Vietnam Tours and Travel

YPT Tours To Vietnam

Young Pioneer Tours are pleased to announce our Vietnam Tours and Travel Packages for 2026, with YPT offering our unique take on travel here.

After decades of almost constant conflict Vietnam has now risen from the ashes to offer not just great travel opportunities far from the beaten track, but also a superb blend of ancient, communist and contemporary history that make this very much a key YPT destination.

Group Tours To Vietnam

YPT are currently offering a Vietnam Group Tour for June 2026, as part of the Ultimate South-East Asia Tour.

Bookings Closed

22 Jun, 2026 – 3 Jul / 8 Jul, 2026

22 Jun, 2026 – 3 Jul / 8 Jul, 2026

6 days / 12 days / 17 days
Bookings Closed

Independent Tours
To Vietnam

Having ran tours to Vietnam since 2015 YPT are not only experts in the country, but can take you very much off of the beaten track, particularly with regards to the war, communist and dark tourism aspects of the country.

Below is our example Vietnam Reunification Tour, which can be in done in full, in part, or combined with not just other destinations in Vietnam, but also the rest of South-East Asia.

Example Vietnam Tour Itinerary

Day 1– Ho Chi Minh City

  • Arrive at your own leisure at Ho Chi Minh City – Saigon, those coming from the Dark Tourism Cambodia Tour will arrive early afternoon
  • Meet your YPT guide at our centrally located hotel at 2:00pm
  • Head straight into history with a walk past South Vietnam’s Presidential Palace, now the Reunification Palace, to the War Remnants Museum, complete with scenes from the French occupation of Indochina, US military equipment from tanks to planes and vivid descriptions of the effects of Agent Orange and other leftovers from the war on Vietnam still today
  • Dinner of Vietnamese pho – rice noodles – and other dishes before we grab a cold Saigon beer, a plastic stool and sit on the street for some refreshment and people watching, before seeing where the night takes us!
  • Overnight in Saigon

Day 2 – Ho Chi Minh City

Morning

  • Head out after breakfast to the Cu Chi Tunnels, where we see and experience the tunnel warfare carried out by the Viet Cong against the US military in South Vietnam
  • Drive back into the city for some street food, we’re particularly fond of the famous Banh Mi thit pork sandwich!

Afternoon

  • Visit the Ho Chi Minh Museum
  • Head to the old American Embassy and see if we can climb up to “that place” where the last evacuations happened!
  • Check out the war surplus market. YPT does love a good Soviet market but we’ll make do with looking for Vietnam War trinkets!
  • Gather supplies for the train and head for our farewell dinner in the notorious District 1 of Ho Chi Minh City – The original Saigon
  • Our first major train journey, the relatively short trip from Saigon to Nha Trang, in our 4 berth private cabins
  • Overnight on the HCMC – Nha Trang train

Day 3– Nha Trang

Morning

  • Morning arrival in Nha Trang – have an early check-in into our hotel, so will have some time to relax and freshen up before heading out for the day.
  • Breakfast in the hotel before we go for a walk through the backstreets of Nha Trang – the best place to see the real city far from its beachfront – up to the Po Nagar Cham Towers, built in the Cham Civilisation between the 7th and 12th centuries and which is located on a hill with good views
  • Walk back through a traditional Vietnamese fishing village, and remind ourselves that fish definitely does smell like fish

Afternoon

  • After lunch walk past Nha Trang Cathedral and visit the Thanh Dien Khanh Fortress, an old citadel designed by a French officer in the late 18th century
  • Dinner and drinks — we might just head to Crazy Kim bar, because we like the place and the name!
  • Overnight in Nha Trang

Day 4 – Nha Trang

Morning

  • After a relatively late rise, we will head out on a short drive to Bai Dai beach, getting away from the city and into one of the best coastal areas of Vietnam.
  • Stop on the way for a jungle walk and a dip in a waterfall pool

Afternoon

  • Swim in the sea or relax on the beach with a cocktail or two
  • Head back to Nha Trang, grab supplies and head for dinner by the sea, before heading up to pick up our bags and supplies
  • We are treated to another relaxing, and beautiful train journey with our overnight trip in private 4 berth cabins from Nha Trang to Hue
  • Drinks and overnight on the train to Hue

Day 5 – Hue

Morning

  • Morning arrival in Hue, the old imperial capital of Vietnam where we transfer to the Jade Hotel
  • After a bite to eat we head to Hue’s main attraction – the Imperial Citadel. It’s huge, and we’ll wander around the rooms and gardens for a few hours taking in different parts of ancient Vietnamese history

Afternoon

  • After lunch, we head out for a slice of more modern history, hiring motorbikes and heading to Phu Bai Airport, built and garrisoned by the Americans in this key part of former South Vietnam
  • Grab our motorbikes again for some countryside exploration. It just wouldn’t be Vietnam without motorbikes and rice paddies, and the countryside around Hue is some of the most beautiful in the country, and its people the most welcoming
  • Head back in Hue and go for dinner and drinks in this bustling Vietnamese town, starting of course and unavoidably at The DMZ Bar
  • Overnight in Hue

Day 6 – The DMZ

Morning

  • Early rise and drive out to the old Demilitarised Zone (DMZ) between North and South Vietnam, at the 17th parallel. The journey takes 2 hours, with us stopping at a war memorial on the way, as well as various other places.
  • Lunch on the way to the DMZ

Afternoon

  • Visit the Hien Luong Bridge that was the official border crossing for much of the war, with classic halfway point selfies a must.
  • Vinh Moc Tunnels and museum, the main part of the DMZ Tour
  • See Khe Sanh Combat Base, Camp Carroll, and The Rockpile, former US military bases and outposts
  • Before driving back to Hue, we stop for dinner at a quiet seaside village for fish BBQ, and an amazing sunset.
  • Stop back at the hotel for a freshen up and to pick up supplies for our last train journey.
  • Night train to Hanoi in our private 4 berth rooms. This truly is one of the most stunning train journeys you can take in Vietnam, as we witness the countryside roll into what is the bustling capital city of Hanoi
  • Overnight on the train

Day 7– Hanoi

Morning

  • Morning arrival in Hanoi
  • Transfer to hotel and a super quick transfer to the highlight of our trip to Vietnam, by joining the hordes of people that line up daily to see the father of the nation, Ho Chi Minh, lying in state. People still take this very seriously, and it is a big deal
  • Head straight to the Ho Chi Minh Museum for an in-depth look at his life

Afternoon

  • Lunch of Pho Ha Noi – more savoury than Saigon’s version
  • Visit the Museum of the Vietnamese Revolution, detailing history going right back to the struggle against the French
  • We head to Lenin Park, complete with statue, before some people-watching then go for dinner and drinks in the Old Quarter, our last Vietnamese night out!
  • Overnight in Hanoi

Day 8 – Hanoi

  • Free morning to sleep in or go out for some last-minute shopping in Vietnam
  • Lunch at a local restaurant
  • Head out to Hoa Lo Prison, otherwise known as the Hanoi Hilton, where the French imprisoned and executed Vietnamese revolutionaries during the colonial period, and in which the US POWs captured by the North Vietnamese were kept, including a certain John McCain
  • End of tour, or continue on to Laos

Bespoke Tours to Vietnam

As part of our travel packages to Vietnam, we are able to offer the following bespoke trips alongside our standard tours.

For more information on the following bespoke Vietnam tour programmes, simply get in touch.

Vietnamese Political Interest Tour 

As well as our reunification tour, YPT also offers Vietnam political interest tours focusing on the contemporary communist government, political history, and modern Vietnamese society. You can see the itinerary here.

Vietnam Indochina War Family History and Battle Site Tour

In areas such as the DMZ (Hue, Da Nang, and beyond), as well as Ho Chi Minh City and everywhere in between, many battle sites and wartime locations can still be found, often hidden away and not marked as public attractions. With the right guides and contacts, old stories and events can be brought back to life, particularly for those wanting to trace the involvement of family members during the war.

YPT can also arrange tours focused on the history of former South Vietnam and the Republic of Vietnam.

Vietnam by Train & Charter Railway Tours

With one of the best railway networks in the region, it is possible to explore almost the entirety of Vietnam by train. YPT can arrange tours with first-class sleeper cabins and expert local guides, as well as international rail journeys from Vietnam to Beijing connecting onwards to the Trans-Siberian Railway.

Much like in Cambodia and Thailand, YPT can also arrange private charter train experiences within Vietnam.

Vietnamese Street Food Tours

With some of the best street food in the world, YPT can arrange culinary tours throughout Vietnam, as well as regular tours with a greater emphasis on the country’s incredible food culture.

Vietnam – Cambodia & South-East Asia Overland Tours

With Vietnam sharing borders with Cambodia, Laos, and China, YPT can arrange overland journeys throughout South-East Asia. Popular combinations include Cambodia via the Phnom Penh – Ho Chi Minh City route or through Ha Tien near Kampot, opening up the possibility of including Phu Quoc.

Tours can also continue onwards to Thailand, Laos, China, Myanmar, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, and beyond.

Ultimate Vietnam Grand Tour

For those wanting to experience Vietnam from north to south, YPT can arrange comprehensive tours covering the country’s major highlights alongside more off-the-beaten-track experiences. These can include cruising through Ha Long Bay, exploring the mountains around Sa Pa, visiting Hue and Hoi An, and discovering the energy and wartime history of Ho Chi Minh City.

Along the way, travellers can experience overnight trains, Mekong Delta boat trips, local markets, street food, mountain scenery, UNESCO sites, and some of Vietnam’s best landscapes.

We can also mix and match the following destinations and themes into the big Vietnam Tours:

Da Lat & Mui Ne Tours – Famous as the mountain retreat of southern Vietnam, Da Lat can easily be combined with Mui Ne, Nha Trang, and Saigon.

Cao Bang Tours – Cao Bang offers a true off-the-beaten-track experience and serves as a gateway to southern China.

Son Doong & Phong Nha Cave Tours – YPT can arrange tours to Son Doong Cave, the largest cave in the world.

Khmer Krom Tours – Explore Khmer history within southern Vietnam with visits to destinations such as Soc Trang and Tra Vinh.

Phu Quoc Tours – Young Pioneer Tours can arrange tours to Phu Quoc either within Vietnam or combined with Cambodia.

Sapa & Ha Long Tours – Experience the mountain scenery of Sa Pa before cruising through Ha Long Bay.

Ninh Binh Tours – Combine the imperial history of Hue with the limestone scenery and rivers of Ninh Binh.

Vietnam and Southern China Tour

Utilising the Hanoi – Nanning train, YPT can take you through northern Vietnam before continuing into southern China, including Yangshuo and other off-the-beaten-track destinations.

Vietnam Tours to Moscow and beyond

Through the rail networks of Vietnam, China, and Russia, YPT can arrange journeys from Vietnam through China before connecting with the Trans-Siberian Railway onwards to Russia and beyond.

Educational, Business & School Tours in Vietnam

YPT designs educational and experiential tours in Vietnam focused on local communities, culture, and daily life. These can include community projects, industry visits, and business immersion programmes with companies such as Honda Vietnam and Heineken Vietnam.

YPT has also organised school trips to Vietnam focused on history, culture, and education, with programmes easily combined with Thailand, Cambodia, and Laos.

Football tours to Vietnam

While Vietnam might not traditionally be considered a football powerhouse, the country has one of the most passionate football cultures in South-East Asia. Following Vietnam’s recent success in regional competitions such as the ASEAN Championship, interest in the sport has exploded across the country.

Filming in Vietnam

Through our media arm Pioneer Media, we can arrange filming projects within Vietnam for productions, journalists, and media teams ranging from major productions to guerrilla-style shoots. We can also assist with logistics, meetings, and journalist visas for projects within Vietnam and the wider region.

Frequently ask Questions about travel to Vietnam

  • What is the accommodation in Vietnam like?

    Vietnam accommodation has a large range of accommodation options available, from hostels to luxury hotels. We use mid-range hotels on our tours, but if you are arranging an independent tour, we can accommodate budget to luxury accommodation options.

  • What should I bring?

    Vietnam is usually hot and humid and you will need light clothing most of the time. Long sleeve and breathable clothing is recommended. Vietnam is a bit more modest, particularly in rural areas than most Western countries.

    For temples, it is sometimes required to have legs and shoulders covered and for jungle treks, it is best to keep skin covered with long trousers and sleeves to avoid mosquito or other insect bites. Remember to bring sunscreen and insect repellent!

  • What plugs does Vietnam use?

    Vietnam uses a mix of North American-style flat pin sockets and European-style round-pin sockets. As always, it is recommended to bring a universal adapter.

  • Can you purchase a SIM card in Vietnam?

    You can purchase a SIM card at the airport and at various shopping malls and stores. You also have the option to use an e-SIM. One GB of data using Airalo is currently $4.50 USD.

  • What is it like travelling in Vietnam?

    The roads in Vietnam can be bumpy and windy – we recommend if you get motion sickness to bring medicine to help. Travelling from the south to the north can take many hours so we recommend bringing a neck pillow and eye mask to assist with comfortability.

  • Is Vietnam good for Vegans and Vegetarians?

    Vietnamese cuisine is perfect for vegetarians! There are a lot of rice and noodle dishes available and in many places you can ask for vegan dishes. Also, tofu is used in many places as a substitute for meat.

  • Is Vietnam safe?

    Vietnam is relatively safe but like all developing countries it is best to try to remain fairly inconspicuous – don’t go walking around major cities with a big camera around your neck and big, open pockets as pickpocketing and tourist scams do occur.

    Likewise for solo women (and travellers in general) it is a safe country but it is always best to avoid walking around cities in sparsely populated areas alone at night.

    In general, violent crime is more rare then petty crime such as pickpocketing and theft. Ensure you have your important documents and devices in a safe place at all times.

  • Do I need vaccinations?

    The following information must be viewed as a guide only. It is not intended, nor implied, to be a substitute for professional medical advice.

    The mosquito-borne diseases Malaria, Dengue Fever, Japanese Encephalitis, Zika Virus and Filariasis are endemic in many areas of Vietnam. We recommend you take measures to avoid mosquito bites, including using insect repellent at all times and wearing long, loose-fitting, light-coloured clothing.

  • Do I need health insurance?

    Even though we bring you to “places your mother would rather you stay away from”, this doesn’t necessarily mean they are dangerous places! For many reasons though, we strongly recommend that travellers to all our destinations have travel insurance. Furthermore, in the case of serious treatment (such as surgery) being necessary, the United Nations recommends evacuation by air for treatment in a more developed country. This can cost upwards of $25,000 just for the air lift.

    Of course, such situations are rare, but accidents or medical conditions can happen anywhere and it’s best to be prepared since medical facilities are very basic. Theft and other crimes against foreigners do happen, so it’s best to have your valuables insured. The right policy can also help you recover some of the cost if you need to cancel your trip at late notice, protect your valuable equipment, protect you from personal liability, provide emergency dental coverage and more. It’s mandatory on YPT tours to have travel medical insurance to cover the unlikely event of illness or injury.

    You should always do your own research about insurance, but we at YPT use IATI. Using our referral link below will give you a 5% discount off their usual price: here

  • Why travel to Vietnam with Young Pioneer Tours?

    Vietnam might be an easy country to visit, but seeing the real side idc it and getting off the beaten path is less easy to do. YPT live here and make it our priority to be constantly exploring and pushing the envelope with the Socialist Republic of Vietnam. Therefore while anyone can just visit Vietnam, not everyone can truly see the country.

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