lanterns in hoi an, open-top jeeps over the hai van pass, a night on a boat in halong bay and egg coffee in hanoi. 13 days from ho chi minh city to hanoi, for the girl who always said she’d see asia “one day”.
Ho Chi Minh City to Hanoi
12 nights
4.8
from £1,250 pp
DEPOSIT
£200
DURATION
12 nights
ROUTE
BOOK NOW
WHY YOU’LL LOVE IT
you skipped the gap year. you did the sensible stuff instead, the job, the rent, being there for everyone else. vietnam is the big asia adventure you kept putting off. it's not too late. it's just better organised now. you'll start in buzzy ho chi minh city with the cu chi tunnels and the war remnants museum, then fly to hoi an for lantern making, a visit to the tailors, bike rides and basket boats. next it's open-top jeeps over the hai van pass to hue, a cooking class and an overnight train to ninh binh for caves and limestone peaks. then a night on the water in halong bay, before you finish in hanoi with egg coffee and a night out. vietnam is long and thin, and getting from one end to the other takes a train, buses, jeeps and boats. on your own that's a lot of tabs open. here it's all booked, so you get the adventure without the 2am "how do i get to ninh binh" panic.
IS THIS TRIP FOR YOU?
This trip is for you if…
you always meant to see south east asia and life kept getting in the way
you want something that feels like a proper adventure, without months of planning it
you want to see vietnam from bottom to top, cities, mountain passes, caves and the bay
you're into food, coffee and trying everything at least once
a night on a sleeper train and a night on a boat sound fun, not stressful
you're happy sharing a twin room with the girls
Maybe not for you if…
you're not up for travelling as a group or meeting new people
you'd rather unpack once and stay put
you want a 5-star resort and your own room
early starts, travel days and about 500 steps up to a viewpoint aren't your thing
AVERAGE AGE
mostly 25 to 40
GROUP SIZE
up to 20
PACE
busy, 6 stops in 13 days
How physical
moderate. there are bike rides in hoi an, kayaking in halong bay, the cu chi tunnels and around 500 steps up to the hang mua viewpoint. bring comfy trainers, and know there's a night on a train and a few busy travel days.
The vibe
noodle bowls, iced coffee and a million motorbikes. busy cities at either end, slow lantern-lit evenings in hoi an in the middle, then a night on a boat between the limestone islands of halong bay.
First solo trip?
vietnam is a lot to piece together alone, so this is the easy way in. the flight, train, jeeps and boats are all booked, your tour leader is with you the whole way, and you'll be in your trip group chat around 4 weeks before you fly.
THE HIGHLIGHT REEL
Cruising Halong Bay's limestone karsts
Hai Van Pass by open-top jeep
Hoi An's lantern shops
Hanoi's Train Street
WHAT’S INCLUDED
Activities
• ho chi minh city orientation • war remnants museum • cu chi tunnels • lantern making in hoi an • visit to traditional vietnamese tailors • rural bike ride in hoi an • bamboo basket boat trip • hai van pass jeep tour • local cooking class • overnight train to ninh binh • ninh binh boat tour • hang mua cave viewpoint • halong bay cruise • egg coffee demonstration • hanoi orientation
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Local guide
a tour leader with you for the whole trip, from your first night in ho chi minh city to checkout in hanoi.
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Transport & stays
12 nights in twin share rooms, including a night on the overnight train and a night on board in halong bay. all transport between stops is sorted, including the flight to hoi an, the open-top jeeps over the hai van pass and the train to ninh binh.
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Meals
12 breakfasts, 4 lunches and 2 dinners included.
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Not included
International flights
Accommodation before the trip starts
Visa fees
Travel insurance
Personal spending
WHERE YOU’LL GO
DAY BY DAY
Day 1
hello ho chi minh city
Ho Chi Minh City
Day 2
the cu chi tunnels
Ho Chi Minh City
Day 3
city walk and a flight to hoi an
Ho Chi Minh City
Day 4
lanterns and tailors in hoi an
Hoi An
Day 5
a free day in hoi an
Hoi An
Day 6
bikes, basket boats and lunch with a local family
Hoi An
Day 7
open-top jeeps over the hai van pass
Hue
Day 8
cooking in hue and the night train
Hue
Day 9
caves and limestone in ninh binh
Ninh Binh
Day 10
a night on halong bay
Halong Bay
Day 11
breakfast on deck, then hanoi
Hanoi
Day 12
egg coffee and hanoi
Hanoi
Day 13
tạm biệt vietnam
Hanoi
WHERE WE STAY
Ho Chi Minh City
3 nights
Your starting point for the tunnels and markets.
Hoi An
3 nights
Riverside town of lanterns and tailors.
Hue
1 night
Your base for the Imperial City.
Ninh Binh
1 night
Limestone karsts and caves.
Halong Bay
1 night
A night on board among the islands.
Hanoi
2 nights
The Old Quarter to finish.
GOOD TO KNOW
PLANNING YOUR TRIP?
read our Vietnam travel guide
Best time to go, budget, safety, visas, getting around and what to pack, all in one free guide.
READ THE GUIDE
FROM OUR GALLERY
DATES & PRICES
Booked through our partner Tru Travels
Secure your place with a £200 deposit
Spread the rest in instalments, with the full balance due 60 days before you fly. The deposit is non-refundable.
Booked through our partner TruTravels, who are ABTA and ATOL registered, so your money is protected.
STILL WONDERING?
Is Vietnam safe for solo female travellers?
Do I need a visa for Vietnam?
What's included in the Vietnam trip?
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What currency do I need?
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What's the accommodation like?
Is it weird to come solo?
Who decides who I share with?
Can I pay in instalments?
Still on the fence? That’s completely normal.
every woman who’s been on our trips once stood exactly where you are now. excited, a little nervous, not sure if this is really “for them”. it is. message us with any question, or have a browse and see what’s out there.
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