Vietnam hidden treasures tour
Price
US $1548ToUS $1589 excluding flights
More info
Price is per person based on 2 people sharing double/twin accommodation
Description of Vietnam hidden treasures tour
Price information
US $1548ToUS $1589 excluding flights
Price is per person based on 2 people sharing double/twin accommodation
Departure information
This trip can be tailor made throughout the year to suit your requirements
Travel guides
How to explore the Mekong Delta, travel by train, and have an unforgettable Southeast Asian vacation.
Providing you with a balance of rated, underrated and overrated things to do in Asia.
Reviews
1 Reviews of Vietnam hidden treasures tour
4 out of 5 stars
Reviewed on 16 Nov 2025 by tim gibbons
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
We particularly enjoyed Ba Vi, meeting local people, learning a little about their lives, cooking, the bike ride. We had an excellent guide Trung. No other tourists around!
2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
To manage their expectations of "hidden treasures"...BaVi and Tho Ha, were quieter places but Mua Caves, Tam Coc, and Lan Ha Bay are major tourist hotspots. Had we realised this, we would probably have chosen a different itinerary.
3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Hard to know if it benefitted local people, it certainly generates employment and income though how much of the cost filters down is unknown.
As for conservation and reduced environmental impact, sadly many elements of the trip are not sustainable. The increasing numbers of tourists is driving rapid development, this is particularly obvious in Tam Coc, Lan Ha, even Viet Hai had loud music thumping out!
Litter in the sea and at the high waterline round the islands is pretty depressing as is seeing detergent and bilgewater being discharged by our luxury boat!
4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
Overall, we enjoyed our trip, our travel consultant was excellent and everyone we met worked hard to ensure we were very well looked after. However, the itinerary includes several elements that are definitely not "hidden" and we would have some major concerns about sustainability.
Read the operator's response here:
Dear Tim Gibbons,
Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts on your recent trip with us. We greatly appreciate your feedback.
We were delighted to receive your compliments about our travel consultant, particularly regarding her arrangements and support throughout your trip. It’s wonderful to know that you felt well looked after and enjoyed Ba Vi and Tho Ha.
However, we are sorry to hear that some aspects of the scenery and experience did not meet your expectations. Vietnam is a very popular tourist destination, and we understand that some places can feel crowded. Tam Coc in Ninh Binh is less crowded compared to Trang An, and the Lan Ha route in Ha Long Bay offers a quieter experience than the main Ha Long Bay. But we completely understand your concerns, especially during peak season, and acknowledge that the selected destinations may not have suited your preferences.
We sincerely hope to welcome you back for more adventures—with unique, new destinations and personalized plans crafted by our dedicated travel consultants, with a focus on sustainability.
Once again, thank you for your valuable feedback. We look forward to welcoming you back in the future with our best service.
Sincerely,
The Realistic Asia Team
Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts on your recent trip with us. We greatly appreciate your feedback.
We were delighted to receive your compliments about our travel consultant, particularly regarding her arrangements and support throughout your trip. It’s wonderful to know that you felt well looked after and enjoyed Ba Vi and Tho Ha.
However, we are sorry to hear that some aspects of the scenery and experience did not meet your expectations. Vietnam is a very popular tourist destination, and we understand that some places can feel crowded. Tam Coc in Ninh Binh is less crowded compared to Trang An, and the Lan Ha route in Ha Long Bay offers a quieter experience than the main Ha Long Bay. But we completely understand your concerns, especially during peak season, and acknowledge that the selected destinations may not have suited your preferences.
We sincerely hope to welcome you back for more adventures—with unique, new destinations and personalized plans crafted by our dedicated travel consultants, with a focus on sustainability.
Once again, thank you for your valuable feedback. We look forward to welcoming you back in the future with our best service.
Sincerely,
The Realistic Asia Team
Responsible Travel
As the pioneers of responsible tourism, we've screened this (and every) vacation so that you can travel knowing we've worked to maximise the benefits of your vacation to local people and places, and minimise any negative impacts.
Planet
1. Off-the-Beaten-Path Exploration: The tour takes you off the usual tourist routes and remote villages, as well as cruising in less-visited parts of Ha Long Bay. This approach ensures a lesser ecological impact on destinations while allowing you to discover untouched natural wonders. By exploring these lesser-known areas, you can experience the beauty of Vietnam's nature and cozy villages without overcrowding or disturbing the delicate ecosystems.2. Environmental Project Contribution: As part of our commitment to environmental conservation, the Vietnam Green Escape tour allocates $20 from each booking to a dedicated project that focuses on protecting and preserving the environment. This contribution directly supports initiatives such as reforestation, wildlife conservation, or sustainable development projects in Vietnam. By participating in this tour, you actively contribute to the protection of Vietnam's natural resources and help create a more sustainable future for the planet.
3. Inserting human-power transportation into the activities: During this tour, you will cycle in the countryside and hike in the National Parks, in Ninh Binh you will also enjoy a paddle boat trip and kayak in Halong Bay.
People
1. Accommodation with Local Owner: Tourists will stay in accommodations owned by locals and in the local homestay (in Vietn Hai village). Moreover, we also work with local guides who know the area the best and local artisans who preserve the local cultural heritage.2. Immersion in Local Community: You will spend time in the village having fun and taking part in the daily activities of the locals like agricultural activities such as crab catching, fishing, and transplanting and watering vegetables, cooking local meals You will visit the brass making village and spend time with their local family that produces the conical hats. In addition, you can get a unique opportunity to learn water puppet art from the 6th generation of water puppet makers and performers.
3. Support the local economy: the accommodations and transports used on this tour are locally owned and operated. We work with local guides, and the meals are provided in locally-owned restaurants with local seasonal meals. Every part of the trip contributes to the local economy and generates income for the community.
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