Vietnam Tours
Explore Vietnam by Train and Boat Tour
Explore Vietnam by train and boat on this 13 day tour. Led by locals and taking you to meet the real people, this is an authentic Vietnam tour.
Explore Vietnam by Train and Boat
As you'd expect from a country that is long and skinny, there's plenty of variety when travelling around Vietnam. For example, discover the emerald paddy fields and white-sand beaches, modern cities and ancient pagodas. You also find limestone islands looming dramatically out of the sea, vast caves and craggy mountains. Finally, meet friendly minority communities with their elaborate tribal costumes and age-old customs.
Travel to Vietnam and you are certain to be welcomed with traditional warmth and some curiosity. Mix into this some of the region's most famous cuisine. As a result, you'll soon see why so many people visit Vietnam more than once. Above all, what better way to travel for an authentic experience than seeing Vietnam by train?
Day By Day
Your Itinerary
DAY 1
Arrive in Hanoi
Our local guide meets and greets you on arrival. Then check in to your hotel with time to relax. This evening, there is a group meeting with your leader. Afterwards, enjoy a traditional dinner at the home of a three-generation Hanoi family.
Overnight in Thang Long Espana Hanoi Hotel or similar · Meals included: Dinner
DAY 2
Discover Hanoi
A guided city tour visits the Temple of Literature, Vietnam's first university, and the Museum of Ethnology. You also see the charming Old Quarter with its thousand small shops and temples. Afterwards, the afternoon is free, with a range of optional experiences available.
Overnight in Thang Long Espana Hanoi Hotel or similar · Meals included: Breakfast
DAY 3
Halong Bay
Head to Halong Bay and check in to your cruiser. You spend the night in the most isolated part of the bay. After lunch on board, explore by kayak. Then spend the evening relaxing in the silence of the bay.
Overnight in Oriental Sails or similar · Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
DAY 4
Heading to Hue
Wake with the sun to watch local fishermen at work. Then enjoy the bay before heading back to Hanoi, with time for a bit more exploration. In the evening, board the overnight train to Hue. Conditions are basic. However, this is one of the best ways to brush shoulders with locals.
Overnight in Overnight train · Meals included: Breakfast, lunch
DAY 5
Imperial Hue
Arrive in Hue, drop off luggage and refresh before a local breakfast. Then hop on the back of a motorbike to explore the countryside and visit an Emperor's tomb. There is also a lunch stop at a Buddhist pagoda. Later, you have free time to visit Dong Ba Market for local street food.
Overnight in Alba Hotel or similar · Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
DAY 6
Step Back in Time in Hoi An
Visit the Imperial Citadel, home to the Forbidden Purple City, almost completely destroyed during the Vietnam War. Then take one of the world's most beautiful coastal train rides to Hoi An. Afterwards, explore the Old Quarter on foot, with its Japanese Covered Bridge and heritage-listed ancient houses. It is also a haven for bespoke tailoring.
Overnight in Hoi An Central or similar · Meals included: Breakfast
DAY 7
Cycle Hoi An Countryside
Enjoy a relaxing bicycle tour around the Hoi An countryside. You stop at a noodle maker and a local home brewer for rice wine. You also sample local snacks before returning to town by boat. Finally, in the evening, enjoy a unique local food experience.
Overnight in Hoi An Central or similar · Meals included: Breakfast
DAY 8
A Free Day in Hoi An
No activities are arranged today. Instead, wander Hoi An's hidden charm or visit My Son Sanctuary, the most important Cham site in Vietnam. Then, in the evening, head to Danang for the night train to Nha Trang.
Overnight in Overnight train · Meals included: Breakfast
DAY 9
Island Getaway
A two-hour transfer takes you to Whale Island, an isolated, uninhabited 40-hectare island in Ninh Van Bay. It has just one 31-room resort. Therefore, there is time to relax, sunbathe, trek small paths, or try a range of water activities.
Overnight in Whale Island Resort · Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
DAY 10
Overnight Train to Saigon
A laid-back day on the island before departing in the late afternoon for the overnight train to Saigon.
Overnight in Overnight train · Meals included: Breakfast
DAY 11
Cu Chi Tunnels by Boat
Explore Saigon's most important historical sites. First, start at the Central Post Office, a colonial building designed by Gustave Eiffel. Then see Notre Dame and the Reunification Palace, plus the War Remnants Museum. Finally, in the afternoon, visit the Cu Chi Tunnels, a unique underground city built during the war.
Overnight in Dyn Opera Hotel or similar · Meals included: Breakfast, lunch
DAY 12
Life on the Mekong Delta
A three-hour drive takes you into the heart of the Mekong Delta countryside for a river cruise. You observe daily life and artisanal workshops. There is also a local lunch and a sampan ride through small canals. Finally, in the evening, enjoy a farewell dinner.
Overnight in Dyn Opera Hotel or similar · Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
DAY 13
Depart Saigon
No activities planned today – check out at your leisure before transferring to the airport for your return flight.
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Know Before You Go
Included & Excluded
What’s Included
Arrival and departure transfers
Air-conditioned vehicle transfers throughout
Overnight train Hanoi-Hue, day train Hue-Danang, overnight train Danang-Nha Trang, overnight train Nha Trang-Saigon
Accommodation for 9 nights in hotels as described or similar
Overnight boat in Halong Bay (1 night)
Meals as mentioned
English-speaking guide throughout for a group of 4 or more
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
Available as a private tour, with dates available year round.
From £1,995 per person, based on two people sharing
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. For example, it covers 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. It should also be in good condition. In fact, 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). Alternatively, 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. Also declare it at customs if its import value exceeds US$100. Vietnam has restrictions on medicines classified as addictive or psychotropic. Therefore, contact the Vietnamese Embassy in advance if unsure.
At least 8 weeks before your trip, check the latest country-specific health advice. The National Travel Health Network and Centre (NaTHNaC) publishes this on the TravelHealthPro website. In an emergency, dial 115 for an ambulance. However, complex treatment may require evacuation to Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City. Therefore, make sure you have adequate travel health insurance.
Vietnamese law requires everyone to carry photographic ID at all times. Therefore, 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. Also, never photograph near military installations.
What to Bring
Lightweight cotton garments are advised. However, women may need shoulders and legs covered below the knee at certain sites. A lightweight, fold-up raincoat or poncho is also advisable. In addition, a sleep sheet is useful for the overnight sleeper trains (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. For example, a soft wheely bag may be easier to manage than a suitcase. Also bring an overnight bag for the night aboard the boat in Halong Bay. We also recommend a sunhat, sunscreen, a torch, DEET-based mosquito repellent and antihistamine cream. Finally, pack a water bottle and a universal travel adaptor.
While You're There
The local currency is the Vietnamese Dong. However, US dollars can be used directly for some hotels, restaurants and tours. Only change money at official exchange counters, because changing elsewhere is illegal. Credit cards are widely accepted, but carry cash as backup in rural areas. In addition, ATMs are widely available in major cities.
Vietnam has a tropical monsoon climate. Tropical cyclones typically affect the eastern coastal regions from May to November. As a result, they bring heavy rainfall and potential flooding. Vietnam uses 2-pin round plugs on a 220V/50Hz supply and is on GMT+7. Wifi is also available in almost all hotels, cafés and restaurants.
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