Vietnam & China Explorer

Explore the diverse cultures and beautiful landscapes of Vietnam and China

Journey from Ho Chi Minh City to Kunming on this 20-day adventure. Explore the waterways of Mekong Delta before experiencing the charm of Hoi An, cruise along Halong Bay and dive into the energy of Hanoi. Hike the rice terraces of Sapa, cross the border into China and explore the ancient towns of Lijiang and Shangrila. Witness the dramatic Tiger Leaping Gorge and meet the Naxi and Tibetan people along the way. From classic icons to off-track towns, this is an adventure that never disappoints.

No reviews yetTrip code: TVSQC

Start: Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

End: Kunming, China


Duration
20 days
Group size
1 to 16
Minimum age
15 years old
Style

Basix: Simple accommodation, local transport and lots of free time

Original: Tourist-class hotels, some meals included and a great mix of included activities and free time

Comfort: Comfortable accommodation, with a relaxed pace of travel and many included meals and activities

Premium: Our best accommodation, exclusive inclusions and our most experienced leaders

Original
Theme

Our themes categorise trips based on a common interest or activity, while showcasing the highlights of a destination.

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


From
CAD $4,345

Why you'll love this trip

  • Embrace a slower pace on a private boat tour of the Mekong Delta and meet local craftspeople in the villages that line the river's waterways.
  • Spend a night on a traditional junk boat in Halong Bay – one of Vietnam’s natural wonders and a UNESCO World Heritage site. In your free time, maybe go kayaking between the karsts for a different perspective.
  • Hike through Sapa’s famous rice terraces and meet the Hmong people along the way. See the dramatic Tiger Leaping Gorge, where the Jinsha River roars at the bottom, surrounded by snowcapped mountains.
  • Visit the historic towns of Lijiang and Baisha. Once the key stops on the Tea Horse Road, here you'll try your hand at writing ancient Dongba characters with a Naxi family.
  • Ride a high-speed train to Shangri-La City. Explore the halls, murals and gardens of Ganden Sumtseling Monastery, then learn how to make yak butter tea with a Tibetan family in their home.

Itinerary

Map of Vietnam & China Explorer including China and Vietnam

Inclusions and activities

Destinations
China, Vietnam
Meals

12 breakfasts, 5 lunches, 3 dinners

Transport

Boat, Overnight sleeper train, Plane, Private minibus, Taxi, Motorbike, Sampan, Tuk-tuk, High Speed Train

Accommodation

Hotel (16 nights), Overnight boat (1 night), Overnight sleeper train (1 night), Guest House (1 night)

Included activities
  • Mekong Delta - Mekong Delta Day Trip & Village Tuk-Tuk Tour
  • Mekong Delta - Lunch
  • Hoi An - Old Town walking tour
  • Hue - Imperial City entrance and guided visit
  • Hue - Royal tomb of Emperor Tu Duc
  • Hue - Highlights & back streets tour by motorbike
  • Hue - Vegetarian Lunch at Pagoda
  • Hue - Thien Mu Pagoda
  • Hanoi - Temple of Literature
  • Hanoi - One Pillar Pagoda & HCM stilt house
  • Hanoi - Old Quarter Walking Tour
  • Halong Bay - Overnight Boat Cruise
  • Halong Bay - Cave entry
  • Hanoi - KOTO dinner
  • Halong Bay - The Green Life Visit
  • Sapa - Sapa Church
  • Sapa - Sunset Walking Tour
  • Sapa - Street Food BBQ Dinner
  • Sapa - Rice terrace hike
  • Shangri-La - Dukezong Old Town walking tour
  • Shangri-La - Ganden Sumtseling Monastery
  • Shangri-La - Tibetan family with lunch
  • Tiger Leaping Gorge - Guided trek (X2)
  • Lijiang - Old town walking tour
  • Lijiang - Naxi family visit and Dongba calligraphy writing
  • LIjiang - Baisha old town visit

Optional activities
  • Hoi An - Food Adventure Urban Adventure - USD39
  • Hoi An - Private Bike, Boat and Dinner Experience - USD69
  • Halong Bay - Kayaking Tour - VND250000

We’re in the process of figuring out how much CO2-e this trip generates. In the meantime, learn more about our climate commitment.

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Is this trip right for you?

  • You'll 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. For more about what this experience is like, see our blog post intrepidtravel.com/adventures/what-to-expect-on-an-overnight.
  • The sightseeing tour by motorbike in Hue is great fun with bikes driven safely by professionals (and helmets provided), but alternative transport can be arranged for those who would prefer not to travel by motorbike.
  • Depending on where you come from, the weather in Vietnam might be hotter and more humid than what you are used to.
  • This trip includes hiking on Day 12, and Day 16&17. While the trails aren't strenuous, you'll make the most of these experiences with a reasonable fitness level. If you don’t want to participate, your leader can suggest alternative activities instead.
  • Shangri-la is at an altitude of 3200 m and as a result some people can suffer from altitude sickness, regardless of age or physical health. Please ensure you familiarise yourself with the signs and symptoms of AMS before you travel and seek advice from your doctor on any health concerns that may be affected by travel at altitude
  • You'll 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. For more about what this experience is like, see our blog post intrepidtravel.com/adventures/what-to-expect-on-an-overnight.
  • The sightseeing tour by motorbike in Hue is great fun with bikes driven safely by professionals (and helmets provided), but alternative transport can be arranged for those who would prefer not to travel by motorbike.
  • Depending on where you come from, the weather in Vietnam might be hotter and more humid than what you are used to.
  • This trip includes hiking on Day 12, and Day 16&17. While the trails aren't strenuous, you'll make the most of these experiences with a reasonable fitness level. If you don’t want to participate, your leader can suggest alternative activities instead.
  • Shangri-la is at an altitude of 3200 m and as a result some people can suffer from altitude sickness, regardless of age or physical health. Please ensure you familiarise yourself with the signs and symptoms of AMS before you travel and seek advice from your doctor on any health concerns that may be affected by travel at altitude

Dates and prices

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Important notes

1. A single supplement is available if you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip. The single supplement exclude Day 6 (Sleeper Train) and Day 8 (Overnight Boat) where you will be in shared accommodation and is subject to availability. Please speak to your booking agent for further information.
Rooms booked only for day use are also excluded.
2. A scanned copy of the personal details page of your passport is required no less than 45 days before your departure for train and flight tickets bookings on this itinerary.
3. This trip includes a domestic flight. Checked luggage allowance is a maximum of 20 kilograms, plus up to 7 kilograms carry on luggage. Any excess luggage charges will need to be paid directly to the airline at check-in.
4. You will have tour leaders from Vietnam and China accompany you in respective countries and you'll be unaccompanied for the border crossing.
5. Travelling in China will heavily rely upon using local payment apps – Wechat and Alipay for making payments. It’s essential to install them on your phone and have a data package ready prior to your travel. Please read ‘money matters’ in the Essential Trip Information for more details. You shouldn’t rely on credit card for travel in China.
6. While travelling in China, you won’t have access to social media and some websites. You may consider installing a VPN to access those sites and apps. Please check the Essential Trip Information for more details.

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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Vietnam & China Explorer
From
CAD $4,345