12 DAY ULTIMATE / 11 NIGHT GROUP TOUR
VIETNAM ADVENTURE
HO CHI MINH – HOI AN – HUE – PU LUONG HOMESTAY – BAI TU LONG BAY – HANOI
Prices start from
$2,249
Save 10%
$2,499
Tour charges are in AUD. Secure your date with a deposit today. See our booking policy for full terms.

12 DAY ULTIMATE / 11 NIGHT GROUP TOUR

VIETNAM ADVENTURE

HO CHI MINH TO HANOI

5.0 Rating - 97 Traveller Reviews
Prices start from
$2,249
Save 10%
$2,499
Tour charges are in AUD. Secure your date with a deposit today. See our booking policy for full terms.
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TRIP OVERVIEW

Step off the tourist trail on this 12-day Vietnam group tour, designed to show you the country’s real side. Travel from Ho Chi Minh City to Hanoi, exploring vibrant cities, quiet countryside and stunning natural landscapes along the way. Taste iconic street food, cycle through rural villages, stay in traditional homestays and cruise the emerald waters of Bai Tu Long Bay. With expert local guides, included experiences and time to soak it all in, this Vietnam group tour balances culture, adventure and connection — all shared with an epic group of travellers.

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS

  • Experience the best of Vietnam on a 12-day adventure from Ho Chi Minh City to Hanoi
  • Cruise the breathtaking Bai Tu Long Bay with an overnight boat stay and kayaking adventure
  • Travel like a local on two overnight trains and discover Vietnam’s diverse landscapes from south to north
  • Experience authentic Vietnam with village homestays, cooking classes, countryside bike rides and cultural experiences
  • Explore the vibrant streets of Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi, including an unforgettable street food tour
  • Enjoy free time throughout the trip to explore, relax or personalise your adventure
  • Fully guided by an experienced ULTIMATE Group Leader with all transport and accommodation included
  • The perfect blend of culture, local experiences, incredible scenery and authentic Vietnamese adventure
Vietnam-12-Day-Group-Tour-Map

  • Arrival Airport Pickup – Be met on arrival in Vietnam and transferred to your first accommodation.
  • 11 Nights Accommodation – 11 nights of accommodation including hotels, overnight trains and a local village homestay.
  • Meals Included – Meals included on selected days (Meals: 9 Breakfasts // 5 Lunches // 5 Dinners).
  • All Transport Included – All transport throughout the tour including vans, buses, overnight trains and boats.
  • ULTIMATE Group Leader – Led by an experienced ULTIMATE Group Leader with local drivers and expert local guides.
  • Ho Chi Minh City Orientation Walk – Get to know Saigon with a guided walk through local streets and neighbourhoods.
  • Hanoi Street Food Tour – Guided foodie adventure tasting Hanoi’s most iconic street food dishes.
  • 24/7 In-Country Support – On-ground support available throughout your Vietnam adventure.
  • Bai Tu Long Bay Cruise & Kayaking – Overnight cruise through limestone karsts with kayaking in emerald waters.
  • Rural Village Bike Tour – Cycle through rice paddies and countryside villages for a local perspective.
  • Traditional Cooking Classes – Hands-on cooking experiences learning regional Vietnamese dishes.
  • Homestay & Waterfall Experiences – Village walks through rice fields, waterfall hikes, swimming and cultural workshops.
  • Cultural Sites & Scenic Journeys – Temples, pagodas and scenic journeys through central and northern Vietnam.

Day 1 | Welcome to Vietnam

Day 1 | Welcome to Vietnam
Xin chào Vietnam. Your adventure kicks off with an airport pickup and transfer into Ho Chi Minh City. Once checked in, you’ve got time to relax, explore or ease into the city vibes. This evening, meet your group over a welcome dinner and toast the start of the journey. Wrap up the night with a rooftop swim and skyline views.

Day 2 | Ho Chi Minh City & Overnight Train

Day 2 | Ho Chi Minh City & Overnight Train
Get your first real taste of Vietnam with an orientation walk through the buzzing streets of Ho Chi Minh City. Wander markets, local neighbourhoods and hidden corners as your guide introduces you to daily life in Saigon. Later, join locals in the park for a fun game of foot badminton. After some downtime, head to the station and board your overnight sleeper train north to Da Nang.

Day 3 | Kayak into Hoi An

Day 3 | Kayak into Hoi An
Arrive in central Vietnam and freshen up before the afternoon adventure. Head to Cam Thanh for a kayaking experience that takes you right into Hoi An, paddling past palm-lined waterways, fishing boats and riverside homes. Afterwards, enjoy free time to explore Hoi An’s lantern-lit streets, browse markets or visit a local tailor to create something custom.

Day 4 | Hoi An Countryside & Culture

Day 4 | Hoi An Countryside & Culture
This morning, cycle through the peaceful countryside of Cam Kim Island, passing rice paddies, farmland and village homes. Later, take part in a hands-on soap-making workshop that transforms used cooking oil into eco-friendly products. The afternoon is yours – relax at the beach, explore the Old Town or soak up Hoi An’s laid-back charm.

Day 5 | Hai Van Pass to Hue

Day 5 | Hai Van Pass to Hue
After breakfast, hit the road for one of Vietnam’s most scenic drives. Travel along the iconic Hai Van Pass, winding between mountains and coastline with epic viewpoints along the way. Stop at a hidden waterfall and enjoy lunch before rolling into Hue, Vietnam’s former imperial capital.

Day 6 | Hue History & Overnight Train

Day 6 | Hue History & Overnight Train
Explore Hue from a local perspective, starting in Thuy Bieu village. Visit a traditional garden house and join a hands-on cooking class where you’ll prepare classic Hue dishes. In the afternoon, step back in time at the Imperial Citadel and visit the iconic Thien Mu Pagoda. After some rest, board the overnight train north to Ninh Binh.

Day 7 | Pu Luong Nature Reserve

Day 7 | Pu Luong Nature Reserve
Arrive in the north and travel into the lush landscapes of Pu Luong Nature Reserve. Stop at Ngoc Chau Pagoda before continuing into the hills. Settle into your homestay in Don Village, then head out to Hieu Waterfall, trekking through bamboo forests and rice terraces before cooling off in the cascading pools.

Day 8 | Pu Luong Villages & Traditions

Day 8 | Pu Luong Villages & Traditions
Start the day with a scenic village walk through Ban Cong, crossing suspension bridges and wandering past rice fields, water wheels and riverside paths. Later, join a Com Lam cooking class, preparing bamboo sticky rice over an open fire before sharing lunch. Spend the afternoon soaking up village life at your own pace.

Day 9 | Pu Luong to Hanoi

Day 9 | Pu Luong to Hanoi
Say goodbye to your homestay hosts and travel to Hanoi. After checking into your boutique hotel, head out in the evening for a guided street food tour, sampling Hanoi’s most iconic dishes and hidden foodie spots.

Day 10 | Bai Tu Long Bay Cruise

Day 10 | Bai Tu Long Bay Cruise
Leave the city behind and head to Bai Tu Long Bay, a quieter and equally stunning alternative to Ha Long Bay. Board your overnight cruise and sail between towering limestone karsts. Visit hidden caves, kayak around Cap La Island and enjoy sunset drinks on deck before dinner onboard.

Day 11 | Bai Tu Long Bay to Hanoi

Day 11 | Bai Tu Long Bay to Hanoi
Start the morning with Tai Chi on deck as the bay drifts by. After brunch, explore Thien Canh Son Cave before returning to Hanoi around midday. The afternoon is free to explore, shop or relax.

Day 12 | Depart Vietnam

Day 12 | Depart Vietnam
Your Vietnam adventure comes to an end today. Say goodbye to your group and continue onward travels or head home, with help from your guide to organise next steps.

WHERE WE STAY

The Vietnam Group Tour includes 11 nights accommodation.

  • Stay in a mix of well-located hotels known for their comfort, style, and great facilities — including pools and standout locations across Vietnam.
  • Balance the comforts with a truly authentic experience during a remote homestay, where you’ll eat, sleep, and live like the locals.
  • All accommodation has been carefully selected to deliver quality, comfort, and value without breaking the bank.
  • Rooming is based on a mix of multi-share and twin/double rooms, keeping the experience social and comfortable.
  • The tour includes two overnight train journeys in four-berth cabins (occasionally six-berth), with bench seating that converts into sleeping bunks.
  • An overnight cruise in Ha Long Bay is also included, offering a unique stay surrounded by one of Vietnam’s most iconic landscapes.
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BOOK TOURVietnam Adventure
Pay Today: $300 AUD per person
Final payment due 45 days before your tour.

To make your booking, select your chosen departure date and any optional extras you would like to book. If you are unsure about optional extras or if you need additional accommodation before or after your tour, you can let us know later via email.

We'll send you a booking confirmation as well as important information about your tour. You can make payments on your tour balance sooner, or regularly, via our website here. A non refundable 5.25% booking processing fee applies to each booking, calculated on the value of your booking.

Travelling solo? Great! Most of the people you meet on tour will also be on a solo adventure! If you are curious as to who you could be travelling with, or want to make some friends before arriving, join our Travel Community and reach out to your potential new travel mates!

Booking with ULTIMATE is easy! We take payments securely via Mastercard or Visa Credit and Debit Card and we will charge you in Australian Currency (AUD). Your deposit is flexible and if you can no longer travel, you can save your deposit for a later trip or destination if you notify us 30 days before your scheduled tour date.

Making your booking is easy. Choose a date below, and if you have any questions about extras, deposits, or meeting other travellers, just get in touch — we're happy to help.

Good to Know | FAQs

Begins in Ho Chi Minh City (fly into Tan Son Nhat International Airport, SGN, for arrival transfer). Finishes in Hanoi (depart from Noi Bai International Airport, HAN). Recommend arriving in HCMC on or before Day 1, and departing Hanoi on the final day or the day after.

Like-minded travellers from all over the world; group sizes vary but stay under 30 people.

Comprehensive guidance covering Hepatitis A and B, Typhoid, Tetanus, MMR, Flu and Malaria; recommend consulting a GP 6-8 weeks before departure.

They recommend Skyscanner.com for flight comparisons and offer a recommended travel insurance provider.

It’s your responsibility to obtain the correct visa. Three options: embassy application, visa on arrival, or e-visa online. UK, France, Spain, Germany and Italy citizens may not require a visa for stays under 15 days.

Not offered at this time; suggest downloading taxi apps Grab or GoJek.

Strongly recommend arriving before 3:00pm on Day 1, allowing time to reach accommodation, settle in, and join the welcome dinner.

They do their best to accommodate dietary requirements, though can’t guarantee every requirement can be met, especially in remote areas.

Yes, recommended as there is hiking in Pu Luong.

Recommend the earliest departure no earlier than 11:00 AM, allowing 1-1.5 hours to travel to the airport.

Yes, add additional nights before or after your trip to your booking at checkout.

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