PREMIUM FAMILY VIETNAM TOUR – 16D15N
This is one of our customized tours and one we are definitely proud of! It gives you the very best selections of Hanoi, Sapa, Halong Bay (Bai Tu Long Bay), Ninh Binh (Tam Coc), Phong Nha Ke Bang National Park, Hue and Hoi An. For sure this will be a trip you’ll treasure the rest of your life…
- Itinerary Details
- Sapa – what to bring
- What’s included?
- What’s excluded?
- What do I need to bring?
- Useful information
Day 1:
Hanoi – Street Food (tasting) Tour
On arrival on your first day your private airport pick-up service will be ready with a sign with your name on it. He’ll take you to your hotel to check-in.
You’ll have some free time before your private tour guide (at 6pm) will meet you at your hotel to start your Street Food Walking & Tasting Tour through the most interesting streets of the 36 streets of the Old Quarter of Hanoi. He will give you a brief introduction about the route of the tour and about the places you will be visiting before we set off to explore Hanoi’s buzz ling Old Quarter in the early evening.
We specially designed this tour to give you the best of what Hanoi as Street Food has to offer, not just to eat full dishes but to also to give you the opportunity to taste here and there so you will have a complete and full experience.
Highlights:
- Spend most time on tasting Vietnamese cuisine around Hanoi
- A nice relaxed experience walking around the Old Quarter while enjoying the company of your tour guide who will inform you about the history and local customs while soaking up the nightlife of Hanoi
Your tour guide will drop you off at the hotel after the tour (around 9.30pm) and the further evening will be at your own interpretation.
Transportation: Private A/C transportation from the airport and walking
Meals: Dinner
Guide: English speaking tour guide
Accommodation: 3* Boutique Hotel in Old Quarter – Connecting double and twin room
Day 2:
Hanoi City & Red River Delta Cycling Tour – Sapa
- Get a real feel of local life in Hanoi and the Old Quarter
- Cycle through narrow alleys to discover hidden gems parts of Hanoi not known to tourists
- Ride on and under the famous Long Bien Bridge
- Ride single-tracks through farms and plantations in the Red River Delta
- Wind through alleys and street markets, where locals shop every morning
We meet up at our office at 24 Hang Buom Street at 7:45am and after a brief introduction of the trip and safety instructions on how to navigate safely through Hanoi on a bicycle. On this cycling tour we take you through the most interesting parts and markets of the Old Quarter and move on towards the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum area where we will take narrow-car-free-alleys to hidden backyards so you can get a real feel of how life has been here for centuries.
Experience how tranquil and peaceful it is just 5-minutes from the buzzling Old Quarter of Hanoi when we cycle on narrow roads through impressive banana plantations and vegetable gardens that cover the fertile grounds of the Red River Delta. The noisy city suddenly seems very far away…
We finish around lunchtime and the afternoon will be at your own interpretation. Our staff will pick you up at 8.30pm to bring you to the train station for your overnight train journey to Sapa.
Transportation: Cycling & Transfer to train station by our staff
Meals: Breakfast
Guide: English speaking tour guide – Guidance to the train station
Accommodation: Overnight train – Soft sleeper – 4-berth private cabin
Day 3:
Sapa
From the train station your pick-up service will show a sign with your name(s)) pick you up for a 45 minutes drive to our partner hotel in Sapa where a morning shower will be offered followed by breakfast, together with an amazing scenery over Sapa town and the Muong Hoa valley. At around 9am your local private Hmong tour guide will meet you there where your trekking adventure will kick off into the Muong Hoa valley.
We designed our specific route by ourselves, it is a bit more challenging but we avoid the mass by doing so. During the 15 km walk we’ll visit three villages of ethnic populations. Enjoy the spectacular views of the beautiful valley that leads towards Fansipan, the highest peak in Viet Nam and Indochina. The trek leads through the village of Black Hmong people, where you can learn how they weave and embroider their incredible clothes. Further along our descent we’ll enjoy the many colorful rice paddy fields until we reach Ta Van village, inhabited by the Dzay people.
We’ll have a filling lunch on the way and dinner with your host in a cozy homestay.
Transportation: Transfer from train station to Sapa and hiking
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Guide: Local Hmong English-speaking tour guide
Accommodation: Overnight at the homestay – private rooms
Day 4:
Sapa – Hanoi
After breakfast we continue our trek and pass some stunning scenery and a lovely waterfall along our route. This area is mainly inhabited by Red Dao people and as their names suggests, red is used extensively in the Red Dao women’s clothing and scarves.
Our journey leads us along the small paths edging the rice fields, across the Muong Hoa River and lunch will be on the way at a fantastic spot. We’ll head back to the homestay after our second amazing trekking in the early afternoon where you can enjoy a refreshing shower and some free time before heading back to Sapa for the journey Back to Hanoi where the further evening will be at your own interpretation.
Transportation: Transfer from Ta Van to Sapa – Luxury bus from Sapa to Hanoi
Meals: Breakfast and lunch
Guide: Local Hmong English-speaking tour guide
Accommodation: 3* Boutique Hotel in Old Quarter – Connecting double and twin room
Day 5 – 6:
Two days and one-night cruise to Halong Bay
Your tour guide will pick you up from your accommodation for the 3.5-hour drive to the harbour where you will board the cruise for your 2 days and 1-night cruise. Explore the fascinating and breathtaking peaceful view on this unique location as well as start cruising and enjoying our special lunch of Vietnamese Cuisine while the cruise slowly slides on the romantic waves of Halong Bay.
Our choice of cruise is a quality midrange (3*) cruise with great service and food and will take you to the less touristy areas of the bay! We overnight on board.
Transportation: A/C comfortable transportation – cruise
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Guide: English-speaking tour guide
Accommodation: Double and twin cabins next to each other
On the second day, back at the harbour we’ll arrange a comfortable transfer by bus to your accommodation in Tam Coc where the further evening will be at your own interpretation.
Transportation: Cruise and A/C comfortable transportation
Meals: Breakfast and lunch
Guide: English-speaking tour guide
Accommodation: Tam Coc – swimming pool – double and twin room
Day 7:
Tam Coc – Countryside Cycling & Boat Trip
At 8.30am your guide will meet you at reception with your bikes to take you on our own designed day trip through the countryside. On this day we’ll take you off the beaten track into local villages. We’ll take you on a leisurely 2-hour boat trip through stunning karst mountain sceneries and where rivers run through a number of caves. We visit the nicest temples and pagodas in the area and take you to ‘The Rooftop of Ninh Binh’ for spectacular panoramic views of the valley, rice fields and river below.
Lunch will be served at a local restaurant and late afternoon we cycle back to your accommodation where the further evening will be at your own interpretation. Total cycling length will be based on your preference but usually is around 25-30km.
Transportation: Bicycles and boat ride
Meals: Breakfast and lunch
Guide: English-speaking tour guide
Accommodation: Tam Coc – swimming pool – double and twin room
Day 8:
Tam Coc – Phong Nha
Today you’ll have a free day to relax or do some more sightseeing in the area around Tam Coc by yourself.
Early evening we’ll take you to the train station for your overnight journey to Phong Nha.
Transportation: Private transfer to the train station
Meals: Breakfast
Guide: N/A
Accommodation: Overnight train – Soft sleeper – 4-berth private cabin
Day 9:
Phong Nha Ke Bang National Park
On arrival your pick-up service will be ready with a sign with your name on it to take you to the hotel to have a shower and breakfast.
After breakfast, at around 8am we’ll start this beautiful and adventurous day to the 2 most impressive caves in Phong Nha Ke Bang National Park.
At the end of the trip we’ll drop you of at your accommodation where the further evening will be at your own interpretation.
For this day we have several options, from the more easily accessible caves to more challenging cave adventures and jungle treks. Feel free to inform us about your preferences.
Transportation: A/C transportation
Meals: Breakfast and lunch
Guide: English-speaking tour guide
Accommodation: Phong Nha – Family room with 1 double and 2 single beds
Day 10:
Phong Nha – Hue
After a relaxed breakfast, your driver will pick up for the private transfer to Hue. On the way we’ll visit the famous Vinh Moc Tunnels.
We’ll arrive later in the afternoon Hue where we will drop you off at your hotel and the further day and evening will be at your own interpretation.
Transportation: A/C private transfer
Meals: Breakfast
Guide: N/A
Accommodation: 3* Hotel – Deluxe double and twin room
Day 11:
Hue
Discover the best of Hue on this thrilling day adventure. We’ll be stepping back in time to explore the most fascinating mausoleums of Emperors past.
This day trip is different compared to most other tours because we run with maximum 12 people to give you a etter experience and interaction with our knowledgeable tour guides. We’ll take you to the local market and of course to the impressive Imperial – Royal City and on a relaxing boat ride on the Parfum River but but also to the most impressive and stunning Emperor tombs. After the tour we will drop you off at the hotel where the further evening will be at your own interpretation.
Transportation: A/C transfers & boat ride
Meals: Breakfast and lunch
Guide: English-speaking tour guide
Accommodation: 3* Hotel – Deluxe double and twin room
Day 12:
Hue – Hoi An
This day for sure will be one the highlights of your Vietnam trip!. After breakfast and check out we pick you up at your hotel to take you on the best and safest motorbike trip via the famous and magnificent Hai Van Pass, (“ocean cloud pass”) which is an approximately 21 km long mountain pass on National Road 1A in Vietnam.
We will make many stops along the way to show you the best of what the area has to offer and you can enjoy the best seafood lunch at a floating restaurant.
We are proud that we can say that we exclusively work with the best one for this specific trip!
On arrival in Hoi An we will of course bring you to your accommodation where the further evening will be at your own interpretation.
Transportation: Motorbike
Meals: Breakfast and lunch
Guide: English-speaking tour guide
Accommodation: Beach Villa – Deluxe Rooms
Day 13:
Hoi An – Countryside Cycling
Highlights
- Cycling through the scenic and peaceful countryside of Hoi An
- Experience local ferries around the Song Thu River Delta
- Cross floating bridges in the Delta
- Learn how local craftsman make wooden boats and how to weave basket boats
- Experience lunch at a local family
This tour is a perfect combination of bicycle tour and discovery of the Vietnamese culture and way of life.
After a boat transfer, of approximately one hour on the Thu Bon river, you will arrive at a small village in the middle of the delta where you will begin your cycling tour.
The morning will be spent cycling 14km (total length around 23km) across the countryside and rice fields. You will cross from island to island taking the unusual bridges made from wood or bamboo.
A short boat crossing will bring you to a small island where you will enjoy lunch in the home at a local family.
After lunch and some free time to relax we continue cycling through the scenic countryside. You will cross the islands on the Song Thu river Delta using local transportation, including ferries and floating bridge.
We will be back around 5pm in Hoi An Old Town where we finish for today.
Transportation: Bicycles
Meals: Breakfast and local lunch
Guide: English-speaking tour guide
Accommodation: Beach Villa – Deluxe Rooms
Day 14 – 15:
Hoi An – Free Day
These are free days to explore Hoi An and its countryside by yourself. It is easy to get around by bicycle. For the Old Town of Hoi An it is best to just walk around.
Transportation: N/A
Meals: Breakfast
Guide: N/A
Accommodation: Beach Villa – Deluxe Rooms
Day 16:
Hoi An – Da Nang – Hanoi – …
Today the tour unfortunately ends but we are sure that this tour made an indelible memory that you will cherish for the rest of your life!
Remember, our customer service will be at your disposal for advice and or information at all times.
Depending on your flight out from Hanoi we’ve arranged a transfer to take you to the airport of Da Nang for your flight to Hanoi and connecting flight home.
Transportation: Private transfer to the airport and flight to Hanoi
Meals: Breakfast
Guide: N/A
Accommodation: N/A
Important to know
We at Get Up And Go Vietnam offer only the best trips and many of them are own designed because we want to give you the best possible experience. We understand that this is just a brief summary of information about the trip. Feel free to contact us so we can fully inform you about the trip and send you a full and more detailed itinerary of this and more of our recommended and own designed trips.
Bring as little as possible but bring everything you need. Travelling light is much less of a hassle so do not bring things you can do without. You can leave some of your luggage at your hotel in Hanoi, especially when you return there.
Thanks to its geographic condition, Sapa has one of the most favourable climates in Vietnam. The temperature remains stably cool throughout the year though winter may see more severe changes, with frost and even snow for a few days per year (mostly from mid-December to mid-January). In the valley the altitude is 1000 meters and temperatures don’t drop below 6 degrees Celsius.
Trying to predict the weather in Sapa is almost impossible. However, here is our best attempt:
Sapa weather is characterized by a sub-tropical climate. However, as a result of the high altitude, the weather in Sapa is cool all year round. In summer, Sapa does not suffer the harsh heat like that on the coastal plains. Temperatures in summer fluctuate from 10-18°C at night and 20-28°C during the day.
When the sun shines, it can be harsh, even on cloudy days so expect to need sun protection. Rain and fog is possible throughout the year.
In winter, Sapa Town is often blanketed by fog and cold air, temperatures may drop below zero degrees Celsius some days.
Luggage and bags:
A daypack to bring on your treks is a good idea. These can be easily bought in Hanoi or Sapa.
Clothing/ Shoes/ Weather Gear:
Bring clothes to suit the local weather.
Always keep your spare clothes in a watertight bag to ensure they stay dry if there is a sudden downpour. The Sapa climate is totally unlike the rest of Vietnam.
Essential items to have for the trek are some layers of warm & light clothing (mornings can be cold but you may get pretty warm during the day as you trek). A pair of sturdy trekking shoes is essential.
In January to March it can be quite cold, foggy and rainy. A fleece and raincoat/ poncho is advisable and gumboots/ Wellington boots.
These items are available in Sapa at good prices.
Bring your camera! Any camera will do, or you will be sure to regret it.
Recommended kit list for homestays
- Long-Sleeved Shirt/ T-Shirt
- Fleece for evenings
- Trousers (Such As Lightweight Cargo Trousers, avoid Jeans)
- Shorts Optional
- Swimwear Optional
- Lightweight Water & Wind Proof (Jacket & Trousers)
- Walking Shoes (Sturdy, with good grip)
- Gumboots/ Wellington boots (for the wet and wintery periods)
- Sun Hat and sun protection
- Toothbrush & Toothpaste,
- Ear Plugs & Eye Mask Optional
- Flash light
- (Private) transportation as indicated in the program.
- All tours as mentioned in the overview
- Domestic flights as indicated in the overview
- Accommodation as specific itineraries
- Meals as indicated in the day programs or specific itineraries
- All entrance fees (as indicated in the day programs or specific itineraries,
Taxes and Service Charges - English speaking tour guides
- Beverages
- Tips and personal expenses
- Travel insurance
- All not indicated in our itinerary
- Booking vouchers we provided
- Valid Passport with valid visa
- Cash for personal expense
Special food requests
Please let us know if you have specific eating restrictions, allergic for certain things or if you are vegetarian, we can take that into account during the trips.
Useful information
Especially for the north and central Vietnam;
In the period between November and April, the weather is variable, from sunny to cold and rainy. It is advisable during this period to bring some rain gear with some warmer clothes. In the period from April to November, it is good to pack a hat with a wide brim, sunscreen (at least SPF15) and a reliable insect repellent. A thin rain poncho is useful all year round.
The south of Vietnam is generally a lot warmer all year round, so warm clothing is not really necessary.
Get Up And Go Vietnam does everything to make your trip an unforgettable experience. Unfortunately, we have no control over weather conditions. Our apologies for that!
What do I need to know?
During the period March to November it will good to pack your swimming gear, a towel, a wide-brimmed hat, sunscreen (at least SPF15), a reliable insect repellent, toiletries, a camera and lots of batteries. Warm clothing for the cooler months of November to March is advised. How much luggage can I take? Your vehicle has limited space so please keep your luggage to a maximum of 15kgs in a backpack or soft over-night bag and include a small day pack to hand carry for easy access to camera, sunscreen, water etc. Inhibitions can be left in the luggage storage rooms at your hotel with your other unwanted baggage.
Get Up and Go Vietnam is doing all possible to make your journey and travel experience an unforgettable one. Weather conditions, we unfortunately cannot control. Our apologies for that!