Original
Explorer
Rail
Scenic Vietnam
15 days • 4.9
5
Excellent
256 reviews
15 days
Start
Hanoi, Vietnam
Finish
Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Trip Code
TVSR
Min Age
15
Trip Size
1 - 16
Physical Rating
Meals
12 breakfasts, 5 lunches, 2 dinners
Transport
Boat, Overnight sleeper train, Private minibus, Taxi, Motorbike
Accommodation
Guesthouse (1 night), Homestay (1 night), Hotel (10 nights), Overnight sleeper train (2 night)
From £1,263(15 days)
Trip Informations
Why you’ll love this trip
Experience local life during homestays in the Mekong Delta and Da Bac. Get to know the host families, participate in their activities and sit down for 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 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 practicing martial arts for three generations, the benefits on well-being and health and then learn some moves yourself!
Wander the streets of the UNESCO-listed Old Town of Hoi An and step back in time among the restored architecture. Then, enjoy plenty of free time to explore at your own pace.
Is this trip right for you?
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.tuuur.com/adventures/community-based-tourism-vietnam/ https://www.tuuur.com/adventures/community-based-tourism-vietnam/ (https://www.tuuur.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.
This trip is a great way to see a lot in a short period of time and it can be part of a longer itinerary if you have more time to explore. You might like to check out Vietnam & Cambodia Adventure.
Itinerary
Discover the quiet hills of the Da Bac region and the bustling cityscapes of Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh
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 limestone scenery of Cat Ba Island, the secrets of historic Hue, the UNESCO Heritage site of Hoi An, the white beaches of Quy Nhon, the waterways of the Mekong Delta and the busy 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, in the forest among caves and tea plantations, is a chance to trek through minority villages and experience Vietnam at its seldom-seen best.
Inclusions
Meals
12 breakfasts, 5 lunches, 2 dinners
Transport
Boat, Overnight sleeper train, Private minibus, Taxi, Motorbike
Accommodation
Guesthouse (1 night), Homestay (1 night), Hotel (10 nights), Overnight sleeper train (2 night)
Included activities
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 tour by motorbike
Hue - Royal tomb of Emperor Tu Duc
Hue - Vegetarian Lunch at Pagoda
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
Optional activities
Hanoi - Ninh Binh Mini Adventure (TVAN) - USD355
Hiking in Sapa (TVAG) - USD432
Hoi An - Private Hoi An: My Son Discovery - USD73
Hoi An - Cooking class - USD33
Hoi An - Food Adventure Urban Adventure - USD39
Hoi An - Private Bike, Boat and Dinner Experience - USD69
Ho Chi Minh City - Reunification Palace - VND40000
Ho Chi Minh City - Cu Chi Tunnel Experience Urban Adventure - USD39
Ho Chi Minh City - Saigon Street Food by Night 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 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
Reviews (244)
5 stars
223
4 stars
18
3 stars
3
Greg
May 16, 2025
Excellent trip and recommend Thoa as a leader for your journey
Patricia
May 16, 2025
A fascinating view of Vietnam, top to bottom! Thao looked after us really well, nothing was too difficult. Great trip.
Sharon
May 16, 2025
Thoroughly enjoyed scenic Vietnam trip. Tour leader Thao was enthusiastic, supportive and very knowledgeable. Would recommend this trip as a great way to see a lot of Vietnam in a short space of time. Rest of the group were great company. Had a lot of great experiences including homestays, bike tour, kayaking and lots of excellent food.
Kenneth
May 05, 2025
I booked this trip because, between the homestays, sea kayaking, and overnight trains, Intrepid seemed like company that approaches travel differently than all the rest. Boy are they! From sustainability and adventure to history and immersion, this turned out to be the trip of a lifetime.
Shaun
Apr 30, 2025
My wife and I have just returned from doing the scenic Vietnam tour The trip was amazing from the beginning in Hanoi to unfortunately the end in Ho Chi Minh our tour guide Cong was awesome and a good laugh We also had a wonderful group of people who are now friends. If you want to see the real Vietnam then book this trip and if you get Cong as your guide then you are in for a great time.
Andrew
Apr 22, 2025
We celebrated our retirement on this trip to Vietnam. We come away with cherished memories. It would not have been possible without the professional organisation of Intrepid. Language barriers, transport, tourist destinations and so many other factors would have been beyond us. All was taken care of effortlessly. Thanks Intrepid.
Peter
Apr 19, 2025
With little knowledge of Vietnam prior to this trip it was a great insight to this country, from Blue Dragon, to the peaceful home stays (especially Da Bac), and seeing their life, which is so different to mine. Visiting the countryside throughout the trip. Experiencing the hustle and bustle of city life as well as the seaside town and tourist towns. Experiencing the local foods and culture. Absolutely brilliant- thankyou Peter
Carryl
Apr 16, 2025
I was so impressed with the trip to Vietnam. The things we got to do, the many various mode of transportation. A great experience on the overnight train was exciting as I have never done anything like that. Intrepid you did not disappoint us for a first time older travellers.
Elaine
Apr 14, 2025
I’ve just returned to Aus after a fabulous Scenic Vietnam trip. Our group of 12 gelled from the start and we had so much fun. Big thanks to Tra for being a great leader. On our last night we went around the room sharing our highlights. Varied from our time with the Sung people in Da Bac, kayaking in Lan Ha Bay, exploring Hue on the backs of motor bikes, sitting around the camp fire on Cat Ba Island, my surprise birthday party on the train, the food, the laughs. Awesome trip.
Emma
Apr 12, 2025
Excellent guide and great trip
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