Vietnam Family Adventure: Northern Vietnam Holiday & Vacation Itinerary in 10 Days

Upon arrival at Noi Bai International Airport, Sonasia’s guide & driver will pick you up and transfer directly to the hotel in the old quarter of Hanoi.

Vietnam's capital races to make up for time lost to the ravages of war and a government that as recently as the 1990s kept the outside world at bay. Its streets surge with scooters vying for right of way amid the din of constantly blaring horns, and all-around layers of history reveal periods of French and Chinese occupation – offering a glimpse into the resilience of ambitious, proud Hanoians.

This morning, embark on a Hanoi city tour. The first stop is the Temple of Literature, or Quoc Tu Giam. Built in 1076, The Temple of Literature was Vietnam's first university and was established within a temple to educate Vietnam's royalty, mandarins and members of the elite. The university functioned for an incredible 700 years and its gardens and well-preserved architecture offer a fascinating glimpse into Vietnam’s past. Then meander through the bustling Old Quarters. View the local kids’ toy world in the Old Quarter and explore the daily life activities around the Restored Sword lake.

Welcome Vietnamese lunch is at Cau Go restaurant with the best view in town.

This afternoon, get ready for an immersive, behind-the-scenes experience in Hanoi. Step into the home of Mr. Liem, a passionate seventh-generation puppet maker and performer. Get an introduction to water puppetry, a traditional North Vietnam art form that dates back to the 11th century. Take a tour of Mr. Liem’s workshop where shelf after shelf is lined with wooden puppet parts in all shares and sizes.

Be entertained by a half-hour performance at a small theatre in his house. Learn about the folklore and legends presented in the show and the significance of the performance itself. After the show, join the puppeteers and learn basic techniques, using bamboo rods to move the puppets through the water. Then return to the workshop and paint a puppet. Use a range of typical bright and shiny colors to create a one-of-a-kind puppet, all the while learning more about this local art form.
Following this insightful glimpse into one of Vietnam’s most beloved art forms, say farewell to Mr. Liem and return to the hotel.

Overnight in Hanoi

Today’s tour begins at 08:30. After a sumptuous breakfast, drive 30 minutes to the ancient village of Bat Trang, a traditional porcelain and pottery community. Start exploring the old charms of the pottery village by walking through ancient and narrow alleys while admiring the unique architecture. Step into a local house and learn the intricate steps involved in making ceramic works of art from skillful craftsmen. Next, sleeves will be rolled up and hands sunk into soft clay while creating pottery using the time-tested techniques of the local craftsmen.

Afterwards, venture deeper into the village to discover a house where locals worship their ancestors. Here, a local elder explains the unique aspects of Vietnamese culture and its spiritual beliefs.

Continue the trip by learning all about banh cuon or rice pancakes, a dish of northern Vietnam. Pay close attention to the master chef as he explains the art of creating this local specialty, and typically rewards visitors who are able to prepare the best banh cuon. After this fun and rewarding experience, sit down and enjoy a tasty self-made lunch of local specialties.

The trip concludes with a tour of the ceramic market that really puts the influences of Vietnam’s growing economy into perspective. Expected return to the hotel is around mid-afternoon.

You have free time to stroll around the city before taking the transfer to the train station for a night train to Lao Cai. Stay overnight on train (04 pax per cabin)

This morning, you arrive at Lao Cai station. A private bus will pick you up and transfer to Sapa. Sapa is notable as a hill resort, a market town for timber and love trade and known as the "queen of mountains". On arrival, enjoy a delicious breakfast at a local restaurant.

Then start a day walking tour to visit Lao Chai & Ta Van Village, Silver Waterfall and Heaven Gate. Rest of the day is free for you to relax in the hotel and discover the lovely small town.

Stay overnight in Sapa.

Today, we would like to suggest you visit one of the most colorful markets in Lao Cai:

• Sunday Bac Ha market
• Tuesday Coc Ly market
• Wednesday Cao Son market
• Thursday Lung Khau Nhin market
• Saturday Can Cau market

These markets are only held one day per week so every people from different hill tribes try to go there to meet friends and exchange their goods.

Transfer to Lao Cai to catch a shuttle bus to Hanoi.

Up on arrival in Hanoi, you will check in your hotel and relax.

Overnight in Hanoi

After breakfast, our guide and driver will transfer you directly to Ninh Binh, which will take about 1.5 hours.

Arrive around 10:00AM, board a sampan boat rowed by a local for about 1.5 hours.  Known as “Halong Bay on land”, the boat trip is a nice journey along the river with the peaceful scenery of limestone mountains, rice paddy if traveling during harvest season.

After that, enjoy delicious lunch served at the bungalow’s restaurant with Vietnamese cuisine.

In the afternoon, visit a local family in Tam Coc. They are a traditional Vietnamese family with three generations living together. Here you will get the chance to see the house architecture and their daily life and their handicraft job of making traditional embroidery.

You have ample time to relax or stroll around the village before having dinner with Vietnamese cuisine while sharing the experience you have during the day with the host family, then stay overnight at the bungalow.

After breakfast at the Bungalow, take a bike to Mua Cave, which is one of the most alluring places to view in Ninh Binh.

Hiking up to the peak of Ngoa Long Mountain to take your amazing views of the Tam Coc, Ninh Binh area.

In the afternoon, you will continue the ride to explore the rice fields and limestone mountains with a unique route.

Continue the tour and board a small sampan to visit Thung Nham bird park, discover the most features of this area with more than 50.000 birds of 40 species flying to inhabit every day.

Departure to Hoa Lu, the ancient capital of Vietnam in the 10th century, visit the temple of King Dinh. Under the introduction of our local guide, you will get to know more about the Vietnamese history.

Before the dust falls, cycling back to the host family for free time relax with afternoon tea break.

Overnight at the bungalow.

Leave Ninh Binh after breakfast for a 3.5-hour transfer to Hai Phong City with a 15-minutes stop on the way. 

Arrive at Got Pier towards noon then proceed with check-in formalities. Welcome aboard, followed by lunch while cruising towards the bay. Spend the afternoon enjoying some visits and/or activities (depending on each boat’s itinerary) or relaxing onboard with panoramic views of the karst limestone formation. Complete the evening with dinner served onboard.

Overnight on Lan Ha Bay.

Wake up to the fresh morning amidst the bay and have breakfast (brunch on some boats) while leisurely immersing in the serene setting of the spectacular rock formations. Proceed to checkout as the cruise arrives towards port.  Disembark and transfer back to Hanoi.

You are free to stroll around the town for your own exploration before taking the departure flight