Night 1-14
Hotels, guesthouses, and a sleeper train
Stay in comfortable 3-star hotels while in cities and authentic homestays while trekking off the beaten track.
See the best of Vietnam on this jam-packed tour of glorious countryside and exciting cities
This exciting tour of Vietnam takes you all over the country from Hanoi and the mountainous highlands on the North to the white sands of Nha Trang. It is a journey full of contrasts – from the ingeniously designed rice terraces to the majestic beauty of Ha Long Bay, and from the buzzing street life of Hanoi to the sleepy villages of Hue and Hoi An.
On this tour, the days are full of activities and experiences giving you an insight into the culture, history, and natural beauty of this enticing country. See the absolute best Vietnam has to offer, as well as plenty of hidden gems on this 15-day adventure!
Arrive in Hanoi and transfer to your hotel. Hanoi is a city where ancient temples, pagodas, and grand colonial buildings contrast with the hotels, bars, and restaurants of modern Vietnam. Today is free for you to spend as you wish, whether you need a rest after your flight or are raring to explore this exciting multicultural city!
This morning leave Hanoi and head into the mountains of Northern Vietnam. The road winds its way through a landscape of spectacular limestone peaks. You’ll stop in Moc Chau for lunch and you’re sure to feel as though you have stepped back in time as you meet people from ethnic tribes going about their daily lives. In the afternoon, explore a tribal village, and experience the culture and hospitality of the locals. Dinner and your bed for the night are provided by a local family in their traditional stilt house.
After breakfast at the homestay, you’ll hit the road again and make your way to Nghia Lo. The drive takes you through the Moc Chau Plateau where some of Vietnam’s best black and green tea is grown. Time permitting, you’ll stop at a local tea plantation. Continue through the tribal lands of the Thai, Hmong, and Dao people, among spectacular rice terraces, mountains, and valleys. You arrive at Nghia Lo, a typical Vietnamese mountain town, before dark. Dine at a local restaurant and bed down for the night in a local guesthouse.
Today you are lucky enough to see the most beautiful parts of northwest Vietnam. The road winds through the ingenious rice terraces, past grazing buffalo, and local tribal people in elaborate traditional outfits. You’ll stop in this terraced landscape for a short hike to a Hmong village for lunch. In the afternoon, the scenic journey continues with a stop for another short hike to visit a Thai village. Hit the road one last time to reach Mu Cang Chai. Here, the rice terraces are such an important part of the landscape, they have been designated a national heritage site.
This morning set off for the mountain town of Sapa, the trekking and tourism hub of northern Vietnam. On the way, cross Vietnam’s highest mountain pass where, at 1900 meters above sea level, you’ll get wonderful views of valleys and mountains shrouded in clouds. In the afternoon there will be a short stop for a hike through the countryside to another local village. Arrive in Sapa in the afternoon with free time to explore and choose a nice spot for dinner from the town’s many good restaurants.
After breakfast, you have free time to discover the bustling town of Sapa on your own. Visit the market, where you can find tempting street food, jewelry, brocade, and other handicrafts. Mingle with the colorful locals or have a wander to a local village. In the afternoon, you will journey back to Hanoi.
This morning you will be driven to Ha Long Bay for a completely different experience; a day-long cruise through the world-famous bay of floating limestone islands. In the morning, have your camera ready as you cruise through among the rocky islands which are covered in lush greenery. A lunch of Vietnamese fusion cuisine is served on board with the spectacular seascape in view through the windows. After lunch, the boat moors, so you can take a kayak or bamboo boat to explore the bay’s stalagmite caves leading to hidden lagoons. In the late afternoon, sail into the quieter Lan Ha Bay where you can relax, kayak or simply just enjoy a swim in the crystal-clear water. Back on board, there will be a cooking demonstration. Watch the sun go down with a drink and mingle with your companions. In the evening, you’ll disembark and head back to Hanoi.
Today, you will leave the city to spend the day with a local host who will give you an insight into life in a typical Hanoi farming suburb. Visit a bustling local market and vegetable farms where you can see Vietnamese produce being grown such as bitter melon, corn, papaya, and guava. The host will invite you to her home where you will learn to cook some traditional Vietnamese dishes and get an introduction to Vietnamese culture and customs. After some delicious food, bid your host goodbye and make your way to the train station for the night train to Hue.
Get ready for another iconic Vietnam experience as you wake up in the ancient imperial city of Hue. After stopping for a rest and shower at the hotel, you will spend the rest of the morning exploring this enigmatic city, learning about its history as a former royal kingdom and its place at the heart of Vietnamese Buddhist culture. After lunch, relax onboard a boat and sail down the serene Perfume River. Next, you’ll cycle to some of the local villages, each of which specialises in a particular kind of produce or handicraft. Bike to Tien Non, a flower-growing village, Thanh Tien, where beautiful paper flowers are made to decorate homes and temples, and Sinh, to see traditional folk paintings. End the day with a relaxing ride through the countryside before heading back to Hue.
After breakfast depart Hue for the mountainous district of A Luoi. This area is recovering after almost being destroyed by Agent Orange during the Vietnam war. Along the way, observe the life and daily activities of the Ko Tu and Ta Oi hill tribes. You will visit Aka Chi; a village known for its textile weaving and take a dip in a picturesque local hot spring. Have dinner and spend the night in a traditional stilt house.
Wake up early this morning to make the most of the fresh air and your location high in the mountains. Today you will enjoy a trek through the A Roang forest which is home to abundant wildlife and many rare species. Before leaving A Luoi, there is also time to fit in a relaxing cycle around the local villages. Then it is onwards to the atmospheric city of Hoi An, following the famous Ho Chi Minh Trail, the historic military supply route used during the Vietnam war.
This morning, explore the former imperial city of Hoi An. There are many beautiful experiences you can have here. Stroll along the riverbank, try the distinctive cuisine, explore the old merchant houses and temples, or even cycle to the nearby beach. In the afternoon, prepare for another complete change of scene as you hop on a flight to Nha Trang, a lively and popular coastal resort with pristine beaches, boutiques, bars, and restaurants.
This morning you will pay a visit to the National Oceanographic Museum of Vietnam for an introduction to the sea life of Nha Trang before embarking on a cruise to Hon Mun Island which is a fantastic place for snorkelling and swimming. Expect to see lots of colorful coral and fish. The rest of the day is dedicated to relaxation – soak up the sun on the paradisal white sand or swim in the turquoise waters of Tranh Beach and Hon Mot Island. Those who prefer exploring can have a look around a local fishing village.
Today will take you to the beautiful island of Hon Lao where you will meet plenty of curious monkeys and other wild animals. You will be able to see some funny animal shows here. Next, onto the Nha Phu Bay, where you will be able to relax at Doc Lech Beach. Spend your last full day in Vietnam enjoying the sun, sand lots of free time!
Depending on the time of your flight you may have some free time today, before transferring to the airport.
This guided tour in Vietnam is always run as a custom tour for your group only. Pricing always depends on the size of your group.
Prices below are per person sharing a double or a triple room:
On this tour, you will be staying in hotels and homestays and overnight on a sleeper train. Hotel upgrades are available on request. Please inform us if you want a room with a double bed rather than twin beds. Check-in (if not stated otherwise) is at 2:00 PM, and check-out is at noon. Early check-in is subject to availability.
Homestays are basic accommodation. They allow you to learn about local culture by staying with an ethnic minority family and living and dining in the traditional way.
The night train is air-conditioned.
In some cases, the accommodation listed below may need to be substituted for other, comparable accommodation.
Single Rooms and Solo Travelers
You can pay a supplement of $295USD to have a private room in a hotel while traveling with your group.
Stay in comfortable 3-star hotels while in cities and authentic homestays while trekking off the beaten track.
13 breakfasts, 11 lunches, 4 dinners are included.
Accommodation for 14 nights along the tour.
Transportation is included for you and your luggage.
How hard is the Vietnam Ultimate Adventure Tour?
We rate this tour as 2 / 5. Each day has some activity, however activities can be modified depending on guest preferences. You should have good mobility and be comfortable walking for 2+ hours.
What is the minimum age to trek and bike on this tour?
The minimum age for this tour is 12 years with no exceptions. Contact us if you have a younger family, as the trip can be modified for younger children.
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.
What should I bring to the trip?
Here is the list of what you should bring with you:
Are meals included on the Vietnam Ultimate Adventure Tour?
13 breakfasts, 11 lunches, 4 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.
How do I get to Hanoi to start this tour?
You can get to Hanoi by bus or train from most of major Vietnam cities. The closest airport is Hanoi's Noi Bai International Airport, located 45 kilometres from central Hanoi.
Is the Vietnam Ultimate Adventure Tour in English?
Yes, the tour guide speaks English.
Where does the Vietnam Ultimate Adventure Tour end?
The tour ends in Nha Trang.
Do I need any vaccinations 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.
When is the best time to travel to Vietnam for this tour?
The best time to travel to Vietnam for this tour is between April and August.
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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We rate this tour as 2 / 5. Each day has some activity, however activities can be modified depending on guest preferences. You should have good mobility and be comfortable walking for 2+ hours.
Read about our scale for Tour Difficulty Ratings.
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