BEST OF VIETNAM by Realistic Asia Independent and Partially Guided

Destination
Starts at

Hanoi

Destination
Ends at

Ho Chi Minh City

Destination
Duration

14 days

Destination
Group Size

Maximum 10

Destination
Physical Rating

easy Information

Destination
Style

discovery Information

About your trip

This comprehensive tour will challenge your mind and captivate your heart as you explore Vietnam's diverse landscapes and rich culture. Begin in colonial Hanoi, then venture to the splendid valleys and mountains of Sapa. Marvel at the natural beauty of Halong Bay, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Discover the charming old town of Hoi An, with its picturesque architecture and vibrant atmosphere. Delve into history at the famous Cu Chi Tunnels, used during the Vietnam War. Conclude your journey in the vibrant Ho Chi Minh City, where you'll be immersed in the country's friendly people and stunning cuisine. From the bustling cities to the serene natural wonders, this 14-day tour showcases the very best of Vietnam. Prepare to be surprised and enchanted by this remarkable destination.


This partially guided itinerary offers a mix of independent exploration and expert-led experiences, with full support via WhatsApp for any assistance you may need. Enjoy shared group activities, allowing you to connect with fellow travelers while still having the freedom to explore at your own pace.

Trip Highlights

  • Explore one of the most electric cities in Asia with Hanoi's infectious hustle and bustle leaving its mark on anyone who visits.
  • Trek through bamboo forests, see incredible waterfalls and try amazing local delicacies as you immerse yourself in village life in rural Vietnam.
  • Discover what life was like for Viet Cong army soldiers in the Cu Chi tunnels before weaving your way past mopeds and markets in the inimitable Ho Chi Minh City.
  • Take things easy in the serene and gentle Hoi An, where lanterns decorate the quaint old town every evening.

Your Itinerary

  1. Day 1 WELCOME TO VIETNAM - HANOI ARRIVAL

    Your trip begins with your arrival in Vietnam. Your private driver will meet and greet you at the airport. You will be escorted to the hotel by private transportation. Check in to the hotel and rest after your flight. You can explore the historic charm, architectural marvels, and various products splashed all over the city streets. After enjoying your first day, return to the hotel for a relaxing sleep.

    Accommodation

    Hotel in Hanoi

  2. Day 2 BA VI ECO TOUR

    You will be picked up from the hotel at 7:30 AM and transferred to Ba Vi. You will visit 3 villages, where the local hosts will show you Vietnamese countryside life. You will be welcomed by Mr. Duoc, a veteran, who will share stories about his life during and after the Vietnam War. He is also an expert in handling raw tea leaves and making them into products for the market. Visit a tea village with 30-year-old tea trees. Help local people harvest the leaves and learn how to pick the best part of the tea tree. Head to Mrs. Chin's house for a cooking lesson and have lunch in the garden. After lunch, your host will take you around the village and show you local workshops. Learn how to make tofu, shell rice, and see a 70-year-old local hammerer at work. Cycle through the rice fields to the house of your next host, Mr. Chau. Soak your feet in warm water with herb leaves following Muong ethnic minority recipes. Continue by boat along the Da River, taking in the stunning scenery and discovering local life along the river. Drive back to Hanoi in the evening, arriving at your hotel around 6:30 PM.

    Accommodation

    Hotel in Hanoi

    Activities Included
    • Breakfast and Lunch
  3. Day 3 HANOI – TRANSFER TO SAPA BY BUS (B)

    Have an early breakfast at the hotel and complete the check-out formalities. Take the limousine bus to Sapa, a 6-hour journey. Upon arrival in Sapa, you will be transferred to your accommodation. The rest of the day is free to explore this charming mountain town.

    Accommodation

    Hotel in Sapa

    Activities Included
    • Breakfast
  4. Day 4 Y LINH HO - LAO CHAI - TA VAN (B/L/D) GROUP TOUR

    after breakfast, meet your guide around 9:30 AM and start your 12 km trek. You will visit Y Linh Ho and Lao Chai villages of the Hmong minorities. Admire the breathtaking landscapes of rice terraces and mountains along the way. Have lunch in Lao Chai village near the river. Continue hiking to Ta Van village of the Dzay people. Stay overnight here and experience the daily life and customs of the local people.

    Accommodation

    Overnight at Ta Van

    Activities Included
    • Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
  5. Day 5 TA VAN - GIANG TA CHAI - SAPA - HANOI (B/L)

    After a delicious breakfast, leave for Giang Ta Chai village of the Red Dao minority. Trek through a bamboo forest in Hoang Lien National Park. Pass by a waterfall and rattan bridge, where you can rest and enjoy the surroundings. Find a nice spot for lunch. After lunch, continue to Su Pan, a small village by the road. From here, transfer back to Sapa by car. Then take the limousine bus back to Hanoi.Overnight in Hanoi

    Accommodation

    Hotel in Hanoi

    Activities Included
    • Breakfast and Lunch
  6. Day 6 HA LONG BAY (B/L/D) – SHARING CRUISE, BUS

    Have breakfast. Our cruise will pick you up from your hotel. Take the most scenic route to reach Halong Bay, crossing the Red River Delta with emerald green rice paddies stretching as far as the eye can see. Upon arrival, enjoy a cruise on the bay to explore the limestone rocks and karst grottoes. After your bay exploration, savor a delicious seafood lunch. Then visit the famous Limestone Cave in Halong Bay, where you can spend time kayaking or swimming to get closer to the floating villages and shops. Towards evening, return to the boat for an early dinner, followed by leisure time. You can optionally attend activities on the boat or relax.

    Accommodation

    Overnight in Halong Bay

    Activities Included
    • Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
  7. Day 7 HA LONG BAY – HANOI (B/L) – SHARING CRUISE

    Rise early for a Tai Chi lesson or just to enjoy a hearty breakfast. The boat will make its way back to port, stopping at the Limestone Cave with its stalagmites and stalactites. Then it's clear sailing back to the main harbor and return to Hanoi around 5 PM. Enjoy free leisure time.Overnight in Hanoi

    Accommodation

    Hotel in Hanoi

    Activities Included
    • Breakfast and Lunch
  8. Day 8 HANOI FLY TO HOI AN (B) – FLIGHT INCLUDED

    Have breakfast at the hotel, then a private cab will transfer you to the airport for your flight to Hoi An.

    Accommodation

    Overnight in Hoi An

    Activities Included
    • Breakfast
  9. Day 9 HOI AN LEISURE (B)

    Custom tailoring is a huge industry in Hoi An, with over 400 shops and thousands of skilled tailors. You can get full suits in a day or handbags/shoes in about 4 hours. Try to find a shop early during your visit. In the afternoon, explore Hoi An's famous sights. First, grab a Banh Mi sandwich, a local specialty. We recommend Madam Khanh's stand, known as the

    Accommodation

    Hotel in Hoi An

    Activities Included
    • Breakfast
  10. Day 10 HOI AN LEISURE (B)

    Explore Hoi An at your own pace today, seeing what interests you in this ancient town full of Japanese merchant houses, pagodas, temples and antique warehouses. Or relax in a riverside café.Overnight in Hoi An

    Accommodation

    Hotel in Hoi An

    Activities Included
    • Breakfast
  11. Day 11 HOI AN FLY TO HO CHI MINH CITY (B) – FLIGHT INCLUDED

    Enjoy breakfast at the hotel. Then, take the flight to Ho Chi Minh City. Check in at your hotel and have free time to rest and recharge.Overnight in Ho Chi Minh

    Accommodation

    Hotel in Ho Chi Minh

  12. Day 12 HO CHI MINH CITY - MEKONG DELTA (B/L) – GROUP TOUR

    (Start 7:20 am – return around 5:30 pm)7:20 am Pick up from the hotel. Start your day with a hearty breakfast, then depart for My Tho, a town on the left side of the Mekong River. Board a sampan and cruise down the river around the four beautiful islands - Dragon, Unicorn, Phoenix, and Tortoise. Stop at Unicorn Island, walk around the country lanes and see the orchards. Enjoy tropical fruits and folk song music performed by the local people. Visit a fruit plantation. Take a hand-rowed sampan through Thoi Son canal and immerse yourself in the beauty of the countryside. Visit family workshops and a honey-bee farm, and taste some honey tea and coconut candies. Have lunch at a local restaurant. In the afternoon, cycle around Tan Thach village and meet the local villagers to experience daily life in the Mekong Delta. For those who don't want to cycle, relax in a hammock and enjoy the cool breeze. Return to Ho Chi Minh.Overnight in Ho Chi Minh

    Accommodation

    Hotel in Ho Chi Minh

    Activities Included
    • Breakfast and Lunch
  13. Day 13 HO CHI MINH – CU CHI TUNNEL (B) – GROUP TOUR

    Depart for the Cu Chi Tunnels, a 1.5-hour drive. Upon arrival, have a short introduction and watch a video about how the tunnels were constructed and how people survived in the harsh wartime conditions. Then, explore the remaining tunnel systems, which included special living areas with kitchens, bedrooms, storage, weapons factories, field hospitals, and command centers. You'll also see hidden trap doors and dangerous traps within the maze-like tunnels. Afterward, enjoy special tea and cassava (guerilla's food during the war). Have free time to relax or try shooting real guns. Return to Ho Chi Minh.

    Accommodation

    Hotel in Ho Chi Minh

    Activities Included
    • Breakfast
  14. Day 14 14 TIME TO SAY GOODBYE - HO CHI MINH DEPARTURE (B)

    Relish a healthy breakfast on your final day. Complete the hotel check-out formalities, then you can visit local markets to buy souvenirs. Later, proceed to the airport for your departure flight.Trip Ends

    Activities Included
    • Breakfast

What's included

  • Local Insider
  • Door-to-door pick-up & drop-off services
  • All transportation mentioned in the itinerary
  • Airport Transfer
  • Accommodation in double/twin/triple shared room with breakfast (including 5% service fee and 10% VAT tax)
  • Experienced English-speaking local guides
  • Meals as stated in the itinerary (B: Breakfast; L: Lunch; D: Dinner)
  • All sightseeing tickets according to the itinerary
  • Tissues and water during transfers
  • Service charges and government tax
  • Exclusive and personalized single agent/single customer service
  • 24/7 hotline support guaranteed
  • No extra charge after services confirmation
  • Domestic flights (Hanoi-Da Nang, Da Nang-Ho Chi Minh)

What's not included

  • Visas
  • Travel Insurance
  • Hotel Transfers (unless otherwise stated in the Included Activities section above)
  • Beverage, Personal expenses, tips, and gratuities
  • Travel insurance
  • Public holiday surcharge (if any)
  • Compulsory Gala Dinner on 24 Dec and 31 Dec
  • Early check-in and Late check-out (If not mentioned)
  • Evisa to Vietnam (can be applied online)
  • Surcharge for airport cabs from 12:00 am – 05:00 am
  • Other services not mentioned above
  • International flights 
  • Flights to and from the destination 

Customer Reviews

Average Customer Rating:
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4.5/5
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Independent Service Rating based on 128 verified reviews.
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Well organised and well executed intense experience. Truly enjoyable.
Every aspect of the trip was planned and executed in the finest of detail. It is a very high paced trip that covers fantastic cultural aspects. Fantastic tour guide in Juno.
Rene - Dec 20, 2024
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Great value with fun people
We loved this trip!! It included so much for the price- definitely a great deal compared to other companies. And our fellow travelers were lovely people who really enhanced the experience! However, the anticipated activity level listed in the description did not at all match the actual requirements.
Jessica - Dec 18, 2024
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Morocco Oct 2024
This trip and the company behind it were truly exceptional. From the outset, the office staff provided excellent support, addressing all my inquiries and facilitating a seamless booking process. The on-site team, including our guide Hamid and our driver, were remarkable; their service exceeded all expectations. Some of our most unforgettable moments were spent with local families who prepared extraordinary lunches for us. The picturesque landscapes, the warmth of the locals, and the delicious cuisine all contributed to a wonderful experience. As someone who had never participated in a group tour before, I initially had some reservations, but this journey turned out to be extraordinary.
Ann - Dec 14, 2024

Accommodation

Important Info

  • We strongly recommend the purchase of travel insurance (covering emergency medical evacuation) for trips to Vietnam.
  • The cost of air tickets is subject to change without prior notice by the airlines.
  • Reservations during peak times (Christmas, New Year, Lunar New Year, Songkran, and National Holidays) may be subject to supplementary charges.
  • Rooms at hotels are available only from 14:00 on arrival day till 12:00 on departure date. A supplement will be added if early check-in or late check-out is desired.
  • Please note that all the above services & tours have yet to be booked, they are proposed for your information only and we will not make any reservations before we receive your confirmation to do so.
  • If one or some proposed service(s) is (are) not available at the moment of booking, we will try to find other possibilities/options or another similar service (s) in order to avoid changes to the program.
  • This partially guided itinerary offers a mix of independent exploration and expert-led experiences, with full support via WhatsApp for any assistance you may need. Enjoy shared group activities, allowing you to connect with fellow travelers while still having the freedom to explore at your own pace
  • Customers are fully responsible for boarding the flights on time after they are dropped off at the airport. Customers are financially responsible for any eventual costs for trip continuation.
  • Please note that the max luggage allowance for all flights purchased/included with this trip is: hand luggage max> 7KG/15.43 LBS + checked in luggage max> 20 kg/44 lbs

Additional Info

Cancellation Policy

Realistic Asia must be informed in writing. Cancellation charges would be effective from the date we receive advice in writing, and cancellation charges would apply as follows:


More than 60 days prior to arrival date: 10% cancellation charge + airfare cancellation fees.

30 - 59 days prior to arrival date: 20% + airfare cancellation fees.

29 – 15 days prior to arrival date: 40% + airfare cancellation fees.

14 – 8 days prior to arrival date: 80% + airfare cancellation fees.


7 days prior to arrival date: 100 % (that all the flight tickets in the package are non-refundable.)

No show: 100% (that all the flight tickets in the package are non-refundable.)


Please note: that the domestic flight tickets in the package are non-refundable.


For Full Details, See our Booking Terms and Conditions.

Terms & Conditions

For Full Details, See our Booking Terms and Conditions.