Vietnam Encompassed - A Family Holiday for Teens - 2010/11 Itinerary
12 days - from $1510
• Journey from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City by train, plane & boats
• Paddle sea-kayaks, learn a martial art & cook spicy Vietnamese food
• Explore the Mekong Delta by boat & spend the night at a homestay
Read more...
Noodles & Kayaks
Arriving in Hanoi we explore the interesting streets of the Old Quarter, One-Pillar Pagoda and Ho Chi Minh's humble stilt house. Venturing out in the colourful markets we find the exotic ingredients for our Vietnamese cooking class - whip up a plate of noodles or some spicy spring rolls! Travelling to the coast, we cruise the crystal-clear waters of scenic Halong Bay by junk and the adventurous can try their hand at sea-kayaking.
Martial Arts & Beaches
A journey on the famous “Reunification Express” train takes us to Imperial Hue, home of the Vietnamese martial art known as Kinh Van Van. We spend an afternoon mastering the basic moves - you're sure to impress your friends back home! We also take a journey by dragon boat along the Perfume river to the Tien Mu Pagoda and explore the Imperial city. The small historic port of Hoi An is a travellers favourite, the ideal place to chill for a few days; perhaps go to the beach, hire a bike or get a new outfit made in one of the many tailors shops. We include an afternoon trip to a nearby village where we've the chance to join the local farmers and artisans at work before enjoying a delicious home-cooked dinner in a family home.
Delta Discovery & Homestay
We fly to Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City), then journey to the Mekong Delta, to glide by boat through waterways, taste succulent and unusual fruits and discover how to make popcorn and rice-paper. We spend the night at a simple yet welcoming homestay. Back in the big city, we discover Old Saigon, where we visit markets and temples and at nearby Cu Chi, explore the tunnels used as an underground hideout by the Viet Cong during the Vietnam War. Now an open-air museum, stretches of the tunnels can still be explored by the intrepid.
close
Itinerary:
Day 1 Join Hanoi. Day 2 Hanoi We explore the Old Quarter and hope to whip up a delicious meal at our Vietnamese cookery class! We can also see a performance of the hilarious water puppets. Days 3/4 Junk cruise Cruising the waters of Ha Long Bay aboard a comfortable junk, we visit caves and go sea kayaking. We take the overnight 'Reunification Express' train to Hue. Day 5 Hue Enjoy a dragon boat journey along the city's Perfume River and learn a martial art. Day 6 Imperial City Explore the courtyards of the old Imperial City before a scenic coastal drive to Hoi An. Days 7/8 Hoi An The ideal place to chill out and go to the beach, hire a bike or get a new outfit made in one of the many tailors' shops. We join a local family for dinner in a nearby village. Day 9 Delta homestay Flying to Saigon, we journey to our welcoming homestay in the Mekong Delta and explore the waterways by boat, taste unusual fruits and discover how to make popcorn and rice-paper. Days 10/11 Saigon We visit markets and temples in Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City) and explore the tunnels at nearby Cu Chi. Day 12 End Ho Chi Minh City.
Accommodations: 8nts hotel, 1nt junk, 1nt sleeper train, 1nt homestay - the homestay is basic with shared washing facilities, the junk has twin share air-conditioned cabins with en suite bathrooms, sleeper train berths are in lockable air-conditioned compartments for 4 people with all bedding provided; 10 breakfasts, 3 lunches & 3 dinners included.
Transport: Bus/Various boats/Train/ Flight.
Comment: Designed to provide the adventurous family with a variety of experiences, you don't need to be an expert at anything as full instruction will be provided.
Group: Approx. 13 to 18.
Staff: Explore Tour Leader, some local guides, driver(s) & boatmen.
Trip Reference: FVN2010
