Night 1
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.
Vietnam Off the Beaten Path
Prices
Highlights
Discover amazing lesser-known destinations in Vietnam
The Vietnam Off the Beaten Path tour is an adventure to eccentric places. Upon your arrival to astonishing Hanoi, it won’t be long before you head off into the striking beauty of Sapa by private car.
Then, trek to intact minority ethnic villages like Ta Van, Giang Ta Chai. Next, chase the clouds in Y Ty village. Wander through local markets, admiring different goods and oddities. Go hiking and trekking, stopping in the traditional houses of Ha Nhi shaped like gigantic mushrooms. Stunning landscapes, ideal weather, clouds, mountains, rice fields, dot the landscape.
Fly to Hue and explore an ancient village, Thuy Bieu, gracefully surrounded by many great views and sightseeings. Enjoy local food and traditional houses, take a biking tour, or stop for a foot massage. Lastly, Ho Chi Minh will be uncovered through a Jeep tour. Snap photos of Independence Palace, the Museum of American War Crimes, Notre Dame Cathedral and the Old Post Office.
Full of adventure in places the average tourist to Vietnam won’t see, the Vietnam Off the Beaten Path tour is one for the memory book.
Vietnam Off the Beaten Path Itinerary
Day 1 Arrival in Hanoi
Your trip begins with arrival in Vietnam. Your guide will fast-track you through customs and a 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 Transfer to Sapa
Enjoy your breakfast at your accommodation. Then, the driver will take you to Sapa. During the journey, you will have the opportunity to enjoy the beautiful scenery.
- Overnight Location
- Hotel in Sapa
- Distance
- None
- Meals
- Breakfast
Day 3 Lao Chai, Tavan, and Sapa
The day is devoted to a beautiful hike through the breathtaking scenery of the Sapa valley. Admire the rice terraces hidden behind the 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 4 Travel from Sapa to Y Ty Village
Have breakfast at your hotel, then leave early in the morning for Muong Hum, a typical market where you won’t find as many tourists. You can meet the ethnic groups from all regions around Muong Hum.
Have lunch at a local restaurant. Depart for hiking in the village in the evening.
- Overnight Location
- Hotel in Y Ty
- Distance
- Flexible
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 5 Hiking in Y Ty
Head out by private car to the village of Choang Thien, where you’ll start another day of hiking through the traditional houses of Ha Nhi to discover the local’s daily activities. Enjoy lunch with a H’Mong family.
In the afternoon, visit Ngai Thau village, home of the H'Mong ethnic group. Hike through the magnificent landscape around here: mountains, terraced rice fields, waterfalls, and ethnic villages.
- Overnight Location
- Hotel in Y Ty
- Distance
- Flexible
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 6 Y Ty to Sapa
Today you will return to Sapa town. On the way, you will visit Lao Chai village, home of Ha Nhi. Stop in Sang Ma Sao village for lunch, then transfer directly to Sapa.
- Overnight Location
- Hotel in Sapa
- Distance
- None
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Day 7 Sapa to Hanoi
Have breakfast at your hotel. Enjoy your last day in Sapa before the driver meets you at your accommodation to transfer you to Hanoi.
- Overnight Location
- Hotel in Hanoi
- Distance
- None
- Meals
- Breakfast
Day 8 Hanoi to Hue
Fly from Hanoi to Hue today. Upon arrival, you’ll be taken to the hotel and then you’ll have the rest of the day at leisure.
- Overnight Location
- Hotel in Hue
- Distance
- None
- Meals
- Breakfast
Day 9 Hue Countryside Tour
This morning you will be picked up and transferred to Toa Kham Wharf, from where you’ll head to the Thien Mu pagoda, a historic temple. After a welcome drink at a local house, you will ride a bike around the village to see the daily life of the local people, stopping to visit an incense-making family and a joss-paper making family.
After the village biking, you will head back to the local house to have a foot massage before cooking your lunch under the instruction of the chef. The local cook will help you cook some famous local foods. Lunch will be served before taking a rest and then driving back to your hotel for a free afternoon.
- Overnight Location
- Hotel in Hue
- Distance
- Flexible
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Day 10 Hue to Ho Chi Minh City
Today you will fly to Ho Chi Minh City. Upon arrival, the rest of the day is at your leisure.
- Overnight Location
- Hotel in Ho Chi Minh City
- Distance
- None
- Meals
- Breakfast
Day 11 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
Day 12 Departure
After breakfast, it’s time to check out and travel to the airport for your flight.
- Overnight Location
- None
- Distance
- None
- Meals
- Breakfast
Vietnam Off the Beaten Path 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: $1,868USD
- Guided group of 2: $1,288USD per person
- Guided group of 3-4: $1,241USD per person
- Guided group of 5-6: $1,205USD per person
- Guided group of 7+: on request
Deluxe hotels:
- Solo traveller: $2,492USD
- Guided group of 2: $1,624USD per person
- Guided group of 3-4: $1,574USD per person
- Guided group of 5-6: $1,537USD per person
- Guided group of 7+: on request
Accommodation on the Vietnam Off the Beaten Path Tour
This tour is based in hotels. The hotels will be confirmed upon your booking, but expect comfortable options with local charm where possible.
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 2-3
Hotel in Sapa
The exact hotels you’ll stay in will be confirmed upon booking, but expect a pleasant and comfortable stay.
Night 4-5
Hotel in Y Ty
The exact hotels you’ll stay in will be confirmed upon booking, but expect nice, locally-run options where available.
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
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 8-9
Hotel in Hue
The exact hotels you’ll stay in will be confirmed upon booking, but expect a nice locally-run hotel.
Night 10-11
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 Vietnam Off the Beaten Path Tour?
Meals
12 breakfasts, 5 lunches, and 2 dinners are included.
Accommodations
Accommodations for 13 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
- Insurance
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 Vietnam Off the Beaten Path
How hard is the Vietnam Off the Beaten Path tour?
We rate this tour as a 2/5. You should be comfortable completing bike rides and easy-moderate hikes.
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 travel to Vietnam for this tour is between February and May when the regions targeted on this tour experience less rainfall and temperatures are mild.
Are meals included on the Vietnam Off the Beaten Path tour?
12 breakfasts, 5 lunches, and 2 dinners are 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, fast-track you through customs, and take you to your hotel.
Is the Vietnam Off the Beaten Path tour in English?
Yes, the guides are English-speaking.
Where does the Vietnam Off the Beaten Path tour end?
The tour ends in Ho Chi Minh, 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
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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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Tour Difficulty
We rate this tour as a 2/5. You should be comfortable completing bike rides and easy-moderate hikes.
Read about our scale for Tour Difficulty Ratings.
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