Vietnam Explorer
Group Tour
To view images fullscreen please turn device
Overview
Vietnam remains one of South-East Asia’s most diverse and intriguing destinations, and with its unique shape – stretching north to south over 1600kms and yet from east to west only 50kms in places – it offers incredible variety in its landscapes, food, architecture and culture.
This trip balances visits to some of the country’s better known and much lauded sights – such as Hanoi, Hue, Hoi An and Ho Chi Minh City – with some more off-beat places such as Phong Nha-Ke Bang with its stunning ...
Vietnam remains one of South-East Asia’s most diverse and intriguing destinations, and with its unique shape – stretching north to south over 1600kms and yet from east to west only 50kms in places – it offers incredible variety in its landscapes, food, architecture and culture.
This trip balances visits to some of the country’s better known and much lauded sights – such as Hanoi, Hue, Hoi An and Ho Chi Minh City – with some more off-beat places such as Phong Nha-Ke Bang with its stunning cave systems and Bach Ma with its faded French colonial mansions, stunning vistas and impressive wildlife. In addition, we’ll spend one night aboard a boat accessing some of the quieter areas of Halong Bay, with its world-renowned limestone scenery and we’ll explore the less well-known Vinh Moc Tunnels of the DMZ rather than the more commonly visited Cu Chi Tunnels outside Saigon. We will also paddle the tranquil waterways of the Mekong Delta and discover the rural beauty of Vietnam’s rice paddies by bicycle and on foot.
If you’ve always wanted to see and experience the Vietnam you may have only previously heard or dreamt about, then this trip is for you.
HIGHLIGHTS
At a glance
MEALS
TRANSPORT
Overnight train, a domestic flight and boats in the Mekong Delta and Halong Bay
GROUP SIZE
EXPERT TEAM
ACCOMMODATION
ENTRANCE FEES
FITNESS RATING
WILD MILES
ACCOMMODATION
As an overall ethos, wherever possible we aim to use characterful accommodation that enhances the overall travel experience, not just offers a bed for the night. This can obviously vary dramatically from country to country and from trip to trip. On this particular trip we will spend much of the time in comfortable hotels but we will also spend 1 night in sleeper berths on an overnight train, 2 nights in more basic rural lodges/guesthouses (in the national parks), 1 night in a very comfortable homestay in the Mekong Delta and 1 night aboard a privately chartered* boat in Halong Bay. Please note that the accommodation mentioned in the itinerary is intended as a guide only and is always subject to availability.
*Please note that for smaller groups we may use a shared boat
FITNESS RATING
LOW: You should be comfortable walking around towns and cultural sites. May include some optional walks (typically 1-2hrs).LOW/MODERATE: May be of a long duration and/or involve numerous border-crossings. May include easy/moderate day walks (up to 2-3hrs/day). You should be relatively fit and lead a generally active lifestyle.
MODERATE: May include several easy/moderate day walks (up to 2-5hrs/day) possibly at altitude. You should be relatively fit and lead a generally active lifestyle. Previous experience of similar trips helpful.
MODERATE/HIGH: May involve several days of moderate hiking (up to 3-6 hrs/day) possibly at altitude. You must be a fit and active traveller with appropriate trekking experience.
HIGH: May involve several days of moderate/strenuous trekking (up to 4-7 hrs/day) possibly at altitude. You must be a very fit and active traveller with appropriate trekking experience.
Wild Miles Club
When you book a trip with Wild Frontiers you are awarded points, which are based on the return distance from London to the arrival city of your trip. Points are awarded for all our holidays, including both our escorted group tours and tailor-made trips. When you accrue points, you will qualify for the following discounts on all future bookings:
| Blue | More than 10,000 points | 2.5% discount |
| Bronze | More than 30,000 points | 5% discount |
| Silver | More than 45,000 points | 7.5% discount |
| Gold | More than 60,000 points | 10% discount |
Map & Itinerary
Individual departures may vary so please refer to the information in the tour specific links in the Dates and Prices section below
Day 1 Tour starts in Hanoi
Day 1 Tour starts in Hanoi
Accommodation will be available from early afternoon today. You have the rest of the day and evening to get acquainted with Hanoi.
Day 2 Hanoi
Day 2 Hanoi
With ochre-coloured colonial buildings, tree-lined boulevards and scenic lakes, Hanoi is full of charm. Today we’ll start our tour of the city by visiting Ba Da Pagoda, a Buddhist centre in the Hanoi Old Quarter. Later we’ll drop in on the Hoa Lo prison aka Hanoi Hilton and learn of its use as a place for holding both Vietnamese nationalists (during the days of the French) and later American POWs. At the end of the day, enjoying a walking street food tour with your expert local guide who will give you an insight into the intricacies and traditions of Vietnamese food culture.
Day 3 Hanoi – Halong Bay
Day 3 Hanoi – Halong Bay
This morning we will pack an overnight bag and head east, we’ll drive to Halong Bay, and board our boat cruise.* Despite its undeniable and understandable popularity, it is still possible to find more secluded areas of the bay and during our time here our cruise will explore the striking limestone formations that give the bay such character and have contributed to its worldwide renown. There will be ample time for relaxing on the sundeck or kayaking while admiring the beautiful Lan Ha Bay. In the evening, for those that wish, there should be the chance to take part in a pre-dinner Vietnamese cookery class on board the boat. *Please note that we will be sharing this boat with fellow travellers.
Day 4 Halong Bay – Overnight Train – Dong Hoi
Day 4 Halong Bay – Overnight Train – Dong Hoi
After some time to explore this stunning destination (with perhaps the chance of an early morning Tai Chi class) we’ll return to the jetty and drive back to Hanoi via the Green Life Centre, a project committed to turning Halong Bay’s trash into treasure by collecting discarded items and skilfully recycling them. We will arrive back in Hanoi in time to take a short rest before enjoying a water- puppet show - a uniquely northern Vietnamese art form followed by our overnight train south aboard the Reunification Express towards Dong Hoi. On this train we will be using 4 berth cabins. You might be sharing with others in the group or other travellers on the train.
Day 5 Dong Hoi – Phong Nha National Park
Day 5 Dong Hoi – Phong Nha National Park
Disembarking from the train this morning, we’ll leave the coast and head inland up into the hills and the landscapes that make up the Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park, designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2003. We’ll explore Paradise Cave, only open to the public since 2010 and said to be one of the longest dry caves in the world. We won’t be exploring its full extent (at over 30kms!) but we’ll have the chance to marvel at the breath-taking size of its cathedral-like interior replete with colossal stalagmites and stalactites. After a simple lunch at a local eatery, we continue exploring the surroundings on a half day biking adventure around Tram Me village and the peaceful countryside. We’ll cycle* along quiet village paths and roads, passing picturesque rice paddy fields and small hamlets. There will be plenty of photo opportunities along the way so we can take our time to soak up this stunning area.
*see the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section below for more information on cycling in Vietnam
Day 6 Phong Nha National Park - DMZ - Hue
Day 6 Phong Nha National Park - DMZ - Hue
Today’s journey sees us heading south via the demilitarized zone (DMZ). The area south of the DMZ was the scene of some of the bloodiest battles during the war and the zone was established as the dividing line between North and South Vietnam. There are various places of military significance here including the Vinh Moc Tunnels and parts of the Ho Chi Minh Trail. Today’s visit offers a sobering reminder of how recently Vietnam was involved in major conflict and how far it has come since then. Later this afternoon we’ll continue our journey, aiming to arrive in Hue late afternoon.
Day 7 Hue
Day 7 Hue
Hue served as an imperial capital to the Nguyen Lords, a feudal dynasty which reigned from the 17th to the 19th century and today retains much of its royal charm. We’ll have the day to explore some of the city’s fascinating sights including the Imperial Citadel, a UNESCO listed site and the Thien Mu pagoda, which stands on the riverbank with its seven-storey tower. We’ll also visit the elaborate Khai Dinh Royal Tomb, whose architecture and atmosphere showcase elements of eastern art and western designs.
Day 8 Hue – Bach Ma National Park - Hoi An
Day 8 Hue – Bach Ma National Park - Hoi An
Today we’ll head up into the Bach Ma National Park which is known as one of the most bio-diverse areas of South-East Asia. Within its steep mountains and dense forests, the area is home to a wide variety of animals and plants and was a popular weekend getaway during the days when Vietnam was a French Colony. With our local expert we plan to take a 3-hour walk (approx. 8kms) along trails through sub-tropical forest which will take us to the magnificent Ngu Ho Lake and Do Quyen waterfall. Late in the afternoon we continue to Hoi An where we will be staying for the next two nights.
Day 9 Hoi An
Day 9 Hoi An
After having a leisurely start this morning, we will embark on a walking tour of Hoi An. This once prosperous trading port has been declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO and is without doubt one of Vietnam's gems. These days it is a delightful small market town, known throughout the region for its beautiful silk paintings and boasting well-preserved buildings, pedestrianised streets and unique cuisine, allowing visitors a glimpse of its illustrious past. We will have time to stroll through the Old Town, and look at the many handicrafts, antique shops and galleries, strongly influenced by Vietnamese, Chinese and Japanese culture.
In the late afternoon we will join a local chef for a cookery class. We will head to a market and shop for the ingredients. Upon arrival to the chef’s home, we’ll be taken through a culinary journey with hands-on demonstrations and stories behind the yin and yang elements unveiling the secret of home-cooked Vietnamese meals. Enjoy the fruits of your labour for our evening meal tonight.
Day 10 Hoi An - Da Nang - Can Tho
Day 10 Hoi An - Da Nang - Can Tho
This morning has been left free for you to revisit Hoi An’s narrow lanes and old merchants’ houses at your own pace, or alternatively to relax on the white sandy beach. Then we will head to the airport to take a domestic flight to Can Tho in the Mekong Delta. We will check into our accommodation in time for dinner.
Day 11 Mekong Delta
Day 11 Mekong Delta
Today we will cycle* around the peaceful Nhon Loc Isles. Stop at
Cao Dai Temple in Phong Dien which symbolizes the local unique religion and
then stop at a local farmer’s house to savour a cup of tea and learn how to
make local banana cake/ specialties. Enjoy self-picked tropical fruits at one
of the most abundant orchards on the Mekong river. We will enjoy a Southern
style Vietnamese lunch with local people here and enjoy the banana cake we made
this morning. After lunch we keep on cycling to the blacksmith workshop and
having a chance to talk with Mr. Sau about his father’s story and his life
related to this Blacksmith before returning back to our hotel.
*see the
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section below for more information on cycling in
Vietnam
Day 12 Mekong Delta - Ho Chi Minh City
Day 12 Mekong Delta - Ho Chi Minh City
Early this morning we’ll take a boat to Cai Rang floating market followed by visiting
a local family who have made noodles (“hủ tiếu”) by hand for 3 generations. After
a light breakfast at a local restaurant beside a beautiful canal we will cycle*
back to our transport as we end our time in the Delta. We’ll return this
afternoon to Ho Chi Minh City for our final two nights in the country. We will
finish the day with a visit to the War Remnants Museum for a vivid glimpse of
the war seen through local eyes.
*see the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section
below for more information on cycling in Vietnam
Day 13 Ho Chi Minh City
Day 13 Ho Chi Minh City
The former city of Saigon is the country’s commercial centre and, with over eight million inhabitants and four million motorbikes, it’s a city that never sleeps. However despite the well-documented hustle and bustle, Saigon retains its connections with the past and today we’ll take a walking tour to admire some of the city’s historic landmarks. These include Rue Catinat, where we’ll discover some beautiful French colonial buildings; the splendidly restored exteriors of the Opera House; the former Presidential Palace with it's modernist 60's design; the former Hotel de Ville; and the Notre Dame Cathedral, which was based on the original in Paris. We’ll also visit Independence Palace, sometimes known as the Reunification Palace, which was built on the site of the former Norodom palace. The Independence palace is a widely known landmark of Ho Chi Minh City and was designed by the architect Ngo Viet Thu. In the evening we’ll go out for a final sumptuous dinner in this mesmerising city.
Day 14 Tour ends in Ho Chi Minh City
Day 14 Tour ends in Ho Chi Minh City
The tour ends with breakfast at the hotel.
PRIVATE HOLIDAYS: DATES DON’T FIT?
All group tours can be taken on a private basis.
Additional Details
Responsible Travel
With local people, culture and eco-systems in mind, responsible travel and sustainable tourism are at the core of Wild Frontiers. We believe that a successful trip not only delivers a unique and unsurpassable journey for our travellers but also benefits the people and places we visit.
When designing our tours, we actively seek out experiences that have a positive impact on the communities and precious environments we visit - from supporting social enterprises; resting our heads in rural homestays; and eating at locally owned restaurants; to helping fund conservation projects that protect wildlife and their habitats.
Visit the Responsible Travel area of our website to read more, including the work of the Wild Frontiers Foundation through which we fundraise to aid community empowerment and education projects.
KOTO - Know One, Teach One
On this tour you will enjoy lunch at KOTO restaurant. This restaurant and hospitality training centre gives at-risk and disadvantaged young people the opportunity to break the poverty cycle by learning useful workplace skills. The students in the KOTO training programme study catering and hospitality, English and gain essential experience working at KOTO restaurant.
Reducing Single Use Plastic
We recognise the environmental issues and challenges around single-use plastic in many countries we visit and are actively working with our partners on the ground to reduce plastic waste on our tours and within the hotels and restaurants we visit. You can help to reduce your personal plastic waste by taking a refillable, filtered water bottle with you on your trip. Filtered water bottles can be refilled from water sources including your hotel room and restaurant taps, drinking fountains and refill stations. Every time you refill your bottle without the use of single-use plastic, you will be helping to reduce waste and protect the environment. Filtered Water Bottles | Wild Frontiers (wildfrontierstravel.com)
Supplementary Information
Two Wheels Only
Bicycles are still frequently used by locals to get around in Vietnam, especially in more rural areas, and we think it’s a great way to see the countryside. On the cycling option offered on this trip (on DAY 5, 11 and 12) there is the chance to explore some quiet village and countryside roads on two wheels for a couple of hours or so. The surfaces may be uneven in places but the terrain is fairly flat and we would class both rides as easy and leisurely. Please note that cycle helmets are NOT provided or able to be sourced locally so although not mandatory we’d always advise you to bring your own for safety and protection. Please note that anyone wishing to opt out of the cycle rides can easily do so and can instead relax at the hotel or go for an independent walk.Getting There
If you would like us to send you a quote for the suggested tour flights or on any alternative flight that may suit you better, please let us know, noting that for our US clients, we will most likely refer you to one of our preferred partners. For this trip our suggested flights from the UK (subject to change) are shown below.
If you wish to arrange your own flights you are completely free to do so and in this case we can arrange any transfers or supplementary accommodation that you may require. However please note that if you are planning on making your own flight arrangements, we recommend that you first check with us to see if the trip is guaranteed. We then suggest that you purchase flights that are flexible and ideally refundable as due to the nature of adventure travel, itineraries and destination accessibility can change at any time. For more information, please refer to our booking conditions.
| Flight Code | Departing | Arriving |
|---|---|---|
| TG 917 | London Heathrow (LHR) 21:35 | Bangkok Airport (BKK) (BKK) 16:00 |
| TG 564 | Bangkok Airport (BKK) (BKK) 17:25 | Hanoi Airport (HAN) 19:20 |
| TG 551 | Saigon Airport (SGN) 10:15 | Bangkok Airport (BKK) (BKK) 11:50 |
| TG 916 | Bangkok Airport (BKK) (BKK) 13:20 | London Heathrow (LHR) 19:35 |
Visas & Vaccinations
VISAS
Visas are necessary for many of the destinations we travel to and while we aim to provide you with the most up-to-date information, requirements frequently change and as such for the latest advice we advise that you check with the relevant embassies or contact a reputable visa agency. More details can be found here - https://www.wildfrontierstravel.com/visa
For this tour UK passport holders currently do not require a visa for Vietnam.
Passports should ideally be valid for a minimum period of 6 months from the end of your tour and have two blank pages.
Non-UK passport holders or non-UK residents should contact the relevant embassies for individual requirements.
VACCINATIONS & ADDITIONAL TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS
There are no mandatory vaccination requirements for travellers to Vietnam.
For all destinations, please make sure you are up-to-date with any standard vaccinations (e.g. MMR, Hepatitis A, Tetanus) as recommended by your local health care provider.
For the most up-to-date information on all vaccination requirements, we strongly suggest that you seek advice from your local travel centre or consult an official travel health website such as www.fitfortravel.nhs.uk or www.travelhealthpro.org.uk
Covid Testing: No mandatory testing is currently required for vaccinated or unvaccinated travellers.
If necessary further details will be sent out to you upon booking, however ensuring that correct and valid visas & vaccinations are obtained remains the sole responsibility of the client.
Extensions
If you have more time available, why not arrive early to adjust to a new time zone or just to get a feel for the country before your tour starts? Alternatively, you might choose to allow a few extra days after the tour to relax or to undertake some further exploration.
The choice is completely yours and we can usually arrange anything from simply additional accommodation and transfers to full tailor-made itineraries*. Please contact the office for more details and to discuss your requirements.
*Please note bespoke, tailor-made itineraries need to be a minimum of 7 days and we can only offer them in countries where we have a tailor-made expert
Governmental Travel Advice
Many governments issue advice which highlights potential hazards their citizens might experience when travelling abroad. We strongly suggest you refer to your country’s particular advisory site before booking and contact us if you have any queries or concerns. Click to follow links to the advice of the British Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) or the US State Department.
Non-UK citizens should consult the travel advice of their respective governments.
Key Information
CLIMATE
Vietnam can be visited year round but being such a long country, its climate varies dramatically as you travel from north to south as well as from the coast up into the highlands. From November to March it can be cooler and wetter in the north and central regions, whereas the south sees hotter temperatures and clearer skies. From April to October the north and centre experience rising temperatures during the drier months, whereas the south will be hit by the rainy/monsoon period, sometimes experiencing typhoons in the coastal areas.
IS THIS TRIP FOR ME?
It may sound obvious but Wild Frontiers tours are not always for everyone and it is important to us that the tour you choose is the most suitable. All our tours have a fitness rating as a guideline but you should check the day-by-day itinerary carefully. In certain instances we may ask you to complete a travel questionnaire before confirming your booking in order to ensure your suitability. Should you have any concerns about your ability to partake in any aspect of the tour then please contact the office.
KEY ASPECTS TO CONSIDER
Anyone in a reasonable state of health, with an open mind and a sense of adventure should be perfectly able to cope with this tour, as many of the activities are optional. However, please note that you should ideally be able to undertake some easy cycling on Day 6, and not have claustrophobia (when visiting the Vinh Moc Tunnels) on Day 7. None of the activities are obligatory, so alternative arrangements can be made for those not wishing to participate.
THE NATURE OF ADVENTURE TRAVEL
We feel that it’s worth pointing out that while we will always strive to stick as close to the stated itinerary as possible, it may be necessary from time to time to make changes to our itineraries or services (due to weather, political and religious influences etc.) and this can happen with little or no notice. This unpredictability can be one of the most exciting aspects of adventure travel and for many of our clients often leads to unexpected highlights as the tour-leader necessarily adapts the tour to the changing conditions. However we are aware that this lack of assuredness may not suit everyone. As such, with the greatest respect, if you are someone who needs to know that everything will happen exactly as planned, we would kindly suggest that perhaps our tours are not for you. Adventure travel can be infectious and once you’ve caught the bug, it is likely to never leave you, but especially if this is your first such tour we would strongly urge you to give us a call if you have any concerns whatsoever about your suitability for this trip.
TRAVELLING SOLO AND SINGLE SUPPLEMENTS
As a company approximately 70% of our clients are solo travellers, so it’s very unlikely you’ll be alone!
Our prices are typically based on twin-share accommodation but single supplements are not compulsory for any Wild Frontiers tour.
If you prefer not to pay a single supplement we’ll pair you with someone else of the same sex for you to share with throughout the trip.
On this trip, if you do opt to pay for a single supplement then please note that it will cover you for all nights of the tour, except on the overnight train and possibly on the Halong Bay boat where there are a limited number of cabins available.
Please note that paying a single supplement entitles you to lone occupancy of a single room. In many cases these rooms will be of the same size as a double/twin room, but in some cases they may be smaller.
INSURANCE
Insurance that provides cover for emergency repatriation in case of a medical emergency is compulsory for all tours. You should be aware that due to some of the geographical areas visited and some of the activities included on certain of our trips some standard insurance policies may not always provide adequate cover. As such we strongly recommend that you purchase a policy that adequately covers your trip. Please see the Insurance section for more details.
General Information
TOUR PRICE
All our tours are priced on a land-only basis, giving you maximum flexibility when deciding how to get to and from your tour.
DEPOSIT
A 10% deposit is required to confirm your booking.
PROTECTION FOR YOUR MONEY
For further details please see our travelling with peace of mind page
WILD MILES
This tour will earn you 11494 Wild Miles
WHAT'S NOT INCLUDED
We believe in a completely transparent approach to pricing with no hidden extras. As such, please note that the following are not included in the cost of the tour.
Visas & Travel Insurance: Visas will always be tour/nationality dependent but travel insurance is mandatory
Tips: Always optional but some guidance will be given in the pre-departure information documents
International Flights: Please ask us for an obligation-free quote for flights which originate in the UK
Airport Transfers: We include complimentary transfers if arriving/departing on the suggested group flights
Beverages & any costs of a personal nature: This will include items such as laundry and souvenirs
WILD FRONTIERS COMMUNITY
If you’re still not sure if this trip is right or just want to see get some different perspectives, then why not have a look at the wide variety of resources we have on our website? Browse our community section to read our blogs, watch videos and find out about our events.
WHY WILD FRONTIERS?
We are frequently asked what makes Wild Frontiers different from other tour operators. Visit our Why Wild Frontiers page to find out.