Original
Explorer
Vietnam Express Southbound
10 days • 5
5
Excellent
1685 reviews
10 days
Start
Hanoi, Vietnam
Finish
Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Trip Code
TVSF
Min Age
15
Trip Size
1 - 16
Physical Rating
Meals
8 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 2 dinners
Transport
Boat, Motorbike, Overnight sleeper train, Plane, Private Minibus, Taxi, Sampan, Tuk-tuk
Accommodation
Hotel (7 nights), Overnight boat (1 night), Overnight sleeper train (1 night)
From £837(10 days)
Trip Informations
Why you’ll love this trip
Fall in love with Vietnam one bite at a time – slurp a bowl of pho on a busy street corner, crunch into a breakfast Bahn mi and sit down to a vegetarian feast in a Buddhist nunnery.
Sail through Ha Long Bay's Heritage-listed limestone karsts and island caves, visit a centre that turns the bay's discarded trash into treasures and spend the night checking out the stars on an overnight cruise.
Travel like a local on a motorbike tour, riding pillion and taking in the historical pagodas, bridges and villages of Hue.
Embrace a slower pace during a private boat tour of the Mekong Delta and meet local craftspeople in the villages that line the river's myriad waterways.
Wander through the remarkably well-preserved streets of Hoi An's Old Town on a guided tour, where elegant wooden buildings line the canals.
Is this trip right for you?
To see as much as possible, this trip involves some long journeys, including by overnight train where the amenities are shared and basic. For more about what this experience is like, see our blog post here: https://www.tuuur.com/adventures/what-to-expect-on-an-overnight-train-in-vietnam/ https://www.tuuur.com/adventures/what-to-expect-on-an-overnight-train-in-vietnam/ (https://www.tuuur.com/adventures/what-to-expect-on-an-overnight-train-in-vietnam/)
The motorbike tour of Hue has been assessed for safety and is closely monitored (helmets are provided). However, alternative transport can be arranged for those who would prefer not to travel by motorbike.
Depending on where you come from, the weather in Vietnam might be hotter and more humid than what you are used to. Please consider your suitability for the season you wish to travel in. Check out https://www.tuuur.com/vietnam/weather-in-vietnam for more info. https://www.tuuur.com/vietnam/weather-in-vietnam (https://www.tuuur.com/vietnam/weather-in-vietnam)
Itinerary also runs in reverse, from Ho Chi Minh City to Hanoi. Enter trip code TVSQ on our website for details.
This trip is a great way to see a lot of Vietnam in a relatively short period of time. If you would like a longer tour in Vietnam, maybe check out Best of Vietnam (TVST). You may also want to check out our South East Asia Loop (TTSVC), or our Best of Vietnam & Cambodia (TVSKC) if you have longer time to explore in the region.
Itinerary
Discover the karst-studded bays, bustling cities and bicycle-powered food carts of Vietnam
Uncover all the good bits of Vietnam on this ten-day adventure through backstreets, villages, cities and waterways, all with a local leader by your side. Trace the east coast and visit UNESCO World Heritage-listed landscapes while you fuel yourself with banh mi and condensed milk coffee. Try some authentic street food, wave to fishermen on the Mekong Delta and get the inside scoop on the best tailors of Hoi An. Take a motorbike through the ancient streets of Hue and spend a night under the moon of Ha Long Bay. This is an adventure full of life, colour and flavour that introduces you to the highlights of a fascinating nation with a small group of likeminded travellers.
Inclusions
Meals
8 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 2 dinners
Transport
Boat, Motorbike, Overnight sleeper train, Plane, Private Minibus, Taxi, Sampan, Tuk-tuk
Accommodation
Hotel (7 nights), Overnight boat (1 night), Overnight sleeper train (1 night)
Included activities
Hanoi - KOTO dinner
Halong Bay - Overnight Boat Cruise
Halong Bay - Cave entry
Halong Bay - The Green Life Visit
Hue - Imperial City entrance and guided visit
Hue - Royal tomb of Emperor Tu Duc
Hue - Highlights & back streets tour by motorbike
Hue - Thien Mu Pagoda
Hue - Vegetarian Lunch at Pagoda
Hoi An - Old Town walking tour
Ho Chi Minh City - War Remnants Museum
Ho Chi Minh City - City tour
Mekong Delta - Mekong Delta Day Trip & Village Tuk-Tuk Tour
Mekong Delta - Lunch
Optional activities
Hanoi - Women's Museum - VND30000
Hanoi - Museum of Ethnology - VND40000
Hanoi - Ho Chi Minh Complex - VND80000
Hanoi - Hanoi Street Food Experience Urban Adventure - USD39
Ninh Binh Mini Adventure (TVAN) - USD355
Hiking in Sapa (TVAG) - USD432
Halong Bay - Kayaking Tour - VND250000
Hoi An - Food Adventure Urban Adventure - USD39
Hoi An - Private Hoi An: My Son Discovery - USD73
Ho Chi Minh City - Reunification Palace - VND40000
Ho Chi Minh City - A O show - VND1050000
Ho Chi Minh City - Saigon Street Food by Night Urban Adventure - USD29
Ho Chi Minh City - Cu Chi Tunnel Experience Urban Adventure - USD39
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 Day 2 (Overnight boat) and Day 3 (Sleeper train) where you will be in shared accommodation and is subject to availability. Please speak to your booking agent for further information. Day use rooms are also excluded.
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 and flight 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.
3. This trip includes a domestic flight. Checked luggage allowance is a maximum of 20 kilograms, plus up to 7 kilograms carry on luggage. Any excess luggage charges will need to be paid directly to the airline at check-in.
Reviews (1691)
5 stars
1641
4 stars
44
3 stars
3
2 stars
3
Margaret
Mar 15, 2025
Kathryn
Mar 15, 2025
I would highly recommend Intrepid as a tour company for anyone interested in exploring our world with an ethical tour company.
Emma
Mar 15, 2025
Trip was amazing - the tour guide, Tam, the itinerary and optional extra activities meant that I experienced a lot of culture, history and made the most of my 10 days in Vietnam. I would highly recommend the trip!
Magdalena
Mar 15, 2025
I’ve had the most wonderful experience on this trip to Vietnam. So many fun activities I have never tried before. The many forms of transport really added to the experience: tuk tuks, boats, bicycles, motorcycles, electric car, train and bus. Each one a unique experience. The tour leader was superb!
Hamish
Mar 14, 2025
This trip exceeded every expectation. V was the most wonderful and knowledgable tour guide. Do not hesitate in booking this trip…!
Clare
Mar 14, 2025
Vietnam Southbound express was a wonderful insight into the country and its people. The accommodation was of an excellent standard and the logistics of getting the group from destination to destination were well arranged and efficient. Ha our guide was a wealth of knowledge and looked after us all so well. I wouldn’t hesitate to book this trip, it has been brilliant!
Urs
Mar 13, 2025
Caron
Mar 13, 2025
Such a great trip, very well organised, guide was excellent in all aspects, all the activities were informative, fun and I really felt we had helped the local communities
Constantino
Mar 13, 2025
Intrepid were able to provide an immersive and completed tour package of Vietnam, which met my expectations and budget. It was genuine value for money with extremely capable tour guides who provided a great understanding of the history, culture and customs of the Vietnamese people and their land, There were many inclusive activities and sites to behold and experience. The optional activities were diverse and affordable which I took advantage of and thoroughly enjoyed adding to an already complete package. Intrepid were no fuss to deal with, their customer relations/booking agents were very helpful organising additional accommodation & transfers. They provided adequate information about the tour, visa requirements, helpful hints, things to bring etc I do not hesitate to recommend them. I highly recommend this touring experience of Vietnam m.
Carlos
Mar 13, 2025
Any tour come any would pay a fortune to have a leader like Trang in their staff. She is smart, knowledgeable, helpful and attentive. Small details like having everything organised and prepared in time. smooth transitions between hotel, bus rides, planes. She makes the effort of listening to everyone and give a personalised help to every person. if you are into food she will be duggesting cool places for eating everywherte, if you are into history she will approach to give fun facts. All these while keeping everything smooth wothout us noticing the effort it takes. She is an amqzing leader and i would repeat an Intrepid tour if i can have her as a leader again
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