Map of Treasures of Vietnam including Vietnam

Get a snapshot of north and south Vietnam in just eight days.

Discover the spirit of Vietnam on a trip from south to north, taking in all the attractions in between. Explore Vietnam's fast-paced Ho Chi Minh City, wander the ancient streets of Hoi An and bask in the charm of Hanoi. Visit the Cu Chi Tunnels, a former Viet Cong stronghold that provides an insight into the resourcefulness and tenacity of the Vietnamese people. Experience Vietnam's beautiful landscapes, the renowned friendliness of the Vietnamese people, and sample local food wherever you go, from street snacks at markets to an included lunch that supports locals. Top it all off with an overnight cruise on Halong Bay and you won't ever want to leave.


Start
Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Finish
Hanoi, Vietnam
Destination
Vietnam
Style
Comfort
Theme
Explorer
Code
TVKB
Physical rating
Ages
Min 15
Group size
Min 1, Max 12

Why you'll love this trip

  • Discover just why Halong Bay is so popular as you spend the night on a boat among the evocative karst landscape and indulge in a feast of fresh seafood.

  • Visit the best must see sights in Hoi An, Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi with your expert leader, and enjoy free time to make your own discoveries.

  • Relax in peaceful rural surroundings while your private chef prepares a delicious spread that celebrates his Hoi An garden's seasonal best.

  • Visit the Cu Chi Tunnels, a former Viet Cong stronghold that provides an insight into the resourcefulness and tenacity of the Vietnamese people and underground life during the war.

  • Sample local food wherever you go, from street snacks at markets to an included lunch that supports locals at KOTO restaurant.

Is this trip right for you?

  • While the pace is generally easy, there is some walking involved on this trip, with walking tours in the downtown areas of each city, as well as a walk in the caves at Halong Bay.

  • Lunar New Year is an annual festival that runs for several days. This is a fascinating and rewarding time to see the country, however you do need to be prepared for some businesses to be closed, tourist sites to be very busy and for transport to be packed as many locals are travelling around the country. Please consider this when selecting your travel dates. You’ll find dates and further information in the ‘Climate and seasonal information’ section of the Essential Trip Information.

  • Depending on where you come from, the weather in Vietnam might be hotter and more humid than what you are used to. We recommend checking online for what the typical temperatures will be at the time of the year you are looking to travel to see what to expect - this page might be useful: https://www.intrepidtravel.com/vietnam/weather-in-vietnam

Itinerary

Xin chao! Welcome to Ho Chi Minh City, a French-infused city with a dynamic atmosphere. If you arrive early, perhaps head to Pham Ngu Lao Street to see the local open-aired market or visit Vinh Nghiem Pagoda. Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 6 pm where you will meet your tour leader and fellow travellers.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Complimentary Airport Arrival Transfer
Meals Included
There are no meals included on this day.
Special Information
The arrival transfer is only valid if arriving on Day 1 or if you have booked pre-trip accommodation through Intrepid. Please provide your flight details at the time of booking, or at a minimum 14 days prior to travel, as we may not be able to confirm a request made within 14 days of travel.

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. If you can't arrange a flight that will arrive in time, you may wish to arrive a day early so you're able to attend. We'll be happy to book additional accommodation for you (subject to availability).
This morning you’ll tour the famous 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. Travel back to Ho Chi Minh City to grab some lunch if you wish, before a visit to the Reunification Palace. Formerly known as the Presidential Palace, it was the site of South Vietnam's surrender at the end of the war. Afterwards, you can opt to visit the War Remnants Museum where you’ll see old military equipment including an F5A fighter and a UH1-Huey helicopter, or you may like to head back to your hotel to make plans for your evening.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Ho Chi Minh City - Cu Chi Tunnels
  • Ho Chi Minh City - Reunification Palace
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
Say goodbye to Ho Chi Minh City and fly to Danang where you’ll travel in a private vehicle to Hoi An, a captivating city where traditional and modern sit side by side. Late this afternoon, you’re in for a culinary treat. Join your leader and head to Tra Que where you will tour a local chef's garden, selecting fresh herbs and vegetables that will form part of your exclusive group dinner. Relax in the peaceful surroundings while your private chef prepares a delicious spread that celebrates his garden's seasonal best.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Hoi An - Garden-to-Table with A Local Chef
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Dinner
Special Information
Today’s total travel time is approximately 2 hours.
Your leader will take you on a walk around Hoi An’s Old Town today. The city was a major trading port from the 17th century onwards, and has various architectural influences from Europe, China and Vietnam. Today the city is being restored and looks exactly like it did over a century ago. The tour will take you to a historic house, the Japanese Covered Bridge, a Chinese assembly hall and a museum. The rest of the day is free for you to do some optional activities or soak up the ambience of the city. You may like to wander past street stalls selling paintings, woodwork, ceramics, lanterns and much more or get an outfit made by one of Hoi An’s talented tailors who can make beautiful items to order within a few hours.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Hoi An - Old Town walking tour
Optional Activities
  • Hoi An - Food Adventure Urban Adventure - USD37
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
This morning, transfer to the airport and fly to Vietnam’s charming capital of Hanoi. You’ll be taken on a guided half-day tour of Hanoi, visiting major sites such as the Temple of Literature, One Pillar Pagoda and the former residence of Vietnam’s most famous revolutionary, Ho Chi Minh. Stop for lunch at the KOTO cafe, an uplifting project that provides vocational training for disadvantaged young people. This afternoon is yours to explore your way, so ask your leader for their advice and tailor your time to perfection. Food, history, culture – whatever you’re most interested in, your leader will be able to help. You may like to take a stroll around the city’s parks and lakes, or hire a bike and cycle around town for the best view of the city.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Hanoi - Ho Chi Minh's stilt house
  • Hanoi - Lunch at KOTO
  • Hanoi - Temple of Literature
  • Hanoi - One Pillar Pagoda
  • Hanoi - Old Quarter Walking Tour
Optional Activities
  • Hanoi - Street Food Experience Urban Adventure - USD35
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
Special Information
Today’s travel time is approximately 2 hours.
Travel by private vehicle to famous Halong Bay, one of Vietnam's most spectacular natural wonders. Once you arrive at the bay, take a long, slow cruise through the area, exploring the beautiful green waters and amazing Surprise Cave. Want to get in the water? You may also have the opportunity to go swimming from Ti Top Island beach. Watch the sunset over the limestone karsts and spend the night on the boat which has comfortable twin-share cabins with air-conditioning and private facilities. There's also a dining room and bar where you’ll enjoy all of your meals, including fresh seafood for lunch and dinner.
Accommodation
  • Overnight boat (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Halong Bay - Overnight Boat Cruise
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner
Special Information
Today’s travel time is approximately 4 hours.

It is recommended to pack a smaller overnight bag to take to Halong Bay for ease of boarding and disembarking. You can store your main luggage in Hanoi for tonight.

Kayaking and swimming is restricted to designated zones within the bay.

Access to Surprise Cave is via staircases and once inside the cave the pathways are a little uneven and slippery, so bring suitable shoes with you.

There are restrictions on the number of boats that are permitted to stay in the bay overnight, sometimes resulting in a shortage. To ensure all Intrepid travellers can enjoy the experience of a night on the water, occasionally you will stay on a larger boat (with approximately 12 cabins) and share your boat with another group. Or your group may be split across different vessels, in which case an Intrepid group leader will be present on each boat, and the route taken and inclusions on board will remain the same. The boat is not likely to be a traditional sailing junk, as many o
You may like to get up early and watch the sunrise before you spend a leisurely morning sailing across Halong Bay and back to the port. Sit back and relax on the drive to Hanoi and get ready to shop until you drop at Dong Xuan market or explore the city. Why not relax at a cafe for an egg coffee or stop for a bia hoi (freshly brewed draught beer) at one of the microbars in the Old Quarter? Tonight, you may like to join your group for an optional dinner to celebrate the end of your trip.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Optional Activities
  • Hanoi - Water puppet show - VND100000
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
Special Information
Today’s travel time is approximately 4 hours.
After breakfast, you are free to leave at any time, as there are no activities planned today. If you would like to spend some more time in Hanoi, we’ll be happy to organise additional accommodation for you (subject to availability).
Meals Included
  • Breakfast

Meals

7 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 2 dinners

Transport

Boat, Plane, Private minibus

Accommodation

Hotel (6 nights), Overnight Boat (1 night)

Included activities

  • Complimentary Airport Arrival Transfer
  • Ho Chi Minh City - Cu Chi Tunnels
  • Ho Chi Minh City - Reunification Palace
  • Hoi An - Garden-to-Table with A Local Chef
  • Hoi An - Old Town walking tour
  • Hanoi - Ho Chi Minh's stilt house
  • Hanoi - Lunch at KOTO
  • Hanoi - Temple of Literature
  • Hanoi - One Pillar Pagoda
  • Hanoi - Old Quarter Walking Tour
  • Halong Bay - Overnight Boat Cruise

Dates & availability

Trip departures are unavailable.

There are currently no scheduled departures on our Treasures of Vietnam trip. If you are interested in other trips in the region visit one of the links below.

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Important notes

1. A complimentary airport arrival transfer is included; valid if you are arriving on Day 1 or if you have booked pre-tour accommodation through us. You must provide your flight details to your booking agent at least 14 days prior to travel.
2. A single supplement is available on this trip, subject to availability. Please contact your sales agent if you would like to book this. The single supplement excludes Day 6 (Overnight Boat) where you will be in shared accommodation.
3. Please provide your full name exactly as per passport at the time of booking (including any middle names listed on your passport) for flight tickets. Ticketing 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 a new ticket.
4. This trip includes domestic flights as indicated on the trip map. The luggage allowance is 20kg for check in luggage and 7kg for carry on.

Essential trip information

Want an in-depth insight into this trip? Essential Trip Information provides a detailed itinerary, visa info, how to get to your hotel, what's included - pretty much everything you need to know about this adventure and more.

View Essential Trip Information

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