15 Days | From Ho Chi Minh to Hanoi, discover the cultural charm, exceptionally fresh food and dramatic landscapes of Vietnam.
![Intrepid leader and travellers of varied age stopping for a photo on the streets of Hanoi](/v3/assets/blt0de87ff52d9c34a8/blt298751bf44e5cdd5/65973ae81daef756ce0ec654/Intrepid_Travel-Intrepid_Vietnam23_hanoi-group-leader-walking-tour_agp_4970.jpg?branch=prd&width=75&quality=35&blur=1&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
![Traveller looks at lantern market in Hoi An](/v3/assets/blt0de87ff52d9c34a8/blt7860e78363a8e2a7/63c8c97f06eff70d38085dd8/TVKT_vietnam_hoi-an_lanterns_pax.jpg?branch=prd&width=75&quality=35&blur=1&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
![A wide shot of Intrepid travellers and leader on a rowboat tour of Van Long Nature Reserve in Vietnam](/v3/assets/blt0de87ff52d9c34a8/bltcb496064335181b6/65973aefb1e9a167be9b2da6/Intrepid_Travel-Intrepid_Vietnam23_Van-Long_agp_9312.jpg?branch=prd&width=75&quality=35&blur=1&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
![Intrepid traveller and leader on Ninh Binh birdwatching row boat tour](/v3/assets/blt0de87ff52d9c34a8/blt1a70aba33fa524af/65973af2f226309c78be897b/Intrepid_Travel-Intrepid_Vietnam23_Ninh-BInh-row-boat-river-bird-watching_agp_2286.jpg?branch=prd&width=75&quality=35&blur=1&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
![Group of travellers on a boat ride through Halong Bay, Vietnam on an Intrepid Travel tour.](/v3/assets/blt0de87ff52d9c34a8/blt6c18398459b55c5d/63c8c99286952978782484e7/TVKT_vietnam_halong-bay_pax_boat-ride.jpg?branch=prd&width=75&quality=35&blur=1&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
From south to north, Vietnam is a kaleidoscope of welcoming locals, varied cuisine and diverse landscapes. Unlock the mysteries of the Viet Minh in Ho Chi Minh City, explore the beautiful lakes and boulevards of Hanoi, mingle with the locals while staying at a Mekong Delta guesthouse, float to sleep on a traditional junk boat in Halong Bay, and eat breakfast the local way in Hue. Experience historical temples, laze on the spectacular coastline, gorge on delicious banquets and explore lively cities – all with a touch of comfort – on this 15-day Classic Vietnam adventure.
Trip overview
![Map of Classic Vietnam including Vietnam](/v3/assets/blt0de87ff52d9c34a8/blta6e30585bea18f9b/63573cc3e03da06ba792b038/tvkt_2023.gif?branch=prd&width=75&quality=35&blur=1&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
- Start
- Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
- Finish
- Hanoi, Vietnam
- Theme
- Explorer
- Destinations
- Vietnam
- Physical rating
- Indicates how physically exerting a trip is, and how fit you will need to be to enjoy it. More info on physical ratings
- Style
- Comfort
- Ages
- Min 15
- Group size
- Min 1 - Max 12
- Trip code
- TVKT
- Friendly faces will make you feel right at home in this country, and experiences like staying in a locally run guesthouse in the Mekong Delta will give you a real taste for local life.
- Discover the bustling centres of Hanoi, Hoi An and Ho Chi Minh City – buzzing with personality these cities are a fascinating mix of ancient culture and glistening new-age cityscapes, and you’ll get the chance to visit all the most iconic spots.
- You’ll take a culinary journey to discover the mouth-watering, achingly fresh delights of Vietnam. From slurping traditional Bun Bo Hue, to digging into a vegetarian feast at a local nunnery, to enjoying a home-cooked lunch with locals in Ninh Binh – your tastebuds won’t be the same again.
- Be treated to an overnight stay on a traditional junk sailing boat in Halong Bay – wake up and feel like you’re still in a dream, surrounded by the incredible limestone karsts and turquoise waters of this magical place.
- Visit a restaurant with a difference and enjoy a special lunch at KOTO restaurant – an Intrepid Foundation supported program that teaches disadvantaged youth hospitality skills.
- While the pace is generally easy, there is some walking involved on this trip, with walking tours in the downtown areas of each city, as well as a walk in the caves at Halong Bay.
- At the guesthouse in the Mekong Delta, we stay in more basic accommodation than other destinations on the trip. Amenities are shared and may have cold water only.
- Lunar New Year is an annual festival that runs for several days. This is a fascinating and rewarding time to see the country, however you do need to be prepared for some businesses to be closed, tourist sites to be very busy and for transport to be packed as many locals are travelling around the country. Please consider this when selecting your travel dates. You’ll find dates and further information in the ‘Climate and seasonal information’ section of the Essential Trip Information.
- Depending on where you come from, the weather in Vietnam might be hotter and more humid than what you are used to. We recommend checking online for what the typical temperatures will be at the time of the year you are looking to travel to see what to expect - this page might be useful: https://www.intrepidtravel.com/vietnam/weather-in-vietnam
Itinerary
View the itinerary for departures between 01 January 2025 - 31 December 2025
Inclusions
14 breakfasts, 6 lunches, 4 dinners
Boat, Plane, Private vehicle, Taxi
Guesthouse (1 night), Hotel (12 nights), Overnight boat (1 night)
- Complimentary Arrival Transfer
- Ho Chi Minh City - Welcome Dinner
- Ho Chi Minh City - Cu Chi Tunnels
- Ho Chi Minh City - War Remnants Museum
- Mekong Delta - Boat cruise with visits to local producers
- Mekong Delta - Home-cooked lunch
- Hoi An - Old Town walking tour
- Hue - Imperial City entrance and guided visit
- Hue - Royal tomb of Emperor Tu Duc
- Hue - Thien Mu Pagoda
- Hanoi - KOTO lunch
- Hanoi - One Pillar Pagoda & HCM stilt house
- Hanoi - Temple of Literature
- Ninh Binh - Hoa Lu
- Ninh Binh - Van Long Nature Reserve Boat Trip
- Ninh Binh - Home Cooked Lunch
- Ninh Binh - Thung Nham Ecotourism Zone
- Halong Bay - Overnight Boat Cruise
- Hanoi - Old Quarter Tour
- Hanoi - Local water puppet performance
- Hoi An - Food Adventure Urban Adventure - USD44
- Hoi An - Private Hoi An: Boat & Bike with Local Dinner Experience Urban Adventure - USD85
- Hoi An - Private Hoi An: My Son Discovery - USD77
- Halong Bay - Kayaking Tour - VND250000
- Hanoi - Fine Arts Museum - VND30000
- Hanoi - Hoa Lo 'Hanoi Hilton' Prison - VND50000
- Hanoi - Museum of Ethnology - VND40000
- Hanoi - Street Food Experience Urban Adventure - USD40
Dates and availability
Important notes
1. A single supplement is available if you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip. The single supplement excludes Day 3 (Guesthouse) and Day 13 (Boat) where you will be in shared accommodation and is subject to availability. Please speak to your booking agent for further information.
2. A complimentary airport arrival transfer is included; valid if you are arriving on Day 1 or if you have booked pre-tour accommodation through us. You must provide your flight details to your booking agent at least 14 days prior to travel.
3. Please provide your full name exactly as per passport at the time of booking (including any middle names listed on your passport) for train and flight 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.
4. This trip includes domestic flights as indicated on the trip map. The luggage allowance is 20kg for check in luggage and 7kg for carry on.
Want an in-depth insight into this trip? Essential Trip Information provides a detailed itinerary, visa info, how to get to your hotel, what's included - pretty much everything you need to know about this adventure and more.
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