Compare Chopsticks & Coconuts Family Holiday by Exodus Travels vs 10-Day Diverse Vietnam Tour From Hanoi to Halong Bay, Danang, Hoi An, Mekong Delta & Ho Chi Minh city (Saigon)**Bays, Temples & Local Culture** by Tours4Fun

Day 1 Start Hanoi

The day is free to recover from the flight or stroll among broad tree-lined avenues dating from the French period. There is a faded colonial charm to Hanoi, where baguettes and good coffee are sold from doorways of grand buildings from a past era. There will be a welcome briefing with your leader this evening, followed by an optional dinner at a local restaurant, where your children will have their first opportunity to master their chopstick skills. Accommodation: May De Ville Trendy Hotel & Spa (or similar)

Day 2 Morning tour of Hanoi including a cyclo tour around the Old Quarter; afternoon free. Evening at a water puppet show

We take a city tour this morning, which will include a visit to the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum area to see his stilt house and visit the One Pillar Pagoda. We'll also visit the Temple of Literature and the Hoa Lo Prison (also known as the Hanoi Hilton). After, we take a cyclo (bicycle taxi) through the Old Quarter, which is home to the 36 Streets, each named for the products sold on it, such as Silk Street, Gold Street and Paper Street. The remainder of the day is at leisure. We recommend strolling around Hoan Kiem Lake, stopping for a coffee or ice cream at one of the many waterside cafes. In the evening, there is the option to enjoy a water puppet performance, a classic Hanoi experience. Accommodation: May De Ville Trendy Hotel & Spa (or similar)

Day 3 To Ha Long Bay; cruise/kayak among spectacular limestone formations; dinner and sleep on boat

We start early for the approximate four-hour journey to Ha Long Bay, where 3,000 limestone peaks rise from the emerald waters. We cruise among this amazing karst scenery, stopping to kayak (weather permitting) in places inaccessible by the larger boat, before a seafood lunch. In the late afternoon, we watch the sunset and enjoy another lovely meal before a night on the boat in twin-share cabins. Accommodation: Overnight boat

Day 4 Cruise then return to Hanoi; fly to Da Nang; short transfer to Hoi An

We continue to cruise around Ha Long Bay this morning before returning to port. We then drive back to Hanoi, and transfer to the airport for a flight to Da Nang (approximately 1hr 30min). Upon arrival, we take a transfer (approximately 45 minutes) and check into our hotel in Hoi An and relax. Accommodation:  Hoi An Sincerity Hotel & Spa (or similar)

Day 5 Morning walking tour of Hoi An; free afternoon followed by an evening cooking class

After breakfast, we enjoy a walking tour of Hoi An old town; a World Heritage site and the original European trading port in Vietnam. It is now a living museum, with attractive wooden merchant houses and pagoda-style temples with Chinese, Japanese, Vietnamese and European architectural influences. The afternoon is free for you to discover this marvellous place and enjoy the thriving riverside market. In the evening, we join an informal cooking class where adults and children will learn how to make some Hoi An speciality dishes and even create spring rolls. Accommodation: Hoi An Sincerity Hotel & Spa (or similar)

Day 6 Cycle through countryside; free afternoon before taking an overnight train to Nha Trang

This morning, we jump on bikes for a ride on quiet roads through the countryside past markets, schools and villages before continuing to Cua Dai beach (3mi/5km). Please note, we can provide bikes for children who are 3ft 9.5in (1.2m) and taller. The afternoon is dedicated to free time at the beach for swimming, or you can take an optional boat trip on the river or relax back in town. Later this evening, we transfer (approximately 45 minutes) to Da Nang train station, where we board an overnight train to Nha Trang. The group will have use of day rooms at our Hoi An hotel until 6pm, which can be used to freshen up before the overnight train. Accommodation: Overnight train

Day 7 Arrive in Nha Trang; transfer to Whale Island, free time to swim in the turquoise sea

This morning, upon arrival in Nha Trang, we have breakfast and then transfer (approximately three hours) to the tropical retreat of Whale Island. With just one guesthouse on the island and beach bungalow accommodation, this really is a chance to unwind in paradise. Accommodation: Whale Island Resort (or similar)

Day 8 Cruise around islands with seafood lunch and snorkelling

We join a morning boat trip to snorkel and swim before a seafood lunch. In the afternoon, there is the option to visit a local fishing village, see the whale temple, or walk around the island to a viewpoint for a 360-degree panorama of the mountainous coastline, surrounding coves and white-sand beaches. Accommodation: Whale Island Resort (or similar)

Day 9 Fly to Ho Chi Minh City

We may have time for one last sea swim (depending on flight schedules) before transferring to the airport for our flight to Ho Chi Minh City, previously known as Saigon. This is an exciting and absorbing metropolis, where scooters rule the streets and old temples stand alongside modern developments. Accommodation: Huong Sen Hotel (or similar)

Day 10 Excursion to the Cu Chi tunnels; afternoon tour of Ho Chi Minh City with visits to Reunification Palace and Ben Thanh market

We visit the Cu Chi tunnels in the morning, which were used by the Viet Cong as living quarters and escape routes during the Vietnam War. Originally very narrow, some parts have been widened for tourists, allowing us to explore some of the extensive system. People with claustrophobia may prefer to stay outside in the sunshine before we return to Ho Chi Minh City. In the afternoon, we wander around the city visiting the Saigon River, Ben Thanh market, Reunification Hall and Notre Dame Cathedral. Accommodation: Huong Sen Hotel (or similar)

Day 11 Explore the Mekong Delta by boat, visiting a floating market and villages; overnight in homestay guesthouse

This morning, we drive to Cai Be in the Mekong Delta (approximately 2hr 30min). The Mekong, known as the Rice Bowl of Vietnam, produces much of the fruit, sugarcane and coconuts in Vietnam. We spend time at Cai Be, where we begin a Mekong River boat trip passing a floating market and visiting typical riverside villages, where we learn about some of the local products, including popped rice, rice paper and coconut candy. Cai Be floating market is now less crowded and smaller; however, this is still a great opportunity to see local trade in action. We continue our journey after lunch, passing magnificent countryside and stopping at cottage industries. The evening is tranquil as we have dinner on an island and enjoy Delta hospitality. We spend the night sleeping at a simple guesthouse built in the style of a local house. Bedding, a mosquito net and a small towel are provided. Accommodation: Homestay

Day 12 Morning walk through orchards and traditional sampan ride; return to Ho Chi Minh City

This morning, we walk through orchards and navigate small canals in a traditional wooden sampan. Later, we rejoin our boat to rendezvous with our vehicle for the journey back to Ho Chi Minh City via a little-visited Cao Dai temple used by devotees of this indigenous religion, which fuses all the great religions of east and west. Accommodation: Huong Sen Hotel (or similar)

Day 13 Free day in Ho Chi Minh City or optional visit to Dam Sen Water Park

Today is a free day to explore Ho Chi Minh City at leisure or do some souvenir shopping. Alternatively, there is the option (additional cost, payable locally) to visit the excellent Dam Sen Water Park, which has slides and rides. Your leader will advise further during the trip for those who wish to do this optional activity. Accommodation: Huong Sen Hotel (or similar)

Day 14 End Ho Chi Minh City

This family adventure draws to a close after breakfast. However, if you’d like a little more time to explore this buzzing city, speak to your sales representative about extending your stay.

Day 1 Hanoi Arrival

Upon arrival in Hanoi, Vietnam's capital, we will pick you up at the airport and head to downtown for check in hotel.

Day 2 Halong Bay Cruise

07.45 – 08.15 approx - Our guide will meet you at your hotel. The shuttle bus or private car pick up - Enjoy the peaceful scenery as we travel through the countryside, farmlands and Red River delta - Get your camera ready to take photos. Comfort break. The time from Hanoi to Halong bay is approximately 3 ½ hours. 12 – 12.30 approx - Arriving Tuan Chau marina. Welcome aboard the cruise. Refresh with our welcome drink. Meet the captain, crew in the cruise briefing - Check into your cabin. Time to refresh and unwind - Set sail as lunch is served - Join us for a typical local lunch in the dining room or at the outdoor dining area. Mingling yourself in the stunning views of the Bay and it’s dramatic limestone islets as we sail through the calm emerald waters heading to Maze cave Afternoon - Arrive at Amazing cave (hang Sửng Sốt), explore the cave and find out how the cave was named Amazing. - Reach to the peak point of the cave for a breath taking panoramic view of the bay - Back to the boat, our cruise will take you to a stunning tranquilizing isolated lagoon for swimming or just simply relaxing on the boat with our spa service and mingle in the picturesque seascape. - Heading back toward the sleeping area Early evening - Summit on the sundeck watching the sunset, enjoy our pre-dinner local wine appetizer. It’s ideal time to make acquaintance with new friends, sharing your traveling experience or simply watching the sunset - An authentic Vietnamese menu is served - After dinner, reward yourself with a large selection of cocktails at our bar, or take for you one of our onboard activities: book reading, games, movies, and squid fishing…

Day 3 Halong Bay - Hanoi

06:30 For the early risers join us for a Tai Chi session on the sundeck. Tai chi helps focus the mind and condition the body, joining Tai Chi session to full charge your energy for the day. 07:00 – 08:00 Local breakfast is served 08:00 - Our guide will brief you information and the highlights about this fascinating floating village and its local community - Take your option either exploring the village yourself on kayak or comfortably capture the daily life of the fishermen on bamboo boat rowed by the locals. 09:00 Check out the cabins, at your leisure while our cruise taking you pass by other beautiful highlights in the bay. 10:00 You will join with our short class of Cooking demonstration, how to make spring rolls before an early lunch is served. 12:00 Return to the shore and disembark from the cruise as our crew say farewell. Transfer to minibus or private and return to Hanoi. Arrival back at your hotel approximately 4:30 Overnight in Ha Noi.

Day 4 Hanoi City Tour - Night Train to Danang

At 8.00am, we’ll pick you up from your hotel take you to visit the Ho Chi Minh Complex, which includes Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum – the final resting place of the beloved national hero, Uncle Ho – and President Ho Chi Minh’s stilt house where he lived off and on from 1958 to 1969. 9.30: You’ll visit the One Pillar Pagoda, which is actually a group of structures that collectively make up a pagoda built over the water in the middle of a square lake. After that, you’ll have a chance to explore the Tran Quoc Pagoda on the shore of west lake. From there, it’s onto the Temple of literature, which was Viet nam’s first university and is dedicated to Confucius. 12.30: You have lunch at the restaurant in the Old Quarter. Afterwards, you’ll visit Hoan Kiem Lake - the heart and soul of Hanoi. You'll stop in at Museum of Ethnology. This superb museum showcases the depth of Vietnamese cultural diversity with an astounding collection of 15,000 artifacts gathered from throughout Vietnam. Maps, displays and dioramas are labelled in Vietnamese, French and English. Displays portray a typical village market, the making of comical hats and a Tay shamanic ceremony; videos show the real thing. You can also check out a traditional Black Thai house reconstructed in the museum. There's also a centre for research and conservation where scientists from all over the world study traditional Vietnamese cultures. 15.30 - 16.00: Take the car come back your hotel. Free time in the afternoon until 06:30PM 06:30PM: Private car pick up to train station, take train to Da Nang.

Day 5 Danang - Hoi An

11:30PM: Arrival Da Nang train station, transfer to Hoi An Town. You are free to discover the ancient town: Japanese Bridge, lantern road, traditional tailor shop, and more! Make sure to watch sunset at Cua Dai beach.

Day 6 My Son

At 8:30 the bus and guide pick up at your hotel. Depart for My Son - located in a lush valley, My Son was a capital and religious center of Cham people, now remaining with redbrick towers and sanctuaries. My Son, considered in the same league as some of Southeast Asia's greatest archaeological sites, including Angkor in Cambodia, Bagan in Myanmar, Ayutthaya in Thailand and Borobudur in Indonesia. These towers and sanctuaries were built from the 7 to 13centuries. Upon arrival, spend 2 hours in My Son, enjoy the Champa dance performance and visit the old beauty and stunning structures of the Cham monority Kingdom six centuries ago. Afternoon: Then leave My Son for Can Cau boat station. Take a motorized boat excursion to visit Kim Bong Village. Have an introduction walk during which the guide will explain the story of Kim Bong Village. Throughout the walk you will have the possibility to admire the shipbuilding area where wooden fishing vessels are built using traditional techniques. You will also make a stop in the carpentry workshop where carpenters create hand crafted furniture and sculptures as well as a range of souvenirs. Embark on the boat for back to the port.

Day 7 Danang - Ho Chi Minh City Flight

After breakfast, you are free until your airport transfer for your flight to Ho Chi Minh City. Upon arrival we'll transfer you to the hotel.

Day 8 Mekong Delta Tour

Get a chance to taste the real Vietnam and let the splendid views cover your senses. This trip allows you to visit the local factories and see how local products are made. Also, you will meet the friendly local people and have a lot of wonderful experiences on land and at the river while see the floating market and fish farm. Let's discover a hard-working land with traditional people, which will give you more appreciation on life! At 7:30am our tour guide will transfer you to the city of My Tho by bus. During 1.5 hours bus drive to My Tho join activities of local people and enjoy nice scenery of green rice paddy fields. We visit Vinh Trang pagoda - biggest pagoda in Mekong delta. Continue going to My Tho, where we take a boat trip along Mekong River. During a boat cruise along Mekong River, you can see fish cages, floating houses on the river. The boat take you to small canal, where is the place you totally escape from the busy town. The boat cruise in the coconut trees canal takes you to a coconut island in Ben Tre. We disembark and have a walk around the village. Stop at a local family to enjoy tropical fruit, taste honey tea, honey wine and listen to Vietnamese traditional music, performed by the villagers. Continue walking on the village’s road to a coconut candy shop where you'll learn how to make candy and see hand crafted items made from coconut trees. Take a walk through village and discover various fruits, flowers, trees, and local houses Then, we'll head to the local restaurant and enjoy local Vietnamese food by the tree shade. After lunch enjoy a half an hour to walk or bike around the village. Lastly travel by ferry back to the bus and return to Saigon at around 4:30pm.

Day 9 Cu Chi Tunnels Tour

At 8:30am we'll depart from Ho Chi Minh City to Cu Chi Tunnels for a 60km drive. Cu Chi is known as the military base of Vietnamese soldiers during the Vietnam War resistance the US forces. The peacefully rural rice paddy scenery contains ducks and water buffaloes swimming in the rivers along the side of road. You will find it hard to imagine the destruction, damage and defoliation all over the area, caused by bombing and mines, when Cu Chi was "A Free Target Zone ". You'll see the remnants of this at Cu Chi, displaying the evidence of the fierce battleground that took place here. Ever wonder what it feels like to fire an AK-47? Visit Cu chi tunnels, you have a chance to find out!

Day 10 Ho Chi Minh City Departure

Have breakfast at hotel and relax until it is time to transfer to the airport.