VIETNAM CULTURE

FAMILY CULTURAL VIETNAM
10 days - 9 nights

Ho Chi Minh City - Cu Chi - Mekong Delta - Hoi An - Ha Noi - Ha Long Bay

FAMILY CULTURAL VIETNAM
10 days - 9 nights

Ho Chi Minh City - Cu Chi - Mekong Delta - Hoi An - Ha Noi - Ha Long Bay

Day 1: Ho Chi Minh City  Arrival (D)

Welcomed at International Tan Son Nhat airport by our tour guide then transferred to your hotel in the city center. You will be free until a welcome dinner on Saigon Restaurant Cruise Ship with Fire Dance Performance. Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.

Day 2: Ho Chi Minh City- Cu Chi Tunnels & Wildlife at risk (B)
Go visit the Cu Chi Tunnels, which are 70 kilometers North West of Ho Chi Minh City, created since 1948 to assist the Viet Minh to combat the French. This is an underground city with living areas, kitchens, storage, weapon shops, field hospitals, command centers. During the American War the entire area of Cu Chi was designated a fire free zone and was heavily bombarded. From 1988, two sections of the tunnels have been open for visitors.
Later you will visit Wildlife at Risk (WAR). WAR is dedicated to protecting the biodiversity of Vietnam by combating the illegal wildlife trade, raising environmental awareness and promoting the conservation of endangered species and their habitats - a sustainable tourism center. Child would love this place. Return to Ho Chi Minh and free in the afternoon. Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City. 

Day 3: Mekong Delta - My Tho - Ben Tre (B/L)
Depart early in the morning. Upon arrival at My Tho, take a boat to Con Phung (Phoenix Island) at a Mekong River estuary. Stop at a garden restaurant for lunch. Then cruise along natural creeks and quiet villages in Ben Tre Province. Visit orchards, bee farms, taste natural honey, honey wine and tropical fruits, listen to local music, visit a distillery and a local coconut candy maker. On the way back to Ho Chi Minh have a stop at Cao Dai temple in My Tho town. Arrive at your hotel late in the evening. Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.

Day 4: Ho Chi Minh City - Hoi An (B)
You will take a morning flight to Danang Airport, then transfer to Hoi An about 35km away. Upon arrival, check in hotel then discover Hoian truly life. Walking tour around this enchanting port town. Follow the narrow lanes lined with centuries-old houses influenced by Chinese, Japanese, French and European architectures and visit its numerous places of interest: the 400-year old Japanese Covered Bridge, the Phuc Kien Assembly Halls, the local fish market… Around the town we can see a numerous art galleries and tailor shops, get some made-to-order clothes if you like.
The next tour is coming to the home of a craftsman in the old streets. Here you will have a brief introduction to the history, shape, and colour of the lanterns as well as the many stages of making them. After that you can make your own lantern, decorate, pack and keep it as a souvenir during the time in Hoian. Overnight in Hoi An. 

Day 5: Kim Bong Village Cycling (B)
Take a short walk from your hotel in ancient town of Hoi An to Bach Dang Pier. Then a morning boat trip to Kim Bong village where the descendants of tour gifted crafting families have been perfecting their skills since the 15th century. Hop on a bicycle for a guided tour of the village shipbuilding yard, temples, and workshops. Admire the fine craftsman ship practiced at Kim Bong such as: mats weaving & coracle boats making, and pass through scenic countryside with paddy fields and a bamboo bridge. Your tour also includes a refreshing sample of local seasonal fruits and produce. Back to Hoi An by boat. Free for the remainder of the day. Overnight in Hoi An.

Notes: please be noted that a percentage of the price you pay will go to a local community fund to help Kim Bong villagers improve their products. Especially, during this tour, you will pass the kindergarten of this local hamlet, so presents (pencils, notebooks…) for them are good deed to help them get a better learning result. 

Day 6: Hoi An - Hanoi (B)
Today, you will board a flight to Hanoi, our millennium Capital city. Our guide will welcome you at Noi bai airport and transfer to your hotel in the city (early check in is subject to availability).
The city tour commences after your lunch time with a visit to Ethnology Museum of Vietnam, the Temple of Literature, and our First University since 11th Century), then we roaming to the Old Quarter and take Cyclo (trishaw) ride around the old streets and stop to visit Ngoc Son Temple then enjoy one hour Traditional Water Puppet shows at Thang Long theatre. Back to your hotel for overnight in Hanoi.

Day 7: Hoa Sua Cooking Class (B/L)
After your breakfast, visit to the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum (Mondays & Fridays closed). Next up Join aspecial cooking class at the Hanoi's famous cooking school, Hoa Sua. The Hoa Sua restaurant is part of a training school wheredisadvantaged Vietnamese children and teens are educated in cooking and restaurant skills that will enable them to have successful careers in the hotel and restaurant industry.
Hoa Sua School offers Vietnamese cooking classes for visitors to Hanoi in the training centre of Hoa Sua School in Linh Nam, Hoang Mai (This is located off Thanh Tri dyke to the South of Hanoi. It is 5 km from Viet Xo Hospital due South.
The cooking teachers bring their excellent skills to you in a fun environment! They have often practiced themselves abroad and thus have numerous experiences and are able to speak good English. Depending on your needs, the teacher may be able to take you on a visit of a local market in central Hanoi to choose the ingredients. Alternatively, the teacher can prepare all the ingredients for you. After your practical class, it will be time to taste the dishes you have prepared and our expert chef will be able to give his feedback on your own chef skills.
Training times: From 8 am to 12 pm OR from 1.30 pm to 5.30 pm 

Day 8: Hanoi - Ha Long (B/L/D) 
After breakfast, take 3.5 hours drive to Halong bay, a World Heritage Area of outstanding natural beauty. Upon arrival, transfer to a junk for a cruise around Ha Long Bay with a delicious local seafood lunch served on board. The cruise passes by many rocks and islets in many funny shapes. Again your dinner served on board. In the evening, enjoy the night fishing (optional) and later overnight on board.

Day 9: Ha Long - Hanoi (Brunch)
In the morning, enjoy more cruise through the Bay and have brunch before disembarking at Bai Chay. Car pick up and bring you back to Hanoi for overnight. Overnight in Hanoi. 

Day 10: Hanoi City/Departure (B)
Free time for shopping or optional visit before transfer to Noi Bai airport for departure.

End of trip.