Best Vietnam Guided Tours in 2025

Stepping off the plane in Ho Chi Minh City and traveling all the way to Hanoi was an unforgettable journey, made easy by Vietnam guided tours that take the stress out of planning. I experienced it firsthand - from bustling street food tours in Saigon to multi day itineraries linking the Mekong Delta, ancient towns and Halong Bay.

Below I’ve organized everything into clear sections (Ho Chi Minh tours, Central Vietnam, Hanoi and beyond, hidden gems, etc.) with practical tips. Expect prices, tour operators, and real traveler insights - all backed by reliable sources.
Whether you’re booking a one-day Cu Chi expedition or a 10-day HCMC-Hanoi package, this guide has you covered.

South Vietnam Tours: Ho Chi Minh City, Cu Chi & Mekong Delta

Gliding through the palm-fringed canals of the Mekong Delta is an unforgettable part of southern Vietnam tours. A typical full-day Mekong cruise (about 10 hours) costs around $30-$40 per person, including lunch and visits to fruit orchards, coconut workshops and temples like Vinh Trang Pagoda. For example, one Mekong tour starts at ~$31.86 and includes river boat rides, local village stops and even honey tea tastings. Many operators offer this from Saigon, often bundling it with the famous Cu Chi Tunnels.

In Ho Chi Minh City itself, guided tours are similarly affordable. A half-day trip to the Cu Chi Tunnels (the 136-mile Viet Cong tunnel network) can run as little as $16-$25 for a 5-7 hour group tour. Longer Cu Chi tours (with return hotel pickup and lunch) cost more - Viator lists combined Cu Chi + Mekong deluxe tours (~11-12 hours) from about $37-$75 per person. For example, a 7-hour luxury Cu Chi tour starts at ~$16, while full-day combo tours to Cu Chi and the Mekong often run $42-$56. These tours include knowledgeable local guides, comfortable transport and in some cases meals or boat rides, making them great value.

Tip: Many Ho Chi Minh tour companies (both international and local) are available on booking sites like Viator and GetYourGuide.
You can also book directly with Vietnamese operators. These generally include hotel pickup, entrance fees and English-speaking guides. They are cheaper too but the catch is you have to do your own research and spend some time compared to aggregators.

Central Vietnam Tours: Hoi An, Da Nang & Hue

Travelling northward, the ancient port town of Hoi An is a highlight. Guided tours here often combine the UNESCO-listed Old Town with nearby sites like My Son Sanctuary (Cham temple ruins) or Marble Mountains. Day tours from Da Nang or Hoi An cost around $25-$50 for 4-6 hours. For example, a night market walking tour in Hoi An is about $75 for 5 hours. Cooking classes are also popular - expect to pay $30-$50 for a half-day (market visit, recipe tasting).

A bit farther inland is Hue, the former imperial capital. Guided tours here typically cover the Citadel and royal tombs. Half-day Hue city tours run roughly $15-$25, while full-day (including Perfume River cruise or DMZ sites) may be $30-$60. You’ll find English-speaking guides easily in Hue.

Central Vietnam also offers more offbeat tours. You can take a boat to the picturesque Cham Island near Da Nang, cycle through rice fields around Tam Thanh, or even try a herbal bath in a traditional village.
I highly recommend tours in Phong Nha (Phong Nha-Kẻ Bàng National Park) - these day trips explore Paradise and Phong Nha caves. (Entrance fees are modest: Phong Nha cave VND150k ($7) and Paradise cave VND250k ($11.50).
Viator lists guided Phong Nha tours (~9-10 hours) from Dong Hoi for $55-$70, including transport, entrance and lunch. Or you can just do a Phong Nha tour without a guide!

Vietnam Multi-Day Tours: Ho Chi Minh to Hanoi

For travelers who prefer an all-in-one package, multi-day guided tours are abundant. Popular itineraries cover Ho Chi Minh City, the Mekong Delta, ancient towns (Hoi An, My Sơn), the imperial city of Hue, and Hanoi & Halong Bay.
For example, TourRadar lists a 10-day South-to-North tour (HCM→Hạ Long) that includes Mekong, Hoi An, Hue and Hạ Long Bay, with transport by minibus, train and boat. That tour’s price starts around $1,114 per person. Another 12-day itinerary by Legend Travel Group (HCM→Hanoi via the highlights) is listed from $756 (plus ~$349 local fees).
These packages typically include accommodation, some meals, most internal transport, and guided excursions (e.g. Cu Chi, My Sơn, Halong cruise).

Even shorter “essentials” tours exist - for example, many agencies offer 7-9 day Vietnam highlights trips. Intrepid Travel and G Adventures both run customizable 10-12 day guided tours covering Vietnam’s must-see sites. These big operators often offer deposit-pay-later options and have strong customer support. You can book them directly online.

Custom Tours: If you have more time or special interests, consider tailor-made local tours. Agencies like Asia Highlights or Backroads Vietnam (for biking) create bespoke routes. For adventurous types, there are motorbike loop tours in the far north (Ha Giang Loop or Sapa). For example, Hagiang Buffalo Tour offers a 3-day guided motorbike loop for about VND3.6-4.6 million (≈$150-$190) per person, including a driver and meals.

Hanoi Tours & Northern Highlights

Floating among limestone karsts in Halong Bay is often the finale of a Vietnam journey. Day-trip cruises from Hanoi run 6-12 hours and cost $16-$50 depending on boat class. For example, a basic 10-hour day cruise (including lunch) is around $16, while deluxe options with longer routes might be $40-$49.
For those wanting an overnight experience, cruise package prices vary widely: a budget “superior” cruise (3-star) is about $100-$130 per night, a deluxe (4-star) about $130-$160, and high-end luxury boats can reach $160-$400 per person per night. Most cruises include all meals and guided cave visits.

Back in Hanoi, guided city tours abound. You can book a 3-hour street food walking tour (Old Quarter specialties and the famous “Hanoi Train Street”) for roughly $20-$30. Private half-day walking tours (covering Hoàn Kiếm Lake, Temple of Literature, Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum etc.) cost ~$50-$60. Unique options include vintage jeep tours or female-run scooter food tours (~4h for $55-$69). A memorable local class is the Hanoi cooking course: about $38 for a ~4.5 hour market-to-kitchen experience.

In Ninh Bình (often called “Ha Long Bay on land”), full-day guided tours to Tam Cốc, Tràng An or Mua Cave are popular. Viator lists a 12-13h boat-bike combo for about $33 from Hanoi, which includes the scenic boat ride through rice paddies.

Other northern excursions include Sapa trekking (2-3 day guided hikes from $100+), Cao Bằng waterfall tours, or even homestays with hill tribes in Mai Châu and Pu Luong. These last two are well worth detours: Pu Luong’s terraced rice fields and Thai villages make an idyllic countryside stay, and Mai Châu Valley offers bamboo stilt-house homestays among White Thai communities. Finally, for beach lovers willing to splurge, the secluded Côn Đảo Islands (off-season flights from Saigon) have pristine beaches and WWII-era prison history.

Hidden Gems & Offbeat Experiences

Beyond the well-trodden path, Vietnam has countless hidden local experiences. Here are a few traveler-recommended gems:

• Long Biên Market (Hanoi): An early-morning wholesale market under Long Biên Bridge (open ~3-6AM) where Vietnamese chefs buy ingredients. It’s frenetic, authentic and completely tourist-free.

• Ngọc Hà Village (Hanoi): A quiet neighborhood by Truc Bach Lake with ancient temples and small canals - a true glimpse of local life.

• Train Street (Hanoi): Sip egg coffee in a cafe inches from an active train track, watching local life pause for the passing train.

• Bình Minh Jazz Club (Hanoi): Enjoy live jazz at Vietnam’s first jazz club, founded by legendary musician Quyen Van Minh.

• Hoi An Village Tours: Cycle to Tra Que vegetable village and learn to farm or cook with a local family (many tour operators run half-day “water wheel” or basket boat tours).

• Cooking with Locals: Join a homestyle cooking class in Hanoi or HCM - for ~$15-$25 you get a full breakfast or lunch cooked with a local family (TripAdvisor has many small-group options).

• Moto Adventures: For the adventurous, guided motorbike tours in the central mountains (Phong Nha, Ha Giang, Sapa) reveal rural lifestyles. For example, the Hà Giang Loop motorbike tour (see above) is famed off the beaten track.

• Công Viên Suối Mơ (Tien Giang): A hidden jungle park near Saigon for tubing, zip-lining and jungle trekking - often included as an optional day trip in Mekong tours.

These lesser-known spots often come via word-of-mouth or forum tips. When booking through operators, ask about small-group or private tours to these places for a truly local experience.

Top Tour Operators & Booking Tips

With so many tours available, picking an operator can be daunting. Here are some trusted options:

• Intrepid Travel / G Adventures: Global companies offering well-reviewed small-group Vietnam tours (13-day, 10-day etc). They include English-speaking guides and often use comfortable hotels.

• Viator / GetYourGuide: Online platforms listing thousands of Vietnam tours (one-day to multi-day). You can filter by price, duration and read user reviews. They handle booking/payment securely.

• Local Agencies: Buffalo Tours (Hanoi-based) and Flamingo Travel are popular. They can craft custom itineraries. For Hanoi street food, Hanoi Street Food Tour (a local company) has $20-$25 excursions.

• Experiential Hosts: For home-cooked meals or homestays, sites like WithLocals or Airbnb Experiences sometimes offer family-based cooking classes or village tours.

Booking Tips: Always compare reviews and what’s included. Many tours allow free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure. Book well ahead in high season (Oct-Apr) to lock in popular cruises and accommodations.
Payment and communication through reputable websites is safest. And don’t forget to budget for tips (guides typically appreciate ~$1-2 per person per day).

FAQ: Vietnam Guided Tours

Q: Are guided tours in Vietnam worth it?
A: If you have limited time or want hassle-free travel, yes - tours give you local insights, skip-the-line entry and safety in an unfamiliar country. Independent travel is possible too, but for highlights like Halong Bay cruises or multi-city trips, tours simplify logistics. Guides can also enrich the experience with history and culture.

Q: How much do Vietnam tours cost?
A: It varies widely by length and inclusions. Short half-day tours (city walks, cooking classes) often run $20-$50. Full-day tours (Cu Chi, Mekong, Halong Bay) range $30-$100+. Multi-day guided packages can be $1000+ for 10-12 days. Always check if meals, transport and entry fees are included.

Q: What languages are tours offered in?
A: English is the most common guide language. Some big cities and tour hubs also offer Chinese, French, Spanish or German guides. When booking, specify your preferred language.

Q: Are guided tours safe in Vietnam?
A: Yes - reputable companies employ licensed drivers and vetted guides. Road conditions can be busy, but tours use comfortable, air-conditioned vehicles for long drives. For motorbike tours, drivers are experienced, but always wear helmets (and travel insurance is recommended for adventure tours).

Q: How do I book Vietnam tours?
A: You can book online (Viator/GetYourGuide/agency websites) before you travel, or arrange tours in Vietnam at hotels, tour offices or via apps. Advance booking guarantees your spot and often a better price. Always use secure payment and confirm details (pickup time, inclusions).

These guided tours and tips should help you plan an incredible Vietnam Tour from the Mekong Delta to the mountains of the north. Safe travels and enjoy the journey!