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 colourful Hanoi, cruise past the limestone karsts of World Heritage-listed Ha Long Bay, discover the old-world charm of Hoi An’s ancient city and navigate the winding streets and chaotic traffic of Ho Chi Minh City with a local leader. 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. Fast track arrival and 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
$3,264
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. When you arrive, you’ll be met at the airport by a representative and transferred to your hotel. Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 6 pm tonight, where you’ll meet your trip leader and fellow travellers. If you arrive early, Hanoi is the perfect place to explore on foot. Maybe head to the city’s colourful Old Quarter or check out the Vietnam National Fine Arts Museum, showcasing ancient and contemporary Vietnamese art. This evening, join your leader for a welcome dinner at a beautifully decorated restaurant resembling an old-fashioned Vietnamese house. Dive into the world of Vietnamese cuisine as your leader introduces you to a range of classic dishes made with the freshest local ingredients. Thinking of arriving a few days early to explore Northern Vietnam? Check out our Ninh Binh Mini Adventure for an off-the-beaten path exploration of Pu Long and Ninh Binh. Or you can try our Hiking in Sapa trip for a big dose of mountain landscapes, fresh air and time with hilltribe communities.
Day 2: Halong Bay
Depart Hanoi and travel to Ha Long Bay – one of the great natural treasures of Vietnam and a UNESCO World Heritage site. Board your Feature Stay accommodation for the evening – a gloriously beautiful and traditionally decorated junk-style boat featuring modern conveniences. Set sail in comfort as unforgettable views of scattered islands and towering limestone karsts slowly unfold in front of you. Explore the bay and sit down for a seafood lunch onboard. The sights you will visit vary, but you may stop at a cave where your leader will point out interesting rock formations or a fishing village to learn about local life. In the afternoon you will have opportunities to swim, kayak, or simply relax on the beach. Soak in the stunning surroundings with a 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 maybe 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 show 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 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’ll visit the fantastic KOTO cafe – a social enterprise that provides hospitality training and experience to disadvantaged youth in Vietnam and offers a creative menu of Vietnamese dishes 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. The rest of the day is yours to explore or chill out in the hotel’s pool.
Day 5: Hoi An
Set off on a walking 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 walk 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 savour a delicious brew as you watch the hustle and bustle of Hoi An. Maybe try a traditional egg coffee or a refreshing iced 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 Hoi An and the surrounding area. Maybe 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 before heading out for a tour of the dynamic city, including a visit to the War Remnants Museum. In the evening – the food stalls at Cho Ben Thanh market might call you over with the sweet and savoury scents of pho and bun mam.
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 and maybe spend some time with your fellow travellers and enjoy a final dinner at a local restaurant. Your leader will have some great 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.
  • Fast Track Airport Service on Arrival.
  • 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 - War Remnants Museum.
  • Ho Chi Minh City - Half Day City Tour.
  • Ho Chi Minh City - Cu Chi Tunnels.
Departure dates
All pp pricing is based on twin share occupancy. Single supplements will apply
Start End Availability Price NZD
25 Oct 2025 01 Nov 2025 1 $4,085
27 Oct 2025 03 Nov 2025 1 $4,495
03 Nov 2025 10 Nov 2025 2 $4,595
05 Nov 2025 12 Nov 2025 1 $4,595
12 Nov 2025 19 Nov 2025 3 $4,595
22 Nov 2025 29 Nov 2025 2 $4,590
24 Nov 2025 01 Dec 2025 8 $3,264
29 Nov 2025 06 Dec 2025 2 $4,590
01 Dec 2025 08 Dec 2025 5 $3,609
06 Dec 2025 13 Dec 2025 2 $4,595
08 Dec 2025 15 Dec 2025 4 $3,605
15 Dec 2025 22 Dec 2025 4 $4,080
22 Dec 2025 29 Dec 2025 1 $4,530
29 Dec 2025 05 Jan 2026 9 $3,915
31 Dec 2025 07 Jan 2026 9 $3,915
03 Jan 2026 10 Jan 2026 5 $4,095
05 Jan 2026 12 Jan 2026 11 $3,700
07 Jan 2026 14 Jan 2026 8 $3,930
10 Jan 2026 17 Jan 2026 5 $4,095
12 Jan 2026 19 Jan 2026 2 $4,395
14 Jan 2026 21 Jan 2026 2 $4,595
17 Jan 2026 24 Jan 2026 1 $4,595
18 Jan 2026 25 Jan 2026 11 $3,895
19 Jan 2026 26 Jan 2026 2 $4,260
21 Jan 2026 28 Jan 2026 7 $3,890
24 Jan 2026 31 Jan 2026 6 $3,895
26 Jan 2026 02 Feb 2026 7 $3,860
02 Feb 2026 09 Feb 2026 4 $4,195
07 Feb 2026 14 Feb 2026 7 $3,830
09 Feb 2026 16 Feb 2026 4 $4,040
10 Feb 2026 17 Feb 2026 12 $3,785
14 Feb 2026 21 Feb 2026 10 $3,785
16 Feb 2026 23 Feb 2026 8 $3,800
18 Feb 2026 25 Feb 2026 12 $3,785
21 Feb 2026 28 Feb 2026 8 $3,785
23 Feb 2026 02 Mar 2026 2 $4,195
25 Feb 2026 04 Mar 2026 12 $3,785
28 Feb 2026 07 Mar 2026 12 $3,895
02 Mar 2026 09 Mar 2026 9 $3,895
04 Mar 2026 11 Mar 2026 6 $4,060
07 Mar 2026 14 Mar 2026 2 $4,395
09 Mar 2026 16 Mar 2026 11 $3,970
14 Mar 2026 21 Mar 2026 8 $3,970
16 Mar 2026 23 Mar 2026 5 $4,095
18 Mar 2026 25 Mar 2026 11 $3,970
21 Mar 2026 28 Mar 2026 7 $4,060
23 Mar 2026 30 Mar 2026 12 $3,970
25 Mar 2026 01 Apr 2026 3 $4,395
28 Mar 2026 04 Apr 2026 10 $3,970
30 Mar 2026 06 Apr 2026 11 $3,970
01 Apr 2026 08 Apr 2026 10 $3,970
04 Apr 2026 11 Apr 2026 6 $4,065
06 Apr 2026 13 Apr 2026 10 $3,970
11 Apr 2026 18 Apr 2026 10 $3,970
13 Apr 2026 20 Apr 2026 9 $3,970
15 Apr 2026 22 Apr 2026 10 $3,970
18 Apr 2026 25 Apr 2026 10 $3,970
20 Apr 2026 27 Apr 2026 10 $3,895
25 Apr 2026 02 May 2026 8 $3,960
27 Apr 2026 04 May 2026 12 $3,895
02 May 2026 09 May 2026 8 $3,960
09 May 2026 16 May 2026 11 $3,785
16 May 2026 23 May 2026 12 $3,675
23 May 2026 30 May 2026 10 $3,675
30 May 2026 06 Jun 2026 12 $3,675
06 Jun 2026 13 Jun 2026 12 $3,675
13 Jun 2026 20 Jun 2026 12 $3,675
27 Jun 2026 04 Jul 2026 12 $3,675
04 Jul 2026 11 Jul 2026 12 $3,675
11 Jul 2026 18 Jul 2026 12 $3,675
13 Jul 2026 20 Jul 2026 11 $3,675
25 Jul 2026 01 Aug 2026 12 $3,785
27 Jul 2026 03 Aug 2026 12 $3,675
08 Aug 2026 15 Aug 2026 11 $3,675
15 Aug 2026 22 Aug 2026 12 $3,675
22 Aug 2026 29 Aug 2026 12 $3,675
29 Aug 2026 05 Sep 2026 12 $3,675
05 Sep 2026 12 Sep 2026 12 $3,675
12 Sep 2026 19 Sep 2026 12 $3,675
14 Sep 2026 21 Sep 2026 12 $3,675
19 Sep 2026 26 Sep 2026 11 $3,675
26 Sep 2026 03 Oct 2026 12 $3,675
28 Sep 2026 05 Oct 2026 12 $3,675
03 Oct 2026 10 Oct 2026 12 $3,785
05 Oct 2026 12 Oct 2026 12 $3,785
07 Oct 2026 14 Oct 2026 12 $3,895
10 Oct 2026 17 Oct 2026 12 $3,895
17 Oct 2026 24 Oct 2026 12 $3,895
19 Oct 2026 26 Oct 2026 12 $3,970
24 Oct 2026 31 Oct 2026 9 $3,970
26 Oct 2026 02 Nov 2026 12 $3,970
31 Oct 2026 07 Nov 2026 12 $3,970
02 Nov 2026 09 Nov 2026 12 $3,970
04 Nov 2026 11 Nov 2026 12 $3,970
07 Nov 2026 14 Nov 2026 12 $3,970
09 Nov 2026 16 Nov 2026 12 $3,970
11 Nov 2026 18 Nov 2026 12 $3,970
14 Nov 2026 21 Nov 2026 12 $3,895
16 Nov 2026 23 Nov 2026 12 $3,895
18 Nov 2026 25 Nov 2026 6 $4,005
21 Nov 2026 28 Nov 2026 10 $3,895
23 Nov 2026 30 Nov 2026 12 $3,895
25 Nov 2026 02 Dec 2026 12 $3,895
28 Nov 2026 05 Dec 2026 12 $3,895
30 Nov 2026 07 Dec 2026 12 $3,895
05 Dec 2026 12 Dec 2026 12 $3,785
07 Dec 2026 14 Dec 2026 12 $3,785
12 Dec 2026 19 Dec 2026 12 $3,675
14 Dec 2026 21 Dec 2026 11 $3,675
19 Dec 2026 26 Dec 2026 12 $3,675
21 Dec 2026 28 Dec 2026 12 $3,785
23 Dec 2026 30 Dec 2026 12 $3,785
26 Dec 2026 02 Jan 2027 12 $3,785
28 Dec 2026 04 Jan 2027 12 $3,895
30 Dec 2026 06 Jan 2027 12 $3,895
02 Jan 2027 09 Jan 2027 12 $4,090
04 Jan 2027 11 Jan 2027 12 $4,090
06 Jan 2027 13 Jan 2027 11 $4,090
09 Jan 2027 16 Jan 2027 12 $4,090
11 Jan 2027 18 Jan 2027 12 $4,090
16 Jan 2027 23 Jan 2027 12 $4,090
18 Jan 2027 25 Jan 2027 12 $4,090
23 Jan 2027 30 Jan 2027 12 $3,975
25 Jan 2027 01 Feb 2027 12 $3,975
30 Jan 2027 06 Feb 2027 12 $3,975
01 Feb 2027 08 Feb 2027 12 $3,975
03 Feb 2027 10 Feb 2027 12 $3,975
06 Feb 2027 13 Feb 2027 11 $3,975
08 Feb 2027 15 Feb 2027 12 $3,975
10 Feb 2027 17 Feb 2027 12 $4,090
13 Feb 2027 20 Feb 2027 12 $4,090
15 Feb 2027 22 Feb 2027 12 $4,090
17 Feb 2027 24 Feb 2027 12 $4,090
20 Feb 2027 27 Feb 2027 12 $4,090
22 Feb 2027 01 Mar 2027 12 $4,090
24 Feb 2027 03 Mar 2027 12 $4,170
27 Feb 2027 06 Mar 2027 12 $4,170
01 Mar 2027 08 Mar 2027 12 $4,170
03 Mar 2027 10 Mar 2027 12 $4,170
06 Mar 2027 13 Mar 2027 12 $4,170
08 Mar 2027 15 Mar 2027 12 $4,170
10 Mar 2027 17 Mar 2027 12 $4,170
13 Mar 2027 20 Mar 2027 12 $4,170
15 Mar 2027 22 Mar 2027 12 $4,170
17 Mar 2027 24 Mar 2027 12 $4,170
20 Mar 2027 27 Mar 2027 12 $4,170
22 Mar 2027 29 Mar 2027 12 $4,170
24 Mar 2027 31 Mar 2027 12 $4,170
27 Mar 2027 03 Apr 2027 12 $4,170
29 Mar 2027 05 Apr 2027 12 $4,170
31 Mar 2027 07 Apr 2027 12 $4,170
03 Apr 2027 10 Apr 2027 12 $4,170
05 Apr 2027 12 Apr 2027 12 $4,170
10 Apr 2027 17 Apr 2027 12 $4,170
12 Apr 2027 19 Apr 2027 12 $4,090
14 Apr 2027 21 Apr 2027 12 $4,090
17 Apr 2027 24 Apr 2027 12 $4,090
19 Apr 2027 26 Apr 2027 12 $4,090
24 Apr 2027 01 May 2027 12 $3,975
26 Apr 2027 03 May 2027 12 $3,975
01 May 2027 08 May 2027 12 $3,975
03 May 2027 10 May 2027 12 $3,860
08 May 2027 15 May 2027 12 $3,860
10 May 2027 17 May 2027 12 $3,860
15 May 2027 22 May 2027 12 $3,860
22 May 2027 29 May 2027 12 $3,860
24 May 2027 31 May 2027 12 $3,860
29 May 2027 05 Jun 2027 12 $3,860
05 Jun 2027 12 Jun 2027 12 $3,860
12 Jun 2027 19 Jun 2027 12 $3,860
14 Jun 2027 21 Jun 2027 12 $3,860
19 Jun 2027 26 Jun 2027 12 $3,860
26 Jun 2027 03 Jul 2027 12 $3,860
03 Jul 2027 10 Jul 2027 12 $3,860
05 Jul 2027 12 Jul 2027 12 $3,860
10 Jul 2027 17 Jul 2027 12 $3,975
12 Jul 2027 19 Jul 2027 12 $3,975
17 Jul 2027 24 Jul 2027 12 $3,975
24 Jul 2027 31 Jul 2027 12 $3,975
26 Jul 2027 02 Aug 2027 12 $3,975
31 Jul 2027 07 Aug 2027 12 $3,860
07 Aug 2027 14 Aug 2027 12 $3,860
14 Aug 2027 21 Aug 2027 12 $3,860
21 Aug 2027 28 Aug 2027 12 $3,860
28 Aug 2027 04 Sep 2027 12 $3,860
30 Aug 2027 06 Sep 2027 12 $3,860
04 Sep 2027 11 Sep 2027 12 $3,860
11 Sep 2027 18 Sep 2027 12 $3,860
13 Sep 2027 20 Sep 2027 12 $3,860
18 Sep 2027 25 Sep 2027 12 $3,860
25 Sep 2027 02 Oct 2027 12 $3,860
27 Sep 2027 04 Oct 2027 12 $3,975
02 Oct 2027 09 Oct 2027 12 $3,975
04 Oct 2027 11 Oct 2027 12 $3,975
06 Oct 2027 13 Oct 2027 12 $3,975
09 Oct 2027 16 Oct 2027 12 $3,975
11 Oct 2027 18 Oct 2027 12 $4,090
16 Oct 2027 23 Oct 2027 12 $4,090
18 Oct 2027 25 Oct 2027 12 $4,090
23 Oct 2027 30 Oct 2027 12 $4,170
25 Oct 2027 01 Nov 2027 12 $4,170
30 Oct 2027 06 Nov 2027 12 $4,170
01 Nov 2027 08 Nov 2027 12 $4,170
03 Nov 2027 10 Nov 2027 12 $4,170
06 Nov 2027 13 Nov 2027 12 $4,170
08 Nov 2027 15 Nov 2027 12 $4,170
10 Nov 2027 17 Nov 2027 12 $4,170
13 Nov 2027 20 Nov 2027 12 $4,170
15 Nov 2027 22 Nov 2027 12 $4,090
17 Nov 2027 24 Nov 2027 12 $4,090
20 Nov 2027 27 Nov 2027 12 $4,090
22 Nov 2027 29 Nov 2027 12 $4,090
24 Nov 2027 01 Dec 2027 12 $4,090
27 Nov 2027 04 Dec 2027 12 $3,975
29 Nov 2027 06 Dec 2027 12 $3,975
04 Dec 2027 11 Dec 2027 12 $3,975
06 Dec 2027 13 Dec 2027 12 $3,860
11 Dec 2027 18 Dec 2027 12 $3,860
13 Dec 2027 20 Dec 2027 12 $3,860
15 Dec 2027 22 Dec 2027 12 $3,860
18 Dec 2027 25 Dec 2027 12 $3,975
20 Dec 2027 27 Dec 2027 12 $3,975
22 Dec 2027 29 Dec 2027 12 $3,975
25 Dec 2027 01 Jan 2028 12 $4,090
27 Dec 2027 03 Jan 2028 12 $4,090
29 Dec 2027 05 Jan 2028 12 $4,090