Vietnam small group tours offer the perfect opportunity to get to know the country inside out, together with like-minded people and led by knowledgeable guides. What exactly can you hope to discover on a tour like this?
Small group tours couldn’t be better when it comes to discovering the best parts of Vietnam on- and off-the-beaten-track. Go along with a few friends, or meet new friends for life on Vietnam small group tours like this. You’ll feel the sense of intimacy and getting to know a country properly when travelling in such a small group, yet you’ll reap the benefits of being led by a local who has all the inside knowledge to make your experience genuine and original.
Best of Vietnam
Vietnam small group tours will undoubtedly take you to all the must-visit places in the country. Firstly, this involves taking in urban centres such as Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Hue and Hoi An.
Hanoi is Vietnam’s capital full of rich culture, bustling streets, a winding Old Quarter and numerous tiny temples. Take in the museums, visit the lakes – big and small – that pock the city, and get a bird’s eye view from the Lotte Tower Observation Deck. Ho Chi Minh City is the largest city in Vietnam in terms of population, and is full of French colonial landmarks and tempting food stalls.
The city of Hue is famous for the Thien Mu Pagoda – a historic temple and the tallest pagoda in Vietnam. It’s a popular pastime for Vietnam small group tours to travel by motorcycle to Hoi An via the Hai Van Pass. There are plenty of amazing spots to stop at along the way, including the Elephant Springs and various beaches.
Da Lat is a popular stop on Vietnam visits, famed for its cool mountainous weather, French colonial architecture and stunning local countryside. The more adventurous at heart can also go white water rafting in a nearby river. Some of the best jungle and rice paddy walks can be done around this region too.
In the south of the country, the Mekong Delta makes the top of the list for many Vietnam small group tours. Known as Vietnam’s rice bowl, this region produces a huge proportion of the country’s food. A maze of rivers, islands and floating food markets, this is a place that must be explored by boat to appreciate it to the maximum.
Best off-the-beaten-track adventures in Vietnam
It’s important to visit all the major sites you’ve been reading about, but Vietnam small group tours led by locals have the benefit of being able to take you well and truly off-the-beaten-track too.
First off, ensure a visit to Phong Nga-Ke Bang National Park is on the itinerary. This is home to Son Doong, the world’s largest cave, as well as many others. Dark Cave is home to mud baths that are brilliant for the skin. The more adventurous can even travel there by ziplining or kayaking. Nearby is the small town of Phong Nha and the opportunity to stay overnight with locals in homestay accommodation.
Another must-visit National Park is Yok Don National Park, where it’s possible to join an elephant conservation project for the day.
Vietnam is home to a hidden underground world of tunnels, built during wartime. All good Vietnam small group tours will take in some of these tunnels. The ones near Ho Chi Minh City are the most popular. For less commonly visited tunnels, head to the Vinh Moc tunnel complex in the Demilitarised Zone (DMZ). Around 600 people lived in these tunnels between 1965 and 1972.
After visiting the main sights in any of Vietnam’s towns and cities, ensure the agenda of your Vietnam small group tour includes getting off-the-beaten-track too. For example, not far from the city of Hue are some beaches frequented by locals serving amazing cocktails. In Hoi An, it’s possible to try your hand at crab fishing with local fishermen or cycle through bamboo groves.
Food and drink fans should ensure their Vietnam small group tour incorporates a visit to Buon Ma Thuot region and Trung Nguyen village – famous for all kinds of original coffees.
Mr Linh’s Adventures runs Vietnam small group tours, including a
15 day/14 night tour.