Secure this trip with a 20% deposit
ARRIVAL Takeover Vietnam: Ho Chi Minh to Hanoi
11 nights. 6 ARRIVAL travellers. Move from Ho Chi Minh City to Hanoi. Cook in backyard kitchens, cross the Hai Van Pass by jeep, wake on the Mekong and drift through floating markets, with local hosts guiding the way and domestic flights included.
Overview
The lowdown
Most people see Vietnam through a bus window. Not you. You’ll see it from a bicycle, a kitchen table, a bamboo basket boat, and the back seat of an open-top jeep. This 11-night ARRIVAL Takeover runs from Ho Chi Minh to Hanoi, moving through the Mekong Delta, lantern-lit Hoi An, imperial Hue and into the pulse of the capital. You’ll cook with locals, cross mountain passes by jeep, drift through river towns, paddle between coconut palms and sit at dinners that stretch longer than planned. Catch crabs by hand. Crawl through the Cu Chi tunnels. Sip local coffee as boats bump gently against one another at the floating markets. It smells like torn herbs and diesel. Sounds like motorbikes and morning markets. Six travellers. Shared tables. This trip is built on rhythm, flavour and connection. What begins as introductions with strangers ends as something closer.
Highlights
The best bits
Lanterns, Locals & Flavours in Hoi An
Drift through palm groves by bamboo basket boat, then tear herbs into a hot pan in a backyard kitchen. By night, Hoi An glows with lanterns, bicycles and street stalls, and you’re right in the thick of it.
Itinerary
The day to day
Day 1
Arrival in Ho Chi Minh
Day 2
Cu Chi Tunnels & City Free Time
Day 3
Into the Mekong
Day 4
Floating Market at Dawn, Fly to Hoi An
Day 5
Basket Boats, Crabs & Kitchens
Day 6
Hoi An and Street Eats
Day 7
Hai Van Pass by Jeep
Day 8
Imperial Hue
Day 9
Fly to Hanoi
Day 10
Find Your Rhythm in Hanoi
Day 11
Inside Hanoi
Day 12
Departure
Location
The setting
Host
The experts
ARRIVAL's Local Legends
We’ve teamed up with the legends on the ground – the local fixers, guides, and magic-makers who make sure your trip runs smoother than a cold beer on a hot day. Think private hosts, behind-the-scenes logistics wizards, and all-round good sorts who bring the place to life while keeping things seamless in the background.
Accommodation
The quarters
A central city base that puts Ho Chi Minh streets on your doorstep, with enough comfort to recharge between big days (rooftop pool, we see you).
Alagon City Hotel & Spa (or similar)
Phạm Hồng Thái, Quận 1, V...
A family-run homestay on a river island. Simple, warm, and an opportunity to get to know the locals.
Mekong Rustic Homestay (or similar)
Ninh Kiều, VN
A relaxed riverside stay just outside the old town, close enough to dip into the old town when you want to.
Hoi An Royal Riverside Hotel (or similar)
Nguyễn Du, Thành phố Hội...
A locally owned lodge set in lush gardens. A welcome and spacious spot in the journey.
Hue Ecolodge (or similar)
Lương Quán, Thành phố Huế...
A roomy base on the edge of the Old Quarter. And a rooftop bar. Need we say more?
Tirant Hotel (or similar)
Phố Gia Ngư, Hoàn Kiếm, V...
Activities
The fun stuff
Step underground into the narrow tunnel network used during the war, crawling through tight spaces and hearing firsthand how survival shaped everyday life.
Cu Chi Tunnels Visit
Củ Chi, VN
Head deep into the Delta to visit a working brick kiln, cycle along dirt paths between stilted homes, and sit down for dinner cooked alongside your hosts.
Mekong Delta Homestay Experience
Ninh Kiều, VN
Glide through the Delta at dawn as boats trade fruit, coffee and hot breakfasts directly on the water, no pavement in sight.
Floating Market Cruise
Ninh Kiều, VN
Spin through palm-lined waterways in round bamboo boats, then roll up your sleeves in a family kitchen to prepare dishes you’ll eat that night.
Basket Boat Ride & Cooking Class
Hội An, VN
Follow a local guide through Hoi An’s backstreets, tasting your way from sizzling street stalls to hidden neighbourhood favourites.
Street Food Tour (Hoi An)
Nguyễn Hoàng, Thành phố H...
Ride open-air over the Hai Van Pass, climbing through cloud-wrapped peaks before descending toward the coastline.
Hai Van Pass Jeep Transfer
Phú Lộc, VN
Explore the vast Citadel with a local host, moving between monumental gates, faded walls and the quiet remnants of imperial rule.
Hue Imperial City Tour
Hue, VN
Walk Hanoi with someone who calls it home, from temple courtyards to train-track cafés, before settling in for a traditional evening performance.
Hanoi Like a Local Walking Tour + Cultural Show
Hanoi, VN
Fine Print
The small stuff
Cancel 65+ days from departure for a 80% refund. Within 64 days of departure, we’ve locked in logistics, so no refund can be offered. Thanks for understanding – it keeps things running smooth for everyone. Please make sure your dates are correct before booking, and we strongly recommend travel insurance for extra peace of mind.