Vietnam Discovery

15 Days | Hanoi backstreets, Pu Luong villages, Hoi An’s Old Town and Cat Ba kayaking

4.9 out of 5 based on 72 reviews submitted.
Explorer
Rail
From
EUR €773
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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. From the modern chaos of Ho Chi Minh City all the way up to old-world Hanoi, you'll experience tumultuous history, architectural charm, vibrant colours, delicious food and inspiring scenery on your adventure. Take a boat cruise along the Mekong Delta, tour the backstreets of Hoi An with a local, enjoy a rural homestay in Pu Luong and explore the beautiful karsts of Lan Ha Bay.

Trip overview

Map of Vietnam Discovery including Vietnam
Start
Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Finish
Hanoi, Vietnam
Theme
Explorer, Rail
Destinations
Vietnam
Physical rating
Indicates how physically exerting a trip is, and how fit you will need to be to enjoy it. More info on physical ratings
Style
Basix
Ages
Min 15
Group size
Min 1 - Max 16
Trip code
TVRN
This trip generates 75 kg of CO2-e per person per day.
We offset these emissions on your behalf. But we know that is not enough, so we also have a carbon reduction target.

Why you'll love this trip
  • After spending time admiring Hoi An’s UNESCO World Heritage-listed ancient town, hop on a bike and pedal beside rice fields and through small villages on a guided bicycle tour of the surrounding countryside.
  • Spend two 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!
  • Cruise around the backwater canals of the Mekong Delta – the ‘rice bowl’ of Vietnam – and discover rural life and local interactions along the shores with your small group.
  • 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.
  • Bliss out on an immersive homestay in the National Park of Pu Luong – wake up to the serenity of quiet, terraced rice paddy fields, trek the local land to take in the scenery and meet some local tribes to learn about their culture.
  • By travelling on this trip, you’ll learn about our Intrepid Foundation partner, Save Vietnam's Wildlife. Donations help them provide support for endangered wildlife and protect critical animal habitats in Vietnam. Intrepid will double your impact by dollar-matching all post-trip donations made to The Intrepid Foundation.

Is this trip right for you?
  • We cover a lot of distance on this trip, including on overnight trains. Accommodation and amenities are shared and basic, but the experience of rubbing shoulders with the locals makes it all worthwhile.
  • You'll be spending two nights with local families on this trip. While during these homestays the accommodation is shared and basic, this is a great opportunity to connect with the local people (and enjoy delicious home-cooked meals!).
  • Your visit to Hoi An includes a bicycle tour of the surrounding countryside. The ride isn’t strenuous, but you will need a basic level of fitness to take part.
  • Lots of time allocated for optional activities means freedom, flexibility and unexpected delights, but it does require a level of independence. Be sure to budget a little extra for your chosen activities, with plenty of suggestions from your leader of course!

Itinerary

This itinerary is valid for departures from 01 January 2025 to 31 December 2025.

View the itinerary for departures between 01 January 2024 - 31 December 2024

Map of Vietnam Discovery including Vietnam

Inclusions

Meals

2 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 2 dinners

Transport

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

Accommodation

Guesthouse (1 night), Homestay (1 night), Hotel (10 nights), Overnight sleeper train (2 nights)

Activities
  • Mekong Delta - Boat Cruise, Lunch and Homestay
  • Hoi An - Old Town walking tour
  • Hoi An - Countryside bicycle hire
  • Hanoi - Old Quarter Walking Tour
  • Hanoi - Vun Art center visit
  • Pu Luong - Homestay and Village Walk
  • Cat Ba Island - Kayaking
  • Cat Ba Island - Boat trip on Lan Ha Bay
  • Cat Ba Island - Lan Ha Bay Lunch
Add on activities
  • Ho Chi Minh City - Cu Chi Tunnel Experience Urban Adventure - USD45
  • Ho Chi Minh City - Ho Chi Minh Mekong Discovery Urban Adventure - USD63
  • Ho Chi Minh City - Reunification Palace - VND40000
  • Ho Chi Minh City - War Remnants Museum - VND40000
  • Hoi An - Food Adventure Urban Adventure - USD44
  • Hoi An - Private Hoi An: My Son Discovery - USD77
  • Hoi An - Cooking class - USD33
  • Hue - Imperial City Full Day Tour - USD69
  • Hue - Thien Mu Pagoda - Free
  • Hue - Emperor Tu Duc's Tomb - VND105000
  • Hue - Highlights & back streets by motorbike (without lunch) - USD23
  • Hue - Highlights & back streets by motorbike (with lunch) - USD28
  • Hanoi - Army Museum - VND20000
  • Hanoi - Women's Museum - VND30000
  • Hanoi - Ho Chi Minh Complex - VND80000
  • Hanoi - Fine Arts Museum - VND30000
  • Hanoi - Street Food Experience Urban Adventure - USD40
  • Hanoi - Temple of Literature - VND70000
  • Hanoi - Hoa Lo 'Hanoi Hilton' Prison - VND50000
  • Hanoi - Museum of Ethnology - VND40000

Dates and availability

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Important notes

1. Please provide your full name exactly as per passport at the time of booking (including any middle names listed on your passport) for train tickets. 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 new tickets.
2. A single supplement is available if you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip. The single supplement excludes days 3, 8 (overnight trains), day 2 (guesthouse), and Days 10 (homestay) where you will be in shared accommodation and is subject to availability. Please speak to your booking agent for further information.

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.

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Reviews

4.9 out of 5 based on 72 reviews submitted.
Reviews are from travellers who have completed their trip and want to share their experience. We show all reviews, but may remove any that include profanity or inappropriate content, are unrelated to the trip or reveal personal details.

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Robert · Traveled September 2024
Review submitted 26 Sep 2024

Hayley · Traveled August 2024
Review submitted 30 Aug 2024

Leila · Traveled August 2024
Huyen our leader was perfect and the leader you’d want to travel with in Vietnam. She was attentive, helpful, cheerful and so knowledgeable and funny. I will definitely be taking another intrepid trip soon. From beginning to end it was a great way to see Vietnam.
Review submitted 29 Aug 2024

Christian · Traveled June 2024
Thuong's tour was unforgettable due to her warmth, deep knowledge, and enthusiasm. She connected with everyone, tailored the experience to our interests, and made every detail memorable. Her professionalism and genuine passion ensured we left with wonderful memories and a sense of having made a new friend.
Review submitted 13 Jul 2024

Madeleine · Traveled June 2024
This trip is both a mixture of fast paced and relaxing with the option to do your own thing. Our trip leader- Thoung Vu- went over and beyond to make our experience enjoyable. She was friendly and knowledgeable. I rate this trip 10/10. I will definitely be visiting Vietnam again.
Review submitted 13 Jul 2024
Vietnam Discovery
From
EUR €773