Indochina Family Adventure

Xin chao! Welcome to Vietnam.

Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 6pm on Day 1.

You can arrive at any time as there are no activities planned until this important meeting; please ask the hotel reception where it will take place. If you can't arrange a flight that will arrive in time, you may wish to arrive a day early so you're able to attend. We'll be happy to book additional accommodation for you (subject to availability). If you're going to be late, please inform the hotel reception. We'll be collecting your insurance details and next of kin information at this meeting, so please ensure you have all these details to provide to your leader.

An arrival transfer is included on this trip. Please confirm your transfer by providing your flight details at least 15 days prior to your arrival and you'll be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel.

The capital of Vietnam is a charming city with a population of around four million. Hanoi is famous for its beautiful lakes, shaded boulevards, verdant public parks and its thriving old town centre, which is an architectural museum piece with blocks of ochre buildings retaining the air of a 1930s provincial French town. As Vietnam develops to compete with other South-East Asian countries, the beautiful Hoan Kiem Lake reflects the contrasts of modern office buildings, old Buddhist temples and the tangle of ancient streets in its still surface.

If you arrive early, why not get your first taste of Vietnam exploring the lovely, laidback capital. You can stroll the tree-lined boulevards to get a sense of the old days, wander the Old Quarter to uncover ancient temples and a rich, religious culture or head to the Temple of Literature, an oasis of calm right at the heart of Hanoi.

Enjoy a tasty breakfast with our long time friends at KOTO restaurant - a organisation that is supporting street kids with a career in the hospitality industry.

Take a cyclo tour through the ancient '39 streets' to discover an amazing selection of shops selling everything from souvenirs to exquisite silk clothing, beautifully embroidered tablecloths and CDs. Then take in a performance of the famous water puppet theater.

Included Activities

• Complimentary arrival transfer
• Breakfast at KOTO restaurant
• Cyclo tour
• Water puppet show
  Optional Activities
  • Ho Chi Minh's Mausoleum and Museum, Hanoi - VND50000.00
  • Fine Arts Museum, Hanoi - VND20000.00
  • Women's Museum, Hanoi - VND30000.00
  • Army Museum, Hanoi - VND20000.00
  • Temple of Literature, Hanoi - VND10000.00
  • Hoa Lo 'Hanoi Hilton' Prison, Hanoi - VND15000.00
  • Museum of Ethnology, Hanoi - VND25000.00

Travel by private minibus to the spectacular World Heritage site of Halong Bay (approx 4 hrs).

Board our private boat and cruise among the dramatic limestone peaks. There's an opportunity to swim in the famed South China Sea, as well as to explore caves filled with stunning stalactites and stalagmites. Spend a peaceful night on board, beneath a night sky alive with stars. Our sailing junk has twin-share cabins that have air-conditioning and private facilities. There's also a dining room and bar where we enjoy a sumptuous lunch and dinner.

BOAT SHORTAGE:
Due to recent unforeseen late changes by local authorities in Halong Bay a large proportion of boats are now no longer permitted to stay overnight, thus resulting in a shortage of boats. To ensure we can accommodate all Intrepid travellers overnight on a boat we are occasionally using a larger boat (approx. 12 cabins) and splitting our groups across different boats. An Intrepid group leader will be present on each boat, and the route taken and inclusions on board will remain the same.

Take a bus back to Hanoi (approx 3.5 hrs).

Board an overnight train to Da Nang. Although conditions are basic, overnight trains are a true Intrepid experience and the best way to travel long distances with the locals. Sleeper trains typically have four berth compartments (occasionally six berth depending on seasonal variations), which have bench seats that convert into sleeping bunks. A sheet, pillow and blanket are provided, although some travellers prefer to bring their own sleeping sheet. On occasion, passengers of different genders will be required to share a compartment and there will be occasions where you'll be sharing with local travellers or travellers who are not part of your group. Most trains have a dining carriage serving simple food, but some travellers take the opportunity to stock up on fresh bread, cheese and fruit prior to departure.

Included Activities

• Overnight boat cruise

Arrive in Danang and travel by minibus to Hoi An (approx 1 hr).

Recently declared a World Heritage site, Hoi An is being beautifully 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 Hoi An look exactly as they did more than a century ago and it retains the feel of centuries past, making it the sort of place that grows on you the more you explore it.

It's also a shopping mecca - with much to browse and buy. Choose from original paintings, handcraft woodwork, ceramics, embroidery, lanterns and more. Hoi An has also become famous for its tailoring - with a great variety of fabrics and tailors to choose from. Bring your favourite piece of clothing or even just a picture, and you'll be able to have it copied.

Your leader will take you on a walk around the Ancient Town. Visit the Children's Hope in Action Centre for information about the project and perhaps some interaction with local kids. CHIA is a community-based project supported by The Intrepid Foundation.

Make sure to experience one of the true highlights of Vietnam - the food. 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 this fresh cuisine.

Included Activities

• Ancient Town
• Children Hope in Action visit
  Optional Activities
  • My Son Cham Ruins including car transport & guide, Hoi An - VND800000.00
  • Thu Bon River boat trip, Hoi An - VND100000.00
  • Cooking course, Hoi An - VND125000.00
  • Bike hire (1 day), Hoi An - VND20000.00

Take a short flight to the economic hub of Ho Chi Minh City (approx 1 hr).

Formerly known as Saigon, Ho Chi Minh City is characterised by a vast array of sights and sounds; a fascinating blend of old and new, East and West. The huge number of people rushing about their daily lives in Vietnam's largest city gives it a dynamic atmosphere and the French influence is evident in the excellent baguettes and coffee on offer. Much of the city's life takes place on the busy streets lined with shops, stalls and vendors with their wares spread out on the footpath, selling everything from soup to sophisticated electronics.

Experience the hustle and bustle of old Saigon in cyclos (bicycle rickshaws) and explore some of the city's more interesting sights, including the War Remnants Museum.

Take a break from the heat and traffic of this bustling city and head to the Dam Sen Water Park.

Included Activities

• Dam Sen Water Park
  Optional Activities
  • Cyclo tour, Ho Chi Minh City - VND60000.00
  • Reunification Palace, Ho Chi Minh City - VND30000.00

Take a flight to Phnom Penh.

Phnom Penh, Cambodia's capital, is set on a major junction of the Mekong and Tonle Sap rivers and boasts some fine examples of French-inspired architecture.

A Mekong River boat cruise gives us a different view of Phnom Penh - it's a chance to check out the colourful river traffic as well as the vibrant life along the banks.

If you're in the mood for shopping, stop in at the art deco-designed Psar Thmei (Central Market) which is a great place for browsing, or travel out to Psar Tuol Tom Pong (the Russian Market) for the best range of local souvenirs.

Included Activities

• River cruise
  Optional Activities
  • Royal Palace & Silver Pagoda, Phnom Penh - USD6.25

Take a short flight from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap (approx 1 hr).

The small but expanding town of Siem Reap is the gateway to Angkor. It's markets are a great place to shop or to try some cheap, delicious street food.

Temple-hop with our local guide to make the most of our visit to the world-famous Angkor complex. These temples were built between the 9th and 13th centuries when the Khmer empire was the pre-eminent influence in South-East Asia. The temples were believed to represent the cosmic world and were set in perfect balance, symmetry and composition. The intricately carved bas-reliefs and architectural designs are mind-blowing and there are spectacular photographic opportunities at any time of day - watching a sunrise or sunset is a must. The ruins are scattered over an area of some 160 sq km, but the main cluster of temples is close to Siem Reap so we'll have plenty of time to fully appreciate the great archaeological sites of Angkor Wat, the Bayon and the jungle-covered Ta Prohm.

There are no activities planned for the final day and you are able to depart our accommodation at any time. Please check the 'Finishing Point Hotel' section for checkout times and luggage storage possibilities.

Included Activities

• 3-Day Angkor Pass
  Optional Activities
  • Landmine Museum, Siem Reap - USD3.00