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  • A Place of Many Returns

    Code: VFT04 - Duration: 14 Days
    Start: Hanoi | Finish: Saigon
  • Vietnam is an ideal destination for family trip as it combines lots of fun and learning experience. We will start in charming Hanoi with rich history, iconic temples, gorgeous French buildings, fascinating museums, beautiful lakes before departing for Trang An where you will paddle for three hours past lush rice paddies and incredible limestone structures. A boat trip in Halong Bay is a must to admire its emerald water, sparkling caves and mysterious islands. Leaving this wonderful land, we head to Central Vietnam with its trail of World Heritage Sites: Hue Imperial City and Hoi An’ ancient town. The next destination is Ho Chi Minh City in Southern Vietnam before taking travelling to Mekong Delta with its vibrant floating markets and complicated waterways will delight your whole family. We will end the trip with a beautiful beach holiday in Phu Quoc island.

    Highlights:

    • Discover the graceful and exotic Hanoi capital - thousands of years of culture
    • Visit Trang An with a boat trip along its meandering rivers and lush rice fields 
    • Explore the breathtaking beauty of more than 2000 islands rising from emerald water of Halong Bay, recognized World Heritage Site by UNESCOA Place to Return Family Vietnam Tour
    • Explore Imperial city Hue well-known for its temples, tombs, palaces and pagodas.
    • Gain more knowledge on impressive, historic homes of Hoi An, recognized World Heritage Site by UNESCO
    • Discover the bustling and dynamic Saigon with French colonial structures, pagodas and markets.
    • Explore the intricate network of canals and channels in Mekong Delta area by taking a private traditional boat
    • Unwind on the beautiful beaches of Phu Quoc Island 
    • Charming hotels in great locations
    • Comfortable & spacious vehicle for transfers

    Itinerary in brief:

    Day 1: Hanoi arrival (-/-/-)
    Day 2: Hanoi City (B/L/-)
    Day 3: Hanoi - Hoa Lu - Trang An (B/L/-)
    Day 4: Ninh Binh - Halong Overnight on Boat (B/L/D)
    Day 5: Halong Boat Trip - Hanoi - Flight to Hue (Br/-/-)
    Day 6: Hue - Thuy Bieu Eco-village (B/L/-)
    Day 7: Hue - Danang - Hoi An (B/L/-)
    Day 8: Hoi An - Danang - Flight to Saigon (B/L/-)
    Day 9: Saigon - Ben Tre - Can Tho (B/L/-)
    Day 10: Can Tho - Rach Gia - Speedboat to Phu Quoc (B/-/-)
    Day 11: Phu Quoc Island - Free (B/-/-)
    Day 12: Phu Quoc Island - Free (B/-/-)
    Day 13: Phu Quoc Island - Free (B/-/-)
    Day 14: Phu Quoc - Saigon - Departure (B/-/-)

    • Ability to change the direction of the program
    • Possibility of an extension in Laos or Cambodia 

    Notes:

    + We specialize in “tailor-made” tours for groups of two or more. We carefully inspect each step of your journey from the accommodation to the perfect guide to suit your needs
    + The itinerary is open to modification to fit your personal travel needs
    + Modifications to the itinerary may increase the price of the package
    + For the price of this trip, just ask for a quote by clicking on "TOUR PRICE"

    + If you are looking for a trip modified to your requirements, please send us your needs by filling out the form in Customize your trip” 
    + We will contact and send you a quote, excluding holiday period, within 48 hours of receiving your request .

  • Day 1: Hanoi arrival (-/-/-)

    Hanoi - Airport: 30km, ~40min drive

    hanoi city tours

    Upon arrival at Noi Bai Airport, meet our guide and driver who then escort you to the city center. After making sure of your successful hotel check-in, they will be pleased to leave you free time for your own lunch and leisure to recover after the long flight.

    Meals Included: None
    Accommodation: Hotel in Hanoi

    Day 2: Hanoi City (B/L/-)

    hanoi tours

    After breakfast at hotel, we start the day trip with a visit of the Ho Chi Minh Complex. This famous site compromises Ho Chi Minh’s mausoleum (closed on Mondays & Fridays), his former stilt-house residencethe Presidential Palace and Ho Chi Minh Museum. We then visit the Temple of Literature constructed in 1070 to worship Confucius, which was served as the first University of Vietnam. The site also honors 82 Vietnamese doctorates who passed a number of rigid exams in the feudal ages. Their names, birthdays and birthplaces are engraved in 82 headstones perched on stone tortoises. It is widely believed that touching the heads of these tortoises will bring luck. Its peaceful green compound with its neatly maintained lawns, gardens and lotus ponds make it a tranquil hideaway from the city’s bustle and heat. Lunch will be served at a nice local restaurant. 

    In the afternoon, we visit Museum of Ethnology (closed on Mondays, the alternative is the History Museum) dedicated to Vietnam's 54 officially recognized ethnic groups with both indoor and outdoor sections. While the in-housed exhibition is particularly informative, the outdoor display continues in the museum’s garden with fascinating examples of traditional houses of numerous minority groups, from the Kinhs to the ethnic groups of the Central Highlands. We then enjoy a 45-minute-cyclo tour to the Old Quarter where you can see streets with century-aged trees and French Colonial buildings. We then head to Ngoc Son Temple set on a tiny islet in the middle of Hoan Kiem Lake. Ngoc Son Temple dates back to the 13th century, and the lake itself is the picturesque heart of Hanoi, frequented by tourists and locals alike. 

    In the evening you enjoy the water puppet show, the unique Vietnamese traditional art. This art is originated from rural festivals in Vietnam. The artists-men and women-stand waist-deep in the water to manipulate the puppets, making them move, talk and laugh and even dance on the surface of the water.

    Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
    Accommodation: Hotel in Hanoi

    Day 3: Hanoi - Hoa Lu - Trang An (B/L/-)

    Hanoi - Ninh Binh: 106km, ~1h50min drive

    ninh binh tours

    Breakfast is served at hotel. 8:00am: Our guide and driver will meet you at the hotel lobby for a journey to Ninh Binh province located south of the Northern Delta, between the Red River and Ma River. The old city of Ninh Binh is one of many famous historic sites in Vietnam. The provincial town of Ninh Binh has diverse landscapes because of its proximity to the mountains of Non Nuoc and Canh Dieu. About 10:30am, we will arrive at Hoa Lu Ancient Capital and visit 2 Temples of 2 Kings (Dinh Bo Linh and Le Hoan).

    After lunch, we take a 3-hour boat trip to explore the Trang An Eco Tourist Area. It’s time for us to enjoy peaceful moments with clear water, fresh air and spectacular views of mountainous areas. Trang An Landscape Complex is a spectacular landscape of limestone karst peaks permeated with valleys, many of them partly submerged and surrounded by steep, almost vertical cliffs. This area was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

    Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
    Accommodation: Hotel in Ninh Binh

    Day 4: Ninh Binh – Halong Overnight on Boat (B/L/D)

    Ninh Binh - Halong: 200km, ~4h drive 

    halong boatAfter breakfast at hotel, we start a 3-hour driving through the Red River Delta to Ha Long City. Comfort stop en route for photos and coffee before arriving to Ha Long City. We then transfer to a refurbished wooden sailing junk for a cruise through the limestone cliffs and emerald waters of Ha Long Bay to enjoy a fantastic view of the picturesque scenery blending with the sky and some 3,000 limestone this World Heritage Site. While being on board, we will be served a sumptuous fresh, local seafood lunch followed by swimming and exploring some of the limestone caves in this area. Try the feeling of witnessing the sunset on boat is really great. Dinner on board. The captain then will anchor for the night nearby a remote island.  In the evening, there is the option for night fishing or just sit out on the deck and relax under the stars.

    Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
    Accommodation: Overnight on Junk

    Day 5: Halong Boat Trip - Hanoi - Flight to Hue (Br/-/-)

    Hanoi - Hue: 770km, ~1h flight

    hueWaking up surrounded by the tranquil beauty of the bay, we have time for an early morning dip with joys and emotions for watching sunrise on sea followed by breakfast. The cruise continues to move around the bay for us to discover more secluded areas, we then take kayaking and swimming in the stunning bay. The junk will be near us at all times serving as a backup vessel for those that require it. At around midday we will return to the main harbor before transferring to our awaiting vehicle for a 3-hour journey to Noi Bai airport for flight to Hue. Upon arrival Hue, our driver will meet and transfer you to hotel for check-in.

    Meals Included: Brunch
    Accommodation: Hotel in Hue

    Day 6: Hue - Thuy Bieu Eco-village (B/L/-)

    hue

    After breakfast at hotel, we start the day with a leisurely boat trip on the poetic Perfume River. There will be a stop at Dong Ba Market to buy ingredients for the evening cooking class. En route you will visit Thanh Tien village where paper flower are produced, Van Mieu Temple and Thien Mu Pagoda also known as “Heavenly Lady Pagoda”, the symbol of Hue city. 

    We will then continue the cruise towards Thuy Bieu eco-village, an ancient village situated on the bank of the Perfume River. Arrival here, we will take part in a cooking class to prepare typical Hue dishes with the instructions from our chef, then enjoy your creations in the open air riverside restaurant surrounded by luxuriant trees.

    The afternoon is reserved for cycling through the peaceful village, visiting several communal houses, ancient temples and the highlight: the garden- house, a typical and unique feature of Hue. Soaking your feet in medicinal herb water followed by an excellent massage by blind people will refresh you after a day of sightseeing.

    If time permits, we visit Hue Imperial City, the last royal city of Vietnam with various beautiful structures including the Flag Tower, Ngo Mon Gate, Nine Dynastic Urns, Nine Holy Cannons, Thai Hoa Palace and the Forbidden City or Tu Cam Thanh. Built in the 19th century by the Nguyen dynasty, the City was home to the former Emperors of Vietnam from 1802 until 1945.

    Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
    Accommodation: Hotel in Hue

    Day 7: Hue - Danang - Hoi An (B/L/-)

    Hue - Hoi An: 140km, ~2h30m drive

    hoian toursAfter breakfast at hotel, we bid Hue farewell and continue our south bound journey to the old trading town of Hoian. Along the way we will stop at Lang Co beach for coffee and refreshment. From here we head up to the Hai Van pass, stopping at the top to take in the stunning views north over Lang Co beach and south over Danang city. Upon arrival Hoian, we take a walking tour to Hoi An Ancient Town – an exceptionally well-preserved example of a South-East Asian trading port dating from the 15th to the 19th century. We start our day with the Japanese Covered Bridge – one of Vietnam’s most iconic attractions. Created by the Japanese living in Hoian in the 1590s as a way to reach the Chinese quarter across the water, the bridge is a beautiful historical piece of Japanese architecture. It would be a shortcoming without a visit to Tan Ky House – one of the many ancient houses that making up Hoian Ancient Town. Built two centuries ago with both Japanese and Chinese influences on architecture, this house has been preserved through seven generations. While walking, we will encounter pretty houses of Chinese merchants. Another must-see destination is Phuc Kiem Assembly Hall – an excellent work of architecture considered as a heritage of historical significance. Built in 1690, this Assembly Hall is in fact a temple dedicated to the sea goddess Thien Hau.

    Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
    Accommodation: Hotel in Hoi An

    Day 8: Hoi An - Danang - Flight to Saigon (B/L/-)

    Danang - Saigon: ~850km, 2h flight

    hoian daily tours

    After breakfast at hotel, our driver will meet and transfer you to Danang Airport for flight to Saigon. Upon arrival at Tan Son Nhat Airport, meet our guide and driver who then escort you to the hotel in city center for check-in. You will then have time for your own lunch and relaxation.

    In the afternoon, we take a half day to visit all famous sites of this bustling city. The first destination is the now-demolished wartime American Embassy. After that, we head to the Reunification Palace, the former residence of the President of South Vietnam until April 30, 1975 when the North Vietnamese tanks came crashing through the front gates, bringing the U.S.-Vietnam War to a dramatic end; followed by some French colonial structures including the Old Saigon Post Office, the Notre Dame Cathedral. Notre Dame Cathedral was built between 1877 and 1883, and the stones used to create it were exported in its entirety from France. Apart from the religious meaning, the even more special captivating point of this Cathedral is its special neo-Romanesque style of architecture. Next to the cathedral stands the Central Post Office, finished in 1891. It is another fine example of French architecture and is Vietnam's largest post office. After visiting the Jade Emperor Pagoda and the War Remnant Museum, we continue our trip to the bustling Ben Thanh Market, which is a fantastic place for bargains of every kind! There are a number of vendors and food stalls in the market food section that offers guests many freshly delicious dishes. You also can find any goods for daily use as well as variety of eye-catching local handicrafts, souvenirs here.

    Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
    Accommodation: Hotel in Saigon

    Day 9: Saigon - Ben Tre - Can Tho (B/L/-)

    Saigon - Ben Tre: 107 km, ~2h drive

    mekong delta

    After breakfast at the hotel, we leave the bustling city of Saigon behind us and depart for the Mekong Delta known to local as ‘Vietnam’s biggest rice basket’. Upon arrival at Hung Vuong pier in Ben Tre, we embark a boat to cruise along Ben Tre River, a tribute to the Mekong. With stops at the brickfield to see how bricks are made by hand and a coconut candy home factory located along the canal where we witness how to make these local delicacy. You will then have the opportunity to taste bee honey tea at a local honey farm and a variety of tropical fruit that grow abundantly in the orchards of the Mekong Delta. You can then walk or cycle through the coconut groves and green rice paddies to soak up and relax in the tranquil countryside atmosphere.
    After lunch at a local restaurant, we will take a trip on small rowing boats through a maze of waterways lined by two rows of palm trees. We cruise back to the pier and disembark for a drive Can Tho.

    Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
    Accommodation: Hotel in Can Tho

    Day 10: Can Tho - Rach Gia - Speedboat to Phu Quoc (B/-/-)

    Saigon - Ben Tre: 125 km, 2h40min drive; Rach Gia - Phu Quoc: 170km, 2h20min by speedboat

    phu quocRising early to the sounds of the Delta coming to life for another day, we have breakfast and start our trip with a boat cruise on sparking streams along the endless waterway of Mighty Mekong River to Cai Rang floating market, the biggest and most famous floating market in the Mekong Delta where hundreds of boats are packed with mango, bananas, papaya and pineapple…  for selling, buying and exchanging. We visit the lush orchards and are treated to a delicious tropical fruits. After having lunch at the good local restaurant, we drive Rach Gia to catch a speedboat to Phu Quoc island.

    Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
    Accommodation: Hotel in Phu Quoc

    Day 11: Phu Quoc Island - Free (B/-/-)

    Relax and enjoy your Phu Quoc sandy beach: swim, sunbathe and take in the delights of this beautiful holiday resort. Optional sightseeing or visit to offshore islands, scuba diving and other water sports. or just relax and enjoy the resort facility.

    Meals Included: Breakfast
    Accommodation: Hotel in Phu Quoc

    Day 12: Phu Quoc Island - Free (B/-/-)

    Relax and enjoy your Phu Quoc sandy beach: swim, sunbathe and take in the delights of this beautiful holiday resort. Optional sightseeing or visit to offshore islands, scuba diving and other water sports. or just relax and enjoy the resort facility.

    Meals Included: Breakfast
    Accommodation: Hotel in Phu Quoc

    Day 13: Phu Quoc Island - Free (B/-/-)

    Relax and enjoy your Phu Quoc sandy beach: swim, sunbathe and take in the delights of this beautiful holiday resort. Optional sightseeing or visit to offshore islands, scuba diving and other water sports. or just relax and enjoy the resort facility.

    Meals Included: Breakfast
    Accommodation: Hotel in Phu Quoc

    Day 14: Phu Quoc - Saigon - Departure (B/-/-)

    After breakfast at hotel, time is free until our driver meet and transfer you to airport for flight to Saigon to connect your departure flight.

    Meals Included: Breakfast

  • Prices

    This trip is private and therefore can be altered to suit your needs, date of commencement and budget requirements.

    Prices vary due to a number of specifics:

    • Seasonal: during high season (October-April), the prices of services are generally higher when compared to the low season (May-September).
    • The number of participants: the more of you that travel together the less you will pay!
    • The choice of hotels: Fairly obvious one here; a 5-star hotel can cost ten times as much as a 2 star hotel.
    • The activities during the trip: Two trips on the same itinerary and of the same length can have two different prices depending on the number and nature of activities included.
    • The booking date: In some cases, booking your trip late can drastically affect prices due to their low availability.

    Inclusion:

    • Accommodation as recommended or similar category according to availability.
    • Transfers according to program by private air-conditioned vehicle with driver except free day
    • English-speaking guide’s assistance at every stage
    • Meals as indicated in program (B: Breakfast /L: Lunch / D: Dinner)
    • Entrance fees for attractions included in the program
    • All activities and cruises clearly mentioned in the program
    • Flights: Hanoi – Hue; Danang - Saigon (E-Class on Vietnam Airlines)
    • Halong Bay overnight on boat (sharing boat)
    • Private boat excursion in Trang An, Hue, Mekong Delta
    • Speedboat: Rach Gia – Phu Quoc
    • Shuttle bus transfer from Phu Quoc pier to hotel and from hotel to Phu Quoc airport
    • Water and cool tissues
    • Government taxes & service charge

    Exclusion:

    • Other drinks and meals not clearly mentioned
    • Early check-in, late check-out
    • Personal expenditures, tips
    • Personal insurance (compulsory)
    • Any service not clearly mentioned in the program
    • International air transfers associated with airport taxes
    • Visa and visa arrangement (available upon request)

    Booking

    Here are 2 steps to book your trip with Tonkin-Travel:

    Step 1. Focus on your travel program:

    You can choose this trip as is or customize it to your specific desires. Just click on the “Customize this trip” tab and fill in the form. One of our travel consultants will contact you within 48 hours to develop the travel program based on your specifications.

    Step 2. Booking:

    • Following the first step, tour program is selected and we access the rates.
    • Upon confirmation of the trip, the registration must be accompanied by a deposit up to 25% of the total estimate.
    • For programs with private junk (cruise) and/or 5 star hotels, the deposit is represented by 30% of the total estimate.
    • Tonkin-Travel carries out the booking process upon receipt of the deposit. Confirmation of these reservations is sent to customer within 10 days via email

    Nature of travel

    This trip is private. That implies:

    • You will be escorted by a private guide and driver. This approach guarantees a smooth trip with fewer organizational constraints.
    • You will be the master of your trip. We guarantee flexibility in organizing visits at your request.
    • Our services will be personalized according to your desires. Thus the proposals in this package are not fixed and you can bring suggest all the desired changes.
    • You receive individualized care: ample food, organizing small events (anniversary, honeymoon, etc.), targeted information, followed necessary modifications, etc.

    Accommodation

    • Accommodation is an important expenditure of your trip. When you choose a luxury trip for example, the accommodation can represent three quarters of the price. Thus, your choice of hotels is closely related to your budget.
    • Tonkin-Travel has negotiated rates with a wide range of hotels from 2 to 5 stars.
    • In some places you will have the option to choose ‘home-stay’. Although this provides less comfort that a hotel it is a truly authentic experience and highly recommended for at least one night of your journey.

    Transport

    All transfers during your trip are covered by private vehicle with driver, unless otherwise indicated in our offer. We ensure that our vehicles are new and comfortable. Fuel, tolls, accommodation, compensation and the driver are included in our offer. Only gratuities are not included and are at your discretion.

    The size of the selected vehicle is based on the number of tour participants according to the following quality standards:

    No. of participants

    2 pax

    3 pax

    From 4 to 7 pax

    From 8 to 14 pax

    From 15 to 20 pax

    Vehicle size

    Car 4-7 seats

    Car 7 or minivan 
    16 seats

    Minivan 16 seats

    Bus 24 seats

    Bus 35 or 45 seats

    Domestic flights

    If your trip includes domestic flights if any, they will be operated by Vietnam Airlines, the largest airline in Vietnam. The fleet consists mainly of Airbus and Boeing. On some short trips, the company operates 72 ATR and some Fokker.

    Rail transport

    Train travel can be offered (particularly between Hanoi-Lao Cai and Hanoi-Hue). Travelling at a speed of 60km/h on average it is not necessarily the fastest but an interesting experience nonetheless.

  • This form allows us to establish a tour proposal suitable for your needs. It is free and without obligation

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      Regarding meals, you want the agency to offer you:

      Your message (Ex: The desired steps and activities, what you like, what you do not,
      the health condition of the participants, your questions on this trip...)

    • This form allows us to establish a tour proposal suitable for your needs. It is free and without obligation

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        Which country would you like to discover? *
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        Regarding meals, you want the agency to offer you:
        Describe your trip
        These ideas are a guide for creating a trip suitable for your needs and expectations
        • Your desire to travel (culture, adventure, beach extension, local meetings, nature, etc.)
        • The desired pace of your trip (moderate, free and easy, etc.)
        • Your knowledge of the country. Your interests
        • The opportunity of your trip (vacation, wedding anniversary, cultural group, etc.)
        • Remarks (Room types, diet, special requests, etc.)

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