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. 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
$2,932
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.
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 total 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. Learn about the geography of the region, visit Surprise Cave where your leader will point out interesting rock formations and in the warmer months, maybe swim on Ti Top Island Beach or take an optional kayaking tour. 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 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 epxlore 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 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 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 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.
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, 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.
  • 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
09 Aug 2024 16 Aug 2024 5 $2,932
24 Aug 2024 31 Aug 2024 1 $3,022
31 Aug 2024 07 Sep 2024 5 $2,992
23 Sep 2024 30 Sep 2024 1 $3,170
28 Sep 2024 05 Oct 2024 8 $3,047
02 Oct 2024 09 Oct 2024 4 $3,047
12 Oct 2024 19 Oct 2024 5 $3,170
18 Oct 2024 25 Oct 2024 6 $3,047
19 Oct 2024 26 Oct 2024 10 $3,047
26 Oct 2024 02 Nov 2024 3 $3,200
30 Oct 2024 06 Nov 2024 6 $3,506
06 Nov 2024 13 Nov 2024 4 $3,388
18 Nov 2024 25 Nov 2024 6 $3,357
20 Nov 2024 27 Nov 2024 5 $3,456
25 Nov 2024 02 Dec 2024 7 $3,388
27 Nov 2024 04 Dec 2024 8 $3,357
30 Nov 2024 07 Dec 2024 8 $3,357
02 Dec 2024 09 Dec 2024 8 $3,388
06 Dec 2024 13 Dec 2024 9 $3,357
14 Dec 2024 21 Dec 2024 10 $3,357
18 Dec 2024 25 Dec 2024 12 $3,730
21 Dec 2024 28 Dec 2024 7 $3,765
24 Dec 2024 31 Dec 2024 2 $4,100
28 Dec 2024 04 Jan 2025 6 $3,840
30 Dec 2024 06 Jan 2025 6 $3,840
01 Jan 2025 08 Jan 2025 12 $3,675
04 Jan 2025 11 Jan 2025 12 $3,675
06 Jan 2025 13 Jan 2025 9 $3,675
11 Jan 2025 18 Jan 2025 10 $3,675
13 Jan 2025 20 Jan 2025 8 $3,675
18 Jan 2025 25 Jan 2025 10 $3,675
20 Jan 2025 27 Jan 2025 8 $3,675
25 Jan 2025 01 Feb 2025 10 $3,675
27 Jan 2025 03 Feb 2025 12 $3,675
01 Feb 2025 08 Feb 2025 12 $3,820
03 Feb 2025 10 Feb 2025 12 $3,820
05 Feb 2025 12 Feb 2025 12 $3,820
08 Feb 2025 15 Feb 2025 4 $3,895
10 Feb 2025 17 Feb 2025 8 $3,820
15 Feb 2025 22 Feb 2025 10 $3,820
17 Feb 2025 24 Feb 2025 10 $3,820
19 Feb 2025 26 Feb 2025 7 $3,860
22 Feb 2025 01 Mar 2025 12 $3,820
24 Feb 2025 03 Mar 2025 4 $3,860
01 Mar 2025 08 Mar 2025 12 $3,820
03 Mar 2025 10 Mar 2025 10 $3,860
05 Mar 2025 12 Mar 2025 12 $3,820
08 Mar 2025 15 Mar 2025 8 $3,970
10 Mar 2025 17 Mar 2025 12 $3,970
12 Mar 2025 19 Mar 2025 12 $3,970
15 Mar 2025 22 Mar 2025 12 $3,970
17 Mar 2025 24 Mar 2025 12 $3,970
19 Mar 2025 26 Mar 2025 10 $3,970
22 Mar 2025 29 Mar 2025 12 $3,970
24 Mar 2025 31 Mar 2025 12 $3,970
26 Mar 2025 02 Apr 2025 12 $3,970
29 Mar 2025 05 Apr 2025 12 $3,970
31 Mar 2025 07 Apr 2025 12 $3,970
02 Apr 2025 09 Apr 2025 12 $3,970
05 Apr 2025 12 Apr 2025 12 $3,970
07 Apr 2025 14 Apr 2025 12 $3,970
12 Apr 2025 19 Apr 2025 12 $3,970
14 Apr 2025 21 Apr 2025 12 $3,970
16 Apr 2025 23 Apr 2025 12 $3,970
19 Apr 2025 26 Apr 2025 7 $4,010
21 Apr 2025 28 Apr 2025 12 $3,970
23 Apr 2025 30 Apr 2025 12 $3,970
26 Apr 2025 03 May 2025 11 $3,970
28 Apr 2025 05 May 2025 12 $3,970
03 May 2025 10 May 2025 12 $3,820
10 May 2025 17 May 2025 12 $3,820
12 May 2025 19 May 2025 12 $3,820
17 May 2025 24 May 2025 12 $3,675
24 May 2025 31 May 2025 12 $3,675
26 May 2025 02 Jun 2025 12 $3,675
31 May 2025 07 Jun 2025 8 $3,675
07 Jun 2025 14 Jun 2025 10 $3,675
14 Jun 2025 21 Jun 2025 12 $3,675
21 Jun 2025 28 Jun 2025 12 $3,675
28 Jun 2025 05 Jul 2025 12 $3,675
05 Jul 2025 12 Jul 2025 12 $3,675
12 Jul 2025 19 Jul 2025 12 $3,675
14 Jul 2025 21 Jul 2025 12 $3,675
19 Jul 2025 26 Jul 2025 11 $3,675
26 Jul 2025 02 Aug 2025 12 $3,675
28 Jul 2025 04 Aug 2025 12 $3,675
02 Aug 2025 09 Aug 2025 12 $3,675
09 Aug 2025 16 Aug 2025 12 $3,675
16 Aug 2025 23 Aug 2025 12 $3,675
23 Aug 2025 30 Aug 2025 12 $3,675
30 Aug 2025 06 Sep 2025 12 $3,675
01 Sep 2025 08 Sep 2025 12 $3,675
06 Sep 2025 13 Sep 2025 12 $3,675
13 Sep 2025 20 Sep 2025 12 $3,675
15 Sep 2025 22 Sep 2025 12 $3,675
20 Sep 2025 27 Sep 2025 12 $3,675
27 Sep 2025 04 Oct 2025 12 $3,675
29 Sep 2025 06 Oct 2025 12 $3,820
04 Oct 2025 11 Oct 2025 12 $3,820
11 Oct 2025 18 Oct 2025 12 $3,820
13 Oct 2025 20 Oct 2025 12 $3,820
18 Oct 2025 25 Oct 2025 12 $3,820
20 Oct 2025 27 Oct 2025 12 $3,820
25 Oct 2025 01 Nov 2025 12 $3,820
27 Oct 2025 03 Nov 2025 12 $3,820
03 Nov 2025 10 Nov 2025 12 $3,970
05 Nov 2025 12 Nov 2025 12 $3,970
08 Nov 2025 15 Nov 2025 12 $3,970
10 Nov 2025 17 Nov 2025 12 $3,970
12 Nov 2025 19 Nov 2025 12 $3,970
15 Nov 2025 22 Nov 2025 10 $3,970
17 Nov 2025 24 Nov 2025 12 $3,970
19 Nov 2025 26 Nov 2025 12 $3,970
22 Nov 2025 29 Nov 2025 12 $3,970
24 Nov 2025 01 Dec 2025 12 $3,970
26 Nov 2025 03 Dec 2025 12 $3,970
29 Nov 2025 06 Dec 2025 12 $3,970
01 Dec 2025 08 Dec 2025 12 $3,820
06 Dec 2025 13 Dec 2025 12 $3,820
08 Dec 2025 15 Dec 2025 12 $3,820
13 Dec 2025 20 Dec 2025 12 $3,820
15 Dec 2025 22 Dec 2025 12 $3,820
20 Dec 2025 27 Dec 2025 12 $3,820
22 Dec 2025 29 Dec 2025 12 $3,820
27 Dec 2025 03 Jan 2026 12 $3,820
29 Dec 2025 05 Jan 2026 12 $3,820
31 Dec 2025 07 Jan 2026 12 $3,820
03 Jan 2026 10 Jan 2026 12 $3,860
05 Jan 2026 12 Jan 2026 12 $3,860
07 Jan 2026 14 Jan 2026 12 $3,860
10 Jan 2026 17 Jan 2026 12 $3,860
12 Jan 2026 19 Jan 2026 12 $3,860
17 Jan 2026 24 Jan 2026 12 $3,860
19 Jan 2026 26 Jan 2026 12 $3,860
24 Jan 2026 31 Jan 2026 12 $3,860
26 Jan 2026 02 Feb 2026 12 $3,860
31 Jan 2026 07 Feb 2026 12 $3,860
02 Feb 2026 09 Feb 2026 12 $4,010
04 Feb 2026 11 Feb 2026 12 $4,010
07 Feb 2026 14 Feb 2026 12 $4,010
09 Feb 2026 16 Feb 2026 12 $4,010
14 Feb 2026 21 Feb 2026 12 $4,010
16 Feb 2026 23 Feb 2026 12 $4,010
18 Feb 2026 25 Feb 2026 12 $4,010
21 Feb 2026 28 Feb 2026 12 $4,010
23 Feb 2026 02 Mar 2026 12 $4,010
28 Feb 2026 07 Mar 2026 12 $4,010
02 Mar 2026 09 Mar 2026 12 $4,010
04 Mar 2026 11 Mar 2026 12 $4,010
07 Mar 2026 14 Mar 2026 12 $4,010
09 Mar 2026 16 Mar 2026 12 $4,170
11 Mar 2026 18 Mar 2026 12 $4,170
14 Mar 2026 21 Mar 2026 12 $4,170
16 Mar 2026 23 Mar 2026 12 $4,170
18 Mar 2026 25 Mar 2026 12 $4,170
21 Mar 2026 28 Mar 2026 12 $4,170
23 Mar 2026 30 Mar 2026 12 $4,170
25 Mar 2026 01 Apr 2026 12 $4,170
28 Mar 2026 04 Apr 2026 12 $4,170
30 Mar 2026 06 Apr 2026 12 $4,170
01 Apr 2026 08 Apr 2026 12 $4,170
04 Apr 2026 11 Apr 2026 12 $4,170
06 Apr 2026 13 Apr 2026 12 $4,170
11 Apr 2026 18 Apr 2026 12 $4,170
13 Apr 2026 20 Apr 2026 12 $4,170
15 Apr 2026 22 Apr 2026 12 $4,170
18 Apr 2026 25 Apr 2026 12 $4,170
20 Apr 2026 27 Apr 2026 12 $4,170
22 Apr 2026 29 Apr 2026 12 $4,170
25 Apr 2026 02 May 2026 12 $4,170
27 Apr 2026 04 May 2026 12 $4,170
02 May 2026 09 May 2026 12 $4,010
09 May 2026 16 May 2026 12 $4,010
11 May 2026 18 May 2026 12 $4,010
16 May 2026 23 May 2026 12 $3,860
23 May 2026 30 May 2026 12 $3,860
25 May 2026 01 Jun 2026 12 $3,860
30 May 2026 06 Jun 2026 12 $3,860
06 Jun 2026 13 Jun 2026 12 $3,860
13 Jun 2026 20 Jun 2026 12 $3,860
20 Jun 2026 27 Jun 2026 12 $3,860
27 Jun 2026 04 Jul 2026 12 $3,860
04 Jul 2026 11 Jul 2026 12 $3,860
11 Jul 2026 18 Jul 2026 12 $3,860
13 Jul 2026 20 Jul 2026 12 $3,860
18 Jul 2026 25 Jul 2026 12 $3,860
25 Jul 2026 01 Aug 2026 12 $3,860
27 Jul 2026 03 Aug 2026 12 $3,860
01 Aug 2026 08 Aug 2026 12 $3,860
08 Aug 2026 15 Aug 2026 12 $3,860
15 Aug 2026 22 Aug 2026 12 $3,860
22 Aug 2026 29 Aug 2026 12 $3,860
29 Aug 2026 05 Sep 2026 12 $3,860
31 Aug 2026 07 Sep 2026 12 $3,860
05 Sep 2026 12 Sep 2026 12 $3,860
12 Sep 2026 19 Sep 2026 12 $3,860
14 Sep 2026 21 Sep 2026 12 $3,860
19 Sep 2026 26 Sep 2026 12 $3,860
26 Sep 2026 03 Oct 2026 12 $4,010
28 Sep 2026 05 Oct 2026 12 $4,010
03 Oct 2026 10 Oct 2026 12 $4,010
10 Oct 2026 17 Oct 2026 12 $4,010
12 Oct 2026 19 Oct 2026 12 $4,010
17 Oct 2026 24 Oct 2026 12 $4,010
19 Oct 2026 26 Oct 2026 12 $4,010
24 Oct 2026 31 Oct 2026 12 $4,010
26 Oct 2026 02 Nov 2026 12 $4,010
02 Nov 2026 09 Nov 2026 12 $4,170
04 Nov 2026 11 Nov 2026 12 $4,170
07 Nov 2026 14 Nov 2026 12 $4,170
09 Nov 2026 16 Nov 2026 12 $4,170
11 Nov 2026 18 Nov 2026 12 $4,170
14 Nov 2026 21 Nov 2026 12 $4,170
16 Nov 2026 23 Nov 2026 12 $4,170
18 Nov 2026 25 Nov 2026 12 $4,170
21 Nov 2026 28 Nov 2026 12 $4,170
23 Nov 2026 30 Nov 2026 12 $4,170
25 Nov 2026 02 Dec 2026 12 $4,170
28 Nov 2026 05 Dec 2026 12 $4,170
30 Nov 2026 07 Dec 2026 12 $4,170
05 Dec 2026 12 Dec 2026 12 $4,010
07 Dec 2026 14 Dec 2026 12 $4,010
12 Dec 2026 19 Dec 2026 12 $4,010
14 Dec 2026 21 Dec 2026 12 $4,010
19 Dec 2026 26 Dec 2026 12 $4,010
21 Dec 2026 28 Dec 2026 12 $4,010
26 Dec 2026 02 Jan 2027 12 $4,010
28 Dec 2026 04 Jan 2027 12 $4,010
30 Dec 2026 06 Jan 2027 12 $4,010