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Classic Vietnam

15 Days | From Ho Chi Minh to Hanoi, discover the cultural charm, achingly fresh food and dramatic landscapes of Vietnam.

5 out of 5 based on 111 reviews submitted.
Explorer
From
ZAR  36,077
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From south to north, Vietnam is a kaleidoscope of colourful characters, varied cuisine and diverse landscapes. Unlock the mysteries of the Viet Minh in Ho Chi Minh City, explore the beautiful lakes and boulevards of Hanoi, mingle with the locals while staying at a Mekong Delta guesthouse, float to sleep on a traditional junk boat in Halong Bay, and eat breakfast the local way in Hue. Experience historical temples, laze on the spectacular coastline, gorge on delicious banquets and explore lively cities – all with a touch of comfort – on this 15-day Classic Vietnam adventure.

Trip overview

Map of Classic Vietnam including Vietnam
Start
Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Finish
Hanoi, Vietnam
Theme
Explorer
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
Comfort
Ages
Min 15
Group size
Min 1 - Max 12
Trip code
TVKT
This trip generates 85.84 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
  • Friendly faces will make you feel right at home in this country, and experiences like staying in a locally run guesthouse in the Mekong Delta will give you a real taste for local life.
  • Discover the bustling centres of Hanoi, Hoi An and Ho Chi Minh City – buzzing with personality these cities are a fascinating mix of ancient culture and glistening new-age cityscapes, and you’ll get the chance to visit all the most iconic spots.
  • You’ll take a culinary journey to discover the mouth-watering, achingly fresh delights of Vietnam. From slurping traditional Bun Bo Hue, to digging into a vegetarian feast at a local nunnery, to enjoying a home-cooked lunch with locals in Ninh Binh – your tastebuds won’t be the same again.
  • Be treated to an overnight stay on a traditional junk sailing boat in Halong Bay – wake up and feel like you’re still in a dream, surrounded by the incredible limestone karsts and turquoise waters of this magical place.
  • Visit a restaurant with a difference and enjoy a special lunch at KOTO restaurant – an Intrepid Foundation supported program that teaches disadvantaged youth hospitality skills.

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.
  • At the guesthouse in the Mekong Delta, we stay in more basic accommodation than other destinations on the trip. Amenities are shared and may have cold water only.
  • 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

This itinerary is valid for departures from 01 January 2023 to 31 December 2023.

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

Map of Classic Vietnam including Vietnam

Inclusions

Meals

14 breakfasts, 6 lunches, 4 dinners

Transport

Boat, Plane, Private vehicle, Taxi

Accommodation

Guesthouse (1 night), Hotel (12 nights), Overnight boat (1 night)

Activities
  • Complimentary Airport Arrival Transfer
  • Ho Chi Minh City - Welcome Dinner
  • Ho Chi Minh City - Cu Chi Tunnels
  • Ho Chi Minh City - War Remnants Museum
  • Mekong Delta - Boat cruise with visits to local producers
  • Mekong Delta - Home-cooked lunch
  • Hoi An - Old Town walking tour
  • Hue - Imperial City entrance and guided visit
  • Hue - Royal tomb of Emperor Tu Duc
  • Hue - Perfume River cruise & Thien Mu Pagoda
  • Hanoi - KOTO lunch
  • Hanoi - One Pillar Pagoda & HCM stilt house
  • Hanoi - Temple of Literature
  • Ninh Binh - Hoa Lu
  • Ninh Binh - Van Long Nature Reserve Boat Trip
  • Ninh Binh - Home Cooked Lunch
  • Ninh Binh - Thung Nham Ecotourism Zone
  • Halong Bay - Overnight Boat Cruise
  • Hanoi - Old Quarter Tour
  • Hanoi - Local water puppet performance
Add on activities
  • Hoi An - Food Adventure Urban Adventure - USD37
  • Hoi An - Hoi An Boat & Bike with Sunset BBQ Urban Adventure - USD54
  • Hoi An - My Son Cham tour (entrance fee, guide and transport included) - USD45
  • Halong Bay - Kayaking Tour - VND250000
  • Hanoi - Fine Arts Museum - VND30000
  • Hanoi - Hoa Lo 'Hanoi Hilton' Prison - VND30000
  • Hanoi - Museum of Ethnology - VND180000
  • Hanoi - Street Food Experience Urban Adventure - USD35

Dates and availability

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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 excludes Day 3 (Guesthouse) and Day 13 (Boat) where you will be in shared accommodation and is subject to availability. Please speak to your booking agent for further information.
2. 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.
3. Please provide your full name exactly as per passport at the time of booking (including any middle names listed on your passport) for train and 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.

Read Essential Trip Information

Reviews

5 out of 5 based on 111 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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Kate · Traveled October 2023
This trip was well thought out and although there was a lot of travelling, there were plenty of rest stops. The choice of accommodation was very good, especially in Hoi An. The cultural visits in Hue could have been shorter perhaps. The visit to Halong Bay was amazing.
Review submitted 08 Nov 2023

Patricia · Traveled October 2023
What an amazing first time visit to Vietnam from Saigon to Hanoi and all the places in between I could not fault the organisers and our amazing tour leader Trang who made this a memorable experience and bought a group of travellers from England Norway and Australia together for a fun time and the food was amazing.
Review submitted 13 Nov 2023

Nick · Traveled October 2023
Wonderful and full-on trip with our very knowledgeable and entertaining guide (Jolie). Amazing scenery, culture and history (we did it South to North, against history but enjoyed).
Review submitted 05 Nov 2023

David · Traveled October 2023
Amazing and informative trip in Vietnam. Made particularly special due to our enthusiastic guide Bihn. Food was to die for!
Review submitted 05 Nov 2023

Nola · Traveled October 2023
I cannot recommend the Classic Vietnam trip enough. It was one highlight after another with the best tour leader ever - Binh. His passion for his country is infectious and we loved learning about its rich history and culture with him. Don’t hesitate, you’ll love it.
Review submitted 04 Nov 2023
Classic Vietnam
From
ZAR  36,077