Intrepid Travel
Essential Vietnam
Essential Vietnam
As you slink from old-world Hanoi through ancient Hue, past historic Hoi An and to bustling Ho Chi Minh City, you’ll quickly realise that the Vietnamese know a thing or two about delicious food. Pho, banh mi, rice paper rolls – oh my! On this 12-day trip from north to south, you’ll be cruising, riding, relaxing, kayaking, drinking, exploring and enjoying all the Vietnamese hospitality. From sailing on the calm waters of Cat Ba Island to picking your own lunch ingredients from a local chef’s garden, you’ll discover that this place is even richer in culture and city hotspots than you thought.
Activities
- Cat Ba Island – Boat trip on Lan Ha Bay
- Cat Ba Island – Kayaking
- Hoa Lu – Temple of King Dinh and King Le
- Ninh Binh – Bike Tour
- Hue – Home cooked dinner
- Hoi An – Old Town walking tour
- Hoi An – Garden-to-Table with A Local Chef
- Ho Chi Minh City – Local Market Visit
- Ho Chi Minh City – Local Coffee Experience
Highlights
- Chill out in Hoi An where you can get some sweet threads tailor-made before you head out to pick your own ingredients for lunch during a garden-to-table experience with a local chef.
- Sit down for a cup of strong Vietnamese coffee after touring a busy Ho Chi Minh City market and listen to stories from your trip leader about the city’s vibrant culture and history as you tuck into some delicious street eats.
- Balance on a tiny streetside stool in Hanoi’s Old Quarter, soaking up the bustling vibes and watching motorbikes zoom past. Then, maybe hit a local bar for a refreshing beer with the locals or explore the nightlife in search of the best cocktail.
- Take in the views of Lan Ha Bay by kayak as you explore the limestone islands during your visit to Cat Ba Island. Who’d have thought green seas and giant mossy rocks could be so pretty
- Cycle around the ancient temples and expansive fields in Ninh Binh – a protected UNESCO World Heritage Site. With loads of free time, you can hike to Mua Cave or take a boat down in Tam Coc to the nearby caves.
Day 1 |
Replete with intricate temples, immersive museums, and gastronomic delicacies, Hanoi will surely enchant you! The capital of Vietnam, bustling Hanoi is the perfect center for your next adventure in southeastern Asia. A host of delectable eats are available at your fingertips in this vibrant city. From the classic pho, with rice noodles and a hearty beef broth that will instantly warm you, to bún chả, filled with pickled veggies, vermicelli noodles, and flavorful pork, there are plenty of culinary delights to satisfy your appetite! A trip to Hanoi wouldn’t be complete without tasting the iconic bánh mì, a baguette stuffed with pâté, cilantro, and hot chilies, which represents the city’s unique blend of Vietnamese and French influences. Hanoi’s many museums provide a fascinating look into the cultural, colonial, and military history of Vietnam. Exhibits at the National Museum of Vietnamese History detail the country’s period of colonization by the French, while the Military History Museum and the Hỏa Lò Prison offer a comprehensive look at the effects of the Vietnam War. Be sure to visit the Thăng Long Imperial Citadel, a UNESCO World Heritage site located at the center of Hanoi, brimming with centuries-old artifacts and a favorite monument for many tourists to Vietnam. Stunning temples abound throughout Hanoi, offering both spiritual retreat and breathtaking beauty during your trip to this vibrant city. The bright crimson tiers of Trấn Quốc Pagoda are instantly recognizable; set on a peaceful lake, this Buddhist temple provides a serene backdrop for exploring ancient treasures and lighting incense in reverence to the Buddha. Equally beautiful Bach Ma temple in Hanoi’s Old Quarter will astound you with its rich hues of red and gold. Visit the elaborate shrine, the temple’s central site for prayer offerings to Confucius. No matter what you choose to do, Hanoi’s vibrancy will astonish you! |
Day 2 |
Replete with intricate temples, immersive museums, and gastronomic delicacies, Hanoi will surely enchant you! The capital of Vietnam, bustling Hanoi is the perfect center for your next adventure in southeastern Asia. A host of delectable eats are available at your fingertips in this vibrant city. From the classic pho, with rice noodles and a hearty beef broth that will instantly warm you, to bún chả, filled with pickled veggies, vermicelli noodles, and flavorful pork, there are plenty of culinary delights to satisfy your appetite! A trip to Hanoi wouldn’t be complete without tasting the iconic bánh mì, a baguette stuffed with pâté, cilantro, and hot chilies, which represents the city’s unique blend of Vietnamese and French influences. Hanoi’s many museums provide a fascinating look into the cultural, colonial, and military history of Vietnam. Exhibits at the National Museum of Vietnamese History detail the country’s period of colonization by the French, while the Military History Museum and the Hỏa Lò Prison offer a comprehensive look at the effects of the Vietnam War. Be sure to visit the Thăng Long Imperial Citadel, a UNESCO World Heritage site located at the center of Hanoi, brimming with centuries-old artifacts and a favorite monument for many tourists to Vietnam. Stunning temples abound throughout Hanoi, offering both spiritual retreat and breathtaking beauty during your trip to this vibrant city. The bright crimson tiers of Trấn Quốc Pagoda are instantly recognizable; set on a peaceful lake, this Buddhist temple provides a serene backdrop for exploring ancient treasures and lighting incense in reverence to the Buddha. Equally beautiful Bach Ma temple in Hanoi’s Old Quarter will astound you with its rich hues of red and gold. Visit the elaborate shrine, the temple’s central site for prayer offerings to Confucius. No matter what you choose to do, Hanoi’s vibrancy will astonish you! |
Day 3 |
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Day 4 |
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Day 5 |
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Day 6 |
Its legacy as the former imperial capital of Vietnam is just one of many reasons to visit Hue.
For more than a century, the emperors of the Nguyen dynasty (1802-1945) ruled from the Forbidden Purple City, the innermost enclosure of the citadel. Today, this complex is designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site and draws millions of visitors each year. Besides stimulating the tourism industry, Hue's rich history has also had a significant impact on the culture and characteristics of the city and its people, including naming customs, fashion, and cuisine. |
Day 7 |
A former trading port and now a fascinating itinerary stop for any Vietnam traveler, Hoi An's illuminated lanterns beckon you. Each lunar month on the 14th day, electric lights are turned off in favor of traditional lanterns. Must-sees in this well-preserved locale include Quan Cong Temple, the 1700s-era Japanese Covered Bridge, An Bang Beach with its white sands, and Hoi An Night Market, abuzz with local sellers offering food and unique wares. |
Day 8 |
A former trading port and now a fascinating itinerary stop for any Vietnam traveler, Hoi An's illuminated lanterns beckon you. Each lunar month on the 14th day, electric lights are turned off in favor of traditional lanterns. Must-sees in this well-preserved locale include Quan Cong Temple, the 1700s-era Japanese Covered Bridge, An Bang Beach with its white sands, and Hoi An Night Market, abuzz with local sellers offering food and unique wares. |
Day 9 |
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Day 10 |
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Day 11 |
Ho Chi Minh City, formerly known as Saigon, is the most populous city in Vietnam at 9 million people. It is an enticing mix of the old and new, with European architecture due to French colonization to towering skyscrapers and modern shopping malls. Each of the 24 districts of Ho Chi Minh City are a little different, and begging to be explored! |
Day 12 |
Ho Chi Minh City, formerly known as Saigon, is the most populous city in Vietnam at 9 million people. It is an enticing mix of the old and new, with European architecture due to French colonization to towering skyscrapers and modern shopping malls. Each of the 24 districts of Ho Chi Minh City are a little different, and begging to be explored! |
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06/29/25 - 07/03/25 |
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11/02/25 - 11/13/25 |
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12/21/25 - 01/01/26 |
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01/01/26 - 01/04/26 |
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01/08/26 - 01/25/26 |
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02/26/26 - 03/09/26 |
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03/01/26 - 03/12/26 |
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03/05/26 - 03/16/26 |
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03/08/26 - 03/19/26 |
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03/10/26 - 03/12/26 |
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03/15/26 - 03/26/26 |
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03/19/26 - 03/30/26 |
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03/22/26 - 04/02/26 |
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03/26/26 - 04/06/26 |
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09/17/26 - 09/28/26 |
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09/20/26 - 10/01/26 |
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09/24/26 - 10/05/26 |
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09/27/26 - 10/08/26 |
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10/01/26 - 10/12/26 |
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10/04/26 - 10/18/26 |
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10/22/26 - 11/02/26 |
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10/25/26 - 11/05/26 |
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10/29/26 - 11/09/26 |
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11/01/26 - 11/15/26 |
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11/17/26 - 11/28/26 |
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