Vietnam Family Explorer

13 days (Ho Chi Minh City)

Destinations visited: Vietnam, Ho Chi Minh City, World

Grading:

Discovery and Cruising level

Grading Definitions

Discovery & Cruising

These are our least demanding trips. These journeys of discovery and cruises involve little or no extended activity and are suitable for people with a basic level of fitness and good health. The itinerary may take place in remote areas (with basic facilities) and may involve long travel days on various types of transport. Sightseeing may be conducted on foot and all participants should be capable of carrying their own luggage from vehicle to hotel rooms. These adventures do not go above 2500m and rarely involve camping.
Suggested preparation: Once or twice a week, we recommend you walk on undulating terrain for an hour, for at least 2 -3 months prior to departure.

Adventure Touring

Suggested preparation: Two or three times a week, we recommend you walk on undulating terrain for an hour or more, for at least 3 months prior to departure.

Introductory

These trips involve trekking or walking, cycling, rafting or sea kayaking for up to five or six hours a day at a slow but steady pace and should never be misinterpreted to mean they are easy trips. These trips do not spend time at altitudes above 4000m and are usually a week in duration. You will need a reasonable level of fitness and good health.
Suggested preparation: 30 minutes of aerobic type exercise, (either cycling or jogging) three times a week for three months leading up to your trek. For trekking, hill walking with a daypack in variable weather conditions is also recommended. For a cycling adventure, road cycling twice a week for three months prior to departure is recommended.

Introductory to Moderate

These trips involve a combination of what is described in our INTRODUCTORY and MODERATE levels. The emphasis is on introductory activity with several moderate stages

Moderate

These adventures involve trekking, cycling, rafting or sea kayaking for up to 6 or 7 hours a day at a steady pace. These trips may spend successive days at altitudes not generally exceeding 5,500m and are usually between 10 and 15 days in duration. You will need a good level of fitness and be in good health.
Suggested preparation: 45 minutes of aerobic type exercise, three to five times a week for the three months leading up to your trek. Hill walking with a pack in variable weather conditions or road cycling is also recommended depending upon the activity you plan to undertake.

Moderate to Challenging

These adventures involve trekking, cycling, rafting or sea kayaking for up to 6 or 7 hours a day at a steady pace. These trips may spend successive days at altitudes not generally exceeding 5,500m and are usually between 10 and 15 days in duration. You will need a good level of fitness and be in good health. Suggested preparation: 45 minutes of aerobic type exercise, three to five times a week for the three months leading up to your trek. Hill walking with a pack in variable weather conditions or road cycling is also recommended depending upon the activity you plan to undertake.

Challenging

These adventures involve trekking, cycling or rafting in remote areas in variable weather conditions for up to 8 to 10 hours a day (possibly more subject to weather conditions and altitude). This may include spending successive days at altitudes not generally exceeding 6000m. These trips may often be over three weeks in duration. You will need an excellent level of fitness, be prepared to carry a daypack weighing up to 8kgs (and in some cases a full pack) and be completely comfortable in adverse weather conditions.
Suggested preparation: One hour of aerobic type exercise, four to five times a week for three to six months prior to departure. Hill walking with a pack in variable weather conditions or on/off road cycling is also recommended.

Entry Mtn/Exploratory Treks

These adventures are classed as expeditions. They involve either extreme trekking and or basic mountaineering. Expect remote and poorly defined trails in variable weather conditions for up to 12 hours a day (possibly more subject to weather conditions and altitude). This may include a number of demanding high pass crossings and evacuation may be difficult from remote areas. Suitable for first time mountaineers wishing to take the step from trekking into the realm of mountaineering. Prior experience trekking at altitude is preferable but not essential and you should be comfortable in adverse weather conditions. Prior technical mountaineering experience is not necessary. Terrain will involve low angle snow slopes. Ropes may be used during treks for glacier travel and steeper sections of ice and snow. When mountaineering, basic mountaineering instruction is given by our mountaineering guides.
Suggested preparation: For grade 8-10 mountaineering expeditions you will need to be very fit and healthy. A minimum of 1 hour of aerobic exercise per session, four to five times a week is essential. Running and cycling in hilly areas is particularly beneficial as are multi day walks on the weekends. This is the ideal time to try out your boots and other gear to make sure you are prepared and ready for your expedition. If you are considering Intermediate or advanced level trips, you will need to discuss your preparation leading up to the trip with our expert staff.

Intermediate Mtn Expedition

Participants should be competent and self sufficient in the outdoors and have experience in multi day trekking at altitude. Prior experience on an entry level mountaineering expedition is highly recommended. The terrain will involve low to moderate angle snow slopes and traveling on crevassed glaciers. Experience using ice axe and crampons is preferred but not essential.
Suggested preparation: For grade 8-10 mountaineering expeditions you will need to be very fit and healthy. A minimum of 1 hour of aerobic exercise per session, four to five times a week is essential. Running and cycling in hilly areas is particularly beneficial as are multi day walks on the weekends. This is the ideal time to try out your boots and other gear to make sure you are prepared and ready for your expedition. If you are considering Intermediate or advanced level trips, you will need to discuss your preparation leading up to the trip with our expert staff.

Advanced Mtn Expedition

These are our most challenging expeditions. Clients must have prior mountaineering experience. Most are participatory expeditions & involve load carrying, setting up of camps, cooking and campcraft. Altitude is generally greater than 6500m. Some of these expeditions also involve “technical” climbing and are for experienced alpine climbers / mountaineers only. Technical expeditions involve steep climbing at high altitude (including rock climbing). Participation on one of these expeditions is subject to acceptance by one of our high altitude mountaineering guides.
Suggested preparation: For grade 8-10 mountaineering expeditions you will need to be very fit and healthy. A minimum of 1 hour of aerobic exercise per session, four to five times a week is essential. Running and cycling in hilly areas is particularly beneficial as are multi day walks on the weekends. This is the ideal time to try out your boots and other gear to make sure you are prepared and ready for your expedition. If you are considering Intermediate or advanced level trips, you will need to discuss your preparation leading up to the trip with our expert staff.

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An all encompassing panoramic journey through the heart of Vietnam

Vietnam is perfectly suited for a family adventure. There are few countries where children of all ages respond so spontaneously and where lasting friendships are formed on a daily basis. Activity and variety are the keys to the success of this adventure. We spend our days wandering the markets of Ho Ch Minh City, sailing off the coast of Nha Trang, exploring the former seaport of Hoi An and taking time out along the endless stretches of beaches at Halong Bay. With such a multitude of experiences, it's a true adventure that appeals to the interests of the entire family.

Highlights

Experience the vibrant streets of Ho Chi Minh City
Enjoy a boat trip to the islands surrounding Nha Trang
Soak up the coastal ambiance of Hoi An
Discovering the history and beauty of Hue
Explore the wonderful old quarter of Hanoi
Sail amongst the limestone karsts of Halong Bay

Itinerary

Day 1 Arrive Ho Chi Minh City

Arrive in Ho Chi Minh where you will be met and transferred to your hotel by our local representative. Your tour leader will meet you at the hotel where a trip briefing will be held at 5.00pm or later depending on your flight schedule. You then have the evening free to try out one of Ho Chi Minh’s many fine restaurants or eating establishments.

Day 2 Ho Chi Minh City

With a population of more than 7 million, Saigon is the largest city in Vietnam. The huge number of people rushing about their daily business gives Saigon a vital and dynamic atmosphere and the city is characterised by a vast variety of sights and sounds. In the morning, we tour through the maze of streets by one hour cyclo tour to experience the hustle and bustle of China town and Ben Thanh market. We continue to explore tthe former Presidential Palace and War Crimes Museum. The afternoon is free at leisure.

Day 3 Ho Chi Minh to Nha Trang by train

This morning is at leisure before we transfer to the railway station to take the train to Nha Trang. Upon arrival, we will be transferred to the group hotel. The evening is at leisure.

Day 4 Boat trip in Nha Trang

A full day boat trip in the Bay of Nha Trang. Our first stop is at Tri Nguyen Aquarium on Mieu Island to see a collection of sea creatures in Nha Trang Bay. Mun Island is the best island for snorkeling where you can see lots of live colorful coral reefs and fish, you may also even have the chance to see the caves in which the sea swallows make their nest. We then visit a fishing village for lunch before returning back to Nha Trang

Day 5 Fly to Danang and transfer to Hoi An

This morning we transfer to the airport for our flight to Danang. Upon arrival, we transfer to Hoi An. The rest of the day will be for exploring this delightful little town. From the 16th to 18th centuries, Hoi An was a thriving international commercial port for Chinese, Dutch, French, Japanese, Portuguese and Arab traders. These people came to trade primarily for the high quality silk, which is still produced in the area. Today, Hoi An is a quaint riverside town popular among tourists for its eclectic architecture, souvenir and tailor shops, and cafes. Some of the buildings in the narrow streets have changed little over the last one hundred years. We enjoy a half-day walking tour through the narrow winding streets of the Ancient Quarter visiting Chua Ong Pagoda, Assembly Hall, the 200 year old Tam Ky House, and the Japanese Bridge.

Day 6 Visit Thanh Nam fishing village near Hoi An

This morning we will ride by bicycle to Thanh Nam fishing village. Here we will receive a brief introduction to the history of the village and a tour of the display room with its traditional fishing tools such as: basket, net, wooden boat and other original Vietnamese utensils. After that, we will take a boat with some local fisherman to learn how to cast a net and hopefully catch some fish. After bidding farewell to the local fisherman, we continue to Dai Chiem estuary to visit the peaceful waterways with their many boats and wharf. You will have lunch at a local restaurant and return to Hoi An where our programme finishes around 3pm. The aftrenoon is at lesiure.

Days 7-8 Free days in Hoi An

Hoi An is famous for its shops in particular it's large number of tailors. If you wanted, you could have a whole new wardrobe made for you here! The riverside market is always a hive of activity, especially in the early morning when the day's catch arrives. You might like to take a boat ride with one of the local women across the Thu Bon River. You could hire a bicycle and head off on a scenic ride to Cua Dai beach, about 4 km away, stopping along the way at some of the neighbouring villages. There's even the chance to improve your culinary skills with a Vietnamese cooking lesson! One thing is for sure - there is no shortage of things to do in this town!

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Day 9 Transfer from Hoi An to Hue

This morning we drive north to the ancient capital of Hue. It is approximately a four hour drive over the spectacular Hai Van pass to the old imperial city of Hue. A stop will be made at the peak for a bird’s eye view over Da Nang city and Lang Co white sand beaches. Upon arrival, we will enjoy a tour of the city. Hue is known for the magnificent architecture of its royal tombs, pagodas and temples built by the Nguyen Dynasty alongside the picturesque setting of the Perfume River. We will enjoy lunch at local restaurant. This afternoon, we will visit the Imperial Citadel, Thien Mu Pagoda, Tu Duc tomb and Dong Ba market.

Day 10 Fly from Hue to Hanoi

This morning we transfer to the airport to take our flight to Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam. Upon arrival we transfer to the hotel. In the afternoon, we will enjoy a one hour cyclo tour to explore the old quarter followed by a visit to Hoan Kiem Lake and the Ngoc Son Temple. You will find a wonderful selection of shops in Hang Gai selling everything from local souvenirs to exquisite silk clothing.

Day 11 Transfer to Halong Bay

The drive through the Red River Delta to Ha Long City takes around 4 hours and an early start is required. On the way we will stop for refreshments and a chance to buy hand made souvenirs at a handicraft center run to raise money for disabled people. Upon arriving in Halong City we transfer to our private boat for a cruise of the crystalline emerald waters of Halong Bay, giving us the chance to take in the stunning scenery of this World Heritage Site. Whilst on board we will be served a sumptuous fresh, local seafood lunch followed by a swim. We will also have the opportunity to explore some of the limestone caves in this area. Our accommodation this evening is on board our boat, where the view of the sun setting on the bay will be first class.

Day 12 Cruising before returning to Hanoi

Following breakfast on board we continue to cruise to explore some more of Halong Bay. After an early lunch we return to the habour where our vehicle will be waiting to transfer us back to Hanoi. Upon arrival, check in to our hotel. In the evening, we will enjoy a performance at Hanoi's famous water puppets show.

Day 13 Trip concludes in Hanoi

Our trip concludes this morning with a group transfer to the airport.

Additional Information

Inclusions

12 breakfasts, 7 lunches and 3 dinners
Airport transfers on Day 1 & Day 13
Expert bilingual guide
Comfortable hotels on a twin share basis
Sightseeing and entry fees as listed in itinerary
Comfortable train travel in 4 berth sleeper carriage from ho Chi Minh City to Nha Trang
Internal flights Nha Trang to Danang and Hue to Hanoi
Boat trips in Nha Trang and Halong Bay

Summary

11 nights hotel
1 night boat

Trip Main Activities

Family Adventure
Adventure Touring
Cruising

Group Size Min

Group Size Max

Accommodation Summary

Equipment Required

There is no specialized equipment required for this trip. A comprehensive list of recommended gear will be provided on booking.

What You Carry

You will need to be able to carry your own luggage for 5-10 minutes at a time on and off transport and to and from hotels. During the day you will need to carry a day pack with your personal items, water bottle camera etc

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