Considering going to Vietnam with Intrepid. Has anyone experience of this?

[SaraCrewe06]

Never been to Vietnam before. DCs are leaving/have left and this will be our first trip without them for 28 years!
The most adventurous trip I’ve taken was inter railing many years ago. I like the idea of a group and a tour leader. We’re both 57.

I normally backpack independently, but had to go to Iran with a tour group, as British people aren't allowed to visit the country independently.

I searched for a tour that was only a small group, and which left plenty of free time. The Intrepid tour fitted the bill.

I had felt very grumpy about having to join a group, but actually it was fine. And I have to say that it was nice not having to organise my own internal travel, and being picked up outside the hotel instead of having to find my way to stations etc without missing my train/bus!

The most adventurous trip I’ve taken was inter railing many years ago

Compared to inter-railing, a tour in Vietnam will be a breeze! For the last reason in my post above!

I did the Vietnam Express southbound trip with Intrepid almost 10 years ago now, it looks like the itinerary is still the same. Had an amazing time, we had a great group of people on the trip and I wouldn't hesitate to book with them again. We had a broad range of ages from 20s to 70s.

We are mid-fifties and did the Premium version of the tour you are planning with Intrepid this spring. It is very similar, and it was brilliant. Our group of 12 ranged from mid-thirties to mid-seventies.
Most of the food is organised for you, even when the meal is not included in the trip, the guide would often arrange the meal or at least recommend where to eat.
I am always wary of eating something dodgy and never felt that was likely to happen on this trip. Bottled water is easily available and very cheap; even the locals don't drink from the tap. Intrepid encourages responsible travel and will have a water dispenser on the coach where you can refill your water bottle.
There are 7-11 and similar stores in all the major places where you can buy Western food and drink for a fraction of the cost in the UK.
The trip is quite full on, in that there are plenty of early starts, but there is plenty of downtime, and you can opt out of an excursion if you want.

This wasn't our first trip with Intrepid, and it is certainly not our last.

We went to Vietnam in a family group on a tailor made Intrepid tour and it was fantastic. The guide was amazing and we never had any problems with sickness or food poisoning because they take you to or recommend restaurants they trust.
I would absolutely travel with Intrepid again, and highly recommend Vietnam to everyone

I am planning a Vietnam trip, I am early 50’s. The ones in narrowed it down to were explore upgraded and a freedom destinations one. Not the cheapest but as solo travellers I wanted solo rooms every night and they fit the bill.

however I have actually decided to just go solo - I can get exactly what I want and everything I have read says it’s an easy / safe country to go solo.

Daughter just did Central Asia with intrepid. Very good tours.

I did the intrepid tour starting in Hanoi , through Cambodia and finishing in Bangkok 2 years ago. It was brilliant. So well organised. I spent a couple of days in Hanoi before the tour started and 3 more nights in Bangkok at the end. All the food was delicious. No one got a funny tummy . Do take usual precautions with food. I even tried the deep fried tarantula , which is completely optional.!
I went solo and over half the group was solo too I’m late 50s. I’ve done 4 intrepid tours and have more planned .

Eek! We’ve booked! Excited and a bit nervous too.

Who did you book with?

I did Vietnam with Intrepid it over Christmas 2003, so more than 22 years ago, it was fabulous. That was my second time in Vietnam and sadly not been back since. We did the classic tour the average age was around 30 at that time, a lot of public transport use, premium tours a bit fancier. You will love it, Vietnamese food is delicious.

Best to choose a premium trip with Intrepid, the hotels on their basic trips can be low grade (eg long way from town or city centre, no bar, very basic bathrooms etc). I should add that my experience was several years ago in a different country. But Vietnam is cheap so no excuse for not offering decent hotels.

@OllysArmyRidesAgain
We’ve booked with Intrepid.
Upgraded to Premium Economy as it’s a 12 hour flight.