Vietnam Family Adventure - 15 days

Drifters Price: £489.25
RRP: £515.00

Trip Code: INTVFA
Local Payment: USD$200.00

Days 1-2 Hanoi

You and your fellow travellers will be arriving at all times from around the world today, so there are no arranged activities.Your leader will organise a pre-trip meeting for the early evening where they will collect your local payment (USD200 cash/person). This will be followed by an optional group dinner. Look for a welcome note at reception in the joining-point hotel explaining where to meet. For those who arrive early, there is sightseeing information on the noticeboard in reception. Note that hotel check-in time is 12 noon.

On day 2 we enjoy a buffet breakfast at KOTO restaurant. The rest of the day is free to explore at your own leisure. You may like to explore the Temple of Literature or Ho Chi Minh Complex nearby. There is a cyclo tour of the old quarter and a visit to the famous water puppet theatre in the early evening.

Days 3-4 Halong Bay

On the morning of day 3, we drive to the World Heritage site of Halong Bay (approx. 4 hours), where we board our private boat and cruise among some of the 3000 limestone peaks.

There is an opportunity to swim in the famed South China Sea as well as explore caves filled with stalactites and stalagmites. In the warmer months we may spend the night on board, experiencing the peaceful night-time in this special place.

Day 4 sees us returning to Hanoi where we board an overnight train heading south. We depart in the evening and use 4-berth, soft sleeper compartments, which are simple but comfortable.

Days 5-6 Hue

We arrive early into Hue, another World Heritage site.

The pace of life is slow and tranquility prevails in this former imperial capital of Vietnam. Parents have an opportunity to visit the Imperial Citadel, one of the Nguyen emperors' tombs, the famed Thien Mu Pagoda and also enjoy a dragon boat cruise on the Perfume River. The kids might just want to hit the beach!

With 2 full days there is time to explore the city's many Buddhist pagodas, outlying handicraft villages and the busy Dong Ba Market. Enjoying an ice-cream or a coffee at one of the riverside coffee shops at sunset is also an experience not to be missed.

Days 7-9 Hoi An

Travelling by bus, we leave Hue and head south through coastal rice paddies to the fishing village of Lang Co, before traversing the spectacularly mountainous Hai Van Pass.

After a short stop at China Beach and the Marble Mountains, we arrive at the once major river port of Hoi An (approx. 4 hours travel) for an introductory tour of town. Recently declared a World Heritage site, Hoi An is being beautifully restored and preserved. We have a full free day here, and then on day 9 we head out to visit a school or an orphanage to allow some interaction with local kids.

Hoi An is a shopping Mecca - with much to browse over and buy. Choose from original paintings, handcrafted woodwork, ceramics, embroidery, lanterns and more. Hoi An has also become famous for its tailoring - there is a huge variety of fabrics to choose from. Bring your favourite clothing article or just a picture to have copied. You can also hire bicycles, hire a small boat, or head to the beach - a popular sunrise destination.

Days 10-12 Nha Trang

We travel the short distance to Danang and board our flight to the beachside city of Nha Trang.

A local highlight for most Intrepid travellers is our full-day boat cruise on the turquoise waters, complete with seafood lunch. We also stop at Hon Mieu island to explore the outdoor aquarium, built in the shape of a ship. In the afternoon we laze about on our own private beach before returning to Nha Trang. For those who rise early, morning exercise on the beachfront is an experience not to be missed. Very much a resort town, Nha Trang boasts restaurants of all cuisines.

Days 13-15 Ho Chi Minh City

A short flight brings us to the economic hub of Ho Chi Minh City.

We head off to nearby Ben Thanh Market to experience a local lunch, market-style! In the afternoon, there is much for you to discover on your own and your leader will have plenty of interesting and fun ideas. How about scooting off on cyclos to Cholon, the Chinatown area of Ho Chi Minh City for a spot of temple hopping? Or perhaps you'd like to visit the Vietnamese version of a department store for some shopping - the choice is yours!

On day 14 we visit the Dam Sen Water Park, which is a great spot to escape the city heat, cool off, relax and watch the kids have fun.

You may depart at any time on day 15 as there are no planned activities.