Extraordinary Vietnam Adventure

Extraordinary Vietnam Adventure

Extraordinary Vietnam Adventure

Prices

From $1,596USD

Difficulty

Guided

Hotels, overnight train

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Highlights

See the top spots and the lesser-known wonders alike in Vietnam

Wander through the labyrinth of backstreets in Hanoi’s Old Quarter, sipping coffee and shopping.

Head to the countryside at Mai Chau, where terraced mountainsides and little villages await.

Hike through the lush mountains of Sapa, exploring a gorgeous national park near the border with Laos.

Explore the history of Ho Chi Minh City, taking a Jeep tour of the Opera House, Notre Dame Cathedral, and more.

This is the Extraordinary Vietnam Adventure! Adventure is all about the experiences, and you’ll go off the beaten path on this journey to Vietnam.

Start off the trip in the charming Hanoi, and on the back of the bike, explore the city’s labyrinth of backstreets and admire the faded glory of the architecture around the French Quarter.

Travel out of Hanoi to a rustic, rural region that feels a world away from modern life. Mai Chau is an inspiring combination of stunning scenery and fascinating local culture.

Next stop is the spectacular terraced mountains of Sapa and North Vietnam. Bring your hiking boots and head out into the hills, stopping at minority villages to witness traditional local life first-hand.

Then, deep in the misty, vine-clad mountains along Vietnam’s border with Laos, lies Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park, one of the country’s most beautiful and unspoiled regions. Discover the breathtaking enormous cave complexes which riddle its towering peaks and explore Tu Lan Cave, accessible for all levels as a part of Son Doong Cave systems, reputedly the largest cave in the world.

Leaving Quang Binh behind, you’ll then fly to Ho Chi Minh for another spot of urban exploration. A restored Army Jeep will take you to get around the bustling street and to the city’s historic landmarks, from the Opera House to the Notre Dame Cathedral. Also for a full picture of Vietnam’s past, you’ll also stop by the War Remnants Museum which offers powerful insight into the Vietnamese War years.

This is a jam-packed tour of some of the coolest parts of Vietnam, mixing major sites with lesser-known gems. Book your spot today!

Extraordinary Vietnam Adventure Itinerary

Day 1 Arrival in Hanoi

Your trip begins with arrival in Vietnam. Your private driver will meet and greet you at the airport. You will be escorted to the hotel. You can walk through the streets of the city for the remainder of the day. Historic charm, architectural marvels, and shops are splashed all over this area. After enjoying the first day, return to the hotel for a relaxing sleep.

Overnight Location
Hotel in Hanoi
Distance
None
Meals
None

Day 2 Hanoi Vespa Tour

To begin the tour, you’ll explore by vespa. See the Old Quarter, the French Quarter, and the Opera House. You’ll see the railway train tracks, the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, the botanical gardens, and Huu Hiep Lake to see the B52 Crash site at the lake. A US bomber was shot down during the 1972 bombing raids of Hanoi, a poignant reminder of recent history.

Next up is the biggest lake in Hanoi city, then to the An Duong market to see where local people come to buy and sell fresh vegetables and food. The next ride takes you along the riverside to the red river island to visit a hidden gem village. Head up through a banana farm to a cafe where you can rest up and try Vietnamese coffee, including the famous coffee of Hanoi, egg coffee. Finish up by riding over Long Bien Bridge, to dinner a magnificent structure built over a hundred of years ago which spans the red river and connects the Hoan Kiem and Long Bien districts.

Overnight Location
Hotel in Hanoi
Distance
None
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch

Day 3 Travel to Mai Chu Village

Have breakfast at the hotel and leisure time on your own before the driver comes to the hotel and picks you up for a transfer to Mai Chau. Arrive in Mai Chau and relax in the beautiful village.

Overnight Location
Hotel in Mai Chau
Distance
None
Meals
Breakfast

Day 4 Mai Chau Boating Trip

Today you will discover the lakes and rivers around Mai Chau. Boat is the best way to explore the beauty of the area. You ride through islets, visit fishing villages, meet and talk with local fishermen, and explore secret ponds.

Overnight Location
Hotel in Mai Chau
Distance
None
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch

Day 5 Train to Sapa

Have breakfast at your hotel. Enjoy the morning in Mai Chau, then the driver will pick you up to head to Hanoi. You’ll have a hotel room to relax in before boarding a night train to Sapa.

Overnight Location
Overnight train
Distance
None
Meals
Breakfast

Day 6 Lao Chai, Tavan, and Sapa

Today is devoted to a beautiful hike through the breathtaking scenery of Sapa valley. Admire the rice terraces hidden behind mist of the morning, a truly awe-inspiring sight. Follow a small track and cross Muong Hoa River and pass well-tended rice terraces on your way to the Black Hmong village of Lao Chai. Continuing through the colorful rice terraces, you will reach the village of Ta Van Giay. As you continue your trek along the Muong Hoa River, you will cross a small suspension bridge roughly 2km from the settlement. Here you can discover a fascinating collection of rock carvings. Eat lunch in a home in the village.

After lunch the walk continues through a bamboo forest to Giang Ta Chai, a Red Dao ethnic minority village. After taking a rest near a waterfall to refresh, you start climbing uphill to a road where the car is ready for your journey back to Sapa.

Overnight Location
Hotel in Sapa
Distance
Flexible
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch

Day 7 Taphin Red Dao Hill Tribe Village

Have breakfast at your hotel. You’ll drive down to Lao Cai and then to Taphin village. Here you can experience the unmixed cultural life of Black Hmong and Red Dao minorities, the two largest ethnic groups in the area. They live happily together while maintaining their own traditions from generation to generation. The trip also offers you the opportunity to visit the local houses.

You will return to Sapa by car and then board an overnight train to Hanoi.

Overnight Location
Overnight train
Distance
None
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch

Day 8 Hanoi to Quang Binh

Have breakfast at your hotel and some rest and free time until it’s time to be transferred to the airport for your flight to Quang Binh. Upon arrival you will be met at the airport and transferred to your accommodation.

Overnight Location
Hotel in Dong Hoi
Distance
None
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch

Day 9 Discovering the Tu Lan Cave

You will be picked up at your hotel and transferred to Tan Hoa. After a safety briefing and gear check, it's off and away for a full day of trekking. The trek begins with a 2.5km walk across fields of peanut crops, giant water buffaloes, towering corn stalks, and down to the Rao Nan River. The adventure accelerates with a 30m climb up a rocky hill to a small jungle opening where you can catch your breath before a 100m descent in elevation down to Hung Ton Valley.

Lunch will be enjoyed in the Hung Ton Cave opening and then the adventure picks up again with some serious trekking from Hung Ton Valley and over to Mango Mountain, then back down into Tu Lan Valley (3km). By midafternoon, Tu Lan campsite will be on the horizon, where swimming can be enjoyed in the beautiful waterfall. Afternoon activities include exploring and swimming through Ken Cave, located next to the campsite, and after that it’s back to camp for a delicious BBQ dinner. Sleep will come easy in comfortable hammocks or tents set up amongst the trees!

Overnight Location
Hotel in Hue
Distance
Approximately 7-8km
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 10 More Cave Discovery

Today starts with a hearty breakfast and more cave exploration. Start with a brief swim across the river into the heart of Tu Lan Cave System, where you will break to enjoy the blue lagoon entrance before making your way 180m downstream through the Tu Lan Cave entrance. Make your way up to explore the dry part with some climbing and squeezing, at which point you will reach the dry exit and trek a short way through the valley into Kim Cave dry entrance. Stay awhile to watch out the natural window and then you will be off on a swim (450m) and trek (500m) through Hang Kim to To Mo Valley.

A picnic lunch will be served next to a stunning waterfall by Hung Ton Cave mouth. Then, you will try to follow a dry path before swimming out through Hung Ton wet cave. Following this is the exploration of a dry passage, and then a trek down into Hung Ton Valley (800m). Arrival in Tan Hoa is followed by a chance to take in the scenery with a cold drink in hand. Showers are available for those who would like to clean up and change, and then departure back to Phong Nha is at around 4 pm with arrival in Phong Nha by 5:30 pm.

Overnight Location
Hotel in Quang Binh.
Distance
Approximately 3km
Meals
Breakfast

Day 11 Fly to Ho Chi Minh City

Have some rest and free time in Quang Binh before heading to the Dong Hoi airport for your flight to Ho Chi Minh. Upon arrival you will be met at the airport and transferred to your accommodation.

Overnight Location
Hotel in Ho Chi Minh City
Distance
None
Meals
Breakfast

Day 12 Jeep Tour of Ho Chi MInh

Have breakfast at your hotel, then board the Jeep for a Ho Chi Minh City Tour. First stop on your tour is the Independence Palace/ the Reunification Palace. The palace is symbolic of the end of the Vietnam War during the Fall of Saigon on April 30, 1975, when the North Vietnamese Army tank number 843 crashed through the gates of what was at the time the residence of the President of the Republic of Vietnam.

Next, you will admire the Museum of American War Crimes/ the War Remnants Museum which is the most popular museum in Ho Chi Minh City. After the museum, you will see Notre Dame Cathedral and the Old Post Office, which are the two of the best highlights of old Saigon architecture. Then, the Jeep will take you to visit some famous roads in Saigon such as Dong Khoi street. You’ll then visit the Ben Thanh Market, a lively market in District 1, where your guide can help you barter for goods.

Overnight Location
Hotel in Ho Chi Minh City
Distance
None
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch

Day 13 Departure

After breakfast, it’s time to check out and travel to the airport for your flight.

Overnight Location
None
Distance
None
Meals
Breakfast

Extraordinary Vietnam Adventure Price and Dates

This guided tour of Vietnam is run as a private tour for your group and the prices depend on your group size and the accommodation chosen.

The prices below are per person.

Standard hotels:

  • Solo traveller: $2,571USD
  • Guided group of 2: $1,856USD per person
  • Guided group of 3-4: $1,723USD per person
  • Guided group of 5-6: $1,596USD per person
  • Guided group of 7+: on request

Deluxe hotels:

  • Solo traveller: $3,444USD
  • Guided group of 2: $2,314USD per person
  • Guided group of 3-4: $2,175USD per person
  • Guided group of 5-6: $2,042USD per person
  • Guided group of 7+: on request
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Accommodation on the Extraordinary Vietnam Adventure Tour

This tour is based in hotels and overnight trains. The hotels will be confirmed upon your booking. The trains will be comfortable shared cabins.

In some cases, the accommodation listed below may need to be substituted for other comparable accommodations.

Single Rooms and Solo Travelers
Rooms are double occupancy. You can pay a supplement to have a private room in a hotel where possible. Solo travelers may be required to pay a supplement.

Night 1-2

Hotel in Hanoi

The exact hotels you’ll stay in will be confirmed upon booking, but expect pleasant options with good proximity to the Old Quarter.

Night 3-4

Ecolodge in Mai Chau

The exact hotels you’ll stay in will be confirmed upon booking, but expect an ecolodge with modern amenities.

Night 5

Overnight train in Vietnam

Sleep away the travel time on an overnight train in a comfortable shared cabin.

Night 6

Hotel in Sapa

The exact hotels you’ll stay in will be confirmed upon booking, but expect a pleasant and comfortable stay.

Night 7

Overnight train in Vietnam

Sleep away the travel time on an overnight train in a comfortable shared cabin.

Night 8

Hotel in Dong Hoi

The exact hotels you’ll stay in will be confirmed upon booking, but expect a nice locally-run hotel.

Night 9

Hotel in Tu Lan

The exact hotels you’ll stay in will be confirmed upon booking, but expect a nice locally-run hotel.

Night 10

Hotel in Quang Binh

The exact hotels you’ll stay in will be confirmed upon booking, but expect a nice locally-run hotel.

Night 11-12

Hotel in Ho Chi Minh City

The exact hotels you’ll stay in will be confirmed upon booking, but expect a nice locally-run hotel.

Hotels on Standard Tour

What’s Included in the Extraordinary Vietnam Adventure Tour?

Meals

12 breakfasts, 8 lunches, and 1 dinner is included.

Accommodations

Accommodations for 12 nights are included.

Transportation during the Tour

All personal and luggage transfers required by the itinerary are included. This includes pickup from the airport and departure transfers. Your domestic flights are included.

Also Included

  • Professional English-speaking guide services
  • Biking gear, including helmets
  • All mentioned included activities

Not included

  • Visas if required
  • Personal gear
  • Flights to and from Vietnam
  • Meals not previously mentioned
  • Anything not mentioned as included
  • Optional tours or activities

Optional Extras

  • Additional nights before or after the tour
  • Single occupancy upgrades where available
  • Optional tours or activities

Frequenty Asked Questions about Extraordinary Vietnam Adventure

How hard is the Extraordinary Vietnam Adventure tour?

We rate this tour as a 2/5. You should be comfortable completing bike rides and with one long day of hiking with some swimming involved.

Do I need a visa to travel to Vietnam?

Check with your local country about visa requirements. You could also try this website, though you should verify with your government.

When is the best time to travel to Vietnam for this tour?

The best time to visit for this tour is in April, May, September, or October to avoid the heaviest monsoons and the hottest, most humid days. These months tend to bring warm, sunny weather.

Are meals included on the Extraordinary Vietnam Adventure tour?

12 breakfasts, 8 lunches, and 1 dinner is included.

Do I need insurance?

Yes, it is mandatory to have health and medical insurance to join this trip. Get your travel insurance. This trip includes some insurance but you’ll want to ensure you’re fully covered for trip interruption and medical coverage.

How do I get to Hanoi to start this tour?

Fly into Noi Bai International Airport (HAN), where your guide will meet you and take you to your hotel.

Is the Extraordinary Vietnam Adventure tour in English?

Yes, the guides are English-speaking.

Where does the Extraordinary Vietnam Adventure tour end?

The tour ends in Ho Chi Minh City, where you will be dropped off at the airport.

Do I need special vaccines to travel to Vietnam?

Check with your family doctor.

Are there any travel restrictions for Vietnam?

Please check with your local government about travel restrictions before you book your tour. This map from the US Department of State provides an overview of the current status in countries around the globe. The UK‘s Foreign Office and Government of Canada also provide advice on foreign travel. Note that the travel advice may change depending on your nationality.

Reviews

All tours on 10Adventures are operated by highly vetted local tour operators and guides.

Having local tour operators and guides means you get a more authentic experience, and your booking creates jobs in the local communities you visit.

Details of the local tour operator will be listed on your booking invoice. If you have questions about the local operator prior to booking, please click the “Ask a Question” button below.

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Prices

From $1,596USD

Difficulty

Guided

Hotels, overnight train

Start Your Booking

What travellers say

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Rated 4.9 on Google Reviews

Tour Difficulty

We rate this tour as a 2/5. You should be comfortable completing bike rides and with one long day of hiking with some swimming involved.


Read about our scale for Tour Difficulty Ratings.

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