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Vietnam: Historic Cities & Halong Bay Cruising

12 days, Ho Chi Minh City to Hanoi

Now's the time to explore Vietnam on your terms with this tour that's affordable for young travellers. Savour your way through Nha Trang on a street food crawl, step into turquoise-coloured paradise in Ha Long Bay, and get some good stories to take back home in bustling Hanoi. With a mix of highlights and free reign to explore how you'd like, this is one introduction to Southeast Asia you won't ever forget.

Now's the time to explore Vietnam on your terms with this tour that's affordable for young travellers. Savour your way through Nha Trang on a street food crawl, step into turquoise-coloured paradise in Ha Long Bay, and get some good stories to take back home in bustling Hanoi. With a mix of highlights and free reign to explore how you'd like, this is one introduction to Southeast Asia you won't ever forget.

Is this tour for me?

Travel Style: 18-to-Thirtysomethings

Fast, fresh, and fun adventures that never slow down, made for young, budget-minded travellers.

Service Level: Basic

Simple and clean hotels and hostels; affordable public and private transport; lots of optional activities.

Physical Rating: 2 - Light

Light walking and hiking suitable for most fitness levels. Nothing too challenging.

Trip Type: Small Group

Small group experience; Max 18, avg 14.

Age requirement: 18-39

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Before booking, use our handy entry requirements tool so you know which documents you need to enter and travel through the countries on your trip.

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Alternative Trips

See how your trip uplifts communities

In a number of impactful ways, your adventure directly benefits the local people and places we visit.

Trees for Days

Help us spread love around the world — with trees! Together with Planeterra, we'll plant one tree in your name for every travel day.

Trees planted for this trip: 12

Ripple Score

Want to create ripples that change lives? The higher the Ripple Score percentage, the more money stays in the local communities you visit.

Ripple Score for this trip: 100

Map of the route for Vietnam: Historic Cities & Halong Bay Cruising

Places visited

Itinerary

Day 1Ho Chi Minh City

Arrive at any time and welcome to the pulsing Ho Chi Minh City, also known as Saigon.

For your first night out, wander with your CEO and group through Pham Ngu Lao Street that’s popping with many bars and backpackers. Pick the best looking spot to get to know your fellow travellers and cheers to new adventures!

Exclusive Inclusions:

Your Welcome Moment Welcome Moment - Meet Your CEO and Group| Your First Night Out Moment Connect With New Friends

Day 2Ho Chi Minh City/Nha Trang

Feel the pulse of Vietnam’s biggest city on a CEO-led orientation walk, with free time after to double back to your favourite spots. Shop 'til your heart's content, immerse yourself in local culture, or just wander the streets to take in the city's unique vibe. Tonight, catch up on sleep on an overnight train to Nha Trang.

Exclusive Inclusions:

Your Discover Moment

Meals included:

Breakfast

Day 3Nha Trang

You’ve arrived! Welcome to the eastern sea. Take this morning to explore local shops and markets, rejuvenate in a therapeutic mud bath, relax on the beach, or visit nearby historical sites before an evening street food crawl.

Exclusive Inclusions:

Your Foodie Moment Nha Trang Street Food Crawl

Day 4Nha Trang/Da Nang

It’s not over yet. There’s more free time to explore Nha Trang today, so soak it all in. Then, hop on an overnight train to continue to Hoi An, stopping first in Da Nang for a short transfer.

Meals included:

Breakfast

Day 5Da Nang/Hoi An

Hoi An’s excited to meet you. See why on an orientation walk of the city before spending free time in the afternoon. Dig even deeper and choose between a cooking class, cycling to the beach, visiting a tailor, or exploring old town. Tonight's the night for your big night out, grab a drink on our tab and reminisce about your favourite adventures so far. Then dance the night away!

Exclusive Inclusions:

Your Big Night Out Moment Reminisce Riverside

Day 6Hoi An

Noodles might be fun to eat, but they’re even more fun to make. Find out how during a visit to G Adventures-supported Oodles of Noodles. The rest of the day is yours, so see what you can discover. Choose to visit the ancient ruins of My Son, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, or cruise down the Thu Bon River.

Exclusive Inclusions:

Your G for Good Moment Oodles of Noodles

Meals included:

Breakfast | Lunch

Day 7Hoi An/Huế

Head north to the Imperial City of Huế. There’s lots to do here, with options to visit the indestructible Royal Citadel and tombs, cruise along Perfume River, or jump on a motorbike and ride around like the local people.

Meals included:

Breakfast

Day 8Huế/Phong Nha

Your second day in Huế comes with more free time to enjoy the city. In the afternoon, travel through Vietnam's stunning countryside to the green rocky mountains of Phong Nha-Kẻ Bàng National Park.

Meals included:

Breakfast

Day 9Phong Nha/Hanoi

Today, opt to head underground to explore the awe-inspiring caves of Phong Nha-Kẻ Bàng National Park, where the oldest karst mountains and longest cave in Asia are found. Then it’s an overnight train to Hanoi.

Meals included:

Breakfast

Day 10Hanoi/Ha Long

After arriving in Hanoi, the bustling capital of Vietnam, take a private bus to the iconic Halong Bay for a seafood lunch cruise and cave exploring. Be sure to charge your camera so you can grab a shot truly worth sharing!

Meals included:

Breakfast | Lunch

Day 11Ha Long/Hanoi

Feel like you've gone back in time with an orientation walk through Hanoi’s Old Quarter. Then stop for a drink at Bia Hoi Corner, a spot that serves bia hoi, a local beer made of rice and wheat — and costs a mere $0.25USD per glass!

Meals included:

Breakfast

Day 12Hanoi

Today, it’s time to say goodbye to your group of newfound friends. Be sure to sneak in some last-minute photos and exchange social medias before you head on your way.

Meals included:

Breakfast
View full itinerary

What's Included

  • Your G for Good Moment: Oodles of Noodles, Hoi An
  • Your Welcome Moment: Welcome Moment - Meet Your CEO and Group
  • Your First Night Out Moment: Connect With New Friends
  • Your Discover Moment: Ho Chi Minh City
  • Your Foodie Moment: Nha Trang Street Food Crawl, Nha Trang
  • Your Big Night Out Moment: Reminisce Riverside, Hoi An
  • Street food crawl (Nha Trang)
  • Halong Bay boat trip with lunch
  • Orientation walks in Ho Chi Minh City, Hoi An, and Hanoi
  • All transport between destinations and to/from included activities

Accommodations

Simple hotel (twin-share) (2 nts), hostels (multi-share) (6 nts), sleeper trains (3 nts).

Meals

9 breakfasts, 2 lunches
Allow USD125-165 for meals not included.

Transportation

Train, air-conditioned bus, walking, junk boat.

Staff & experts

CEO (Chief Experience Officer) throughout, local guides.

Available extras (Add these to your tour when you book)

Caving in Phong Nha - From $50.00

Explore the longest cave in all of Asia - Paradise Cave - by walking the boardwalks and awe at the massive white crystal stalactites. After an authentic Vietnamese lunch, board a dragon boat which will take you to the turquoise waters in Phong Nha Cave where you'll disembark on the caves beach and wander freely throughout the natural wonder.

Hanoi Foodie Culture Tour - From $25.00

Indulge your inner foodie with a street food tour through bustling Hanoi. Follow your guide through the back streets and markets of the city’s old quarter, sampling local fare along the way. Mingle with city natives and experienced street food artists alike, as you taste a variety of Hanoi faves like “nem ran” and “banh goi.” Stop at a streetside bar to savour a draught beer like Hanoians do. Cap off the tour at the Hanoi Food Culture restaurant, a G Values Fund Project, and try the city’s signature specialty coffee.

Hue Motorbike Tour - From $30.00

Grab a helmet, hop on a motorbike driven by your experienced local guide, and get ready for a crash course in authentic Viet culture. Spend the next four hours exploring the stalls of a local market, making a Vietnamese conical hat, sipping on fresh green tea with a local family, learning to plough and make rice, and seeing the most iconic local sights. Don’t forget to bring your camera!

Make it a private tour

Book this tour as a private departure, with your own CEO and all the benefits of a G Adventures group tour.

Vietnam: Historic Cities & Halong Bay Cruising

| 12 days - Ho Chi Minh City to Hanoi - from $682 USD