Chopsticks & Coconuts Family Holiday

What's Included

• Arrival & departure transfers

• Tour leader throughout

• All accommodation (see accommodation section)

• 12 breakfasts,2 lunches and 3 dinners

• Flights from London (if booking incl. flights)

• All transport and listed activities

What's Not Included

• Visas or vaccinations

• Travel insurance

• Single accommodation (available on request)

Food

12 breakfasts, 2 lunches and 3 dinners are included. 

Thanks to the tropical climate, the long coast and the gigantic range of
mountains, Vietnam is blessed with numerous varieties of culinary offerings
and consequently maintains its reputation as one of the healthiest cuisines
in the world that still packs a punch with delicious, fresh and fiery
flavours.

Vietnamese food relies on fresh fish, vegetables, rice and a whole myriad of
verdant herbs and spices; lemongrass, ginger, basil and lime all play an
important role in the cuisine. The Chinese and French influence is felt
throughout the country where you are just as likely to be offered a Banh Mi
(stuffed baguette) as you are a hot steaming bowl of Pho (noodle soup).

Each dish is prepared with the Asian principle of Wu Xing in mind (the five
elements); meaning that the perfect combination of spicy, sour, bitter, salty
and sweet is the ultimate aim. Be sure to also seek out the national
beverages; Vietnamese coffee is served iced and sweet with condensed milk, a
real sugar and caffeine hit, and beer hoi (local beer, brewed daily) is
served on most street corners in the North out of large plastic jugs that are
perfect for sharing.

Food is cheap in Vietnam and you can generally avoid the spicier food if you
wish. Western food is readily available almost everywhere, with the exception
of the night in the Mekong Delta.

Vegetarian food is widely available, however the offering will be fairly
similar in most places. Please advise at time of booking if you have any
dietary requirements.

Accommodation

For this family trip in Vietnam, we have selected hotels for their location and character, and aim to use the best-available accommodation in each area visited. Most have swimming pools and there are opportunities to swim at beaches in Hoi An and on Whale Island.



Accommodation on this trip includes:



10 nights in comfortable, centrally located hotels

One night on a boat in twin-share cabins

One night in a Mekong Delta guesthouse, sleeping one to three per room (depending on group size)

One night on a sleeper train in soft-bed berths



Below are a few of the notable stays on this trip.



Mekong Delta homestay







Our time in a guesthouse allows us to experience true Delta hospitality, as we are looked after by local people and stay by the Mekong River. The rooms are relatively basic; bedding, a mosquito net and a small towel are provided, while there are shared bathroom facilities with a shower. The real highlight though is the hospitality of our hosts, the lush garden, and the food (homemade southern Vietnamese cuisine).



Whale Island







Our two-night stay on Whale Island is regarded as a highlight for many; however, the accommodation is basic. You stay in thatched bungalows, each with mosquito nets, fans and private bathrooms. The simplicity of island life makes it idyllic.



Sleeper train



We spend one night on the sleeper train, the best way to travel long distances with the local people. The journey between Da Nang and Nha Trang is quite comfortable; however, it is simple, despite being first-class. You will be in a four-berth cabin (occasionally six depending on the season) and bedding is provided, although some prefer to bring their own sleeping sheet. On occasions, passengers of different sexes 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, but people generally stock up on snacks before the journey.



Worth knowing



There may be instances when you want a single room. Perhaps a grandparent needs one, or parents of a family of three or five want to ensure they get a bit of space! Single supplements are available upon request (see price below). Please advise at the time of booking. A single room is available on hotel nights only.

Additional accommodation is available in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City before and after your trip. Please ask for prices. Due to high demand for rooms, there is a chance it may be in a different hotel to the start/end hotel of your trip. Please ask your sales representative if you wish to book extra nights.

While we do our best to ensure families are roomed close together (in some cases, we can arrange adjoining rooms), we can’t guarantee this. Most family trips occur during peak season and we sometimes have little control over where you are put.

Book with Confidence

• Transfer as credit to Future Tours

  Exodus allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform exodus, 43 days before departure.

• Low Deposit

  Exodus requires a minimum deposit of 25% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 90 days before departure.

• Cancellation Policy

  We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of exodus charges.

  Up to 70 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.