Just completed my 3rd intro tour and already booked my 4th for next year! Just finished the Vietnam intro and had the absolute best time. Very well organised by our amazing tour leader Annelise who was just the best!! Would recommend intro to anyone. I work full time and these trips allow me to experience travel with so many amazing experiences!
Had an absolute blast on the tour, met so many great people and seen some unreal sights!! Dan and Catty are both legends and done everything they could to make sure everyone had the best time ever and really made our trip one to remember, thanks for everything guys ’–
Siem Reap, Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Hanoi, Halong Bay, Ninh Binh, Hoi An, Ho Chi Minh City, Phnom Penh, Kampot, Koh Rong Island, Mekong Delta, Cu Chi Tunnels, Angkor Wat, Khao Sok National Park, Koh Phangan, Phi Phi Islands
Meet your tour guide at the chosen destination around Hanoi Old Quarter at 08:00 - 08:30. Start the trip by visiting the Tran Quoc pagoda, a Buddhist relic and national heritage lying on the West Lake. You shall also get to explore Ho Chi Minh complex, the final resting place of Viet Nam’s greatest father; his house-on-stilt and One pillar pagoda – modeled after a lotus flower, a symbol of Hanoi.
Next up is the Temple of Literature which was constructed in the year 1070 as a dedication to Confucius, sages and scholars. It was also the first university of Viet Nam. Relax and have lunch at a local restaurant in Hanoi Old Quarter around 12:30 pm.
After lunch, we will spend some time exploring the daily life of the locals living in Bat Trang, a traditional village that is famous for ceramic making. Visit local showrooms and see how they model the products.
Finally, visit the legendary Hoan Kiem lake. Also explore the Ngoc Son Temple, dedicated to Tran Hung Dao - General Commander for his struggle against Mongolians. We drop you at your hotel around 15:30 pm. Tour ends.
The Perfume Pagoda is a nice landscape and a vast complex of Buddhist temples, it is shrines built into the limestone Huong Tich mountains. It has biggest festival start from January until to April which draws large numbers of pilgrims from across Vietnam visiting every year. When you go there you not only sightseeing a landscape but also you have knowledge about Buddhism.
Perfume Pagoda land of Buddhism
- 08.00 a.m: Depart for the 2-hour journey to the Perfume Pagoda. Enjoy the scenic drive through the rich farming land of the Red River Delta, to one of northern Vietnam’s holiest of sites.
- 10.00 a.m: On arrival board a private rowing boat for the relaxing hours’ cruise down the Yen River, along the way stop at Den Trinh (Presentation shrine), also known as Den Quan Lon (Shrine of High-ranking Mandarin), built to worship one of the generals of a Hung King.
- 11.00 a.m: Disembark and follow a stone flagged path to Thien Tru.
- 11.30 a.m: Continue the walk uphill around 45 minutes to Huong Tich Chu, “Pagoda of the Perfumed Vestige”. The pagoda is one of the most important to the Mahayana Buddhists of Vietnam.
At the top you will be rewarded with a fine view, after visiting pagoda, start the journey back down the mountain.
Note: As an option there is a cable car which can be taken instead of walking (not included).
- 14.00 p.m: Have lunch at local restaurant.
- 15.00 p.m: Visit Thien Tru, which is located on Mount Lao is built shelves in 1467, King Le Thanh Tong Quang Thuan dating to the 8th.
- 15.30 p.m: Return by rowing boat to the vehicle for transfer back to Hanoi, arriving Hanoi in the late afternoon.
- 19.00: Tour finishes.
There is no better way to explore Hanoi by jumping on a bike and meandering through the traffic and Red River Delta.
The tour will start from either 7:30 am or 12:30 pm. At this time our tour guide shall collect you from your hotel and bring you to where the bikes are located and your adventure will start.
First, we will cross the Red River by Long Bien bridge (built by Paul Doumer who also designed the Eiffel Tower) constructed from 1989 to 1902 during the French’s colonial occupation of the country. From the bridge, you can see greenery below and we shall continue along through rice paddies and farms.
You will meet local people and see how they work. If you fancy, you shall also have an opportunity to take the load off their shoulders, join in and learn all about them.
Continue biking through small roads with nice landscapes before arriving at Co Loa in Dong Anh District to see the ancient citadel, built in 257 BC.
Next see a fruit farm where you can pick some fruit and explore before next stopping for a traditional Vietnamese lunch.
Once you have finished in your own time, we shall take you back to your hotel where the trip will end. Trip ends at 1:30 pm (morning option) and 5:30 pm (afternoon option) at your hotel in Hanoi
Vietnam with intro was such an incredible experience thanks to our fantastic leader Michelle! Honourable mention to Jas and Tim as leaders-in-training who will be amazing. The whole trip was so enjoyable and engaging, and I genuinely cant remember the last time I had that much fun. Michelle was amazing in any scenario thrown her way, and nothing was ever too big of an issue to solve! I consistently felt so safe and reassured with the team. From cultural experiences of war tunnels and walking tours to incredible boat rides and fun nights out this has been one of the best holidays of my life. I would absolutely recommend to anyone solo travelling because you will meet such amazing people along the way. I wish I could do it all over again!
Thanks to Dat's excellent service and communication, our trip was seamless from start to finish. The local guides were knowledgeable, and we experienced a lot. Our time in Vietnam and Thailand was great. We plan a return trip to further destinations with this local tour operator.
We had a long holiday and relax in the beach of Phu Quoc Island. One of the best tours that I’ve been. Great experience, we got more than what we paid for.
The service was excellent, our tour guide was so knowledgeable and helpful. Highly recommend, will definitely choose them again - Thank you!
From the moment we landed to the second we waved goodbye, our experience with this tour operator was nothing short of spectacular. it truly felt like we were in the hands of friends who knew Vietnam inside out, from local SIM card tricks to the best money exchange spots. Booking a tour with a local company was a first for us, and it's something we'll definitely continue to do. Hotels were generally comfortable, and the meals were surprises of Vietnamese cuisine. The itinerary was well-balanced, giving us enough free time to explore on our own, One of the most memorable moments was the home-cooked meal in a local village, where we got to connect with the community on a personal level. It was an experience that was both enriching and humbling.
Vietnam cast its spell on us, and this Vietnam tour was the magic wand. It was more than just a honeymoon; it was a chapter of our lives written in the heart of Southeast Asia. Landing in Ho Chi Minh City, we were greeted by the knowledgeable guide who made the city's history as thrilling as a novel. His stories brought the landmarks to life, and his warmth made us feel like we had a local friend. Hanoi's Old Quarter was a delightful surprise, especially the markets and the Water Puppet Show. Guide was attentive, making our experience was nothing short of perfect. For a honeymoon that's a blend of guided exploration and personal discovery. TOP-NOTCH!!!
Over 19 days, set off on an adventure through Thailand and Vietnam and see the contrast of bustling cities and serene landscapes. Explore the temples of Ayutthaya, spend time with Lisu hill tribes, meet the experts at an elephant sanctuary in Chiang Mai and uncover the country’s past in Kanchanaburi. Then, hit the streets of Vietnam as your leader shows you the soul of this diverse metropolis. Get lost in the districts of Hanoi, take in the sights of Ha Long Bay on an overnight cruise and discover the old-world charm of Hoi An. Your Premium journey is filled with a mix of culture, cuisine, history and unbeatable views.
Our family's journey through Vietnam was absolutely magical, and a huge part of that was thanks to the team at our travel company. Our expert and his team were incredibly attentive, making sure our elderly parents were comfortable while keeping our 13-year-old son excited with stories of Vietnam's history. We hit a small snag with a hotel card in Hoi An, but it was sorted out quickly. Eric was incredibly responsive, always just a text away, and ready to help. The countryside tour in was a real highlight, not just for its stunning landscapes but also for supporting the local community, which is something we really appreciated. Our son loved the freedom of the bike tour around Hoi An, where every corner revealed a new story. The Hotel in Hanoi was fantastic. The company's commitment to our satisfaction was top-notch. We're already planning our next adventure with them and can't wait to create more family memories!
This tour was such a great way to explore both Vietnam and Cambodia without stressing over planning everything ourselves. It started in Saigon... super lively and full of energy. The Cu Chi Tunnels were very intriguing.. it’s wild to imagine how people lived down there. One of my favorite parts was the boat ride on the Mekong River.. saw floating marktes.
Hoi An was hands down the most charming place on the trip with lanterns everywhere, cute cafes and lovely shopping.. I bought silk scarves and handmade lanterns.
Hanoi had a completely different vibe, like more historic and chilled. We spent a day just walking around the lakes and old town. Ha Long Bay was unforgettable.. saw limestone cliffs, wow!
The Cambodia part was shorter but still amazing. Angkor Wat and Angkor Thom were mind-blowing..
Overall this tour was well and everything from the hotels to the food and transport was taken care of. It’s a lot to fit in but if you’re looking for an adventure across two beautiful countries.