Vietnam Family Tour – 15 Days

Depending on your arrival time, the remainder of the day is yours to unwind after your international journey. You may choose to relax at the hotel, take a gentle stroll through the nearby streets, or enjoy your first impressions of Vietnam’s charming capital.

After breakfast, meet your guide and travel to Dong Ngac, one of Hanoi’s well-preserved ancient villages. Away from the busy city centre, Dong Ngac provides an opportunity to experience a quieter side of Hanoi. Explore the village by bicycle, passing narrow lanes, traditional houses, local gardens and everyday neighbourhood scenes. Visit the historic communal house and learn about the village’s traditions, architecture and family heritage. Return to central Hanoi around midday.

In the afternoon, continue with a half-day exploration of the capital. Visit Vietnam’s first national university, an excellent introduction to the country’s Confucian heritage.

Continue to the museum, which provides insight into different periods of Vietnam’s modern history.

Finish the day around the lake and the Old Quarter, where your guide will introduce you to the maze of historic streets and local life in the heart of the capital. Return to your hotel.

At 12:00, you will be warmly welcomed by the Athena Team in Halong International Harbour. Complete the luggage check-in procedure at the waiting lounge before boarding for the cruise. At 12:30, transfer to the Athena Cruise by tender boat, where the Cruise Manager and the whole crew welcome you onboard. A safety briefing and itinerary introduction will be delivered while you enjoy the signature welcome drink. At 12:45, lunch is served at the cozy restaurant as the cruise departs towards Halong Bay, a natural wonder of the world. Absorb yourself in the gorgeous scenery and famous sights of limestone.

At 14:45, the cruise stops at “Bo Nau” Cave (Pelican Cave), the core area of the World Natural Heritage. Transfer by tender to Sung Sot Cave (Surprising Cave), the biggest and one of the most beautiful caves in Halong Bay.

At 15:45, leaving Surprising Cave, continue by tender to Titov Island, named by Uncle Ho after German astronaut Gherman Titov, who visited the island in 1962. Enjoy swimming, relaxing on the beach, or climbing the steps to the top of the island. A magical panoramic view of Halong Bay awaits you there.

At 17:00, return to the Athena Cruise after a series of interesting activities and relax while the cruise moves to the overnight anchorage area. From 18:00 to 19:00, take advantage of the Happy Hour “Buy 1 Get 1 Free” promotion while the sun sets over the bay. At 18:30, join a cooking demonstration of traditional Vietnamese dishes organized by Athena’s Head Chef. At 19:00, a fusion set menu will be served after a long and active day. From 20:30, enjoy free time for evening activities such as film entertainment, mini-games in the dining room, squid fishing, massage, etc. The Cruise Manager will be available to assist you.

At 06:30, say good morning to the bay with a 30-minute Tai Chi session on the sundeck while cruising toward Luon Cave. At 07:00, a light breakfast is served at the restaurant. At 07:30, visit Luon Cave, one of the caves surrounded by the distinctive limestone scenery and endemic vegetation of Halong Bay. There are two ways to discover the area: kayaking independently, or taking a bamboo boat rowed by a local boatman (public ticket: VND 50,000/person).

Meet your private driver and tour guide at the meeting point (TBA); they will take you to Hanoi Train Station to catch your overnight train to Lao Cai.

Today you will discover the beautiful countryside of Muong Hoa Valley, home to terraced hillsides and ethnic minority villages.

Trek through the valley and visit communities such as Lao Chai and Ta Van, where Black Hmong and Giay families have lived for generations. Along the way, your guide will explain local farming practices, traditional customs and daily village life. Enjoy the rest of the evening at leisure.

After breakfast, enjoy a full day at leisure in Sapa. There are no scheduled sightseeing activities today, giving you time to slow down after the overnight train journey and trekking experience of the previous day. You may explore Sapa town independently, visit the local market, relax at a café overlooking the mountains, enjoy your hotel facilities, or simply take some time to rest. For those who would like to do a little more, optional activities can be arranged, such as a visit to Fansipan Mountain, depending on the weather conditions.

After an early breakfast, depart Sapa by private car (driver only) for the journey back to Hanoi. Travel along the Noi Bai–Lao Cai Expressway, with a short comfort stop along the way. The journey normally takes approximately 5.5–6 hours. Continue to Noi Bai International Airport for your domestic flight to Da Nang. On arrival in Da Nang, meet your local driver and transfer for approximately 45–60 minutes to Hoi An. Check in to your hotel and enjoy the evening at leisure. After a long travel day, no sightseeing is scheduled this evening so that you can relax and settle in comfortably.

Your guide will meet you at your hotel and transfer you to the biking starting point. Begin with a leisurely bicycle ride to a local farming village, following picturesque country roads for approximately 45 minutes and covering around 5–6 km. Along the way, experience the daily life of local farmers and take part in traditional agricultural activities such as hoeing the soil, watering vegetables in an organic herb garden, and riding a water buffalo in the fields. You will also learn more about rice cultivation while enjoying the fresh air and peaceful beauty of the countryside.

Next, board a local boat and enjoy some fresh fruit and cake with a cup of tea or coffee while cruising toward the mouth of the river, where it meets the Cua Dai Sea. Meet local fishermen and enjoy hands-on experiences with traditional fishing techniques, including round-net and cast-net fishing. You will also have the opportunity to learn about and experience the traditional Ba Trao folk music performed by local fishermen.

Continue with an introduction to the unique Vietnamese bamboo basket boat and learn how to paddle this traditional round boat. Enjoy a lively basket-boat demonstration performed by the local crew before exploring the peaceful coconut-palm waterways. During the journey, you will also hear stories about the area’s wartime history and the difficult conditions once experienced by soldiers from both sides in this region. Learn how to create simple handicrafts from coconut-palm leaves, such as grasshoppers, birds, rings, sunglasses and bracelets. Afterwards, return to the main boat and enjoy lunch together with a cold beer or soft drink. At the end of the programme, transfer back to your hotel by minivan.

During the walking tour, visit some of Hoi An’s most notable landmarks, beginning with the Japanese Covered Bridge.

Visit a traditional merchant house and a Chinese assembly hall. Along the way, your guide will share stories about Hoi An’s trading history, local traditions and the generations of merchants who once lived and worked here.

Visit the colourful local market. After the tour, enjoy the remainder of the day at leisure.

After breakfast, check out of your hotel and transfer to Da Nang Airport for your domestic flight to Nha Trang. Upon arrival at Cam Ranh International Airport, meet your local driver and transfer to your hotel in Nha Trang. After check-in, enjoy the remainder of the day at leisure. Relax at your hotel, take a walk along the beachfront promenade or simply enjoy some downtime after the journey.

Breakfast is included. Today is your free day to explore the beach on your own.

After breakfast, enjoy a leisurely morning and some free time in Nha Trang. You may relax by the beach or swimming pool, enjoy the hotel facilities, take a walk along the beachfront, explore the city independently, or simply spend some time resting. Later, check out of your hotel and transfer to Cam Ranh International Airport for your afternoon flight to Ho Chi Minh City. Upon arrival at Tan Son Nhat International Airport, meet your driver and transfer to your hotel in the city centre. Check in and enjoy the remainder of the evening at leisure.

Visit the former presidential residence of South Vietnam and one of the city’s key historical sites.

Continue to the historic centre to see the Notre-Dame Cathedral from the outside and visit the elegant Central Post Office.

Then visit the museum, where the exhibitions provide insight into Vietnam’s modern wartime history.

Afterwards, leave Ho Chi Minh City and travel approximately 1.5–2 hours to the tunnels. Upon arrival, learn about the extensive underground tunnel network and how it was used for communication, living quarters, kitchens, storage areas, meeting rooms and defensive positions during wartime. Those who wish may enter a section of the tunnel system that has been adapted for visitors. Participation is entirely optional. After the visit, return to Ho Chi Minh City in the late afternoon.

Your journey begins with a short visit to Cai Be, where you can stroll through lush orchards, taste fresh tropical fruits, and enjoy the melodies of traditional Vietnamese music performed in a local garden. Next, take a rowing boat ride through the narrow canals, immersing yourself in the peaceful countryside scenery.

Afterward, return to the motorized boat and cross the legendary Mekong River, one of the world’s longest rivers, heading toward An Bình Island. Here, travel along a handmade canal. Lunch at the local restaurant.

Following lunch, enjoy a leisurely walk through the village and visit small local workshops to see how rice paper, coconut candy, and pop-rice are made. Savor these sweet treats with a warm cup of tea. For those who wish, a biking tour offers a charming way to explore village paths lined with orchards, schools, churches, pagodas, and traditional houses, giving you a deeper glimpse into local life.

Before concluding the day, stop by a brick kiln to witness how artisans skillfully transform clay into beautiful pottery. The cruise ends at Vinh Long City, where your Mekong Delta adventure comes to a close. Get back to your hotel and relax. Free time in the evening.