Extraordinary Vietnam Adventure

Extraordinary Vietnam Adventure Itinerary

Day 1 Arrival in Hanoi

Your trip begins with arrival in Vietnam. Your private driver will meet and greet you at the airport. You will be escorted to the hotel. You can walk through the streets of the city for the remainder of the day. Historic charm, architectural marvels, and shops are splashed all over this area. After enjoying the first day, return to the hotel for a relaxing sleep.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Hanoi
Distance: None
Meals: None

Day 2 Hanoi Vespa Tour

To begin the tour, you’ll explore by vespa. See the Old Quarter, the French Quarter, and the Opera House. You’ll see the railway train tracks, the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, the botanical gardens, and Huu Hiep Lake to see the B52 Crash site at the lake. A US bomber was shot down during the 1972 bombing raids of Hanoi, a poignant reminder of recent history.

Next up is the biggest lake in Hanoi city, then to the An Duong market to see where local people come to buy and sell fresh vegetables and food. The next ride takes you along the riverside to the red river island to visit a hidden gem village. Head up through a banana farm to a cafe where you can rest up and try Vietnamese coffee, including the famous coffee of Hanoi, egg coffee. Finish up by riding over Long Bien Bridge, to dinner a magnificent structure built over a hundred of years ago which spans the red river and connects the Hoan Kiem and Long Bien districts.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Hanoi
Distance: None
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 3 Travel to Mai Chu Village

Have breakfast at the hotel and leisure time on your own before the driver comes to the hotel and picks you up for a transfer to Mai Chau. Arrive in Mai Chau and relax in the beautiful village.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Mai Chau
Distance: None
Meals: Breakfast

Day 4 Mai Chau Boating Trip

Today you will discover the lakes and rivers around Mai Chau. Boat is the best way to explore the beauty of the area. You ride through islets, visit fishing villages, meet and talk with local fishermen, and explore secret ponds.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Mai Chau
Distance: None
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 5 Train to Sapa

Have breakfast at your hotel. Enjoy the morning in Mai Chau, then the driver will pick you up to head to Hanoi. You’ll have a hotel room to relax in before boarding a night train to Sapa.
Overnight Location: Overnight train
Distance: None
Meals: Breakfast

Day 6 Lao Chai, Tavan, and Sapa

Today is devoted to a beautiful hike through the breathtaking scenery of Sapa valley. Admire the rice terraces hidden behind mist of the morning, a truly awe-inspiring sight. Follow a small track and cross Muong Hoa River and pass well-tended rice terraces on your way to the Black Hmong village of Lao Chai. Continuing through the colorful rice terraces, you will reach the village of Ta Van Giay. As you continue your trek along the Muong Hoa River, you will cross a small suspension bridge roughly 2km from the settlement. Here you can discover a fascinating collection of rock carvings. Eat lunch in a home in the village.

After lunch the walk continues through a bamboo forest to Giang Ta Chai, a Red Dao ethnic minority village. After taking a rest near a waterfall to refresh, you start climbing uphill to a road where the car is ready for your journey back to Sapa.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Sapa
Distance: Flexible
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 7 Taphin Red Dao Hill Tribe Village

Have breakfast at your hotel. You’ll drive down to Lao Cai and then to Taphin village. Here you can experience the unmixed cultural life of Black Hmong and Red Dao minorities, the two largest ethnic groups in the area. They live happily together while maintaining their own traditions from generation to generation. The trip also offers you the opportunity to visit the local houses.

You will return to Sapa by car and then board an overnight train to Hanoi.
Overnight Location: Overnight train
Distance: None
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 8 Hanoi to Quang Binh

Have breakfast at your hotel and some rest and free time until it’s time to be transferred to the airport for your flight to Quang Binh. Upon arrival you will be met at the airport and transferred to your accommodation.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Dong Hoi
Distance: None
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 9 Tan Hoa – Little Rat Cave

From 07:30 to 08:00 am on the departure day, the bus will pick you up at your hotel in Phong Nha for the journey to Tan Hoa Village, 70 km from Phong Nha. At the office, the guide will provide a safety briefing where you will hear about the rules and guidelines on trekking tours for children, and the tour schedule; sign the Release Form, pack your bags and receive safety equipment for the tour. (The transfer to Tan Hoa is included in the price of the Tu Lan Family Adventure Tour).

The first part of the Tu Lan family camping tour begins with a walk across green fields for about 2.5km to get to the bank of Rao Nan River. After crossing the river, the group will go up the “Cow Hill” about 60 m high and trek down to the Laken Valley. Guests will don lights and helmets and climb a short ladder with safety equipment and assisted by the safety team, to explore the mysterious world inside Little Rat Cave. Lunch will be served inside the cave. After lunch the group will continue through Little Rat Cave, assisted by the safety team, to the exit into the wide valley. Trek down for a swim in the river, and some entertaining games and competitions led by your guide.

The group then heads to the campsite on the river bank, to enjoy the wonderful dinner that had already been prepared by the local chef. Spend a peaceful night surrounded by nature, after a great family adventure day.
Overnight Location: Campsite
Distance: Approximately 7-8km
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 10 More Cave Discovery

On the morning of the second day, the group will have breakfast together and continue their journey by trekking in Laken Valley and up to the Rat Cave. Explore nearly 300 m of Rat Cave, a cave with a beautiful view from the entrance of the cave. As you explore further your family will see countless magnificent stalactites. Your safety team will be with you at all times.
After exploring the cave, trek down to cross the Rao Nan River and return to Tan Hoa office. Take a shower and have lunch at the local restaurant.
The bus will take the group back to Phong Nha at about 17:30 - 18:00. Relax and enjoy your stay in Phong Nha after your family camping adventure tour.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Dong Hoi
Distance: Approximately 3km
Meals: Breakfast

Day 11 Fly to Ho Chi Minh City

Have some rest and free time in Quang Binh before heading to the Dong Hoi airport for your flight to Ho Chi Minh. Upon arrival you will be met at the airport and transferred to your accommodation.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Ho Chi Minh City
Distance: None
Meals: Breakfast

Day 12 Jeep Tour of Ho Chi MInh

Have breakfast at your hotel, then board the Jeep for a Ho Chi Minh City Tour. First stop on your tour is the Independence Palace/ the Reunification Palace. The palace is symbolic of the end of the Vietnam War during the Fall of Saigon on April 30, 1975, when the North Vietnamese Army tank number 843 crashed through the gates of what was at the time the residence of the President of the Republic of Vietnam.

Next, you will admire the Museum of American War Crimes/ the War Remnants Museum which is the most popular museum in Ho Chi Minh City. After the museum, you will see Notre Dame Cathedral and the Old Post Office, which are the two of the best highlights of old Saigon architecture. Then, the Jeep will take you to visit some famous roads in Saigon such as Dong Khoi street. You’ll then visit the Ben Thanh Market, a lively market in District 1, where your guide can help you barter for goods.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Ho Chi Minh City
Distance: None
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 13 Departure

After breakfast, it’s time to check out and travel to the airport for your flight.
Overnight Location: None
Distance: None
Meals: Breakfast