Vietnam Tours
Vietnam Off the Beaten Track Tour
Explore Vietnam off the beaten track on this in-depth cultural exploration. This 10 day guided tour is focussed on showing you the authentic side to Vietnam.
Vietnam Off the Beaten Track
This 10-day bespoke tour covers all the sights you would want to see on any holiday to Vietnam. However, it also shows you the real-life experiences of the people you meet.
You will discover the authentic Vietnam. This ranges from the movie made in the Mekong Delta to the Saigon culture of the 60s-70s. Your local guides will also take you to places that most tourists have never heard of. For example, explore an ancient arena where tigers and elephants once fought. Then meet the Muong hilltribes on a local homestay.
This is a private tour, so we can arrange it for departure at any time. We can also change internal flights to include local trains. This suits those with more time to spend in the country.
Day By Day
Your Itinerary
DAY 1
Saigon
Welcome to Saigon, a true melting pot in Southeast Asia. It was once part of the Funan Empire, Khmer Empire and a Champa Kingdom. First, visit the Central Post Office, a colonial building designed by Gustave Eiffel, and Notre Dame. Then see the Reunification Palace, a piece of 1960s Vietnamese architecture. Finally, meet your group for dinner.
Overnight in Dyn Opera Hotel or similar · Meals included: Dinner
DAY 2
Chau Doc
Explore Chau Doc, the westernmost province of Vietnam bordering Cambodia. It is home to Khmer, Champa and Vietnamese communities. You also explore the historic sites at Nui Sam. Later, a rickshaw ride takes you to dinner with your hosts.
Overnight in Local homestay · Meals included: Breakfast, dinner
DAY 3
Chau Doc
This area was once known as Tay Do, the "Western Capital". It also inspired the novel and film "The Lover" (L'Amant) by Marguerite Duras. First, visit the house featured in the movie. Then take a boat ride to a fish farm. Finally, visit a Cham village.
Overnight in Local homestay · Meals included: Breakfast, dinner
DAY 4
Saigon at Night
Visit the Cao Dai temple to learn about this fascinating religion blending Buddhism, Taoism, Catholicism and Western philosophy. Then, in the evening, explore Saigon on the back of a restored vintage Vespa. Along the way, you take in panoramic cityscapes and the city's vibrant street food culture.
Overnight in Dyn Opera Hotel or similar · Meals included: Breakfast, dinner
DAY 5
Hue
Take a morning flight to Hue and explore the Forbidden City with a local historian. Then visit Ho Quyen, an ancient arena where tigers and elephants once fought for the entertainment of court elites. After that, visit Cafe Gac Trinh, where Vietnamese musician Trinh Cong Son spent his early years. Finally, the evening is free to explore.
Overnight in Alba Hotel or similar · Meals included: Breakfast
DAY 6
Peaceful Bamboo Family and Imperial Hue Banquet
Visit the Peaceful Bamboo Family, a charity centred on alternative education for people with disabilities. Then visit Lavin Home, a social enterprise café run by young deaf-mute people. In the evening, enjoy an Imperial Hue Banquet in a converted ancient Lord's house. In fact, Hue cuisine is considered the pinnacle of Vietnamese cuisine.
Overnight in Alba Hotel or similar · Meals included: Breakfast, dinner
DAY 7
Hanoi
Take a flight from Hue to Hanoi. Then explore the city's art scene in the afternoon, including the contemporary dance space Dan Do. In the evening, watch a performance at Hanoi Opera House by the internationally renowned Lune Production. It tells the story of northern Vietnamese music through dance and bamboo.
Overnight in Thang Long Espana Hanoi Hotel or similar · Meals included: Breakfast
DAY 8
Muong Hilltribes
A bus ride (around 3 hours) takes you to Da Bac community. Here you immerse yourself in the culture of the Dao and Muong hilltribes. For example, trek through mountains and bamboo forest, or watch Dao women dye cloth. You can also join in tea or rice harvesting, or help prepare the evening meal. Alternatively, simply relax listening to the sounds of the forest.
Overnight in Da Bac Homestay · Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
DAY 9
Return to Hanoi
Explore the village of the Muong people, who tend to live near rivers in stilt houses. Then catch a local ferry back to Thung Nham. On the way, stop at a private Muong museum with an extensive collection of tribal artefacts. Finally, in the evening, enjoy a farewell dinner at a beautifully renovated 1920s villa. Here you feast on authentic Hanoi-style dishes.
Overnight in Thang Long Espana Hanoi Hotel or similar · Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
DAY 10
Depart Vietnam
No activities planned today – check out at your leisure to catch 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
Accommodation for 9 nights in hotels and homestays as described
Flight Saigon-Hue on Day 5 and Hue-Hanoi on Day 7
Meals as mentioned
English-speaking station guides (private guide 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
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. 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 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. 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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