Classic Vietnam: Hanoi to the Mekong

This small-group tour by G Adventures sets off in Hanoi, where a bustling capital's blend of colonial architecture and street life offers little respite from the afternoon heat and the buzz of motorbikes. From there, the journey sails in a traditional junk boat through Halong Bay, the limestone karsts forming a silent, stalwart backdrop. Heading south, the ancient Imperial city of Hue offers pagodas and royal tombs to linger over, followed by a visit to Hoi An, where tailors work their craft and the streets invite slow exploration.

The hands-on 'Oodles of Noodles' culinary experience in Hoi An gets under the skin of the local kitchen, while the tunnel network near Ho Chi Minh City is a reminder of a conflicting past. Further south, the Mekong Delta presents a different rhythm, with two nights spent at a community guesthouse. Here, boats move through lush waterways and local hosts introduce visitors to rice paper making and cycling through pottery villages. Transport between destinations includes air-conditioned bus, plane, boat, and cycling to suit the changing landscapes. The trip balances activity with downtime, concluding in Ho Chi Minh City.

Halong Bay, and the dragon that explains nothing

3 min read

These are the places the trip visits, in order. G Adventures publishes the day-by-day itinerary on its own site.