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Vietnam Tours: Timeless Landscapes & Cultural Journeys

Intro to Vietnam Tours

Vietnam is a country of contrasts — where emerald rice terraces meet bustling cities, where limestone cliffs rise dramatically from jade bays, and where guided tours bring its layered history and vibrant culture into focus. Imagine gliding on a junk boat through Ha Long Bay, riding scooters through Hanoi’s Old Quarter, trekking into Sapa’s misty highlands, or exploring the Cu Chi Tunnels with a war veteran.

With over 1,600 miles of coastline and diverse regions, Vietnam can feel overwhelming to explore on your own. Guided tours simplify logistics, offer cultural insight, and connect you with communities along the way. Whether you’re seeking history, food, or adventure, Vietnam tours ensure a deeper and more seamless journey.

For complete planning, check our Vietnam Travel Guide.

Why Book a Tour in Vietnam

Vietnam’s geography stretches long and narrow, with regional diversity that makes guided tours especially useful. From Hanoi’s French colonial boulevards to the floating markets of the Mekong Delta, distances are large, and local transport can be complex. Tours provide efficiency, storytelling, and safety — turning a long bus ride into an insightful cultural exchange.

Guides also help you navigate language barriers, uncover hidden food stalls, and understand history that spans ancient dynasties, colonial eras, and modern resilience. A tour transforms Vietnam from a place to visit into an experience to live.

Best Tours in Vietnam

Ha Long Bay Overnight Cruise

Sleep aboard a traditional junk boat, exploring limestone karsts and hidden lagoons. Guides explain local legends and organize kayaking, cooking demos, and cave visits.

Hanoi Old Quarter Food Tour

Wander alleys with guides introducing pho, bun cha, egg coffee, and street food culture.

Cu Chi Tunnels Tour (Ho Chi Minh City)

Descend into Vietnam War-era tunnels with commentary from veterans or historians.

Mekong Delta Boat Tour

Guides lead you through canals, fruit orchards, and floating markets with cultural exchanges in local villages.

Sapa Trekking Tour

Hike terraced rice fields with local Hmong or Dao guides, often including homestays in hillside villages.

Imperial Hue City Tour

Explore citadels, pagodas, and royal tombs with guides narrating imperial history.

Hoi An Lantern & Walking Tour

Stroll ancient streets, visit tailors and temples, and learn about lantern-making in this UNESCO town.

Ninh Binh Day Tour

Guided boat rides take you through karst landscapes dubbed “Ha Long Bay on Land.”

Da Nang Marble Mountains Tour

Guides explain caves, pagodas, and panoramic coastal views.

Phong Nha Cave Expedition

Expert guides lead adventures into some of the world’s largest caves, including Son Doong (multi-day expeditions).

Recommended Tours in Vietnam

Ho Chi Minh City Scooter Tour

Ride pillion with locals through buzzing streets, stopping at hidden markets and cafés.

My Son Sanctuary Tour (Hoi An)

Guides highlight ancient Cham ruins with cultural and historical storytelling.

Red River Delta Village Tour

Visit craft villages near Hanoi with guides teaching traditional pottery and weaving.

Dalat Countryside Adventure

Guided trips include waterfalls, flower farms, and colonial architecture in Vietnam’s highlands.

Perfume Pagoda Pilgrimage Tour

Combine boat rides and hikes to a mountain cave temple, guided with cultural insight.

Let Vietnam Inspire Your Next Trip

Vietnam’s tours bring history, flavor, and landscapes alive.
Families enjoy cultural shows, river cruises, and food tours.
Couples find romance in Ha Long sunsets and Hoi An lantern walks.
Adventurers trek mountains, dive reefs, and motorbike across the country.

Discover the best Vietnam tours and explore unique local culture, paired with top things to do in Vietnam. Book early to lock in flexible options. We may earn a commission if you book through our links — at no extra cost to you.

Tours Beyond Vietnam’s Main Cities

Ha Giang Loop Motorcycle Tour

Guides lead you along dramatic mountain roads, ethnic villages, and rice terraces.

Cat Ba Island Adventure

A quieter Ha Long alternative, guides arrange kayaking and hiking in national parks.

Con Dao Islands Historical Tour

Learn about colonial prisons and explore pristine beaches with guided support.

Cham Islands Diving Tour (Hoi An)

Dive masters introduce reefs and marine life in this marine reserve.

Ba Be Lake Eco-Tour

Stay with Tay ethnic families, with guides leading hikes and boat rides in northern Vietnam.

Must-Do Activities in Vietnam

Cultural Walks – Hanoi, Hue, and Hoi An tours enrich temples and heritage streets.
River & Bay Cruises – From Ha Long to Mekong, water defines Vietnam.
Mountain Treks – Guided hikes in Sapa and Ha Giang reveal rural life.
War History – Tunnels and museums explained by those who lived it.
Culinary Journeys – Food tours and cooking classes showcase Vietnam’s flavor.

Local Secrets You’ll Love

Train Street Tour (Hanoi) – Guides ensure safety as trains rumble past cafés inches away.
Hoi An Countryside Cycling Tour – Pedal rice paddies and craft villages.
Hidden Bunker Tour (Hue) – Explore wartime relics with expert interpretation.
Night Market Crawl (Ho Chi Minh City) – Taste exotic snacks with local hosts.

Food & Drink Experiences in Vietnam

Cooking Class in Hoi An – Shop at markets, then prepare classics like banh xeo.
Beer Street Tour (Hanoi) – Sample bia hoi (fresh beer) in lively outdoor settings.
Coffee Tour in Buon Ma Thuot – Guides explain Vietnam’s robusta heritage.
Seafood Tour in Nha Trang – Taste grilled lobsters and fresh catches on guided crawls.

Sample Day Plans

3-Day Itinerary

Day 1: Hanoi Old Quarter and street food tour.
Day 2: Ha Long Bay overnight cruise.
Day 3: Ninh Binh boat ride and temple visits.

5-Day Itinerary

Days 1–2: Hanoi highlights, food tours, and Ha Long Bay.
Day 3: Hue imperial city and pagodas.
Day 4: Hoi An walking and cooking class.
Day 5: My Son Sanctuary day trip.

7-Day Itinerary

Days 1–3: Hanoi, Ha Long Bay, and Ninh Binh.
Day 4: Hue citadel and Perfume River cruise.
Day 5: Hoi An lantern walk and cooking class.
Day 6: Da Nang Marble Mountains and beaches.
Day 7: Ho Chi Minh City history and food tours.

10-Day Itinerary

Days 1–3: Hanoi, Ha Long Bay, and Ninh Binh.
Day 4: Hue citadel and tombs.
Day 5: Hoi An lantern and My Son Sanctuary.
Day 6: Cham Islands snorkeling.
Day 7: Fly south to Ho Chi Minh City, Cu Chi Tunnels tour.
Day 8: Mekong Delta boat tour.
Day 9: Dalat waterfalls and highlands.
Day 10: Farewell in Ho Chi Minh with scooter food tour.

Ideal Seasons to Explore

North Vietnam (Oct–April) – Cool, dry weather ideal for Hanoi and Sapa.
Central Vietnam (Feb–Aug) – Warm, sunny days for Hue, Da Nang, and Hoi An.
South Vietnam (Nov–March) – Dry season perfect for Mekong and beaches.
Festival Times – Tet (Jan/Feb) and Mid-Autumn Festival offer cultural richness but require advance booking.

What to Know Before You Reserve

Book Ha Long and Sapa tours early, especially in peak season.
Many tours include hotel pickup — confirm details.
Cash in dong is needed for markets and tips (5–10%).
Wear modest clothing in temples and rural villages.
Domestic flights connect major regions quickly; tours coordinate logistics.
Some treks require fitness; private guides adapt pacing.
Food tours usually cover tastings but not drinks — check inclusions.
Check visa requirements in advance.
Cancellation flexibility is recommended during monsoon months.
Photography rules vary at wartime sites; guides clarify.
Sunscreen and hats are essential in all regions.
English-speaking guides are common in major hubs.

Accessibility & Special Considerations

River cruises and city tours often accommodate wheelchairs.
Mountain treks are challenging but private guides can customize.
Food tours adjust for allergies with notice.
Families benefit from shorter walking tours and homestays.
Seniors may prefer cultural and river tours over rugged treks.

Moving Around Made Simple

Noi Bai International Airport (HAN) – Gateway to northern Vietnam.
Tan Son Nhat International Airport (SGN) – Main hub for southern Vietnam.
Da Nang International Airport (DAD) – Access to central Vietnam tours.
Domestic Flights – Affordable and frequent, often built into tours.
Trains & Buses – Overnight trains between Hanoi–Hue–Da Nang–Saigon included in some tours.
Boats – Essential for Mekong, Ha Long, and island tours.

Stay Close to the Action

Hanoi Old Quarter – Central for walking and food tours.
Ha Long Bay Cruises – Overnight stays aboard traditional junks.
Hue Riverside – Hotels near citadel and pagodas.
Hoi An Ancient Town – Boutique stays steps from lantern-lit streets.
Da Nang Beachfront – Resorts near Marble Mountains and Cham sites.
Ho Chi Minh City District 1 – Ideal base for markets and history tours.

Plan Smarter, Travel Better

Balance city, countryside, and coastal tours.
Book small groups for richer interaction.
Consider overnight cruises or homestays for immersion.
Arrive early at meeting points; traffic delays are common.
Combine guided day trips with domestic flights to save time.

Choose Your Next Adventure

Cambodia – Seamless add-on with Angkor Wat tours.
Laos – Luang Prabang’s temples and Mekong cruises pair well with Vietnam.
Thailand – Regional hub with islands and Bangkok markets.
China – Border crossings connect Vietnam with Yunnan’s landscapes.

It’s Time to Experience Vietnam

Vietnam tours are the key to unlocking a country of beauty, resilience, and hospitality. With expert guides, you’ll sail through dramatic bays, hike ancient rice terraces, explore citadels, and taste unforgettable street food. From Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City, every guided experience adds meaning and ease to your trip.

Book now and see why Vietnam tours remain among the most inspiring things to do in Vietnam.