Two weeks is all you need for the adventure of a lifetime in Vietnam. Kick things off with an immersive hiking experience in Sapa, guided by your expert CEO and hosted by the welcoming local community. Trek from village to village, dive into hands-on traditions like crafting and cooking, and truly connect with the culture. Cruise Halong Bay aboard a traditional junk boat for an unforgettable overnight stay, then head south to explore historic Hue on foot and savor the charm (and cuisine!) of picturesque Hoi An. Wrap it all up with a few vibrant days soaking in the energy of bustling Ho Chi Minh City. This is Vietnam at its most unforgettable.
Travel Style
Classic
Service Level
Standard
Physical Grading
3 - Average
What's Included
Your G for Good Moment: Oodles of Noodles, Hoi An
Your Welcome Moment: Welcome Moment - Meet Your CEO and Group
Your Foodie Moment: Sa Pa Cooking Demonstration, Sa Pá
Your Discover Moment: Hoi An. Sa Pa Cooking Demonstration. Sa Pa trekking. Lao Chai Village. Supan Village. Ta Van Village cultural visit. Traditional Wax Technique workshop. Sin Chai Village and Red Dao ethnic village. Bamboo Paper Making. Free time in Sa Pa town. Halong Bay caves entrance. Halong Bay boat cruise with seafood lunch and dinner. Imperial Citadel and Tomb entrance (Huế). Cu Chi Tunnels entrance and tour. Internal flight. All transport between destinations and to/from included activities.
What are the main highlights of this trip?
2-day Sa Pa trekking, Sin Chai Village and Red Dao ethnic village, Bamboo Paper Making, sail on a junk boat through Halong Bay, people-watch in hectic Ho Chi Minh City.
How large will the group be?
Max 16, Avg 12.
What meals are included in this trip?
11 breakfasts, 6 lunches, 4 dinners
What are the modes of transportation on my trip?
Train, air-conditioned bus, boat, plane, walking, overnight train.
Is there an extra cost for travelling solo?
We believe single travellers should not have to pay more to travel so our group trips are designed for shared accommodation and do not involve a single supplement. Single travellers joining group trips are paired in twin or multi-share accommodation with someone of the same sex for the duration of the trip. Some of our Independent trips are designed differently and single travellers on these itineraries must pay the single trip price.
Where will we stay during the trip?
Hotels/Guesthouses (10 nts), sleeper train (2 nt), junk boat (1 nt).
Itinerary
Hanoi/Sa Pá
Welcome to Vietnam! Join your group this morning for a welcome meeting before driving to Sa Pa, the trekking capital of Southeast Asia! This evening, join your group for a cooking demonstration and dinner.
Sa Pá
Today starts your epic trekking adventure through Sa Pa. Trek for about 10 km today with a chance to rest and eat lunch part way. We'll hike through rice terraces, through local communities and have a chance to understand the unique way of life in Sa Pa. In the afternoon, we'll learn traditional wax and dying techniques used by the local villagers at Hmong Batik House.
Sa Pá
Start today with a visit to the Red Dao community in Sin Chai Village. We'll have a moment to admire this beautiful and unique community before starting today's trek. Have your cameras ready as we trek through this seemingly untouched landscape. After the trek, we'll drive to Nam Than Village for a hands-on bamboo paper making experience with the local community.
Sa Pá
After breakfast, drive to Sa Pa Town where you will have the whole day at leisure to explore. Opt to enjoy the hot springs, get a massage, shop for souvenirs or visit the famous Fansipan Peak. This evening, catch an overnight train back to Hanoi.
Sa Pá/Hanoi
Rise early this morning as the overnight train pulls into Hanoi. Spend the afternoon at leisure in Hanoi. Meet up in the evening for an optional dinner with your CEO.
Hanoi/Ha Long
Enjoy a Ha Long Bay cruise on a junk boat with visits to a cave and an island lookout. Savour a seafood lunch and dinner. Drive to Bai Chay harbour, the jumping off point for Ha Long Bay. Thousands of islands with intricate cave systems rise dramatically from the waters. Sail past limestone karst mountains in the junk boat and stop to visit some of the islands and caves.
In the evening, devour a seafood dinner, then opt to enjoy a drink on deck under the stars.
Ha Long/Huế
Enjoy breakfast and lunch on board before sailing back to the port and return to Hanoi. Enjoy some time in the city before an overnight train to Hue. Interested in local cuisine? Opt to pre-book the "Hanoi Foodie Culture Tour" activity on the checkout page to include this optional on your tour.
Huế
Pull into Hue early in the morning and dive right into the city, starting with a guided tour of the Imperial Citadel, Royal Tomb and Tien Mu Pagoda. The rest of the day, you are free to explore the city how you'd like. Arrive early to Hue, once the imperial capital of Vietnam. Start the day with a visit to the Tien Mu Pagoda followed by a visit to the tomb of one of Vietnam’s former emperors. After, opt for a vegetarian lunch at a local nunnery.
While in the city, try some local Hue specialties such as banh khoai (Hue savoury pancakes), and banh bot loc boc tom thit (thin rice paper filled with meat and shrimp). Wash it all down with a Hue beer.
Opt to pre-book the "Hue Motorbike Tour" activity on the checkout page ahead of time, to include this optional on your tour.
Huế/Hoi An
Drive the Hai Van pass. Take advantage of Hoi An's many options over the 2.5 days in town. Opt for a cooking class, riverboat trip, bike ride, beach time, tailor visit or My Son ruins. Cross the Hai Van Pass (weather permitting), with fantastic views in all directions, before arriving to Hoi An in the afternoon.
With three nights here, there's plenty of time to explore all this charming town has to offer.
Hoi An
Explore all Hoi An has to offer. Dive into the culture, hang out on the beach or get clothes tailor-made in one of the many shops around town. Enjoy a noodle making demonstration and lunch at Oodles of Noodles, a G Adventures-supported project.
Hoi An
Spend a free day exploring all Hoi An has to offer.
Hoi An/Ho Chi Minh City
Fly from Hoi An to Ho Chi Minh City with free time to explore this hectic and amazing city. Drive to Da Nang for the flight to Ho Chi Minh City, once the capital of South Vietnam and the country’s commercial centre. Start exploring the small alleys and busy streets, keeping an eye out for laquerware shops and delicious local food stalls.
Ho Chi Minh City
Enjoy a guided tour of the Cu Chi Tunnels and learn more about the Vietnam War. Use free time in the afternoon to explore sprawling Ho Chi Minh City. With some free time in the city, opt to visit the Thien Hau and Giac Vien pagodas and stroll through the immense Ben Thanh Market. Also well worth a visit are the Reunification Palace (the residence of South Vietnam presidents before 1975), the city's Chinese quarter of Cholon, and the War Remnants Museum.
Ho Chi Minh City
Depart at any time. Not ready to leave? Your CEO can help with travel arrangements to extend your adventure.
Is travel insurance required for my trip?
Travel Insurance: Travel insurance is compulsory in order to participate on any of our trips. When travelling on a group trip, you will not be permitted to join the group until evidence of travel insurance has been sighted by your CEO, who will take note of your insurance details. When selecting a travel insurance policy please bear in mind that all clients must have medical coverage and that we require a minimum coverage of USD 200,000 for repatriation and emergency rescue. We strongly recommend that the policy also covers personal liability, cancellation, curtailment and loss of luggage and personal effects. If you have credit card insurance we require proof of purchase of the trip (a receipt of credit card statement) with a credit card in your name. Contact your bank for details of their participating insurer, the level of coverage and emergency contact telephone number.
Terms, conditions and restrictions apply; pricing, availability, and other details subject to change and/ or apply to US or Canadian residents. Please confirm details and booking information with your travel advisor.