SHORTLIST

Vietnam Family Holiday with Teenagers

Get active with your teens through beautiful Northern Vietnam. With long, gorgeous bike rides, guided walking tours, kayaking expeditions and a night on a traditional boat in Ha Long Bay, this trip is bound to get the blood pumping (and the family bonding). Starting in Hanoi, you’ll cycle through the city, sit down to lunch at a social enterprise focusing on disadvantaged youth and explore the delicious local cuisine. Savour the fresh air in the countryside on a two-day ride from Luong Song to stunning Ninh Binh, cruise the waters of Vietnam’s favourite UNESCO-listed bay by kayak and explore Hoi An’s Old Town and its surroundings by bike and foot.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

1. These trips are for adults and children travelling together and there must be at least one child under 18 with you.
2. Minimum age: 10 years old. Please note that anyone aged under 18 must be accompanied by (and share accommodation with) a parent or legal guardian.
3. A discount of 10% applies on this trip to children 17 or younger at the time of travel.
4. Please provide your full name exactly as per passport at the time of booking (including any middle names listed on your passport), for overnight train tickets. Ticketing fees may apply for amendments to details within 45 days of departure, and in some cases you will be required to cover the cost of issuing a new ticket.
5. Two single supplements are available to book on this trip if you'd prefer your own room. A hotel single supplement will cover the 5 nights spent in Hotels in Hanoi, Hoi An and Ninh Binh. The other single supplement available to book will cover the Overnight train (Day 6) if you prefer your family to have a private cabin (cabin fits 4 people). Note Day 3 (Homestay) will be shared accommodation and Day 5 (Halong Bay) is excluded from the single supplements due to limited capacity on the boat. Please speak to your booking agent for further information.
6.This trip starts with a welcome meeting at 5 pm on Day 1 in Hanoi. This trip ends on Day 9 and you are free to leave at any time.
7. Tet is Vietnam's New Year festival, held annually in late January or early February based on the lunar calendar. While this can be a fascinating time to travel and experience this event, expect some shop closures and busier than usual local transport. Opening hours at some tourist sites may also be affected or closed. Although we make all reasonable efforts to avoid disruption, a flexible approach from the traveler is appreciated.
8. During the rainy months (approx. June to October), our mode of transport can be changed at short notice due to weather conditions.

Tour details
Tour Provider Intrepid Travel
Price From
$1,798
Number of Days
9
Start Location
Hanoi, Vietnam
End Location
Hoi An, Vietnam
Age Range
Avg. 30+
Group Size
2 to 16
Tour Style
Standard
Tour Themes
Family
Physical Rating
Moderate
Itinerary Open all
Day 1: Hanoi
Xin chao! Welcome to Vietnam. Your adventure begins in Hanoi – the capital city, famous for its Old Quarter and 36 shopping streets – with a welcome meeting at 5 pm tonight at your hotel. If you arrive early, maybe stroll the tree-lined boulevards, hang out by Hoan Kiem Lake, see the ancient temples grab a Bahn mi with the family. This city is full of rich culture, fun shopping opportunities and delicious local cafes, so there’s plenty to keep you occupied.
Day 2: Hanoi
This morning, you and the family will head out to explore Hanoi. Jump on the bus and visit the Museum of Ethnology and the Temple of Literature. Soak up some of the local history, then head to KOTO for lunch – KOTO stands for 'Know One, Teach One' and the restaurant is an organisation supported by The Intrepid Foundation, training disadvantaged young people in the hospitality industry. After lunch, swap the four wheels for two and head out on a cycling tour around the West Lake. Tonight, you’re free to grab the kids and head out for a chilled dinner – maybe grab a bowl of pho from one of the streetside cafes?
Day 3: Mai Chau
After a hearty breakfast, jump on your private bus for the journey to Luong Son – a region in the country's northwest, this city is the starting point for your cycling adventure through Vietnam's picturesque countryside. After Hanoi's hustle and bustle, this area's fresh country air and relative lack of traffic will be a treat for the senses. You’ll ride to Mai Chau – home to a variety of minority groups with their own unique cultures and languages and your homestay accommodation for the night. Visit a social enterprise that’s centred around preserving and celebrating the traditional crafts of the Thai minority groups who settled in northwest Vietnam. Then, join some local women to learn about their crafts and how to make an embroidery pattern or dye cloth.
Day 4: Ninh Binh
Today is dedicated to exploring the villages and scenic countryside of provincial Vietnam. The journey from Mai Chau to Ninh Binh is easy and leisurely paced. You'll have plenty of opportunities to hop off your bike and take photos of the surrounding valleys, sugarcane farms and rice paddies that compose the landscape. The final stop is the town of Ninh Binh – this scenic province is famous for its limestone karst landscapes, lush rice paddies and gently flowing waterways.
Day 5: Halong Bay
Now your family has seen some of the beautiful Northern Vietnam by bike, it's now time to see it by sea! You’ll drive to the UNESCO World Heritage site of Ha Long Bay – natural harbour of more than 2000 limestone islands rising from the emerald waters of Bac Bo Gulf. Home to countless beaches, caves and grotts within its 1500 sq km, this spot is perfect for nature lovers. When you arrive, you'll set out on a kayak expedition. Your leader will take you through a safety demonstration, then lead you out onto the open waters. Tonight, you'll be dining and sleeping on board a traditional Vietnamese junk boat. Watch the sunset on deck and get to know your fellow travellers as the moon comes out.
Day 6: Halong Bay – Overnight Train
Take a moment to soak in the scenery of Ha Long Bay (sunrise, anyone?) before disembarking the boat this morning. Make the drive back to Hanoi, where you’ll have use of day rooms to freshen up. You may like to head out and grab some dinner with the group, then it’s time to go to the train station to board an overnight train to Da Nang. A fun, local experience in Vietnam, the train is the perfect spot to get to know your fellow travellers a little better over a game of cards.
Day 7: Hoi An
Arrive in Danang early this morning and take a short transfer to Hoi An – a UNESCO World Heritage site, Hoi An is known as Faifo to early Western traders and was one of South-East Asia's major international ports during the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries. Today, parts of Hoi An look as they did more than a century ago and it retains the feel of centuries past. This will be your base for the next two days and you’ll explore both the town and its surroundings by foot and by bike.
Day 8: Hoi An
Spend the day exploring Hoi An, beginning with a guided orientation walk led by your leader. Have some lunch together, then it's back on two wheels for a wider exploration of the town and its surroundings. Maybe ride past rice paddies and shrimp ponds to Cua Dai beach. Hoi An is also one of the best places in Vietnam to shop for souvenirs, especially if you’re looking for clothing, paintings or ceramics. For those interested in getting some clothes tailored, this is definitely the place to snare a bargain. Tonight, why not wander down to the riverside and enjoy a final feast with the group.
Day 9: Hoi An
Your trip ends today after breakfast. Either take a transfer to Danang airport for your onward flight or stick around a while longer getting to know this charming city better. If you’d like to extend your stay and explore the riverside restaurants and Old Town, just get in touch with your booking agent ahead of time.
Inclusions
  • Meals: 7 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 3 dinners.
  • Transport: Private bus, Bike, Kayak, Overnight train.
  • Accommodation: Homestay (1 night), Hotel (5 nights), Overnight boat (1 night), Overnight train (1 night).
  • Hanoi - Temple of Literature.
  • Hanoi - Lunch at KOTO.
  • Hanoi - Museum of Ethnology.
  • Mai Chau - Pom Coong Village visit & traditional lunch.
  • Mai Chau - Traditional Textile Social Enterprise Experience.
  • Halong Bay - Kayaking.
  • Hoi An - Old Town walking tour.
  • Hoi An - Bike ride.
Departure dates
All pp pricing is based on twin share occupancy. Single supplements will apply
Start End Availability Price NZD
15 Aug 2025 23 Aug 2025 9 $1,798
26 Sep 2025 04 Oct 2025 1 $2,395
14 Dec 2025 22 Dec 2025 10 $2,105
16 Dec 2025 24 Dec 2025 12 $2,045
19 Dec 2025 27 Dec 2025 13 $2,085
26 Dec 2025 03 Jan 2026 8 $2,190
27 Dec 2025 04 Jan 2026 7 $2,185
28 Dec 2025 05 Jan 2026 6 $2,190
02 Jan 2026 10 Jan 2026 10 $2,260
05 Jan 2026 13 Jan 2026 11 $2,280
12 Jan 2026 20 Jan 2026 12 $2,215
29 Mar 2026 06 Apr 2026 16 $2,215
31 Mar 2026 08 Apr 2026 16 $2,215
03 Apr 2026 11 Apr 2026 16 $2,215
04 Apr 2026 12 Apr 2026 12 $2,215
06 Apr 2026 14 Apr 2026 3 $2,440
07 Apr 2026 15 Apr 2026 16 $2,215
08 Apr 2026 16 Apr 2026 16 $2,215
09 Apr 2026 17 Apr 2026 16 $2,215
11 Apr 2026 19 Apr 2026 13 $2,215
27 Jun 2026 05 Jul 2026 13 $2,215
29 Jun 2026 07 Jul 2026 16 $2,215
30 Jun 2026 08 Jul 2026 16 $2,215
02 Jul 2026 10 Jul 2026 16 $2,215
04 Jul 2026 12 Jul 2026 16 $2,215
06 Jul 2026 14 Jul 2026 16 $2,215
08 Jul 2026 16 Jul 2026 16 $2,215
11 Jul 2026 19 Jul 2026 16 $2,215
31 Jul 2026 08 Aug 2026 12 $2,215
07 Aug 2026 15 Aug 2026 16 $2,215
14 Aug 2026 22 Aug 2026 16 $2,215
19 Sep 2026 27 Sep 2026 16 $2,215
22 Sep 2026 30 Sep 2026 16 $2,215
25 Sep 2026 03 Oct 2026 16 $2,215
29 Sep 2026 07 Oct 2026 16 $2,215
02 Oct 2026 10 Oct 2026 16 $2,215
12 Dec 2026 20 Dec 2026 16 $2,215
15 Dec 2026 23 Dec 2026 16 $2,215
17 Dec 2026 25 Dec 2026 16 $2,215
20 Dec 2026 28 Dec 2026 16 $2,305
23 Dec 2026 31 Dec 2026 16 $2,305
27 Dec 2026 04 Jan 2027 16 $2,305
28 Dec 2026 05 Jan 2027 16 $2,305
29 Dec 2026 06 Jan 2027 16 $2,305
31 Dec 2026 08 Jan 2027 16 $2,305
01 Jan 2027 09 Jan 2027 16 $2,115
04 Jan 2027 12 Jan 2027 16 $2,115
08 Jan 2027 16 Jan 2027 16 $2,115
11 Jan 2027 19 Jan 2027 16 $2,115
27 Mar 2027 04 Apr 2027 14 $2,115
30 Mar 2027 07 Apr 2027 16 $2,115
01 Apr 2027 09 Apr 2027 16 $2,115
03 Apr 2027 11 Apr 2027 16 $2,115
05 Apr 2027 13 Apr 2027 16 $2,115
07 Apr 2027 15 Apr 2027 16 $2,115
09 Apr 2027 17 Apr 2027 16 $2,115
11 Apr 2027 19 Apr 2027 16 $2,115
16 Apr 2027 24 Apr 2027 16 $2,115
25 Jun 2027 03 Jul 2027 16 $2,115
28 Jun 2027 06 Jul 2027 16 $2,115
30 Jun 2027 08 Jul 2027 16 $2,115
02 Jul 2027 10 Jul 2027 16 $2,115
05 Jul 2027 13 Jul 2027 16 $2,115
07 Jul 2027 15 Jul 2027 16 $2,115
10 Jul 2027 18 Jul 2027 16 $2,115
30 Jul 2027 07 Aug 2027 16 $2,115
06 Aug 2027 14 Aug 2027 16 $2,115
13 Aug 2027 21 Aug 2027 16 $2,115
18 Sep 2027 26 Sep 2027 16 $2,115
21 Sep 2027 29 Sep 2027 16 $2,115
24 Sep 2027 02 Oct 2027 16 $2,115
28 Sep 2027 06 Oct 2027 16 $2,115
01 Oct 2027 09 Oct 2027 16 $2,115
11 Dec 2027 19 Dec 2027 16 $2,115
14 Dec 2027 22 Dec 2027 16 $2,115
16 Dec 2027 24 Dec 2027 16 $2,115
19 Dec 2027 27 Dec 2027 16 $2,115
22 Dec 2027 30 Dec 2027 16 $2,115
26 Dec 2027 03 Jan 2028 16 $2,115
28 Dec 2027 05 Jan 2028 16 $2,115
30 Dec 2027 07 Jan 2028 16 $2,115
31 Dec 2027 08 Jan 2028 16 $2,115