Vietnam Discovery

Intrepid Travel · 12 days
Vietnam Discovery
Vietnam Discovery
Vietnam Discovery
Vietnam Discovery
Vietnam Discovery
Vietnam Discovery
Vietnam Discovery
Vietnam Discovery
Vietnam Discovery
Vietnam Discovery
Vietnam Discovery
Vietnam Discovery
12 Days
From AUD $1295
Trip Type
Small Group
Activity Level
Light

Rating


(20 reviews)

Vietnam Discovery

Vietnam Discovery

Intrepid Travel · 12 days
Duration

12 days

Tour Type

Small Group

Accommodations

Basic

Physical Rating

Light

Guide Language

English

Experience Overview

Trace Vietnam’s eastern coastline on this 15-day adventure, seeing the country from south to north and discovering the many natural and heritage wonders along the way.

Includes

Meals: Lunch (1),
Accommodation: Hotel (9 nights), Overnight sleeper train (2 nights)

Highlights

  • Spend your days on Cat Ba Island relaxing on tiny beaches, hiking through verdant jungle and kayaking around karst-studded Lan Ha Bay. It’s just like Ha Long, but with fewer tourists!
  • Explore the 36 streets of Hanoi’s Old Quarter, as well as the Dong Xuan Market and Hoan Kiem Lake, taking in the unique mixture of French and Buddhist architecture.
  • Wander the charming streets of Hoi An’s UNESCO World Heritage-listed ancient town, then opt to pedal past rice fields and through small villages on a guided bicycle tour of the surrounding countryside.
  • Visit Vun Art, an organisation providing people with disabilities with job training and employment opportunities. Learn how the artisans recycle old silk scraps to create handicrafts.
  • Try local specialties like banh mi, pho and egg coffee – your expert local leader will have plenty of suggestions on where to find the best local food.
Vietnam Discovery

Trip Details

Duration

12 days

Transportation

Boat, Overnight sleeper train, Private minibus, Taxi, Train

Guide Language

English

Starts

Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

Finishes

Hanoi, Vietnam

Accommodations

Basic

Travel Style

Explorer, Rail & Cruises, Budget

Physical Rating

Light

Itinerary

1
Day 1: Ho Chi Minh City
Xin chao! Welcome to Vietnam. Your adventure begins in Ho Chi Minh City with a welcome meeting at 6 pm tonight. If you do arrive early, head out to see the ancient pagodas and cathedrals near the former Presidential Palace, the historic Dong Khoi Street and the chaotic markets of Ben Thanh and Cholon (Chinatown). After your meeting tonight, why not head out with your new fellow travellers for an optional dinner and tuck into some delicious local cuisine.

Accommodation:

  • Basic Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)
2
Day 2: Ho Chi Minh City
Get to know the streets of Ho Chi Minh City with your leader on an orientation walk this morning. You’ll check out some of the city’s highlights, like the Saigon Post Office and the War Remnants Museum, which holds sobering stories of the 20-year-long Vietnam War. The rest of the day is free for you to choose your own adventure. Maybe visit the Reunification Palace, watch the A O Show (a circus performance with a distinctive bamboo set design) at the Saigon Opera House or explore the vibrant local food scene.

Included Activities:

  • Ho Chi Minh City - Leader-led city walking tour
  • Ho Chi Minh City - War Remnant Museum

Optional Activities:

  • Ho Chi Minh City - Saigon Street Food by Night Urban Adventure (29 USD)
  • Ho Chi Minh City - Reunification Palace (40000 VND)
  • Ho Chi Minh City - A O show (from) (800000 VND)

Accommodation:

  • Basic Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)
3
Day 3: Ho Chi Minh City to Hoi An
Today is a free day for you to choose from the optional activities on offer. There’s the option to go on a tour of the Cu Chi Tunnels – this former Viet Cong stronghold provides an insight into the resourcefulness and tenacity of the Vietnamese people, as well as underground life during the Vietnam War. Or, you could go on a day trip to the Mekong Delta. If you opt into this day trip, you’ll board a private boat to Ben Tre to visit the coconut gardens and stop at a local home to sample some tropical fruits and coconut jams. You’ll then paddle along the delta in sampans (small rowing boats) and go on a tuk-tuk tour of the local villages to learn about rural life. The day trip also includes a lunch of regional specialties at a restaurant in the heart of the delta. This evening, you’ll board an overnight train to Danang.

Optional Activities:

  • Ho Chi Minh City - Urban Adventure - Cu Chi Experience (39 USD)
  • Ho Chi Minh City - Mekong Discovery Urban Adventure (59 USD)

Accommodation:

  • Overnight sleeper train (Number of Nights: 1)
4
Day 4: Hoi An
Arrive in Da Nang by train and travel by minibus to Hoi An – a UNESCO World Heritage site that continues to undergo restoration work today. It was a major trading port with the West between the 15th and 19th centuries. Today, parts of Hoi An look exactly as they did more than a century ago. Your leader will take you on a sightseeing walk through the Old Town to visit some of the city's major attractions. A sightseeing pass is included in your trip, so you can visit a selection of the major sights. Hoi An is also a great spot for shopping, so head down to the markets and street stalls to browse paintings, woodwork, ceramics and lanterns. Don’t miss the excellent local cuisine – you could book yourself in for a cooking class to take some culinary secrets home with you. Most local guided tours include a trip to the local food markets, and some take you on a short boat journey along the Thu Bon River. Let your local leader know what you'd like to see and they will be able to recommend some activities to suit your interests.

Included Activities:

  • Hoi An - Old Town walking tour

Optional Activities:

  • Hoi An - Food Adventure Urban Adventure (39 USD)
  • Hoi An - Cooking class (35 USD)
  • Hoi An - Bike Rental (70000 VND)

Accommodation:

  • Basic Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)
5
Day 5: Hoi An
Wake up for a free day to do as you please. This is a great opportunity to take a trip out to the My Son temples – a UNESCO World Heritage site constructed between the 4th and 14th centuries that reflects the rich cultural traditions of the Cham civilisation. In the afternoon, maybe hire a bike for a ride through the countryside near Hoi An. There's no better way to explore this peaceful area than on two wheels – you’ll see places few tourists get the chance to visit and the green rice paddies and small creeks will give you a true insight into rural life in Vietnam. Otherwise, you could spend today relaxing on An Bang or Cua Dai Beach.

Optional Activities:

  • Hoi An - Private Hoi An: Bike, Boat and Dinner Experience tour (79 USD)
  • Hoi An - Private Hoi An: My Son Discovery (69 USD)

Accommodation:

  • Basic Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)
6
Day 6: Hue
Bid farewell to Hoi An this morning and make the drive to Hue. You’ll be travelling on the incredible Hai Van Pass, through lush mountains and past scenic lookouts, and there’ll be some good places for a photo stop. When you arrive in Hue, head out with your leader for an orientation walk, then the afternoon is free for you to explore. Hue was once Vietnam’s imperial capital and has a curious mix of bustling streets and tranquil enclaves. Maybe visit the Dong Ba Market, which sells everything imaginable and is a great place to spend some time browsing. Hue is renowned for its cuisine, with some delicious dishes originating from this region, including bun bo Hue (Hue’s delicious take on pho) and banh khoai (a filled turmeric crepe) – it’s time to give your tastebuds a workout!

Included Activities:

  • Hue - Leader-led orientation walk

Optional Activities:

  • Hue - Art & Craft (40 USD)
  • Hue - Cooking Class (35 USD)

Accommodation:

  • Basic Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)
7
Day 7: Hue to Hanoi
Enjoy a free day in Hue. Maybe visit the Imperial Citadel which includes the Forbidden Purple City that was almost completely destroyed during the Vietnam War. The gaping holes left by bombs give you an idea of how much destruction occurred in this country. If you'd rather take to the water, hop on a dragon boat cruise along the Perfume River and then visit Thien Mu Pagoda – the unofficial symbol of Hue. Here, you’ll see an active Buddhist monastery dating back to 1601 and a car belonging to the monk who tragically set himself alight in public to protest the treatment of Buddhists. You might also opt to visit the royal tomb of Emperor Tu Duc, with its central lake set amid a grove of frangipani and pine trees. This evening, take another overnight train, bound for Hanoi.

Optional Activities:

  • Hue - Highlights & back streets by motorbike (without lunch) (23 USD)
  • Hue - Highlights & back streets by motorbike (with lunch) (28 USD)
  • Hue - Thien Mu Pagoda - Free
  • Hue - Imperial City Full Day Tour (69 USD)
  • Hue - Emperor Tu Duc's Tomb (150000 VND)

Accommodation:

  • Overnight sleeper train (Number of Nights: 1)
8
Day 8: Cat Ba
Arrive in Hanoi at about 5 am, then take a bus followed by a ferry to Cat Ba Island. When you arrive, you’ll begin exploring the stunning waters of Lan Ha Bay. Located in the greater Ha Long Bay area, Lan Ha Bay is one of Vietnam’s most scenic spots, where limestone islands and caves rise from emerald waters. You’ll have a free afternoon to explore at your own pace – maybe get active on a hike or go for a dip at one of the beaches. You’ll have a free evening to relax and soak up the peaceful island vibes.

Accommodation:

  • Basic Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)
9
Day 9: Cat Ba
Enjoy a full day of relaxing with a boat trip on the beautiful Lan Ha Bay. Cruise past limestone islets and tuck into a delicious lunch on board before taking to the water in kayaks for an unforgettable adventure.

Included Activities:

  • Cat Ba Island - Lan Ha Bay Lunch
  • Cat Ba Island - Kayaking
  • Cat Ba Island - Boat trip on Lan Ha Bay

Accommodation:

  • Basic Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)
10
Day 10: Hanoi
Make the journey to Hanoi today. On the way, you’ll stop to visit Intrepid Foundation partner Vun Art – a local organisation providing people with disabilities with job training and employment opportunities. See how the artisans produce tote bags and art pieces from the discarded silk that comes from Van Phuc Silk Village. Then, continue to Hanoi, arriving in the mid-afternoon. Go on a walking tour with your leader in the Old Town to get your bearings, then the rest of the day is free.

Included Activities:

  • Hanoi - Vun Art center visit
  • Hanoi - Leader-led old quater walking tour

Optional Activities:

  • Hanoi - Private Hanoi After Dark Mixology Experience tour (95 USD)
  • Hanoi - Hanoi Street Food Experience Urban Adventure (29 USD)
  • Hanoi - Water puppet show (200000 VND)

Accommodation:

  • Basic Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)
11
Day 11: Hanoi
Explore Hanoi at your own pace with a full free day today. You might like to visit the former residence of Vietnam’s most famous revolutionary – Ho Chi Minh – or go on a daytrip to Ninh Binh, a small city in the Red River Delta of northern Vietnam, popular for its natural beauty. Chat to your leader about how you’d like to spend the day – they’ll be ready with some excellent recommendations.

Optional Activities:

  • Hanoi - Ho Chi Minh's Stilt House (50000 VND)
  • Hanoi - Private Ninh Binh Day Trip Adventure (179 USD)

Accommodation:

  • Basic Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)
12
Day 12: Hanoi
There are no further activities planned for today and your trip comes to an end. With so much to see and do in Hanoi, it’s highly recommended you extend your stay – just speak to your booking agent ahead of time.
Exclusions
  • Flights to and from origin and destinations
  • Airport transfers (unless otherwise stated)
  • Anything else not explicitly listed in tour inclusions
  • Recommended gratuities/tipping
  • Optional activities/tours
  • Personal expenses
  • Travel insurance
  • Visas, meals and beverages not stated in the list of inclusions.
Important Information
Meals

When meals are not included, your tour leader (where available) will be happy to help with restaurant recommendations, bookings, and directions. Please let us know if you have any dietary needs or preferences. We will do our best to accommodate these, though we cannot guarantee that every request can be met.

Luggage

You are responsible for your personal belongings throughout the tour. You will need to carry your own bags between the vehicle and your hotel room. Drivers will assist with loading and unloading luggage from the vehicle.

Mobility

Travellers requiring wheelchair access should contact our sales and service team, who can make enquiries on your behalf.

Fitness Level

This tour requires an average level of fitness. Activities are paced gently and include leisure time. You may be expected to join guided walks of up to one hour, navigate short stairways and mild inclines, and manage your own luggage. You should also be able to board and exit all transport without assistance.

Travellers are expected to be self-sufficient and capable of handling all aspects of their journey. Please discuss your circumstances and support needs with your booking agent to confirm this trip is suitable.

If you are unsure, we recommend consulting your doctor before booking or travelling.

Sightseeing

If a planned site visit is unavailable due to changes in operating hours or holiday closures, the itinerary may be altered, or a comparable activity will be substituted where possible and subject to availability.

Visas

Visa conditions can change. Once you receive your travel documents, check with the relevant embassy, consulate, or immigration office of your destination for the latest information.

  • It is your responsibility to ensure you have the correct and valid travel documents and to comply with all entry requirements.
  • Non-Australian citizens must also confirm visa and identification requirements with the appropriate consulate or visa agency.
  • Certain occupations (for example, journalists, government officials, or those working in charities) may face additional restrictions when applying for visas, which could affect the type of application required.
Departure Dates & Surcharges: See checkout for live dates and availability.
AUD $1,295
(Tour only)
Per Person Twin Share

Duration: 12 days

Trip Type: Small Group

Activity Level: Light

Trace Vietnam’s eastern coastline on this 15-day adventure, seeing the country from south to north and discovering the many natural and heritage wonders along the way.

Price based on per person in Double Room for departure 06 Feb 2027

Customer Reviews

Overall Rating
Excellent
4.5
Guide
Excellent
4.5
Itinerary
Excellent
4.5
Accommodations
Excellent
4.5
Transportation
Excellent
4.5
Tour Operator
Excellent
4.5
Food
Excellent
4.5
4.5
Joshua
Traveled, April 2024

04/19/2024

This was a great trip, covered a lot of the country while still having plenty of free time between experiences. It's a good mix of the busy cities, countryside and island living of cat ba.

4.5
Gary
Traveled, April 2024

04/18/2024

Our guide leader Tu Vu was one of the best and most enthusiastic tour guides I’ve had on my many trips around the world. His local and historical knowledge was outstanding and nothing was too hard or difficult for Tu to accomplish with a minimum of fuss.

Tour Operator

Intrepid Travel is a global adventure travel company, dedicated to providing sustainable, experience-rich travel opportunities. They’ve been the leader in ethical, small-group travel since 1989 - taking people around the world for more than 30 years. They’re the world’s largest travel B Corporation - dedicated to being the best travel company for the world. In 2002, they established The Intrepid Foundation so their travellers could make a lasting impact on the communities they had visited. Although Intrepid Travel absorbs all administrative costs of The Intrepid Foundation, they are separate legal entities, allowing The Intrepid Foundation to grow independently. Intrepid Travel is made up of a collection of tour operator brands and 28 destination management companies all united by one vision: To change the way we all see the world.

In Business Since 1989