Best of Vietnam

20 days
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Small Group Tour
Experience the real Vietnam on this comprehensive 20-day trip from south to north. Travel from Ho Chi Minh City to Hanoi and experience bustling cities, tranquil backwaters, imperial ruins, faded elegance and Heritage-listed landscapes dotted with reminders of the past. Explore the narrow, cobbled streets of Hoi An’s Old Town, sail the waters of UNESCO World ...
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$3,170
From$2,348
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Overview

Trip type
Small Group Tour
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Moderate
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Highlights

    • Cruise down Mekong Delta’s leafy waterways and learn about the local cottage industry as you explore the villages here, while a homecooked lunch awaits.
    • Explore the hidden gem of Lam Thuong – a quintessential northern village tucked away, undiscovered by the common tourist trail. Explore the village by cycling, hiking and visiting a local handicraft workshop and a gemstone market.
    • Spend a day and night cruising through the limestone peaks in the UNESCO World Heritage site of Ha Long Bay – explore caves filled with stalactites and stalagmites and maybe take a kayak out on the still waters.
    • Visit the immense Phong Nha and Thien Duong Caves. These labyrinthine systems were used to shelter civilians during the Vietnam/American War.
    • Take a motorbike through Hue – the ancient capital – with an experienced driver and feast on a vegetarian lunch at a nunnery.

What's this trip about?

    Experience the real Vietnam on this comprehensive 20-day trip from south to north. Travel from Ho Chi Minh City to Hanoi and experience bustling cities, tranquil backwaters, imperial ruins, faded elegance and Heritage-listed landscapes dotted with reminders of the past. Explore the narrow, cobbled streets of Hoi An’s Old Town, sail the waters of UNESCO World Heritage Site Ha Long Bay, cruise down the Mekong Delta’s waterways, encounter local tribes in your stay in Lam Thuong and whizz through the back streets of Hue as you uncover the very best of Vietnam.

Details

Itinerary focusActive and Outdoor Sports
Group sizeIntimate group - max of 12 people
Age range15 years and up
Flights and transportAll internal ground transport included
Start CityHo Chi Minh City
End CityHanoi

Travel Themes

  • Cultural
  • High Adventure
  • Local Immersion & Homestays

Destinations

Attractions

  • Cai Be
  • Ha Long Bay
  • Hanoi
  • Ho Chi Minh
  • Hoi An
  • Hue
  • Imperial Citadel
  • Nha Trang

Activities

  • Culture
  • Historic sightseeing

Max Group Size

  • Max Group Size: 12

Trip includes

    • Mekong Delta - Sightseeing Tour
    • Ho Chi Minh City - Cu Chi Tunnels
    • Ho Chi Minh City - War Remnants Museum
    • Ho Chi Minh City - City tour
    • Dalat - Garden visit
    • Nha Trang - Nha Trang Bay Boat trip
    • Nha Trang Bay - Island hopping, Fishing Villages & Snorkelling
    • Hoi An - Old Town walking tour
    • Hue - Imperial City entrance and guided visit
    • Hue - Royal tomb of Emperor Tu Duc
    • Hue - Highlights & back streets by motorbike
    • Hue - Thien Mu Pagoda
    • Hue - Motorbike Tour Lunch
    • Quang Tri - Vinh Moc Tunnels
    • Quang Tri - Hien Luong Bridge
    • Phong Nha Ke-Bang NP - Thien Duong (Paradise Cave)
    • Phong Nha Ke-Bang National Park - Phong Nha Cave
    • Hanoi - Ho Chi Minh Complex
    • Hanoi - One Pillar Pagoda
    • Hanoi - Old Quarter Walking Tour
    • Hanoi - Water puppet show
    • Lam Thuong - Village cycling tour
    • Hanoi - Vun Art center visit
    • Lam Thuong - Villlage homestay & home-cooked meals
    • Lam Thuong - Village handicraft workshop visit
    • Lam Thuong - Hiking
    • Halong Bay - Dinner on Boat
    • Halong Bay - Lunch on Boat

Popular Trips

Itinerary

Travel Map

Day 1 Ho Chi Minh City

Xin Chao! Welcome to Vietnam. Your adventure begins in Ho Chi Minh City with a welcome meeting at 6 pm today, where you'll get to know your fellow travellers and local leader. If you arrive early, maybe head to Pham Ngu Lao Street to see the local open-air market visi...

Day 2 Mekong Delta/Ho Chi Minh City

Today, you'll travel south by private minibus to Mekong Delta. When you arrive, you’ll board a boat and explore the intricate waterways of the Mekong Delta. Often referred to as ‘the rice bowl’ of Vietnam, the fertile delta is where rice, tropical fruit and flowers ar...

Day 3 Ho Chi Minh City

After breakfast today, you’ll visit one of the most important sites in Ho Chi Minh City – the famous Cu Chi Tunnels. These complex tunnels were used by the Viet Cong in the long war against the Americans and were instrumental to the Vietnamese victory. Later in the da...

Day 4 Dalat

After exploring Ho Chi Minh City, take a bus to Dalat. Temperate and cool compared to the rest of the country, Dalat has gained the name ‘City of Eternal Spring’ due to the mists that cover its nearby valleys nearly all year around. The Hang Na guesthouse stands as a ...

Day 5 Dalat

Dalat’s soothing climate isn’t just a great reprieve from the heat of Vietnam's coast, it also creates the perfect environment to grow a wide selection of fruits, vegetables and herbs. Take a full day to stroll through the tranquil gardens of this city, darting past p...

Day 6 Nha Trang

After breakfast this morning travel by minibus to the coastal town of Nha Trang. When you arrive, stretch your legs with a leader-led orientation walk. Then, enjoy free time in the afternoon and evening to explore this coastal city. You might like to make a beeline st...

Day 7 Nha Trang/Overnight Train

After breakfast this morning, out for a a leisurely boat trip in Nha Trang Bay. You'll stop at Mieu Island to learn about local fishermen's life here, then give it a go yourself with the rowing bamboo basket boat. Then you'll hop to Tam Island for some swimming and sn...

Day 8 Hoi An

You'll arrive in Hoi An early this morning. Recently declared a UNESCO World Heritage site, Hoi An was a major trading port with the West from the 15th to the 19th century. Today, it’s been restored to look exactly as it did more than a century ago, giving it an old-w...

Day 9 Hoi An

Today is another free day in the town of Hoi An. See the Chinese shophouses, enjoy the busy market, visit Cua Dai Beach, cycle to the rice fields or browse the array of art galleries. This is also a great spot to sit by the water and people watch at happy hour, so maybe ask your leader for some restaurant recommendations and soak up the atmosphere.

Day 10 Hue

This morning, wave goodbye to Hoi An and make tracks to My Khe Beach. Cross the dramatic Hai Van Pass and make a quick stop at the fishing village of Lang Co before making your way to Hue. The former imperial capital of Vietnam, Hue contains the treasures of Vietnam’s...

Day 11 Hue

'See Hue like a local – from the back of a motorbike! Straddle the saddle and whiz around town with a local guide, taking in historic and contemporary sights along the way. Stop at Thanh Toan to see the 18th-century covered bridge and villagers shopping at their local...

Day 12 Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park

Today, you'll take a minibus to the Vinh Moc Tunnels. These were used during the Vietnam War as shelter for the villagers who were escaping intense bombing. Incredibly, the locals here lived in an underground system over three levels. You’ll get a chance to enter the ...

Day 13 Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park/Overnight Train

After breakfast today, visit the Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park. This UNESCO World Heritage site contains the oldest known karst mountains in Asia. The area is also known for its enormous cave system. You’ll visit the Thien Duong Cave (Paradise Cave), then take a cru...

Day 14 Hanoi

Arrive in Hanoi early in the morning and transfer to your hotel. Vietnam’s capital is famous for its beautiful lakes, shaded boulevards, public parks and French-style Old Quarter. As an emerging city in South East Asia, Hanoi has an attractive contrast of modern offic...

Day 15 Lam Thuong

This morning, visit Vun Art Centre – a social enterprise that employs people living with disabilities to make art pieces with recycled silk. Hear from the employees about the great things they do and then make the drive to Lam Thuong Village. When you arrive, settle i...

Day 16 Lam Thuong

Spend another day in the village today, starting with a transfer to a trailhead. Head out for a morning hike past rice paddies to a viewpoint overlooking the village, the valley and the rice fields. Return to the village this afternoon and visit a local handicraft wor...

Day 17 Hanoi

Today, say goodbye to your friendly hosts and return to Hanoi. Along the way, stop at Luc Yen gemstone market. After a while to explore (and pick up any souvenirs you might want to take home), continue to Hanoi. Arrive in the late afternoon and settle into your accommodation. This evening, you’re free to rest, relax and recharge.

Day 18 Halong Bay

After breakfast today, you’ll drive to Bai Chay Harbour to the famous UNESCO World Heritage site of Ha Long Bay – a blue-green bay studded with limestone outcrops, this area is full of beaches and natural grottos. You’ll take a boat through the limestone peaks and cav...

Day 19 Hanoi

After breakfast today you'll return to Hanoi, arriving mid-afternoon. You’ll have free time this afternoon to explore at your own pace or rest and recharge. Why not head out in search of a bia hoi (freshly brewed draught beer) at one of the microbars in the Old Quarte...

Day 20 Hanoi

There are no activities planned for today and you can depart the accommodation at any time. There’s so much to see and do in Hanoi, so why not stay a day or two longer! If you need additional accommodation, just reach out to your booking agent ahead of time. If you have extra time, you may like to do an Urban Adventure tour – see urbanadventures.com/destination/hanoi-tours.

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Dates & Availability

Price From $2,348
Price per day$117
Last Updated: 6/4/2024
Departure Date
Finish Date
Base Price
Availability
05 Jan 2025
24 Jan 2025
$2,926
19 Jan 2025
07 Feb 2025
$2,898
02 Feb 2025
21 Feb 2025
$2,727
09 Feb 2025
28 Feb 2025
$2,348
16 Feb 2025
07 Mar 2025
$3,185
23 Mar 2025
11 Apr 2025
$3,170
06 Apr 2025
25 Apr 2025
$3,170
20 Apr 2025
09 May 2025
$3,305
04 May 2025
23 May 2025
$3,050
13 Jul 2025
01 Aug 2025
$2,935

Check current availability, prices, specials & more.

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.

Intrepid Travel Reviews & Ratings

4.5/5  Excellent
Excellent
3,438
Great
672
Average
150
Disappointing
84
Terrible
227
A

Anna

May 2019

Written on

The Best of Vietnam trip was an excellent way to experience

The Best of Vietnam trip was an excellent way to experience the diversity that the country provides in food, culture, history, landscape and communities. The many ci...

S

Susan

May 2019

Written on

I have traveled all over the world and this was by far the best trip

I have traveled all over the world and this was by far the best trip I have ever taken! Nam (our guide) was wonderful. Vietnam is so beautiful, the people very frien...

M

Mary

Apr 2019

Written on

Fantastic trip

Fantastic trip in Vietnam which includes amazing sites and fun and intere...

S

Sandra

Apr 2019

Written on

Extremely passionate and are very proud

We highly recommend intrepid tours. We have done 2 tours with them and both times it has been highly organised. The tour leaders have been extremely passionate and a...

b

bronagh

Oct 2015

Written on

Tour leader Tuyen was excellent. Great variety

Tour leader Tuyen was excellent. Great variety in experiences and locations.

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Tour Operator

Intrepid Travel

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The Intrepid Travel Experience

If you’re looking for adventure, you’ve come to the right place. For the past 25 years, we’ve been taking small groups of travelers on unforgettable trips around the world. What makes them unforgettable? Take a look for yourself and discover the Intrepid experience.

Our travelers have three styles of tour to choose from: Basix, Original and Comfort. Each has a different level of inclusions and accommodation, but all have unforgettable real life experiences as part of the package. Travellers can also choose themed trips, such as Family, Sailing or Food, to suit their interests.

Our group size has an average of just ten travellers, which allows us to get off the beaten track, use local accommodation and transport, and really get to know the culture. It also ensures we are contributing to the local economy; by choosing local suppliers we were able to keep AUD 60 million in local economies in 2012. We’re also working hard to reduce our carbon footprint and were the first in our sector to introduce carbon offset trips. This, along with our many corporate sustainability activities, has meant we’re one of the travel industry’s leaders in responsible travel.

Why Intrepid?

  •   Small groups - average of 10 people per trip
  •   Sustainability - pioneers for the industry
  •   Local leaders - authentic perspectives
  •   Local transport - get close and personal
  •   Local accommodation - experience real living
  •   Intrepid travelers - like-minded companions 

History

Intrepid Travel has come a long way since its beginnings in 1989. From two university friends, a typewriter and a kitchen desk, it is now a proud member of The Intrepid Group, taking over 100,000 travelers every year.

Intrepid Travel is part of The Intrepid Group of companies, alongside leading small group adventure companies Peregrine, Urban Adventures and PEAK DMC.

Despite growing into a global business with over 1,000 staff based all over the world and over 800 different trips across every continent, we’ve remained devoted to the same grassroots values and responsible travel philosophies that we had at the very beginning.

 

Values

On every trip we operate and in every interaction we have with a client, supplier or local, we live our core values everyday:

  • Integrity – Doing the right thing
  • Responsible – Think global, act local
  • Growth – Stakeholders in our own success
  • Innovation – Thriving on new ideas and embracing change
  • Fun – It’s engrained into who we are and what we do
  • Passion – We are inspired by the work we do and the trips we offer

 

Why we love this operator
They're highly committed to sustainable tourism and contribute to crucial initiatives like climate action, focusing on local cultures and more.
What they’re known for
Small group tours for all types of travelers at a range of different price points and trips to off-the-beaten-path destinations.

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Logistics

Accommodation

Homestay (3 nights),Hotel (13 nights),Overnight boat (1 night),Overnight sleeper train (2 night)

Transportation & Flights

Boat,Overnight sleeper train,Private minibus,Taxi,Train,Bicyle,

Transportation & flights

Boat,Overnight sleeper train,Private minibus,Taxi,Train,Bicyle
Guides
All group trips are accompanied by one of our group leader or local representative. The aim of the group leader or local representative is to take the hassle out of your travels and to help you have the best trip possible. Intrepid endeavours to provide the services of an experienced group leader or local representative however, due to the seasonality of travel, rare situations may arise where your group leader or local representative is new to a particular region or training other group leader or local representative. Your group leader or local representative will provide information on the places you are travelling through, offer suggestions for things to do and see, recommend great local eating venues and introduce you to our local friends. While not being guides in the traditional sense, you can expect them to have a broad general knowledge of the places visited on the trip, including historical, cultural, religious, and social aspects. At Intrepid we aim to support local guides who have specialised knowledge of the regions we visit. If you are interested in delving deeper into the local culture at a specific site or location then your group leader or local representative can recommend a local guide service in most of the main destinations of your trip.
Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is compulsory on all our trips for those travelling internationally. We require that at a minimum you are covered for medical expenses including emergency repatriation. If you are travelling within your home country or region please confirm before travel that you are entitled to access the public medical system easily should an accident occur. We strongly recommend all travellers have a policy that also covers personal liability, cancellation, curtailment and loss of luggage or personal effects. For international trips, you will not be permitted to join the group until evidence of travel insurance and the insurance company's 24-hour emergency contact number has been sighted by your group leader or local representative. If you have credit card insurance your group leader or local representative will require details of the participating insurer/underwriter, the level of coverage, policy number, and emergency contact number rather than the bank's name and your credit card details. Please contact your bank for these details prior to arriving in-country. For travellers who reside within the European Union, Switzerland or USA the requirement to purchase travel insurance cannot be compulsory. However the purchase of travel insurance is still highly recommended, and travellers from these regions who decline travel insurance when travelling outside of their home region must sign a Travel Insurance Waiver Form at the Group Meeting, recognizing personal responsibility for emergency medical and repatriation costs should they arise. For assistance with travel insurance or other services, please visit the link below: https://www.intrepidtravel.com/booking-resources/our-services MOTORBIKE INCLUDED ACTIVITY: Please note that for this particular trip, your travel insurance must also cover riding pillion on a motorbike. The motorbikes used are 125cc or less.
Visa requirements
PASSPORT You’ll need a valid passport to travel internationally and most countries require your passport to have a minimum of 6 months validity, so remember to check the expiry date. We need your passport information to get everything ready for your trip so it’s important that the information on your booking matches your passport exactly. Please take care to provide the correct details. We recommend carrying a copy of the photo page of your passport while travelling and leaving a copy at home with family or friends. VISAS & ENTRY REQUIREMENTS Many countries require a visa and obtaining the correct visa for your trip and any countries you may transit through is your responsibility. We recommend you check your visa requirements as soon as you have booked your trip. This will ensure you have time to prepare your documents and for your visa application to be processed. You can check the entry requirements for your nationality on your government's foreign travel advisories, consular websites or on our page here:  www.intrepidtravel.com/visa-entry-requirements ADDRESS FOR VIETNAM VISA APPLICATIONS If you require an address for your visa application, please use: Intrepid Vietnam Ground Floor, Ladeco Building 266 Doi Can St Ba Dinh District, Hanoi Vietnam
Health & Safety
Most national governments provide regularly updated foreign travel advice on safety issues involved with international travel. We recommend that you check your government's advice for their latest travel information before departure and ensure that your travel insurance covers you for all destinations and activities on your trip. Please refer to our website's safety page for links to major travel advisories and updates on safety issues affecting our trips here: https://www.intrepidtravel.com/travel-alerts We strongly recommend the use of a neck wallet or money belt while travelling, for the safe-keeping of your passport, flight tickets, cash and other valuable items. Leave your jewellery at home - you won't need it while travelling. Many of our hotels have safety deposit boxes, which is the most secure way of storing your valuables. A lock is recommended for securing your luggage. Your group leader or local representative will accompany you on all included activities, however, during your trip you'll have some free time to pursue your own interests or relax and take it easy. While your group leader or local representative will assist you with the available options in a given location, please note that any optional activities you undertake are not part of your Intrepid itinerary, and Intrepid makes no representations about the safety of the activity or the standard of the operators running them. Please use your own good judgement when selecting an activity in your free time. Please also note that your group leader or local representative has the authority to amend or cancel any part of the trip itinerary if it's deemed necessary due to safety concerns. Intrepid's operational safety policies can be viewed on our website at the link below. We recommend that you take a moment to read through this information before travelling, and would appreciate any feedback on how safety is being managed on our trips. https://www.intrepidtravel.com/safety-guidelines FIRE PRECAUTIONS: Please be aware that local laws governing tourism facilities in this region differ from those in your home country and not all the accommodation which we use has a fire exit, fire extinguishers or smoke alarms. SEAT BELTS: Please be aware that local laws governing transportation safety may differ from those in your home country and not all the transport which we use is able to provide seat belts. PETTY THEFT AND PERSONAL SAFETY: While travelling there is always the risk of pick-pocketing and petty theft, particularly in the more touristy cities. We recommend that you exercise caution when walking alone at night and encourage you to walk together and only on main, well-lit thoroughfares. Be particularly vigilant on public transport. Simple measures like carrying your day pack on your front, not hanging your bag over the back of your chair or on the floor and wearing a money belt will reduce any chance that your valuables should go missing. MOTORBIKE BAG SNATCHING: Be particularly aware of motorbike bag snatching, especially in the bigger cities.
Age Requirements
15 years and up
Additional Information

Finish point

  • Thang Long Espana Hotel
  • 63 Nguyen Truong To Str., Ba Dinh Dist.
  • Hanoi
  • VIETNAM
  • Phone: +84 2437163233
  • Fax: +84 2437163232
Trip ID
intrepid-TVST

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