Basix
Explorer
Rail
Explore Vietnam
11 Days | A crash course in banh mi, karst-studded bays and bustling markets
5
Excellent
66 reviews
11 days
Start
Hanoi, Vietnam
Finish
Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Trip Code
TVRR
Min Age
15
Trip Size
1 - null
Physical Rating
Meals
1 lunch
Transport
Boat, Overnight sleeper train, Private minibus
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
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.
Take a walking tour through the Old Town of Hoi An, where the city looks exactly like it did over a century ago.
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.
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?
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.
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
Inclusions
Meals
1 lunch
Transport
Boat, Overnight sleeper train, Private minibus
Accommodation
Hotel (8 nights), Overnight sleeper train (2 nights)
Activities
Hanoi - Vun Art center visit
Hanoi - Flower and flea market visit
Cat Ba Island - Boat trip on Lan Ha Bay
Cat Ba Island - Lan Ha Bay Lunch
Cat Ba Island - Kayaking
Hoa Lu - Temple of King Dinh and King Le
Ninh Binh - Bike Tour
Hoi An - Old Town walking tour
Ho Chi Minh City - Orientation Walk
Optional activities
Hanoi - Fine Arts Museum - VND30000
Hanoi - Museum of Ethnology - VND40000
Hanoi - Street Food Experience Urban Adventure - USD29
Hanoi - Temple of Literature - VND70000
Hanoi - Ho Chi Minh Complex - VND80000
Ninh Binh - Trang An Boat Trip (entrance fee, boat, taxi) - USD21
Ninh Binh - Mua Cave Hike (entrance fee and taxi) - USD12
Hue - Royal tomb of Emperor Tu Duc - VND150000
Hue - Imperial City Full Day Tour - USD69
Hue - Highlights & back streets by motorbike (with lunch) - USD28
Hue - Highlights & back streets by motorbike (without lunch) - USD23
Hue - Perfume River cruise & Thien Mu Pagoda - VND220000
Hoi An - Cooking class - USD33
Danang - Marble Mountain - VND40000
Hoi An - Food Adventure Urban Adventure - USD44
Hoi An - Private Hoi An: My Son Discovery - USD77
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 - USD45
Ho Chi Minh City - Mekong Discovery Urban Adventure - USD59
Ho Chi Minh City - Saigon Street Food by Night Urban Adventure - USD36
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 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
Bronwyn
Dec 14, 2024
Interip excellent. Great activities, free time, best guides, fabulous accomodation Loved our time in Vietnam with Nhan.
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.
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!
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!
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.
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.
Astrid Claire
Oct 01, 2024
Absolutely recommend!!
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
mike
Oct 01, 2024
Great way to travel,great tour guides that are well organized and knowledgeable.
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!
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