The Ultimate Adventure Through Vietnam

The trip was incredible from start to finish. We got to see places and have experiences that you wouldn’t necessarily see/do if you were just a tourist travelling without a group. The activities were varied and there were plenty of evenings for downtime which was welcomed. Our guide Phuong (Jack), made the experience what it was for us. His knowledge and passion for sharing Vietnam with us was incredible and there wasn’t anything that Phuong didn’t know about Vietnam!! If you’re thinking of booking this tour then I highly recommend - but make sure you pack padded cycling shorts as by the end of the trip the amount of cycling became quite painful!!!

I have just came back having had an amazing time on this trip! I loved all the activities and places we visited! The whole trip went seamlessly and Phuong was a fantastic guide! He did a great job of looking after us always making sure we had water, electrolytes and snacks! I would thoroughly reccomend this tour to anyone!

This trip was fantastic! A great amount of activity balanced with down time to relax and explore also. The bike rides were a great way to see areas you wouldn't get to otherwise and at a very relaxed pace to take it all in. Our guide Phuong (Jack) was absolutely fantastic! He was so knowledgable and you could tell how passionate he was about sharing Vietnam with us. He went above and beyond to make sure we were all looked after and had a great time. I highly recommend this trip!

Epic trip to explore Vietnam. Our guide Thuong (Jack) looked after our every need. Very hard physically although graded level 1 and not much rest time. Loved the overnight train, and excellent transport throughout.

This trip was an incredible, action-packed 11 days that I will never forget. I researched many different itineraries with different companies, and I'm so happy I chose this one, as we got to go a bit more off the beaten bath. The bike rides gave us an intimate look at Vietnamese life, and we got a great taste for different regions of the country. Everything was seamlessly organized, and our guide Phuong/Jack was phenomenal! He has so much knowledge about his country, and he went above and beyond for our group, injecting just the right mix of caring, knowledge, and humor. Highly recommend!!!

This was a fantastic trip. Our guide Hao was enthusiastic, great fun and worked hard to make sure we were all happy. The activities were great and it exceeded my expectations.

Just returned from the most fantastic trip to Vietnam led by our amazing guide Hao. He went above and beyond to make sure our trip was flawless and totally well organised we could not fault him.

We were lead by How on the Ultimate Adventure Through Vietnam. It was all it was supposed to be and some as How ran an excellent trip changing up as needed but still fitting everything in. He could not do enough for the group and it was very much appreciated. I will certainly look for another trip with MBA.

A great trip with a lovely bunch of people. The tour covered a lot of ground and offered many experiences. The activities were organised well. Tour leader Hao went above and beyond to ensure all of the groups needs were met. It was exhausting with a full itinerary so you may want to consider booking a couple of days either side for rest, relaxation and souvenir shopping.

This entire trip was planned and executed with perfection. Our guide, Hao, is a first class professional - always making sure each person in the group was taken care of, and handling last minute requests on the fly.

Everything went off without a hitch - there was always a ride waiting when we arrived, mysteriously snack and drinks would appear out of nowhere, and the small village experiences were first rate.

Overall this was a solid trip. I liked the variety of locations we visited. The hikes were good if a bit intense (short but basically all uphill and then downhill - lots of elevation gain in a very short distance). There were more bike rides than anticipated because the itinerary was changed at the last minute.

A fantastic adventure holiday, with so many activities crammed into 10 days! Not only did we cycle among villages and paddy fields, kayak through caves and mangroves and hike up beautiful mountains but we also had lessons in cooking, farming, mat-making, woodcarving, noodling and rice puffing, and even a mass head and foot massage. All accompanied by Hao, our knowledgeable and patient guide who soon became our friend. The group bonded instantly and all diets were catered for with delicious and healthy food, in comfortable hotels. It didn’t matter that the weather varied from sunny to steamy to torrential rain, we were laughing most of the time.

It was an excellent experience! I highly recommend it!

This was my second adventure with Much Better Adventures, and it absolutely lived up to the name. I had an incredible time from start to finish. Our guide, Hao, was a real star—warm, funny, and endlessly knowledgeable. He genuinely cared about making sure we all had the best experience possible.

The trip was packed with highlights. The hikes were stunning, with views that looked like they’d been edited they were so perfect. I loved the variety too—one minute you’re up high looking out at scenery that takes your breath away. The next you are wandering through the hustle and bustle of city streets

The kayaking was another standout (even when it was a challenge!). Being out on the water surrounded by lush greenery was unforgettable, and such a brilliant way to see the landscape from a totally different angle.

And the overnight train? Such fun. A proper little adventure within an adventure.

Overall, the trip was packed with great food, great company, amazing scenery, and so many memorable moments. Much Better Adventures consistently gets it right, and I’m already eyeing up my next trip.

Loved the trip. Excellent guide and nice hotels. Everything very well organised.

Our guide, Kian, had a mountain of knowledge about Vietnam and its history along with an innate ability to cope with the challenges ( weather and a group member) that were presented.

Vietnam is a beautiful country, has some great food and with friendly locals and children cheerfully saying ‘hi’ as you pass them on the bicycle rides.

Although we were quite a small group Kian provided the right amount of support and information we needed to undertake the various activities, I particularly enjoyed the bike rides. There was a good mix of activities and leisure time at the hotels and accommodations we stayed in. We caught the tail end of a typhoon in places and our guide quickly adapted the itinerary to suit the group’s needs.

This was my first experience of a mba trip and will definitely not be my last !

It was a great experience to get into real every day life of vietnamese countryside, be welcomed in their houses and being treated with unique tastes in combination with daily exercise and unique sceneries

A fantastic trip for getting a taste of Vietnam from top to bottom! You get a little bit of everything—culture, scenery, and adventure—all while staying active. It’s a great way to see the country’s highlights and still feel like you’re truly experiencing it.

We’d read the previous reviews and it was clear that any niggles had been taken seriously and ironed out, because everything went very smoothly. We had the same guide for the whole trip and he was so well organised and knowledgeable considering the distances we were covering and the differences between north, central and south of the country. He was friendly and helpful too. The activities were really enjoyable and definitely not too easy. On the kayak trip we could see that paddle boarding would have been impossible with the wind and current and boat traffic on the river so didn’t mind the change to the itinerary. The terrain in the national park made the hike feel like a challenge even though it wasn’t a long walk. I wasn’t happy at the start of the first bike ride as it was in busy traffic, but later rides had a guide at the back too and helmets available so I felt safer. No one else minded the traffic though, and most of the rides were through beautiful countryside and little lanes that we wouldn’t have been able to get to otherwise. If it had been optional I wouldn’t have gone to the Cu Chi tunnels; they themselves are interesting and important to see but the place has a weird theme park feeling and I was really uncomfortable with the propaganda film. It was a very long day and we got to the Meking Delta hotel very late. The activities in this area were probably my least favourite too, such as viewing the back of the rice factories, but this hotel was the most beautiful. All the hotels were lovely and all the food was good too; it seemed to get better during the week. The best was at the local people’s houses, especially where we had the cooking lesson. My absolute highlight was Hoi An, and the overnight train was fun. The other travellers were delightful too. It’s worth staying a bit longer at the end to see Ho Chi Minh City and the guide will gladly help with recommendations for this, or for arriving early in Hanoi

This was an excellent trip for seeing a great deal of Vietnam in a relatively short space of time. I suspect I’m not alone in only really knowing Vietnam from Hollywood war movies, so I was keen to see it from the local perspective. It was a joy to find such a vibrant country with friendly people wherever we went, a rich culture and history, and many beautiful sights along the way.

As always, the pre-trip information and MBA customer service was very good, answering any questions I had. Our local guide for the whole trip, Hao, went out of his way to make sure we had a good time. He was very knowledgeable on all the areas we visited and showed us aspects of Vietnamese life that we would not otherwise have seen. Our group of ten occasionally had different requests in terms of food and activities but Hao was able to accommodate them all.

For the most part, meals came as ‘set menus’, consisting of a selection of different delicious shared dishes. Noodles and rice are standard, but the other dishes were varied, and generally cooked with local ingredients from the area we were staying. When we had to find our own meals, there were plenty of options to choose from. The curry at Kari Champa Gourmet Lab restaurant and the beautifully created items at the farm (both in Hoi An) deserve a special mention.

The hotels we stayed in were all very nice, and with the itinerary staying two nights in each, it meant we weren’t continually rushing to the next destination.

One of the reasons I picked this trip over those offered by other companies is the inclusion of activities (hiking, kayaking, cycling). These are all at a relaxed pace and allow time to appreciate the surroundings. Particular highlights were the sunrise hike in Tam Coc, the kayaking in Lan Ha Bay (just as pretty as Ha Long but very few other people around) and cycling through the countryside, stopping to meet local people.

Things worth knowing before the trip: Vietnam is a long country so inevitably there will be periods of travel – just enjoy the ride. The overnight train is a fun experience that adds to the ambience.

The climate (in March) changed significantly from North (low 20C, overcast) to South (mid 30C, sunny, humid). Bring a refillable bottle to avoid single-use plastic ones (potable water available on the bus)

The high denomination currency can be a little confusing but you get the hang of the conversions. Many places take card but always worth carrying some notes for smaller items, tips etc.

Trekking poles can be useful for the hikes but not essential.

There’s not much included time in Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City so it’s worth booking some extra nights if you want to explore.

Hoi An is great for getting tailor-made clothes. Get measured up on the first night to ensure it’s made in time before departure.

We started our adventure on the 16th March 2025, and right from the start our tour leader Hao Nguyen made us feel welcome. Starting from Hanoi our group of ten from three different countries just gelled. After an ATM swallowed my credit card, the lady from the USA very kindly loaned me some Vietnamese Dong. We travelled through bustling cities to jungle paths. The scenery was spectacular, the accommodation was fantastic and the food was a culinary delight, for me at least it ticked all the boxes. I never felt unsafe and I never doubted the origin of the food offered. I also believe the number of activities was just right, although I always came last in the canoeing (ha ha), I stilled enjoyed the exercise as we were under the ever-watchful eye of Hao, who I believe showed a genuine interest in our welfare. All in all this trip exceeded my expectations and I would definitely consider returning to Vietnam again.

We booked thus holidayooming for a little adventure we got so much more. We found a land of moving history, a rich culture, smiley people and the most wonderful sights. We made friends that we were not looking for and a deep respect fir our enthusiastic leader. Vietnam gave us so much more than we could have dreamt.

Exactly as described, fantastic trip through north and south Vietnam. Our tour guide Hao, made the trip extra special with his local knowledge, cheekiness and making sure we fitted all the extra bits in. Active but with plenty of relaxation time. Exceptional accommodation and a real cultural culinary experience. Could not recommend this company more!

This trip from Hanoi to the Mekong delta was the most incredible trip Hao our guide was just outstanding he took care of each traveller the entire way I stayed extra days in Ho Chi Minh and Hao continued to support eith advise all the other travellers where amazing it was the best way to tour Vietnam you got a taste of everything from the Jungle to the city with little towns and villages along the way this is my se and trip with MBA and I will continue to book my future trips through them they take out all the tress and add adventure and Fun.

Had a great time throughout the tour. It really fits a lot in, from kayaking around beautiful islands, and cycling through villages, to visiting local families for great food and local crafts. Highlight was probably Lan Ha Bay. The guide Dūng was very insightful and offered optional activities when we had spare time. Definitely recommend

Our guide Dũng and all logistic were perfect. Al transfers were on time. We visited many nice places. Unfortunately the distances are very long in Vietnam. We spent more time traveling through the country than enjoying activities. Mekong Delta was less interesting part. We could get additional 2-3 days if Da Nang would be the final point of the trip.

Overall a well managed trip with good support from the guide with an opportunity to see a range of Vietnam. However, 4 things could improve the trip:

1. The walk in the jungle at Nimh Binh was too long as there was not much to see other than leeches. 1 hour would have been long enough.
2. The supplied picnic lunch on the jungle walk was awful (most of us just ate the bread and cheese. The hotel we were staying in had rolls and a continental breakfast - why not arrange with the hotel for us to make our own picnic at breakfast ( I have done this on other trips)
3. Following the train with an afternoon of kayaking was a logistical challenge involving opening bags in the hotel lobby and changing in the toilets. An early check in that day would have been preferable.
4. Tipping (other than for the guide) was not really optional as we all paid exactly the same amount into the tip pool. I was happy that the tips were earned but It would be simpler if the "standard" tips were included in the trip with the price increased as a result.

This was my first experience of travelling with MBA and I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend them to my friends. This visit to Vietnam was everything I had hoped for and sometimes more. The hotels were all well situated and well sourced. TheyHong Ngoc Dynastie and Mekong Lodge being my favourites. Our guide, Dung, was good, helpful and very pleasant. He’s the one who created the video showing our lovely group of 10 travellers. The cycling was great, the kayaking delightful and the hiking slightly challenging but as the oldest ( 69 years of age ) in the group, it was not a problem. The one and only excursion I didn’t like was the three hour hike in Cuc Phong National park on day 5. I fully understand that one cannot conjure up animals for a tourist’s hike but I have never been on such a boring hike in the jungle before - and I’ve done a few. There were a few large ancient trees, but the terrain was the same, there were no enjoyable views, no insects, no birds …. The only thing we saw, and felt, were leeches! They turned out to be the excitement of the day! The picnic lunch was horrible - I wish I’d asked for a vegetarian lunch. It might have been more edible. Even the Primate Rescue Centre there didn’t seem to be having much success in reintroducing the animals back to the wild. That day aside, it was a really good tour. Cat Ba was gorgeous. The waterways at Ninh Binh; the sunrise hike to Mua Cave; Lantern Town in Hoi An; thé cuisine class and foot massage and lunch at Tra Que village were all beautiful and memorable. I’m so glad I went to see a country, which was torn apart by war when I was a child, now thriving and so beautiful.

This trip really surpassed my expectations and I had the best time! The food was delicious and the restaurant choices were excellent in my opinion, with plenty of options and good portion sizes so that you’re never hungry. The accommodation was also excellent, very clean and nice venues with good amenities.

The group was a mix of couples, friends and solos, ranging from 20s – 60s and was a lovely group of adventurous people who were very friendly! Dung, our guide, accompanied us throughout the trip, organised all of the logistics and provided many stories and historical context of each place we visited. I also think the range of activities was a good mix and was spread over each day, alternating between hiking, kayaking and cycling, supplemented with cultural activities which I enjoyed.

Some pointers that I would take away, I’d bring some water shoes for the kayaking as it’s quicker to dry than trainers. Also bring clothing for a range of weathers as it’s colder up north and warmer in the south. Maybe bring a bit of extra cash, a couple of tenners for tips for workers along the journey. Finally, it is worth arriving a few days earlier to get used to the jet lag before the trip starts. I had a fantastic time and recommend this trip wholeheartedly.

I have just returned from this trip and loved every minute of it. The hotels was excellent much better than I expected, the overnight train was certainly an experience and the food was also really good. Our guide Dung was excellent always helpful going above and beyond to make our trip enjoyable, I also used the tour company in Vietnam to arrange extra trips at the start and end of the trip, the communication was exceptional and also loved those trips. We had such an amazing group of people on the trip which without doubt made the trip what it was and one of my favourites that I have taken with MBA. My only comment would be that the hike through the Cuc Phuong National Park had quite a bit of scrambling in it which was fine for all of us but should probably be mentioned in the itinerary. It appeared to me that any issues from the first trip gave been rectified and if you are thinking of taking this trip I would urge you to book it as it left me wanting to return to Vietnam.