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Vietnam Highlights

Overview

Discover why Vietnam is so loved, exploring the very best bits with a local tour leader sharing their insider tips and stories

Embark on a highlights-packed adventure in Vietnam, getting to the soul of the country with authentic experiences chosen by our local experts. Navigate Hanoi’s Old Quarter, cruise Ha Long Bay in a junk boat, uncover imperial history in Hue and stroll through Hoi An’s historic trading streets, before finishing in electric Ho Chi Minh City. Along the way, your tour leader helps you understand what makes Vietnam so special through their personal stories, cultural insights and insider tips.

Key Information

Travel Style Classic: The quintessential Exodus adventure, pairing iconic sights and cultural discovery with comfortable stays: Classic
Activity: Culture
Activity Level: Easy & Moderate
See our Activity Level Guidelines to check if this holiday is right for you.
Trip Code: AOY2
Ways to Travel: Classic, Guided Group
Countries: Vietnam
Carbon Footprint: 92.8kg CO2e per person per day

What's Included

All accommodation: 8 Comfort nights (6 hotel, 1 boat), 1 Simple night (sleeper train)
Eight breakfasts, one lunch and two dinners
Immersive itinerary with all transport and listed activities
Expert tour leader to enhance your adventure
Arrival and departure transfers

Positive Impact

We donate to our Foundation and rewild 100 square metres for every Exodus traveller. Find out more about how our adventures support nature and people to thrive.

Don't Forget To

Request a single room if required, purchase travel insurance and arrange any visas and vaccinations. Also, check out Discover Laos in Comfort, Highlights of Northern Thailand and Highlights of Cambodia, which you can combine with this adventure.

Highlights

Capture the essence of Vietnam, visiting must-see sites and meeting the people

Tour the highlights of Hanoi with your expert tour leader

Stay on a traditional junk boat among the otherworldly peaks of Ha Long Bay

Uncover the life of a Nguyễn ruler in Hue’s Imperial Citadel and Forbidden Purple City

Explore Hoi An, a living museum and the original European trading port in Vietnam

Discover the secrets of Vietnamese cuisine in a locally led cooking class

Itinerary

First Destination: Hanoi
Next Destination: Ho Chi Minh City

Accommodation:Minasi Premium Hotel (or similar)
Meals included:Dinner

Accommodation:Minasi Premium Hotel (or similar)
Meals included:Breakfast

Accommodation:Overnight boat
Meals included:Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation:Sleeper train
Meals included:Breakfast

Accommodation:Mondial Hotel Hue (or similar)
Meals included:None

Accommodation:My Son Boutique Hotel & Spa (or similar)
Meals included:Breakfast

Accommodation:My Son Boutique Hotel & Spa (or similar)
Meals included:Breakfast

Accommodation:Bong Sen Saigon Hotel (or similar)
Meals included:Breakfast

Accommodation:Bong Sen Saigon Hotel (or similar)
Meals included:Breakfast

Meals included:Breakfast

First Destination: Hanoi
Next Destination: Ho Chi Minh City

Begin your adventure in Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam, where street food reigns supreme and the history of the city can be read in the architecture.

You’re met at the airport and transferred to the hotel. Around 6pm, say xin chào to your tour leader and fellow travellers, when we gather as a group for the first time to get to know each other and learn more about the adventures ahead.

Your tour leader then ensures a big Vietnamese welcome by arranging dinner at a great local restaurant.

Want to explore Hanoi further? Secure pre-tour hotel nights through your sales representative.

Accommodation:Minasi Premium Hotel (or similar)
Meals included:Dinner

Explore the best of Hanoi after breakfast, travelling by minibus with some walking involved.

Guided by our tour leader, we visit the Temple of Literature (built in 1070, it housed the first university in Vietnam) and walk around the atmospheric Old Quarter. The rest of the day is free to enjoy at leisure – speak to your tour leader for expert insight on where to go.

Accommodation:Minasi Premium Hotel (or similar)
Meals included:Breakfast

Visit an icon of Vietnam today: Ha Long Bay, a World Heritage site where some 3,000 limestone peaks break through emerald waters to create a mystical landscape. To get there, we rise early for the approximately four-hour drive; upon arrival, board a junk boat, which is also our home for tonight.

After launching, we enjoy a seafood lunch on deck and drift among the forested pinnacles. We also stop at a beach where we can hike up to a viewpoint (it’s quite steep but the views are worth it), plus there’s time for a swim in a small sectioned-off area. Additionally, an optional kayaking trip (extra cost) may be available depending on weather conditions.

Back on board, pull up a chair on the top deck and watch the sunset together, perhaps with a cold drink from the bar. When it’s time for bed, we have the comforts of twin-share cabins with private bathrooms.

Accommodation:Overnight boat
Meals included:Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Continue to cruise around beautiful Ha Long Bay, admiring those limestone pinnacles once more, before returning to port mid-morning.

We then have a four-hour drive back to Hanoi, where we have a little free time, before transferring to the train station. Here, we board the Reunification Express for our overnight train ride to Hue, 428mi (688km) to the south.

Accommodation:Sleeper train
Meals included:Breakfast

Arriving mid-morning in Hue, we transfer to our hotel to freshen up. In the afternoon, we visit the Imperial Citadel, the standout attraction in the city. Inside its 6mi (10km) long walls are the palaces and halls of the Mandarins, and the remains of the Forbidden Purple City, where only the emperor, his eunuchs and concubines were allowed.

The Forbidden Purple City was almost destroyed during the Tet Offensive in the Vietnam War, but the foliage-covered ruins are still atmospheric, and the bomb holes a testament to the destruction wreaked upon the country.

After, enjoy the rest of the day at leisure. You may want to join an optional cruise along the Perfume River, admiring the historic sites of the city, as you listen to traditional Hue music.

Accommodation:Mondial Hotel Hue (or similar)

Leaving Hue, our 81mi (130km) drive passes through the beautiful Lang Co peninsula, between a crystalline lagoon and the Eastern Sea, and then passes over the Hai Van Pass (Pass of the Ocean Clouds) where the views are stunning.

Arriving in Hoi An, we enjoy a walking tour of the Old Town, the original European trading port in Vietnam. It’s now a living museum with wooden merchants’ houses and pagoda-style temples. It is also a marvellous place to wander and enjoy the thriving riverside market and great silk clothes shopping.

After, explore Hoi An at leisure or join an optional tour to the 1,000-year-old Ba Le Well, which contains the water needed to make authentic cao lau noodles.

Accommodation:My Son Boutique Hotel & Spa (or similar)
Meals included:Breakfast

We have a free day to enjoy Hoi An at our own pace, with our tour leader on hand to help us choose from the optional activities.

For a closer connection to the region’s food, you can visit Tra Que, a vegetable-growing village on the outskirts of Hoi An. Here, residents welcome visitors into their herb and vegetable gardens for hands-on activities, before a local chef guides you through a cooking class using fresh village produce.

Alternatively, join a Hoi An street food adventure, combine cycling with a boat ride and dinner, or take a day trip to My Son Sanctuary. The UNESCO-listed collection of Hindu temple ruins provides an insight into the architecture and spiritual life of the Champa Kingdom.

Accommodation:My Son Boutique Hotel & Spa (or similar)
Meals included:Breakfast

Bid farewell to Hoi An and transfer (40-50 minutes) to Da Nang Airport, where we catch our flight to Ho Chi Minh City, an absorbing metropolis where scooters pack the streets and temples stand alongside modern developments.

This afternoon’s walking city tour includes a visit to the Ben Thanh Market, Notre Dame Cathedral and War Remnants Museum. The museum has an interesting photographic record of the Vietnam War but please be aware that some of the images are very graphic.

Accommodation:Bong Sen Saigon Hotel (or similar)
Meals included:Breakfast

Today is a free day to explore Ho Chi Minh City before we gather for one final evening together.

This morning, you may wish to visit the Cu Chi Tunnels, a subterranean network that stretches some 155mi (250km) over three levels. Though construction started in the late 1940s, they became infamous during the Vietnam War, when Viet Cong fighters used them to hide, spring surprise attacks through trapdoors, and store food and weapons. Now, they provide an extraordinary look into the hardships faced throughout the war. Alternatively, visit the Reunification Palace or simply soak up the vibrant energy of Ho Chi Minh City.

Accommodation:Bong Sen Saigon Hotel (or similar)
Meals included:Breakfast

The trip ends today after breakfast and there’s a free transfer for you to the airport. If you’d like to extend your adventure, speak to your sales representative about booking additional accommodation or joining one of our other adventures in Southeast Asia, perhaps Discover Laos in Comfort or Treasures of Northern Thailand.

Meals included:Breakfast

Dates & Prices

Accommodation

Hotels, sleeper train and Ha Long Bay boat cruise

We aim to secure locally owned accommodation that is well located, offers good value for money, and plenty of comfort.

Ha Long Bay: Overnight junk boat (night 3)

Board an authentic junk boat to cruise among the magnificent limestone karsts of Ha Long Bay. Each of the twin-share cabins has air conditioning and a window out to sea, while the boat has a rooftop deck with chairs – this is where our groups tend to gather for views over the bay. There’s also a dining room with glass windows so we can continue to admire this extraordinary landscape during lunch and dinner.

Hanoi to Hue: Reunification Express (night 4)

Our sleeper train takes us from Hanoi to Hue – a classic journey in this part of the world. It’s an essential part of the tour, linking two special destinations without flying or a lengthy coach trip. However, trains in Vietnam are not luxurious and it’s best to come prepared to maximise your experience – we’ve found extra warm layers to combat the air conditioning and ear plugs can provide a little more comfort! On the sleeper train, you may be sharing a compartment with members of the public depending on how the seats are allocated. The trains here are safe but, as with any trip, we recommend you keep valuables with you. Snacks are normally offered on board and most trains have Western-style facilities, but some are equipped with squat toilets.

Worth knowing

Tailor your trip: Extend your adventure by securing extra hotel nights before or after the main itinerary. Speak to your sales representative to book.
Private rooms: Like most tour operators, we room solo passengers together. If you’d prefer to have a private room, it’s normally possible to do this for a supplement. The single supplement is valid for seven nights of the tour (not valid for the Ha Long Bay junk boat and sleeper train). Speak to your sales representative to book.

Extend Your Trip

Exclusive Add-ons

Mekong Delta Add-on Tour

Venture deep into the Mekong Delta, where traditional life is still shaped by the ebb and flow of the waters. This immersive adventure takes you straight to the soul of the Delta: drift along the canals on a sampan fishing boat, meet skilled silk weavers, scale the sacred Sam Mountain for sunset views, and witness traditional life in action at Long Xuyên floating market. Along the way, and with the help of your expert tour leader, you’ll also share meaningful interactions with the local people, encounters no guidebook could arrange.

Have a look at the detailed itinerary, or speak to your sales representative for more details.

Vietnam

Mekong Delta Add-on Tour

Culture

Essential Information

This trip is rated Activity Level 2 (Easy & Moderate). For more information on our trip gradings, visit the Activity Level Guidelines page. If you have any queries about the difficulty of the trip, please contact us.

Travel: We travel by private minibus, sleeper train and one internal flight. There are some long travelling days, which can be tiring.

Important flight information: For our local team to secure the flights included in this trip’s itinerary, please ensure you’re ready to provide the following details at time of booking: gender, first name, middle name (if applicable), last name, passport number, and passport expiry date. This will help ensure each departure’s flights can be secured with the airline without delays or issues.

Climate: The weather can be hot and humid and cold in winter in the north around Hanoi and Ha Long Bay.

E-cigarettes and vapes: These are banned in Vietnam with strict penalties, including large fines and imprisonment – we strongly recommend you do not bring these with you.

Key information

Start hotel: Minasi Premium Hotel, 57 P. Nguyễn Trường Tộ, Ba Đình, Hà Nội 100000
Phone: +84 24 3205 7227
Recommended arrival time: You can arrive at any time today. There is a welcome briefing around 6pm
Airport: Hanoi Airport (HAN)

Getting to the start hotel

We provide free transfers to the start hotel from Hanoi Airport (HAN) for everyone. If you would like further information on joining this trip, please speak to your sales representative.

Catching your return flight

We provide free departure transfers for all group members to Ho Chi Minh City Airport (SGN) from the end hotel.

Please note, unless specified otherwise, the transfers will be to the start (or pre-tour) hotel and from the end (or post-tour) hotel and will be on the date on which the tour starts/ends; transfers to other hotels in the same city and/or on different dates may attract an extra charge. Transfers should be booked with your sales representative at least two weeks before the tour starts.

Vietnam

UK passport holders normally do not need a visa to enter Vietnam for visits up to 45 days, while those with a US or Irish passport normally do need a visa to enter. Visa requirements for EU citizens vary by country.

Please note, visa requirements often change and it is your responsibility to obtain any required visas for this trip. Therefore, we recommend that you check with the nearest embassy or consulate of your chosen destination(s), including any countries you may be transiting or transferring through.

Flying into Vietnam:

Online Arrival Declaration

All foreign nationals arriving in Vietnam by air are required to complete Vietnam’s online Pre-Arrival Information (PAI) declaration within 72 hours before arrival (only use the official government website).

The process is free and usually takes less than five minutes. You need:

Your flight information
Passport details
Visa information (if required)
Name and address of your first hotel in Vietnam

Please note: If you are travelling on a passport that does not require a visa, you must still complete the declaration. During the process, you will be asked for your ‘Visa Type / Purpose’ – in this field, please select ‘Unilateral Exemption’.

Some local governments provide guidance on what visas their citizens need. To help, we’ve gathered a selection of useful links below.

Australia: www.smartraveller.gov.au/destinations/asia/vietnam
Canada: www.travel.gc.ca/destinations/vietnam
United Kingdom: www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/vietnam
USA: www.travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/Vietnam.html

Thanks to the tropical climate, the long coast and mountain ranges, Vietnam is blessed with a variety of culinary offerings and maintains a reputation as one of the healthiest cuisines in the world that still packs a punch.

Vietnamese food relies on fresh fish, vegetables, rice and a myriad of verdant herbs and spices. Also seek out the national drinks: Vietnamese coffee is served iced and sweet with condensed milk, and bia hoi (local beer, brewed daily) is served on most street corners in the north out of large plastic jugs that are perfect for sharing.

Food is cheap in Vietnam, and you can generally avoid the spicier food if you wish. Western food is readily available almost everywhere.

Vegetarian food is widely available; however, the offering is fairly similar in most places. Please advise at time of booking if you have any dietary requirements.

The weather is mostly hot and humid with daytime temperatures of 28C-34C (82F-93F). It is only a little cooler at night. Hanoi is cool from August to October and even gets chilly between November and February (with drizzly rain).

Please note, the Ha Long Bay boat trip can be subject to short-notice change if certain adverse weather conditions develop. These could occur year-round, but especially in monsoon season (October-April). Ha Long Bay boat trips are governed by local authorities. If your Ha Long Bay trip is affected by adverse weather, this could either result in a reduced excursion on Ha Long Bay or, less likely, the need to re-arrange the itinerary. While this is not a frequent occurrence, our local team are well equipped to handle such situations and have long offered appropriate options to groups in the instances where this may occur.

As a certified B Corp, we’re on a mission to improve our social and environmental impact across all our adventures.

We do this through our innovative Thriving Nature, Thriving People plan.

This ‘nature positive’ approach is designed to help nature and communities thrive in harmony through practical solutions, such as reducing carbon and waste on our trips, supporting conservation projects through the Exodus Adventure Travels Foundation, and rewilding 100 square metres for every Exodus traveller.

You’ll also find Thriving Nature, Thriving People moments across our trips. These experiences are often a highlight of your adventure, while also benefiting the natural world or local communities.

On this trip, we:

• Have the option to visit the agricultural village of Tra Que on the outskirts of Hoi An for a community-based cooking class, supporting local livelihoods through hands-on tourism in village herb gardens.

In addition, we support primate conservation in Vietnam through our Foundation’s Primate Survival Project.