Vietnam
Walking Vietnam: Paths of Wonder from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City
Program No. 22552RJ
Enjoy comfortable walking adventures throughout Vietnam, beginning in the capital city of Hanoi and ending in Ho Chi Minh City — Saigon. Explore villages, citadels, bays and more!
Enroll with Confidence
We want your Road Scholar learning adventure to be something to look forward to—not worry about. Learn more
Protecting the Environment
We offset a portion of the emissions created by your travel. Learn more
17 days
16 nights
33 meals
14B 10L 9D
1
In Transit to Program
In Flight
2
En Route
In Flight
5
Women's Museum, Coach to Mai Chau
Mai Chau
6
Pu Luang Nature Reserve, Free Time
Mai Chau
7
Coach to Ninh Binh, Hoa Lu Citadel
Ninh Binh
14
Free Time, Fly to Ho Chi Minh City
Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon)
15
Early Morning Exploration, Presentation, University Students
Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon)
16
Mekong Delta, Village Walking Discovery
Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon)
17
Program Concludes
In Flight
At a Glance
Footpaths through lush, green valleys that wind their way to tranquil villages. Bustling sidewalks through energetic marketplaces. Pathways to historic citadels, pagodas and tombs where past Emperors now lie in rest. There is no shortage of roads to walk throughout Vietnam — and they each lead to something fascinating! Join us for a walking adventure that begins in the capital of Hanoi and ends in Ho Chi Minh City — Saigon — for an up-close look at the places and people that inhabit this exotic nation.
Extend Your Adventure
This program includes an optional program extension.
Extension: Ancient Temples of Angkor
Continue your learning adventure with a four-day extension to Cambodia. Visit four ancient temples of Angkor and learn about their significance for the Khmer people.
Activity Level
Outdoor: Spirited
Walking up to 3.5 miles (up to 3 hours) per day over varied terrain.
Small Group
Love to learn and explore in a small-group setting? These adventures offer small, personal experiences with groups of 13 to 24 participants.
What You'll Learn
- Spend a night on the emerald waters of Ha Long Bay and journey past towering limestone islands.
- Create your own Vietnamese cuisine in a hands-on cooking class that begins in the markets and ends with a delicious meal.
- Walk along the streets of Ho Chi Minh City — Saigon — to explore its Opera House and Cathedral, and watch as locals practice tai chi in Tao Dan Park.
General Notes
Looking to extend your stay? This program has a post-extension, "Extension: Ancient Temples of Angkor" (#22617).
Suggested Reading List
(16 books)
Visit the Road Scholar Bookshop
You can find many of the books we recommend at the Road Scholar store on bookshop.org, a website that supports local bookstores.
Walking Vietnam: Paths of Wonder from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City
Program Number: 22552
The Eaves of Heaven, A Life in Three Wars
Pham recounts the story of his father's life during the French occupation, Japanese invasion and the American War, weaving such momentous events with anecdotes from his childhood and details of family, friends, food and daily life.
The Mekong, Turbulent Past, Uncertain Future
A cultural history of the great river from prehistory to European exploration, colonial tensions and modern challenges. It's an engaging introduction to the history of Southeast Asia.
Vietnam, A Traveler's Literary Companion
From rain forest and rural countryside to the cities, these 17 stories from Vietnam's finest writers explore its landscapes, myths and changing traditions.
Communion, A Culinary Journey Through Vietnam
Fay recounts in savory detail a five-week journey with two friends from Hanoi to Saigon in search of the traditions, rituals and pleasures of food from local markets and street foods to haute cuisine.
The Quiet American
A classic, this is the most famous Western work of fiction on Vietnam. Greene writes of a love triangle between a war correspondent, his Vietnamese consort and an optimistic young American during the last days of French rule.
Vietnam Journeys
Photographer and traveler Charles Fields portrays the cultures and landscapes of Vietnam from the World Heritage Site of Hue and the Phung Hiep floating market to its forests and coastline in stunning color photographs.
A Traveller's History of Southeast Asia
A compact history of the region, including the Khmer and the various ancient kingdoms that produced Borobudur, Angkor and other architectural marvels.
A Dragon Apparent, Travels in Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam
A classic account of travels and adventure during the last years of French Indochina, strong on atmosphere and including wonderfully detailed descriptions of local cultures and archaeological treasures. First published in 1951.
Fire in the Lake
A classic historical, political and cultural portrait of the Vietnam War, seen through the eyes of the Vietnamese. Winner of both the Pulitzer Prize and National Book Award, FitzGerald, a staff writer at the New Yorker and a reporter in Vietnam, presents a vivid image of a revolution and a clear-sighted case for why the U.S offensive was doomed from the start.
The River's Tale, A Year on the Mekong
A personal, probing chronicle of a 3,000 mile journey on the river from its source in China through Tibet, Burma, Laos, Thailand, Cambodia to the Mekong Delta in Vietnam.
Eyewitness Guide Vietnam and Angkor Wat
Featuring innovative site diagrams, local maps and hundreds of color photographs, this handy companion introduces the culture, history and attractions of Vietnam.
Vietnam, Rising Dragon
The veteran BBC newsman covers the tangled politics, rapidly changing economy, culture, history and people of Vietnam with great insight in this timely portrait of a nation in transition.
Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia Map
A convenient, double-sided map of Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam at a scale of 1:1,500,000, with city maps of Hanoi, Vientiane, Ho Chi Minh City, Luang Prabang, and Phnom Penh. Includes the eastern portion of Thailand and Bangkok.
Arts of Southeast Asia
A handsome guide to the art, architecture, textiles and crafts of Southeast Asia.
Birds of Southeast Asia
This authoritative, masterfully illustrated guide, featuring 140 color plates covering 1,270 species throughout the region, also includes Malaysia, Burma, Borneo and Indonesia.
Lonely Planet Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos & the Greater Mekong
This compact practical guide covers the entire Mekong from the heights of Yunnan to Thailand, Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia.
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