Vietnam Tours
Villages of Vietnam Tour
Prepare to be captivated by Vietnam's wonders on this unforgettable 14 day adventure.
The 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.
The first part focuses on Northern Vietnam – spend a few days in Hanoi exploring markets, temples and museums, plus a day trip to a nearby village to learn about local life. Head to Mai Chau and Pu Luong Nature Reserve for trekking and stunning scenery, staying overnight in an eco-lodge with breathtaking views of rice terraces, then cruise through Ha Long Bay, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Travel to Hue, the former imperial capital, to visit the Forbidden City and take a boat trip on the Perfume River. The tour also includes the Cu Chi Tunnels, used by the Viet Cong during the Vietnam War, before travelling to the Mekong Delta to explore the waterways by boat and bike, visiting floating markets, orchards and local villages.
Fully customisable, this escorted tour is perfect for first-time visitors or those who have been to Vietnam before but want a more in-depth experience – ask about our family holiday options!
Day By Day
Your Itinerary
DAY 1
Hanoi
Chao Ban, welcome to Hanoi! Met at the airport and transferred to your hotel, with no scheduled arrangements today – rest after your journey or explore the city, perhaps attending a water puppet show in the evening.
Overnight in Hanoi
DAY 2
Local Village Life
Learn about Hanoi's village life and traditions, walking and cycling through villages, visiting local markets, old houses and temples, with a cooking demonstration before lunch at a local family home. In the afternoon, cycle from Dong Ngac through Lien Mac's vegetable and flower fields, chatting with locals tending their crops.
Overnight in Hanoi · Meals included: Breakfast, lunch
DAY 3
Pu Luong Nature Reserve
Head to Mai Chau to visit the Thai people of Poom Coom village, before an intermediate-level trek (7km) through Pu Luong Nature Reserve, rewarded with spectacular views of villages and terraces, arriving at the newly opened Pu Luong eco-lodge.
Overnight in Don Village · Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
DAY 4
Pu Luong and Thanh Hoa
A relaxed morning watching the mist on the mountain summit and strolling the village, with time to visit neighbours and learn about their lives, before a scenic drive back to Hanoi.
Overnight in Hanoi · Meals included: Breakfast, lunch
DAY 5
Bai Tu Long Bay
An early departure for the roughly 4-hour journey to Ha Long Bay, boarding your cruise for a fresh seafood lunch as you cruise to Bai Tu Long Bay, with time to swim, visit a cave, kayak or relax on a secluded beach.
Overnight in Overnight on the cruise · Meals included: Lunch, dinner
DAY 6
Bai Tu Long Bay and Hue
A relaxed morning with a rowboat ride, swimming and free time before cruising back to the harbour and driving to Hanoi. In the evening, board the night train to Hue, staying in a 4-person air-conditioned soft sleeper cabin.
Overnight in Overnight train · Meals included: Breakfast, lunch
DAY 7
Hue
Arrive in Hue and explore the imperial city, learning about the royal kingdom, followed by a boat ride along the Perfume River with a stop at Thien Mu Pagoda. In the afternoon, a bike ride to the flower village of Tien Non and the paper-flower-crafting village of Thanh Tien.
Overnight in Hue · Meals included: Breakfast, lunch
DAY 8
Hue and Hill Tribe Homestay
A relaxing cyclo ride to Dong Ba market and the Royal Tombs, before heading to A Luoi town, passing Katu and Ta Oi hill tribe communities. Visit Ashau village, a former battlefield, then travel the Ho Chi Minh trail to Aka Chi village to meet the Ta Oi people, with dinner in a traditional stilt house and a cultural show.
Overnight in Traditional communal stilt house · Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
DAY 9
A Luoi to Hoi An
An easy 3-hour walk through the A Roang jungle to learn about the rich flora and fauna, followed by lunch en route to Hoi An – well known for its excellent-value tailoring.
Overnight in Hoi An · Meals included: Breakfast, lunch
DAY 10
Hoi An
Visit a fishing village to experience the life of Vietnamese fishermen, including a basket boat ride, before cycling along country roads through rice paddies and coconut trees into Hoi An town, exploring a preserved pagoda, assembly hall and the Japanese Covered Bridge.
Overnight in Hoi An · Meals included: Breakfast, lunch
DAY 11
Ho Chi Minh City and the Cu Chi Tunnels
A flight to Ho Chi Minh City, heading straight to the Cu Chi Tunnels to learn about the Viet Cong's underground survival systems during the Vietnam War. Continue to the War Remnants Museum, Notre Dame Cathedral and the historic Central Post Office.
Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City · Meals included: Breakfast
DAY 12
Mekong Delta and Ben Tre
Board a boat to visit a floating market and cruise the Mekong River to Dong Phu Island for a cycling tour through orchards and farming villages. Continue by boat to Cho Lach canals for more cycling, then to Ben Tre for dinner at a local farmer's homestay.
Overnight in Local farmer's homestay, Ben Tre · Meals included: Lunch, dinner
DAY 13
Ben Tre Cycling
A big cycling day (around 35km) along the river through Ben Tre's coconut-palm-lined roads, pausing to taste seasonal fruits and join a coconut-candy workshop, plus a short canal cruise, before transferring back to Ho Chi Minh City.
Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City · Meals included: Breakfast, lunch
DAY 14
Ho Chi Minh City
Breakfast at the hotel and check out, with time for shopping or a last walk around the city before transferring to Tan Son Nhat International Airport for your flight home.
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Know Before You Go
Included & Excluded
What’s Included
Arrival and departure transfers
Air-conditioned vehicle transfers throughout
Accommodation as shown in 3-star accommodation – 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 in the itinerary
What’s Not Included
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
Tour Map
Book With Confidence
Dates & Prices
This is a private tour, scheduled to your requirements.
From £1,895 per person, based on two people sharing per room
Single Supplement – £135
Good to Know
Travel Information
Safety, Passport, Visa and Health Information
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 for Vietnam.
Your passport should be valid for 6 months from your date of arrival in Vietnam, and should be in good condition – a number of British nationals have been refused entry due to a damaged passport. For stays longer than 15 days, apply for an e-visa online (up to 30 days, single entry) or ask your travel agent to arrange a visa pre-approval letter.
If travelling with prescription medicine, carry it in your hand luggage with a copy of the prescription, and declare it at customs if its import value exceeds US$100. Vietnam has restrictions on medicines classified as addictive or psychotropic, so contact the Vietnamese Embassy in advance if unsure.
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. In an emergency, dial 115 for an ambulance – complex treatment may require evacuation to Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City, so make sure you have adequate travel health insurance.
Vietnamese law requires everyone to carry photographic ID at all times – carry a photocopy of your passport details and visa, keeping the original safe. Penalties for drug possession can be severe, including the death sentence for even small amounts. Never photograph near military installations.
What to Bring
Lightweight cotton garments are advised – women may need shoulders and legs covered below the knee at certain sites. A lightweight, fold-up raincoat or poncho is advisable, and a sleep sheet is useful for the overnight sleeper train (also available to buy cheaply in Hanoi). Comfortable walking shoes plus flip-flops are the ideal footwear.
Please allow yourself one main piece of luggage and a day-sack – you're expected to carry your own baggage, so don't overload yourself; a soft wheely bag may be easier to manage than a suitcase, plus an overnight bag for the night aboard the boat in Halong Bay. We also recommend a sunhat, sunscreen, a torch, DEET-based mosquito repellent, antihistamine cream, a water bottle and a universal travel adaptor.
While You're There
The local currency is the Vietnamese Dong, though US dollars can be used directly for some hotels, restaurants and tours – only change money at official exchange counters, as changing elsewhere is illegal. Credit cards are widely accepted, but carry cash as backup in rural areas, and ATMs are widely available in major cities.
Vietnam has a tropical monsoon climate, with tropical cyclones affecting the eastern coastal regions typically from May to November, bringing heavy rainfall and potential flooding. Vietnam uses 2-pin round plugs on a 220V/50Hz supply, is on GMT+7, and wifi is available in almost all hotels, cafés and restaurants.
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