Master Crafter: The Secret to a Perfect Vietnam Itinerary? Here’s What the Expert Says
For Kelly Reid, who’s been curating our Vietnam adventure tours since 2018, crafting the perfect itinerary isn’t just about ticking boxes, it’s about balancing cultural depth, unforgettable experiences, and time to soak it all in.
Kelly says, “The trick is to build itineraries that highlight all of it, without feeling rushed.”
It’s also about the on-the-ground connections she’s built over the years, particularly her much-loved tour leaders, who don’t just reveal the culture and history of the country, but use their own experience and insight to elevate the adventure.
She recalls boarding the overnight train to Hue on our Vietnam Adventure trip when her guide, Ngoc, casually took dinner orders on the platform.
“Fifteen minutes before departure, a full Vietnamese feast was delivered to our carriage – spring rolls, grilled pork, veggie noodles, dipping sauces, the works,” she says.
It’s the sort of detail our leaders know makes the difference.
Whether it’s arranging dinner on a train, translating jokes at a homestay, or organising an impromptu tea ceremony in Hue, “they’re the reason so many of our travellers come home raving – it’s not just about the places, but the incredible people. I’m very proud of our guides.”
On our Hidden Vietnam trip, we take travellers to Ta Phin, a remote hill village, home to the Black Hmong and Red Dao communities. A night in a traditional stilt house offers an authentic glimpse into local life. Think forest-foraged meals, shared stories, and, if you’re lucky, the chance to try a traditional Red Dao herbal bath-in-a-barrel.
“It’s a centuries-old ritual using handpicked herbs,” says Kelly. “Not something we schedule – but our hosts sometimes offer it, and it’s a perfect example of unscripted magic Vietnam has up its sleeve.”
Another standout adventure is our Hiking in Northern Vietnam trip. “It’s immersive in every way,” she says.
Travellers spend several days hiking through rice terraces and hill communities in Lào Cai and Hoàng Su Phì. Highlights include visiting Lung Phinh market, where locals gather to trade goods and gossip, and joining a Red Dao fire dancing ceremony, a spiritual spectacle rarely seen by outsiders.
Travellers harvest tea with farmers, learn how corn wine is made, and stop at a Dao silversmith’s home workshop, where jewellery is hammered out by hand.
“You’re not just seeing Vietnam – you’re living it, one story at a time ”
Of course, it’s not all villages and misty mountains. Our Cycling Vietnam trip reveals a different side of the country, with a two-night stay at Whale Island Resort, a laid-back retreat fringed by coral reefs.
Once a favourite of Jacques Cousteau, it’s a peaceful pause from the saddle – and, as Kelly says, “a real highlight – no other tour operators I know go there, which makes it feel extra special.”
And then there’s the food. “Vietnamese cuisine is cultural currency,” Kelly says. “From Hanoi’s egg coffee to Hoi An’s community-run cooking classes, food is a common thread that ties everyone together – it’s their language of love.”
What sets Exodus apart?
“It’s the detail, and our guides’ unrelenting passion for their country”, Kelly says. The local stories, the moments that take you by surprise – that’s what travellers remember.”
Considering Vietnam? Kelly’s advice is clear: “Just go. You’ll feel welcome, amazed, and always full.”
Three Adventures That Take You Deeper Into Vietnam
When it comes to exploring Vietnam, our small-group trips take you deep into the heart of the culture, whether you’re hiking, cycling or embarking on a cultural adventure. Here’s a trio of tours where Vietnam shines its brightest.
1. Hiking in Northern Vietnam
Blaze a bold new trail through Vietnam’s northern highlands, from Sapa’s rice terraces to Hoàng Su Phì. Watch Red Dao fire dancing, overnight in the jungles of Panhou Retreat, and kayak through Lan Ha Bay – this is Vietnam as few ever experience it.
Hiking in Northern Vietnam
Leave the backpackers and hike the remote north with a leader who knows the trails better than any
2. Cycling Vietnam
Ride Vietnam’s highlands and coastlines – through rubber plantations, past fishing villages, over the Hai Van Pass and downhill through pine forests to Whale Island. From city streets to limestone bays, this ride, one of our most popular Vietnam cycling tours, blends exhilarating climbs with freewheeling descents and local flavour.
Cycling Vietnam
Ride from Ho Chi Minh City to Hanoi, witnessing Vietnam’s beauty unfold
3. Hidden Vietnam: Sapa & Beyond
Follow forest trails to a Red Dao village, kayak beneath limestone karsts, crawl through caves in Phong Nha, and cycle Hoi An’s sunlit backroads. From stilt-house homestays to cyclos in Ho Chi Minh City, this journey dives into Vietnam’s culture, countryside and character.
Hidden Vietnam: Sapa & Beyond
From Sapa to Ho Chi Minh City; uncover the treasures of Vietnam
