Best of Vietnam

20 days
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Small Group Tour
Experience quintessential Vietnam on this comprehensive trip from south to north. Travel from Ho Chi Minh City to Hanoi and experience dynamic cities, tranquil backwaters, imperial ruins, faded colonial elegance and picture-perfect landscapes dotted with reminders of the past. Explore the narrow cobbled streets of Hoi An’s Old Town, encounter local tribes on ...
17%
$3,105
From$2,592
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Overview

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

Highlights

    • Experience local life during homestays in the Mekong Delta and Da Bac. Get to know local families, participate in their activities and enjoy a homestyle meal.
    • Travel to both popular and lesser-known destinations in Vietnam, including tourist hotspots like Halong Bay and hidden gems such as Da Bac
    • See Vietnam through an exciting mix of transport, including motorbike, sampan, junk-style boat, bus and train
    • Visit the mind-boggling Phong Nha and Thien Duong Caves. These labyrinthine systems were used to shelter civilians during the Vietnam/American War
    • Spend a day in Hue, touring the city's sights on a motorbike and eating lunch at a serene nunnery
    • Relax in the turquoise waters at Nha Trang and discover local fisherman's life on a boat trip.

What's this trip about?

    Experience quintessential Vietnam on this comprehensive trip from south to north. Travel from Ho Chi Minh City to Hanoi and experience dynamic cities, tranquil backwaters, imperial ruins, faded colonial elegance and picture-perfect landscapes dotted with reminders of the past. Explore the narrow cobbled streets of Hoi An’s Old Town, encounter local tribes on a hike in the mountains of Da Bac and whizz through the back streets of Hue as you uncover the very best of Vietnam.

Details

Itinerary focusActive
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

  • Asia
  • Vietnam

Attractions

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

Activities

  • Culture
  • Historic sightseeing

Trip includes

    • Ho Chi Minh City - Cu Chi Tunnels
    • Ho Chi Minh City - War Remnants Museum
    • Ho Chi Minh City - City tour
    • Mekong Delta - Sightseeing Tour
    • Mekong Delta - Guesthouse Dinner
    • 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 Full Day Tour
    • Hue - Royal tomb of Emperor Tu Duc
    • Hue - Highlights & back streets by motorbike
    • 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
    • Da Bac - Sung cave and village tour
    • Da Bac - Homestay Dinner
    • Da Bac - Homestay Lunch
    • Hanoi - Vun Art center visit
    • Da Bac - Da Bia Lunch
    • Da Bac - Sung village to Da Bia hike
    • Hanoi - Water puppet show
    • 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 Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 6 pm today, where you'll get to know your fellow travellers and meet your legendary group leader. If you arrive early before the meeting, perhaps head to Pham Ngu Lao Stree...

Day 2 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. You'll be amazed...

Day 3 Mekong Delta Homestay

Today you'll travel south by private minibus to Cai Be. 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 are grown...

Day 4 Ho Chi Minh City

Travel back to Ho Chi Minh City today and enjoy some free time to do a bit of sightseeing at your leisure. We recommend exploring the city’s restaurants and trying Ho Chi Minh City’s distinctive fresh and flavoursome food. In contrast to the north of Vietnam, the cuis...

Day 5 Dalat

After exploring Ho Chi Minh City, take a bus transfer 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. This fairytale nickname sp...

Day 6 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 7 Nha Trang

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

Day 8 Nha Trang / Overnight train

After breakfast this morning, enjoy a leisurely boat trip in Nha Trang Bay. You'll stop at Mieu Island to learn about local fishermen's life here, and even get a chance to give it a go yourself with the rowing bamboo basket boat. Then you'll hop to Tam Island and enjo...

Day 9 Hoi An

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

Day 10 Hoi An

Enjoy another free day in the town of Hoi An. You’ll have time to see the beautiful Chinese shophouses, enjoy the busy market, visit Cua Dai Beach, cycle to the rice fields or browse the array of art galleries. With plenty of options to keep you busy in this quaint city, you can build the day into whatever you wish.

Day 11 Hue

This morning, wave goodbye to Hoi An as we make tracks to the white sand and blue sea of My Khe Beach. Continue on the journey and 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 imperia...

Day 12 Hue

Today’s adventure will be taken on the back of a motorbike. You’ll have your own driver who will take you first on a drive around the Imperial Citadel, including the Forbidden Purple City. The latter was almost completely destroyed during the Tet Offensive in the Viet...

Day 13 Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park

Today, we'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 the underground system that went over three levels. You’ll get a chance to ...

Day 14 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 15 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 16 Da Bac

This morning, visit Vun Art center first, a social enterprise that employs people with disabilities to make art pieces with recycled silk scraps. Hear from them about the great things that they do and then make the drive to Sung village. There are around 70 families l...

Day 17 Hanoi

This morning, you'll get the opportunity to take in more of the Vietnamese highlands on a 10 kilometre (6.2 mi) trek from Sung Village to Da Bia. The first 8km of the trek is mostly flat ground along well-worn buffalo tracks. The final 2km gradually inclines and for a...

Day 18 Halong Bay

After breakfast today, drive to Bai Chay Harbour towards the famous world heritage site of Halong 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 caves filled w...

Day 19 Hanoi

After breakfast today you'll return to Hanoi, arriving mid afternoon and enjoy some well deserved free time. Why not relax with a bia hoi (freshly brewed draught beer) at one of the microbars in the Old Quarter? or perhaps mark the end of your trip with an optional farewell dinner. 

Day 20 Hanoi

There are no activities planned for the final day and you are able to depart the accommodation at any time. There’s so much to see and do in Hanoi, why not stay a day or two longer? We’ll be happy to book additional accommodation for you (subject to availability). If ...

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Dates & Availability

Price From $2,592
Price per day$130
Last Updated: 3/26/2024
Start Date
Finish Date
Base Price
Availability
31 Mar 2024
19 Apr 2024
$3,050
3 spots left
07 Apr 2024
26 Apr 2024
$2,822
5 spots left
05 May 2024
24 May 2024
$2,592
7 spots left
07 Jul 2024
26 Jul 2024
$2,930
5 spots left
01 Sep 2024
20 Sep 2024
$2,875
12 spots left
22 Sep 2024
11 Oct 2024
$2,875
10 spots left
06 Oct 2024
25 Oct 2024
$2,990
12 spots left
20 Oct 2024
08 Nov 2024
$3,020
7 spots left
03 Nov 2024
22 Nov 2024
$3,105
7 spots left
17 Nov 2024
06 Dec 2024
$3,105
8 spots left

Check Current Availability, prices, specials with Intrepid Travel.

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
3,308
Great
672
Average
144
Disappointing
80
Terrible
195
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 very committed to sustainable and responsible tourism and contribute to important initiatives like climate action.
What they’re known for
Small group tours for active and adventurous travelers at a range of different price points and service levels.

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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,

Transportation & flights

Boat,Overnight sleeper train,Private minibus,Taxi,Train
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 Alternate Finish point For trips departing on the following dates, use this finish point. 03 Mar 2024 (TVST240303) Adonis Hotel Hanoi 55 Quang Trung Street, Nguyen Du Ward, Hai Ba Trung District, Hanoi VIETNAM
Trip ID
intrepid-TVST

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