and adventure. Visit theHo Chi Minh Trail that proved so successful for the Vietnam and so challengingfor the Americans. Trek through the forests and see the local, cycle aroundthis really beautiful area of Vietnam and visit the spectacular caves includingParadise and Phong Nha Caves. Overnight in Homestay.

After breakfast, you will be collected by a car and driver and takensouth to the lovely town of Hoi An.Hoi An was voted by Wanderlust readers as the favourite city on earth,and not without reason. This historic city situated on the banks of the Thu BonRiver is a fascinating mix of ancient town houses, bridges, food markets andlush paddy fields. Overnight in Hoi An.

You will be picked up after breakfast for a bicycle trip to the countryside of the Hoi An town and visit the Tra Que Organic village, where you canvisit the gardens managed by the local farmers. Learn about their traditionalmethods and farming techniques - no machines are used here. Later, you couldjoin-in some of the garden work followed by a traditional feet-soaking session inVietnamese herbs. In the afternoon you will head back Hoi An town for lunch ata local restaurant. After lunch you will have the opportunity to walk aroundthe town and experience its charming culture. You can visit the old Tan KyHouse, the famous Japanese Covered Bridge, and the stylish Phuc Kien AssemblyHall. Return to the hotel in the afternoon. Spend the rest of the evening atleisure. Overnight in Hoi An.Note: Hoi An is renowned for its uniquearchitecture and culture but it is also famous for the many tailors who work inthe town. This is a wonderful opportunity to get tailor made clothes madeovernight at a very reasonable cost. Overnight in Hoi An

Spend your days exploring the amazing old quarters, hiring bicycles toride around the lovely countryside, relax in your resort or on the beach ortake a short boat trip to Cham Island. Overnight in Hoi An

Back to Da Nang Airport to get your flight back to Ha Noi where you willtransfer to the airport for your outbound flight