Basix
Explorer
Rail
Explore Vietnam
11 Days | A crash course in banh mi, karst-studded bays and bustling markets
5
Excellent
circle66 reviews
location_on 11 days
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Start
Hanoi, Vietnam
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Finish
Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
tour
Trip Code
TVRR
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Min Age
15
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Trip Size
1 - null
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Physical Rating
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Meals
1 lunch
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Transport
Boat, Overnight sleeper train, Private minibus
bed
Accommodation
Hotel (8 nights), Overnight sleeper train (2 nights)
From £754(11 days)
Trip Informations
Get a taste of adventure over 11 days in Vietnam. This escapade from north to south takes you from French-influenced Hanoi to heaving Ho Chi Minh City on a journey that balances local guidance with freedom to explore independently. Discover the countryside around Hue by bicycle, kayak between limestone karsts off the coast of Cat Ba Island and chill out in Ninh Binh. Let an expert local leader show you around this vivacious nation so you can see the real Vietnam.
Why you’ll love this trip
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Lan Ha Bay is a beautiful enclave of green waters and strange rock formations. Explore them by boat and kayak, then spend the night on nearby Cat Ba Island.
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Take a walking tour through the Old Town of Hoi An, where the city looks exactly like it did over a century ago.
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Travel to the UNESCO protected Ninh Binh, often referred to as ‘Ha Long Bay on land’, with its winding river etched between towering limestone mountains. Plus, get a chance to explore 10th century Hoa Lu – the temple of King Dinh and King Le.
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Enjoy a cycling tour where you’ll discover Ninh Binh in a fresh way that gets your blood pumping and takes you off the beaten track – explore Hoa Lu – the temple of King Dinh and King Le along the way.
Is this trip right for you?
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Some travellers find the pace of this trip quite fast as we are covering a lot of destinations in a short amount of time. If you would like a more relaxed pace with more time to explore, you might like to consider a longer trip (see trip code TVRN on our website) or adding additional days in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City before or after your trip.
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Don’t let the heat keep you from exploring the world! 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 our guide so you know what temperatures to expect:
Itinerary
- DAY 1Day 1 • Hanoi
- DAY 2Day 2 • Hanoi
- DAY 3Day 3 • Cat Ba
- DAY 4Day 4 • Ninh Binh
- DAY 5Day 5 • Ninh Binh – Overnight train
- DAY 6Day 6 • Hue
- DAY 7Day 7 • Hoi An
- DAY 8Day 8 • Hoi An
- DAY 9Day 9 • Overnight Train
- DAY 10Day 10 • Ho Chi Minh City
- DAY 11Day 11 • Ho Chi Minh City
Inclusions
restaurant_menu Meals
1 lunch
airport_shuttle Transport
Boat, Overnight sleeper train, Private minibus
bed Accommodation
Hotel (8 nights), Overnight sleeper train (2 nights)
festival Activities
circleHanoi - Vun Art center visit
circleHanoi - Flower and flea market visit
circleCat Ba Island - Boat trip on Lan Ha Bay
circleCat Ba Island - Lan Ha Bay Lunch
circleCat Ba Island - Kayaking
circleHoa Lu - Temple of King Dinh and King Le
circleNinh Binh - Bike Tour
circleHoi An - Old Town walking tour
circleHo Chi Minh City - Orientation Walk
museum Optional activities
circleHanoi - Fine Arts Museum - VND30000
circleHanoi - Museum of Ethnology - VND40000
circleHanoi - Street Food Experience Urban Adventure - USD29
circleHanoi - Temple of Literature - VND70000
circleHanoi - Ho Chi Minh Complex - VND80000
circleNinh Binh - Trang An Boat Trip (entrance fee, boat, taxi) - USD21
circleNinh Binh - Mua Cave Hike (entrance fee and taxi) - USD12
circleHue - Royal tomb of Emperor Tu Duc - VND150000
circleHue - Imperial City Full Day Tour - USD69
circleHue - Highlights & back streets by motorbike (with lunch) - USD28
circleHue - Highlights & back streets by motorbike (without lunch) - USD23
circleHue - Perfume River cruise & Thien Mu Pagoda - VND220000
circleHoi An - Cooking class - USD33
circleDanang - Marble Mountain - VND40000
circleHoi An - Food Adventure Urban Adventure - USD44
circleHoi An - Private Hoi An: My Son Discovery - USD77
circleHo Chi Minh City - War Remnants Museum - VND40000
circleHo Chi Minh City - Reunification Palace - VND40000
circleHo Chi Minh City - Cu Chi Tunnel Experience Urban Adventure - USD45
circleHo Chi Minh City - Mekong Discovery Urban Adventure - USD59
circleHo Chi Minh City - Saigon Street Food by Night Urban Adventure - USD36
Dates and availability
Starting
Ending
Remaining
Prices From
Thursday Jun 12, 2025
Sunday Jun 22, 2025
Trip size max: - 16 spaces left
£754
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Thursday Jul 03, 2025
Sunday Jul 13, 2025
Trip size max: - 16 spaces left
£754
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Thursday Jul 17, 2025
Sunday Jul 27, 2025
Trip size max: - 16 spaces left
£754
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Thursday Aug 07, 2025
Sunday Aug 17, 2025
Trip size max: - 16 spaces left
£754
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Thursday Sep 04, 2025
Sunday Sep 14, 2025
Trip size max: - 16 spaces left
£754
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Thursday Sep 25, 2025
Sunday Oct 05, 2025
Trip size max: - 16 spaces left
£754
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Thursday Oct 09, 2025
Sunday Oct 19, 2025
Trip size max: - 16 spaces left
£781
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Thursday Oct 23, 2025
Sunday Nov 02, 2025
Trip size max: - 16 spaces left
£781
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Thursday Nov 06, 2025
Sunday Nov 16, 2025
Trip size max: - 16 spaces left
£781
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Thursday Nov 13, 2025
Sunday Nov 23, 2025
Trip size max: - 16 spaces left
£781
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Thursday Nov 27, 2025
Sunday Dec 07, 2025
Trip size max: - 16 spaces left
£814
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Thursday Dec 04, 2025
Sunday Dec 14, 2025
Trip size max: - 16 spaces left
£814
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Thursday Dec 18, 2025
Sunday Dec 28, 2025
Trip size max: - 16 spaces left
£814
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Thursday Dec 25, 2025
Sunday Jan 04, 2026
Trip size max: - 16 spaces left
£814
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Important notes
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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.
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2. A single supplement is available if you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip. The single supplement excludes Days 5 & 9 (overnight train) where you will be in shared accommodation and is subject to availability. Please speak to your booking agent for further information.
Reviews (68)
5 stars
65
4 stars
3
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Bronwyn
Dec 14, 2024
Interip excellent.
Great activities, free time, best guides, fabulous accomodation
Loved our time in Vietnam with Nhan.
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Lisa
Dec 14, 2024
Always have the most fabulous time on intrepid trips. Guides and fellow travellers always knowledgeable, helpful and friendly. Experiences are unforgettable. Thank you. I will be back.
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Joanne
Dec 08, 2024
Absolutely wonderful time seeing Vietnam and it's wonders. Tuyet our leader was amazing, such an asset to Intrepid. Nothing was too much trouble for her in helping you out or recommending a place to eat. It's my second trip to Vietnam but I may have to visit again as I loved the countryside, the cities, the amazing food, the coffee and the lovely people. Thanks Intrepid!
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Jack
Oct 31, 2024
A simply amazing trip which I would highly recommend to anyone! Perfect for anyone wanting to see such an amazing country, and experience an amazing way of travelling. Book this trip!
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Ellie
Oct 30, 2024
This trip was incredible and highly recommend. We got to see Vietnam but also really experience how the local people live and how their lifestyle, food and community’s change as you travel through the country. All I’ve the day trips were well organise but also had the opportunity to try different activities not listed on the itinerary. The trip is busy and faced paced so if you also want some time to relax would recommend adding time to the end of the trip. We can’t wait to book another intrepid trip.
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Helen
Oct 06, 2024
This itinerary was a perfect balance of group activities and freedom to also do your own thing. Thanh Vu was a great host. He was patient and well organized. I highly recommend this trip.
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Astrid Claire
Oct 01, 2024
Absolutely recommend!!
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Paula
Oct 01, 2024
My husband and I thoroughly enjoyed our first Intrepid tour due to the activities, some of the accommodation were stayed in, the food and especially our tour guide, Thanh Vu, who I highly recommend and will be requesting for our next tour with Intrepid
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mike
Oct 01, 2024
Great way to travel,great tour guides that are well organized and knowledgeable.
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Katarzyna
Sep 30, 2024
This was an amazing tour that gives a nice glimpse of the country's most iconic landmarks, history, food, culture, and amazing landscapes! There's a good balance between group activities and free time. Leader, Than Hoang was amazing and didn't miss a beat - he was always communicative, helpful with recommendations, always available for questions and super organized!