Villages of Vietnam Escorted Tour
Villages of Vietnam Tour
This exceptional escorted adventure delves into the heart of Vietnam, showcasing its rich tapestry of history, culture, and breathtaking natural landscapes. Soft adventure activities are carefully chosen to cater to all experience levels, making this the perfect journey for both seasoned adventurers and those new to exploration. Prepare to be captivated by Vietnam's wonders on this unforgettable 14 day adventure.
The first part focuses on Northern Vietnam. You'll spend a few days in Hanoi, where you can explore the city's markets, temples, and museums. You'll also take a day trip to a nearby village to learn about local life and customs. Next, you'll head to Mai Chau and Pu Luong Nature Reserve for some trekking and stunning scenery. You'll stay overnight in an eco-lodge and enjoy breathtaking views of rice terraces.
You'll cruise through Ha Long Bay, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and admire its towering limestone pillars and hidden caves. Then, you'll travel to Hue, the former imperial capital, where you'll visit the Forbidden City and take a boat trip on the Perfume River.
The tour also includes a visit to the Cu Chi Tunnels, a network of underground passages used by the Viet Cong during the Vietnam War. You'll then travel to the Mekong Delta, where you'll explore the waterways by boat and bike, visiting floating markets, orchards, and local villages. You'll also have a chance to learn about the traditional way of life in the Delta.
Fully customisable, this escorted tour is perfect for first time visitor or those who have been to Vietnam before but want a more in-depth experience. Ask about our family holiday options!
Day 1 – Hanoi
Chao Ban and welcome to Hanoi! You will be met at the airport and take the drive to your hotel for check-in. There are no scheduled arrangements today. Depending on your time of arrival, you can choose to rest after your journey or explore the city. In the evening, you may want to attend one of the cultural shows such as the water puppet show or Ca Tru, Tuong, Cheo. If you arrive on the weekend, you can visit the lively night market.
Stay overnight in Hanoi
Day 2 – Local Village Life
You’ll be met at your hotel this morning at 8.30am for a short transfer out of Hanoi. Today you will be learning about Hanoi's’ village life and its traditions and customs. You get to walk and cycle along the villages, visit local markets, some old houses, their worshipping temples as well as communal houses. Then, you will be treated to a cooking demonstration before lunch at one of the local family houses.
In the afternoon, set out from Dong Ngac, cycling on mostly rural lanes through surrounding villages to Lien Mac, a beautiful area of immaculately tended vegetables and flowers. Here, you get a close-up look at the colourful fields and have the chance to chat with some of the local people who you will find out caring for their crops. After taking another route from Lien Mac back to Dong Ngac, you have a short break for a drink at your host family’s home, bid your farewells, and then catch the van back to your hotel in Hanoi, arriving around 5pm.
Stay overnight in Hanoi
Inclusion: Transfer, guide, entrance fees, breakfast, lunch, local bike, community development fund.
Day 3 – Pu Luong Nature Reserve
You depart from your hotel this morning and head to Mai Chau. Upon arrival at the Poom Coom village in Mai Chau (home to a majority of the Thai people), take a short walk to visit the ethnic Thai people before lunch will be served. Around 1pm, you will have a short car ride for (approximately 1 hour) before you set off for a hike through the beauty of the Pu Luong nature reserve. The trek is on an intermediate level and requires some walking uphill, but it is worth your effort, as you will get to see many spectacular views of the villages and terraces. You will arrive at Don village in the afternoon, where you check in at the Pu Luong eco lodge. This recently opened lodge has an incredible view of the rice terraces and the mountain range. You have some time to walk around the village or take a swim in the swimming pool of the lodge. In the evening, have dinner at the lodge and spend your night here.
Overnight in Don Village
Trek - Distance: 7 km Trail Difficulty: 3/5
Inclusion: Transfer, guide, entrance fee, all meals, water, eco-lodge
Day 4 - Pu Luong and Thanh Hoa
Wake up as early to witness the daily life of the locals before having breakfast at 7am and enjoy the fresh air while watching the mist on the mountain summit. You have a relaxed morning today and time to stroll around the village. Pay a visit to some of the neighbours and you can learn more about their lives. If the time allows, you can do some more hiking before catching a van ride to the lunch spot. It is then a scenic drive back to Hanoi, where you arrive at your hotel around 5pm.
Stay overnight in Hanoi
Inclusion: Transfer, guide, water, breakfast, lunch
Day 5 - Bai Tu Long Bay
You will leave the hotel early this morning for a shared trip to Ha Long Bay. It wil take about 4 hours to get you to the port, arriving around noon. There you will be welcomed on board and shown to your cabin before the trip briefing. Have a fresh, local seafood lunch while you cruise to Bai Tu Long Bay. There is time to stop for a swim and visit a mysterious cave. Afterwards, you can relax at a secluded island beach or explore the bay by kayaking. In the evening, enjoy your dinner and get the chance to view the sunset.
Overnight on the cruise
Inclusion: Shuttle bus, guide, entrance fees, kayak, boat/junk, lunch, dinner, permits.
Day 6 – Bai Tu Long Bay and Hue
A relaxed morning with the chance to enjoy the sunrise and the quiet, breath-taking beauty of the bay’s landscape. Breakfast will be served around 8am, before you get to go on a short rowboat ride with the locals. Later on, you can swim in the middle of the bay and there will be ample time until the cabin check-out at 11:45 AM. Lunch will be served on the boat as you slowly cruise back. Once back at the harbour, we drive to Hanoi and arrive around 5pm where there is time for you to have a quick shower and to get changed ready for the night train to Hue! At 6.30pm you will be transferred to the train station for the night train. Make sure that you organize your own dinner today, which you can either have at the train station or bring it along and have in the train itself. You will be staying in a 4-person soft sleeper, air conditioned cabin.
Overnight on the train.
Inclusion: Transfer, guide, entrance fee, boat/junk, breakfast, lunch, train ticket
Day 7 - Hue
The train will arrive in Hue around 9,30am and you will be picked up and transferred to your hotel for a late breakfast. It is then time to explore the imperial city to learn all about the royal kingdom here in the past. After a short history lesson, you will embark for a beautiful boat ride along the Perfume River, with a stop at the Thien Mu Pagoda. You continue the boat journey downstream and have lunch onboard while travelling down the Perfume River.
Your afternoon starts with a bike ride to visit the flower village of Tien Non, followed by Thanh Tien village, known for its paper flower crafting. You can try to make one yourself. With some expert guidance. You will then ride more through of the beautiful and peaceful countryside of Hue before hitting the road back to your hotel.
Stay overnight in Hue
Cycling Distance: 14 km
Inclusion: Transfer, guide, entrance fee, boat trip, breakfast, lunch
Day 8 – Hue and Hill Tribe Homestay
The day starts with a relaxing 1-hour Vietnam cyclo ride to visit Dong Ba market and to explore some of the Royal Tombs. Its then time to head back to the hotel for a shower, check out, followed by lunch at a local restaurant. In the afternoon, you will leave Hue for A Luoi town (about 60 km). Along the way you can see the life and daily activities of the Katu and Ta Oi hill tribes. On arrival in A Luoi town, you visit the Ashau village, a violent battlefield during the war, which was also severely hit with dioxin poison. You will then travel to A Roang along the Ho Chi Minh trail, taking a rest at a local hot spring. Finally, we arrive at Aka Chi village where we meet and learn about the Ta Oi people. Have dinner in their traditional stilt house and try local delicacies, as well as enjoy a cultural show.
Overnight at the traditional communal house (stilt-house)
Inclusion: Transfer, guide, entrance fee, all meals, traditional music show, permit, homestay
Day 9 - A Luoi to Hoi An
Wake up early morning and enjoy the fresh air and peaceful mountainous area. Breakfast is served at your homestay. This morning, take an easy walk through the A Roang jungle for about 3 hours and learn about the rich fauna and flora eco-system You will have lunch at a local restaurant on the way to Hoi An.
Stay overnight in Hoi An
Tip: This is a great place for you to get tailor-made clothes at very reasonable prices. Hoi An is well known for its tailoring!
Trekking Distance: 8km Trail Difficulty: 2/5
Inclusion: Transfer, guide, entrance fee, breakfast, lunch
Day 10 – Hoi An
Your guide and driver will meet you at the hotel for a very short transfer to the boat docks. Today, you are going to a fishing village where you can see and experience the life of the Vietnamese fisherman. You can take part in fishing related activities such as preparing the fishing tools before taking a short basket boat ride. Enjoy lunch before jumping on another form of transport! This afternoon, cycle along the country roads, through the rice paddy and corn fields as well as through numerous coconut trees, before heading towards the main town of Hoi An.
Your afternoon will continue with some sightseeing of the cultural sites around the charming town. You can discover a preserved pagoda, an assembly hall and the Japanese Covered Bridge.
Stay overnight in Hoi An
Inclusion: Transfer, guide, local bike, local boat, breakfast, lunch, water & snack
Day 11 - Ho Chi Minh City and the Cu Chi tunnels
Your Vietnam holiday continues with a transfer to the Da Nang airport for an early morning flight to Ho Chi Minh City (HCM). You will be met at the airport and head straight to the Cu Chi tunnels. Here you will view its outdoor museum and learn more about the infamous tunnel systems of the Viet Cong soldiers during the Vietnam (American) War. In the tunnels you discover how the Viet Cong survived underground during the war with clever traps and bomb craters. Back in HCM City, continue your trip to visit the War Remnants Museum, the Notre Dame Cathedral and the historic Central Post Office. You will be dropped off at your hotel around 5.30pm.
Stay overnight in Hoi An
Inclusion: Transfer, guide, domestic flight ticket, breakfast, entrance fee
Day 12 - Mekong Delta and Ben Tre
You head to the south to Cai Be and board a boat to visit the floating market and cruise along the mighty Mekong River to Dong Phu Island. Here you will start a cycling tour, riding under a green canopy of coconut palms, exploring the orchards and daily life of farmers. Enjoy your lunch break on the island. It is then time to get back on the boat to cruise down the Mekong to the Cho Lach canals. Here it is back on the bikes to discover the local nursery gardens and fruit orchards before taking another short cruise to Ben Tre for dinner and overnight at a local farmer's house.
Overnight at local homestay
Distance: 30-50 km Trail Difficulty: 2/5
Inclusion: Transfer, guide, entrance fee, lunch, dinner, bikes, local boat, seasonal fruits, local farmer's homestay.
Day 13 – Ben Tre Cycling
Breakfast is served at the homestay and then you prepare for your big day of cycling (approximately 35 km). Our route today takes us along the river, through Ben Tre's coconut palm lined roads, to pause for lunch and taste seasonal fruits, joining a coconut-candy workshop and a handicraft workshop (if time permits). A short canal cruise is also part of our activities today. You will then transfer back to HCM City and arrive at your hotel around 5.30pm.
Distance: 25-40 km Trail Difficulty: 2/5
Inclusion: Transfer, guide, entrance fee, breakfast, lunch, bike, local boat, seasonal fruit, hotel
Day 14 – Ho Chi Minh City
On your last day, have some breakfast at hotel and check out before 12:00 PM. Depending on your flight, you may have some time for shopping or for a last walk around the city. When it is time, you will be taken to the Tan Son Nhat international airport for your flight back home.
Inclusion: Breakfast at hotel, transfer
Get in touch with Our Local Tour to book the Villages of Vietnam Tour
Departure Dates
Private Tour - Scheduled to your requirements
Price - from £1895 per person (based on two people sharing per room)
Single Supplement - £135
Included in the Villages of Vietnam Tour
- Arrival and departure transfers
- Air-conditioned vehicle transfers throughout.
- Accommodation as shown in 3 star accomodation - Contact us for upgrades to 4 or 5 star options
- Overnight train from Hanoi to Hue
- Flight from Da Nang to Ho Chi Minh City
- All excursions as shown on the itinerary
Not Included in the Villages of Vietnam Tour
- International travel to the start and end point - contact us for information and flight options
- Any airport taxes
- Travel Insurance
- Any visa requirements
- Drinks
- Items of a personal nature
- Tips for drivers and guides
Government Travel Safety Advice
We strongly recommend that you check your government's travel advisory for up-to-date information and advice about your destination: safety and security, entry requirements, health, local laws and customs. For UK citizens, check the latest Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office advice. Please refer to the COVID-19 entry requirements page for any country-specific conditions of entry.
Visa and Passport Information
Passport validity
If you are visiting Vietnam, your passport should be valid for 6 months from the date you arrive.
A number of British nationals have been refused entry and exit due to their passport being damaged. Make sure your passport is in good condition before arriving in Vietnam. Being refused entry can result in significant cost and a long stay at the airport.
Visas
If you want to stay in Vietnam, you should only do so legally and with the right visa and permission to stay. If you wish to remain in Vietnam as a tourist for longer than 15 days there are two visa options:
- Book a tour with a travel agent in Vietnam requesting that the agent applies for a visa pre-approval letter for your travel to Vietnam. On receipt of the pre-approval letter by the Vietnamese Embassy your agent will inform you when to collect your visa from the Embassy;
- Apply for an e-visa online through the online portal. E-visas are issued for stays of up to 30 days, single entry only. Use of the e-visa is limited to certain entry/exit points which you must select at the time of application. You cannot make any amendments once your application is completed.
Tourists to Vietnam can only apply for 30-day tourist visa. Tourist visas currently cannot be extended. Paid or volunteer work, missionary work, or other activities not related to tourism are not allowed under tourist visas.
Health
At least 8 weeks before your trip, check the latest country-specific health advice from the National Travel Health Network and Centre (NaTHNaC) on the TravelHealthPro website. Each country-specific page has information on vaccine recommendations, any current health risks or outbreaks, and factsheets with information on staying healthy abroad. Guidance is also available from NHS (Scotland) on the FitForTravel website.
General information on travel vaccinations and a travel health checklist is available on the NHS website. You may then wish to contact your health adviser or pharmacy for advice on other preventive measures and managing any pre-existing medical conditions while you’re abroad.
While travel can be enjoyable, it can sometimes be challenging. There are clear links between mental and physical health, so looking after yourself during travel and when abroad is important. Further information is available from the National Travel Health Network and Centre (NaTHNaC).
Medication
If you’re travelling with prescription or over-the-counter medicine, read this guidance from NaTHNaC on best practice when travelling with medicines.
If you’re taking prescription medication into Vietnam, carry it in your hand-luggage with a copy of the prescription. If it has a total import value greater than US$100, you should declare it at customs. Some specific medicines can be hard to find in Vietnam and many medications on sale are counterfeit.
Vietnam has restrictions on medicines which it classifies as “addictive” or “psychotropic” medicine. These include medicine that can be used for the treatment of addiction, to treat anxiety, depression, insomnia and other conditions. The rules say that you must not have more than the quantity prescribed by a doctor for 7 days (addictive medicine) or 10 days (psychotropic medicine). The prescription should be in English or Vietnamese and include your name and age and list the name, volume and dosage of the medicine(s). It must also include the doctor’s signature or address. If you’re unsure if your medication falls within these categories or if you need to bring in more medication than is usually allowed you should contact the Vietnamese Embassy in advance of travelling.
Medical treatment
If you need emergency medical assistance during your trip, dial 115 and ask for an ambulance. You should contact your insurance/medical assistance company promptly if you are referred to a medical facility for treatment.
The healthcare system in Vietnam is resilient and effective for the majority of medical care across the country as a whole. However, there are differences in capacity and capability between medical services in cities and some rural areas. More complicated treatment may require evacuation to a central hospital (in Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City). The most complex medical cases may require evacuation to another country. Make sure you have adequate travel health insurance and accessible funds to cover the cost of any medical treatment abroad and repatriation. Complete the next of kin details in the back of your passport.
What to bring on your Villages of Vietnam tour
Clothing
We advise packing lightweight cotton garments. Ladies may need to have their shoulders and legs (to below the knee) covered when visiting certain sites, so please pack accordingly. A lightweight, fold up raincoat or poncho is advisable. Bring along a sleep sheet if taking an overnight sleeper train in Vietnam. These also can be easily purchased in Hanoi at an approx. cost of USD$5.
Footwear
Comfortable walking shoes in addition to flip flops/thongs
Luggage while on your tour
Please allow yourself one main piece of luggage and a day-sack. Remember, you are expected to carry your own baggage, so don't overload yourself, a soft wheely bag may be easier to manage than a suit case. Bring along an overnight bag, if your tour includes a night aboard a boat in Halong Bay.
Equipment
We recommend a sunhat, sunscreen, a torch, DEET based mosquito repellent and antihistamine cream plus a waterbottle and Universal travel adaptor.
Currency
The local currency is Vietnam Dong (VND). Most payments are made with Vietnamese Dong, but US dollars can be directly used for some hotels, restaurants, tours, or other services. You may see the prices for food, drinks, and souvenirs in Ho Chi Minh City's airport are all in US dollars. Only change money at official money exchange counters with a clear sign showing this status. Changing money elsewhere is illegal and while higher rate may be on offer you may risk losing your money. Credit cards are widely accepted but, in rural areas particularly, you should carry cash as a back-up. It may be difficult to cash travellers’ cheques. ATMs are widely available in major cities and tourist areas.
Use of electronic devices
Vietnam operates on a 220V supply voltage and 50Hz. They use a 2 Pin Round plug.
Traveller Safety
Vietnamese law requires everyone to carry photographic ID at all times. You should carry a photocopy of the pages from your passport with your personal details and visa for ID, and leave the original document in a safe place. Penalties for possession, distribution or manufacture of drugs can be severe. Anyone found in possession of even a small amount of drugs can face the death sentence. Crimes like sex offences can attract very long prison terms, or a death sentence. The Vietnamese legal system is not well developed and the standard of prisons is very poor.
It’s illegal to buy, sell, kill or collect protected wild animal or plants. Vietnam is a signatory to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). Those caught buying or trafficking these items could be prosecuted and receive lengthy prison sentences or fines.
Never take photographs near military installations.
Weather in Vietnam
Tropical cyclones affect the eastern coastal regions. In addition to strong winds, the associated rainfall frequently leads to flooding and disruption to transport. The season normally runs from May to November, but tropical cyclones can occur outside this period. Monitor approaching storms on the National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting website and follow the advice of the local authorities, including any evacuation orders.
Vietnam has a tropical monsoon climate which produces large amounts of rain in short periods of time over and above rainfall associated with cyclones. Localised flooding, flash floods and landslides are common and care should be taken if trekking in rural and mountainous areas.
Time Zone
Vietnam (GMT +07:00)
Internet Availability
Internet and wifi are available almost everywhere in Vietnam. About 98% of all hotels and hostels has Wi-Fi, and only in very remote places such as eome national parks will it not be standard. Many cafes and restaurants also have WiFi. The speed of internet in cities is normally pretty good, but usually not fast enough to stream.
