15 Days | Discover the quiet hills of the Da Bac region and the bustling cityscapes of Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh
![Passenger on a boat ride on the Mekong River, Vietnam on an Intrepid Travel tour.](/v3/assets/blt0de87ff52d9c34a8/blt02c06c6f54613e9a/63c8c9a0dbf31318c9cd58ae/TVKT_vietnam_mekong_ho-chi-minh-city_boat-ride.jpg?branch=prd&width=75&quality=35&blur=1&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
![Kayaking Cat Ba Island Lan Ha Bay Intrepid Travel Vietnam](/v3/assets/blt0de87ff52d9c34a8/blt8c26074605442130/63c8c9d95decd75f45a224fe/Intrepid_Travel-vietnam_halong-bay_canoe.jpg?branch=prd&width=75&quality=35&blur=1&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
![Ruins found in the Imperial Citadel in Hue, Vietnam as seen on an Intrepid Travel tour.](/v3/assets/blt0de87ff52d9c34a8/blt9e9b8945ef9f8018/63c8c9de6dbe4737b9bf37e4/TVSR_vietnam_hue_ruins.jpg?branch=prd&width=75&quality=35&blur=1&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
![Train ride through the countryside in Vietnam](/v3/assets/blt0de87ff52d9c34a8/blt1411d5f50df472f2/6647db99873d9690b40410bc/Intrepid-Travel-Vietnam_train_ss_192090434-1100x735.jpg?branch=prd&width=75&quality=35&blur=1&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
![A spread of local vietnamese food in Hoi An, Vietnam as seen on an Intrepid Travel tour](/v3/assets/blt0de87ff52d9c34a8/blt32293a30bd92e651/63c8688e5e12d245a5148063/TVFA_Vietnam_Hoi-An_4272.jpg?branch=prd&width=75&quality=35&blur=1&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
Journey from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City on an incredible two-week adventure in Vietnam. Discover the stately capital Hanoi, the lush hills of the Da Bac region, the stunning limestone scenery of Cat Ba Island, the majesty of historic Hue, the fairytale atmosphere of Hoi An, the white sand beach at Quy Nhon, the glorious waterways of the Mekong Delta and the dynamic streets of Ho Chi Minh City. Explore not only the main highlights of the cities, but also the remote countryside, well away from the tourist crowds. A homestay in Sung Village, nestled in the forest among caves and tea plantations, is a chance to trek through minority villages and experience Vietnam at its sleepy best.
Trip overview
![Map of Scenic Vietnam including Vietnam](/v3/assets/blt0de87ff52d9c34a8/blt9c281dfd22bb6bce/64edf23381a48acbe851a3cb/TVSR_2024.gif?branch=prd&width=75&quality=35&blur=1&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
- Start
- Hanoi, Vietnam
- Finish
- Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
- Theme
- Explorer, Rail
- 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
- Original
- Ages
- Min 15
- Group size
- Min 1 - Max 16
- Trip code
- TVSR
- Experience local life during homestays in the Mekong Delta and Da Bac. Get to know the host families, participate in their activities and enjoy a homestyle meal – this is a unique opportunity to get to know the locals and swap stories.
- Cruise a sea of limestone karsts, blue-green waters, mysterious caves and ancient jungle on an unforgettable boat trip in Lan Ha Bay, a less-touristy but equally stunning area to Ha Long Bay.
- Get a different view of Vietnam from the back of a motorbike. Take a two-wheeled tour around Hue and enjoy a special lunch spot at a convent or Buddhist monastery for a delicious vegetarian feast.
- Visit a local master of martial arts with a family visit in Quy Nhon. Learn how they’ve been practising martial arts for three generations, the benefits on well-being and health and then learn some moves yourself!
- Wander the streets of the charming Old Town of Hoi An and step back in time among the gorgeously restored architecture. Then, enjoy plenty of free time to explore at your own pace.
- By travelling on this trip, you’ll directly support our Intrepid Foundation partner, WildAct. Donations help them run educational programs that aim to stop the illegal hunting of threatened migratory birds in Vietnam.
- You'll be spending two nights with local families on this trip. While the accommodation is shared and basic, this is a great opportunity to connect with the local people (and enjoy delicious home-cooked meals!). Read more about the experiences here: https://www.intrepidtravel.com/adventures/community-based-tourism-vietnam/
- This trip involves a 10 km trek in the hills of Da Bac and included city walking tours. While being on your feet can be a bit tiring, this is the best way to really get under the skin of a place.
- You’ll cover a lot of distance on this trip, including on overnight trains. Accommodation and amenities are shared and basic, but the experience of rubbing shoulders with the locals makes it all worthwhile.
- Vietnam has an incredibly diverse climate influenced by both tropical monsoons and its range of altitudes and latitudes. Temperatures can vary from a brisk 4°C (39°F) in the northern mountains during winter to a sweltering and humid 36°C (97°F) in Ho Chi Minh City during the middle of the dry season. Please check the weather for the time of year you're travelling in order to pack appropriate clothing.
- You may also want to check out Vietnam & Cambodia Adventure (TVSLC) if you have longer time to explore the region: https://www.intrepidtravel.com/vietnam/vietnam-cambodia-adventure-125488
Itinerary
View the itinerary for departures between 01 January 2025 - 31 December 2025
Inclusions
12 breakfasts, 5 lunches, 2 dinners
Boat, Overnight sleeper train, Private minibus, Taxi, Motorbike
Guesthouse (1 night), Homestay (1 night), Hotel (10 nights), Overnight sleeper train (2 night)
- Da Bac - Homestay Dinner
- Da Bac - Homestay Lunch
- Da Bac - Sung Cave & Village Tour
- Da Bac - Sung village to Da Bia hike
- Da Bac - Da Bia Lunch
- Da Bac - Hoa Binh Reservoir Cruise
- Hanoi - Water puppet show
- Hanoi - Blue Dragon visit
- Cat Ba Island - Lan Ha Bay Lunch
- Cat Ba Island - Kayaking
- Cat Ba Island - Boat trip on Lan Ha Bay
- Hanoi - Temple of Literature
- Hanoi - Ho Chi Minh Complex
- Hue - Imperial City Full Day Tour
- Hue - Highlights & back streets by motorbike
- Hue - Royal tomb of Emperor Tu Duc
- Hoi An - Old Town walking tour
- Bich Hoa Tam Thanh - village visit
- Quy Nhon - Martial art master visit and demonstration
- Quy Nhon - Do Ban ancient citadel
- Ho Chi Minh City - War Remnants Museum
- Ho Chi Minh City - City tour
- Mekong Delta - Boat Cruise and Homestay
- Mekong Delta - Guesthouse Dinner
- Mekong Delta - Boat Cruise Lunch
- Hoi An - Private Hoi An: My Son Discovery - USD77
- Hoi An - Cooking class - USD33
- Hoi An - Food Adventure Urban Adventure - USD44
- Hoi An - Private Hoi An: Boat & Bike with Local Dinner Experience Urban Adventure - USD85
- Ho Chi Minh City - Reunification Palace - VND40000
- Ho Chi Minh City - Cu Chi Tunnel Experience Urban Adventure - USD45
- Ho Chi Minh City - Saigon Street Food by Night Urban Adventure - USD36
Dates and availability
Important notes
1. Please provide your full name exactly as per passport at the time of booking (including any middle names listed on your passport) for train tickets. 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 new tickets.
2. A single supplement is available if you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip. The single supplement excludes Day 2, 5, 11& 13, where you will be in shared accommodation and is subject to availability. Please speak to your booking agent for further information
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.
Read Essential Trip InformationReviews
Filter by rating