Compare Vietnam Family Holiday Comfort by Intrepid Travel vs Solo - Vietnamese Discovery by Titan Travel

Day 1 Hanoi

Xin chao! Welcome to Vietnam. You will be transferred from the airport to your hotel, and your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 5pm. Afterwards, enjoy a welcome dinner with your fellow families. Hanoi is famous for its beautiful lakes, shaded boulevards, verdant public parks and thriving Old Quarter. The latter is a veritable architectural museum piece that feels like a 1930s provincial French town – a great place to explore today if you have time.

Day 2 Hanoi

Embark on a full-day tour of the city. You will visit the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and Museum, and the tranquil Temple of Literature – an oasis of calm in the heart of town. Also head to the Museum of Ethnology to learn more about the diverse heritage of Vietnam. Enjoy some lunch at the KOTO restaurant – an excellent establishment and long-time friend of Intrepid which lives by the philosophy of 'know one, teach one'. It supports underprivileged local youth by giving them a chance at making a career in hospitality. In the evening, sit down to a traditional water puppet performance. This northern tradition, dating back nearly a thousand years, is performed alongside traditional Vietnamese music that employs drums, wooden bells, horns and bamboo flutes.

Day 3 Halong Bay

Travel by minibus to the spectacular World Heritage-listed site of Halong Bay (approximately 4 hours). The bay is a breathtaking secluded harbour with some 2000 limestone islands jutting out of the waters of the Bac Bo Gulf. Board your private boat and cruise among the dramatic limestone peaks. There's an opportunity to swim in the famous Vietnam East Sea and explore caves filled with stunning stalactites and stalagmites. Spend a peaceful night on board, beneath a sky alive with stars.

Day 4 Hue

Enjoy breakfast on the boat this morning and perhaps head out for an optional early morning kayak. Return to Hanoi by bus (approximately 3.5 hours). From there you will board an overnight train bound for Hue. As the former imperial capital of Vietnam, Hue holds the treasures of Vietnam's royal past. It's a curious mix of bustling streets and tranquil settings. Although conditions are basic on your train journey, overnight trains are a classic South East Asian experience and the best way to travel long distances with the locals. Lie back and enjoy the ride! Most trains have a dining carriage serving simple food, but it's a great idea to stock up on fresh bread, cheese and fruit before you head off.

Day 5 Hue

Welcome to Hue! Your leader will help you chose a local, tasty breakfast option this morning after you disembark the overnight train. As the former imperial capital of Vietnam, Delve further into the fascinating former capital today. You will visit the Imperial Citadel, which is the best-preserved remnant of a large citidel and Royal centre that once existed on this fortified site. The unique fortifications are fascinating, even though much of this place has sadly been destroyed by war. The foliage-covered ruins make for an interesting couple of hours of exploring. You will visit the Forbidden Purple City, which was almost totally wiped out during the Tet Offensive in 1968. The gaping holes left by bombs give an idea of the shocking destruction wreaked upon the country during the war. Afterwards, you will take a visit to Thien Mu Pagoda, which is considered by many to be the unofficial symbol of Hue. It's an active Buddhist monastery originating in 1601. One of the most poignant displays here is a car belonging to a former monk who, in 1963, drove to Saigon and set himself alight to protest against the treatment of Buddhists by the South Vietnamese regime.

Day 6 Hue

After breakfast you and your family will visit Tu Duc Tomb, Emperor Tu Duc enjoyed the longest reign of any monarch of the Nguyen dynasty, ruling from 1848-1883. Next up we pay a visit to a local non-government organisation that supports Hue’s deaf community by providing training, employment, support and a place to connect with others. Take part in a traditional paper flower making class with members of the community – this exercise is conducted in silence using body language and sure to be a special experience the whole family will remember. This afternoon you will journey through the streets of Hue on a cyclo tour. Travelling around the citadel, passing through the local fruit and vegetable marketing before stopping over at Ho Chi Minh’s house.

Day 7 Hoi An

Travelling by bus (approximately 4 hours), head south through coastal rice paddies before traversing the spectacular Hai Van Pass. You'll all be treated to some stunning mountain scenery en route. After a brief visit to the beautiful China Beach, arrive at Hoi An. Recently declared a World Heritage site, Hoi An and its delicate beauty is being restored and preserved. Known as Faifo to early Western traders, it was one of South East Asia's major international ports during the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries. Today, parts of it look exactly as they did more than a century ago – it's the sort of place that grows on you the more you explore it.

Day 8 Hoi An

After breakfast, head out to spend the morning at Cua Dai beach. This beach is known for its stunning palm-fringed white sand and views of the Cham islands. Transfer back to town and pop into a local restaurant where you’ll learn how to make ‘white rose cake’, one of Hoi An’s most popular street foods. These tasty savoury dumplings are made with rice paper and minced shrimp and named after their resemblance to a white flower. Once your local instructors have taught you how to make these delicious parcels, sit down together and tuck into your creations for lunch. This hands-on experience is one the whole family will enjoy!

Day 9 Hoi An

The rest of your time is left free to relax in this beautiful area. Hoi An is one of the best places to shop for souvenirs, especially if you’re looking for t-shirts, paintings or ceramics. For those interested in getting clothes tailored, this is definitely the place to shop. You might also like to speak to your leader about arranging a cooking lesson and learn about the many layers of fresh herbs and flavours that can be found in Vietnam's fresh and tasty cuisine. Or simply spend your day by the pool.

Day 10 Ho Chi Minh City

Take a short flight to Ho Chi Minh City (approximately 1 hour). Formerly known as Saigon, this bustling metropolis is full of vibrant sights and sounds; a fascinating blend of old and new. Check out Ben Thanh Market and feast on a delicious lunch of local street food, and take an orientation walk. Afterwards, you're free to explore the city as you please. Your leader will have plenty of interesting ideas for you and your family. Consider scooting off on cyclos to Cholon, the Chinatown area of Ho Chi Minh City, or for a bit of temple-hopping. Otherwise, you could visit the Vietnamese version of a department store for some serious shopping.

Day 11 Mekong Delta

Head down to the Mekong Delta and visit unexplored Ben Tre where coconut is everything and anything. The journey to Ben Tre is south by private bus (approximately 2.5 hours). The fertile delta is famous for its abundant harvests of tropical fruits and flowers. On arrival, board your private boat and cruise along the maze of waterways to visit some local cottage industries. This is a fascinating behind-the-scenes look at a different part of the local economy. Then head to your overnight homestay by the water. Be invited into a family home for a true local experience – a chance to see daily life from the inside. You'll be sleeping on simple camp beds in dorm-style rooms, with all meals included. Bedding and mosquito nets are provided.

Day 12 Ho Chi Minh City

Rise early, as the locals do here on the delta. Enjoy a leisurely morning before heading back to Ho Chi Minh City on the bus. On arrival, you'll have free time to further explore the city at your own pace. This is an opportunity to do anything you might have missed the first time around. District 1 is a great place to walk around with the family. If you've fallen in love with Vietnamese food, sample some of the culinary delights you haven't got around to yet – perhaps some grilled cuttlefish or, for the adventurous, street-barbecued sea snails.

Day 13 Ho Chi Minh City

There are no activities planned for the final day and you are able to depart the accommodation at any time, provided you comply with the hotel’s internal check-out policies.

Day 1 London - In flight
Titan’s VIP door-to-door travel service collects you from home, for your journey to London Heathrow Airport for a scheduled Vietnam Airlines flight to Ho Chi Minh City, which may touch down in Frankfurt.

Day 2 Ho Chi Minh City
Following an early morning arrival into Ho Chi Minh City we transfer to the Renaissance Riverside Hotel (4T+). An early check-in has been arranged to allow time to relax and refresh before we start exploring the city formerly known as Saigon. This afternoon we head to the former Presidential Palace. In 1975, a soldier ran into the building to unfurl a VC flag from the balcony, symbolising the transfer of power from General Minh. This landmark is now a museum of meeting rooms and reception rooms, the president’s living quarters, and a fascinating war room and telecommunications centre. We then take a stroll to the major colonial sights of the city, including the Opera House and the Old Saigon Post Office, designed by Gustave Eiffel.

Day 3 Ho Chi Minh City
We leave the old capital behind, and drive through scenes of rice paddies and villagers drying noodles by the roadside as we head to the Cu Chi district. The famous Cu Chi Tunnels are an incredible underground network, constructed by Vietnamese resistance fighters (Viet Cong) during both the French and American wars to house troops, transport and supplies. Our visit highlights what life would have been like as a communist guerrilla, seeing living quarters and typical meals, and rifles, booby traps and command centres. After lunch at a local restaurant, we return to our hotel for some time at leisure. This evening we take in views of the city as we enjoy a dinner cruise on the Saigon River.

Day 4 Ho Chi Minh City - Cai Be
We depart for Cai Be, on the Mekong Delta. This town relies on the network of rivers and canals to produce rice, as well as using it as a highway for vessels distributing agricultural products. We take a boat trip to see the local trading boats and visit some home factories that produce rice paste, rice popcorn and coconut candy. We continue along meandering tributaries to evergreen islands, and take a short walk through a local village and fruit gardens to a preserved ‘Mandarin’ house, built centuries ago. The owner will serve an appetising Vietnamese lunch before we continue to Tan Phong Island, where we take a rowing boat through the canals. We then continue to our hotel, the Mekong Riverside Resort (3T).

Day 5 Cai Be - Ho Chi Minh City - Nha Trang
We return to Ho Chi Minh City to board the North-South Railway (known as the ‘Reunification Express’) for a 7.5-hour journey through towns and rice fields to Nha Trang. Upon arrival in Nha Trang this evening, we transfer to our hotel, the Novotel (4T).

Day 6 Nha Trang
We take a tour of this seaside city, including Hon Chong, a quiet fishing village with a bay of karsts like a mini Halong Bay; and the Po Nagar Cham Towers. The four surviving towers are still actively used for worship by Cham, Chinese and Vietnamese Buddhists. We also visit the Long Son Pagoda with its enormous white Buddha statue, and the Oceanographic Museum, which displays the local marine environment, including reef sharks, turtles and sea horses. Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant before an afternoon at leisure.

Day 7 Nha Trang - Danang - Hoi An
Enjoy a morning at leisure before we make our way back to the station for a train to Danang. We arrive in Danang late tonight, and transfer to Hoi An and our hotel, the Hoi An Resort (3T+).

Day 8 Hoi An
Learn about rural life in Tra Que Village. We visit a farm and help the farmers prepare the land, fertilising it with seaweed, raking, sowing and picking crops. Afterwards we see how to prepare tam huu - paperless spring rolls, and try this irresistible delicacy. We return to Hoi An for lunch at a local restaurant before a walking tour of the ancient town centre. We visit former merchants’ houses, a Chinese communal hall, the colourful market and the beautiful little 400-year-old Japanese Covered Bridge.

Day 9 Hoi An
The former capital and religious centre of the Champa Kingdom is our destination this morning. My Son’s skyline is shaped by dozens of red brick towers and sanctuaries dating from between the 7th and 13th centuries. We tour the temples, get an insight into Cham culture, and learn how even this remote site was not immune to bombing during the Vietnam War. On our way back to Hoi An, we stop to visit Tra Kieu, formerly known as Simhapura or the Lion Citadel, the capital of Champa between the 4th and 8th centuries. Some of the finest sculptures in Danang’s Cham Museum originated from here.

Day 10 Hoi An - Danang - Hue
Journey first to Danang to visit the Cham Museum, which contains the world’s finest collection of Cham sculptures, then drive over the dramatic Pass of Ocean Clouds, where forts, pillboxes and defensive walls mark the former national frontier. The road drops down to the coast, and the wonderfully photogenic fishing village of Lang Co. We have some time here for lunch before we visit the Mausoleum of Tu Duc. The tomb was used as a palace retreat before becoming the Emperors’ resting place. We also visit Tu Hieu Pagoda, a serene Buddhist haven which still shelters 70 monks, and Khai Dinh’s Tomb which is grandiose, yet traditional Vietnamese in design, with a unique European touch. We head into Hue and check in to the Indochine Palace (4T+).

Day 11 Hue
We start our tour of Hue at the Imperial Citadel, modelled on Beijing’s sprawling Forbidden City, from where the Nguyen Dynasty ruled from 1802 to 1945. The French and American wars destroyed a large portion, but UNESCO is assisting with its restoration. We then take a boat trip on the Perfume River to Thien Mu Pagoda. The 21m-tall tower at the centre of the pagoda was constructed to fulfil an old woman’s prophecy of prosperity. Enjoy a stroll through the Dong Ba market, the biggest commercial centre of Thua Thien Hue Province, before lunch at a local restaurant. The rest of the day is at leisure.

Day 12 Hue - Hanoi
Early this morning we transfer to the airport for our flight to Hanoi. We check in to the Lapis Hotel (4T) before we visit Hoa Lo. This huge prison held anti-colonial revolutionaries and prisoners of war in often cramped, inhumane conditions. Our next stop is the Temple of Literature, Vietnam’s first university, constructed in 1070. Later, we drive to Hoan Kiem Lake and take a walking tour of Hanoi’s Old Quarter. This bustling area of narrow streets and alleys is home to thousands of small businesses and shopkeepers.

Day 13 Hanoi - Halong Bay
Travel to Halong Bay, where we board the Indochina Sails (4T). Our overnight cruise begins as we take lunch on board this modern, yet traditional vessel. In the afternoon, enjoy activities or just relax as we sail amongst the thousands of forest-topped pillars that fill the bay. Towards the end of the day the boat sets anchor for the night among these towering karst formations.

Day 14 Halong Bay - Hanoi
Wake early for an unforgettable sunrise, and enjoy breakfast as we cruise slowly back towards port. We disembark and make our way back to the Lapis Hotel (4T) in Hanoi, stopping for lunch en route. The rest of the day is at leisure.

Day 15 Hanoi
Today’s excursion starts at the monumental marble mausoleum of Ho Chi Minh, the historic figure and father of modern Vietnam. We then visit his home from 1954-1969, a simple wooden house; and the One Pillar Pagoda, an important symbol of Hanoi founded by King Ly Thai To in 1049. We continue to West Lake and Tran Quoc, one of the oldest Buddhist pagodas in Hanoi; and the nearby Toaist temple of Quan Thanh, which dates from the Ly Dynasty. If time permits, we also visit the ancient Hanoi Citadel, an intriguing relic with many artefacts dating as far back as the 6th century. Spend the afternoon at leisure, before we finish our day with a Water Puppet Show. This uniquely northern Vietnamese art form depicts scenes from rural life and episodes of national history.

Day 16 Hanoi - In flight
The majority of the day is free before our late evening transfer to Hanoi Airport for a scheduled Vietnam Airlines flight to London, which may touch down in Frankfurt.

Day 17 London
Arrival at London Heathrow Airport where you will be met and guided to your Titan vehicle, for the journey home.