Best of Vietnam

20 Days | Take on the ultimate south to north adventure of Vietnam

4.9 out of 5 based on 52 reviews submitted.
Explorer
From
USD $2,329

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.

Trip overview

Map of Best Of Vietnam including Vietnam
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
Original
Ages
Min 15
Group size
Min 1 - Max 12
Trip code
TVST
This trip generates 73 kg of CO2-e per person per day.
We offset these emissions on your behalf. But we know that is not enough, so we also have a carbon reduction target.

Why you'll love this trip
  • 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.

Is this trip right for you?
  • During this trip, there will be several long days of travelling and you'll be sitting on a bus for many hours at a time. However, road trips often have the best views, and most private buses feature wi-fi.
  • We 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. For more about what this experience is like, see our blog post here: https://www.intrepidtravel.com/adventures/what-to-expect-on-an-overnight.
  • This trip involves a lot of walking and a few physical activities, e.g. city tours, village cycling, or taking an optional kayak tour etc. You’ll be required to be reasonably fit to make the most of the trip.
  • You'll be spending three nights with local families on this trip, where the accommodation is shared and basic. But this is a great opportunity to connect with the local people (and enjoy delicious homecooked meals). Read more about the experiences here: https://www.intrepidtravel.com/adventures/community-based-tourism-vietnam/
  • 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 to pack appropriate clothing - this page may be useful: https://www.intrepidtravel.com/vietnam/weather-in-vietnam

This itinerary is valid for departures from 01 January 2025 to 31 December 2025.

View the itinerary for departures between 01 January 2023 - 31 December 2024

Itinerary

Map of Best Of Vietnam including Vietnam

Inclusions

Meals

17 breakfasts, 5 lunches, 3 dinners

Transport

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

Accommodation

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

Activities
  • 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
Optional activities
  • Ho Chi Minh City - A O show - VND1050000
  • Hoi An - Private Hoi An: Boat & Bike with Local Dinner Experience Urban Adventure - USD85
  • Hoi An - Food Adventure Urban Adventure - USD44
  • Hoi An - Private Hoi An: My Son Discovery - USD77
  • Hanoi - Fine Arts Museum - VND30000
  • Hanoi - Hoa Lo 'Hanoi Hilton' Prison - VND50000
  • Hanoi - Temple of Literature - VND70000
  • Hanoi - Women's Museum - VND30000
  • Hanoi - Army Museum - VND20000
  • Hanoi - Street Food Experience Urban Adventure - USD29

Dates and availability

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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 days 15&16 (homestays), days 7&13 (overnight trains), and Days 18 (overnight boat) where you will be in shared accommodation and is subject to availability. Please speak to your booking agent for further information.

Essential Trip 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 Information

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 based on 52 reviews submitted.
Reviews are from travellers who have completed their trip and want to share their experience. We show all reviews, but may remove any that include profanity or inappropriate content, are unrelated to the trip or reveal personal details.

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Mark · Traveled September 2024
Review submitted 12 Oct 2024

Noeline · Traveled September 2024
Review submitted 20 Sep 2024

Liesl · Traveled July 2024
Review submitted 29 Jul 2024

Tracey · Traveled April 2024
Review submitted 29 Apr 2024

Elizabeth · Traveled April 2024
Review submitted 26 Apr 2024
Best of Vietnam
From
USD $2,329