Vietnam Small Group Tours & Trips

660 Vietnam trips. Tours from 158 tour companies. 2,217 reviews. 4.8/5 avg rating.

299 trips exactly matchall of the the filters you selected.
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Small Group Tour
South East Asia Uncovered
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Small Group Tour
Why we love them
They're highly committed to sustainable tourism and contribute to crucial initiatives like climate action, focusing on local cultures and more.
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Visits

Bangkok , Chiang Mai, Halong Bay , Ha Long Bay, Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh, Hoi An , Hue, Luang Prabang, Mekong Delta, Mekong River , Saigon, Vientiane

Highlights

  • The two day boat journey down the iconic Mekong River passes incredible rural scenery and is one of the must-dos to truly experience South East Asia.
  • Sample local food wherever you go, from a seafood dinner on Ha Long Bay, street snacks at markets, a meal at a buddhist nunnery, coconut candy and tropical fruits in the Mekong Delta, and a final dinner at KOTO restaurant.
  • Sail through Ha Long Bay's limestone karsts and island caves, visit a centre that turns the bay's discarded trash into treasures and spend the night checking out the stars on an overnight cruise.
  • Discover the mysterious beauty of the Lao jungle as you walk side by side with recently rescued elephants on stroll through their natural habitat.
  • Rise with the sun and watch saffron-robed monks shuffle between houses, where the faithful wait with offerings as part of an alms giving ritual.

Themes

Cultural, Local Immersion & Homestays, High Adventure

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Cambodia & Vietnam Experience
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Small Group Tour
Why we love them
They're highly committed to sustainable tourism and contribute to crucial initiatives like climate action, focusing on local cultures and more.
Lodging level
Basic - 2 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Visits

Angkor Wat, Cat Ba Island, Danang, Halong Bay , Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh, Hoi An , Hue, Killing Fields, Lan Ha Bay, Phnom Penh, Phnom Penh , Saigon, Siem Reap

Highlights

  • Enjoy the guidance of a local expert as you temple-hop around the dazzling Angkor complex – one of South East Asia's premier sites.
  • Confront the sobering but important Khmer history in Phnom Penh, with included visits to the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum (S21) and the Killing Fields of Choeung Ek.
  • Experience local life during homestays in Chambok in Cambodia and the Mekong Delta and Da Bac in Vietnam. Get to know local families, participate in their activities and enjoy a homestyle meal.
  • Hoi An is another idyllic pocket of Vietnam that's best experienced from the seat of a bike. Take a guided bicycle tour through the rolling countryside and see local life pass you by.
  • Kayak around the limestone karsts and shimmering waters of Lan Ha Bay and help out the locals’ environmental efforts along the way.

Themes

Cultural, Local Immersion & Homestays, High Adventure

What travelers are saying

"Michelle Middleton is an asset to the customer care team. Easy and honest communication throughout!"

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Cycle Northern Vietnam
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Small Group Tour
Why we love them
They're highly committed to sustainable tourism and contribute to crucial initiatives like climate action, focusing on local cultures and more.
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Moderate
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Visits

Halong Bay , Ha Long Bay, Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh, Pu Luong

Highlights

  • Cycle through Vietnam’s wildlife-filled natural landscapes, small villages and ancient ruins – the best way to see the country is on a bike!
  • Ride through the spectacularly lush landscapes of Pu Luong and on to Cuc Phuong National Park (one of the most important conservation sites in the country) – cycling alongside the rice paddies, you’ll pass local farmers, limestone karsts and diverse flora and fauna.
  • Work up an appetite cycling around Vietnam’s capital city of Hanoi – after wandering the Old Quarter on two legs and two wheels, you can spend the evening indulging in the delicious local and regional food (think banh mi, bun cha and pho).
  • Spend a night aboard a small boat at the UNESCO World Heritage site Ha Long Bay – a must-do on any visit to Vietnam! Sail among the limestone peaks, stop off at one of the remote islands and wander the staircases of Surprise Cave.
  • Get to know the locals better on a homestay visit in the village of Poom Coong. In a traditional stilt-house, your hosts will cook you dinner and you might even be treated to some of the local rice wine.
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Themes

Cycling & Biking, Hiking & Walking, Rafting, Kayaking, Canoeing

What travelers are saying

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Custom Designed Trip
Lodging level
lodgingLevelName
Physical level
N/A

Highlights

  • Fully customized trip based on preferences
  • Matched with a local specialist
  • From $150 per person per day
Self-Guided / Independent Tour
Essential Vietnam
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Small Group Tour
Why we love them
They're highly committed to sustainable tourism and contribute to crucial initiatives like climate action, focusing on local cultures and more.
Lodging level
Basic - 2 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Visits

Cat Ba Island, Hanoi, Hoa Lu, Ho Chi Minh, Hoi An , Hue, Lan Ha Bay, Ninh Binh, Saigon

Highlights

  • Chill out in Hoi An where you can get some sweet threads tailor-made before you head out to pick your own ingredients for lunch during a garden-to-table experience with a local chef.
  • Sit down for a cup of strong Vietnamese coffee after touring a busy Ho Chi Minh City market and listen to stories from your trip leader about the city’s vibrant culture and history as you tuck into some delicious street eats.
  • Balance on a tiny streetside stool in Hanoi's Old Quarter, soaking up the bustling vibes and watching motorbikes zoom past. Then, maybe hit a local bar for a refreshing beer with the locals or explore the nightlife in search of the best cocktail.
  • Take in the views of Lan Ha Bay by kayak as you explore the limestone islands during your visit to Cat Ba Island. Who'd have thought green seas and giant mossy rocks could be so pretty?
  • Cycle around the ancient temples and expansive fields in Ninh Binh – a protected UNESCO World Heritage Site. With loads of free time, you can hike to Mua Cave or take a boat down in Tam Coc to the nearby caves.
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Themes

18 - 30's

What travelers are saying

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Vietnam: Hike, Bike & Kayak
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Small Group Tour
Why we love them
They're highly committed to sustainable tourism and contribute to crucial initiatives like climate action, focusing on local cultures and more.
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Moderate
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Visits

Cat Ba Island, Halong Bay , Hanoi, Lan Ha Bay, Mai Chau, Ninh Binh, Sapa

Highlights

  • Kayak around limestone karsts and explore the secluded lagoons and caves of Lan Ha Bay – the lesser visited but just as beautiful sister of UNESCO World Heritage-listed Ha Long Bay.
  • Hike through the picturesque valleys surrounding Sapa and visit local communities on a full-day active adventure – the best way to get to know a place is on two feet, after all!
  • Cycle out to Mai Chau and on through the world-renowned karst landscapes to Ninh Binh. This area is known for its lush valleys and natural beauty.
  • Explore Hanoi with ample free time to indulge in street food, get to know the locals at streetside eateries and hunt down one of the famed Vietnamese iced coffees.
  • Spend some time in homestays, relaxing after full day cycling and hiking trips with traditional home-cooked meals and time to soak up the sunset form a hammock – this is the best chance to get to know the locals!
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Themes

Cycling & Biking, Hiking & Walking, Rafting, Kayaking, Canoeing

What travelers are saying

"Michelle Middleton is an asset to the customer care team. Easy and honest communication throughout!"

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Premium South East Asia in Depth
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Small Group Tour
Why we love them
They're highly committed to sustainable tourism and contribute to crucial initiatives like climate action, focusing on local cultures and more.
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Full schedule

Visits

Angkor Wat, Ayutthaya, Bangkok , Chiang Mai, Choeung Ek, Danang, Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh, Hoi An , Kanchanaburi, Killing Fields, Phnom Penh, Phnom Penh , Siem Reap, Sukhothai

Highlights

  • Enjoy three fabulous Feature Stays – the immersive community-based Lisu lodge in Thailand, a tropical oasis wellness resort in Cambodia and a magnificent junk-style boat on Halong Bay in Vietnam.
  • Get to the heart of Vietnamese culture with Exclusive Experiences, including a soul-stirring Hat Xam performance, an afternoon in an ancient pottery village.
  • Enjoy two days of fully guided temple tours in Siem Reap, with in-depth insights into the history of these extraordinary structures and plenty of time at Angkor Wat, plus an Exclusive Experience morning accompanied by a privatearchaeological guide.
  • Uncover Cambodia's difficult modern history in Phnom Penh visit the sobering Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum and the Killing Fields of Choeung Ek.
  • Learn about Thai culture during Exclusive Experiences – ‘make merit’ at a local temple in Bangkok, cruise on rice barges while enjoying traditional meals and visit the village of Kup Kap, home of the Lahu people.

Themes

High Adventure

What travelers are saying

"Michelle Middleton is an asset to the customer care team. Easy and honest communication throughout!"

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Cycle Vietnam, Cambodia & Thailand
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
Small Group Tour
Why we love them
They're highly committed to sustainable tourism and contribute to crucial initiatives like climate action, focusing on local cultures and more.
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Moderate
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Visits

Ho Chi Minh, Mekong Delta, Phnom Penh , Siem Reap

Highlights

  • Walk and cycle through the ancient Angkor Wat complex – a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the most important archaeological sites in South East Asia. Covered in lush greenery, you’ll explore various temples on two legs and two feet!
  • Cycle through ever changing landscapes, rice paddies and small villages through Vietnam, Cambodia and Thailand – the best way to explore local life is on the back of a bicycle, after all!
  • Indulge in all your Southeast Asian favourites – this region is famous for its delicious cuisine for a reason! After days of cycling, you’ll work up an appetite for countless dishes of Bahn mi, pho, fish amok and pad Thai and your leader will know all the best spots.
  • Explore the Mekong Delta with a full day of riding and then be treated to a homecooked meal by your homestay hosts – the best way to get to know the locals!
  • Wake up at sunrise to see the local Buddhist monks from nearby temples who come to receive food from the villagers in exchange for blessings. Then, spend the rest of the day cycling through the small district of Kabinburi.

Themes

Cycling & Biking, Hiking & Walking, Rafting, Kayaking, Canoeing

What travelers are saying

"Michelle Middleton is an asset to the customer care team. Easy and honest communication throughout!"

Trip dates & details
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Premium Vietnam in Depth
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
Small Group Tour
Why we love them
They're highly committed to sustainable tourism and contribute to crucial initiatives like climate action, focusing on local cultures and more.
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Full schedule

Visits

Champa, Halong Bay , Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh, Hoi An , Hue, Mai Chau, Mekong Delta

Highlights

  • Visit a centuries-old pottery village in Hoi An. During this Exclusive Experience, you’ll learn about this ancient artform and meet the artisans who keep traditional techniques alive.
  • Experience the beauty of UNESCO World Heritage site Ha Long Bay from the comfort of a traditional style junk boat – your Feature Stay accommodation. Enjoy a candlelit dinner on deck and soak in the magnificent landscape.
  • Sit down to a soul-stirring Exclusive Experience – a Hat Xam performance in Hoi An. This ancient musical art form is rarely seen today and dates back over 700 years to the Tran Dynasty.
  • Enjoy a tasty Exclusive Experience as you explore a local market with an expert chef in Hue, then visit his home to learn how to turn fresh ingredients into delicious Vietnamese dishes during a cooking class.
  • Uncover Vietnam's astounding history during a visit to the Cu Chi tunnels in Ho Chi Minh City, a stroll around the historic streets of Hoi An and on a walking tour of the northern city of Hanoi.

Themes

High Adventure

What travelers are saying

"Michelle Middleton is an asset to the customer care team. Easy and honest communication throughout!"

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299 trips exactly matchall of the the filters you selected.
My selections:
Small Group Tour
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Vietnam Reviews & Ratings

4.8/5  Excellent
2,217  Reviews
See all Vietnam tour reviews
Excellent
1,085
Great
233
Average
14
Disappointing
4
Terrible
5
A

Anonymous

Mar 2018

Provided byExodus Travels

Vietnam Adventure

A busy trip that covered a lot of distance , seeing both north and south Vietnam . Travelling prior / during and after Tet gave a different perspective to the coun...

A

Anonymous

Jan 2018

Provided byExodus Travels

Brilliant holiday... let by a brilliant tour leader/guide

This was my first holiday ever to the East, beyond Europe. Vietnam is a truly amazing country and having been back two weeks now, I still can't believe I was there...

A

Anonymous

Jan 2018

Provided byExodus Travels

Amazing 10 days

This is a busy trip but gives you the highlights of this beautiful country. We went to the cities and the countryside. We enjoyed some fabulous food and the people...

A

Anonymous

Jan 2018

Provided byExodus Travels

Fantastic holiday

High paced trip which provides big variety of activity and stunning sights. Great guide as well! The rickshaw and cycle rides through the countryside at Hoi An W...

A

Anonymous

Jan 2018

Provided byExodus Travels

Great trip leaving you wanting more..

It’s a hectic schedule with so much to cover but the trip was well organised and it offers a great taste into what Vietnam has to offer. It’s hard to pin it down to...

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Vietnam Tour Selection Trips

Prepare for an unforgettable adventure in Vietnam with these essential travel tips tailored to enhance your experience and ensure a smooth journey:

  • Pack light and breathable clothing suitable for Vietnam's tropical climate, with layers for cooler evenings and air-conditioned interiors.

  • Stay hydrated by drinking bottled water and avoid tap water to prevent stomach discomfort.

  • Carry small denominations of Vietnamese Dong for convenience, as many local vendors may not accept larger bills.

  • Negotiate prices when shopping at markets to avoid overpaying, but do so respectfully and with a smile.

  • Embrace local customs and traditions by learning a few basic Vietnamese phrases, such as "xin chào" (hello) and "cảm ơn" (thank you).

  • Be cautious when crossing the busy streets of cities like Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, where traffic can be chaotic. Follow the locals' lead when crossing roads.

  • Respect cultural etiquette by removing your shoes before entering someone's home or a place of worship.

  • Protect yourself from mosquito bites using insect repellent and wearing long sleeves and pants, especially during dawn and dusk.

  • Be mindful of your belongings in crowded areas to prevent theft or pickpocketing incidents.

 


Additional details

Is Vietnam safe?

Generally, it is very safe to travel in Vietnam. Of course, as with any tourist destination, pick-pocketing and bag snatches do occur, so be sure to leave your valuables (like your passport!) at the hotel. Use your phone sparingly when in public areas, and carry smaller notes with you. Going through these precautions and being vigilant can prevent you from becoming a target.

In the cities, look out for taxi scams and hassles, as they are more prevalent. To protect yourself from these scams, be sure to know your destination, and landmarks along the way. Agree on a price beforehand, and stick with the major taxi companies, like Mai Linh and Vinasun. In larger cities, you also have the option of using ride-sharing apps, like Uber or Grab.

The most common accidents that occur in Vietnam are motorcycle related. The roads in Vietnam are anarchic, so if you’re traveling on two wheels, make sure you are covered with the proper insurance.

Travelers should note that Vietnam has confirmed 16 cases of coronavirus as of March 2nd, 2020.

What is the weather like in Vietnam?

Since Vietnam is an elongated country, weather can vary depending on your location. In general, the country is hot and humid.

In the north, you can expect humid and hot summers with high rainfall between May to October. However, the north also experiences cool, dry winters between November to April. 

The mountainous regions in the far north has frosty winters from December to January. The best time for adventure-seekers to trek would be during the drier seasons: September to November, and from March to May.

The central region experiences hot and dry weather from January to August. Pack your rain boots if you’re visiting between September and December — there is a high chance of heavy rainfall during this time.

Southern Vietnam has wet and dry seasons. The best time to visit would be during the dry season, when you don’t have to worry about the monsoons and floods that plague the months between May and August. The ideal months to visit would be from November to April.

As weather between regions vary, it is helpful to think of the country as three separate destinations when planning your travels.

When is the best time to visit Vietnam?

The most popular time to visit Vietnam runs from July through August. To avoid congested cities and attractions, April through June is the best time to visit Vietnam — especially if you want to take the time to explore all the regions.

Dos and Don’ts for travelers in Vietnam

Do’s

  • When visiting a temple, do keep your shoulders and knees covered as a sign of respect
  • Keep your bag on you and be wary, as snatches are quite common.
  • Keep your accommodation details with you at all times — should you get lost, it’s much easier to find your way back
  • Before getting into a taxi, negotiate and agree on a fixed price to avoid scams
  • Keep hydrated! It’s humid in Vietnam, and the last thing you want is a heat stroke ruining your vacation
  • Store some extra toilet paper with you — some public toilets may not have toilet paper available
  • Do be aware of the privacy of local life. Filming is considered intrusive, especially in the villages. As a rule of thumb, always ask for permission first.
Don’ts

  • Don’t stick your chopsticks into your rice bowl — this is considered unlucky and symbolizes death.
  • Don’t bring up the “American War” with locals — for many people, the psychological and physical wounds are still fresh. Several Vietnamese have mixed emotions about the war.
  • Don’t carry more cash than you need.
  • Don’t use your own utensils to pick food up from the communal dish in the center of the table; use the serving spoon
How to get around in Vietnam

The great transportation infrastructure in Vietnam makes it easy to travel from coast to coast. Whether its by train, plane, or bus, you can find several options that will help you explore all the gems Vietnam has to offer. From budget airlines to overnight buses — take your pick!

For the more adventurous souls, motorbikes are also an option. They’re a great way to travel between destinations. However, it can be quite tricky to navigate the sea of traffic in the bigger cities, like Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh. 

For this reason, it’s better to save your motorbike riding for quieter areas, like Hoi An or Dalat. In order to avoid injuries, wear closed-toed shoes, keep your feet turned inward, and be aware of the burning exhaust pipe!

Currency and travel costs in Vietnam

While credit and debit cards are accepted at larger hotels and restaurants, cash is king in Vietnam. The currency used is the Vietnamese dong (VND). Using the dong can be confusing at times, as the high conversion rate can throw many people off. 

As of summer 2019, USD1 is VND23,289. When you arrive in Vietnam, take some time to familiarize yourself with the notes, as they can look very similar at first glance. You don’t want to accidentally hand a VND200,000 note instead of a VND10,000 note when you’re in a rush!

The costs for traveling Vietnam can vary. If you are a budget traveler, $30 will be enough for a day. However, if you indulge in luxurious hotels and gourmet meals, your budget will be closer to $100 a day.

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