Depart your home country for your flight to Hanoi.
Most suited for
Families
Ideal time to visit
May-September
This trip suggestion works particularly well for families travelling in Spring and Summer since this is the best time to visit Phong Nha Caves and the Central Coast. It avoids the southern part of the country, where the weather is less favourable in the summer months.
Vietnam has an extensive network of domestic flights, so it’s tempting to fly around all over the place and pack loads in. But travelling a little more slowly by train can be hugely rewarding and fun! This holiday includes an overnight journey and two-day trains as you traverse the country from Hanoi to the Central Coast. You’ll stay in some great spots along the way including a luxury beach resort in an idyllic location.
Countryside, Caves & Beach
As with all our holidays, this itinerary is just a starting point. We will create a bespoke package which will be completely unique for you.
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Day 1
Your adventure begins
Days 2 - 4
Hanoi
Hanoi is alive with culture, history, and local day-to-day life bustling around you. Travelling by jeep and cyclo, you’ll learn a little about the cultural traditions, get lost in the hidden alleyways of the old quarter and taste some of the street food, ice cream (and beer) for which Hanoi is famous.
We highly recommend rising (really) early at least once if you can bear it. Joining the locals practising badminton, t’ai chi and aerobics around the lake at sunrise is an experience you’ll never forget.
Days 5
Overnight train to Dong Hoi
After dinner, you’ll board the “Reunification Express”. Bunk up in a sleeper cabin as the train weaves south to Dong Hoi.
Days 6 - 8
Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park.
You’ll arrive at Dong Hoi early and transfer to your accommodation on the edge of Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park.
This remarkable national park is one of the world’s largest limestone regions and is home to one of the world’s largest caves. You can choose to explore the impressive caves and caverns, take a leisurely boat trip and do a 3km trek.
Outside the caves, there are numerous activities too, kayaking, trekking, exploring the botanical gardens, taking a bike ride through riverside villages or learning about the significance of the Ho Chi Minh Trails (through which soldiers moved supplies from North to South Vietnam during the war).
It is possible to take a two-day expedition into the enormous Hang En Cave and camp the night inside, though this option is not suitable for younger children.
Days 9 - 11
Hoi An
Depart your hotel this morning for the early transfer to Dong Hoi, where you’ll board the day train to Danang; this route offers some marvellous views of the countryside as you weave south through Hue and the mountains. Disembark the train in Danang, and transfer to your hotel (your choice of town or beach).
During your three-night stay, there will be the chance to experience the ancient town itself or head out of town to the beach. Hoi An Town is a great place to explore at any time, although it’s quieter in the morning. Learn about local traditions, taste some delicious food and explore the local shops and markets.
You’ll also have a chance to spend an afternoon (or morning) exploring the nearby countryside with either a Vespa or bicycle tour of the traditional local farms or fishing villages.
Days 12 - 15
Phu Yen
Back on the day train today with more great views along the way. Today it’s south to Dieu Tri, where on arrival, transfer to a glorious beach resort on a serene peninsula south of Quy Nhon. It is an excellent place to relax, but there is plenty to keep all ages entertained with watersports, tennis, snorkelling, and a kids club if needed.
Day 16
Fly home
Transfer to Quy Nhon and board a domestic flight to Saigon or Hanoi, from which you’ll connect to your flight back home. Alternatively, you may wish to stop in Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) for a few days. Please talk to your travel expert to tailor your perfect itinerary.
An Epic Adventure Across Southeast Asia
There were moments while I was out and about where I thought that everyone should experience this kind of mindful travel that Experience Travel organises, as it's not backpacking where you tick off the standard party hotspots, and it's not the typical cruise for tourists to visit the standard sightseeing destinations, but an experience where I really felt I got to know the countries, meet great people and do fun stuff that most people miss.
Sven
3 March 2025Excellent
850 Reviews
850 Reviews
What’s included:
With ETG, what’s included goes well beyond the basics. From the moment your trip begins to your final farewell, the essentials are already taken care of, leaving you free to immerse, explore and enjoy without the hassle of hidden extras.
Here’s what comes as standard in all of our holidays:
All flights (unless you’ve booked your own!)
Expert guides and drivers
All accommodation
Many meals and snacks
Immersive experiences throughout
All regional transfers
Tips
24/7 In-Country support
Personal travel consultant throughout
Pricing:
As every holiday is bespoke, prices vary depending on destination, flights, hotel choices, inclusions and travel dates. We aim to include as much as possible upfront, so you know exactly where you are. As an approximate guide:
Bespoke Holidays £4,500 - £8,500pp
Bespoke Luxury Holidays £8,500 - £14,500pp
Bespoke Family Holidays from £4,000 - £7,500pp
Meet Our Vietnam Experts
After living in Vietnam for almost a year, Chione knows the country inside out. From hidden street food gems in Hanoi to the best boutique stays in Hoi An, she helps travellers experience Vietnam beyond the obvious.
“What families love most about this suggested route is that it combines iconic moments with plenty of relaxation. You’ll ride an overnight train from Hanoi to Dong Hoi, explore the incredible Phong Nha caves, soak up centuries of culture in Hoi An, then finish on a beautiful, breezy beach in Phu Yen. It’s fun, flexible, and crafted for all ages.”
Chione
Regional Expert
Explore Our Hotels & Villas
Wherever you go, and whatever you do, at the end of every day you can always be sure of a comfortable rest. Every location on our list of hotels is handpicked, and in its own way, shares the history, the hospitality, and the soul of Vietnam. Below are some examples of the different hotels we use.
The ETG Guarantee
We guarantee you an experience no one else has ever had.
The travel magic you’ll remember won’t be found on a well-trodden – or over-Instagrammed – itinerary. It will be the surprises, discoveries and secrets that you’ll uncover along the way with us.
Do you ever feel like people aren’t listening to you?
We get it. And we will – that’s a promise. Your holiday starts with with a proper, no-pressure call to understand what you want, what you don’t want, and what matters to you.. From there, we create a completely unique adventure, inspired by our conversation together.
And because of our long-standing relationships with trusted partners across Asia, you’ll have access to experiences you can’t find on Google. The kind of special experiences that are literally impossible to find on your own.
Experiences of Vietnam
Crafting bespoke packages is the heart of what we do. Each holiday is specially designed to confound preconceptions and share magical, memorable, and truly exceptional experiences.
Important FAQs about Vietnam
With Experience Travel Group, Vietnam isn’t just another tick-box holiday. We take you beyond the usual sights – yes, you’ll see Halong Bay and the Cu Chi Tunnels if you want to, but we’ll also introduce you to the quiet corners that most travellers miss. Think cycling through the backstreets of Hue, cooking lunch with a local family in Hoi An, or spending a night on a peaceful river island that barely anyone’s heard of.
We design every trip with care – using handpicked hotels, the best local guides, and routes that cut out the tourist conveyor belt. Our holidays are built for travellers who want something richer than a generic tailor-made holiday – more character, more flavour, more stories to tell when you get home.
If you want a trip where Vietnam feels personal, rather than packaged, that’s exactly what we do.
Vietnam’s weather can be a bit of a puzzle. With its long, thin shape and mix of beaches, mountains, and cities, each region dances to its own climate tune. The North, Central, and South all have distinct weather patterns – and that’s before you factor in the cooler highlands or the breezy coastlines.
Generally, November to April is the sweet spot when much of the country is dry and pleasantly warm. That said, Vietnam is almost a year-round destination, with good weather cropping up somewhere no matter the month. Whether you want winter sunshine, summer beaches, or a cultural escape with a side of adventure, Vietnam has a season for you.
Every ETG holiday to Vietnam is carefully designed to be seamless, immersive, and stress-free. Your journey typically includes international flights (if requested), guide throughout and accommodation in hand-picked, characterful hotels.
You’ll enjoy incredible, immersive experiences unique to you, all planned by dedicated Vietnam specialists, with the added reassurance of 24/7 in-country support from our local team.
