Traverse Vietnam’s dramatic contrasts, from the neon south to the karst peaks of the north. Cruise the delta, walk imperial grounds, and explore ancient Hội An. Guided by experts, meet the conservationists and artisans preserving the wild and cultural heart of the country.
Travel Style
National Geographic Signature
Service Level
Luxury
Physical Grading
3 - Average
What's Included
Your G for Good Moment: Oodles of Noodles Demonstration and Lunch, Hoi An
Your Welcome Moment: Welcome Moment - Meet your Expedition Leader and Group, Ho Chi Minh City
Your Foodie Moment: Pho Lunch, Ho Chi Minh City
Your Local Living Moment: Cacao Farm Experience, Tỉnh Tiền Giang
Signature Moment: Private Roundtable with Dr. Nguyen Huu Thien, Cần Thơ
Your Foodie Moment: Private Dinner at Mango Restaurant, Hoi An
Signature Moment: Behind-the-Scenes Japanese Covered Bridge, Hoi An
Your Foodie Moment: Hanoi Elevated Street Eats Tour, Hanoi. Arrival & departure transfer. Reunification Palace Visit. Social Impact Dining at ST25 by KOTO. Free time in Ho Chi Minh City. Walking tour of Ho Chi Minh City. Welcome Dinner at One River Restaurant. Vintage Camera Photography Experience. Cu Chi Tunnels Guided Tour. Sunrise at Cai Rang Floating Market. Free Time in Can Tho. Hoi An Guided Walking Tour and Exploration. Free Time in Hoi An. Private Dinner & Concert at Ben Xuan Garden House. Royal Tombs Visit. Hue’s Heritage by River & Citadel. Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, Presidential Complex, and One Pillar Pagoda. Foot Massage at Dao's Care Spa Social Enterprise. Long Bien Bridge Guided Visit. Night Tour at the Temple of Literature. Van Long Wetlands Boat Trip. Session on Vietnamese Wildlife with National Geographic Grantee. Cuc Phuong Conservation Experience. Emeralda Resort Farewell dinner. Engaging Discussions with the National Geographic Expedition Expert throughout. All transport between destinations and to/from included activities.
What are the main highlights of this trip?
Engage in an intimate discussion on the delta’s future with a leading environmental expert, Master local noodle traditions in Hội An while supporting a youth empowerment project, Gain exclusive after-hours entry to Hội An’s iconic bridge with a conservation specialist, Visit primate and wildlife rescue centres to learn about protecting Vietnam’s species, Tour a local cacao farm to meet growers and taste fresh chocolate and cacao wine.
How large will the group be?
Max 22
What meals are included in this trip?
11 breakfasts, 8 lunches, 7 dinners
What are the modes of transportation on my trip?
Private Vehicle, Electric Car, Walking, Cyclo, Plane, Boat, Train
Is there an extra cost for travelling solo?
Yes, for those travelling solo there is a single supplement
Where will we stay during the trip?
Hotel (11 nights)
Itinerary
Ho Chi Minh City
Welcome to Vietnam. Your expedition begins as you touch down in Ho Chi Minh City, where the tropical heat mixes with the electric hum of a metropolis on the move. You will be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel to settle in. The evening is free to rest and refresh, preparing for the upcoming expedition.
Ho Chi Minh City
Meet your National Geographic Expedition Leader and Expedition Expert for a welcome briefing before visiting the Reunification Palace. Walk the time-capsule rooms of the 1970s and descend into the wartime bunker, feeling the heavy silence of the past. For lunch, experience social impact dining at ST25 by KOTO, hearing inspiring stories of how hospitality training transforms the lives of disadvantaged youth. Explore the neo-Romanesque Notre Dame Cathedral and the Central Post Office before a nostalgic coffee stop at a communist-era themed café. Conclude with a welcome dinner, celebrating the start to your expedition through Vietnam.
Ho Chi Minh City
See the city through a new lens — literally. Join an immersive photography workshop using vintage film cameras to capture the texture of Saigon, framing shots of hidden cafés, peeling colonial facades, and bustling markets. After a classic pho lunch, travel to the Cu Chi Tunnels. Explore the underground network with a Vietnam War veteran, gaining a visceral understanding of resilience and survival in the cramped, silent earth. Return to the city by scenic speedboat, letting the river breeze cool you as the skyline comes into view, transforming the ride back into a visual experience of life on the water. The evening is free to dine on your own.
Ho Chi Minh City/Cần Thơ
Leave the city for the lush, green world of the Mekong Delta. Stop at a local cacao farm to trace the stages from pod to bar, smelling the roasting beans and tasting unique specialties like cacao wine. After lunch surrounded by tropical foliage, transfer to Can Tho by speedboat, gliding deeper into the river’s arteries past stilt houses and fishing boats. Settle into your resort with high tea by the pool. Join the group for a discussion and introduction to Life along the Mekong river, preparing for tomorrow’s immersion in the "Rice Bowl" of Vietnam.
Cần Thơ/Hoi An
Rise early to witness the Cai Rang Floating Market, where the river teems with boats piling high with tropical fruit — pineapples, watermelons, and dragon fruit hanging from bamboo poles. Navigate the colorful chaos as the sun rises over the water, revealing the daily life of river traders. Later, engage in a discussion delving into the challenges facing the Delta’s ecosystem. Return to the city and fly to Da Nang and transfer to the ancient town of Hội An. The evening offers a culinary introduction to Central Vietnam with dinner celebrating the unique regional flavors in a beautiful, atmospheric setting.
Hoi An
Walk the vibrant streets of Hội An, smelling the street food and admiring the yellow merchant houses draped in bougainvillea. Join a workshop at Oodles of Noodles, a G Adventures-supported partner, to learn the art of making local noodles while supporting youth empowerment. Later this evening holds an exclusive after-hours access to the Japanese Covered Bridge. Accompanied by a conservationist, walk the silent, lantern-lit structure without the crowds, learning about the efforts to preserve this icon. Conclude with a light dinner in the old town, watching lanterns float down the Thu Bon River.
Hoi An/Huế
Board the Heritage Train for a scenic journey to Huế, watching the dramatic coastline and lush Hai Van Pass unfold through the window — a route often called one of the most beautiful in the world. Arrive in the former imperial capital and settle in. The evening brings an exclusive experience at the Ben Xuan Garden House, the residence of an imperial descendant. In the candlelit garden villa, surrounded by antiques and orchids, enjoy a delicious dinner accompanied by an intimate musical performance. It is a moment of pure connection to the refined cultural heritage of the Nguyen Dynasty.
Huế/Hanoi
Cruise the Perfume River to the seven-story Thien Mu Pagoda, a symbol of the city rising from the mist. Explore the vast Imperial City by electric car, stopping for a traditional tea tasting to learn the nuances of royal blends and the philosophy of Vietnamese tea culture. Savor a vegetarian lunch at a historic restaurant, honoring the Buddhist roots of the city. Visit the tomb of a Nguyen Emperor, admiring the harmony of architecture and nature in the pine forests. After, transfer to the airport for an evening flight to Hanoi, the thousand-year-old capital where ancient temples sit beside French villas.
Hanoi
Pay respects at the Ho Chi Minh Complex before enjoying a restorative foot massage at Dao’s Car, a social enterprise supporting visually impaired therapists. Walk the historic Long Bien Bridge and hear stories of resilience from the Expedition Leader. In the afternoon, hop on a cyclo for an ‘elevated street eats’ tour, weaving through the traffic to sample bun cha and egg coffee while learning about a unique initiative supported by the G Value Fund. Conclude the day with an atmospheric night tour of the Temple of Literature. Watch a cultural performance in the ancient courtyards, illuminated by soft light that highlights the stone stelae of scholars past.
Hanoi/Ninh Bình
Travel to the karst landscapes of Ninh Binh, often called "Halong Bay on land." Glide through the tranquil Van Long Nature Reserve on a small boat, the only sound being the dip of the oar and the call of birds. Search the limestone cliffs for the critically endangered Delacour's langur. After a family-style lunch, check into your resort. The afternoon features an exclusive session with a National Geographic Explorer. Gain rare insight into Vietnam’s ecosystems and the fight to protect its most vulnerable species, deepening your appreciation for the natural world around you before a relaxed dinner.
Ninh Bình
Witness conservation in action at the Endangered Primate Rescue Center and Save Vietnam’s Wildlife organizations which were founded by National Geographic Explorer, Thai Van Nguyen. Walk the quiet paths to see the meticulous care given to pangolins and langurs, learning about the challenges of rehabilitation and release. Return to the resort for a celebratory farewell dinner. Toast the expedition and the people working to protect the country's unique heritage, reflecting on the path from the bustling south to the wild beauty of the north.
Ninh Bình
Your expedition to Vietnam concludes today. Transfer to the Hanoi airport, provided at any time during the day.
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 Expedition Leader, 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.
