Tour overview

This 9-day family adventure packs the highlights of northern and central Vietnam into a fun, active week and a bit, designed for families with children aged 10 and over and especially teenagers. Groups have between 2 and 16 travellers, with a local leader who knows how to keep everyone engaged. You stay eight nights: six in comfortable twin-share hotels, including a hot spring retreat in Mai Chau, one aboard a traditional junk in Ha Long Bay and one on an overnight train from Hanoi to Danang. Most breakfasts and several lunches and dinners are included, with plenty of chances to try pho, banh mi and fresh spring rolls.

The adventure begins in Hanoi, Vietnam's capital, famous for its motorbike-filled streets and lakes. Together you explore the city by local bus, with visits to its historic sights and food stops along the way. A private bus then takes you into the green hills of Luong Son and on to Mai Chau, where you stay at an onsen retreat, with hot spring pools to soak in after a day exploring the valley's rice paddies and stilt-house villages.

Read more

In Ninh Binh, a landscape of limestone karsts and rice fields sometimes called Ha Long Bay on land, you spend the day exploring villages and countryside, much of it by bike. Then it is time to see Ha Long Bay itself, boarding a traditional junk to cruise among thousands of limestone islands and spending the night on board, with the chance to watch the sunrise over the bay.

Back in Hanoi, you board an overnight train to Danang, a fun experience for families, and transfer to Hoi An, a UNESCO-listed trading port of lantern-lit streets, tailors and riverside cafés. A guided orientation walk introduces the old town, and there is time to explore, swim or ride bikes before the trip ends.

The physical rating is medium, with cycling and walking in warm weather. This holiday suits active families who want to share an adventure, with a leader handling every detail. Teenagers in particular enjoy the mix of bikes, boats and trains, and there is time each day for families to relax together. Departures run throughout the year, including school holidays.

Trip highlights

  • Hanoi by local bus (Day 2)
  • An onsen retreat in Mai Chau (Day 3)
  • Cycling in Ninh Binh (Day 4)
  • A night on a junk in Ha Long Bay (Day 5)
  • An overnight train to Danang (Day 6)
  • Lantern-lit Hoi An (Days 7–8)

Your route

6 stops from Hanoi to Hoi An

9-day route: Hanoi – Mai Chau – Ninh Binh – Ha Long Bay – Hanoi – Danang – Hoi An
  1. Hanoi Days 1–2 & 6
  2. Mai Chau Day 3
  3. Ninh Binh Day 4
  4. Halong Bay Day 5
  5. Da Nang Day 7
  6. Hoi An Days 7–9

Why choose this tour

Vietnam's highlights in a short, active trip designed for families. Boat, bike and train adventures that teenagers love.

Best suited to

  • Families with teenagers
  • Families with children aged 10 and over
  • Active families
  • First-time visitors to Asia
Lantern-lit boats on the river in Hoi An

Day-by-day itinerary

9 days from Hanoi, Vietnam to Hoi An, Vietnam

  1. Day 1 · Hanoi Arrive in Hanoi

    Arrive and meet the group.

    Hotel
    La Santé Hotel or similar
  2. Day 2 · Hanoi Hanoi

    Explore the capital by local bus.

    Hotel
    La Santé Hotel or similar
    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch
  3. Day 3 · Luong Son, Mai Chau Mai Chau

    Travel into the hills to a hot spring retreat.

    Hotel
    Mai Chau Onsen Retreat
    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  4. Day 4 · Ninh Binh Ninh Binh

    Explore villages and countryside by bike.

    Hotel
    Thuy Anh Hotel or similar
    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  5. Day 5 · Ha Long Bay Ha Long Bay

    Cruise the bay and spend the night on board.

    Hotel
    Traditional junk
    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  6. Day 6 · Ha Long Bay, Hanoi Back to Hanoi

    Sunrise on the bay, then the night train south.

    Hotel
    Overnight train
    Meals
    Breakfast
  7. Day 7 · Danang, Hoi An Hoi An

    Arrive in Danang and transfer to Hoi An.

    Hotel
    Sunshine Hotel Hoi An or similar
  8. Day 8 · Hoi An Hoi An

    A guided walk and free time.

    Hotel
    Sunshine Hotel Hoi An or similar
    Meals
    Breakfast
  9. Day 9 · Hoi An Trip ends

    The trip ends after breakfast.

    Meals
    Breakfast
Sunset over rice fields and karsts in Ninh Binh

Where you stay

  • Hanoi (2 nights) La Santé Hotel or similar
  • Mai Chau (1 night) Mai Chau Onsen Retreat
  • Ninh Binh (1 night) Thuy Anh Hotel or similar
  • Ha Long Bay (1 night) Traditional junk
  • Hanoi to Danang (1 night) Overnight train
  • Hoi An (2 nights) Sunshine Hotel Hoi An or similar

Hotel names are indicative and may be replaced with a property of similar standard and location.

What's included

Included

  • Accommodation 6 nights in hotels, 1 on a junk and 1 on an overnight train
  • Meals 7 breakfasts, 4 lunches and 3 dinners
  • Most breakfasts, several lunches and dinners
  • Private bus, local bus, bikes and the overnight train
  • Hanoi sightseeing
  • Ninh Binh countryside by bike
  • Ha Long Bay overnight cruise
  • Hoi An orientation walk
  • Local leader throughout

Not included

  • International flights
  • Vietnam visa
  • Meals not included 1 breakfast, 3 lunches and 5 dinners
  • Tips, travel insurance and personal spending
A street corner in Hanoi old quarter

This trip might not be for you if…

Honest disclaimer — please read

  • You have children under 10 — the minimum age is 10
  • You want a private tour — this is a group trip
  • You want a beach holiday — this is a touring trip
  • You want international flights included — they are not

Good to know

Meals by day Breakfast: Days 2–6 and 8–9 · Lunch: Days 2–5 · Dinner: Days 3–5
FCDO advice UK FCDO travel advice for Vietnam
Terraced rice fields in northern Vietnam

In pictures

Departures & prices

From £895 per person, twin share, tour only. 123 upcoming departures.

Frequently asked questions

How do I book this tour?

Tap any "Enquire" button on the page and one of our travel specialists will be in touch within 24 hours (often same day). We'll confirm availability on your preferred date, run through anything you need to know, and only ask for the deposit once you've decided.

What financial protection do I get?

Every Travelisto booking is 100% financially protected. Your money is held in a ring-fenced Trust account until you return from your trip, and we are members of the Protected Trust Services scheme (PTS 6035). Most tours also include ATOL protection where flights are part of the package.

What age is this trip for?

Families with children aged 10 and over, especially teenagers.

How much cycling is there?

Gentle rides through the countryside around Ninh Binh, suitable for families.

What is the overnight train like?

Sleeper cabins with bunks, shared between family members where possible.

Do I need a visa?

UK visitors need an e-visa for Vietnam, applied for online.

Which airport do I fly home from?

Danang, around 45 minutes from Hoi An.

How many people travel together?

Between 2 and 16 travellers, with a local leader.

Can you tailor the trip?

Yes — every escorted tour can be modified into a private tailor-made version with your own dates, adjusted pace, upgraded hotels and add-on extensions. Tell us what you'd like changed when you enquire and we'll quote it both ways so you can compare.

What if my flight is delayed or cancelled?

If your international flight is part of your booking through us, we re-book at no cost. If you've booked flights separately, the tour's local team holds your transfer slot until you arrive. We strongly recommend a comprehensive travel insurance policy that includes delay and cancellation cover.

ATOL protected 100% financially protected in a Trust bank account PTS 6035 4.7 on Trustpilot
Tailor-made option

Not quite the right fit? Make it tailor-made.

If this group tour doesn't match your ideal trip, our specialists will turn it into a private tailor-made journey — your own dates, your own pace, upgraded hotels where you want them, and the parts you don't love swapped out. Same destinations, just rebuilt around you.

Contact us for a tailor-made version of this itinerary

Similar routes

10 days · 387 departure dates

Vietnam South to North: Mekong, Hoi An, Hue & Ha Long Bay – 10 Days

From £872
15 days · 376 departure dates

Classic Vietnam: Saigon to Hanoi & Ha Long Bay – 15 Days

From £1,737
12 days · 88 departure dates

Vietnam Real Food Adventure: Hanoi to Saigon – 12 Days

From £1,137
2 days · 429 departure dates

Halong Bay Overnight Junk Cruise from Hanoi – 2 Days

From £193

More tours in Vietnam

9 days · 18 departure dates

Luxury Vietnam: Hanoi, the Northern Highlands & Hoi An – 9 Days

On offer · save up to 20% From £3,372
20 days · 14 departure dates

Vietnam, China & Laos Adventure: Sapa to Bangkok – 20 Days

From £3,400
22 days · 141 departure dates

South East Asia Uncovered: Bangkok to Saigon via Laos – 22 Days

From £2,673
30 days · 134 departure dates

South East Asia Loop: Thailand, Laos, Vietnam & Cambodia – 30 Days

From £3,771
19 days · 96 departure dates

Thailand & Vietnam: Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Ha Long & Saigon – 19 Days

From £5,025
18 days · 36 departure dates

Vietnam Panorama with Flights: Saigon to Halong Bay – 18 Days

Flights included From £3,490 incl. flights

Combine with

Tours in neighbouring countries.

10 days · 15 departure dates

Best of Northern Thailand: Chiang Mai to Bangkok – 10 Days

From £970
18 days · 21 departure dates

Singapore to Bangkok by Rail: Malaysia & Southern Thailand – 18 Days

Flights included From £6,390 incl. flights
25 days · 22 departure dates

China to Singapore by Train: Laos, Thailand & Malaysia – 25 Days

From £4,065
29 days · 130 departure dates

Southeast Asia Adventure: Bangkok to Angkor Wat – 29 Days

From £3,416

Explore more

From £895
See dates & prices