Let Vietnam steal your heart…and your stomach 

Vietnam? More like Viet-nomnomnom. From crunchy bahn mi’s and bowls of steaming pho to crispy spring rolls and rich egg coffee, this fascinating country is known for its mouthwatering cuisine. But you need someone to share it with. If you’ve always craved visiting Vietnam but don’t want to do it alone, one of our small group tours might be just on the menu. Not only will you travel with a likeminded bunch of future friends, but you can also relax knowing your local leader will handle all the logistics, point out all of the iconic sights, fill you in on the country’s culture and steer you in the direction of the best street food. Bon Appetite. 

Our Vietnam solo tours

10 Days From 920

Take a tour of Vietnam from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City, with stops to cruise the Mekong...

10 Days From 982

Travel through Vietnam from Ho Chi Minh City to Hanoi. Visit the Mekong Delta, cruise...

18 Days From 1734

Travel into the heart and soul of South East Asia on this tour of Vietnam and Cambodia....

8 Days From 1652

Discover the highlights and traditions of Vietnam on this short Premium adventure from...

13 Days From 1129

Experience the Asia of old on a family adventure that captures the spirit of Vietnam....

Tailor-Made trips

Take four or more on an exclusive trip and tailor your itinerary

13 Days From 1484

Experience Vietnamese customs and charms on a 13-day family adventure from Hanoi to Ho...

9 Days From 735

Travel from Vietnam to Thailand on a South East Asian adventure that explores Cambodia...

15 Days From 2067

Jump in the saddle for a two-wheeled adventure tour of Vietnam. Take in cultural...

15 Days From 1788

Uncover the proud, spirited heart of Vietnam on this classic 15-day adventure. Tour...

15 Days From 2856

Uncover Vietnam on a Premium journey from south to north, taking in Ho Chi Minh City,...

15 Days From 1343

Journey from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City on this Vietnam adventure. Trek in the quiet...

8 Days From 1100

Discover the spirit of Vietnam on a small group tour from south to north, visiting Ho...

The perks of solo travel in Vietnam with Intrepid

A local leader guiding her group through the Sapa Valley in Vietnam

A local leader

It can be hard to fully grasp Vietnam’s culture and what makes this country so unique when trying to navigate the scooter-riddled streets of Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City without getting run over. That’s where our local leaders come in. Promising to give you an insight into daily life, our expert guides really know their stuff, whether that’s where to get the best tailor-made clothing in Hoi An, the ancient stories behind the legendary Ha Long Bay or ideas on how to spend your free time. 

The chaotic streets of Ho Chi Minh City at nighttime

Safety

Your safety is extremely important to us, and while Vietnam is known to be a safe country to visit, our local leaders are always on hand to offer advice, provide info on security tips and tricks and inform you of the do’s and don’t’s of the country’s customs. While the locals are friendly in Vietnam and the crime rate is low, you should still be wary of bag snatchers and pickpockets so make sure you have your belongings where you can see them at all times, especially in busy market areas. 

A group of travellers enjoying local food in Vietnam

Ready made friends

Sometimes the best part about travelling is not the sights you see, but the people you meet along the way, and on our small group tours, adventure-keen friends aren’t hard to come by. Whether you’re looking for someone to share a bowl of pho with or you want your picture taken in front of the rising islands in Ha Long Bay, you’ll always be surrounded by people just as excited to explore Vietnam as you are. 

A row of local men and their auto rickshaws in Hoi An.

Logistics and convenience

Planning a trip to Vietnam can be overwhelming - there are overnight train timetables, temple customs and flight details to think about. But on our trips, we take care of that for you. From the organising to the logistics, your leader will ensure your tour runs smoothly and safely get you from A to B so all you have to do is turn up (with a fully charged camera) and enjoy the extraordinary landscapes this country offers. 

Vietnam tour reviews

FAQs

Trips from 1 January 2023 onwards

From 1 January 2023, Intrepid will no longer require travellers to provide proof of vaccination against COVID-19 (excluding all Polar trips and select adventure cruises). However, we continue to strongly recommend that all Intrepid travellers and leaders get vaccinated to protect themselves and others.

Specific proof of testing or vaccination may still be required by your destination or airline. Please ensure you check travel and entry requirements carefully.

Learn more about Intrepid's COVID-19 policy

Intrepid travellers are connected more by attitude than age. They’re a friendly, open-minded and curious bunch, and a lot of them elect to travel alone (so no third-wheeling, we promise). Our trips attract a mix of genders and ages, generally ranging from 25 to 65. It’s hard to know exactly who you’ll meet, but you can be assured you'll be a part of the fun.

While our trips have set itineraries, the amount of free time you'll have depends on the travel style. If you're joining a group trip to Vietnam, chances are you'll have designated time to do your own exploring if you'd like, and your guide will be able to provide tips and recommendations before you head out on your own. 

You sure do. All passengers travelling with Intrepid are required to purchase travel insurance before the start of their tour. Your leader will record your travel insurance details on the first day of the trip. Due to the varying nature, availability and cost of health care around the world, travel insurance is very much an essential and necessary part of every journey.

Learn more about travel Insurance

You'll be able to use your mobile phone in most urban areas of Vietnam, although remote and mountainous areas may not have network coverage. Ensure you have global roaming activated with your mobile carrier before you leave home if you wish to use your mobile while in Vietnam.

Read more about mobile phone use in Vietnam

Intrepid is committed to making travel widely accessible, regardless of ability or disability. That’s why we do our best to help as many people see the world as possible, regardless of any physical or mental limitations they might have. However, we’re always happy to talk to travellers with disabilities and see if we can help guide them towards the most suitable itinerary for their needs and where possible, make reasonable adjustments to our itineraries.

Learn more about accessible travel with Intrepid

Our solo travel safety guide

Good advice for us all, but particularly for people travelling solo. Make copies of your itinerary, contact details, passport and travel insurance, then email them to yourself and to one or two friends/family at home. Check-in on social media when you can so people can keep track of where you are. 

If you’re arriving late in a city by yourself, book a hotel with a front desk or concierge service (many hotels also offer private transfers that don’t cost the earth from the airport or train station). If you're travelling with us, we can help you organise an arrival transfer. Read your maps before you head out for a walk (you can use a map app on your smartphone – or take screenshots of where you’re going if you don’t want to use up your precious data). If you need to check your map when you’re out and about, duck into a shop or café to do it. Leave the blingy jewellery, wedding rings and designer clothes at home, and aim to dress like the locals do – hit up the local markets if you haven’t packed the right outfits. Aim to keep track of travel times, so you’re not caught out after dark.

Most mobile/cell providers now offer travel passes to help manage your international roaming costs (which, let’s face it, are expensive!). For a few dollars a day, you’ll have access to data, which means you can log into your apps (like Skype, email and WhatsApp) when you’re out of WiFi zones and quickly get in touch with someone – a friend at home, someone in your group, or the police – if you need to. It might also be worth checking out the local cell/mobile providers as these can be quite cost effective. 

Solo travellers are way more likely to be ‘taken for a ride’ at the airport by unscrupulous taxi drivers, so do your research before you arrive. Make sure you get a cab from the airport/station taxi rank – if you’re not sure where to go, just head to the information desk for help. Touts tend to hang out in the arrivals area and promise cheaper rates, but can often be dodgy. When you get to the cab rank, ask the driver to use the meter or request a cost estimate before you hop in the car – if it’s way higher than it should be, pick another vehicle. A lot of airports have train stations attached as well, so consider public transport if you want to save a dollar or two.

It’s one of the advantages of travelling solo on a group tour: safety in numbers. The big, 50-person bus groups stand out on the road, but a small Intrepid group of eight or nine people, with a local leader showing the way – including areas to avoid and getting around safely – won’t draw much attention. Plus, it’s a great way to see parts of the world you may feel uncomfortable exploring on your own. If you want to do things on your own, consider a day tour to familiarise yourself with a city and get to know the local way of life. 

Solo travel is all about confidence. If you’re relaxed and self-assured on the street, you’re more likely to blend in. When you meet new people, don’t assume they’re all out to get you, but be sensible too and trust your gut. If it feels wrong, it probably is. Remember: the popular tourist areas are often the most well-lit and secure, but they’re often a juicier target for pickpockets and scammers. Just use your common sense; half of travel safety is simply being aware of your surroundings.

Read more about travel in Vietnam