Depart your home country for your flight to Hanoi.
Most suited for
Couples
Ideal time to visit
October- April
Many trips to Vietnam whizz from north to south, ticking off the main sites along the way, but there is much to see in the north alone.
The scenery is lush, varied and breathtaking, and there are plenty of wonderful places to stay. You’ll pick up the pace by exploring the surrounding landscapes before returning back to base to relax by a lovely swimming pool or choose from rejuvenating wellness experiences.
Of course, no trip to Vietnam would be complete without a bit of hustle and bustle, so there is time to enjoy the capital, Hanoi, at the end of the trip, with its vibrant history, culture, and epic food.
Explore & Relax in Northern Vietnam
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
Day 2
Ba Vi Mountain National Park
On arrival, your local guide and driver will meet you and transfer you to Ba Vi Mountain National Park. The forested area is just a 55km drive but feels like a world away from the bustling city, offering a tranquil gateway to the country’s mountainous, scenic north and a lovely place to relax after your flight.
Days 3 - 5
Mai Chau Valley
Travel overland by private vehicle to Mai Chau, driving over mountain passes until the green, fertile valley of Mai Chau comes into view. Check in to the beautiful Avana Retreat in the heart of the countryside. This area is blessed with hidden springs, waterfalls, bamboo forests and ethnic villages that can be explored on foot. Spend your time in nature exploring the culture and scenery of the region and enjoying the quality facilities at the lovely property you’re staying at. Treks, kayak trips and various other adventures can be arranged to suit your chosen pace.
Days 6 - 7
Ninh Binh
Today, you’ll depart from Mai Chau Valley, stopping to break the journey at Cuc Phuong, the largest national park in Vietnam. The park boasts a stunning array of flora and fauna and is one of the country’s most important sites for biodiversity. There is the option to take a trek along the jungle trails to pass century-old trees, rare plant life, and stunning vistas of the park.
Later, travel onwards to the UNESCO Heritage site Trang An Ecosystem. Here, you’ll board a rowing boat to travel along the small river and explore the caves and river surrounded by dramatic limestone mountains and green field landscapes. You’ll stay in a boutique retreat with a lovely swimming pool in the paddy fields.
Optional activities during your stay here include a cycle ride on a tranquil and peaceful trail. Soak in the magnificent beauty of the surrounding beautiful limestone mountains, and a short hike will take you to the top of Hang Mua for an aerial view of the region, and you will have a chance to visit Bai Dinh Temple, Vietnam’s largest Buddhist temple complex and an important pilgrimage site.
Day 8
Yen Tu Mountain
Depart Ninh Binh by road to the Yen Tu Mountain region, where you’ll check in to MGallery Legacy Yen Tu. Meticulously designed by renowned designer Bill Bensley, this is another beautiful retreat in a contrasting off-the-beaten-track location at the foot of sacred Yen Tu Mountain, just an hour’s drive from Halong Bay.
Days 9 - 10
Halong and Lan Ha Bay
Depart mid-morning to begin your two-night Ylang cruise on “Halong” Bay. Spending two nights on the bay gives you time to explore the further reaches of the bay and into La Hay Bay, where far fewer tourists venture. Embark on a delightful cycling adventure to explore a quaint village in a valley on the lush Cat Ba Island, surrounded by dense jungle. The itinerary also features a kayaking expedition through the intricate maze of islands in the bay.
Days 11 - 13
Hanoi
Your guide will meet you off the boat for the journey back to Hanoi. The capital is packed with culture, history and vibrant day-to-day life. Travelling by jeep, cyclo or Vespa, you’ll learn about the history and cultural traditions, get lost in the alleyways of the old quarter and taste some of the street food for which Hanoi is famous.
Day 14
Fly home
Depart Hanoi to the airport, where you’ll board your flight back home
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
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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.
“This is Northern Vietnam at its best with mountain escapes, hidden caves and off-the-beaten-track cruises through Lan Ha Bay. Every stop offers a mix of culture, scenery and boutique comfort.”
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.
