Journeys: Explore Vietnam

Embark on a journey through Vietnam, where captivating culture and remarkable history unfold from the emerald mountains of the north to the golden beaches of the south. Explore UNESCO World Heritage treasures such as the imperial city of Hue and the enchanting Ha Long Bay, wander through the peaceful Mai Chau Valley, ride a cyclo through vibrant Hanoi, and venture into the legendary Cu Chi tunnels, once home to Viet Cong guerrillas during the Vietnam War.

The National Geographic partnership makes this journey stand out as it's not just about seeing, but understanding nature, culture, and history with expert‑guided storytelling. It integrates responsible travel deeply (high Ripple Score, local enterprise visits, environmental programs) rather than treating them as optional extras. Strikes a strong balance between comfort, immersion, and ethical travel. 

Pricing

13 days

From

$3,699*

per person, twin share

Price based on 3 May 2026 departure

Inclusions

• Your Journeys Highlight Moment: Traditional Lantern Making Experience, Hoi An
• Your Journeys Highlight Moment: Oodles of Noodles Local Market Excursion, Hoi An
• Your G for Good Moment: Kym Viet Local Enterprise Visit, Hanoi
• Your G for Good Moment: Oodles of Noodles, Hoi An
• Your Discover Moment: Kym Viet Craft & Lunch, Hanoi
• Arrival transfer
• Visit Hoa Lo Prison (Hanoi Hilton) and Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum
• Mai Chau Countryside Hike
• Cyclo tour of Hanoi's Old Quarter
• Overnight on a junk boat on Halong Bay
• Guided tour of Emperor's Tomb and Imperial Citadel Hue
• Lunch at a Buddhist Nunnery
• Walking tour of Hoi An Old Town
• Guided tour of the Cu Chi Tunnels
• Internal flights
• All transport between destinations and to/from included activities
• Accommodations: Hotels – 9 nights, Junk boat – 1 night, Lodge – 2 nights.
• Meals: 12 breakfasts, 5 lunches, 2 dinners
• Transportation: Private bus, boat, cyclo, plane, walking.
• Staff & experts: CEO (Chief Experience Officer) throughout, local guides.

Highlights

• Cruise along Halong Bay in a traditional junk boat 

• Learn how to make a traditional lantern in the lantern capital of Vietnam

• Step back into history at the Cu Chi Tunnels and Hanoi Hilton

Itinerary

Day 1: Hanoi
Arrive at any time. Arrival transfer is included.

Day 2: Hanoi/Mai Chai Valley
Spend the morning discovering the bustling Vietnamese capital and connecting to history on a guided tour. Visit the mausoleum of Ho Chi Minh, one of Vietnam’s most influential political leaders. Learn more about his life at the Presidential Palace, a French colonial-style building that was designed to be his official residence. Gain insights into the Vietnam War at the Hoa Lo Prison, known by American POWs as the Hanoi Hilton; then jump on a cyclo, a three-wheel bicycle taxi, for a fun-filled ride through Hanoi’s colourful Old Quarter. After, travel to the verdant Mai Chau Valley, a patchwork of rice paddies, emerald hills, and charming traditional villages. Settle in for a two night stay in this lush, green paradise. (B)

Day 3: Mai Chau Valley 
Spend the day exploring the picturesque valley. Set out on a walk through the peaceful countryside, learning about the local tribes and customs, and visit a rural market for a fruit tasting. Choose to enjoy an authentic country lunch at a village home. (B)

Day 4: Mai Chau Valley / Hanoi 
Return to Hanoi, stopping at KymViet Enterprise on the way. This G Adventures–supported program teaches stitching and sewing skills to local people with disabilities. Learn about KymViet meeting with the staff and make a small handicraft. Enjoy a tour of the workshop and interact with the team members by learning a few words in sign language. After, return to Hanoi and enjoy the rest of the day to explore exactly how you wish! (L)

Exclusive Inclusions: Your G for Good Moment: Kym Viet Local Enterprise Visit

Your Discover Moment: Kym Viet Craft & Lunch

Day 5: Hanoi / Ha Long Bay
After breakfast, transfer to HaLong Bay, where thousands of sculpted limestone islands rise from serene, turquoise waters. Settle into your cabin on a traditional-style wooden junk boat, where we’ll spend the night, and embark on a cruise of Bai Tu Long Bay, a more secluded section of this UNESCO World Heritage site. Glide around the bay’s stunning karst formations, and explore the fascinating Me Cung cave with our local guide. (B,L,D)

Day 6: Ha Long Bay / Hue 
Enjoy an early lunch on board before returning to land and heading back to Hanoi to catch a short flight to Hue. A former imperial capital of Vietnam, this World Heritage-listed city boasts many architectural treasures; it was also the site of one of the Vietnam War’s most dramatic battles. (B,L)

Day 7: Hue
Set out on a guided tour of Hue’s imposing walled citadel, discovering lavish palaces, gardens, and courtyards. Visit the Forbidden Purple City, which served as the private quarters of the imperial family; then venture into the countryside to the magnificent tombs of Vietnam’s emperors, located along the banks of the Perfume River. Visit a Buddhist nunnery and enjoy a leisurely lunch following the traditions of vegetarian cuisine. (B,L)

Day 8: Hue / Hoi An 
Drive to Hoi An this morning, a remarkably well-preserved river port and UNESCO World Heritage site. Stroll the narrow, winding streets of the atmospheric old town, lined with quaint merchants’ homes and decorated with colourful silk lanterns. Then try your hand at crafting a lantern of your own—a symbol of luck, wealth, and happiness—and leave with a beautiful souvenir. This afternoon, opt to visit a local tailor and be fitted for a custom-made shirt. (B)

Exclusive Inclusions: Your Journeys Highlight Moment: Traditional Lantern Making Experience

Day 9: Hoi An
Delve into a local market this morning with guides from Oodles of Noodles, a G Adventures–supported program that trains local youth in the culinary arts. Taste dozens of varieties of noodles and pick out fresh ingredients at the market; then take your groceries to the Oodles of Noodles training kitchen, where you’ll learn to prepare mouthwatering noodle dishes and enjoy your creations for lunch. (B,L)

Exclusive Inclusions: Your Journeys Highlight Moment: Oodles of Noodles Local Market Excursion

Your G for Good Moment: Oodles of Noodles

Day 10: Hoi An
The day is yours to explore enchanting Hoi An and its environs. Choose to take a day trip to World Heritage-listed My Son, a cluster of moss-covered Hindu temples dating between the 4th and 13th centuries. Alternatively, head to the nearby Cua Dai beach, or relax at your hotel by the pool. (B)

Day 11: Hoi An/Ho Chi Minh City
Fly to Ho Chi Minh City, formerly known as Saigon. Immerse yourself in this vibrant metropolis—Vietnam’s economic hub—on a variety of optional activities. Discover the city on a cyclo tour, taking in iconic sites like the Notre Dame Cathedral and the ornate Central Post Office and City Hall. Visit the War Remnants Museum, a powerful reminder of the atrocities committed during the Vietnam War; or take a tour of the Reunification Palace, the site which marked the end of the war. (B)

Day 12: Ho Chi Minh City
Venture to the legendary Cu Chi tunnels, a network of underground passageways that provided a base for Viet Cong soldiers during the Vietnam War. Visit subterranean hospitals and ammunition stores, and learn about the vital role that the tunnels played in the eventual victory of the North. (B,D)

Day 13: Ho Chi Minh City
Depart at any time. (B)

Terms and Conditions

Valid for new bookings only. Bookings must be made by calling G Adventures, through G Adventures’ travel agent booking system, or as otherwise indicated by G Adventures. G Adventures reserves the right to withdraw this offer from sale at any time without prior notice. Any refunds made with respect to products booked under this promotion shall be issued at the discounted rate. G Adventures reserves the right to cancel any booking due to unauthorized, altered, ineligible, or fraudulent use of discount. G Adventures is not responsible for technical or system errors that may interfere with or otherwise prohibit the use of the promotion. All G Adventures’ tours are subject to G Adventures' full booking conditions, found here: gadventures.com/terms-conditions-policies/. Professional service fees may apply.