from £2295pp +1.8% BF
29 days
Duration: 29 days
Known for it’s vibrant culture, stunning landscapes, and warm hospitality, Vietnam is the perfect destination for young people wanting to explore new regions and enjoy new experiences. Learn about Vietnam’s complex history and understand how the influences have affected the Vietnam we still see today.
Explore a variety of vibrant cities, such as Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, and Da Nang. Wander through the narrow alleyways, sample the delicious street food and explore the bustling markets. You cannot leave Vietnam without trying a bowl of pho or an authentic banh mi!
Whilst you must explore the cultural and historical aspects of the country, the nightlife cannot be missed! With live music venues, laid-back bars, vibrant nightclubs, and rooftop and beachfront bars – Vietnam has something for everyone!
Welcome to Hanoi!
Once you make it through the airport, completing the immigration and visa processes, please head through to the arrivals hall and meet our friendly driver there – ready to take you to your pre-booked hotel.
After you have been checked into the hotel and have settled into your room, it’s time to begin your adventure!
To welcome you to Hanoi, we have organised for the group to meet each other by heading on the best food tour of the city. You will have the chance to see how Hanoian Egg Coffee is made and even give it a taste!
Following this, you will have the chance to enjoy a group meal together.
Embark on a trip through the picturesque landscapes of Vietnam, beginning the day with a visit to the serene Bich Dong Pagoda.
Following this, make your way down the Trang An river and admire the overhead limestone cliffs.
Enjoy the awe-inspiring panoramic views from the top of the Mua Cave summit. The scenic hike will open your eyes to the beauty of Vietnamese nature. From this vantage point, admire the seemingly endless rice paddies and karst formations.
As the day draws to a close, you will board the night bus bound for Sapa.
Embark on a trek to the captivating Sa Seng Hau Thao Village, where you can enjoy the local hospitality and immerse yourself into life as a local.
Spending the day cooking, learning age-old recipes passed down through generations, and understanding the craft of creating delicate spring rolls, you will immerse yourself into your charming homestay and the essence of community.
As day turns to night, you will have the chance to gather with your newfound family, sharing stories and laughter under the starlit sky – forging connections which transcend language and culture.
Begin your day with a delicious home-cooked breakfast – preparing you for an exciting day of trekking through picturesque fields and the Bamboo Forest.
Today you will get to explore the hidden gems of Su Pan and Giang Ta Chai villages. Here you will see traditional houses, schools, and even a church; gaining insight into the life of a local as you learn more about their culture.
Take a moment to enjoy the serenity and reflection whilst admiring the waterfall. You may even get the chance to take a dip!
Following this, you will journey back to the charming Sapa town where you can enjoy the vibrant markets and quaint streets, before you board the bus bound for Hanoi.
Today you will enjoy an exciting excursion to the stunning Ha long Bay.
Upon arrival at Ha long Bay, you will board a cruise ship to explore some of the hidden gems across the Bay of the Descending Dragon. Marvel at the incredible rock formations, pristine beaches and fascinating caves.
You will even have the opportunity to learn the art of making spring rolls through the chef’s cooking demonstration!
As the sun sets, the stunning colours across the sky will take your breath away. Experience this impressive view with a delicious dinner and a drink, surrounded by the calm water.
Begin your day by enjoying the breathtaking sunrise over the bay whilst taking part in the rejuvenating Tai Chi lesson on the Sundeck.
Continue exploring the Halong Bay, sailing across the 2000+ islets and visiting some incredible caves, beaches, and floating villages. Take in the beauty of this UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Following the excursion, you will all board a bus to return to Hanoi, where you’ll see the sights of the city through a 1-hour bike tour – discovering Hanoi’s Old Quarter.
Experience Vietnamese culture through a Water Puppet show.
At 6pm, you will board the night bus to Hue.
Embark on an exciting adventure by boarding a Dragon Boat and meandering along the Perfume River.
The first sight to marvel at will be the Thien Mu Pagoda. Its spire is noticeable and acts as a symbol spiritual grace.
Continuing on the journey through history and culture, the boat will lead you to the majestic Imperial Citadel. Delve deeper into the history of Vietnam at this location, exploring the remnants of dynasties and take time to admire the ancient walls and ornate palace. Take some time to head to the Khai Dinh Tomb, which acts as a testament to the grandeur of Vietnam’s royal heritage.
Following this impressive sight, you will head on to the quant Incense Village and My Lam Village. As charming villages, where tradition thrives, this is a great opportunity to stop and immerse yourself in the artistry of hat-making. Skilled artisans will guide you in creating your own Vietnam conical hat, a cherished symbol of Vietnamese identity.
Embark on an exhilarating motorbike journey from Hue to Da Nang. Spend the time enjoying the awe-inspiring Hai Van mountain pass and marvel at the rugged peaks. Pause to immerse yourself in the beauty of Tam Giang Lagoon, the largest lagoon in Vietnam, and admire its shimmering waters.
Continue your journey with a visit to the Dream Stream, a hidden gem nestled amidst verdant hills. As the road unfolds, you’ll be captivated by the pristine shores of Lang Co Beach.
Upon reaching Da Nang, you will take the 10 minute trek up to Marble Mountain and Son Tra peninsula. This cluster of five peaks are named after the Ngu Hanh (five elements) system and hold a large amount of sacred significance to the city. Take a moment to take in the panoramic view from the top of this trek.
On the way up, you will also have the opportunity to pause at My Khe Beach and dip your feet in the sea.
If you are lucky enough to be there on a Saturday, you can head to witness the Dragon Bridge breathing fire.
Conclude the day with a journey to Hoi An. This UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site acted as a hub for Chinese, Japanese, Spanish, and Italian traders in the 16th and 17th centuries. Wander the incredibly preserved streets and take in the intricate wood carvings and traditional tube houses.
Take time to enjoy some local specialities and marvel at the multi-coloured lanterns.
Set off this morning to the incredible Ba Na Hills and admire the views of Da Nang’s bay and the Lao mountain range. You will experience the pure and untouched ecological system of the Ba Na mountain range via a cable car.
Today will be the chance to visit the very famous Golden Bridge (and get many instagram worthy photos)! You’ll also get to explore Le Jardin, old wineries, the Linh Ung pagoda and an amazing 27m-high Buddha statue.
As the tour comes to an end, you will get the cable car transfer back to the coach which will take you to Hoi An.
Journey through the picturesque Hoi An countryside, where you’ll get to experience classic Vietnamese culture.
Begin the day with a go in Vietnam’s unique Basket Boat. You are bound to have a lot of laughs and a lot of picture-worthy moments in this activity!
Following this, test your culinary skill with a cooking lesson – creating Banh Xeo Hoi An. This beloved local delicacy is bursting with flavour and the recipes is one that you’ll be taking home with you, wanting to recreate.
To finish the day, you will immerse yourself in the magical art of lantern-making. Attempt this ancient craft, that illuminates the streets of Hoi An under the guidance of skilled artisans.
Begin your day by heading to the airport and hopping on a flight to the vibrant city of Ho Chi Minh. From there, you will board a shared bus, bound for the coastal paradise of Mui Ne.
Marvel at the breathtaking sunset from the Mui Ne Sand Dune. Indulge your adventurous spirit by taking part in a thrilling session of sandboarding down the dunes.
As night falls, immerse yourself in the exciting atmosphere of Mui Ne nightlife. Head to the Club Beach to enjoy a night full of music and dancing with your friends.
Ease into your day, spending the morning enjoying a delicious breakfast and a rest on the sun-drenched shores. Take the time to swim in the clear waters and share a meal with your friends at a beach bar!
In the late afternoon, you will set off on the journey to the bustling city of Ho Chi Minh.
Gain your energy through a hearty breakfast again this morning before you hop on your transfer to My Tho City, where you’ll enjoy a bus ride through the scenic lush green pice paddies. You will then switch over to explore the same region by boat, along the Mekong River – the only means of transport with the ability to access this area.
Take in the sights of local fishermen at the unique floating houses, discover local specialities, like coconut candy and coconut handicrafts, on one of the islands in the region. Listen to the beautiful traditional Vietnamese music performed by the villagers and enjoy a Vietnamese lunch prepared by the locals in a natural setting.
During this tour, you will visit My Tho and Ben Tre to explore some age-old traditions.
Spend the day enjoying your surroundings, relax and enjoy the moment.
Begin your day by enjoying a delicious breakfast at the hotel to fuel up ahead of an exciting day.
Today you will head with your Trip Leader and group to visit one of the most intriguing destinations related to the Vietnam War period – the Cu Chi Tunnels. Only 60km from the city, this network of tunnels cover more than 200km of ground and functioned as underground cities during the war.
This will offer you an opportunity to learn more about the devastating history surrounding the Vietnam War, as well as gain an appreciation for the resourcefulness of the Vietnamese people at this time.
Return to your hotel in the afternoon and enjoy free time to explore the city.
Spend today enjoying some free time, exploring the Ben Thanh market and finding local souvenirs for your friends and family!
Check out from the hotel and board the transfer to the airport – where you’ll begin your journey back home, with many more rich memories and experiences from your amazing Vietnam UniLife Tour.
– Overnight buses
– Transport to & from Activities and Sightseeing
– Internal Flights
– Flights to/from Vietnam
– Meals (where not specified – B: Breakfast L: Lunch D: Dinner)
– Souvenirs
– Drinks
– Additional activities not listed in the itinerary
– Entry to some sites
Yes! Our trips are built for travelling solo, but not alone. Most travellers on UniLife trips travel solo, and you’ll make lifelong friends throughout the adventure!
No! Our trips are tailored for youth travel, but we welcome people from all walks of life, whether that’s students, gap year, nomads or school dropouts!
We’re all about redefining youth travel! Our group typically falls between the ages of 18 and 29. Now, if you’re barely tipping into your 30s and still carry that youthful spark, you might just squeeze in. But if you’re more into discussing ISAs than exploring new horizons, we might not be the perfect fit for your journey.
We keep our groups between 8-24 people, to ensure there is a good mix between getting to know others, whilst not being overcrowded!
The trip starts in Ho Chi Minh city and ends in Hanoi.
Flights are not included in the trip, but we’d recommend flying into Ho Chi Minh, with the exact meeting address provided before the trip.
The easiest way to get back to Ho Chi Minh if you have a return flight, is by flying from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh which takes around 2.5 hours and costs around £50
The accommodation on the trip is all twin rooms or double rooms on request. Please note, all solo travellers will be automatically allocated rooms with another person of the same sex. If you are travelling with a friend, please let us know if you would like to be roomed with them via the rooming preferences and passport section on your UniLife account.
British Nationals can currently enter Vietnam for up to 45 days for tourism without needing to apply for a visa. We recommend reading the Government entry requirements to make sure you fall into this category: https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/vietnam/entry-requirements
If you are not a UK National, please check your respective government website to see the entry requirements.
While your trip is covered by ABTA, we do not include personal travel insurance. This MUST be obtained by you before your trip.
After each payment deadline, the payments made so far are unfortunately non-refundable, although you may be able to claim on your travel insurance.
You may be able to change your trip length while on your trip or within 30 days of departure – please email us at support@unilifeuk.com and we will let you know the options!
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We're committed to making sure you and your group have the trip of a lifetime, working with you to help create memories and throwbacks that will last for years to come.
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