All Inclusive Trip
Awesome Guides
Hikes + Waterfalls
All Transport Sorted
Ha Long Bay + Hanoi
Flashpacker Mates
Villages + Markets
19 Meals Included
Discover the colours and magic of Vietnam with this unforgettable 12-day small group tour! Make memories of a lifetime and explore iconic natural and urban wonders as you journey from Ho Chi Minh to Hanoi. Travel with other like-minded backpackers on this social and adventurous experience.
Kayak through old town Hoi An, chase waterfalls, take a Vietnamese cooking class, visit temples, go bamboo rafting and relax at tranquil beaches on your jampacked itinerary. You will stay at a variety of accommodations, including multi-share hotels, a local homestay, an overnight cruise and sleeper trains for an authentic flashpacker-style trip. So, don’t forget the camera as you embark on the trip of a lifetime and uncover the real Vietnam!
Day 1 |
Welcome to VietnamYour journey begins! You'll be greeted and transferred to your hotel in Ho Chi Minh City on the first day for a seamless welcome. After check-in, spend the day chilling out and unwinding until the evening when you'll join the group for a welcome dinner. Get to know your new travel buddies with a splash in the rooftop pool boasting a city view. Float your worries away and prepare for an amazing adventure to come! StayTwin/Double Rooms - Alagon City (or similar) |
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Day 2 |
Explore Ho Chi Minh CityStart your day with breakfast before diving into the local culture by learning da cao, a nationally loved sport that resembles foot badminton! Learn the ropes and play with a local team to enjoy some sunshine! Then, explore the city on a walking tour as you discover the highlights and hidden gems of Ho Chi Minh. Your local guide will illuminate history, local favourite spots and icons alike. Return to the hotel to refresh before catching the overnight train to Da Nang. StayOvernight Train to Da Nang |
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Day 3 |
Hoi An KayakArrive in Da Nang, where your guides will take you to the Thu Bon River for lunch with a view! Then, kayak into the picturesque old town of Hoi An where colourful market life lines the banks. After a brief walk to the hotel to freshen up, you can relax by the pool or head out to explore the area. Don’t miss the famous Hoi An night market, where you can get custom-made clothes and revel in the bustling atmosphere! StayTwin/Double Rooms - Hoang Trinh (or similar) |
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Day 4 |
Hoi An CyclingGet up early for a cycling tour through the countryside, passing local villages and rice fields. Your group leader will guide you to a riverbank where you can do your part for the environment and collect plastic waste. Enjoy a welcome drink at the Eco Brick house before heading back to a Hoi An garden house to sort the rubbish which is then used to create eco bricks for a local NGO. The rest of the day is yours to explore or relax at the beach – catch some rays and take it easy! StayTwin/Double Rooms - Hoang Trinh (or similar) |
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Day 5 |
Hue & Hai Van PassAfter breakfast, venture to Hue, the Imperial City via the scenic Hai Van Pass in an open-top Jeep to really catch the view. Along the way, check out a beautiful waterfall, have lunch, and travel through picturesque backroads. We’ll arrive in Hue, the historic capital of the Nguyen Dynasty, in the afternoon. Teeming with traditional architecture and grandiose buildings, snap some pics and be transported back in time! StayTwin/Double Rooms - Alba Hue (or similar) |
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Day 6 |
Hue The Imperial CityThis morning, explore the Imperial City to learn about Vietnam’s royal history and culture. Then, visit a garden house on the Perfume River for a Vietnamese cooking class, so put your chef hat on and learn the secrets of this insanely delicious cuisine. After some relaxation, transfer to Hue Train Station for our night train to Ninh Binh. StayOvernight Train to Ninh Binh |
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Day 7 |
Temple, Waterfall & Ban Hieu HomestayToday, we head to Pu Luong National Park, one of Vietnam’s most stunning landscapes of misty mountains, sprawling rice paddies and lush forests. Stop in for lunch and visit Chua Ngoc Chau Temple throughout the day. Our destination is a local homestay in Ban Hieu, surrounded by rice paddies and mountains. Visit a tranquil waterfall before enjoying dinner with local families at your welcoming, authentic homestay! StayMulti-share Rooms - Local Homestay |
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Day 8 |
Explore Pu Luong ParkAfter breakfast with a view of the valley, trek to a traditional bamboo lake house where you can try the fun bamboo rafting or swim in clear waters. Dive into nature as towering trees and beautiful mountain landscapes adorn the landscape. Enjoy lunch served by a local family in this beautiful setting. After lunch, you can relax or help with daily chores before we have another family dinner. StayMulti-share Rooms - Local Homestay |
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Day 9 |
To HanoiToday, say goodbye to our homestay family and the beautiful scenery of Pu Luong and head to Hanoi. Chill out with a leisurely morning and hearty breakfast before departure. We’ll arrive in Hanoi in the afternoon, giving you time to check in to your hotel before a city walk and a feast of local delicacies with the group. Get ready for the best pho of your life… the city sights, tastes, smells and sounds await! StayTwin/Double Rooms - Lenid Hotel (or similar) |
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Day 10 |
Ha Long & Bai Tu Long BayToday, hit the coast and embark on a traditional boat for a cruise through Ha Long Bay. To avoid the crowds, you’ll be guided north to the less-visited Bai Tu Long Bay. Kayak around Cap La Island and, if you choose, visit a secret beach on Cong Do Island before returning to our boat for sunset drinks and dinner on the top deck. Sail away and unwind! StayTwin/Double Rooms - Renea Cruise (or similar) |
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Day 11 |
Thien Cave & HanoiStart your day with Tai Chi on the sundeck or enjoy the morning views of the bay. Then, visit the famous Thien Canh Son cave system, a breathtaking cavern strewn with stalactites and stalagmites. On the way back, you can try Vietnamese fruit and vegetable carving and make spring rolls before disembarking and heading back to Hanoi. An optional walking tour is available before celebrating your final night together as a group! StayTwin/Double Rooms - Lenid Hotel (or similar) |
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Day 12 |
Departure & Goodbyes!Today, it’s time to say our farewells. Your tour guide can help arrange your onward travel (at your own expense). Until next time! |
Please read our terms, conditions and cancellation policies before booking your East Coast itinerary package.
Yes, travel insurance is compulsory for all One Life Adventures tours. You must book this on your own before the tour departs. Please get in touch if have any questions!
Accommodation varies throughout the tour, with the majority featuring twin share rooms for 2 people. If you’re a solo traveller, you’ll be paired with someone of the same gender. You can also upgrade to have your own room for the tour (select this option at checkout).
You’ll be staying in deluxe hotels, a village homestay, on an overnight cruise ship and two sleeper trains.
Yes, let our team know asap of any dietary requirements and/or allergies! Although we can’t guarantee every dietary requirement can be catered to along the way due to the nature of food markets and street food, your guide will do their utmost best to help you with alternative options and what you can eat otherwise.
Try to pack as light as possible! You will be moving around every few days, so the lighter your bags, the better. A backpack or small suitcase is ideal.
Don't forget sun protection, swimwear, sunglasses, warm clothes and a camera are essential. You will also visit temples where your shoulders and chest should be covered, so pack accordingly!
You will start your tour in Ho Chi Minh City. The Airport here is Tan Son Nhat International Airport (SGN), so we recommend flying into here.
As for the end of the tour, you will finish in Hanoi. If you're flying out of Hanoi, you’ll want to head to Noi Bai International Airport (HAN).
This tour is for travellers 18 - 45 yrs! Most of our guests are aged between 21-35 years old and are looking to experience our adventurous “flashpacking” style of travel. Our tours are perfect for people of all different backgrounds to share travel experiences with like-minded conscious fellow travellers.
Anyone with a reasonable level of fitness should be able to participate in all activities. If you're worried about a certain activity (e.g. kayaking, rafting, cycling) or have a disability or injury, please get in touch with our travel agents to make sure this is the perfect trip for you.