Depart your home country for your flight to Hanoi.
Most suited for
Couples, Families
Ideal time to visit
November - April
In the northern part of Vietnam, go further than the famous Halong Bay and explore the beautiful World Heritage Sites of Trang An Ecosystem and Phong Nga National Park.
Discover Vietnamese food, culture and history in Hanoi before veering off into the countryside by train to Trang An (in the Ninh Binh area) and Phong Nga – Ke Bang National Park. Phong Nga is home to the world’s largest cave and limestone region. Choose between an overnight camping expedition exploring several caves or day treks, kayaks or cycle tours. Spend the last few days of the holiday at the beach near Hoi An, where you’ll have time to combine pure relaxation with a taster of the beautiful local town (outside of peak hours).
Countryside, Coast & Caves
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
After recovering from your flight, spend 3 days in Hanoi enjoying a range of exclusive, tailored experiences accompanied by your private guide.
Rise early to explore the colourful markets and stroll around the city’s lake as the Hanoians practise badminton, t’ai chi and aerobics in the street. Immerse yourself in the old town, dissected by Hanoi’s main railway artery. The residents here go about their daily chores, almost oblivious to the slow-moving trains!
Sip Vietnamese coffee, discover the city’s lively street food culture and try a cold local beer at a stall. Marvel at the French colonial architecture and discover the labyrinthine alleyways of the old quarter. Peruse your chosen museums: ancient history, military history, fine arts or the serene Temple of Literature.
Days 5 - 6
Ninh Binh
You’ll head about 2 hours south to the ancient capital Ninh Binh with your guide and driver. Towering peaks of craggy limestone surround the glorious landscape of rice fields and lakes. The meandering waterways of Trang An Ecosystem are often compared with Guilin – China, or Halong Bay. Spend two days exploring the region by boat and bike.
Evening - Day 6
Overnight train
After dinner on Day 6, you’ll board the “Reunification Express”. Bunk up in a sleeper cabin as the train weaves its way south to Dong Hoi.
Days 7 - 9
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 with breakfast en route.
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 in several ways, take a leisurely boat trip or a 3km trek and if you’re adventurous, take a two day/one-night expedition into the enormous Hang En Cave and camp the night inside!
Outside of the caves, there are numerous activities too, kayaking, trekking, exploring the botanical gardens, taking a bike ride along with the rural 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).
Days 10 - 14
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, where you’ll transfer to your beach resort.
During your stay here there will be a chance to experience the ancient town itself combined with relaxation by the beach. Getting up early is a must; Hoi An Town is best in the morning, and we’ll arrange a local walking tour.
In the afternoon, explore the nearby countryside with either a Vespa or bicycle tour of the traditional local farms or fishing villages.
Day 17
Fly home
Today marks your departure from Vietnam as you embark on 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 itinerary blends the best of Vietnam: peaceful countryside, awe-inspiring caves and time to unwind on a beautiful beach. It’s adventurous, relaxing and full of authentic moments”
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.
