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14 breakfasts, 7 lunches, 4 dinners
Boat, Plane, Private Minibus
Hotel (13 nights), Overnight boat (1 night)
Arrival airport transfer
Tipping for accommodation, activities and transport
Luggage transfer
Daily breakfast and signature local meal experiences
24/7 on-ground support
Complimentary Arrival Transfer
Ho Chi Minh City – Welcome Dinner
Fast Track Airport Service on Arrival
Mekong Delta – Boat cruise with visits to local producers
Ho Chi Minh City – Reunification Palace
Ho Chi Minh City – War Remnants Museum
Ho Chi Minh City – Cu Chi Tunnels
Hoi An – Old Town walking tour
Hoi An – My Son Tour
Hue – Imperial City half day guided tour
Hue – Royal tomb of Emperor Tu Duc
Hue – Thien Mu Pagoda
Hue – Market Tour and Cooking Class
Hue – Bun Bo Hue breakfast
Hanoi – Hat Xam performance
Hanoi – Old Quarter Tour
Mai Chau – Muong Museum
Mai Chau – Vun Art NGO Visit
Mai Chau – Village Visit
Hanoi – Temple of Literature
Hanoi – One Pillar Pagoda & HCM stilt house
Hanoi – KOTO lunch
Halong Bay – Overnight Boat Cruise
Hanoi – Farewell Dinner
Halong Bay – Tai Chi
Before you book a trip with Intrepid, please take the time to read and understand what terms and conditions apply to your booking. For most of our trips, you will be booking directly with Intrepid so our Standard Booking Conditions and any applicable Special Conditions will apply. Please note that there are three versions of the Standard Booking Conditions depending on what location you are booking from.
Lock in your trip with a $400 flexible deposit if it departs 56+ days from now. Terms and conditions
Xin chao! Welcome to Vietnam. When you arrive in Ho Chi Minh City, you’ll hop in a private transfer to your hotel before meeting the group at a welcome meeting at 6 pm. After, head out for dinner with your small group and local leader. When you arrive at the restaurant you’ll step straight into a piece of Vietnamese history – originally an opium refinery built in 1861, this building still holds subtle nods to its past. Feast on a menu filled with classics and southern Vietnamese favourites, like pho (noodle soup) and bun thit nuong (grilled pork and noodles).
It’s very important that you attend the welcome meeting as we will be collecting insurance details and next of kin information at this time. If you are going to be late, please let your travel agent or hotel reception know. Ask reception or look for a note in the lobby for more information on where the meeting will take place.
With its central location and distinct building styles, hotel rooms in Ho Chi Minh City tend to be quite compact.
Kick off your first full day of the trip with a visit to the Mekong Delta, a network of rivers and canals featuring floating markets and rice paddies. After breakfast, drive south towards this region via Ben Tre. Here, you’ll board a private boat to cruise the delta, stopping at some coconut gardens to visit a local home where you can sample tropical fruits and coconut jams. After, return to the waterways of the delta on sampans (small rowing boats) and row past the coconut trees and stilt houses that flank the river. Back on land, take a tuk-tuk tour around the villages for a glimpse at rural life and learn how the coconut industry is woven into the community here. Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant before returning to Ho Chi Minh City for a free evening.
Your travel time today will be approximately 4 hours.
Today, see Ho Chi Minh City through the eyes of a local during a bus and walking tour with your leader. Visit the Reunification Palace to learn about the end of the war and then take a sobering trip to the War Remnants Museum after stopping by the Notre Dame Cathedral. Stroll the city’s streets and notice the many French buildings along the way, including the main post office and Ho Chi Minh City Hall, modelled on Paris’s Hotel de Ville. The rest of the evening is yours – be sure to ask your leader to recommend some great local spots for dinner. Perhaps pay a visit to renowned TV chef Luke Nguyen’s Vietnam House Restaurant for an elevated modern twist on traditional Vietnamese cuisine.
This morning, head on a half-day trip to the Cu Chi Tunnels – an extensive underground network (some 200 kms) of tunnels dug initially by the Viet Minh and later expanded by the Viet Cong. They housed hospitals, dwellings and schools and were extensively used for refuge, storage and as a military base. As you explore this labyrinth, your leader will explain more about its history and the 1968 Tet Offensive. A section of the tunnels has been widened to give visitors a feel for what the underground life must have been like. These tunnels will be quite hot and can get claustrophobic, so there’s an option to view them from above ground if you’d like. Later this afternoon, fly to Hoi An, a riverside town in central Vietnam.
Your travel time today will be approximately 1.5 hours.
Join your leader on a walking tour this morning to discover Hoi An’s ancient architecture and unique mix of influences. With its charming low tiled houses and tranquil feel, this is a delightful town to wander around. Start by visiting an opulently decorated historic house that was once home to a prominent trader. Then, cross the Japanese Covered Bridge, stop by the Chinese assembly hall and pay a visit to a local museum to learn more about the history you’ve uncovered on the walk. After, sit down to a lunch with the group. This afternoon you’re free to make the most of Hoi An and its surrounding areas. Your leader can provide suggestions if you need inspiration!
Once a significant port of the Champa Kingdom, Hoi An remains home to many Cham descendants today. This morning, your leader will guide you through My Son Cham, a collection of temples constructed by the Kings of Champa that date back to the 4th century. Learn about the ancient architecture of this UNESCO World Heritage site and see the craters created by American bombs during the war. After exploring the temples, experience an Apsara dance performance, featuring sparkling traditional costumes, panpipes and drums. The afternoon is free for you to explore – maybe visit one of the many tailor shops and get a custom outfit or relax by the pool at your hotel.
Head for Hue this morning, the former imperial capital and hub of Vietnam’s historic past. En route, pass through the Hai Van Pass – a scenic mountainous stretch of highway with views across Lang Co beach. Arrive in Hue and discover its eclectic mix of busy streets and peaceful beauty. In the afternoon, visit the Imperial Citadel, including the Forbidden Purple City. The latter was almost completely destroyed during the Tet Offensive in the Vietnam War, but its humble, foliage-covered ruins stand as a testament to its proud history. Here, your leader will provide share insights into the devastating damage endured during the war.
Your travel time today is approximately 3 hours.
Ready your appetite as today you’ll be diving into Hue’s culinary scene. First up, head to a street food eatery for Bun Bo Hue. This spicy noodle soup is usually made with beef and pig knuckles and is an absolute must-try in Hue. Next, meet a local chef and explore a local market where you can taste and smell all the herbs and ingredients that bring local dishes to life while learning about the culture of Vietnamese cuisine. Stop for lunch then continue to the local chef’s home and discover how to cook up dishes using the fresh ingredients from the market. Later, visit the Thien Mu Pagoda, an active Buddhist monastery and unofficial symbol of Hue that dates back to 1601. You’ll also visit the elaborate royal tomb of Emperor Tu Duc, with its beautiful lake, frangipani and pine trees, and the Imperial Citadel.
Fly from Hue to Hanoi today. Settle in when you arrive and then get your bearings with a leader-led walk, where you’ll wander the ancient 36 Streets to discover shop-lined alleys that sell everything from souvenirs to silk clothing. In the afternoon, join your group again for a traditional Hat Xam performance. Hat Xam is a Northern Vietnamese art form that originated in the Tran Dynasty. Originally performed by blind performers, it was enjoyed by local working-class audiences until the late 1950s, when a wave of communism deemed all art forms to be corrupting influences. This style of performance is rare today, but you and your group will be taken to a private clubhouse for an exclusive performance, which is one of the few places where such artists still perform acoustically.
Your travel time today is approximately 1 hour.
Your departure today will most likely be in the morning but can vary a little depending on flight schedules.
Leave Hanoi this morning in a private coach transfer to Mai Chau. This peaceful town is situated in a valley and surrounded by green mountains, making it famous for its breathtaking scenery and friendly hilltribe communities. Admire the views, fuel up over lunch and visit Vun Art – a social enterprise that employs people with disabilities to make art pieces with recycled silk scraps. Then, spend some time learning the story of the vibrant Muong ethnic group, native to this region, at the Muong Museum. Check into your accommodation in the afternoon and enjoy some free time to unwind at the Onsen retreat, before coming back together for a BBQ dinner in the hotel garden.
Your travel time today is approximately 3.5 hours.
Start the day with a leader-led walk around Bouc village, known for its terraced rice fields and traditional stilted houses. Stop at one of these houses to learn about the local Thai ethnic group, then meet with an artist to discover the craftsmanship of traditional Thai garments and textiles. Watch a performance by a Thai musician and dancers, showcasing their culture, and feel free to chat with them after. Enjoy lunch hosted by a resident family, then head back to Mai Chau for an afternoon of your choosing. You might like to take part in a bamboo rattan weaving class, try fishing at a nearby stream or simply relax in your accommodation’s Onsen baths.
Head back to Hanoi this morning for a guided half-day tour of the city with your leader, gaining insights into its history during visits to the Temple of Literature, One Pillar Pagoda and the former residence of Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam’s most famous revolutionary. Enjoy lunch at KOTO restaurant – an Intrepid Foundation supported program that teaches disadvantaged youth hospitality skills. The evening is yours to spend as you wish. Walking is a great way to explore the city, especially if you’re interested in its many lakes and parks. You’ll see that this northern capital can be quieter than its southern counterpart, and the West Lake, north of the main city, is an ideal place to interact with the locals and relax by its banks.
Your total travel time today is approximately 3.5 hours.
Today you’ll drive to Ha Long Bay – a UNESCO World Heritage site where karsts and islets create a spectacular sight. There’s no better way to appreciate the bay’s beauty than on board a junk-style boat – your Feature Stay accommodation for the evening. Carefully designed with traditional touches and modern amenities, you can sit back in comfort as you weave through the limestone islets, karsts and caves. Stop by Surprise Cave to learn about its interesting rock formations with you leader, then retire to the boat for a seafood lunch. During the warmer months, your leader will discuss the option of swimming from Ti Top Island. You might also opt to kayak while you’re here, giving you the best chance to get up close to the towering limestone karsts. This evening, dine on the boat’s deck by candlelight and watch the sun go down.
Your travel time today is approximately 3 hours.
Your main luggage can be left in the hotel in Hanoi.
Surprise Cave is accessed via staircases but the pathways inside can be a little uneven and slippery, so good walking shoes or sandals will be useful.
Swimming in the bay from the boats is banned. Kayaking is restricted to designated zones within the bay.
Your wooden junk-style boat has twin-share cabins with en-suite facilities and air-conditioning. Due to the limited cabins on board, the single supplement is excluded and accommodation will be on a twin-share basis.
Local authorities only permit a limited number of boats to stay overnight in Ha Long Bay. To ensure all travellers can be accommodated on board available boats, on occasion you will stay on a larger boat (with up to 12 cabins) and share your boat with another group. Or, your group may be split across different vessels, in which case a group leader will be present on each boat, and the route taken and inclusions on board will remain the same. To arrange the best possible boat, the overnight on Ha Long Bay may be moved 1 day prior due to availability. If this is the case, you’ll tour Hanoi the day after the Ha Long Bay overnight cruise.
In the morning, enjoy breakfast on board the boat and perhaps take part in some optional Tai Chi to start off the day. Sail back to the port, disembark and travel back to Hanoi. Arriving back in the capital, enjoy some time to wander around and enjoy some of the city’s attractions you may have missed the first time. You can shop on Hang Gai Street or perhaps enjoy some afternoon tea at the Metropole Hotel. In the evening, join your group and leader for a final dinner in a Hanoi restaurant, sharing stories and reflecting on the highlights of your adventure with your newfound friends.
Your travel time today is approximately 3 hours.
Your adventure comes to an end after breakfast. If you wish to spend more time in Hanoi, just speak to your booking agent. Thinking of exploring more of the majestic Northern Vietnam after your trip is finished? Then check out our Ninh Binh Mini Adventure (TVAN) -for an off-the-beaten path discovery of Pu Long and Ninh Binh. Or you can try our Hiking In Sapa (TVAG) – for a big doze of dramatic mountain landscapes, crisp fresh air and colorful hilltribes.
From AUD $5,995 per person, twin share · 15 Days
Prices are per person, twin share, in AUD and can change at any time. Tap a departure to enquire.
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Refund policies vary by operator and depend on how far in advance you cancel. Many offer partial refunds, while others may charge cancellation fees.
Date changes depend on the tour operator’s policy and availability. Fees may apply for last-minute changes.
Most tours include accommodations, transportation, a guide, and select meals or activities. Check the itinerary for specific inclusions and exclusions.
Extras like airfare, optional activities, meals not listed in the itinerary, personal expenses, and tips are usually not included.
There are group tours, private tours, self-guided tours, luxury tours, adventure tours, cultural tours, and more. Choose one that matches your interests and budget.
Book 3–6 months in advance for popular destinations or peak seasons. Last-minute bookings are possible, but availability may be limited.
Group Tour: You travel with other participants on a fixed itinerary. Private Tour: The tour is tailored for you and your companions, offering more flexibility and personalized attention.
This depends on the tour operator’s policies. Some allow it with prior arrangements, but you may still need to pay the full tour price.
Day Tour: A single-day excursion focusing on one or a few attractions. Multi-Day Tour: Covers multiple destinations over several days and includes accommodations.
Tips are usually not included. Check the operator’s policy and be prepared to tip guides, drivers, and other staff if not covered.
Yes, many operators offer accessible tours with accommodations for mobility aids. Check with the company for specifics.
Pack according to the tour type and destination. Essentials often include comfortable shoes, weather-appropriate clothing, travel documents, and personal items.
Some meals are usually included, especially breakfasts. Check the itinerary to know which meals are provided and which are not.
From $5,995.00
From $5,995.00
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