FAQs

Xin chao! Welcome to Vietnam. Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 6 pm where you’ll meet you tour leader and fellow travellers. Please look for a note in the hotel lobby or ask the hotel reception where it will take place. In free time, step out onto the streets to explore the chaotic capital of Vietnam. Hanoi is an alluring city of contrasts, best discovered on foot. Tonight perhaps get to know your new travel buddies over a glass of fresh bia hoi. This is a foamy, light beer made fresh each day and served in basic, open-walled ‘brew halls’. Take up a brightly coloured plastic chair and sip your tasty brew.

Accommodation

• Hotel (1 night)

Meals Included

There are no meals included on this day.

Special Information

If you can’t arrange a flight that will have you arrive in time for today’s welcome meeting, you may wish to arrive a day early so you’re able to attend. We’ll be happy to book additional accommodation for you (subject to availability). If you’re going to be late, please inform the hotel reception. We’ll be collecting your insurance details and next of kin information at this meeting, so please have these on hand.

Enjoy breakfast at the Blue Dragon Children’s Foundation, a community project dedicated to helping underprivileged children and victims of trafficking. Afterwards, head out on a city tour where you’ll see the city’s diverse past reflected in a mix of South East Asian, Chinese and French-influenced architecture. Stop by the aptly-named One Pillar Pagoda, the country’s most famous stilt house (former residence of Ho Chi Minh), Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and the Temple of Literature. In the evening, be entertained by a traditional water puppet show.

Accommodation

• Hotel (1 night)

Included Activities

• Hanoi – Blue Dragon breakfast
• Hanoi – Water puppet show
• Hanoi – Ho Chi Minh Complex: Ho Chi Minh, Stilt House and Museum

Meals Included

• Breakfast

After breakfast, set out on a four-hour drive to the Da Bac region. Stop for an included lunch before arriving at your accommodation for tonight, a quaint homestay with the Dzao ‘Tien’ people in Sung Village. Get acquainted with your homestay hosts over a local dinner.

Accommodation

• Homestay (1 night)

Meals Included

• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner

Special Information

Tonight’s homestay is shared accommodation, usually with the whole group in a single room together. There are separate beds with clean linen, blankets and mosquito nets provided.

Should the weather be unsuitable for trekking to Sung Village we will arrange an alternative itinerary including Mai Chau.

This morning, take the opportunity to explore this curious landscape on a 10-kilometre (6.2-mile) trek from Sung Village to Da Bia. We climb from 500 metres and maintain a similar elevation for the first 4.5 kilometres of the route before descending over the next 2 kilometres to 120 metres. It can be quite slippery if there has been recent rain, so suitable footwear is highly recommended. Our homestay hosts can provide bamboo trekking poles on request. Keep an eye peeled for the monumental stone at the peak of Da Bia Mountain during the trek that takes us through the local villages, meeting people from the ethnic Muong tribe along the way. By the time the trek is done, you’ve likely worked up a hearty appetite – fill up on lunch, then sit back and relax as you set out on a scenic 1.5-hour boat trip across the local reservoir to the village of Thung Nai. From there, board a bus and transfer back to Hanoi (about 2 hours) for a free evening. You may want to use this time to revisit the Temple of Literature and learn more about Vietnam’s most respected scholars or see ancient Champ stone carvings at the Fine Arts Museum. Head to the Old Quarter for dinner where a slew of great cafes and restaurants are tucked within its atmospheric streets (though the number is closer to 70 rather than 36, as it’s moniker ‘36 Old Streets’ suggests).

Accommodation

• Hotel (1 night)

Included Activities

• Da Bac – Trek

Optional Activities

• Hanoi – Fine Arts Museum – VND30000
• Hanoi – Temple of Literature – VND30000

Meals Included

• Breakfast
• Lunch

Special Information

Should the weather be unsuitable for trekking to Sung Village we will arrange an alternative itinerary including Mai Chau.

Should you wish to skip the 10km (6.2mi) trek, a taxi can be arranged locally for approximately USD70.

After breakfast, board a bus heading north-east to Halong Bay (about 4 hours). You can leave your luggage behind at the Hanoi hotel and pack an overnight bag for staying on the boat. Crowned a World Heritage site by UNESCO, Halong Bay will take your breath away. The views of sailing junk boats navigating past thousands of limestone islands with rocky outcrops in Bac Bo Gulf are nothing short of spectacular. You’ll visit a cave in the area and, in the warmer months, you can enjoy a swim from Ti Top Island Beach or kayaking. Spend a peaceful night on board, beneath a night sky alive with stars. Your boat will have a dining room and bar where you’ll enjoy a sumptuous lunch, dinner and breakfast the following morning.

Accommodation

• Overnight boat (1 night)

Included Activities

• Halong Bay – Overnight boat cruise

Optional Activities

• Halong Bay – Kayaking – VND250000

Meals Included

• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner

Special Information

It is recommended to pack a smaller overnight bag to take to Halong Bay for ease of boarding and disembarking. You can store your main luggage in Hanoi for tonight.

Swimming and kayaking are limited to designated zones of the bay.

There are restrictions on the number of boats that are permitted to stay in the bay overnight, sometimes resulting in a shortage. To ensure all Intrepid travellers can enjoy the experience of a night on the water, occasionally you will stay on a larger boat (with approximately 12 cabins) and share your boat with another group. Or your group may be split across different vessels, in which case an Intrepid group leader will be present on each boat, and the route taken and inclusions on board will remain the same.

Wake to gorgeous views of emerald islands and waters. Enjoy brunch on board the boat as you sail back to port. Disembark and drive back to Hanoi, stopping at the Dong Trieu Factory on the way to see how locals make traditional ceramics. There will be free time to explore the city when you arrive back in Hanoi before boarding an overnight train bound for Hue around 10 pm. Shared hotel rooms will be available if you want to freshen up or organise your luggage. Otherwise, use this time to do some shopping on Hang Gai Street or seek out some delicious Hanoi street food. Meet back at the hotel lobby at 9 pm where you’ll transfer with the group to the train station. Although conditions are basic, overnight trains are a rewarding experience in Vietnam. They are an efficient way to travel long distances and a great way to get a sense of the country.

Accommodation

• Overnight sleeper train (1 night)

Optional Activities

• Hanoi – Temple of Literature – VND30000

Meals Included

• Breakfast

Special Information

There are shared hotel rooms available this afternoon if you would like to freshen up or organise your luggage.

Sleeper trains typically have four-berth compartments (occasionally six berths depending on the season), which have bench seats that convert into sleeping bunks. A sheet, pillow and blanket are provided (although some travellers prefer to bring their own sleeping sheet). Most trains have a dining carriage serving simple food, but you may like to stock up on some food supplies before departure.

Arrive in Hue just after sunrise and proceed to the hotel to refresh. Hue is the hub of Vietnam’s historic past. This former imperial capital is an eclectic mix of busy streets and peaceful beauty. The rest of the morning is free for you to relax; perhaps pick up a classic Hue breakfast of bun bo Hue, a popular Vietnamese soup containing rice vermicelli (bun) and beef (bo). After lunch you will visit the Imperial Citadel, a sprawling complex of temples, pavilions, moats, gates, and walls. The Ngo Mon Gate, Thai Hoa Palace and the Ancestral Altars are still impressive, and the complex must have been awe-inspiring during its heyday in the 19th century. In your free time you might like to visit to Dong Ba Market, which offers locally made goods, fresh produce and tantalising street food. This is a good place to try the specialties enjoyed by Emperor Nguyen such as the banh khoai royal rice cake.

Accommodation

• Hotel (1 night)

Included Activities

• Hue – Imperial Citadel

Meals Included

There are no meals included on this day.

Today’s adventure will be taken on the back of a motorbike. You’ll have your own driver who will take you first on a drive around the Imperial Citadel, including the Forbidden Purple City. The latter was almost completely destroyed during the Tet Offensive in the Vietnam War, but its humble, foliage-covered ruins remain a testament to its proud history. Here you’ll gain some insight into the horrific damage endured during the war. Then it’s on to the Thien Mu Pagoda, the unofficial symbol of Hue. This site dates back to 1601 and is still an active Buddhist monastery. Here you’ll also see the car left by a monk who set himself alight to protest the treatment of Buddhists by the South Vietnamese regime. Hop off the motorbike for a bit and go on a boat cruise along the Perfume River. After the 40-minute cruise get back on your motorbike and ride to a special lunch spot at a convent or Buddhist monastery. After lunch, drive to the royal tomb of Emperor Tu Duc, set amid a lake, frangipani bushes and pine trees. This evening, perhaps ask your leader for the best place to try imperial street specialties.

Accommodation

• Hotel (1 night)

Included Activities

• Hue – Perfume River boat ride
• Hue – Motorbike trip including lunch
• Hue – Royal tomb

Meals Included

• Breakfast
• Lunch

Special Information

This motorbike activity has been assessed for safety and is closely monitored. To participate please ensure your travel insurance covers riding pillion on a motorbike. The motorbikes used are all less than 150cc, the majority are 110cc. If you prefer not to participate in the motorbike ride, please let your leader know and they will arrange car transportation between destinations (included).

Boats along Perfume River may not be available during festival season. During these times, you’ll be transported by land to reach the activities.

Xin chao! Welcome to Vietnam. Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 6 pm where you’ll meet you tour leader and fellow travellers. Please look for a note in the hotel lobby or ask the hotel reception where it will take place. In free time, step out onto the streets to explore the chaotic capital of Vietnam. Hanoi is an alluring city of contrasts, best discovered on foot. Tonight perhaps get to know your new travel buddies over a glass of fresh bia hoi. This is a foamy, light beer made fresh each day and served in basic, open-walled ‘brew halls’. Take up a brightly coloured plastic chair and sip your tasty brew.

Accommodation

• Hotel (1 night)

Meals Included

There are no meals included on this day.

Special Information

If you can’t arrange a flight that will have you arrive in time for today’s welcome meeting, you may wish to arrive a day early so you’re able to attend. We’ll be happy to book additional accommodation for you (subject to availability). If you’re going to be late, please inform the hotel reception. We’ll be collecting your insurance details and next of kin information at this meeting, so please have these on hand.

Enjoy breakfast at the Blue Dragon Children’s Foundation, a community project dedicated to helping underprivileged children and victims of trafficking. Afterwards, head out on a city tour where you’ll see the city’s diverse past reflected in a mix of South East Asian, Chinese and French-influenced architecture. Stop by the aptly-named One Pillar Pagoda, the country’s most famous stilt house (former residence of Ho Chi Minh), Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and the Temple of Literature. In the evening, be entertained by a traditional water puppet show.

Accommodation

• Hotel (1 night)

Included Activities

• Hanoi – Blue Dragon breakfast
• Hanoi – Water puppet show
• Hanoi – Ho Chi Minh Complex: Ho Chi Minh, Stilt House and Museum

Meals Included

• Breakfast

After breakfast, set out on a four-hour drive to the Da Bac region. Stop for an included lunch before arriving at your accommodation for tonight, a quaint homestay with the Dzao ‘Tien’ people in Sung Village. Get acquainted with your homestay hosts over a local dinner.

Accommodation

• Homestay (1 night)

Meals Included

• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner

Special Information

Tonight’s homestay is shared accommodation, usually with the whole group in a single room together. There are separate beds with clean linen, blankets and mosquito nets provided.

Should the weather be unsuitable for trekking to Sung Village we will arrange an alternative itinerary including Mai Chau.

This morning, take the opportunity to explore this curious landscape on a 10-kilometre (6.2-mile) trek from Sung Village to Da Bia. We climb from 500 metres and maintain a similar elevation for the first 4.5 kilometres of the route before descending over the next 2 kilometres to 120 metres. It can be quite slippery if there has been recent rain, so suitable footwear is highly recommended. Our homestay hosts can provide bamboo trekking poles on request. Keep an eye peeled for the monumental stone at the peak of Da Bia Mountain during the trek that takes us through the local villages, meeting people from the ethnic Muong tribe along the way. By the time the trek is done, you’ve likely worked up a hearty appetite – fill up on lunch, then sit back and relax as you set out on a scenic 1.5-hour boat trip across the local reservoir to the village of Thung Nai. From there, board a bus and transfer back to Hanoi (about 2 hours) for a free evening. You may want to use this time to revisit the Temple of Literature and learn more about Vietnam’s most respected scholars or see ancient Champ stone carvings at the Fine Arts Museum. Head to the Old Quarter for dinner where a slew of great cafes and restaurants are tucked within its atmospheric streets (though the number is closer to 70 rather than 36, as it’s moniker ‘36 Old Streets’ suggests).

Accommodation

• Hotel (1 night)

Included Activities

• Da Bac – Trek

Optional Activities

• Hanoi – Fine Arts Museum – VND30000
• Hanoi – Temple of Literature – VND30000

Meals Included

• Breakfast
• Lunch

Special Information

Should the weather be unsuitable for trekking to Sung Village we will arrange an alternative itinerary including Mai Chau.

Should you wish to skip the 10km (6.2mi) trek, a taxi can be arranged locally for approximately USD70.

After breakfast, board a bus heading north-east to Halong Bay (about 4 hours). You can leave your luggage behind at the Hanoi hotel and pack an overnight bag for staying on the boat. Crowned a World Heritage site by UNESCO, Halong Bay will take your breath away. The views of sailing junk boats navigating past thousands of limestone islands with rocky outcrops in Bac Bo Gulf are nothing short of spectacular. You’ll visit a cave in the area and, in the warmer months, you can enjoy a swim from Ti Top Island Beach or kayaking. Spend a peaceful night on board, beneath a night sky alive with stars. Your boat will have a dining room and bar where you’ll enjoy a sumptuous lunch, dinner and breakfast the following morning.

Accommodation

• Overnight boat (1 night)

Included Activities

• Halong Bay – Overnight boat cruise

Optional Activities

• Halong Bay – Kayaking – VND250000

Meals Included

• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner

Special Information

It is recommended to pack a smaller overnight bag to take to Halong Bay for ease of boarding and disembarking. You can store your main luggage in Hanoi for tonight.

Swimming and kayaking are limited to designated zones of the bay.

There are restrictions on the number of boats that are permitted to stay in the bay overnight, sometimes resulting in a shortage. To ensure all Intrepid travellers can enjoy the experience of a night on the water, occasionally you will stay on a larger boat (with approximately 12 cabins) and share your boat with another group. Or your group may be split across different vessels, in which case an Intrepid group leader will be present on each boat, and the route taken and inclusions on board will remain the same.

Wake to gorgeous views of emerald islands and waters. Enjoy brunch on board the boat as you sail back to port. Disembark and drive back to Hanoi, stopping at the Dong Trieu Factory on the way to see how locals make traditional ceramics. There will be free time to explore the city when you arrive back in Hanoi before boarding an overnight train bound for Hue around 10 pm. Shared hotel rooms will be available if you want to freshen up or organise your luggage. Otherwise, use this time to do some shopping on Hang Gai Street or seek out some delicious Hanoi street food. Meet back at the hotel lobby at 9 pm where you’ll transfer with the group to the train station. Although conditions are basic, overnight trains are a rewarding experience in Vietnam. They are an efficient way to travel long distances and a great way to get a sense of the country.

Accommodation

• Overnight sleeper train (1 night)

Optional Activities

• Hanoi – Temple of Literature – VND30000

Meals Included

• Breakfast

Special Information

There are shared hotel rooms available this afternoon if you would like to freshen up or organise your luggage.

Sleeper trains typically have four-berth compartments (occasionally six berths depending on the season), which have bench seats that convert into sleeping bunks. A sheet, pillow and blanket are provided (although some travellers prefer to bring their own sleeping sheet). Most trains have a dining carriage serving simple food, but you may like to stock up on some food supplies before departure.

Arrive in Hue just after sunrise and proceed to the hotel to refresh. Hue is the hub of Vietnam’s historic past. This former imperial capital is an eclectic mix of busy streets and peaceful beauty. The rest of the morning is free for you to relax; perhaps pick up a classic Hue breakfast of bun bo Hue, a popular Vietnamese soup containing rice vermicelli (bun) and beef (bo). After lunch you will visit the Imperial Citadel, a sprawling complex of temples, pavilions, moats, gates, and walls. The Ngo Mon Gate, Thai Hoa Palace and the Ancestral Altars are still impressive, and the complex must have been awe-inspiring during its heyday in the 19th century. In your free time you might like to visit to Dong Ba Market, which offers locally made goods, fresh produce and tantalising street food. This is a good place to try the specialties enjoyed by Emperor Nguyen such as the banh khoai royal rice cake.

Accommodation

• Hotel (1 night)

Included Activities

• Hue – Imperial Citadel

Meals Included

There are no meals included on this day.

Today’s adventure will be taken on the back of a motorbike. You’ll have your own driver who will take you first on a drive around the Imperial Citadel, including the Forbidden Purple City. The latter was almost completely destroyed during the Tet Offensive in the Vietnam War, but its humble, foliage-covered ruins remain a testament to its proud history. Here you’ll gain some insight into the horrific damage endured during the war. Then it’s on to the Thien Mu Pagoda, the unofficial symbol of Hue. This site dates back to 1601 and is still an active Buddhist monastery. Here you’ll also see the car left by a monk who set himself alight to protest the treatment of Buddhists by the South Vietnamese regime. Hop off the motorbike for a bit and go on a boat cruise along the Perfume River. After the 40-minute cruise get back on your motorbike and ride to a special lunch spot at a convent or Buddhist monastery. After lunch, drive to the royal tomb of Emperor Tu Duc, set amid a lake, frangipani bushes and pine trees. This evening, perhaps ask your leader for the best place to try imperial street specialties.

Accommodation

• Hotel (1 night)

Included Activities

• Hue – Perfume River boat ride
• Hue – Motorbike trip including lunch
• Hue – Royal tomb

Meals Included

• Breakfast
• Lunch

Special Information

This motorbike activity has been assessed for safety and is closely monitored. To participate please ensure your travel insurance covers riding pillion on a motorbike. The motorbikes used are all less than 150cc, the majority are 110cc. If you prefer not to participate in the motorbike ride, please let your leader know and they will arrange car transportation between destinations (included).

Boats along Perfume River may not be available during festival season. During these times, you’ll be transported by land to reach the activities.

Xin chao! Welcome to Vietnam. Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 6 pm where you’ll meet you tour leader and fellow travellers. Please look for a note in the hotel lobby or ask the hotel reception where it will take place. In free time, step out onto the streets to explore the chaotic capital of Vietnam. Hanoi is an alluring city of contrasts, best discovered on foot. Tonight perhaps get to know your new travel buddies over a glass of fresh bia hoi. This is a foamy, light beer made fresh each day and served in basic, open-walled ‘brew halls’. Take up a brightly coloured plastic chair and sip your tasty brew.

Accommodation

• Hotel (1 night)

Meals Included

There are no meals included on this day.

Special Information

If you can’t arrange a flight that will have you arrive in time for today’s welcome meeting, you may wish to arrive a day early so you’re able to attend. We’ll be happy to book additional accommodation for you (subject to availability). If you’re going to be late, please inform the hotel reception. We’ll be collecting your insurance details and next of kin information at this meeting, so please have these on hand.

Enjoy breakfast at the Blue Dragon Children’s Foundation, a community project dedicated to helping underprivileged children and victims of trafficking. Afterwards, head out on a city tour where you’ll see the city’s diverse past reflected in a mix of South East Asian, Chinese and French-influenced architecture. Stop by the aptly-named One Pillar Pagoda, the country’s most famous stilt house (former residence of Ho Chi Minh), Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and the Temple of Literature. In the evening, be entertained by a traditional water puppet show.

Accommodation

• Hotel (1 night)

Included Activities

• Hanoi – Blue Dragon breakfast
• Hanoi – Water puppet show
• Hanoi – Ho Chi Minh Complex: Ho Chi Minh, Stilt House and Museum

Meals Included

• Breakfast

After breakfast, set out on a four-hour drive to the Da Bac region. Stop for an included lunch before arriving at your accommodation for tonight, a quaint homestay with the Dzao ‘Tien’ people in Sung Village. Get acquainted with your homestay hosts over a local dinner.

Accommodation

• Homestay (1 night)

Meals Included

• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner

Special Information

Tonight’s homestay is shared accommodation, usually with the whole group in a single room together. There are separate beds with clean linen, blankets and mosquito nets provided.

Should the weather be unsuitable for trekking to Sung Village we will arrange an alternative itinerary including Mai Chau.

This morning, take the opportunity to explore this curious landscape on a 10-kilometre (6.2-mile) trek from Sung Village to Da Bia. We climb from 500 metres and maintain a similar elevation for the first 4.5 kilometres of the route before descending over the next 2 kilometres to 120 metres. It can be quite slippery if there has been recent rain, so suitable footwear is highly recommended. Our homestay hosts can provide bamboo trekking poles on request. Keep an eye peeled for the monumental stone at the peak of Da Bia Mountain during the trek that takes us through the local villages, meeting people from the ethnic Muong tribe along the way. By the time the trek is done, you’ve likely worked up a hearty appetite – fill up on lunch, then sit back and relax as you set out on a scenic 1.5-hour boat trip across the local reservoir to the village of Thung Nai. From there, board a bus and transfer back to Hanoi (about 2 hours) for a free evening. You may want to use this time to revisit the Temple of Literature and learn more about Vietnam’s most respected scholars or see ancient Champ stone carvings at the Fine Arts Museum. Head to the Old Quarter for dinner where a slew of great cafes and restaurants are tucked within its atmospheric streets (though the number is closer to 70 rather than 36, as it’s moniker ‘36 Old Streets’ suggests).

Accommodation

• Hotel (1 night)

Included Activities

• Da Bac – Trek

Optional Activities

• Hanoi – Fine Arts Museum – VND30000
• Hanoi – Temple of Literature – VND30000

Meals Included

• Breakfast
• Lunch

Special Information

Should the weather be unsuitable for trekking to Sung Village we will arrange an alternative itinerary including Mai Chau.

Should you wish to skip the 10km (6.2mi) trek, a taxi can be arranged locally for approximately USD70.

After breakfast, board a bus heading north-east to Halong Bay (about 4 hours). You can leave your luggage behind at the Hanoi hotel and pack an overnight bag for staying on the boat. Crowned a World Heritage site by UNESCO, Halong Bay will take your breath away. The views of sailing junk boats navigating past thousands of limestone islands with rocky outcrops in Bac Bo Gulf are nothing short of spectacular. You’ll visit a cave in the area and, in the warmer months, you can enjoy a swim from Ti Top Island Beach or kayaking. Spend a peaceful night on board, beneath a night sky alive with stars. Your boat will have a dining room and bar where you’ll enjoy a sumptuous lunch, dinner and breakfast the following morning.

Accommodation

• Overnight boat (1 night)

Included Activities

• Halong Bay – Overnight boat cruise

Optional Activities

• Halong Bay – Kayaking – VND250000

Meals Included

• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner

Special Information

It is recommended to pack a smaller overnight bag to take to Halong Bay for ease of boarding and disembarking. You can store your main luggage in Hanoi for tonight.

Swimming and kayaking are limited to designated zones of the bay.

There are restrictions on the number of boats that are permitted to stay in the bay overnight, sometimes resulting in a shortage. To ensure all Intrepid travellers can enjoy the experience of a night on the water, occasionally you will stay on a larger boat (with approximately 12 cabins) and share your boat with another group. Or your group may be split across different vessels, in which case an Intrepid group leader will be present on each boat, and the route taken and inclusions on board will remain the same.

Wake to gorgeous views of emerald islands and waters. Enjoy brunch on board the boat as you sail back to port. Disembark and drive back to Hanoi, stopping at the Dong Trieu Factory on the way to see how locals make traditional ceramics. There will be free time to explore the city when you arrive back in Hanoi before boarding an overnight train bound for Hue around 10 pm. Shared hotel rooms will be available if you want to freshen up or organise your luggage. Otherwise, use this time to do some shopping on Hang Gai Street or seek out some delicious Hanoi street food. Meet back at the hotel lobby at 9 pm where you’ll transfer with the group to the train station. Although conditions are basic, overnight trains are a rewarding experience in Vietnam. They are an efficient way to travel long distances and a great way to get a sense of the country.

Accommodation

• Overnight sleeper train (1 night)

Optional Activities

• Hanoi – Temple of Literature – VND30000

Meals Included

• Breakfast

Special Information

There are shared hotel rooms available this afternoon if you would like to freshen up or organise your luggage.

Sleeper trains typically have four-berth compartments (occasionally six berths depending on the season), which have bench seats that convert into sleeping bunks. A sheet, pillow and blanket are provided (although some travellers prefer to bring their own sleeping sheet). Most trains have a dining carriage serving simple food, but you may like to stock up on some food supplies before departure.

Arrive in Hue just after sunrise and proceed to the hotel to refresh. Hue is the hub of Vietnam’s historic past. This former imperial capital is an eclectic mix of busy streets and peaceful beauty. The rest of the morning is free for you to relax; perhaps pick up a classic Hue breakfast of bun bo Hue, a popular Vietnamese soup containing rice vermicelli (bun) and beef (bo). After lunch you will visit the Imperial Citadel, a sprawling complex of temples, pavilions, moats, gates, and walls. The Ngo Mon Gate, Thai Hoa Palace and the Ancestral Altars are still impressive, and the complex must have been awe-inspiring during its heyday in the 19th century. In your free time you might like to visit to Dong Ba Market, which offers locally made goods, fresh produce and tantalising street food. This is a good place to try the specialties enjoyed by Emperor Nguyen such as the banh khoai royal rice cake.

Accommodation

• Hotel (1 night)

Included Activities

• Hue – Imperial Citadel

Meals Included

There are no meals included on this day.

Today’s adventure will be taken on the back of a motorbike. You’ll have your own driver who will take you first on a drive around the Imperial Citadel, including the Forbidden Purple City. The latter was almost completely destroyed during the Tet Offensive in the Vietnam War, but its humble, foliage-covered ruins remain a testament to its proud history. Here you’ll gain some insight into the horrific damage endured during the war. Then it’s on to the Thien Mu Pagoda, the unofficial symbol of Hue. This site dates back to 1601 and is still an active Buddhist monastery. Here you’ll also see the car left by a monk who set himself alight to protest the treatment of Buddhists by the South Vietnamese regime. Hop off the motorbike for a bit and go on a boat cruise along the Perfume River. After the 40-minute cruise get back on your motorbike and ride to a special lunch spot at a convent or Buddhist monastery. After lunch, drive to the royal tomb of Emperor Tu Duc, set amid a lake, frangipani bushes and pine trees. This evening, perhaps ask your leader for the best place to try imperial street specialties.

Accommodation

• Hotel (1 night)

Included Activities

• Hue – Perfume River boat ride
• Hue – Motorbike trip including lunch
• Hue – Royal tomb

Meals Included

• Breakfast
• Lunch

Special Information

This motorbike activity has been assessed for safety and is closely monitored. To participate please ensure your travel insurance covers riding pillion on a motorbike. The motorbikes used are all less than 150cc, the majority are 110cc. If you prefer not to participate in the motorbike ride, please let your leader know and they will arrange car transportation between destinations (included).

Boats along Perfume River may not be available during festival season. During these times, you’ll be transported by land to reach the activities.

Xin chao! Welcome to Vietnam. Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 6 pm where you’ll meet you tour leader and fellow travellers. Please look for a note in the hotel lobby or ask the hotel reception where it will take place. In free time, step out onto the streets to explore the chaotic capital of Vietnam. Hanoi is an alluring city of contrasts, best discovered on foot. Tonight perhaps get to know your new travel buddies over a glass of fresh bia hoi. This is a foamy, light beer made fresh each day and served in basic, open-walled ‘brew halls’. Take up a brightly coloured plastic chair and sip your tasty brew.

Accommodation

• Hotel (1 night)

Meals Included

There are no meals included on this day.

Special Information

If you can’t arrange a flight that will have you arrive in time for today’s welcome meeting, you may wish to arrive a day early so you’re able to attend. We’ll be happy to book additional accommodation for you (subject to availability). If you’re going to be late, please inform the hotel reception. We’ll be collecting your insurance details and next of kin information at this meeting, so please have these on hand.

Enjoy breakfast at the Blue Dragon Children’s Foundation, a community project dedicated to helping underprivileged children and victims of trafficking. Afterwards, head out on a city tour where you’ll see the city’s diverse past reflected in a mix of South East Asian, Chinese and French-influenced architecture. Stop by the aptly-named One Pillar Pagoda, the country’s most famous stilt house (former residence of Ho Chi Minh), Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and the Temple of Literature. In the evening, be entertained by a traditional water puppet show.

Accommodation

• Hotel (1 night)

Included Activities

• Hanoi – Blue Dragon breakfast
• Hanoi – Water puppet show
• Hanoi – Ho Chi Minh Complex: Ho Chi Minh, Stilt House and Museum

Meals Included

• Breakfast

After breakfast, set out on a four-hour drive to the Da Bac region. Stop for an included lunch before arriving at your accommodation for tonight, a quaint homestay with the Dzao ‘Tien’ people in Sung Village. Get acquainted with your homestay hosts over a local dinner.

Accommodation

• Homestay (1 night)

Meals Included

• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner

Special Information

Tonight’s homestay is shared accommodation, usually with the whole group in a single room together. There are separate beds with clean linen, blankets and mosquito nets provided.

Should the weather be unsuitable for trekking to Sung Village we will arrange an alternative itinerary including Mai Chau.

This morning, take the opportunity to explore this curious landscape on a 10-kilometre (6.2-mile) trek from Sung Village to Da Bia. We climb from 500 metres and maintain a similar elevation for the first 4.5 kilometres of the route before descending over the next 2 kilometres to 120 metres. It can be quite slippery if there has been recent rain, so suitable footwear is highly recommended. Our homestay hosts can provide bamboo trekking poles on request. Keep an eye peeled for the monumental stone at the peak of Da Bia Mountain during the trek that takes us through the local villages, meeting people from the ethnic Muong tribe along the way. By the time the trek is done, you’ve likely worked up a hearty appetite – fill up on lunch, then sit back and relax as you set out on a scenic 1.5-hour boat trip across the local reservoir to the village of Thung Nai. From there, board a bus and transfer back to Hanoi (about 2 hours) for a free evening. You may want to use this time to revisit the Temple of Literature and learn more about Vietnam’s most respected scholars or see ancient Champ stone carvings at the Fine Arts Museum. Head to the Old Quarter for dinner where a slew of great cafes and restaurants are tucked within its atmospheric streets (though the number is closer to 70 rather than 36, as it’s moniker ‘36 Old Streets’ suggests).

Accommodation

• Hotel (1 night)

Included Activities

• Da Bac – Trek

Optional Activities

• Hanoi – Fine Arts Museum – VND30000
• Hanoi – Temple of Literature – VND30000

Meals Included

• Breakfast
• Lunch

Special Information

Should the weather be unsuitable for trekking to Sung Village we will arrange an alternative itinerary including Mai Chau.

Should you wish to skip the 10km (6.2mi) trek, a taxi can be arranged locally for approximately USD70.

After breakfast, board a bus heading north-east to Halong Bay (about 4 hours). You can leave your luggage behind at the Hanoi hotel and pack an overnight bag for staying on the boat. Crowned a World Heritage site by UNESCO, Halong Bay will take your breath away. The views of sailing junk boats navigating past thousands of limestone islands with rocky outcrops in Bac Bo Gulf are nothing short of spectacular. You’ll visit a cave in the area and, in the warmer months, you can enjoy a swim from Ti Top Island Beach or kayaking. Spend a peaceful night on board, beneath a night sky alive with stars. Your boat will have a dining room and bar where you’ll enjoy a sumptuous lunch, dinner and breakfast the following morning.

Accommodation

• Overnight boat (1 night)

Included Activities

• Halong Bay – Overnight boat cruise

Optional Activities

• Halong Bay – Kayaking – VND250000

Meals Included

• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner

Special Information

It is recommended to pack a smaller overnight bag to take to Halong Bay for ease of boarding and disembarking. You can store your main luggage in Hanoi for tonight.

Swimming and kayaking are limited to designated zones of the bay.

There are restrictions on the number of boats that are permitted to stay in the bay overnight, sometimes resulting in a shortage. To ensure all Intrepid travellers can enjoy the experience of a night on the water, occasionally you will stay on a larger boat (with approximately 12 cabins) and share your boat with another group. Or your group may be split across different vessels, in which case an Intrepid group leader will be present on each boat, and the route taken and inclusions on board will remain the same.

Wake to gorgeous views of emerald islands and waters. Enjoy brunch on board the boat as you sail back to port. Disembark and drive back to Hanoi, stopping at the Dong Trieu Factory on the way to see how locals make traditional ceramics. There will be free time to explore the city when you arrive back in Hanoi before boarding an overnight train bound for Hue around 10 pm. Shared hotel rooms will be available if you want to freshen up or organise your luggage. Otherwise, use this time to do some shopping on Hang Gai Street or seek out some delicious Hanoi street food. Meet back at the hotel lobby at 9 pm where you’ll transfer with the group to the train station. Although conditions are basic, overnight trains are a rewarding experience in Vietnam. They are an efficient way to travel long distances and a great way to get a sense of the country.

Accommodation

• Overnight sleeper train (1 night)

Optional Activities

• Hanoi – Temple of Literature – VND30000

Meals Included

• Breakfast

Special Information

There are shared hotel rooms available this afternoon if you would like to freshen up or organise your luggage.

Sleeper trains typically have four-berth compartments (occasionally six berths depending on the season), which have bench seats that convert into sleeping bunks. A sheet, pillow and blanket are provided (although some travellers prefer to bring their own sleeping sheet). Most trains have a dining carriage serving simple food, but you may like to stock up on some food supplies before departure.

Arrive in Hue just after sunrise and proceed to the hotel to refresh. Hue is the hub of Vietnam’s historic past. This former imperial capital is an eclectic mix of busy streets and peaceful beauty. The rest of the morning is free for you to relax; perhaps pick up a classic Hue breakfast of bun bo Hue, a popular Vietnamese soup containing rice vermicelli (bun) and beef (bo). After lunch you will visit the Imperial Citadel, a sprawling complex of temples, pavilions, moats, gates, and walls. The Ngo Mon Gate, Thai Hoa Palace and the Ancestral Altars are still impressive, and the complex must have been awe-inspiring during its heyday in the 19th century. In your free time you might like to visit to Dong Ba Market, which offers locally made goods, fresh produce and tantalising street food. This is a good place to try the specialties enjoyed by Emperor Nguyen such as the banh khoai royal rice cake.

Accommodation

• Hotel (1 night)

Included Activities

• Hue – Imperial Citadel

Meals Included

There are no meals included on this day.

Today’s adventure will be taken on the back of a motorbike. You’ll have your own driver who will take you first on a drive around the Imperial Citadel, including the Forbidden Purple City. The latter was almost completely destroyed during the Tet Offensive in the Vietnam War, but its humble, foliage-covered ruins remain a testament to its proud history. Here you’ll gain some insight into the horrific damage endured during the war. Then it’s on to the Thien Mu Pagoda, the unofficial symbol of Hue. This site dates back to 1601 and is still an active Buddhist monastery. Here you’ll also see the car left by a monk who set himself alight to protest the treatment of Buddhists by the South Vietnamese regime. Hop off the motorbike for a bit and go on a boat cruise along the Perfume River. After the 40-minute cruise get back on your motorbike and ride to a special lunch spot at a convent or Buddhist monastery. After lunch, drive to the royal tomb of Emperor Tu Duc, set amid a lake, frangipani bushes and pine trees. This evening, perhaps ask your leader for the best place to try imperial street specialties.

Accommodation

• Hotel (1 night)

Included Activities

• Hue – Perfume River boat ride
• Hue – Motorbike trip including lunch
• Hue – Royal tomb

Meals Included

• Breakfast
• Lunch

Special Information

This motorbike activity has been assessed for safety and is closely monitored. To participate please ensure your travel insurance covers riding pillion on a motorbike. The motorbikes used are all less than 150cc, the majority are 110cc. If you prefer not to participate in the motorbike ride, please let your leader know and they will arrange car transportation between destinations (included).

Boats along Perfume River may not be available during festival season. During these times, you’ll be transported by land to reach the activities.