Vodkatrain Vietnam Experience Vietnam. At ground level, travelling with the locals, experiencing the cities with a local Honcho, eating out and getting around at local prices. Vodkatrain takes the traditional ideas of group travel (regimented meal times, enforced sightseeing and following strange people holding umbrellas aloft) and gives them a hearty kick up the backside.

We prefer to think of it as a collection of young (we run with the classic 18-35 age bracket), like-minded individuals who happen to be following the same itinerary. We hope you’ll enjoy the company of your fellow travellers, but we make no guarantees!

Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh 12 days trip code (VS)

• Low season (16 Sep - 14 Apr) GBP £325 EUR €475
• High Season (15 Apr - 15 Sep) GBP £340 EUR €495

Ho Chi Minh to Hanoi 12 days trip code (VN)

• Low season (16 Sep - 14 Apr) GBP £325 EUR €475
• High Season (15 Apr - 15 Sep) GBP £340 EUR €495

Why buy this?

Honchos! A friend in a distant city

Vodkatrain is different, there’s no ‘Tour Leader’ or ‘Road Crew’ to lead the way, but a local Honcho in each city stop. With no set activities you can choose to do your own thing, or hang out with your Honcho and do the group thing. They don’t take you to their cousin’s brother’s uncle’s carpet shop, just the places you ask to see or the ones they’d love to show you. What better way to get to the heart of a city than being shown around by a local?

En-route you simply travel on trains between cities as any local or foreign traveller would, and meet a new Honcho at each city stop. You have the benefit of being with a small group (max 15) but none of the restrictions that a tour, with it’s fixed daytime schedule, might bring. It’s a nifty combination of backpacking and small group travel at budget do-it-yourself prices, Whatever your destination it’s an unforgettable hassle free journey, with company (and a company) you can have fun with.

Itinerary

Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon)

• Day 01: Arrive Hanoi
• Day 02: Hanoi
• Day 03: Hanoi and evening departure to Hue
• Day 04: Morning arrival Hue
• Day 05: Hue
• Day 06: Hue and bus transfer to Hoi An
• Day 07: Hoi An
• Day 08: Morning bus transfer to Da Nang & departure to Nha Trang - evening arrival
• Day 09: Nha Trang
• Day 10: Nha Trang and evening departure to Ho Chi Minh City
• Day 11: Morning arrival Ho Chi Minh City
• Day 12: Ho Chi Minh City and end of itinerary

Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) to Hanoi

• Day 01: Arrive Ho Chi Minh City
• Day 02: Ho Chi Minh & evening departure to Nha Trang
• Day 03: Morning arrival Nha Trang
• Day 04: Nha Trang & evening departure to Da Nang
• Day 05: Morning arrival Da Nang & Bus transfer to Hoi An
• Day 06: Hoi An
• Day 07: Hoi An and bus transfer to Hue
• Day 08: Hue
• Day 09: Hue and afternoon departure to Hanoi
• Day 10: Morning arrival Hanoi
• Day 11: Hanoi
• Day 12: Hanoi and end of itinerary

What you get:

• Overland journey with other young like-minded travellers from across the globe
• Small groups of no more than 15 people commencing on a pre-set date following the same itinerary
• Honchos - a friendly face in each city there to share their city and their life with you for a couple of days. Included in St Petersburg,Moscow, Irkutsk and Vladivostok. Honchos are available from 9am to 9pm each day and some choose to stay out later for a drink.
• Freedom and flexibility to do what you want in each city
• Pay local prices for your choice of food, sightseeing and entertainment.
• Accommodation included every night of the itinerary (share basis twin, triple or dorm rooms)
• Comfortable 4 berth rail compartments. Train tickets Hanoi-Hue & Danang-Nha Trang-Ho Chi Minh city or Ho Chi Minh City-Nha Trang-Da Nang & Hue-Hanoi
• No single supplements to pay
• Transfers are included to and from the train station while your journey is underway! Your Honcho there to greet you and transport you to the accommodation
• Full visa support

What you don’t get:

• Regimented meal times - Not our style
• Enforced sightseeing - Not our style
• Big groups, on and off buses following flags, umbrellas and all sorts of paraphernalia! - Not our style
• Travelling alone paying double the price (single supplements) - Not our style
• Getting ripped off by the local taxi mafia - Not our style
• Foreign 'Tour Leaders' who know as much as you about each city! - Not our style
• National leaders - you don’t want someone from Melbourne showing you around Sydney - Not our style
• Guides working for commission and kick backs - Not our style
• Restaurant recommendations based on whether or not the Tour leader gets a free meal - 'my mate owns this great restaurant and if I take you all there I get $20!' - Not our style
• The souvenir shop city tour - Not our style
• You book your own travel to and from the start and end points, you might want to fly / this might be part of a larger overland journey / perhaps you are on a Round the World trip?
• You will need fully comprehensive travel insurance for this trip.
• You get to pay the cheaper local price for meals, sightseeing etc
• Visas are required for Russia, Mongolia, China and Vietnam. Fees for visas vary according to consulate, nationality and service time selected. Please contact your preferred consulate to check prices and requirements.

How it works:

Vodkatrain offers departures throughout the year, to find the departure most suitable for you just contact our friendly reservations team using the link below. We can answer any questions you might have and guide you through the booking process.

We recommend you book at least three weeks in advance of your planned departure.

A completed booking form and deposit payment of GBP100 / EUR 150 will secure your place on any available trip. (Final balance is due 60 days before departure, if you are booking within 60 days of departure full payment will be required).

Visa must be obtained prior to commencing your journey with us. Check with your preferred consulate about cost and requirements before you apply. Vodkatrain offers visa support for all pre-booked services.

All itineraries are pre-booked against valid passport details. If you don’t see an itinerary here that suits you then do contact us, Vodkatrain is operated by Sundowners Overland a company with over 40 years of experience who also offer tailor-made arrangements.

Vodkatrain. Go on, give it a shot!

Cancellations and refunds:

Vodkatrain booking conditions and ‘frequently asked questions’ can be provided at any time. You will need to read and sign to agree to these when you make a booking.