The Vietnam Adventure - 12 Days

From £1,081£90 per day Save 7%

Who is this trip for

Genders

  • Female58%
  • Male42%

Average age

26
18 Min39 Max

Start / End

  • Ho Chi Minh City
  • Hanoi

Physical rating

2/5

Group size

5 - 22

Meals included

20

Highlights

  • Exploring the spectacular coasts and towns of Vietnam and in an open top jeep!
  • Experience an overnight sleeper train, a truly authentic activity!
  • Kayak in the Thu Bon river and Ha Long Bay (Beginners are welcome!)
  • Visit a UNESCO site and help an NGO which produces recycled bricks and cleans rivers.
  • Explore national parks and enjoy real local food during a home stay

Talk to a travel expert

Our experts are ready to perfect your trip with personalised advice on itineraries, transfers, and local tips.

Email UsCall Us: 0208 004 8886
Recommended

Free Brochure

Uncover insider tips, see a packing list and view a detailed itinerary and accommodation information.

Summary

Get ready to experience the best of what Vietnam has while getting you off the beaten track and immersed in local life. Discover unseen parts of the vibrant cities, take a crash course lesson in their national sport, help local NGOs create a better future, and explore all the sights, smells, and tastes of this incredible destination. From village homestays in the remote Pu Long National Park, to having cocktails in the rooftop pool overlooking vibrant cities, or exploring the lesser-known Bai Tu Long Bay on the tip of Ha Long Bay by traditional style boat. This is Vietnam, but not as you know it.

Discover unseen parts of the vibrant cities, take a crash course lesson in the national sport, help local NGOs create a better future, and explore all the sights, smells, and tastes of this incredible destination.

Itinerary

  • Day 1

    Arrive in Vietnam!

    Good Morning Vietnam! You will be picked up and transferred to your hotel in HCMC at any time on Day 1. After you check in, you are then free to explore or chill until you meet the rest of your group for a welcome dinner feast with your new friends. Take a dip in the rooftop pool overlooking the city and get ready for the trip of a lifetime!

    Accommodation: Twin/Double Rooms - Alagon City (or similar) Activities: Welcome Dinner Optional Extras: N/A Meals: Dinner Physical Rating: Low

  • Day 2

    Ho Chi Minh City, Walking Tour & Overnight Train

    After breakfast, get ready for a cultural experience like no other, learning the national sport called da cao! This is also called “foot badminton” and you will see it played in every park around the country. Learn the basics from one of the local teams we support as part of our community projects. After that, we will head out on a walking tour to see sights and some hidden gems of this incredible city. Refresh back at the hotel before heading to the train station for our overnight train to Da Nang.

    Accommodation: Overnight Train to Da Nang Activities: Da Cao, HCMC Walking tour Optional Extras: N/A Meals: Breakfast Physical Rating: Medium

  • Day 3

    Kayak into Hoi An

    Upon arrival, you will be picked up by the team and transferred to the banks of the Thu Bon River where we will have lunch before kayaking into the majestic old town of Hoi An. After a short walk to your hotel to freshen up, you can take a dip in the pool and then head out to explore the area. Near our hotel, you will find the famous Hoi An night market, where you can get your own tailored clothes.

    Accommodation: Twin/Double Rooms - Hoang Trinh (or similar) Activities: Kayak into Hoi An Optional Extras: Visit a Tailor Meals: N/A Physical Rating: Medium/High

  • Day 4

    Enjoy Hoi An

    Rise and shine! Spend the morning cycling through the countryside bysmall villages and rice fields to a quiet riverbank where we will begincollecting the plastic pollution that has been discarded along the river.Enjoy a refreshing welcome drink at the Eco Brick house before headingback to a Hoi An garden house where we will classify the trash to makeeco bricks for a local NGO. The afternoon is yours to explore however you want (beach time!)

    Accommodation: Twin/Double Rooms - Hoang Trinh (or similar) Activities: Cycling tour, Eco Brick NGO Visit, local farming Optional Extras: N/A Meals: Breakfast Physical Rating: Medium

  • Day 5

    To Hue & Hai Van Pass

    After having breakfast at the hotel, you’ll travel to Hue (the Imperial City) in style! We will start by making our way up the famous Hai Van Pass! On the way, we will pass a beautiful waterfall, stop for lunch and drive through magical country backroads. After, we will arrive in the historical town of Hue, the old seat of the Nguyen Dynasty, in the afternoon.

    Accommodation: Twin/Double Rooms - Alba Hue (or similar) Activities: Waterfall visiting, Open-top Jeep ride Optional Extras: N/A Meals: Breakfast & Lunch Physical Rating: Low

  • Day 6

    The Imperial City, Hue

    Prepare for an adventure to the Imperial City this morning, where you’ll gain insight into Vietnam’s imperial history and culture.

    We’ll then make our way to a local garden house on the banks of the Perfume River to learn some Vietnamese classics in a cooking class. Relax until transferring to Hue Train Station for your night train to Ninh Binh.

    Accommodation: Overnight train to Ninh Binh Activities:Dragon boat, Pagoda,Cooking Class Optional Extras: N/A Meals: Breakfast & Lunch Physical Rating: Low

  • Day 7

    To Pu Luong Park

    Get ready for your trip to one of the most amazing landscape destinations of Vietnam! We will hop on the bus and head to Pu Luong National Park. On the way we will stop for lunch and visit the Chua Ngoc Chau Temple. We willthen arrive at our accommodation, a local homestay in Ban Hieu which is nestled between rice paddies and mountains. Visit a waterfall beforedinner with local families. Experience incredible off the beaten pathscenery all around you and bed down tonight in one of the local houses.

    Accommodation: Multi-share Rooms - Local homestay Activities:Unique stay, Temple visit, Waterfall visit Optional Extras: Temple Meals: Dinner Physical Rating: Low

  • Day 8

    Explore Pu Luong Park

    After breakfast with a wonderful valley view, we will start with a trek, heading to a beautiful traditional rural bamboo lake house where you cantry bamboo rafting or swim in the crystal clear water. Lunch will be served here by the local family in an amazing setting surrounded by nature. After lunch you will have time to relax or help the local family with their daily chores before we will have an amazing family dinner.

    Accommodation: Multi-share Rooms - Local homestay Activities: Bamboo Rafting, Trek Optional Extras: N/A Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Physical Rating: Medium/High

  • Day 9

    Hanoi

    As we say goodbye to our homestay family and scenery in Pu Luong, we can look forward to the hustle and bustle of Hanoi and a stay in a beautiful, boutique hotel! Take it easy in the morning and then after a big breakfast, we head off. We arrive in Hanoi in the afternoon and you’ll have time to freshen up and join the rest of your group for a city walk before a feast of local delicacies.

    Accommodation: Twin/Double Rooms - Nesta Hotel (or similar) Activities: Street Food Tour Optional Extras: N/A Meals: Breakfast & Dinner Physical Rating: Low/Medium

  • Day 10

    Ha Long & Bai Tu Long Bay

    We will make our way to the coast where we will await our traditional boatto take us out into the famous Ha Long Bay. We get away from the crowds by travelling north to Bai Tu Long and more of the untouched locations of Ha Long Bay. Kayak around the breathtaking scenery of Cap La Island. Optto visit one of the secret beaches in Cong Do Island before heading back toour boat for sunset drinks and dinner on the top deck. Accommodation: Twin/Double Rooms - Renea Cruise (or similar) Activities: Ha Long Bay Cruise, Bai Tu Long Bay, Kayaking Optional Extras: N/A Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Physical Rating: Low/Medium

  • Day 11

    Thien Cave & Hanoi

    Start your day with a chilled Tai Chi routine on the sundeck, or catch a morning view of the stunning bay’s landscape. We’ll then cruise over to the most famous cave system in the whole bay, Thien Canh Son. On the wayback try your hand at the famous Vietnamese fruit & vegetable carving, as well as making spring rolls before disembarking and heading back to Hanoi here you can do an optional walking tour before celebrating our last night together.

    Accommodation: Twin/Double Rooms - Nesta Hotel (or similar) Activities: Tai Chi, Thien Canh Son (cave), Walking tour Optional Extras: Walking Tour Meals: Breakfast & Lunch Physical Rating: Low/Medium

  • Day 12

    Goodbye!

    Today is where we say goodbye! Your tour guide will help arrange your onward travel (at own expense).

    Accommodation: N/A Activities: N/A Meals: Breakfast Physical Rating: N/A

What's Included

  • Accommodation

    1 Night in Ho Chi Minh in a central city hotel (Twin-Share) 1 Overnight Sleeper train Ho Chi Minh to Da Nang 2 Nights in Hoi An 1 Night Hue 1 Overnight Sleeper train Hue to Ninh Binh 2 Nights Pu Luong 1 Night Hanoi 1 Night Ha Long/Bai Tan Bay 1 Night Hanoi

  • Meals

    Breakfasts: 9, Lunches: 6, Dinners: 5

    Vegetarian options are available on all meals throughout the adventure.

    Vegetarian options available

  • Local Guide

    Guided

    This adventure is led by a local guide throughout. The main language of this adventure is English. Please contact us for other languages available.

  • Wifi

    Wifi is available during the adventure. In some areas and / or accommodation / transport Wifi may be free.

Dates & Prices

  • Sep 25

    from £1,081
  • Oct 25

    from £1,081
  • Nov 25

    from £1,081
  • Dec 25

    from £1,081
  • Jan 26

    from £1,081
  • Feb 26

    from £1,081
  • Mar 26

    from £1,081
  • Apr 26

    from £1,081
  • May 26

    from £1,081
  • Jun 26

    from £1,081
  • Jul 26

    from £1,081
  • Aug 26

    from £1,081
  • Sep 26

    from £1,081
  • Oct 26

    from £1,081
  • Nov 26

    from £1,081
  • Dec 26

    from £1,081
  • Save 7%
    Mon 22 Sep 2025 > Fri 3 Oct 2025
    6+ spaces of 22 left
    £1,162Best offer£1,081
    Solo Room from +£225

Customer reviews & ratings

(5 out of 5)
Based on 42 reviews
  • This tour was one of the most amazing travel experiences I’ve ever done, we saw so many amazing places along the way, I met so many great people and Danny was the best tour guide ever. Would highly recommend to anyone travelling to Vietnam!!

    Seán Fitzgerald Feb, 2024 Verified
  • An amazing way to see Vietnam, lots of differing activities and sights to take in. Our tour guide Danny was lots of fun and very knowledgeable, always ready to help out. I feel like a got to see the full breadth of the country and it's people, and would love to come back one day.

    Christopher Ball Feb, 2024 Verified

Essential trip information

Our Important Notes and Packing List cover all essentials, from necessary equipment to inclusions, ensuring you're fully equipped and informed for this extraordinary adventure and more.

Frequently asked questions

  • What is the age range of this tour?

    We have an age range of 18-45 years of age. Most of our guests are aged between 21-35 years old are looking to experience our adventurous flashpacking style of travel. Our tours are perfect for people of different backgrounds to share travel experiences with like-minded fellow travellers.
  • Where should I fly into? /Where does the tour end?

    You will start your tour in Ho Chi Minh City (Formally known as Saigon) The Airport here is Tan Son Nhat International Airport (SGN). As for the end of the tour, you will finish in Hanoi. So if you are looking to fly out from Hanoi, you’ll want to head to Noi Bai International Airport (HAN).
  • Can I get picked up from the airport if I arrive before day 1?

    We don’t offer this option at this time, however, what we can suggest is downloading online taxi applications called Grab or GoJek. They are similar to the famous Uber app and should make this transfer an easy process for you.
  • Does it matter what time I arrive on day 1 in order to be picked up from the airport?

    We definitely recommend you arrive before 3 pm, this way you should have enough time to make it to the first accommodation and be present at the welcome dinner. Arrivals after this could well risk you missing it. However, no matter the time or airport you are landing at, pickup is included and a driver will be waiting for your arrival with a One Life Adventures sign.
  • Can you cater for my dietary requirements on this trip?

    Yes, although we can’t guarantee every dietary requirement can be catered to along the way, our guide will do their utmost best to help you with alternative options and what you can eat otherwise.
  • I am applying for my visa and I need a reference and address?

    Your first night’s stay will be: Alagon City Hotel & Spa Address: 56 – 58 Pham Hong Thai, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City Please see the government website for whether you will need a visa to enter Vietnam. This topic is continually changing, so we recommend you do relevant research on the government websites.
  • Is there WiFi throughout the trip?

    Wifi is available on the tour in all mainland accommodations, Ha Long Bay cruise ships and trains do not. Your guide can help you purchase a local sim card if you want to have connection while outside too.
  • How much spending money do you recommend for this tour?

    You can expect to spend around $20/$30 USD per day. Budgeting can be done if you are open to eating at more local vendors and don’t drink alcoholic drinks.
  • How is the multi-share situation? Do we still have privacy on the Multi-share nights?

    While in Pu Luong homestay you will stay in one big room, a very unique traditional stay, and it does have curtains between sleeping areas and multiple bathrooms. Also overnight trains will be multi-share rooms.
  • I have never kayaked before. Will someone help me, and do we get our own kayaks?

    We have 2 people kayaks, and we will try to allocate guests together depending on their experience to have a fun and successful time.
  • Backpack vs Suitcases, what's better?

    Kindly be aware that there are nights scheduled for overnight train travel during your Vietnam tour. To enhance your comfort and convenience, we highly recommend bringing a backpack or carrier for this portion of the journey.
  • Should I bring my hiking shoes?

    Yes, we would recommend bringing hiking shoes or grippier trainers as there is hiking in Pu Luong, and again if you are doing the extension in Sapa.
  • Do I need temple clothes for visiting the temple?

    Yes, please do bring something that will cover your shoulders and knees. Temples do have dress codes and if your shoulders or knees are exposed you will be denied entry. Your guide will tell you on which days to wear these items so you’re prepared and ready.
  • Livvy's profile
  • Anna's profile
  • Petra's profile

Still have questions?

Can't find the answer you're looking for? Please chat to our friendly team.

Get In Touch

Why book with us

  • Help Change The World

    We collaborate with local businesses and communities.

  • Best Price Guaranteed

    We won't be beaten on price. If you find this adventure at a lower price please get in touch!

  • You're In Good Hands

    We work with trusted tour operators around the world.

  • You're spoilt for choice

    We have the best choice of adventures on the market.

Similar adventures

Was this page helpful ?

If you need information about a tour or a booking, please contact us instead.

Sign up for our deals

Stay up to date with our new latest deals & special offers!

Your email is secure and we won't send you any spam.
Feefo Rating 4.9/5

The Adventure People has been rated excellent by its customers