Vietnam Family Adventure

Name: Vietnam Family Adventure
Brand: Exodus
Rating: 4.9 (21 reviews)

21 reviews

Activity

Family

Overview

Enjoy a family adventure from north to south Vietnam

From the spectacular limestone seascape of Ha Long Bay to the frenetic streets of Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam is a country of contrasts and surprises. The cities are an assault on the senses: noisy, colourful, aromatic and totally absorbing. We tour Hanoi by cyclo and have the option to see a traditional water puppet show. We have quieter time too, snorkelling at Whale Island, exploring the fascinating Mekong Delta by boat and cycling past green paddy fields near Hoi An. We also have the chance to enjoy the superb Vietnamese cuisine and master our chopstick skills.

Key Information

Trip Code: FIV
Ways to Travel: Guided Group
Countries: Vietnam
Carbon Footprint: 66kg CO2e per person per day

What's Included

12 breakfasts, two lunches and four dinners
All accommodation
All transport and listed activities
Tour leader throughout
Arrival and departure transfers

Highlights

Experience the best of Vietnam on an adventure designed specifically for families
Hop on a cyclo (bicycle taxi) to explore the Old Quarter of Hanoi
Cruise among the otherworldly limestone peaks of Ha Long Bay on a traditional junk boat
Spend two nights on the tropical Whale Island, snorkelling in turquoise seas
Navigate the Mekong Delta on a traditional wooden boat and stay in a welcoming homestay-style guesthouse
Enjoy downtime at beautiful beaches and hotel pools – the kids can all play together!

Itinerary

First Destination: Hanoi
Next Destination: Ho Chi Minh City

Meals included:Dinner

Meals included:Breakfast

Meals included:Breakfast, Dinner, Lunch

Meals included:Breakfast

Meals included:Breakfast, Dinner

Meals included:Breakfast

Meals included:None

Meals included:Breakfast, Lunch

Meals included:Breakfast

Meals included:Breakfast

Meals included:Breakfast, Dinner

Meals included:Breakfast

Meals included:Breakfast

Meals included:Breakfast

First Destination: Hanoi
Next Destination: Ho Chi Minh City

Begin your adventure in Hanoi, the culture-rich capital of Vietnam. The day is free to recover from the flight or stroll among broad tree-lined avenues dating from the French period.

Around 6pm, say xin chào to your tour leader and fellow travellers, when we gather as a group for the first time to get to know each other and learn more about the adventures ahead.

Your tour leader then ensures a big Vietnamese welcome by arranging dinner at a local restaurant, where your children will have their first opportunity to master their chopstick skills.

Want to spend more time in Hanoi? Secure pre-tour hotel nights through your sales representative.

Accommodation: Babylon Grand Hotel & Spa (or similar)

Meals included:Dinner

We take a city tour this morning, which will include a visit to the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum area to see his stilt house and visit the One Pillar Pagoda. We’ll also visit the Temple of Literature and the Hoa Lo Prison (also known as the Hanoi Hilton). After, we take a cyclo (bicycle taxi) through the Old Quarter, which is home to the 36 Streets, each named for the products sold on it, such as Silk Street, Gold Street and Paper Street. The remainder of the day is at leisure. We recommend strolling around Hoan Kiem Lake, stopping for a coffee or ice cream at one of the many waterside cafes. In the evening, there is the option to enjoy a water puppet performance, a classic Hanoi experience.

Accommodation: Babylon Grand Hotel & Spa (or similar)

Meals included:Breakfast

We start early for the approximate four-hour journey to Ha Long Bay, where 3,000 limestone peaks rise from the emerald waters. We cruise among this amazing karst scenery, stopping to kayak (weather permitting) in places inaccessible by the larger boat, before a seafood lunch. In the late afternoon, we watch the sunset and enjoy another lovely meal before a night on the boat in twin-share cabins.

Accommodation: Overnight boat

Meals included:Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

We continue to cruise around Ha Long Bay this morning before returning to port. We then drive back to Hanoi, and transfer to the airport for a flight to Da Nang (approximately 1hr 30min). Upon arrival, we take a transfer (approximately 45 minutes) and check into our hotel in Hoi An and relax.

Accommodation: Hoi An Sincerity Hotel & Spa (or similar)

Meals included:Breakfast

After breakfast, we enjoy a walking tour of Hoi An old town; a World Heritage site and the original European trading port in Vietnam. It is now a living museum, with attractive wooden merchant houses and pagoda-style temples with Chinese, Japanese, Vietnamese and European architectural influences.

The afternoon is free for you to discover this marvellous place and enjoy the thriving riverside market. In the evening, we join an informal cooking class where adults and children will learn how to make some Hoi An speciality dishes and even create spring rolls.

Accommodation: Hoi An Sincerity Hotel & Spa (or similar)

Meals included:Breakfast, Dinner

This morning, we jump on bikes for a ride on quiet roads through the countryside past markets, schools and villages before continuing to Cua Dai beach (3mi/5km). Please note, we can provide bikes for children who are 3ft 9.5in (1.2m) and taller.

The afternoon is dedicated to free time at the beach for swimming, or you can take an optional boat trip on the river or relax back in town.

Later this evening, we transfer (approximately 45 minutes) to Da Nang train station, where we board an overnight train to Nha Trang. The group will have use of day rooms at our Hoi An hotel until 6pm, which can be used to freshen up before the overnight train.

Accommodation: Overnight train

Meals included:Breakfast

This morning, upon arrival in Nha Trang, we have breakfast and then transfer (approximately three hours) to the tropical retreat of Whale Island. With just one guesthouse on the island and beach bungalow accommodation, this really is a chance to unwind in paradise.

Accommodation: Whale Island Resort (or similar)

Relax and unwind today. Join a boat trip in the morning for a spot of snorkelling and sea swimming before a seafood lunch. During our boat trip, we pass a small fishing village and see the Whale temple on a small island (only local people are allowed access to this island). In the afternoon, you have the option to relax on the beach or walk around the island to the viewpoint for a 360-degree view of the mountainous coastline and the surrounding coves and white-sand beaches.

Accommodation: Whale Island Resort (or similar)

Meals included:Breakfast, Lunch

We may have time for one last sea swim (depending on flight schedules) before transferring to the airport for our flight to Ho Chi Minh City, previously known as Saigon. This is an exciting and absorbing metropolis, where scooters rule the streets and old temples stand alongside modern developments.

Accommodation: Huong Sen Hotel (or similar)

Meals included:Breakfast

We visit the Cu Chi tunnels in the morning, which were used by the Viet Cong as living quarters and escape routes during the Vietnam War. Originally very narrow, some parts have been widened for tourists, allowing us to explore some of the extensive system. People with claustrophobia may prefer to stay outside in the sunshine before we return to Ho Chi Minh City. In the afternoon, we wander around the city visiting the Saigon River, Ben Thanh market, Reunification Hall and Notre Dame Cathedral.

Accommodation: Huong Sen Hotel (or similar)

Meals included:Breakfast

This morning, we drive to Cai Be in the Mekong Delta (approximately 2hr 30min). The Mekong, known as the Rice Bowl of Vietnam, produces much of the fruit, sugarcane and coconuts in Vietnam. We spend time at Cai Be, where we begin a Mekong River boat trip, visiting typical riverside villages, where we learn about some of the local products, including popped rice, rice paper and coconut candy.

We continue our journey after lunch, passing magnificent countryside and stopping at cottage industries. The evening is tranquil as we have dinner on an island and enjoy Delta hospitality. We spend the night sleeping at a modest guesthouse built in the style of a local house. Bedding, a mosquito net and a small towel are provided.

Accommodation: Homestay-Style Guesthouse

Meals included:Breakfast, Dinner

This morning, we walk through orchards and navigate small canals in a traditional wooden sampan. Later, we rejoin our boat to rendezvous with our vehicle for the journey back to Ho Chi Minh City via a little-visited Cao Dai temple used by devotees of this indigenous religion, which fuses all the great religions of east and west.

Accommodation: Huong Sen Hotel (or similar)

Meals included:Breakfast

Today is a free day to explore Ho Chi Minh City at leisure or do some souvenir shopping. Alternatively, there is the option (additional cost, payable locally) to visit the excellent Dam Sen Water Park, which has slides and rides. Your leader will advise further during the trip for those who wish to do this optional activity.

Accommodation: Huong Sen Hotel (or similar)

Meals included:Breakfast

This family adventure draws to a close after breakfast. However, if you’d like a little more time to explore this buzzing city, speak to your sales representative about extending your stay.

Meals included:Breakfast

Dates & Prices

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Accommodation

Hotels, boat, Mekong Delta homestay and sleeper train

For this family trip in Vietnam, we have selected hotels for their location and character, and aim to use the best-available accommodation in each area visited. Most have swimming pools and there are opportunities to swim at beaches in Hoi An and on Whale Island.

Accommodation on this trip includes:

10 nights in centrally located hotels
One night on a boat in twin-share cabins
One night in a Mekong Delta guesthouse, sleeping one to three per room (depending on group size)
One night on a sleeper train in soft-bed berths

Below are a few of the notable stays on this trip.

Mekong Delta homestay

Vietnam Family Adventure

Our time in a guesthouse allows us to experience true Delta hospitality, as we are looked after by local people and stay by the Mekong River. The rooms are relatively basic; bedding, a mosquito net and a small towel are provided, while there are shared bathroom facilities with a shower. The real highlight though is the hospitality of our hosts, the lush garden, and the food (homemade southern Vietnamese cuisine).

Whale Island

Vietnam Family Adventure

Our two-night stay on Whale Island is regarded as a highlight for many; however, the accommodation is basic. You stay in thatched bungalows, each with mosquito nets, fans and private bathrooms. The simplicity of island life makes it idyllic.

Sleeper train

We spend one night on the sleeper train, the best way to travel long distances with the local people. The journey between Da Nang and Nha Trang is quite comfortable; however, it is rated Simple, despite being first-class. You will be in a four-berth cabin (occasionally six depending on the season) and bedding is provided, although some prefer to bring their own sleeping sheet. On occasions, passengers of different sexes will be required to share a compartment and there will be occasions where you’ll be sharing with local travellers or travellers who are not part of your group. Most trains have a dining carriage, but people generally stock up on snacks before the journey.

Worth knowing

There may be instances when you want a single room. Perhaps a grandparent needs one, or parents of a family of three or five want to ensure they get a bit of space! Single supplements are available upon request (see price below). Please advise at the time of booking. A single room is available on hotel nights only.
Additional accommodation is available in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City before and after your trip. Please ask for prices. Due to high demand for rooms, there is a chance it may be in a different hotel to the start/end hotel of your trip. Please ask your sales representative if you wish to book extra nights.
While we do our best to ensure families are roomed close together (in some cases, we can arrange adjoining rooms), we can’t guarantee this. Most family trips occur during peak season and we sometimes have little control over where you are put.

Essential Information

Trip Expert

Ngang Nguyen

Expert Leader: Vietnam

Introducing Ngang Born and raised in a small village in central Vietnam, Ngang (call her Jolie!

This trip has been rated Activity Level 3 (Moderate). For more information on our trip gradings please visit the Activity Level Guidelines page.

Though this trip has been designed for 13 to 16-year-olds, it’s also suitable for nine to 12-year-olds. Our Family trips are aimed at children in the primary age group, so if your child is in the secondary age group, they may find it a little harder. If you have any queries about the difficulty of the trip please do not hesitate to contact us.

Trip pace: This trip is designed so you can see the best of Vietnam using a mixture of private buses, boats and flights. There is a lot to see in the time you are here, but the itinerary is paced to feel relatively unrushed. Travel is kept to a minimum, but there are a few longer drives. There is plenty of time for sightseeing and the trip has numerous stops where we spend two or more nights.

Hotels and facilities: Some of the accommodation is modest but clean and tidy. The swimming pools may not be up to Western standards.

Photos: Local people and other Asian tourists may want to take photos of themselves with your children, particularly if they are young, blonde and have blue eyes. You should be prepared for them to do this without asking permission first. You should also be prepared for lots of traffic in the bigger cities, such as Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, where you will have to relearn crossing the street.

E-cigarettes and vapes: These are banned in Vietnam with strict penalties, including large fines and imprisonment – we strongly recommend you do not bring these with you.

Key information

Recommended arrival time: You can arrive at any time today. There will be a welcome briefing at the start hotel around 6pm this evening.
Airport: Hanoi Airport (HAN)

Getting to the start hotel

Exodus provides free arrival transfers to the start hotel from the airport for all customers. If you would like further information on joining this trip, please speak to your sales representative.

Catching your return flight

Exodus provides free departure transfers for all customers to Ho Chi Minh Airport (SGN) from the end hotel.

Please note, unless specified otherwise, the transfers will be to the start (or pre-tour) hotel and from the end (or post-tour) hotel and will be on the date on which the tour starts/ends; transfers to other hotels in the same city and/or on different dates may attract an extra charge. Transfers should be booked with your sales representative at least two weeks before the tour starts.

Vietnam

UK passport holders normally do not need a visa to enter Vietnam for visits up to 45 days, while those with a US or Irish passport normally do need a visa to enter. Visa requirements for EU citizens vary by country.

Please note, visa requirements often change and it is your responsibility to obtain any required visas for this trip. Therefore, we recommend that you check with the nearest embassy or consulate of your chosen destination(s), including any countries you may be transiting or transferring through. Some local governments provide guidance on what visas their citizens need. To help, we’ve gathered a selection of useful links below.

• Australia: www.smartraveller.gov.au/destinations/asia/vietnam
• Canada: www.travel.gc.ca/destinations/vietnam
• United Kingdom: www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/vietnam
• USA:  www.travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/Vietnam.html

Thanks to the tropical climate, the long coast and gigantic range of mountains, Vietnam is blessed with numerous varieties of culinary offerings and maintains a reputation as one of the healthiest, tastiest cuisines in the world.

Vietnamese food relies on fresh fish, vegetables, rice and a myriad of verdant herbs and spices; lemongrass, ginger, basil and lime all play an important role in the cuisine. The Chinese and French influence is felt throughout the country, where you are just as likely to be offered a banh mi (stuffed baguette) as you are a hot bowl of pho (noodle soup).

Be sure to seek out the national beverages: Vietnamese coffee is served iced and sweet with condensed milk (a real sugar and caffeine hit) and beer hoi (local beer, brewed daily) is served on most street corners in the north out of large plastic jugs that are perfect for sharing.

Food is cheap in Vietnam, and you can generally avoid the spicier food if you wish. Western food is readily available almost everywhere, with the exception of the night in the Mekong Delta.

Vegetarian food is widely available; however, the offering will be fairly similar in most places. Please advise at the time of booking if you have any dietary requirements.

The weather will be hot and humid throughout with daytime temperatures usually 28C-34C (82F-93F). It is only a little cooler at night.

There is quite a range of seasons between the north and south: the south up to Hue has a distinct dry season between December and April and then a rainy season from May to November when it tends to come in short heavy bursts with bright sunshine in between. Hanoi is cool in autumn, and even gets chilly between November and February (with a drizzly rain).

There is no ideal time to visit Vietnam; it is quite pleasant at any time of year, though it is unlikely the weather will be perfect for the entire trip.

Please be aware, the Ha Long Bay boat trip is subject to short notice change if adverse weather conditions develop during your trip. These could occur year-round, but especially in monsoon season (from October to April). Ha Long Bay boat trips are governed by the local authorities, who are authorised to make appropriate safety decisions. If your Ha Long Bay trip is affected by adverse weather, this could either result in a reduced excursion or, less likely, the need to re-arrange the itinerary if it is not possible at all to go out on Ha Long Bay. While this is not a frequent occurrence, our local team and leaders are well equipped to handle such situations and have long offered appropriate options to groups in the instances where this may occur.

As a certified B Corp, we’re on a mission to improve our social and environmental impact across all our adventures.

We do this through our innovative Thriving Nature, Thriving People plan.

This ‘nature positive’ approach is designed to help nature and communities thrive in harmony through practical solutions, such as reducing carbon and waste on our trips, supporting conservation projects through the Exodus Adventure Travels Foundation, and rewilding 100 square metres for every Exodus traveller.

You’ll also find Thriving Nature, Thriving People moments across our trips. These experiences are often a highlight of your adventure, while also benefiting the natural world or local communities.

On this trip, we:

Sleep at a homestay-style guesthouse in the Mekong Delta, where we gain firsthand insight from our host about Delta life and culture, while also sampling their delicious local cuisine

In addition, we support primate conservation in Vietnam through our Foundation’s Primate Survival Project.

Reviews

Saigon is hot, busy, noisy and not great for small children, and dependent on your Mekong/Cu Chi itinerary is maybe a day too long. Exodus should also consider ditching the Victory hotel in Saigon, which although in a prime location, falls well short of the standard of all the other hotels on the trip (not being able to swim in the pool due to the permanent presence of 25 armbanded adults learning to swim for example).

Read all reviews

Vietnam Family Adventure

Activity Level

Comfort Level

Activity

Overview

Enjoy a family adventure from north to south Vietnam

Key Information

What's Included

Highlights

Itinerary

Dates & Prices

Skip the hassle: We’ll handle your trip from start to finish, with competitive flight prices, deposit-only payments, and full ATOL protection available.

Book Your Flights With Us

Accommodation

Hotels, boat, Mekong Delta homestay and sleeper train

Essential Information

Trip Expert

Key information

Getting to the start hotel

Catching your return flight

Vietnam

Reviews

Amazing Vietnam

Most Inspirational Moment

Thoughts on Group Leader

Advice for Potential Travellers

Fabulous Holiday!

Most Inspirational Moment

Thoughts on Group Leader

Advice for Potential Travellers

Suggestions

The best adventure ever!

Most Inspirational Moment

Thoughts on Group Leader

Advice for Potential Travellers

Suggestions

Absolutely fabulous

Most Inspirational Moment

Thoughts on Group Leader

Advice for Potential Travellers

Suggestions

Excellent Holidays

Most Inspirational Moment

Thoughts on Group Leader

Advice for Potential Travellers

Suggestions

Holiday to remember

Most Inspirational Moment

Thoughts on Group Leader

Forget "coconuts". This one's much more about "chopsticks"!

Most Inspirational Moment

Thoughts on Group Leader

Advice for Potential Travellers

Suggestions

Fantastic family trip to Vietnam

Most Inspirational Moment

Thoughts on Group Leader

Advice for Potential Travellers

Suggestions

Great Full On Tour of Vietnam

Most Inspirational Moment

Thoughts on Group Leader

Advice for Potential Travellers

Trip of a lifetime

Most Inspirational Moment

Thoughts on Group Leader

Advice for Potential Travellers

Suggestions

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