Sensational Vietnam

Join El Camino Travel on an adventure that explores the identity of Vietnam in a way that was authentic and meaningful for our travelers. On our trip, we're showcasing three unique and dynamic regions in the north that will give you many different perspectives while not going overboard and covering too much ground. Hanoi: The charming capital city that blends the old and the new, Sapa: The mountainous area which represents the cultural diversity of the country, and Tam Coc: The Red River Delta which is the cradle of Vietnamese traditions. We often get asked why we chose Tac Coc as opposed to Ha Long Bay. The landscapes are very similar but tam Coc presents a comparable experience without contributing to over-tourism.

Early on in the planning process, we made a bold decision to slow things down, sticking to only three main destinations, keeping travel times to a minimum. We did not want an itinerary that would cover North Vietnam + other regions because we wanted to offer an immersive trip in line with slow travel to truly immerse in the culture and not waste time darting from destination to destination. Rather than targeting the stereotypical highlights of Vietnam, our trip focuses on diving deep into the culture within these select few destinations.

Each destination that we’ve chosen is incredibly unique from the others. They are all forces to be reckoned with and we wanted to honor that. Take a deep dive into the many aspects of the culture and indulge in the beauty of slow travel. Your time in the country is precious, and we designed this trip so that you can spend your time wisely rather than wasting most of it in a car or bus darting between five or six different places.

Fly into and depart from Hanoi (HAN).

Please note that El Camino does not handle or monitor flights and is unable to make changes with any airlines. If you need help with your flight search once you reserve your spot, we have a travel advisor that we can recommend who specializes in flights. She can be used at a small fee for those having trouble finding the best option during your flight search or who would like further assistance. She knows all the details regarding our trips and may be able to find better fares and routes than what you can find on your own.

More information will be given post booking on how travelers should work with their travel coordinator if they experience any delays or issues to ensure that we can update our local teams at your destination to arrange an adjusted pickup. If your return/outbound flight is altered at the end of your trip, we will do our best to support your needs.

This trip is for the traveler who has an adventurous spirit, is looking to squeeze the most out of their time in Vietnam, and cares about making the world a better place through responsible tourism. The trip is filled with experiences that allow you to be immersed in the varied cultures of Vietnam. This traveler is open-minded, inherently curious, and enjoys indulging in the moment. This trip is for the traveler who finds joy in stepping outside of their comfort zone, loves trying new things, and is excited to explore a culture completely different from their own. This is available to travelers from all walks of life who are over the age of 18.

While El Camino Travel provides a high level of customer service, our traveler is someone who is easy-going and amenable to change in the diverse and unpredictable landscape of travel in Southeast Asia.

This trip is also for a solo traveler who does not want to travel solo, but instead with an interesting group of people and for those who do not want to spend countless hours planning a trip of a lifetime.

Our adventurous style of group travel is not for everyone. Please read carefully through the itinerary and the above description to ensure that you are booking a trip that fits your comfort level.

Traveler’s Values here

Please review our Traveler Values here prior to booking.

We are not luxury travel, but we're not budget either. So what exactly does that mean? At El Camino Travel, we're all about the high-low. We enjoy fine dining but we also love street food. We fly coach but you can find us in the airport lounge. We'll splurge on something special like handmade pottery or a one-of-a-kind hand-sewn dress, but we also love searching online for a good deal. We love great style and design, but we also get excited about off-the-beaten-path experiences that are a little rough around the edges. We pride ourselves on designing trips that are authentic and real, understanding that any country is comprised of many lenses and lived experiences and that we can't possibly showcase them all.

This duality can be seen in our trips. Our trips represent boutique travel—not luxury, not budget. We won't be staying at hostels but we won't be at luxury hotels either. We choose boutique hotels where we can prioritize things like location, character, charm, safety, and customer service.

Sometimes we do experiences that feel more high-end. Sometimes we're going *way* off the beaten path to do something entirely unique, and sometimes that means it's a little unpolished. Our traveler is someone who enjoys both ends of the spectrum and understands that one isn't more authentic than the other.

Luxury travel usually means a lot more hand-holding. While we provide a high level of customer service, our traveler is a little more adventurous and self-sufficient. We provide blocks of free time so you have the flexibility to explore the destination your way because we understand that everyone is different. Don’t worry though, we will make sure you are equipped with a curated list of all our favorite places to eat, play, and shop for when you are out on your own with your new travel friends.

For some additional context, a luxury-travel version of our trips would start anywhere from $7,000-12,000. We mix the high-low versions of a destination to keep our trips more accessible.

Please note that our standard pricing is based on shared double rooms. This allows us, among many things, to keep the cost of the trip accessible to as many travelers as possible. If you’re booking this trip with a friend, family member, or significant other, let us know and we’ll place you together.

Traveling solo? No problem—the majority of our travelers choose to fly solo. We’ll be in touch before the trip to learn a bit about you and find the best fit for a roommate. We will make it a priority to best situate you and we’re happy to chat more in-depth if you have any questions or concerns about this.

Single room upgrades are available! A limited number of single rooms have been reserved. Please select this option at checkout if you’d prefer your own space. If all the single rooms have already been filled, please email us at info@elcamino.travel and we'll let you know if we can secure additional rooms to accommodate a single.

We'll have more details regarding hotels prior to your trip, but we promise we chose these locations because they pass the El Camino standard of customer service and are clean, safe, and well-maintained.

It's important to note that our accommodations are not luxury or high-end. We seek more boutique accommodations that are well-situated and allow us to make the most of our itinerary.

We have a roster of well-qualified hosts that we work with. Prior to your trip, you will receive a welcome packet that will inform you of who will be guiding your adventure. We proudly work with local hosts because no one is better equipped to provide layer upon layer of context than someone who is actually from there.

A non-refundable $500 deposit is due at the time of booking. Final payment is due no later than 60 days prior to departure.

Please read our Booking Terms and Conditions for more information about our cancellation policy.

Payment plans are now available using Affirm. Apply now to make monthly payments.

ECT Members get $250 off.

Current members, click here for more info about your discount. Not a member? Click here to learn more about joining The ECT Membership

We encourage travelers to aim for an arrival time no later than 3 pm local time.

Our trips are very active, and involve a lot of walking, standing, and moving around—sometimes, in very high temperatures, with high humidity, on uneven roads and terrains, in busy cities. While we work to accommodate all travelers, other modes of transportation are not always available, due to infrastructure, making walking the only option. Travelers should be willing and able to walk anywhere up to 4 miles each day, up and down stairs and hills, and be able to stand for extended periods of time. If you have any concerns or questions about the activity level of this trip, have recently had surgery, or have any history of mobility issues, please reach out to us at info@elcamino.travel before booking—we want to ensure that everyone on our trips is safe, and will able to keep up with the active itinerary. By signing up for any of our trips, you agree to and understand that a certain level of physical fitness is required to safely participate in this itinerary.