Vietnam Coastal Explorer (family)

14 days - from $2170

This family adventure combines the excitement of Saigon, the relaxing beaches of the coast and the French-colonial charm of Hanoi

Starting in busy, bright and bustling Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City), we visit Reunification Palace and the fascinating Notre Dame Cathedral. We also crawl through the Cu Chi Tunnels and journey down the Mekong Delta, passing colourful floating markets. On a small island in the delta, we spend a night in a homestay with a local family – a real highlight. From the laid-back beach town of Nha Trang, we explore the offshore islands by boat and snorkel amongst the colourful coral in the warm waters of the South China Sea. We also explore ancient Hoi An and the charming northern capital, Hanoi, before heading to spectacular Halong Bay, where the rugged limestone pinnacles and grottoes combine to make up one of the world's most recognisable landscapes.

Highlights

• Vietnam's northern capital Hanoi
• Cu Chi Tunnels - the underground network of the Viet Minh and Viet Cong
• 'Junk' boat cruise among the limestone karsts of UNESCO World Heritage-listed Halong Bay

Itinerary:

Day 1: Saigon2: Saigon3: Mekong Delta4: Saigon5: Saigon - Nha Trang6: Nha Trang7: Nha Trang - overnight train8: Danang - Hoi An9: Hoi An10: Hoi An - Hanoi11: Hanoi12: Hanoi - Halong Bay13: Halong Bay - Hanoi14: Hanoi
Included:

• The services of Peregrine's expert English-speaking local tour leader.

• Sightseeing (including entrance fees where relevant): Saigon's Reunification Palace, War Remnants Museum, Notre Dame Cathedral and Ben Thanh Market; Cu Chi Tunnels; Hoi An; China Beach; Marble Mountain; and Hanoi's Mausoleum of Ho Chi Minh, One Pillar Pagoda, Temple of Literature and Hoa Lo Prison.

• Local flights: Saigon to Nha Trang and Danang to Hanoi.

• Mekong River boat trip with visits to a floating market and riverside villages.

• Overnight homestay with a local family on a Mekong River island including a traditional wooden sampan canal cruise.

• Full day boat cruise on the South China Sea off Nha Trang, with a seafood lunch.

• Lunch at KOTO café in Hanoi – a project providing vocational hospitality training to underprivileged young people.

• Performance of Hanoi’s famous Water Puppets.

• Overnight cruise on a traditional boat on Halong Bay with a seafood lunch and dinner (non-seafood also available) and accommodation in twin-share cabins with en suite facilities and air-conditioning.

• Overnight train from Nha Trang to Danang, with accommodation in a 4-berth 'soft sleeper' class compartment (a pillow and sheets provided).

• Free time to explore Saigon, Nha Trang, Hoi An and Hanoi.

• Arrival transfer.

International airfares, visa costs, departure taxes, insurance (obligatory on all trips), departure transfer, other meals, drinks, snacks, any optional additional tours or activities during free time, spending of a personal nature such as gratuities, laundry, drinks, souvenirs.