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Vietnam Explorer
Trip Valid:
01/01/2008 to 31/12/2008
Duration:
22 days (Ho Chi Minh City to Hanoi)
Highlights:
See the stylish new face of Ho Chi Minh City, Cruise the mighty Mekong, Swim in the South China Sea, Trek in the remote Central Highlands, Stay in a hilltribe house on stilts, Experience the dramatic karst scenery of Ninh Binh, Imagine wartime life in the Vinh Moc tunnel complex, Spend the night on a boat in Halong Bay, While away the hours in a Hanoi cafe
Trip Code:
VSA
Guarantee:
Departure is guaranteed
Group Size:
Minimum 1, Maximum 12
Price:
USD $1255
*(plus local payment USD $300)
pricing for United States: change country
Extras:
view 2008 airport transfers and pre- & post-trip accommodation prices
Come with us and discover the spirit, adventure and natural beauty of Vietnam. We travel from south to north, taking you deep into the waterways of the Mekong Delta and remote hilltribe villages in the Central Highlands, as well as along the beautiful coastline, covering Nha Trang, Hoi An and Hue. Top it all off with an overnight stay aboard a boat on magical Halong Bay. Rural and urban, modern and ancient - we'll uncover the many contrasting faces of Vietnam on this comprehensive journey.
is this trip right for you?
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culture shock rating:
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passenger feedback rating: 4.6 out of 5 how does this work?
meals included: 17 Breakfasts, 3 Lunches, 3 Dinners
transport: Plane, overnight train, bus, boat, kayak, cyclo, bicycle, walking
accommodation: Hotels/guesthouses (16 nts), homestays (3 nts), boat (1 nt), overnight train (1 nts)
budget: Allow USD $300 for meals not included.
departs: Selected Sun
important notes: Some accommodation may be multishare with shared bathroom facilities
Day 1 Ho Chi Minh City
See the modern face of Vietnam in the stylish shops, snazzy motorbikes and boundless energy of Ho Chi Minh City.
Days 2-3 Chau Doc
Enter the Mekong Delta, a world of floating markets, tropical fruit orchards and colourful water traffic.
Day 4 Mekong Delta
Enjoy warm hospitality and wonderful homemade specialties at a homestay with a local family.
Day 5 Ho Chi Minh City
Get into the age-old art of haggling at the enormous Ben Thanh Market or delve into the country's history in the Reunification Palace.
Days 6-7 Nha Trang
Appreciate the beauty and tranquillity of the coast, travelling in basket boats to a fishing village.
Days 8-10 Central Highlands
Trek to the rural village of Buon Rai, where a traditional Ede stilt house is home for the night.
Days 11-13 Hoi An
Sample some eye-poppingly strong Vietnamese coffee in Buon Ma Thuot before flying to Hoi An, an absolute gem of a city.
Days 14-15 Hue
Travel over the stunning Hai Van Pass to the former imperial city of Hue. After a tour of the grand walled citadel and the graceful Thien Mu Pagoda, there's time to splurge on a degustation-style dinner fit for the king.
Day 16 Dong Hoi
Climb into the Vinh Moc tunnel complex to experience underground life in wartime.
Days 17-18 Ninh Binh
Explore the fabulous Phong Nha caves before cycling past the spectacular limestone karsts of Ninh Binh.
Days 19-20 Halong Bay
Sail amongst spectacular peaks soaring above sparkling jade waters.
Days 21-22 Hanoi
Pay respects to 'Uncle Ho' at the mausoleum and explore the Ho Chi Minh Museum.
| start date | finish date | places available | bookings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sun 17 Aug 08 | Sun 07 Sep 08 | 5 | book now |
| Sun 31 Aug 08 | Sun 21 Sep 08 | 1 | book now |
| Sun 14 Sep 08 | Sun 05 Oct 08 | 6 | book now |
| Sun 28 Sep 08 | Sun 19 Oct 08 | 7+ | book now |
| Sun 12 Oct 08 | Sun 02 Nov 08 | 7 | book now |
| Sun 26 Oct 08 | Sun 16 Nov 08 | 7+ | book now |
| Sun 09 Nov 08 | Sun 30 Nov 08 | 7+ | book now |
| Sun 23 Nov 08 | Sun 14 Dec 08 | 7+ | book now |
| Sun 07 Dec 08 | Sun 28 Dec 08 | 7+ | book now |
| Sun 21 Dec 08 | Sun 11 Jan 09 | 7+ | book now |
| Sun 28 Dec 08 | Sun 18 Jan 09 | 6 | book now |
| Sun 04 Jan 09 | Sun 25 Jan 09 | 7+ | book now |
| Sun 18 Jan 09 | Sun 08 Feb 09 | 7+ | book now |
| Sun 01 Feb 09 | Sun 22 Feb 09 | 7+ | book now |
| Sun 15 Feb 09 | Sun 08 Mar 09 | 7+ | book now |
| Sun 01 Mar 09 | Sun 22 Mar 09 | 7+ | book now |
| Sun 15 Mar 09 | Sun 05 Apr 09 | 7+ | book now |
| Sun 29 Mar 09 | Sun 19 Apr 09 | 7+ | book now |
| Sun 12 Apr 09 | Sun 03 May 09 | 7+ | book now |
| Sun 10 May 09 | Sun 31 May 09 | 7+ | book now |
| Sun 24 May 09 | Sun 14 Jun 09 | 7+ | book now |
| Sun 07 Jun 09 | Sun 28 Jun 09 | 7+ | book now |
| Sun 21 Jun 09 | Sun 12 Jul 09 | 7+ | book now |
The Trip Notes provide you with detailed information about your trip.
This is where you will find everything you need to know... from what's included to suggestions about what to take. This is also where you will find the most up-to-date itinerary and any late changes.
The Trip Notes provide you with a detailed outline of your trip itinerary, and important information like where to meet your group, what to pack, what's included, estimates of spending money requirements and much more. They make great reading.
These documents have been prepared by Intrepid staff to give you a brief introduction to the places you are visiting. We think it's important to understand the culture you are visiting, and the expectations of their society.
Intrepid is committed to a style of travel that is environmentally, culturally and socially responsible - we call this 'Responsible Travel'. Download this document and visit the About Intrepid section of this site for more information about how to be a Responsible Traveller.
Please also read our safety guidelines for further information on the operational safety standards you can expect on every Intrepid trip.
On 07 June the Australian Government issued an updated travel warning for East Timor strongly advising against travel to East Timor because of the extremely dangerous security situation. Australians in the country are advised to leave. The Travel Warning remains at Category 5 - Do Not Travel.
On Tuesday 07 June we have taken the decision to cancel the remainder of our East Timor trips scheduled to depart in 2006. All travellers will be notified and given the opportunity to transfer to another trip or obtain a full refund (land content only). We very much regret having to take this action and our thoughts and sympathies are with the people of East Timor during this troubled time.
We are confident of being able to resume our normal schedule of trips to East Timor in 2007 and hope that those travellers who have had to cancel their plans this year will travel with us to East Timor in 2007.
For other safety updates, please see our general safety updates page.
Every day, hundreds of happy people return from Intrepid trips, and their comments are here for you to read. We do not screen the feedback on this site, all comments are posted here as they were written (unless they used inappropriate language).
I did have a brilliant trip in vietnam, certainly saw things I couldn't have seen on my own and generally the accomodation was good as was the organisation.
Mhairi Dunwoodie
This trip is the only way to see Vietnam, if you actually want to see and feel the culture, and tour the most exciting parts of the country- take this 22 day trip and bolt on the Sapa trip. I did and had an amazing time... thanks Intrepid! :-)
Andrew Barron
Enjoyed the trip - well organised by Intrepid, good itinerary, right style for me
Fiona Cooke
I enjoyed the country but I'm afraid we missed so many places: boat trip on the river in Hue (river overflow they said, but I'm not sure of that: there were plenty of boats in the river!), pagodas, monuments in Saigon and Hanoi. Local guides weren't good enough except for Vinh Mic Tunnels and Mekong Delta. Last, but not least, our schedule didn't allow me to really enjoy what I wanted. As a small group, the majority wins and Jerry clearly gave his support to what he preferred to do. I guess the trip was supposed to be "more fun than culture" and that's exactly what I disliked.
Gemma D'alessandro
Sorry, only passengers from Australia, New Zealand or the United Kingdom are able to request flight quotes online at this stage.