100% customisable travel idea
Rice fields and dragons Vietnam through the eyes of a child
Vietnam - Hanoi - Tam Coc - Bai Tu Long Bay - Hue - H?i An
100% customisable travel idea
Vietnam - Hanoi - Tam Coc - Bai Tu Long Bay - Hue - H?i An
100% customisable for you
Night on board, arrival the following day.
Upon arrival, private transfer to the Hoan Kiem district and stay for two nights at a small hotel where the décor carefully combines Vietnamese style with an Art Deco feel. The generous size of the rooms makes them ideal for family get-togethers. In the restaurant, modern cuisine is on the menu alongside Vietnamese food.
In your itinerary - The historic centre with a private guide. Walk along the shores of Hoan Kiem Lake, just a short distance from the hotel. It's an idyllic landscape in the heart of the city. Ngoc Son Temple, founded in the 15th century still draws many devotees. The temple is dedicated to the founders of Confucianism and Taoism, and the national hero Tran Hung Dao. If you have a sweet tooth you might not be able to resist stopping at Maison Marou along the way, the country's first bean-to-bar patisserie and chocolaterie. Next up is the Old Quarter with its 36 streets and guilds. In the past, artisans and merchants were spread over specific streets for their particular guild. The system is no longer in use today, but a few traces remain.
Optional extra - A fun treasure hunt to explore Hanoi.
The Vietnamese capital is a human-centred city, dotted with parks and lakes, and divided into four main districts. Ba Dinh, to the west, is where you'll find the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and Stilt House. Hoan Kiem, in the centre is home to the Old Quarter and the famous "36 Streets". Then there's Hai Ba Trung and finally Dong Da to the southwest, which is famous for its Temple of Literature. You have a full day to enjoy the city at your own pace. Be sure to savour local delicacies and experience the lively nightlife.
Things to see and do - The Temple of Literature and the One Pillar Pagoda. Explore the temple's pavilions, courtyards and pools and soak up the peaceful atmosphere. Founded in 1070, it is dedicated to Confucius, the Chinese philosopher whose teachings promote ethics and morality. Here, and in the adjoining National College, the elite were schooled and trained for key positions of power. As for the One Pillar Pagoda, built in the 11th century, it stands balanced gracefully above a lotus pond. Its structure has a deep spiritual meaning. Legend has it that Emperor Ly Thai To was inspired by a vision of Quan Am's lotus, which appeared to him in a dream.
Optional extra - Meet a traditional puppet maker.
In your itinerary - Halong Bay bike and boat tour. Travel south through rice fields and mountains. After about three hours on the road, you reach the departure point for today's adventure, in the area around Ninh Binh. With your guide, hop on your bikes and cycle at a relaxed pace along the banks of the Boi River. In Van Long, the rice fields stretch out in front of you like a green carpet. The boat trip takes you through rocky peaks, winding canals and lush valleys. Gazing at this stunning landscape you understand why the bay is evocatively called the descending dragon.
Arrive in Tam Coc, or more specifically in the village of Van Lam, where you stay for two nights at a small hotel. Van Lam is renowned for its lace and embroidery which it once supplied for the royal palace. Rooted in the region's artisanal traditions the hotel preserves this precious skill through its family workshop. Two separate bedrooms await you, both fully equipped and beautifully decorated with pieces made at the workshop. The towering peaks outside seem to almost invite themselves in through the large windows. When the sun shines, children and adults alike find refuge in the pool, edged with tropical plants. As for the restaurant, it serves traditional Vietnamese dishes made with fresh local ingredients, following the farm-to-table principle.
In your itinerary - Another day exploring the treasures around Halong Bay. The morning begins gently at Phat Diem Cathedral, a surprisingly eclectic blend of Vietnamese pagodas and European architecture. In the afternoon, head to Bich Dong Pagoda, one of the oldest in the region. Then continue to Thung Nham, a true haven of unspoiled nature, where a thriving ecosystem and a bird park await. Parents and children can have fun spotting the many birds that inhabit these river landscapes, such as storks, herons, teal, starlings and more.
Drive to Hon Gai port and board a traditional wooden junk. From a technical point of view, the boat is modern and meets the strictest safety standards. In the cabins the décor features polished wood and neo-Indochinese furniture. The chef is a professional who knows how to cook Vietnamese cuisine as well as international classics. On the bridge children will feel like they're back in the golden age of explorers. You can take in the fantastic landscape, the thousands of small limestone islands carved out with mysterious caves. Tu Long Bay, which borders Halong Bay, is a perfect alternative. It is just as beautiful but much less crowded. Meals and one night on board.
The bay awakens quietly, then you set sail again at a gentle pace towards the port. Private transfer to Hanoi airport and flight to Hue. Upon arrival, another private transfer and stay for two nights in a village on the banks of the Perfume River. It's hard to imagine anything more poetic. The room décor shifts between tropical minimalism and tradition. As for wellness, parents and children alike will find plenty of ways to relax, what with the swimming pools, sauna, steam bath, traditional treatments, meditation and yoga.
In your itinerary - Kite-making workshop. It may just be a beach pastime for us, but here kite flying is taken seriously, as part of the natural order of things. Locals make kites to fly at the end of the rainy season to welcome the good weather and encourage an abundant harvest. Step inside the workshop to watch skilled artisans using traditional methods to make and decorate them.
Optional extra - Hue Citadel with a private guide.
In your itinerary - Hue countryside bike ride and paper flower workshop. Set out to explore Hue and the surrounding countryside by bike, following small rural roads that wind between rolling rice fields and traditional houses. The adventure leads you to the beautiful Thanh Toan covered bridge, supported by eighteen wooden pillars. Leaving your bikes behind you walk to a pagoda, where you and your family can discover the delicate art of paper flower making. This craft is more than 300 years old and you will learn how to make flowers guided by the skilled hand of a local artisan. After the workshop, the abbot of the pagoda will tell you all about the influence of Buddhism in Hue. The experience ends with a delicious vegetarian lunch.
Private transfer to Hoi An. Stay for three nights just outside the old town. Rice fields stretch into the distance from the property's garden. The hotel blends old-world charm with modern amenities. The décor, with its contemporary minimalism and elegant traditional touches, skilfully achieves this effect. In addition to a spa, there are spacious pools and a restaurant serving Vietnamese and international cuisine. The friendly staff are very attentive to guests - especially families . All of this sits perfectly with the gentle pace of life in Hoi An.
A blend of Chinese, Japanese, French and other influences, this historic city has been completely preserved, retaining its original charm and character. Wander through the narrow car-free streets, and, without really looking for it, you stumble across the market. It takes place every morning under the large market hall. Fishermen unload tuna and shrimp, right next to stalls overflowing with mangoes, sweet potatoes and ginger. Come nightfall the floating lanterns appear and you see candles drifting on the river holding people's wishes. Access to certain parts of the historic centre, which is UNESCO-listed, is strictly regulated. You need a ticket to access the Japanese bridge, the museums, and certain temples and pagodas. The good news is you already have yours!
Not to be missed - Get some new clothes! Thanks to its silk trade, Hoi An is renowned for bespoke clothing. All it takes is a stroll through the streets that make up the historic centre to get your new outfits. It's a quick and easy wardrobe refresh for the whole family.
Optional extras - Bike tour to Kim Bong village; Vietnamese cookery workshop; Cham Islands snorkelling trip.
Private transfer to Da Nang airport, then flight to Hanoi. Direct return flight. Night on board, arrival the following day.
This suggested itinerary can be customisable down to the smallest detail, including duration, stops and content. An à la carte menu of experiences is also available to create a journey that reflects who you are.
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