Basix
18 to 35s
Essential Vietnam
4.9
Excellent
315 reviews
12 days
Start
Hanoi, Vietnam
Finish
Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Trip Code
TVYE
Min Age
18
Trip Size
1 - 16
Physical Rating
Meals
2 lunches, 1 dinner
Transport
Boat, Overnight sleeper train, Private minibus
Accommodation
Hotel (8 nights), Lodge (1 night), Overnight sleeper train (2 nights)
From £631(12 days)
Trip Informations
Why you’ll love this trip
Chill out in Hoi An where you can get some sweet threads tailor-made before you head out to pick your own ingredients for lunch during a garden-to-table experience with a local chef.
Sit down for a cup of strong Vietnamese coffee after touring a busy Ho Chi Minh City market and listen to stories from your trip leader about the city’s vibrant culture and history as you tuck into some delicious street eats.
Balance on a tiny streetside stool in Hanoi's Old Quarter, soaking up the bustling vibes and watching motorbikes zoom past. Then, maybe hit a local bar for a refreshing beer with the locals or explore the nightlife in search of the best cocktail.
Take in the views of Lan Ha Bay by kayak as you explore the limestone islands during your visit to Cat Ba Island. Who'd have thought green seas and giant mossy rocks could be so pretty?
Cycle around the ancient temples and expansive fields in Ninh Binh – a protected UNESCO World Heritage Site. With loads of free time, you can hike to Mua Cave or take a boat down in Tam Coc to the nearby caves.
Is this trip right for you?
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. For more about what this experience is like, see our blog post here:  https://www.tuuur.com/adventures/what-to-expect-on-an-overnight . https://www.tuuur.com/adventures/what-to-expect-on-an-overnight (https://www.tuuur.com/adventures/what-to-expect-on-an-overnight)
This trip is for travellers who appreciate a bit of independence. You'll get plenty of free time in each location to make your own choices, do your own activities and eat where you like. Your leader is always there to give you tips and suggestions.
This trip is part of a longer itinerary. You might be joining travellers who have already spent some time together. If you have more time to explore, you might like to check out Epic South East Asia or Epic Vietnam to Cambodia.
Itinerary
From World-Heritage islands to hole-in-the-wall bars, you’ll see all the essentials in Vietnam
As you slink from old-world Hanoi through ancient Hue, past historic Hoi An and to bustling Ho Chi Minh City, you'll quickly realise that the Vietnamese know a thing or two about delicious food. Pho, banh mi, rice paper rolls – oh my! On this 12-day trip from north to south, you’ll be cruising, riding, relaxing, kayaking, drinking, exploring and enjoying all the Vietnamese hospitality. From sailing on the calm waters of Cat Ba Island to picking your own lunch ingredients from a local chef’s garden, you’ll discover that this place is even richer in culture and city hotspots than you thought.
Inclusions
Meals
2 lunches, 1 dinner
Transport
Boat, Overnight sleeper train, Private minibus
Accommodation
Hotel (8 nights), Lodge (1 night), Overnight sleeper train (2 nights)
Included activities
Cat Ba Island - Boat trip on Lan Ha Bay
Cat Ba Island - Kayaking
Hoa Lu - Temple of King Dinh and King Le
Ninh Binh - Bike Tour
Hue - Home cooked dinner
Hoi An - Old Town walking tour
Hoi An - Garden-to-Table with A Local Chef
Ho Chi Minh City – Local Market Visit
Ho Chi Minh City - Local Coffee Experience
Optional activities
Hanoi - Street Food Experience Urban Adventure - USD29
Hanoi - Temple of Literature - VND70000
Hanoi - Ho Chi Minh Complex - VND80000
Ninh Binh - Mua Cave Hike (entrance fee and taxi) - USD12
Ninh Binh - Trang An Boat Trip (entrance fee, boat, taxi) - USD21
Hue - Highlights & back streets by motorbike (without lunch) - USD23
Hue - Highlights & back streets by motorbike (with lunch) - USD28
Hue - Perfume River cruise & Thien Mu Pagoda - VND220000
Hoi An - Food Adventure Urban Adventure - USD39
Hoi An - Cooking class - USD33
Hoi An - Private Hoi An: My Son Discovery (from) - USD73
Quy Nhon - Eo Gio Hike - VND22000
Quy Nhon - Canh Tien Tower - VND15000
Quy Nhon - Banh It Tower - VND15000
Quy Nhon - Con Chim Ecological Zone - USD31
Ho Chi Minh City - War Remnants Museum - VND40000
Ho Chi Minh City - Reunification Palace - VND40000
Ho Chi Minh City - Cu Chi Tunnel Experience Urban Adventure - USD39
Ho Chi Minh City - Mekong Discovery Urban Adventure - USD59
Ho Chi Minh City - Saigon Street Food by Night Urban Adventure - USD29
Dates and availability
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Important notes
1. A single supplement is available if you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip. The single supplement excludes Days 5 & 10 (overnight train) where you will be in shared accommodation, and is subject to availability. Please speak to your booking agent for further information.
2. 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.
Reviews (300)
5 stars
278
4 stars
16
3 stars
4
2 stars
2
Tyler
Oct 02, 2025
I loved every minute
Julian
Oct 02, 2025
Such a fun tour! Jolie is the absolute best and created such a fun, positive, enjoyable environment. This was my first trip with intrepid and I really enjoyed it!
Nour
Oct 01, 2025
Amazing trip. We saw so much and did so many activities. I had such a good time.
Stefan
Oct 01, 2025
My Essential Vietnam trip was heaps of fun! Our group leader was very enthusiastic and I really got along with everyone in the group - they were a similar age to me and everyone supported each other. The activities were a good balance of physical challenges and cultural experiences.
Timothy
Oct 01, 2025
Travelling Vietnam with Intrepid was the foodie and cultural experience I needed, and I was not disappointed!
Ansh
Sep 25, 2025
Sheila
Sep 25, 2025
Alice
Sep 17, 2025
Loved this trip. Linh was amazing and we could not have asked for a better tour leader.
Mia
Sep 17, 2025
Elisa
Aug 29, 2025
Had so much fun on my trip to Vietnam! I was a bit nervous but Intrepid took care of everything.
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