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Real Vietnam

15 Days | Dive into the real Vietnam, a street food paradise and natural wonderland

5 out of 5 based on 54 reviews submitted.
18 to 29s
From
EUR €988
View dates and book
This trip is for the 18 to 29 year olds

From Ho Chi Minh City to Hanoi, you’ll experience authentic Vietnam on this epic 15-day adventure from south to north. See how the locals live on the Mekong Delta, discover the rich history in Hoi An and taste some amazing food in Hue. Drift on the emerald waters around Cat Ba Island by boat and go for a snoop through some of Hanoi's many markets. Enjoy unique homestays, explore national parks, eat your weight in fresh street eats and cycle through the countryside. This is the make-em-jealous, full-on, once-in-a-lifetime trip up the coast of Vietnam you've been waiting for.

Trip overview

Map of Real Vietnam including Vietnam
Start
Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Finish
Hanoi, Vietnam
Theme
18 to 29s
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 18 - Max 29
Group size
Min 1 - Max 16
Trip code
TVYB
This trip generates 62.43 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.
Bucket list destinations

Tick off all the popular spots and enjoy unique local experiences

Great value

Affordable trips with the freedom to choose how you spend your time

Responsible travel

You book, we donate to help support local communities


Why you'll love this trip
  • Bliss out on a luxurious 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.
  • Jump on a bike and pedal around charming Hoi An – the best way to see the town and surrounding countryside. The food here is also delicious, so make sure you stop along the way to sample some!
  • See limestone karsts, blue-green waters, mysterious caves and ancient jungle on Cat Ba Island – this place feels a lot like paradise, and you’ll be kayaking your way through its hidden bays.
  • Experience local life during your homestay in the Mekong Delta. Get to know the local families, participate in community-based activities and enjoy a traditional homemade meal.
  • Tick Hanoi off your bucket list – walk the picturesque streets, try the famous banh mi and egg coffee and maybe even take a seat at a rooftop bar and order a pho cocktail. You'll have loads of free time to discover this place at your own pace, too!
  • By travelling on this trip, you’ll directly support our Intrepid Foundation partner, Vun Art. Donations help them empower people with disabilities in Vietnam by providing vocational training and employment opportunities.

Is this trip right for you?
  • You’ll cover a lot of distance on this trip, including on overnight trains. You'll also be spending two nights with local families. While the accommodation is shared and basic, this is a great opportunity to connect with the local people (and enjoy delicious home-cooked meals!). Many travellers list these homestay experiences as the highlight of their Vietnam adventure and ease into the night very quickly.
  • Vietnamese roads can be hectic and intimidating to cross. Never fear – your leader will show you how to do it like a local in Hanoi's Old Quarter.
  • This trip is for travellers who appreciate a bit of independence. You'll get plenty of free time in each location to make your own choices and do your own activities. Your leader will always be there to give you tips and suggestions.

Itinerary

This itinerary is valid for departures from 01 January 2024 to 31 December 2024.

View the itinerary for departures between 01 January 2023 - 31 December 2023

Map of Real Vietnam including Vietnam

Inclusions

Meals

3 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 3 dinners

Transport

Boat, Private minibus, Overnight sleeper train

Accommodation

Guesthouse (1 nights), Homestay (2 nights), Hotel (9 nights), Overnight sleeper train (2 nights)

Activities
  • Mekong Delta - Homestay and Boat Cruise
  • Ho Chi Minh City - Orientation Walk
  • Hoi An - Old Town walking tour
  • Hoi An - Countryside bicycle tour
  • Hue - Home cooked dinner
  • Hue - Street food breakfast
  • Hanoi - Old Quarter & French Quarter Walking Tour
  • Hanoi - Banh Mi Lunch
  • Pu Luong - Homestay and Village Walk
  • Hanoi - Vun Art Visit
  • Cat Ba Island - Kayaking
  • Cat Ba Island - Boat trip on Lan Ha Bay
Add on activities
  • Ho Chi Minh City - War Remnants Museum - VND40000
  • Ho Chi Minh City - Reunification Palace - VND40000
  • Ho Chi Minh City - Cu Chi Tunnel Experience Urban Adventure - USD39
  • Hoi An - My Son Cham tour (entrance fee, guide and transport included) - USD45
  • Hue - Imperial City Full Day Tour - USD69
  • Hue - Perfume River cruise & Thien Mu Pagoda - VND220000
  • Hue - Royal tomb of Emperor Tu Duc - VND150000
  • Hue - Highlights & back streets by motorbike (without lunch) - USD23
  • Hue - Highlights & back streets by motorbike (with lunch) - USD28
  • Quang Tri - Hien Luong Bridge - VND40000
  • Quang Tri - Vinh Moc Tunnels - VND40000
  • Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park - Paradise Cave - VND250000
  • Suoi Mooc - Kayaking and Swimming - VND180000
  • Phong Nha Ke-Bang National Park - Phong Nha Cave - VND150000
  • Hanoi - Ho Chi Minh Complex - VND80000
  • Hanoi - Fine Arts Museum - VND30000
  • Hanoi - Army Museum - VND20000
  • Hanoi - Women's Museum - VND30000
  • Hanoi - Temple of Literature - VND30000
  • Hanoi - Hoa Lo 'Hanoi Hilton' Prison - VND30000
  • Hanoi - Museum of Ethnology - VND40000
  • Hanoi - Street Food Experience Urban Adventure - USD35

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 internal train 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.
2. A single supplement is available if you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip. The single supplement excludes Day 2 and 11 (homestays), Days 3 and 9 (overnight trains) and Day 8 (guesthouse) 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.

Read Essential Trip Information

Reviews

5 out of 5 based on 54 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.

Filter by rating

nina · Traveled August 2023
This trip was amazing! We did so many different activities everyday and always felt like every single day was a new adventure. The hardest part is saying goodbye. I made friends for life and would do it all over again. I experienced the most amazing places and things. These are memories that are for life. Intrepid is absolutely amazing. As my group said “You’re only once in your 20s in the middle of Vietnam”
Review submitted 24 Aug 2023

Pol · Traveled July 2023
I loved this trip. Activities, food and most importantly the guide was perfect.
Review submitted 05 Aug 2023

Emily · Traveled July 2023
An absolutely outstanding trip. Tri is the most amazing leader and the nicest person in the world. He took us to amazing places and we enjoyed it thoroughly.
Review submitted 19 Jul 2023

Harry · Traveled July 2023
Review submitted 19 Jul 2023

Sean · Traveled July 2023
Review submitted 19 Jul 2023
Real Vietnam
From
EUR €988