Essential Vietnam

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Carbon neutral

12 daysDuration

Small Group TourUsually 8-12 participants, maximum 18 travelers

16 peopleMaximum group size

18 - 35 yearsAge range for participants

EnglishGuide language

Easy

Light physical activity suitable for most people with average fitness levels.

Starts

Hanoi, Vietnam

Ends

Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

Highlights

Chill out in Hoi An where you can get some sweet threads tailor-made before you head out to pick your own ingredients for lunch during a garden-to-table experience with a local chef.

Sit down for a cup of strong Vietnamese coffee, tuck into some delicious street eats and listen to stories from your trip leader about the city’s vibrant culture and history after touring a busy Ho Chi Minh City market.

Balance on a tiny streetside stool in Hanoi's Old Quarter, soaking up the bustling vibes and watching motorbikes zoom past. Then, maybe explore the local nightlife with a bia hoi in hand.

Take in the views of Lan Ha Bay by kayak as you explore the limestone islands during your visit to Cat Ba Island. Who'd have thought green seas and giant mossy rocks could be so pretty?

Cycle around the ancient temples and expansive fields in Ninh Binh – a protected UNESCO World Heritage-listed site. With loads of free time, you can hike to Mua Cave or take a boat down in Tam Coc to the nearby caves.

Itinerary

From the lantern-lit streets of Hoi An to the bustling boulevards of Ho Chi Minh City, the "Essential Vietnam" tour is a 12-day trip that brings you the best of Vietnam’s flavors, history, and hospitality—perfect for young adults eager to taste and explore. Cruise from Hanoi to Cat Ba Island, meander through ancient Hue, and discover the magic of Vietnamese cuisine with hands-on culinary experiences.

Ride kayaks, pick fresh ingredients from a chef’s garden, and soak in the country’s vibrant culture at every stop. This easy activity adventure includes accommodation, transport, meals, and local guidance, making for a seamless, social journey from north to south.

What sets this tour package apart? An unbeatable blend of cultural immersion, hands-on food experiences, and local hospitality—ensuring you experience Vietnam in all its richness, one delicious day at a time.

day 1 - Hanoi

Xin chao! Welcome to Vietnam. Your adventure kicks off in Hanoi – Vietnam’s capital – with a welcome meeting at 6 pm tonight. If you arrive early, wander these gorgeous streets and see the sights. Tonight, maybe grab your new group and see who’s up for some food and a fresh bia hoi at a roadside stall or watch the motorbikes zoom by. Hanoi is also a great place for local beer and cocktail bars, so maybe hit the nightlife and discover what this city has to offer after sundown.

accommodation:Hotel (1 night)

day 2 - Hanoi

Today is a free day in Hanoi to explore however you’d like. Maybe check out your reflection in the beautiful Hoan Kiem Lake, wander along shaded boulevards or relax in a public park with some delicious street food (spring rolls inside rice paper rolls, anyone?). Museum-wise, you could visit the Mausoleum of Ho Chi Minh, drop into the serene Temple of Literature or get arty at the city's Fine Arts Museum. Maybe head to KOTO for lunch – this organisation is dedicated to developing the hospitality careers of disadvantaged youth. Later, maybe explore the centuries-old architecture as the sun goes down.

accommodation:Hotel (1 night)

day 3 - Cat Ba

Travel by bus and ferry to Cat Ba Island – the largest island in Lan Ha Bay, connected to the UNESCO-listed Ha Long Bay. With thousands of little limestone islands scattered around, this area is one of those quintessential Vietnamese scenes in which bright green water is dotted with traditional junk boats and limestone karsts. Take a cruise around Lan Ha Bay and enjoy a seafood lunch prepared by your onboard chef. What could be better? This afternoon, hop off the boat to get up close and personal with this other-worldly landscape by kayak. Paddle through serene waters and then watch the sunset over this awe-inspiring landscape.

included:Cat Ba Island - Boat trip on Lan Ha Bay, Cat Ba Island - Kayaking

accommodation:Hotel (1 night)

meals:1 Lunch

day 4 - Ninh Binh

This morning, take a ferry back to the mainland and head to Ninh Binh province – once the site of Vietnam’s capital in the 10th and 11th centuries, which is now a protected UNESCO World Heritage site. Join a local guide on a cycling tour to visit the ancient citadel. This once covered 300 hectares (741 acres) of land, however the passage of time has left few remains of the once glorious capital. You’ll visit the 17th-century temples built in honour of King Dinh and King Le among other temples, pagodas, monuments and lush grounds surrounded by mountains.

included:Hoa Lu - Temple of King Dinh and King Le, Ninh Binh - Bike Tour

accommodation:Lodge

day 5 - Ninh Binh - Overnight Train

The day is yours to explore the many other wonders of Ninh Binh. You might like to lace up your hiking boots and trek to Mua Cave. While the cave sits at the base of a mountain, be sure to make the trek up the 500 steps to the mountain peak for amazing views of Hoa Lu and Ngo Dong River. Or maybe get out on the water and take a boat tour past limestone karst peaks, caves, temples and maybe even filming locations from a King Kong movie. Tonight, board an overnight train to Hue.

accommodation:Overnight Train

day 6 - Hue

Arrive by train in Hue, the former imperial capital of Vietnam. You have today free to do as you please. You can easily spend a couple of hours exploring Hue’s massive walled citadel and the Forbidden Purple Palace that's enclosed within. Maybe jump on board a dragon boat and enjoy a cruise up the Perfume River to visit the Thien Mu Pagoda. You could also check out Dong Ba Market, which offers locally made goods, fresh produce and some tasty street food. This is a good place to try the dish that Emperor Nguyen used to feast on – the banh khoai royal rice. If you like being on two wheels, maybe cycle out to one of the royal tombs like the tomb of Emperor Tu Duc (one of the most well-preserved examples of its kind). Tonight, head into the home of a local family and enjoy a freshly prepared dinner. You’ll be chatting and laughing over your chopsticks in no time!

included:Hue - Home cooked dinner

accommodation:Hotel (1 night)

meals:1 Dinner

day 7 - Hoi An

Continue along the coast to Hoi An by private bus. When you arrive, your leader will take you on a walking tour of this unique town which has been influenced over the years by Europe, China, Vietnam and Japan. The town was a major trading port from the 17th century onwards, and its old-school flavour is written all over its architecture. For a small town, it's pretty lively. The tour will take you down the streets that are being restored and look a lot like they did 100 years ago, then you’ll discover some of the more chilled out spots. Check out a historic house (formerly home to a prominent trader), the Japanese Covered Bridge, a Chinese assembly hall and a museum. Later, maybe play bingo with your leader in a town square – a popular local past time.

included:Hoi An - Old Town walking tour

accommodation:Hotel (1 night)

day 8 - Hoi An

Start the day by cycling through the beautiful surroundings of Hoi An to Tra Que Vegetable Village, visiting the organic vegetable and herb garden of a local chef. This village was established over 500 years ago and has become a thriving agricultural hub known for its produce. See, smell and taste what makes Vietnamese food so delicious during a tour of the gardens. Then, enjoy a freshly prepared lunch using some of the ingredients you picked during your tour. Much of the food waste here is composted, recycled or reused. The rest of the afternoon is free for your own exploring. Maybe wander to the Central Market and browse the paintings, woodwork, ceramics and lanterns. Hoi An is also famous for its talented tailors, so if you’ve been wearing the same shirt every day (who hasn’t), why not hit one of the same-day tailors and get yourself something new? Tonight, maybe wander the lantern-lit streets for some great photo ops.

included:Hoi An - Garden-to-Table with A Local Chef

accommodation:Hotel (1 night)

meals:1 Lunch

day 9 - Quy Nhon

This morning, say goodbye to Hoi An and drive to Quy Nhon – a coastal city in the Binh Dinh province. When you arrive, you have a free afternoon and evening to explore at your own pace. There are plenty of optional activities you can take on today to explore the beautiful location – maybe visit Banh It Tower, taking in stunning scenery from the top of the hill, or visit the Cahn Tien Tower (Bronze Tower). Take a food tour, trying some local specialities like banh xeo tom nhay (a crunchy pancake with fresh prawn), nem nuong (grilled pork sausage) or bun ca (fish noodle soup). Maybe take a trip to Eo Gio for a hike and coastal views. There are also lots of great local restaurants you can hang out at – ask your leader for recommendations!

accommodation:Hotel (1 night)

day 10 - Quy Nhon - Overnight Train

Today is a free day in Quy Nhon to take on any optional activities you didn’t get a chance to do yesterday. You might like to head to the Con Chim Ecological Zone, where you can go fishing or stand up paddleboarding. You could also head to Ky Co Beach or take a day trip to Hon Kho Island for a swim in the blue-green waters. Tonight, you’ll take an overnight train, so maybe grab some snacks this afternoon for the journey. As you make your way to Ho Chi Minh City, maybe play a few (or many) rounds of cards or get stuck into a good book. As the light changes outside, you can watch the everchanging scenery pass you by, showing you a glimpse into what rural life is like in Vietnam.

accommodation:Overnight Train

day 11 - Ho Chi Minh City

Arrive in Ho Chi Minh City early this morning and transfer to your hotel. Formerly known as Saigon, Ho Chi Minh City is a whirl of sights and sounds. You can still see the French influence in the top-notch baguettes and coffee. Compared to the north, the food here is spicier, sweeter and more varied. Maybe take advantage of the early morning by checking out the markets and tucking into a bowl of pho with the local traders. With your group, you’ll visit a local market, where you can browse the street foods – maybe try some banh da xuc hen (fried clams with rice crackers) or banh xeo (savoury stuffed crepes). Then, try the iconic Saigon cafe sua da (iced coffee with condensed milk) amid the market’s everyday bustle as your leader shares stories about life in Ho Chi Minh City. Tonight, why not get your group together for a meal and some drinks on Pham Ngu Lao Street?

included:Ho Chi Minh City – Local Market Visit, Ho Chi Minh City - Local Coffee Experience

accommodation:Hotel (1 night)

day 12 - Ho Chi Minh City

With no planned activities today, your trip comes to an end. There’s lots to see and do in Vietnam – The Cu Chi Tunnels are an interesting daytrip, plus the city is a great springboard to head down to the Mekong Delta or to Phu Quoc Island. Ask your group leader for more recommendations. If you’d like to spend more time here and need further accommodation, just speak to your booking agent ahead of time.

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What's Included

Accommodation

Hotel (8 nights), Lodge (1 night), Overnight sleeper train (2 nights)

Meals

2 Lunches, 1 Dinner

Transport

Boat, Overnight sleeper train, Private minibus

Guide

An expert tour leader

Included Activities

Cat Ba Island - Boat trip on Lan Ha BayCat Ba Island - KayakingHoa Lu - Temple of King Dinh and King LeNinh Binh - Bike TourHue - Home cooked dinnerHoi An - Old Town walking tourHoi An - Garden-to-Table with A Local ChefHo Chi Minh City – Local Market VisitHo Chi Minh City - Local Coffee Experience

What's Excluded

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