Original
Explorer
Rail
Scenic Vietnam
15 days • 4.9
5
Excellent
226 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 £1,290(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.
You may also want to check out Vietnam & Cambodia Adventure (TVSLC) if you have longer time to explore the region: https://www.tuuur.com/vietnam/vietnam-cambodia-adventure-125488 https://www.tuuur.com/vietnam/vietnam-cambodia-adventure-125488 (https://www.tuuur.com/vietnam/vietnam-cambodia-adventure-125488)
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
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 (229)
5 stars
212
4 stars
17
Jacqui
Apr 04, 2025
I know I will get the best out of the holiday with an Intrepid leader. I will get the best experience with the varied transport and accommodation and can't wait for my next trip
Linda
Apr 01, 2025
Great trip anyone under 60 could take. Being able to do so many things and learn so much about the culture
Bruce
Apr 01, 2025
Great trip saw the real side of the country as well as the tourist attractions some great treks and tours included
Claudette
Apr 01, 2025
I would recommend this trip to anyone, we had so much to do and see that you probably going on your own. Everything was explained to us and you learn so much about Vietnam
Anand
Apr 01, 2025
A really nice tour, a great introduction to the country. The hotels was very nice to stay in. Ha long bay is absolutely stunning loved being there. The food is really nice here, even being a vegan here is no issue, there are plenty of options to choose from. If you have never been to Vietnam, I strongly recommend this tour there are also plenty of activities to do as well. Do this tour, your gonna love it.
Meg
Apr 01, 2025
This is my second time coming back to vietnam and I have to say, this tour was exactly what it intended. Our tour guide Tuyen was fantastic and was good at recommending not only some great places to eat but also knew everything about each destination we went to The trains were definitely were an experience to sleep on but I recommend this tour if you want to explore a lot of hidden gems
Brett
Mar 29, 2025
The Intrepid Vietnam trip we just completed was more than we expected. Our tour leader Bao was awesome, the food amazing and the local people are extremely friendly and welcoming.
Lisa
Mar 29, 2025
Scenic Vietnam tour is magical! This trip gives a nice deep view of the country that goes a little further than just the hot spots and I felt like I was off the beaten path with the locals which I loved! Our leader Bao, the group we had, and this extremely friendly country blew me away. Everyone should choose this trip!!
Mark
Mar 28, 2025
The Scenic Vietnam Trip was an excellent experience and great value for money. Through the farm stays, home stays and activities, it created a real connection with the local people. Could not have wished for a better tour leader.
Anicca
Mar 26, 2025
Where to start!! I'm so glad I chose this trip! From our incredible tour guide, Ngang, our tour leader to the drivers, everything was absolutely flawless. Ngang’s knowledge, warmth, and dedication truly made the experience unforgettable. She went above and beyond to ensure that we were all well-informed, comfortable, and had a fantastic time. It was the perfect combination of local experiences, like staying in a homestay, alongside the luxury of 4-star hotels. Ngang’s attention to detail made all the difference, whether it was ensuring our safety, providing insider tips, or just making sure we were all having a great time. If you're looking for a mix of accommodations, I’d definitely recommend a trip like Seneric Vietnam, which blends the charm of homestays with the comfort of hotels. The staff at each location was welcoming and friendly, creating a truly inviting atmosphere at every stop. I loved every bit of this trip, and Ngang’s presence was a key part of making it so special. Her passion for sharing her culture and travel experiences inspired us all, and she truly made this journey feel personal. I would highly recommend this trip to anyone!
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