Vietnam in 21 days

HANOI – NA HANG – NINH BINH –
HUE – HOI AN – HOCHIMINH CITY – MEKONG CRUISE

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Welcome to Your 21-Day Journey Through the Soul of Vietnam

Thank you so much for choosing JTB-TNT Vietnam to guide you on this once-in-a-lifetime adventure. Over the next 21 days, you’ll experience the full spectrum of Vietnam — from the graceful rhythm of Hanoi’s old streets to the misty mountains of Na Hang, the spiritual beauty of Hue, the golden glow of Hoi An’s lanterns, and the vibrant heartbeat of Ho Chi Minh City.

You’ll cruise along the gentle Mekong, walk through ancient temples, meet local artisans and children, and taste dishes that tell stories older than time. Every destination reveals a new color of Vietnam — its warmth, its resilience, its poetry.

This is more than a journey; it’s a tapestry of moments that will stay with you long after you’ve returned home. So come with an open heart, ready to see, taste, and feel Vietnam in all its beauty.

We can’t wait to share this adventure with you. Until then, if you have any questions or need assistance, your JTB-TNT Vietnam team is always here for you.

This 21-day adventure with JTB-TNT Vietnam is not just about visiting destinations — it’s about living Vietnam from north to south, through its landscapes, people, and traditions.

From the moment you arrive in Hanoi, you’ll feel the pulse of Vietnam’s culture — the charm of the Old Quarter, the aroma of freshly brewed coffee, and the echoes of history in every corner. As you travel to Na Hang, you’ll experience the serene beauty of mountain life and the warmth of rural hospitality.

In Ninh Binh, where limestone cliffs rise from emerald rice fields, you’ll glide along peaceful rivers that reflect the ancient spirit of the land. Moving southward, Hue invites you into the imperial heart of Vietnam — a place of royal palaces, poetry, and timeless traditions. Then comes Hoi An, where lanterns light up every evening and every alley whispers stories of merchants, artists, and dreamers.

Your journey concludes in Ho Chi Minh City, where modern energy meets historical depth. From here, you’ll venture into the Mekong Delta, cruising among floating markets and lush islands — a vivid portrait of daily life in the southern heartlands.

Every day offers a new experience — a new flavor, a new landscape, a new story. This is your opportunity to see Vietnam not just as a visitor, but as a traveler who touches its soul.

What to expect from the journey

A scenic landscape in Ninh Binh, Vietnam

Get Ready for Vietnam

Travel insurance

We highly recommend purchasing travel insurance. Travel insurance allows you to seek reimbursement for your trip costs if your trip plans change for unforeseeable reasons; if you need medical help or emergency transport; and in case of theft, loss or damage of items while traveling.

For the best coverage, always insure the full trip cost within two weeks of your initial trip deposit and note that most 'Cancel For Any Reason' policies must be purchased on the date of your initial deposit.

While Modern Adventure does not recommend any policy specifically, we encourage you to compare benefits and options, a few of which are listed below. We recommend that any plan you select include trip cancellation and trip interruption coverage, at minimum.

Visas & Passports

EU citizens are required to obtain a visa before traveling into Vietnam. It is your responsibility to obtain this required travel document; please visit the German Embassy in Vietnam visa information page for step-by-step instructions on how to obtain a Vietnamese visa. The process for obtaining a visa is relatively easy, but you’ll want to start the application as soon as possible because the process can take up to a few weeks to finalize. Additionally, your passport must be valid for six months beyond your arrival date.

Please ensure your e-visa or visa is authorized for your arrival date and your name matches exactly your name on your passport. You will not be allowed to board your flight to Vietnam if the visa is expired or not yet active. To ensure you will not have problems, check that your arrival date falls within the "good for entry valid from" and "until" dates.

Not a US citizen? Please check with the Vietnamese Embassy or Consulate for information and requirements.

Clothing

Vietnam can be quite humid, so consider wearing breathable fabrics such as cotton. Layering is the best option for the daily temperature changes and types of activities on our trip. We also suggest bringing a light jacket and a raincoat just in case.

We’ll spend plenty of time on foot during this experience, so make sure to bring sturdy walking shoes and a pair of your favorite sandal-like shoes. We will travel by private bus between destinations, so you might want to pack along a pair of headphones for the ride.

For the most part Vietnam is casual and resort casual attire is perfectly acceptable for an evening out. Additionally, a bag that closes completely such as a backpack prevents personal items from falling out when they are being stored in the bus storage compartments, and is a better option than an open purse.

Money & Tipping

The local currency is the Vietnamese dong (VND), worth roughly 25,500 dong to US$1 dollar. There are numerous ATMs in Vietnam to access your bank back home, but please note that Vietnamese ATMs only issue VND notes. You will not be able to withdraw US dollars from a Vietnamese ATM.

While cash is generally preferred in Vietnam, many restaurants and shops accept credit cards. You will also want some VND notes when traveling outside of the main cities.

We recommend bringing enough money with you for a few meals on your own, as well as any souvenirs or local arts and crafts you might like to bring back with you.

Most gratuities and tips are included in our trip cost. Tipping isn’t expected in Vietnam, but is always much appreciated.

Please note, however, that tipping our local and Modern Adventure guides is at your discretion; to show your appreciation for good service, we recommend tipping each guide USD$100 to $250 per guest. Please ask your guide their preferred method (local currency, electronic payment, etc.).

Luggage

Please keep in mind that while traveling as a group, space for luggage is limited. Please limit your luggage to 1-2 pieces per person to ensure that we have adequate space during transfers.

For our internal flights, please ensure your large suitcase is less than 50 lbs and your carry on is less than 25 lbs. You may also have a personal item so long as it does not exceed 20 lbs.

Internet & Phones

Our accommodations offer free Wi-Fi, and we recommend using Wi-Fi supported apps such as WhatsApp, FaceTime or Skype as an alternative to making calls from your mobile phone. For US travelers, many phone providers have temporary international travel plans. Check with your provider for options.

Vietnam’s electrical grid provides 220 volts (converters are needed for US appliances). The plugs are not standard across Vietnam. You will find US, European (two small round pins), and UK (3 large rectangular pins) all within the same building. It's best to bring a multi-adapter, so you are prepared for these three styles. If your appliance requires a third pin (grounding pin) you will likely need an adapter as many plugs only fit two prongs.

Electricity

November is a wonderful time of year to travel in the region. In northern Vietnam, expect daily average temps around 80°F. In central Vietnam, expect daily average temps around 81°F. In southern Vietnam, expect daily average temps around 89°F.