An Enriching Journey Through Vietnam's Heritage
With its vibrant culture and youthful spirit, Vietnam is an ideal destination for family travel, offering an array of cultural explorations and discoveries as you journey from north to south.
12 Days
Hanoi – Ninh Binh – Hue – Danang – Hoi An – Ho Chi Minh City – Mekong Delta
An Enriching Journey Through Vietnam's Heritage
With its vibrant culture and youthful spirit, Vietnam is an ideal destination for family travel, offering an array of cultural explorations and discoveries as you journey from north to south.
Day 1: Hanoi | City Overview
Welcome to Hanoi, where tree-lined streets meet French colonial charm. Start your adventure with a traditional cyclo ride, exploring iconic landmarks like the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, One Pillar Pagoda, and the Temple of Literature. In the afternoon, visit Dao Thu Village, famous for its water puppetry art. Meet a local artisan to learn about this ancient craft, followed by a delightful 30-minute outdoor puppet show on a village pond, complete with live traditional music.
Day 2: Hanoi | Cooking Class & Farmer for a Day
Join a local chef for a morning visit to a vibrant market, where you’ll select fresh ingredients for a private cooking class. After preparing and savoring traditional Vietnamese dishes, travel to a nearby farming village in the Red River Delta. Spend the afternoon working alongside a family of flower growers, assisting with daily tasks, and enjoying a home-cooked meal together.
Day 3: Hanoi - Ninh Binh | Exploring Van Long Nature Reserve
Depart for Ninh Binh, a region renowned for its breathtaking rice paddies and limestone karsts. Visit the ancient Dich Long Cave and Pagoda, a stunning collection of temples and communal houses. Afterward, take a scenic boat trip through the wetlands of Van Long Reserve, where you’ll admire its 32 captivating grottoes, made famous by the film “Kong: Skull Island.”
Day 4: Ninh Binh - Hanoi | Experience Life in the Countryside
Discover rural life with a leisurely 7km bike ride through quaint villages and lush agricultural fields. Stop to engage with locals and learn about their daily routines. Visit a local farm for an afternoon with a farming family, where you’ll tour their property, share a home-cooked lunch, and enjoy lively conversations.
Day 5: Hanoi – Hue | Royal History & Kite Flying
Travel to Hue, the imperial city of the Nguyen Emperors. Explore the opulent tombs of Emperor Khai Dinh and Tu Duc, learning about the rich history of this fascinating period. After lunch, enjoy a cyclo ride to the Imperial Citadel, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Participate in kite flying, a cherished local activity, and visit a kite craftsman’s home to create and test your own kite.
Day 6: Hue | Exploring Traditional Handicraft Villages
Spend half a day delving into Hue’s handicraft villages. Visit Sinh Village, known for its 400-year-old folk painting on “dzo” paper, where you can create your own piece under the guidance of a local artisan. Next, cycle to a nearby village famous for traditional paper flower making, crafting your own lotus flower. In the afternoon, visit Uu Dam Orphanage to volunteer and interact with children, teaching them basic English or playing games.
Day 7: Hue – Danang by Train
Experience one of Vietnam’s most scenic train routes as you travel from Hue to Danang, passing picturesque countryside and coastal views. Arrive at Danang Train Station and drive to Hoi An, an ancient trading port known for its well-preserved architecture. Meet a local lantern-making artisan and enjoy a hands-on lesson, choosing your own silk fabric and colors to create a personalized lantern.
Day 8: Hoi An | Insight into Rural Life
Embrace the essence of rural life with a scenic buffalo cart ride through rice paddies, shrimp ponds, and vegetable farms. Meet a local fisherman and try your hand at casting traditional fishing nets. After lunch, visit a bamboo workshop, where you’ll learn about various bamboo crafts and create your own souvenir, like a pen holder or decorative piece.