Compare Classic Vietnam by Intrepid Travel vs Vietnam Exploration 14 days by Insight Asia Travel

Day 1 Ho Chi Minh City

Xin chao! Welcome to Ho Chi Minh City – a French-infused city with a dynamic atmosphere. If you arrive early, perhaps head to Pham Ngu Lao Street to see the local open-air market or visit Vinh Nghiem Pagoda. Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 6 pm this evening, where you’ll meet your tour leader and fellow travellers. After your welcome meeting, you’ll make your way out for dinner as a group – expect mouth-watering aromas and the achingly fresh flavours of herbs, lemongrass and rich sauces.

Day 2 Ho Chi Minh City

After breakfast this morning, you’ll head out of town to explore the Cu Chi Tunnels that make up part of a large war museum outside Ho Chi Minh. This former Viet Cong stronghold provides an insight into the resourcefulness and tenacity of the Vietnamese people, and offers a glimpse of what life was like during the war. Like an underground maze that stretches over 120km, the tunnels are complete with trapdoors, living areas, kitchens, storage facilities, armoury, hospitals, and command centres. Your trip through history doesn’t stop there, you’ll head back to Ho Chi Minh City to discover the War Remnants Museum where you’ll see old military equipment including an F5A fighter and a UH1-Huey helicopter. In the afternoon, you’ll be free to explore the city at your leisure. Perhaps gather some of your newfound travel buddies and explore Notre Dame, the Post Office or Reunification Palace.

Day 3 Mekong Delta

This morning you’ll wave goodbye to Ho Chi Minh City for the night and travel south by private bus to Ben Tre. When you arrive, you’ll board a small traditional boat and explore the intricate waterways of the Mekong Delta. The delta is known as ‘Vietnam’s rice bowl’ for its abundance of rice paddies, fruit and flower orchards. During the boat trip, you’ll stop to sample some of the fresh tropical fruit and visit a selection of cottage industries in the area. Then, you’ll get your first taste of Vietnamese hospitality and tuck into a home-cooked Vietnamese-style lunch at a local family home. Then, around sunset, you’ll make your way to your guesthouse to spend the night with the locals and enjoy another wonderful meal featuring regional specialties.

Day 4 Ho Chi Minh City

Enjoy more of the Mekong Delta’s finest fruits over breakfast this morning and then hit the road back to Ho Chi Minh City where you’ll arrive in the late afternoon. This evening will be yours to explore, perhaps go in search of the best food with some of your fellow travellers – your group leader will know where to go for meals of any budget. Then, you might like to leave yourself time to check out one of the city’s vibrant rooftop bars.

Day 5 Hoi An

This morning, you’ll take a short flight to Danang and make your way to your next stop in Hoi An. On arrival in Hoi An, shake off your morning of travel and dig into a traditional Vietnamese lunch to welcome you to the city. Our hot tip – try the mi quang or cao lau noodles that Central Vietnam is famed for. After lunch, your leader will take you on an orientation walk around the World Heritage-listed Old Town. The city was a major trading port with the west during the 16th and 17th-centuries, and has various architectural influences from Europe, China and Japan. Today, the city is being restored and looks much like it did over a century ago. You'll see Chinese temples, Japanese pagodas, French-colonial houses, wooden shop-houses and old canals during your walk. After your walking tour, enjoy free time to participate in optional activities or simply soak up the ambience of the place. You may like to wander Hoi An Market and the street stalls selling paintings, woodwork, ceramics, lanterns and much more.

Day 6 Hoi An

Enjoy a free day to further explore Hoi An and its majestic surrounds. Perhaps rent a bicycle and take a trip out to the nearby Cua Dai Beach. Better yet, why not book into an Urban Adventure, like Hoi An Boat & Bike, which offers a guided tour of the area, including a countryside bike ride and a sunset cruise along the Thu Bon River. Vietnam is, of course, known for its delicious food, and Hoi An is no exception. To unlock the flavours of Hoi An's vibrant Old Town on Hoi An Food Adventure. See urbanadventures.com/destination/Hoi-An-tours for more information. Your leader can help arrange optional activities and tours if this interests you.

Day 7 Hoi An

Spend another day as you please in this historic haven. If you can muster an early rise this morning, head to the local produce market to watch animated shoppers haggling over fresh fish, spices and vegetables. Otherwise, if you’d like, your leader can help you arrange an optional Vietnamese cooking class, or a visit to the ruins of My Son – Vietnam's most important Cham site. Set in a verdant valley, surrounded by hills and overlooked by the massive Cat's Tooth Mountain, the elaborate World Heritage-listed temples here reflect the cultural traditions of the Cham civilisation that flourished in this region between the fourth and 12th-century. There’s plenty to see and do here, this is your opportunity to decide how to spend your day.

Day 8 Hue

Continue your journey north today and drive over the spectacular Hai Van Pass – an incredibly scenic and mountainous stretch of highway with views of Lang Co Beach. Make a stop at beautiful Lang Co to buy yourself some lunch. In the afternoon, you’ll arrive in Hue – Vietnam’s former Imperial capital. Here you’ll take a step into the past as you visit the Imperial Citadel and the Forbidden Purple City. As the name suggests, The Forbidden Purple City was once reserved only for the personal use of the emperor and his concubines. It was almost entirely destroyed by bomb blasts during the war and now serves as a reminder of centuries past – the crumbling palaces tell a fascinating story if you look carefully. After a little time to explore, the evening will be at your leisure to relax and simply enjoy this poetic place.

Day 9 Hue

After a local breakfast of bun bo hue – a spiced beef noodle soup – it’s time to really delve into the historical highlights of Hue. You’ll stop off at the Thien Mu Pagoda and get the chance to see an active Buddhist monastery dating back to 1601. Your adventures will work up an appetite that we’ll quickly fill with a delicious vegetarian feast at a local nunnery for lunch. Feeling full with more Vietnamese delicacies and warm hospitality, you’ll make one final stop at one of the royal tombs, that of Emperor Tu Duc, with its lake, frangipani and pine trees. After a big day of exploring beautiful sights, the evening is yours to enjoy as you wish. Our tip – be sure to ask your leader which of Hue’s favourites you should seek out for dinner – it’s not known as Vietnam’s culinary capital for nothing.

Day 10 Hanoi

After breakfast today, you’ll take a flight from Hue to Vietnam’s charming capital of Hanoi. Upon arrival, enjoy a delicious lunch at KOTO restaurant – an Intrepid Foundation supported program that teaches disadvantaged youth hospitality skills. After lunch, take a half-day tour of Hanoi that captures the beauty and the history of the laidback, tree-lined capital. You’ll visit major sights including the Temple of Literature and One Pillar Pagoda. You’ll also pass by Hoan Kiem Lake and enter the ’36 Streets’ of the historic Old Quarter – a series of interwoven lanes and roads that historically sell a certain product in each street. Silk, bamboo, ceramics, kitchen products – and upwards of 32 more!

Day 11 Ninh Binh

You’ll depart Hanoi for the UNESCO protected Ninh Binh this morning. A naturally beautiful area, often referred to as ‘Ha Long Bay on land’, with its winding river etched between towering limestone mountains. On arrival, you’ll head straight to the Dinh and Le Temples which were built in the 10th century and dedicated to two of the kings of Vietnam. After exploring the ancient temples, you’ll be welcomed into a local home for a traditional Vietnamese lunch. Meet the family who live here and enjoy their Vietnamese delicacies... think everything from grilled beef wrapped with guise leaves, to spring rolls, to fried fish with tomato sauce. With a full belly and fuller heart, top off the day in this scenic spot with a rowboat cruise along the wetland of Van Long. As you paddle, you’ll be awed by the surrounding limestone mountain peaks and rice paddy fields, plus enjoy the pastel hues of a lotus pond along your way.

Day 12 Ninh Binh

Wake up without an alarm today as you’ve got the morning to explore at your leisure before a fun, action-packed afternoon to take in Thung Nham ecotourism zone, just outside of Ninh Binh. First up, you’ll take a traditional rowboat to discover the largest natural bird garden in the north of Vietnam. Float peacefully along the calm waters, as you’re surrounded by towering mountains, lush greenery and, of course, a mass of beautiful bird species. Then, you’ll explore the cave system that features Vai Gioi Cave, But Cave and Tien Ca Cave. From here, your journey will take you to spiritual sights that include the thousand year-old banyan tree, Gii Dai Temple and Linh Than Mieu. Finally, you’ll get a chance to unwind as you explore the Thung Nham flower paradise, nursery and vegetable garden.

Day 13 Halong Bay

Travel by private minibus to the spectacular World Heritage-listed site of Halong Bay. This is one of Vietnam’s most beautiful places – a bay of emerald waters flecked with sandstone islands and caves. Here, you’ll go on a cruise to explore Surprise Cave and surrounding rock formations, and in the warmer months perhaps go kayaking or opt for a swim from Ti Top Island. Access to Surprise Cave is via staircases, once inside the cave the pathways are a little uneven and slippery so be sure to watch your step. This evening, you’re in for a real treat – you’ll spend the night on a traditional cruising boat. The sailing junk (traditional sailing boat) has twin-share cabins with air-conditioning and private facilities. There's also a dining room and bar where you’ll enjoy all of your meals, including fresh seafood for lunch and dinner.

Day 14 Hanoi

You'd be forgiven for thinking you were still dreaming upon waking up today. Soak up the scenery of Halong Bay from your floating accommodation and take in those turquoise water views one last time before hitting the road toward Hanoi. Along the way, you’ll stop at Dong Trieu Factory to watch locals creating ceramic art pieces. On arrival in Hanoi enjoy a unique water-puppet performance hosted by a local family, who are experts in this art form. Tonight, gather as a group with your leader and tuck into dinner together, perhaps take this chance to try traditional Cha Ca La Vong, a fish dish bursting with flavour, filled with fresh herbs and noodles. Enjoy this evening with your group as you reminisce on the highlights of your Vietnam adventure.

Day 15 Hanoi

With no activities planned for today, your adventure comes to an end after breakfast. If you would like to spend some more time in Hanoi, we’ll be happy to organise additional accommodation for you (subject to availability).

Day 1: Welcome to Ho Chi Minh city | Meal: D | Overnight: HCMC

Meals: Dinner

Warm welcome upon your arrival in HCMC. Your guide will meet you at the airport for a transfer to your hotel located in the downtown.  After check in you will have free time to relax, then your guide see you again for a welcome dinner at the river cruises on the Saigon river.

Day 2: HCMC Free Choice: Sightseeing - Street Food – Dinning

Overnight: HCMC

HCMC is a city full of surprises. The city’s core is still adorned with wide elegant boulevards and historic French colonial buildings and offers plenty of reasons to visit, from its blend of historic, attractions to vibrant shopping, dining and nightlife.

You have a whole day to explore the HCMC and its Surroundings. Please select two of the below options ( one choice if you select “Full-day Cao Dai Holysee temple & Cu Chi tunnels” ) to spend your day in the most dynamic city in Vietnam.

Free Choice Sightseeings

Half-day HCMC | Maximum 4 places

Reunification Palace

Municipal Theatre – City Post Office – Notre-Dame Cathedral

War Remnants Museum

Vinh Nghiem pagoda

Hoang De pagoda

Ben Thanh market

Half-day Cu Chi tunnels

Around 70 kilometers northwest of HCMC, Cu Chi Tunnel is right near the so-called “Iron Triangle” of Southern Vietnam. This underground complex is a must-see when you are in HCMC. You are invited to crawl around in the safer parts of the tunnel system or try a shooting range where you can fire a number of assault rifles, such as the M16 rifle or AK-47, as well as a light machine gun like the M60.

Half-day China town & Thien Hau pagoda

The western part of the city is dominated by Cholon (Chinatown), a thickly settled district rife with teahouses and pagodas and the famous Binh Tay Market. Visit the Thien Hau pagoda which features interesting Chinese-Buddhist style architecture and interiors with pagodas, courtyards, altars and paintings. Chinatown is also home to the Cholon Mosque and Cha Tam, a small Catholic cathedral.

Full-day Cao Dai Holysee temple & Cu Chi tunnels

In the morning you drive to visit Cao Dai Temples in Tay Ninh and observe the midday service. This temple is the cathedral of the Cao Daism religion and home of the Divine Eye, the official symbol of this unique religion. Cao Dai followers worship Jesus Christ, Confucius, Taoism, and Buddha. On the way back you stop to visit Cu Chi Tunnels. Very famous in the wartime with its smart and complicated system including underground meeting room, kitchen, food, weapon caches, hospital. This underground complex is a must-see when you are in HCMC. You are invited to crawl around in the safer parts of the tunnel system or try a shooting range where you can fire a number of assault rifles, such as the M16 rifle or AK-47, as well as a light machine gun like the M60. Back to HCMC. Rest of the

Free Choice Street Food – Authentic experiences

 “ Banh mi” “ followed by a cup of Vietnamese coffee/tea/softdrink

 “ Hu tieu Saigon “ followed by a cup of Vietnamese coffee/tea/

 “ Banh canh ” followed by a cup of Vietnamese coffee/tea/softdrink

 “ Banh xeo ” followed by a cup of Vietnamese coffee/tea/softdrink

 “ Com tam” followed by a cup of Vietnamese coffee/tea/softdrink

HCMC Free Choice Dining :

Vegetarian set-menu at local restaurant

Vietnamese set-menu at French building restaurant

South Vietnamese buffet at local restaurant

Day 3: Mekong Delta Excursion

Meals: Breakfast and Lunch

Overnight: HCMC

Today you have am excursion to the Mekong Delta. Surrounded by thousands of crisscrossed canals, life in the Mekong Delta revolves much around the river, most of the villages are often accessible by rivers and canals rather than by road. Upon arrival you take a motor-boat to explore the Thoi Son islet, one of the four famous islets ( Dragon, Unicorn, Tortoise, Phoenix). Following a village path passing local houses to visit some family-run coconut candy mills then you take a horse-cart from village to village. Enjoy lunch with local special dishes followed by the “Southern Vietnamese folk music”, a very common art activity in the Mekong Delta performed by local people. Back to HCMC. At leisure.

Day 4: Fly to Danang – Hoi An Walking Tour

Meal: Breakfast and Dinner

Overnight: Hoi An

Enjoy your free time until transfer to airport for flight to Danang. Your guide and driver will meet you at the Danang airport for a transfer to your hotel in Hoi An. Hoi An used to be an international trade center by sea on the east area in the 16th and 17th centuries.  It was the busiest trading port during the reign of Nguyen as merchants from Japan, China, Portugal, Spain, Holland stopped over to exchange and purchase commodities. In the morning you have a  walking tour to explore the Hoi An Ancient town with old houses, narrow streets, moss-grown walls, lantern makers and visit Japanese Covered Bridge, Chinese Assembly Halls, Handicraft workshop and enjoy traditional arts performance.  Enjoy dinner with some famous dishes of the town.

Day 5: Hoi An Cooking Class

Meals: Breakfast and Lunch

Overnight: Hoi An

This morning the cooking class begins with a with a drink at Hai Scout Café followed by a visit the Hoi An colorful market. It is time to get in touch with local sellers and purchase some of the ingredients for your own cooking lesson.  Take the Red Bridge boat cruising along the Hoi An river to the cooking school.  On arrival, you explore the cooking school’s herb and vegetable garden and learn about some of Hoi An and Vietnam’s well-known dishes.  The 2-hour cooking lesson includes  a brief introduction to Vietnamese food carving . You also have a chance to try some dishes yourselves. Lunch is served included what you have cooked. Relax and back to your hotel. Rest of the day is at leisure.

Day 6: Hoi An – Museum of Cham Sculpture – Hue

Meal: Breakfast and Dinner

Overnight: Hue

In the morning you leave Hoi An for Hue. Located in central Vietnam, the World Cultural Heritage Site Hue used to be the Citadel of the Nguyen Dynasty from 1805 to 1945. Stop to visit the Da Nang Museum of Cham Sculpture, the world’s largest collection of Cham sculpture by Ancient Cham civilization that ruled Central Vietnam from the second to the thirteenth century. Journey to Hue is travelling over the Hai Van pass where you have a stop for a panoramic view over the Lang Co beach. Free. At leisure. Evening meeting with your guide again for a Hue Royal style dinner, taste some Royal cuisines at local restaurant.

Day 7: Hue full-day tour

Meals: Breakfast and Lunch

Overnight: Hue

In the morning you  have a Dragon boat cruising on the Perfume river to visit the Thien Mu pagoda, one of the oldest and prettiest religious buildings in the country. From there you rejoin your car to visit the king Minh Mang’s tomb and king Tu Duc’s tomb.  Lunch at local restaurant then you continue to  explore Hue Imperial City including Citadel, Imperial City and Purple Forbidden City . End of the day you visit the local Dong Ba market located on a bank of the Perfume river – a paradise for snapshots of daily activities. At leisure.

Day 8: Fly to Hanoi

Meal: Dinner

Overnight: Hanoi

Today you take an one-hour flight to Hanoi, the one-thousand-year old city and the capital of Vietnam. Your guide will meet you at the airport for a transfer to your hotel located in the  downtown.  Free time to relax, then your guide  see you again for a welcome dinner at a local restaurant. Your first day in Hanoi is completed by a water puppet show – a unique art performance in Vietnam.

Day 9: Hanoi Free Choice: Sightseeing - Street Food – Dinning

Overnight: Hanoi

Widely acknowledged as one of the loveliest cities in Asia, this one-thousand-year old city offer you its unique images that totally different from other Asian cities. Hanoi still retains a small-town provincial charm and unique intermingle with a French legacy wide, tree-lined boulevards, parks, grand villas and an artistic, café society.

Different people, different interests and tastes. Hanoi Free Choice Sightseeing – Street Food – Dinning offers you the best things that Hanoi has to offer and satisfy you with a personalize discovery and authentic experience. Please select one of the Hanoi city options and one of the Hanoi Surroundings to enjoy the day in Hanoi.

Free Choice Sightseeing of Hanoi city & Surroundings

Full-day city tour ( Maximum 7 places)

Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum

One Pillar Pagoda

Quan Thanh Temple

Temple of Literature

Bach Ma Temple

Hanoi Ancient House

Tran Quoc pagoda

Sword Lake and Ngoc Son Temple

Vietnam Military History Museum

Vietnam National Museum of History

Vietnam Museum of Ethnology

12Vietnamese Women’s Museum

Half-day city tour ( Maximum 4 places & One of Free Choice Hanoi Surroundings

Free Choice Hanoi Surroundings

1. Bat Trang pottery villages

About 13 kilometers south east of Hanoi center, Bat Trang village, established in 14th or 15th century, is famous for ceramic and pottery products of high quality such as vases, bowls, dishes, and many other kinds of ceramic products which have been exported worldwide.

2. Van Phuc silk village:

About 8 km southwest of Ha Noi, Van Phuc silk village is well known for its traditional sericulture, weaving, and silk products for a long-lasting history of more than two thousand years. The village makes more than 2 million meters of silk per year and is an ideal place for silk products & souvenirs

3. Duong Lam Ancient village.

Duong Lam ancient village, some 60km to the west of Hanoi, has a history of about 1,200 years with many houses dating back up to 400 years. One special thing about the village is that most of the buildings here are made of laterite and mud, two materials that are abundant in the area. The village also has its prestige as two of Vietnam’s kings, Phung Hung (761-802) and Ngo Quyen (896-944) were born in here.

4. Dong Ho painting village

Dong Ho painting village, 30 km to the East of Hanoi, or Vietnamese woodblock prints is a distinct Vietnamese folk art. Dong Ho paintings reflect people’s innermost feelings. Dong Ho paintings is made of of bark of a tree called “Dzo. Colors of the painting are refined from various kinds of tree leaves that people can easily find in Vietnam. Dong Ho paintings have about 300 years of history in the north of Vietnam. It is always considered a symbol of traditional culture and aesthetic value of Vietnam.

Free Choice Street Food – Authentic experiences

“ Pho Hanoi “ followed by a cup of Vietnamese coffee/tea/soft drink

 “ Banh Cuon “ followed by a cup of Vietnamese coffee/tea/soft drink

 “ Bun Cha Hanoi “ followed by a cup of Vietnamese coffee/tea/soft drink

 “ Bo kho – Beef Stew ” followed by a cup of Vietnamese coffee/tea/soft drink

Free Choice Dining :

Cha Ca Hanoi in Hanoi Old Quarter area at local restaurant.

Vegetarian set-menu at local restaurant

Vietnamese set-menu at French building restaurant

Vietnamese cuisine a-la-carte at Ngon restaurant

KOTO restaurant. Know One Teach One unique restaurant.

Day 10: Hanoi – Mai Chau

Meals: Breakfast and Dinner

Overnight: Mai Chau

Depart for Mai Chau valley, an idyllic valley and a world away from the hustle and bustle of Hanoi. Enjoy the mountainous scenery along the way and the superb panorama of Mai Chau surrounded by a green valley and stilt houses.  Afternoon you will have a walk wandering from village to village, learning and get in touch with about local people and try some of the local handicraft.

Day 11: Mai Chau cycling – Hanoi

Meals: Breakfast and Lunch

Overnight: Hanoi

In the morning you discover  Mai Chau valley by bicycle riding deeper to the remote area on the path and passing paddy fields. Once again there are many perfect chance for photos shot and a warmest welcome by local people. Stop and join in the local market with people from different minorities is worth. After lunch it is time to say good bye and drive back to Hanoi.

Day 12: Hanoi – Halong Bay

Meal: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Overnight : Traditional Junk

In the morning you leave Hanoi for Halong Bay via the Red River Delta. Enjoy welcome drink onboard then start cruising through Bai Tu Long Bay while lunch is served. Stop to visit and explore Vung Vieng fishing village by bamboo boat or you can have a kayak around Vung Vieng area. Time to relax, sunbath or swimming at Ban Chan Beach. Back to the junk to enjoy the sunset cocktail while the boat is cruising to Cong Do area docking for overnight.  BBQ dinner followed by some activities of board games or squid fishing.

Day 13: Halong - Ceramic village – Hanoi

Meals: Breakfast and Lunch

Overnight: Hanoi

Early bird with exercises with Tai chi on the sundeck then enjoy a light breakfast while cruising to Hon Co area. Stop to exploring  Thien Canh Son Cave, located at the centre of the World Heritage Area- Halong Bay. Return to the boat for check out and relaxing on sundeck or watching fruits carving demonstration or enjoy the last of the Ha Long Bay scenery over lunch as the boat is cruising back to shore. On the journey back to Hanoi you will have a stop at the Phu Lang ceramic village – one of the most famous ceramic brand dated from 17th – 19th century in the North of Vietnam. At leisure.

Day 14: Departure Hanoi

Meal: Breakfast

Today is the last day of your trip. Enjoy your free time at your hotel or you can do last minute souvenir shopping before meeting your guide for transfer to airport for your flight home. Have a nice journey. Thanks for joining us.