Chopsticks & Coconuts Family Holiday
Overview
Highlights
- Spend two nights on a tropical island, snorkelling in turquoise seas
- Discover the secrets of Vietnamese cuisine
- Sightsee by cyclo (bicycle taxi) and bike
- Enjoy a night in a village homestay
- Take magical boat rides around scenic Ha Long Bay, the Eastern Sea and Mekong Delta
- Crawl through the Cu Chi war tunnels
- Enjoy downtime at the beaches and swimming pools
- Take two internal flights to maximise your time at destinations
What's this trip about?
Details
Travel Themes
Destinations
Attractions
Activities
Trip includes
- 12 breakfasts, two lunches and three dinners
- All accommodation (see accommodation section)
- All transport and listed activities
- Tour leader throughout
- Free arrival and departure transfers for everyone
Itinerary
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 welc...
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 cy...
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 seafoo...
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: Â Hoi An Sincerity Hotel & Spa (or similar)
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 Euro...
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 dedi...
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)
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)
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)
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 wit...
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 flo...
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)
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)
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.
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Dates & Availability
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The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.
Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.
Exodus Travels Reviews & Ratings
Forget "coconuts". This one's much more about "chopsticks"!
Two week family trip going north to south through Vietnam. It's graded 1 for effort, but it moves at a brisk pace and manages to cram in a whole lot of places and ...
Absolutely fabulous
The trip exceeded all expectations. It was full of fun, colour and culture. We saw so much of the country in two weeks. We had amazing experiences- cycling through...
Excellent Holidays
Travelled with my 16 and 18 year old for last holiday before University- had a wonderful 2 weeks and made new friends. Everyone was friendly, relaxed ,happy and p...
Fantastic family trip to Vietnam
I have just returned from the family 'chopsticks and coconuts ' trip to Vietnam .The trip was excellent in every way ..The itinerary was well thought out .We start...
Great Full On Tour of Vietnam
Just returned from Chopsticks and Coconuts. It's a great, full on tour of Vietnam from North to South. We would never have fitted in so much if we had organised i...
Other Exodus Travels Reviews
great activities perfectly planned
great activities perfectly planned, good support and guiding.
Very easy process.
Very easy process.
Helpful alternative choice
We had to cancel our trip to Jordon due to the troubles in the Middle East. The person at Exodus was very helpful in suggesting an alternative holiday for us. Howeve...
Tour Operator
It is all about adventure. That is what Exodus was founded upon and what the company is still all about. Discovering countries, cultures, environments, cities, mountain ranges, deserts, coasts and jungles; exploring this amazing planet we all live on.
At Exodus, we know what makes you tick when it comes to holidays. It’s a desire shared by so many others. A yearning to visit new places and come home with a real sense of what they’re all about. This means delving into local traditions, cultures, cuisine, lifestyles – anything that contributes to its unique identity. At the same time, we always remember that we are only guests. So we travel courteously and respectfully, in smaller groups to minimise our impact, to ensure that every Exodus holiday is a beneficial experience for everyone involved.
This is a philosophy we take with us around the world, helping you reach some incredible destinations on 500 itineraries across over 90 separate countries. We also strive to provide as much flexibility and choice as we possibly can, making it simple for you to experience a very different holiday.
Exodus started life on 4 February 1974 when two friends got together to provide an overland truck to travel to the Minaret of Jam, deep in the heart of the Hindu Kush, the most inaccessible of the world’s great monuments.
All our office staff have a passion for travel and adventure, and between us we’ve notched up experience that spans 171 different countries. That’s not all. In their former lives, our team members have been professional archaeologists, wildlife guides, overland drivers, mountain leaders, diving and ski specialists and mountain bike gurus – so no-one is better placed to create tours that appeal to a wide range of specialist interests.
Their care in putting all the details in place really shines through too. Extensive planning, research, fact-finding and training are a sign of our commitment to providing a holiday where your enjoyment, value for money and safety come first. It’s a telling reason why we remain one of the leading worldwide adventure tour companies. It is no exaggeration to say that our tour leaders can make a world of difference to the enjoyment of your holiday – so we choose them carefully. The result is that, in 2013, 93% of our clients stated that their leader exceeded their expectations. Where possible, we train and employ local leaders because they can provide invaluable insights that enrich the trip. What’s more, this investment in local staff really helps us benefit both them and their community.
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Logistics
What's excluded
- Travel insurance
- Single accommodation (available on request)
- Visas or vaccinations
Accommodation
The cancellation policies of this trip when booked through Travelstride are determined by the stated policies of the tour operator - Exodus Travels.
If you or any other member of your party decides to cancel a confirmed booking you must notify Travelstride in writing. Your notice of cancellation will only take effect when it is received in writing by Travelstride and will be effective from the date on which we receive it.
If You Cancel Your Holiday
You, or any member of your party, may cancel your travel arrangements at any time. Written notification from the lead name or your travel agent must be received at our offices.Â
Since we incur costs in canceling your travel arrangements, you will have to pay cancellation charges as follows (see also the exceptions below):Â
- More than 42 days - No cancellation fee. Deposit can be transferred to a new booking departing within 2 years of date of travel of original booking. Any remaining balance will be refundedThis excludes all non-refundable costs as set out in clause 4 above (for example international and domestic flights and local services).
- Between 41 and 21 days (inclusive) - No cancellation fee. Balance and deposit can be transferred to a new booking departing within 2 years of date of travel of original bookingThis excludes all non-refundable costs as further explained in clause 4 above (for example international and domestic flights and local services).
- Between 20 and 15 days (inclusive) - 80% of the holiday cost
- 14 days or less; or failure to join the holiday (inclusive) - 100% of the holiday cost
Certain trips may involve different cancellation charges; you will be advised if this is applicable to your holiday during the booking process.For Polar holidays, the following cancellation charges will be made for all Polar holidays. Period before departure in which you notify us:Â
Cancelation charge
- More than 133 days - Deposit only
- 133 days or less (or failure to join the holiday) (inclusive) - 100% of the holiday cost
Notes (i) Your deposit is non-refundable, even if the cancellation charge calculated is lower than the deposit amount paid; (ii) If the reason for your cancellation is covered under the terms of your insurance policy, you may be able to reclaim these charges; (iii) certain travel arrangements may be subject to higher cancellation charges and could incur a cancellation charge of up to 100% of that part of the arrangements from the moment the booking is confirmed.
If You Change Your Booking
If, after our Booking Confirmation has been issued, you wish to change your travel arrangements in any way, for example your chosen departure date or accommodation, we will do our utmost to make these changes but it may not always be possible. Any request for changes to be made must be in writing from the lead name or your travel agent. You will be asked to pay an administration charge of $60, and any further cost we incur in making this alteration (including those charged by third party suppliers who provide the component parts of your booking). You should be aware that these costs could increase the closer to the departure date that changes are made and you should contact us as soon as possible. Note: Certain travel arrangements may not be changeable after a reservation has been made and any alteration request could incur a cancellation charge of up to 100% of that part of the arrangements.
You can transfer your booking to another person, who satisfies all the conditions that apply to this booking, by giving us notice in writing at least 7 days before departure provided that the new lead passenger accepts the transfer and these Terms and Conditions. Both you and the new traveler are responsible for paying all costs we incur in making the transfer. Please bear in mind that certain airlines and other transport providers treat changes as a cancellation and charge accordingly, up to 100% of the cost for that part of the arrangement. Where applicable these charges will be passed on to you.
If We Cancel Your Booking
Exodus reserves the right to cancel an itinerary before departure for any reason whatsoever, including too few participants ,logistical problems, a Force Majeure Event (as defined in Section 8), or any other circumstances that may make operation of the trip inadvisable. All trip payments received will be promptly refunded, and this refund will be the limit of Exodus’s liability without any further obligation on Exodus’s part. Exodus is not responsible for any expenses incurred by trip members in preparing for the trip, including non-refundable or penalty-carrying airline tickets, special clothing, visa or passport fees, or other trip-related expenses.
If We Change Your Booking
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Changes to the price. We can change your holiday price after you’ve booked, only in certain circumstances. Changes in the price of the carriage of passengers resulting from changes to the cost of fuel or other power sources, the level of taxes or fees imposed by third parties including tourist taxes, landing taxes or embarkation or disembarkation fees at ports and airports, or exchange rates mean that the price of your travel arrangements may change after you have booked.
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Changes other than the price. It is a term of your booking that we are able to make changes to any aspect of your booking. If the change is insignificant, we will ensure that you are notified about it. Examples of insignificant changes include alteration of your accommodation to another of the same or higher standard. If we are forced by circumstances beyond our control to alter significantly any of the main characteristics of the travel services that make up your package you will have the rights set out below.
2.1 - We will contact you and you will have the choice of accepting the change or having a refund of all monies paid. You can also accept an alternative holiday, where we offer one (we will refund any price difference if the alternative is of a lower value). We will tell you the procedure for making your choice. Please read any notification of changes carefully and respond promptly as if you do not respond to us within the timescale given your booking may be canceled.
2.2 - If you choose to accept a refund then that is the only liability we have and we will not be liable for any further sums, compensation or otherwise and you are advised to adequately insure yourselves against cancellation for any reason
Please note that insurance premiums and amendments charges are not refundable in any circumstances.Â
Once you have put down a deposit for a tour, you are unable to cancel and re-book within a promotional period and we reserve the right to amend the pricing on any new booking you make within that time. If you cancel a tour and book the same tour under a promotional code, we reserve the right to decline the booking.
Important Note: Certain arrangements may not be amended after they have been confirmed and any alteration or cancellation could incur a cancellation charge of up to 100% of that part of the arrangements in addition to the charge above.
If the reason for your cancellation is covered under the terms of your insurance policy, you may be able to reclaim these charges.
Where possible, we will deduct the cancellation charge(s) from any monies you have already paid to us.
For more additional details, see the booking conditions of TruTravels at the following web address: https://www.exodustravels.com/us/about-exodus/exodus-booking-conditions.
- 10 nights in hotels, one night on a boat, one night in a homestay and one night on a sleeper train
- 13 days of sightseeing, boat trips, kayaking and exploration
- Travel by private minibus, boat, bike, train and two internal flights
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