SHORTLIST

Premium Vietnam

Spend eight days in Vietnam discovering the highlights and traditions of this eternally beautiful and historically significant country on a Premium adventure. Take part in enriching local encounters as your leader shows you the soul of this diverse pocket of Asia. Get lost in the districts of Hanoi, cruise past the limestone karsts of Halong Bay, discover the old-world charm of Hoi An and navigate the winding streets and chaotic traffic of Ho Chi Minh City. With an unbeatable mix of culture, cuisine and history, your journey through Vietnam is sure to surprise, delight and excite at every turn.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

1. A complimentary airport arrival transfer is included; valid if you are arriving on Day 1 or if you have booked pre-tour accommodation through us. You must provide your flight details to your booking agent at least 14 days prior to travel.
2. A single supplement is available if you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip. The single supplement excludes Day 2 (boat) where you will be in shared accommodation, and is subject to availability. Please speak to your booking agent for further information. 
3. This trip includes domestic flights. The luggage allowance is 20kg for check in luggage and 7kg for carry on.
4. Full name exactly as per passport required at the time of booking (including any middle names listed on the passport), for internal flights. Ticketing fees may apply for amendments to details within 45 days of departure, and in some cases you will be required to cover the cost of issuing a new ticket.
5. Local authorities only permit a limited number of boats to stay overnight in Halong Bay. To ensure all travellers can be accommodated on board available boats, on rare occasions you may stay on a larger boat and share your boat with another group. Otherwise, we may swap the activities and destinations of Days 3 and 4 to provide you the best possible experience. The route taken and inclusions on board will remain the same.

Tour details
Tour Provider Intrepid Travel
Price From
$2,587
Number of Days
8
Start Location
Hanoi, Vietnam
End Location
Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Age Range
Avg. 30+
Group Size
1 to 12
Tour Style
Comfort
Tour Themes
Adventure
Physical Rating
Easy to Moderate
Itinerary Open all
Day 1: Hanoi
Xin chao! Welcome to Hanoi, Vietnam’s vibrant capital city. You’ll be met on arrival at the airport and transferred to your hotel. Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 6pm where you’ll meet your tour leader and fellow travellers. If you arrive early, Hanoi offers plenty of enticing experiences. Perhaps head to the city’s colourful old quarter and explore the charming jumble of shops and cafés, or check out the Vietnam National Fine Arts Museum, showcasing ancient through to contemporary Vietnamese art. This evening, join your leader and small group for a welcome dinner at a beautifully decorated restaurant resembling an old-fashioned Vietnamese house. Dive into the exciting world of Vietnamese cuisine as your leader introduces you to a range of classic dishes made with the freshest local ingredients.
Day 2: Halong Bay
Depart Hanoi and travel to Halong Bay, one of the great natural treasures of Vietnam. Board your Feature Stay accommodation for the evening, a gloriously beautiful and traditionally decorated junk-style boat featuring modern conveniences. Set sail in total comfort as unforgettable views of scattered islands and towering limestone outcrops slowly unfold in front of you. Explore the bay while enjoying a pleasant seafood lunch onboard. Learn about the fascinating geography of the region and its importance to the Vietnamese people, visit Surprise Cave where your leader will point out interesting rock formations, and in the warmer months you can choose a swim from Ti Top Island Beach or take an optional kayaking tour. Sit back with a drink on the upper deck and face out to the spirit-lifting view that will be stamped on your memory of Vietnam. Soak in the stunning surroundings with a candlelit seafood dinner on deck before settling in for a night of stargazing and swapping stories.
Day 3: Hanoi
Start your day with a peaceful breakfast and perhaps take part in some Tai Chi on board the boat before returning to Hanoi. This afternoon you’ll take part in a once-in-a-lifetime experience and sit down to a soul-stirring traditional Hat Xam performance. Hat Xam is an art form of Northern Vietnam dating back to the Tran Dynasty. Originally, this was performed by blind performers, and was enjoyed by local working-class audiences, right up until the late 1950s, when a wave of communism deemed all art forms to be corrupting influences. Today these performances are rare, but you and your group will be taken to a private club house and treated to an exclusive performance in one of the few places where artists still sing acoustically. The performance takes around 60 minutes, and includes possible interaction with guests, so be ready to get involved!
Day 4: Hoi An
This morning you’ll get to know Hanoi’s charms on a half-day tour with your leader. Discover a captivating city where traditional and modern sit side by side as your leader shares knowledge on the Temple of Literature, an oasis of calm in the heart of town. You'll also visit the infamous Hoa Lo Prison, known as the "Hanoi Hilton" which held American POWs. Today’s lunch is extra special as you will visit the fantastic KOTO café, a social enterprise that provides hospitality training and experience while empowering at-risk and disadvantaged youth in Vietnam – not to mention a creative menu of food made with local ingredients. This afternoon you’ll say goodbye to Hanoi and fly south to Danang. Drive on to Hoi An and take in views of lush scenery along the way. Arrive in Hoi An in the late afternoon and check into your boutique accommodation. The rest of the day is yours – maybe make the most of your hotel’s fabulous pool.
Day 5: Hoi An
Set off on a tour of Hoi An’s Old Town and discover a blend of traditional treasures and cultural influences from historical traders. Your leader will discuss the city’s history as you wander the pagoda lined streets, visit a Chinese assembly hall, cross the Japanese Covered Bridge, enter the ornately decorated historic house of a former trader and check out a local museum. Hoi An was once a great trading port for pottery, and centuries-old pottery villages still exist to this day. No trip to Vietnam is complete without trying its famed coffee. Your leader will take you to a local coffee shop, where you can savor a delicious coffee of your choice as you watch the hustle and bustle of Hoi An pass you by. Perhaps try a traditional egg coffee - the addition of condensed milk and egg white make this caffeinated beverage into a frothy treat, or a refreshing coconut coffee. Your afternoon is free for your own explorations.
Day 6: Ho Chi Minh City
The morning is free for you to enjoy more of delightful Hoi An and the surrounding area. Perhaps browse the market for silk and other materials or collect any garments that you might have had crafted by the efficient tailors, or hire a bicycle and ride along the lanes and out to a nice nearby beach. Your leader will have great recommendations for places to eat and drink. In the afternoon, transfer back to Danang and fly to Ho Chi Minh City. Check into your hotel and enjoy a free evening – the bustling food stalls at Cho Ben Thanh market might beckon you over with the sweet and savoury aromas of pho and bun mam. Delicious!
Day 7: Ho Chi Minh City
Head out of the city to the nearby Cu Chi Tunnels, an extensive underground network dug by the Viet Minh and later expanded by the Viet Cong. Enter a widened section of the tunnels with your leader who will help you imagine what life underground must have been like and explain how the tunnels contained hospitals, accommodation and schools, and were used for refuge, storage and as a military base for the Viet Cong. Return to Ho Chi Minh City for a tour of the dynamic city where daily life plays out on the streets. Your leader will take you to the Reunification Palace, formally the Presidential Palace and the site of South Vietnam’s surrender in 1975, before visiting the War Remnants Museum. In the evening, perhaps spend some time with your fellow travellers and enjoy a final dinner at a local restaurant. Your leader will know of some wonderful options.
Day 8: Ho Chi Minh City
Your adventure comes to an end after breakfast this morning. If you wish to spend some more time in Ho Chi Minh city, we would be happy to organise additional accommodation for you (subject to availability).
Inclusions
  • Meals: 7 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 2 dinners.
  • Transport: Boat, Plane, Private Minibus.
  • Accommodation: Hotel (6 nights), Overnight boat (1 night).
  • Complimentary Arrival Transfer.
  • Hanoi - Welcome Dinner.
  • Halong Bay - Overnight Boat Cruise.
  • Hanoi - Hat Xam performance.
  • Halong Bay - Tai Chi.
  • Hanoi - Temple of Literature.
  • Hanoi - Lunch at KOTO.
  • Hanoi - Hoa Lo Prison.
  • Hoi An - Old Town walking tour.
  • Ho Chi Minh City - Cu Chi Tunnels.
  • Ho Chi Minh City - Reunification Palace.
  • Ho Chi Minh City - War Remnants Museum.
  • Ho Chi Minh City - Notre Dame Cathedral.
Departure dates
Start End Availability Price NZD
04 May 2024 11 May 2024 1 $3,795
11 May 2024 18 May 2024 3 $3,760
17 May 2024 24 May 2024 3 $3,625
20 May 2024 27 May 2024 4 $3,105
25 May 2024 01 Jun 2024 10 $2,588
29 May 2024 05 Jun 2024 6 $3,168
15 Jun 2024 22 Jun 2024 3 $3,760
22 Jun 2024 29 Jun 2024 8 $3,450
29 Jun 2024 06 Jul 2024 1 $3,625
01 Jul 2024 08 Jul 2024 3 $3,485
06 Jul 2024 13 Jul 2024 2 $3,625
08 Jul 2024 15 Jul 2024 10 $3,450
13 Jul 2024 20 Jul 2024 5 $3,555
20 Jul 2024 27 Jul 2024 2 $3,590
27 Jul 2024 03 Aug 2024 9 $3,450
03 Aug 2024 10 Aug 2024 2 $3,590
09 Aug 2024 16 Aug 2024 10 $3,450
24 Aug 2024 31 Aug 2024 10 $3,450
31 Aug 2024 07 Sep 2024 8 $3,450
07 Sep 2024 14 Sep 2024 3 $3,555
14 Sep 2024 21 Sep 2024 12 $3,450
20 Sep 2024 27 Sep 2024 12 $3,585
23 Sep 2024 30 Sep 2024 2 $3,695
28 Sep 2024 05 Oct 2024 10 $3,585
02 Oct 2024 09 Oct 2024 10 $3,585
05 Oct 2024 12 Oct 2024 2 $3,765
09 Oct 2024 16 Oct 2024 12 $4,125
12 Oct 2024 19 Oct 2024 9 $3,585
18 Oct 2024 25 Oct 2024 9 $3,585
19 Oct 2024 26 Oct 2024 10 $3,585
26 Oct 2024 02 Nov 2024 3 $3,765
30 Oct 2024 06 Nov 2024 10 $4,125
02 Nov 2024 09 Nov 2024 3 $3,765
06 Nov 2024 13 Nov 2024 6 $3,765
09 Nov 2024 16 Nov 2024 6 $3,765
12 Nov 2024 19 Nov 2024 9 $3,800
16 Nov 2024 23 Nov 2024 6 $3,765
18 Nov 2024 25 Nov 2024 12 $3,730
20 Nov 2024 27 Nov 2024 6 $3,840
23 Nov 2024 30 Nov 2024 6 $3,765
25 Nov 2024 02 Dec 2024 12 $3,730
27 Nov 2024 04 Dec 2024 10 $3,730
30 Nov 2024 07 Dec 2024 12 $3,730
02 Dec 2024 09 Dec 2024 9 $3,765
06 Dec 2024 13 Dec 2024 11 $3,730
13 Dec 2024 20 Dec 2024 12 $3,730
14 Dec 2024 21 Dec 2024 11 $3,730
18 Dec 2024 25 Dec 2024 12 $3,730
21 Dec 2024 28 Dec 2024 7 $3,765
24 Dec 2024 31 Dec 2024 12 $3,730
28 Dec 2024 04 Jan 2025 7 $3,765
30 Dec 2024 06 Jan 2025 10 $3,730
01 Jan 2025 08 Jan 2025 12 $3,915
04 Jan 2025 11 Jan 2025 12 $3,915
06 Jan 2025 13 Jan 2025 12 $3,915
11 Jan 2025 18 Jan 2025 12 $3,915
13 Jan 2025 20 Jan 2025 12 $3,915
18 Jan 2025 25 Jan 2025 12 $3,915
20 Jan 2025 27 Jan 2025 10 $3,915
25 Jan 2025 01 Feb 2025 10 $3,915
27 Jan 2025 03 Feb 2025 12 $3,915
01 Feb 2025 08 Feb 2025 12 $3,765
03 Feb 2025 10 Feb 2025 12 $3,765
05 Feb 2025 12 Feb 2025 12 $3,765
08 Feb 2025 15 Feb 2025 10 $3,765
10 Feb 2025 17 Feb 2025 10 $3,765
15 Feb 2025 22 Feb 2025 12 $3,765
17 Feb 2025 24 Feb 2025 10 $3,765
19 Feb 2025 26 Feb 2025 11 $3,765
22 Feb 2025 01 Mar 2025 12 $3,765
24 Feb 2025 03 Mar 2025 10 $3,765
01 Mar 2025 08 Mar 2025 12 $3,765
03 Mar 2025 10 Mar 2025 10 $3,765
05 Mar 2025 12 Mar 2025 12 $3,915
08 Mar 2025 15 Mar 2025 10 $3,915
10 Mar 2025 17 Mar 2025 12 $3,915
12 Mar 2025 19 Mar 2025 12 $3,915
15 Mar 2025 22 Mar 2025 12 $3,915
17 Mar 2025 24 Mar 2025 12 $3,915
19 Mar 2025 26 Mar 2025 12 $3,915
22 Mar 2025 29 Mar 2025 12 $3,915
24 Mar 2025 31 Mar 2025 12 $3,915
26 Mar 2025 02 Apr 2025 12 $3,915
29 Mar 2025 05 Apr 2025 12 $3,915
31 Mar 2025 07 Apr 2025 12 $3,915
02 Apr 2025 09 Apr 2025 12 $3,915
05 Apr 2025 12 Apr 2025 12 $3,915
07 Apr 2025 14 Apr 2025 12 $3,915
12 Apr 2025 19 Apr 2025 12 $3,915
14 Apr 2025 21 Apr 2025 12 $3,915
16 Apr 2025 23 Apr 2025 12 $3,915
19 Apr 2025 26 Apr 2025 10 $3,915
21 Apr 2025 28 Apr 2025 12 $3,765
23 Apr 2025 30 Apr 2025 12 $3,765
26 Apr 2025 03 May 2025 11 $3,765
28 Apr 2025 05 May 2025 12 $3,765
03 May 2025 10 May 2025 12 $3,625
10 May 2025 17 May 2025 12 $3,625
12 May 2025 19 May 2025 12 $3,625
17 May 2025 24 May 2025 12 $3,625
24 May 2025 31 May 2025 12 $3,625
26 May 2025 02 Jun 2025 12 $3,625
31 May 2025 07 Jun 2025 12 $3,625
07 Jun 2025 14 Jun 2025 10 $3,625
14 Jun 2025 21 Jun 2025 12 $3,625
21 Jun 2025 28 Jun 2025 12 $3,625
28 Jun 2025 05 Jul 2025 12 $3,625
05 Jul 2025 12 Jul 2025 12 $3,625
12 Jul 2025 19 Jul 2025 12 $3,625
14 Jul 2025 21 Jul 2025 12 $3,625
19 Jul 2025 26 Jul 2025 12 $3,625
26 Jul 2025 02 Aug 2025 12 $3,625
28 Jul 2025 04 Aug 2025 12 $3,625
02 Aug 2025 09 Aug 2025 12 $3,625
09 Aug 2025 16 Aug 2025 12 $3,625
16 Aug 2025 23 Aug 2025 12 $3,625
23 Aug 2025 30 Aug 2025 12 $3,625
30 Aug 2025 06 Sep 2025 12 $3,625
01 Sep 2025 08 Sep 2025 12 $3,625
06 Sep 2025 13 Sep 2025 12 $3,625
13 Sep 2025 20 Sep 2025 12 $3,625
15 Sep 2025 22 Sep 2025 12 $3,625
20 Sep 2025 27 Sep 2025 12 $3,625
27 Sep 2025 04 Oct 2025 12 $3,625
29 Sep 2025 06 Oct 2025 12 $3,625
04 Oct 2025 11 Oct 2025 12 $3,625
11 Oct 2025 18 Oct 2025 12 $3,625
13 Oct 2025 20 Oct 2025 12 $3,625
18 Oct 2025 25 Oct 2025 12 $3,625
20 Oct 2025 27 Oct 2025 12 $3,625
25 Oct 2025 01 Nov 2025 12 $3,765
27 Oct 2025 03 Nov 2025 12 $3,765
03 Nov 2025 10 Nov 2025 12 $3,765
05 Nov 2025 12 Nov 2025 12 $3,765
08 Nov 2025 15 Nov 2025 12 $3,765
10 Nov 2025 17 Nov 2025 12 $3,765
12 Nov 2025 19 Nov 2025 12 $3,765
15 Nov 2025 22 Nov 2025 10 $3,765
17 Nov 2025 24 Nov 2025 12 $3,765
19 Nov 2025 26 Nov 2025 12 $3,765
22 Nov 2025 29 Nov 2025 12 $3,765
24 Nov 2025 01 Dec 2025 12 $3,765
26 Nov 2025 03 Dec 2025 12 $3,765
29 Nov 2025 06 Dec 2025 12 $3,765
01 Dec 2025 08 Dec 2025 12 $3,765
06 Dec 2025 13 Dec 2025 12 $3,765
08 Dec 2025 15 Dec 2025 12 $3,765
13 Dec 2025 20 Dec 2025 12 $3,765
15 Dec 2025 22 Dec 2025 12 $3,915
20 Dec 2025 27 Dec 2025 12 $3,915
22 Dec 2025 29 Dec 2025 12 $3,915
27 Dec 2025 03 Jan 2026 12 $3,915
29 Dec 2025 05 Jan 2026 12 $3,915
31 Dec 2025 07 Jan 2026 12 $3,915