Vietnam Adventure

• Accommodation: 3 Superior nights (hotels), 8 Classic nights (7 hotel, 1 boat), 2 Simple nights (1 homestay/guesthouse, 1 sleeper train)
• Group normally 4 to 16, plus leader
• Post-tour Angkor Wat extension (from Ho Chi Minh City) available

There are 12 breakfasts, one lunch and two dinners included on this trip. For many, the culinary offerings in Vietnam are a highlight. Across the country, the influence of the Chinese and French is still strong and you’re just as likely to be offered a banh mi (stuffed baguette) as you are a flavour-packed bowl of pho (noodle soup). Be sure to seek out the national beverages: Vietnamese coffee is served iced and sweet with condensed milk, a real sugar and caffeine hit, and beer hoi (local beer, brewed daily) is served on most street corners in the north out of large plastic jugs that are perfect for sharing. Food is cheap in Vietnam and you can generally avoid the spicier dishes if you wish. Western food is readily available almost everywhere, except for the night in the Mekong Delta. Vegetarian meals are widely available; however, the offering is fairly similar in most places. Please advise at the time of booking if you have any dietary requirements.

There is no bad time to visit Vietnam; it is quite pleasant any time of year, though due to the shape of the country, it is unlikely the weather is perfect for the duration of any trip.

There is quite a range of seasons between the north and south: the south up to Hue has a distinct dry season between December and April and then a rainy season from May to November, when rain comes in short heavy bursts with bright sunshine in between. Hanoi is cool in autumn, and even gets chilly between November and February (with drizzly rain).

Ha Long Bay: Our junk boat trip is subject to short-notice change if adverse weather conditions develop. These could occur year-round, but especially in monsoon season (October-April). Ha Long Bay boat trips are governed by the local authorities, who are authorised to make such appropriate safety decisions. If your Ha Long Bay trip is affected by adverse weather, this could either result in a reduced excursion on Ha Long Bay or, less likely, the need to re-arrange the itinerary if it is not possible go out on Ha Long Bay. While this is not a frequent occurrence, our local team and leaders are well equipped to handle such situations and have long offered appropriate options where this occurs.

Angkor Wat extension: The weather is hot and humid year-round in Cambodia. The dry season is late October to May and the monsoon is normally between May and October, though there is an obvious transitional time between those settled periods.

The dry season is as it sounds, with hot days and generally clear skies, though you can expect the odd shower. The monsoon is characterised by short, sharp bursts of rain and is generally overcast all day though this does not detract from the enjoyment of the place; you just need to take an umbrella or buy a cheap local poncho.

This trip is rated Activity Level 2 (Easy & Moderate). For more information on our trip gradings please visit the Activity Level Guidelines page. If you have any queries about the difficulty of the trip please do not hesitate to contact us.  

This is an activity-packed adventure encompassing the highlights of Vietnam, ideal if you love to combine culture and natural wonders. We travel by private minibus and take one internal flight to allow you to experience the best of this beautiful and diverse country in two weeks. In the north, around Hanoi and Ha Long Bay, the weather can be hot and humid and cold in winter. Some days are fairly long and tiring, with long travel days.