16-Day Vietnam Family Beach Vacation

Breakfast at the Hotel. 

The day is dedicated to discovering the city of Hanoi, beginning with a visit to the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum complex, including the main building—the Mausoleum (exterior only; closed on Mondays and Fridays), the majestic Presidential Palace, Uncle Ho Chi Minh’s House on Stilts, and the One Pillar Pagoda. Built of wood in 1049, the pagoda rests on a single pillar and represents the purity of the lotus flower. Next, you will visit the Thang Long Imperial Citadel. Following this is an unmissable and rare example of traditional Vietnamese architecture: the Temple of Literature—the ancient university built in 1070 in honor of Confucius to pay homage to scholars and men of letters. Lunch in a restaurant.

In the afternoon, you will start with the Lake of the Restored Sword (Hoan Kiem), linked to a legend of swords, emperors, and golden turtles, and surrounded by centuries-old trees. You will visit the Ngoc Son Temple, an oasis of peace and tranquility offering a beautiful view of the Turtle Tower (Thap Rua). The day concludes with the Water Puppet Show. Return to the hotel.

Check-in and overnight stay at the hotel.

Departure for Ninh Binh through the lush vegetation of the Red River delta. The province of Ninh Binh is located about 100km from the capital, immersed in a breathtaking landscape of rivers and limestone formations. You will visit Hoa Lu—the ancient capital of Vietnam for 41 years, ruled by the Dinh and Le dynasties. Although most of the buildings have been lost to time, you can still admire two evocative temples: Dinh Tien Hoang and Le Dai Hanh.

In the afternoon, you will visit Trang An, which was recently recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site. The caves of Trang An, 7km from Ninh Binh, are an ideal destination, especially for those who love cycling excursions. There are 50 caves in total, connecting 30 small villages over a length of about 10km from North to South. Board a boat for a ride through Trang An to enjoy the picturesque landscape of the area. Disembark and transfer to the hotel. The rest of the time is at your leisure.

Check-in and accommodation at the hotel.

08:00 AM – 08:30 AM: Departure for Halong by cruise company bus or private car.

Magnificent and mysterious, fascinating and majestic: words alone cannot do justice to the natural wonder that is Halong Bay. The bay is considered one of the New Seven Wonders of Nature. It features thousands of limestone sea stacks and islets, making it a highly picturesque location and a destination for thousands of tourists every day.

The journey to Halong takes 4 hours, including a short break. Arrival in Halong around noon; boarding and check-in on a boat for a cruise in the bay.

12:00 PM: Arrival at Tuan Chau Island.

12:15 PM: Transfer to the junk. Welcome drink while the guide explains the cruise program and safety instructions. Cabin check-in.

1:00 PM – 2:30 PM: Lunch served on board while the cruise passes by small islands and the Hoa Cuong fishing village. After lunch, the junk continues navigating past Soi Sim beach and the “Three Coconut” islands. Anchorage in the Luon Cave area.

2:45 PM – 3:45 PM: Visit to Luon Cave by rowing boat or kayak.

3:45 PM – 5:00 PM: The junk will pass by Tien Ong Cave, Trong Cave, and Ho Dong Tien. You will then explore Titop Island, climbing the 400 steps to the top for a spectacular panoramic view. Free time on one of the most beautiful beaches in Halong Bay. The ship anchors for the night. Onboard spa available for those interested.

5:00 PM – 7:00 PM: “Happy Hour.” During these two hours, buy one drink and get one free.

6:00 PM – 6:30 PM: Cooking class led by our Chef; you will learn how to prepare and cook traditional spring rolls.

6:30 PM – 7:00 PM: Pre-dinner cocktails served on the terrace with dried fruit and canapés.

7:30 PM – 10:00 PM: Time to enjoy the elegant Paradise dinner.

9:00 PM – 11:00 PM: Evening activities: Movie night, squid fishing, or spa.

NOTE: The navigation itinerary in Ha Long Bay may change depending on the cruise company, sea conditions, and the decisions of the bay authorities. The guide on board will be English-speaking. A guide for the transfer from Hanoi is available at a supplement. Please consult the “Supplements” section.

6:30 AM: Tai Chi exercise on the sundeck. 

7:00 AM – 7:30 AM: Coffee and tea with homemade pastries. 

7:45 AM – 8:30 AM: International buffet breakfast served on board. 

8:30 AM – 8:40 AM: Transfer to the day boat—Paradise Explorer—for a cruise off the beaten path of the bay. 

10:00 AM – 11:30 AM: Arrival at the Cua Van floating village; excursion by bamboo rowing boat around the village to discover local life. 

12:00 PM: Return to the Paradise Explorer and continue the cruise toward another part of the bay while a Vietnamese lunch is served on board. 

1:00 PM: Cruise to Ho Ba Ham—here you can immerse yourself in an extremely primitive, pristine landscape with emerald water and a white sand beach. Free time for swimming or kayaking. 

3:30 PM – 4:00 PM: Return to the main ship and continue navigating Halong Bay. 

5:00 PM – 7:00 PM: “Happy Hour”: buy one drink and receive another selected drink for free. 

6:00 PM – 6:30 PM: Cooking class with the chef or enjoy the onboard spa. 

6:30 PM – 7:00 PM: Pre-dinner cocktails on the sundeck. 

7:30 PM – 9:30 PM: Elegant Paradise dinner. 

9:00 PM – 11:00 PM: Evening activities: cinema, board games, spa, squid fishing.

6:30 AM: Tai Chi exercise on the sundeck. 

7:00 AM – 7:30 AM: Coffee and tea with homemade pastries. 

7:30 AM – 8:30 AM: Rest and visit to Surprise Cave (Sung Sot). 

8:30 AM: International buffet breakfast served on board. 

9:30 AM – 9:40 AM: Cabin check-out. 

10:30 AM: Arrival at Tuan Chau Island. 

10:30 AM – 12:00 PM: Lunch served at the Paradise Suites Hotel (applicable for clients traveling with the cruise company bus). 

12:10 PM – 12:30 PM: Pick-up from the hotel and return to Hanoi.

Stop to visit the Phu Lang porcelain village or the But Thap Pagoda (this visit is scheduled only for groups traveling by private car).

Transfer to the airport for the flight to Hue. Arrival in Hue, welcome, and transfer to the hotel in Hue. Check-in and accommodation at the hotel.

NOTE: The navigation itinerary in Ha Long Bay may change depending on the cruise company, sea conditions, and the decisions of the bay authorities. The guide on board will be English-speaking. A guide for the transfer from Hanoi is available at a supplement. Please consult the “Supplements” section.

Breakfast at the Hotel.

The city of Hue stands along the banks of the Perfume River and was founded in 1687 under the name Phu Xuan. It became the capital of the southern part of Vietnam in 1744 and maintained this role from 1802 to 1945, under the reign of the 13 emperors of the Nguyen Dynasty. Hue is an almost mandatory stop for anyone visiting Vietnam. Not only was it the nation’s political and cultural capital for nearly 150 years, but it also preserves spectacular imperial tombs, pagodas, and temples—not to mention the culinary aspect: Hue is the refined gastronomic capital of the country.

The day begins with a boat excursion on the Perfume River to the Thien Mu Pagoda—the symbol of the city, whose name means “Celestial Lady.” Return to the city by car to visit the Imperial City and the Forbidden Purple City, which is located within the former. Break for lunch in a restaurant.

In the afternoon, the tour continues with a visit to the Tomb of Minh Mang and, if time permits, a visit to the Tu Hieu Pagoda. Return to the hotel. Check-in and accommodation at the hotel.

Amo Travel’s Vietnam Packages continue with breakfast at the hotel. Departure for the charming city of Hoi An, passing through a variety of spectacular landscapes. First, at the fishing village of Lang Co, you can admire the locals working with original traditional tools. You will then cross the Pass of the Clouds (Hai Van Pass), the geographic, climatic, and cultural border between Northern and Southern Vietnam. A stop to admire Danang from above and the famous “China Beach,” which stretches for over 30km. You will descend into Danang to visit the Cham Museum, the richest in archaeological artifacts from the ancient empire, which houses splendid and highly significant works from this ancient civilization.

Immediately after leaving the city heading south, you will skirt one of the most beautiful beaches in all of Vietnam and the granite mountains where pagodas and temples are nestled in a surreal landscape: the “Marble Mountains,” five marble hills from which you can enjoy an evocative view of the surrounding panorama.

Arrival in Hoi An around noon. Free lunch at a local restaurant. In the afternoon, you can visit the old town, featuring the Japanese Bridge, built at the beginning of the 17th century; the Fujian Assembly Hall (Fukien Temple), founded by a Chinese congregation devoted to the Goddess of the Sea; and the Phung Hung Old House. Check-in and accommodation at the hotel.

Breakfast at the hotel. 

Free time in Hoi An before the transfer to the airport for your flight to Saigon. Arrival in Saigon. Welcome by the guide and transfer to the hotel. Free lunch.

Dinner served at a restaurant on the Saigon River. Check-in and accommodation at the hotel.

At the end of the civil war, ancient Saigon took the name of the political leader of the winning side, North Vietnam. Today, it represents the beating heart of Vietnam, as well as its largest city, reflecting its essence through a unique fusion of indigenous culture and deep French and Chinese influences, perceptible at first glance in its architecture.

07:00 AM: Pick-up from the hotel. 

07:15 AM: Breakfast on the boat – Departure for Cu Chi. 

08:40 AM: Arrival in Cu Chi. 

09:00 AM: Visit the Cu Chi Tunnels, located about 70km northwest of Ho Chi Minh City. The incredible underground tunnel network of Cu Chi extends for more than 250km and became legendary during the American War. The entire architecture of the tunnels was built with living areas, food storage warehouses, weapons factories, command centers, and dormitories. During the excursion, you will visit a large section of the tunnels to experience the feeling of underground life.

Cu Chi is a prime example of the spirit, fortitude, and determination of the Vietnamese people for peace.

11:00 AM: End of the tour. Lunch on the boat.

In the afternoon, visit the city of Saigon: the Post Office, Notre Dame Cathedral, the Chinatown district (Cho Lon) with the Thien Hau Pagoda, and the War Remnants Museum. Check-in and accommodation at the hotel.

08:00 AM: Transfer by private car to the pier in Cai Be to board the Le Cochinchine junk.

11:30 AM – 12:00 PM: Board the Le Cochinchine junk. Welcome drink. Cabin check-in while the cruise begins sailing toward Can Tho via Cho Lach and Tra On.

Take a short rest on the junk before disembarking for a pleasant walk or a bike ride along countryside paths to visit tropical orchards and interact with the local people.

Dinner and overnight stay in Tra On.

Breakfast on board. 

Continuation of the journey toward Can Tho through tributaries and canals. The sounds of the floating market will wake you early in the morning. You will visit the Cai Rang market: one of the most picturesque in the Mekong Delta.

This is a wholesale market where producers bring their goods to traders who then sell them at the market. It essentially deals with fruit and vegetables, where the large quantities make the colors even more vivid. Transfers from one boat to another happen by passing goods like balls, sometimes two at a time. Amidst the traffic, a few tourist vessels circulate alongside a coffee-boat modified to hold a large pot of the inevitable soup called “pho” and other local delicacies to satisfy the merchants. These would be entirely normal scenes, were it not for the fact that they take place on a river. Vietnamese industriousness means that local markets take place very early; then, everyone returns to their duties and begins the workday.

10:00 AM: Disembark in Can Tho. End of the cruise. After the market, visit the Ba Cong fruit orchard and the Binh Thuy ancient house, where the famous film “The Lover” was filmed. The final stop of the day will be the Bang Lang Stork Sanctuary, home to thousands of storks and other bird species. Check-in and overnight stay at the hotel in Can Tho.

NOTE for our travelers: In these Vietnam Vacation Packages, you should visit the Cai Rang market between 5:00 AM and 7:00 AM, when it is at its most beautiful.

Breakfast at the hotel. 

Transfer to the airport for your flight to Phu Quoc. Free time on the beach.

Overnight stay in Phu Quoc.

Breakfast at the hotel. Free time on the beach.

Overnight stay in Phu Quoc.

Breakfast at the hotel. Free time on the beach.

Overnight stay in Phu Quoc.

Breakfast at the hotel. 

Transfer to the airport for the flight to Saigon. Welcome and transfer to the airport for your return flight, concluding a quintessential 16-day journey from our Vietnam Packages. We wish you a safe trip home!!

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