Original
Explorer
Vietnam Express Southbound
5
Excellent
2772 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 £876(10 days)
Trip Informations
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 on Halong 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.
Why you’ll love this trip
Sail through Ha Long Bay's UNESCO World Heritage-listed limestone karsts and island caves and spend the night checking out the stars on an overnight cruise.
Visit a local recycling centre to learn about the community’s environmental work, then 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.
Contribute to The Tuuur Effect when you tuck into steaming bowls of pho or fresh rice paper rolls at KOTO – a restaurant and social enterprise equipping disadvantaged young people with skills to build sustainable careers in hospitality.
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
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
Hue - Imperial City entrance and guided visit
Hue - Village Recycling Hub Visit & Salt Coffee Tasting
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
Hanoi - 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 (from) - VND800000
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
Reviews (2693)
5 stars
2597
4 stars
85
3 stars
4
2 stars
4
1 star
3
Andrew
Aug 08, 2026
Fantastic tour with action packed itineary! Thuy our tour guide was friendly and relaxed, he gave us a deep insight into vietnam and was fantastic throughout!
Sage
Aug 07, 2026
Southbound did not disappoint. Plenty to see and do, enough down time and felt like a truly immersive experience
Taylah
Aug 06, 2026
Our tour guide Thanh and the team behind him made this trip so memorable, seamless and fun. I will definitely be booking another tour with intrepid!
Ryan
Aug 06, 2026
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ I have just finished the 9-day Vietnam tour, and all I can say is wow. From start to finish, it exceeded every expectation I had. Vietnam is an incredible country, but what made this trip so special was the people. Our tour leader was outstanding—friendly, knowledgeable, organised and genuinely passionate about sharing the culture and history of Vietnam. Nothing ever felt rushed, and we always felt well looked after. The group was fantastic. Travelling with people you’ve never met can be a bit of an unknown, but everyone was welcoming, respectful and a lot of fun. We shared so many laughs and experiences together that by the end of the tour it felt like travelling with friends rather than strangers. Every day offered something different, from amazing local food and coffee to beautiful scenery, fascinating history and authentic cultural experiences. There was a great balance between organised activities and free time to explore on our own. I’m genuinely over the moon with the experiences I had over these nine days. I’ve made memories I’ll never forget and met some wonderful people along the way. If you’re considering this tour, don’t hesitate. It’s exceptional value, very well organised, and an experience I’ll be recommending to family and friends for years to come. Thank you to our tour leader, the local guides and everyone in the group for making this such an unforgettable adventure. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Sonia
Aug 03, 2026
Intrepid is one of the best organisations I have every had to deal with they go about and beyond and makes your holiday an unforgettable experience
Els
Aug 02, 2026
Intrepid provided a carefully and meticulously planned itinerary that allowed us to experience the rich culture and history of Vietnam. Our tour guide really made our trip special and we would consider him family now.
Rhonda & Allan
Aug 02, 2026
Really enjoyed our trip into Vietnam. Would recommend doing Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh direction as the temperatures become more manageable. Definitely recommend the overnight train experience, motor bike and tok tok activities, felt really safe doing these. A lot of scooters and people but no major issues once you got used to dealing with them.
Wayne
Aug 02, 2026
Ewen
Aug 01, 2026
Great trip to do if you want a behind the scenes trip with a more authentic feel. Small group with expert local guide. Excursions include local food and culture. Their ethos is based on less impact on the environment and to support local businesses and family enterprise. We highly rate this experience.
Jeffrey and Alison
Aug 01, 2026
The entire trip was all we could have asked for - well-organised, informative, varied, and fun! Thao was an exceptional tour guide, who ensured our group felt like family, and was always good-humoured, well-organised and knowledgable. Highly recommended.
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