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Vietnam Travel Guide
Private journeys. Real Vietnam.
Tailor-made Vietnam tours
Private trips, planned around your wishes by our team in Vietnam.
Planned by people who live here
100% tailor-made
Your route, your pace, your budget
Local experts
We live and work in Vietnam
Personal contact
Direct contact with our team, before and during your trip
A tailor-made Vietnam tour with Local Vietnam is a private trip, planned around your interests, travel style and pace. We are a local travel company: we live and work in Vietnam and plan each trip ourselves, from well-known highlights to quieter places. During your trip, you have direct contact with our team in Vietnam for help and local tips.
Why plan your trip with Local Vietnam?
A trip planned around you by a team that lives in Vietnam, with help on every day of your trip.
Local team in Vietnam
We live and work in Vietnam, in your trip’s time zone, and work directly with our partners on the ground.
Planned around you
Your route, your pace, your budget. You do not join a fixed group tour.
Fast help during your trip
If the weather, transport or your plans change, we reply quickly and arrange a good alternative.
Local SIM card included
You get a local SIM card at your first hotel, so you can reach our team on WhatsApp during your trip.
Flexible along the way
Want to stay longer somewhere, or skip something? Small changes during your trip are often possible.
Vietnam specialists
We plan trips in Vietnam only, so we know the routes, the travel times and the best seasons across the country.
Guest reviews
Experiences with our Tailor-Made Vietnam Tours
The reviews below come from travelers who explored Vietnam with Local Vietnam on a private, tailor-made trip, from short trips to long journeys across the country.
Short summaries of Tripadvisor reviews, translated from Dutch.
Real guests, real trips
Our team
Our Vietnam Travel Experts
We live and work in Vietnam. These are the people who plan your trip and answer your messages.
Co-founder
Based in Tuy Hoa
Co-founder from the Netherlands, who turned Nhung's travel blog into a travel agency with her.
Co-founder
Based in Tuy Hoa
Co-founder from Vietnam and one of the first Vietnamese women to blog about traveling solo.
Travel expert
Based in Hanoi
A calm, detail-oriented travel expert in Hanoi, who loves exploring Vietnam's remote roads by motorbike.
Travel expert
Based in Ha Giang
Travel expert in Ha Giang, with years in hotels, tour operations and travel agencies before joining Local Vietnam.
Travel expert
Based in the Netherlands
Born in Ho Chi Minh City and living in the Netherlands, Tan helps Dutch-speaking travelers plan their trip in Vietnam.
Tailor-made travel
Why choose a Tailor-Made Vietnam Tour?
A tailor-made Vietnam trip gives you much more flexibility than a standard itinerary. You decide the route, the pace, and the experiences along the way.
Travel at your own pace
Do you want to see as much as possible, or prefer a more relaxed journey with extra time in each place? With a private trip, you set the pace.
Fully tailored to your preferences
Every Vietnam trip is designed specifically for you. From destinations and activities to accommodations and transport, everything is adjusted to your wishes.
Affordable customization
A tailor-made Vietnam trip doesn’t have to be expensive. Because we organize everything locally and don’t charge extra for customization, prices are often comparable to fixed itineraries.
Beyond the usual routes
As a local specialist, we know not only the well-known highlights, but also lesser-visited regions and unique places that are often missing from standard trips.
Step by step
How does a Tailor-Made Vietnam Tour work with Local Vietnam?
Creating your tailor-made Vietnam trip is free of charge and without obligation. We adjust the proposal until it perfectly matches your preferences.
1
Your travel preferences
Tell us what you’re looking for via the request form. Think of travel dates, number of travelers, budget, interests, and the destinations you’d like to visit. You get a confirmation email right away.
2
Our travel proposal
Within 48 hours, you’ll receive a personalized itinerary for your Vietnam trip. This is based on your preferences and our local expertise.
3
Fine-tuning and booking
Based on your feedback, we adjust the itinerary until everything fits your wishes perfectly. Once you’re satisfied, we confirm the trip and arrange all components.
4
Traveling in Vietnam
During your trip, you’ll have direct contact with our local team via WhatsApp. Whether you have a question, need tips, or want to make changes along the way, we’re here to help.
Prices
What does a Tailor-Made Vietnam Tour cost?
The cost of a tailor-made Vietnam trip can vary significantly, as each itinerary is designed based on your preferences, travel duration, and type of accommodation. However, there are a few important things to understand about pricing and how we approach customization.
Price indications for a private trip
Although every trip is different, the following estimates give a general idea of what many travelers spend on a private trip in Vietnam:
7 days
$950 to $1,600
per person
14 days
$1,500 to $2,500
per person
21 days
$2,000 to $3,200
per person
28 days
$2,600 to $4,300
per person
The final price depends on your route, how many people travel together, your accommodation level, the travel season and the activities you choose. International flights are not included.
No extra cost for customization
With Local Vietnam, you don’t pay extra for a tailor-made trip.
- Requesting a travel proposal is completely free and without obligation.
- We do not charge any additional fees for creating a customized itinerary.
In other words, a tailor-made trip with us typically costs no more than a comparable pre-designed itinerary.
A trip for every budget
A tailor-made Vietnam trip does not have a fixed starting price, as we always work based on your budget. Based on your budget and preferences, we design a trip that fits. For example:
Lower budget
Simple but comfortable hotels, with some shared activities or small-group tours
Mid-range
Comfortable hotels, smaller-scale accommodations, and a mix of private and local experiences
Higher budget
Boutique hotels, luxury resorts, and more private excursions
Because we operate locally in Vietnam and work directly with our partners, we can often create a trip that fits well within your budget.
Planning tips
Where do you start planning a Tailor-Made Vietnam Tour?
A tailor-made Vietnam trip starts with your ideas. You don’t need to have a complete itinerary yet. In most cases, it’s enough to have a few starting points, such as travel duration, budget, or destinations you’re interested in. From there, we help you create a complete itinerary that fits you perfectly.
You don’t need a full plan yet
Not sure where to start?
That’s fine. Share your ideas with us, and our travel experts will suggest the best options for you.
1Travel duration and overall route
Vietnam is a long country, so travel time plays an important role when planning your trip. As a general guideline, we recommend about one week per region.
1 week
Focus on one region, such as North or Central Vietnam
2 weeks
Usually a combination of two regions, often North and Central Vietnam
3 weeks
Enough time to combine North, Central, and South Vietnam
If you prefer a more relaxed pace, you can also choose to spend more time in one region and focus on local experiences and nature.
2Budget and type of accommodations
Vietnam offers accommodation options for almost every budget. During a tailor-made trip, we can combine different types of stays.
Many travelers choose a mix of:
- Local homestays: simple, but often a unique way to experience local life
- Comfortable hotels: good quality and often centrally located
- Resorts or ecolodges: ideal for nature settings or beach destinations
We often recommend smaller boutique-style accommodations, as they tend to offer more character and personal service than large hotels, while still being available across different price ranges.
3Which destinations should you choose?
Many travelers know they want to visit Vietnam but are not yet sure which destinations suit them best. That’s completely normal.
Some are looking for rice terraces and mountain landscapes, others prefer beach destinations, while some are more interested in culture, cities, and local markets.
To get inspired, you can think about:
- the most beautiful beaches in Vietnam
- rice fields and mountain landscapes
- cultural cities such as Hanoi and Hoi An
- nature and more adventurous destinations
You can also explore our inspiration pages with different travel ideas and routes across Vietnam.
You don’t need to have everything decided when submitting a request. Simply tell us what you would like to see or experience, and we will suggest destinations that match.
4Best time for your Vietnam trip
Vietnam has different climate zones, so the weather can vary significantly by region. The best time to travel often depends on which parts of the country you want to visit.
In some months, it’s better to focus on the north, while in others, central Vietnam is ideal for beach destinations.
You can plan your trip in two ways:
- choose your destinations first, and we advise on the best time to visit
- or tell us when you can travel, and we suggest a route that fits that period
It also depends on the type of trip you’re looking for, such as rice fields in season, trekking in comfortable weather, beach time, or a combination of everything.
Plan your trip
Request your Tailor-Made Vietnam Trip
Requesting a travel proposal is free of charge and completely without obligation. You’ll receive a personalized proposal within 48 hours.
Free and no obligation
Share your ideas, decide later
Your proposal within 48 hours
A personal itinerary, made for you
Local travel experts
Our own team in Vietnam
We only use your details to plan your trip. Privacy policy
Marnick Schoonderwoerd
Nhung Phung
Hien
Tra
Tan
A
Addy
Rated 5 out of 5
A perfect travel company for Vietnam
Local Vietnam put together a nice four-week trip in Vietnam for us, fully in line with our wishes. We found them through YouTube, and during our trip we had good support on WhatsApp.
Short summaries of Tripadvisor reviews, translated from Dutch.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions About a Tailor-Made Vietnam Tour
About a tailor-made Vietnam tour
Is a tailor-made Vietnam trip always private?
Yes, a tailor-made Vietnam trip with Local Vietnam is generally a private journey. This means your itinerary is created specifically for you, and you don’t travel with a fixed group. You travel only with your own party, such as your partner, family, or friends.
Some parts of the trip may take place in small groups. For example, certain excursions, a cruise in Halong Bay, or transfers between destinations. These are activities where it’s common for multiple travelers to participate.
If you prefer everything to be fully private, this can often be arranged. Depending on your budget, we can organize private guides, private transfers, and private excursions.
During the planning process, we always discuss which options best match your preferences and budget.
How does a tailor-made Vietnam trip work?
A tailor-made Vietnam trip starts with your preferences. Through the request form, you can indicate when you want to travel, how many people are joining, your approximate budget, and the type of experiences you’re looking for.
Based on this information, we create a first travel proposal. This includes a suggested route, accommodations, activities, and transport. Since every trip is customized, this proposal can always be adjusted.
After receiving the proposal, you can share feedback or request changes, for example adjusting destinations, adding activities, or selecting different accommodations. We refine the itinerary until it fully matches your wishes.
Once you are satisfied and decide to book, we arrange and confirm all parts of the trip. During your journey, you’ll have direct contact with our local team in Vietnam for questions, tips, or support.
Is a tailor-made trip more expensive than a standard itinerary?
Not necessarily. We do not charge extra for a tailor-made trip, and the proposal is free. You choose the level of hotels and activities, so the price follows your budget. See the typical prices per person under The cost.
How far in advance should I plan a tailor-made Vietnam trip?
For most trips, we recommend starting the planning process around two to four months in advance. This allows enough time to secure accommodations, domestic flights, and popular activities.
For travel during peak periods, such as European school holidays or Vietnamese public holidays, it’s better to start even earlier. Smaller accommodations and cruises in Halong Bay, in particular, can fill up quickly.
If you have less time to plan, a tailor-made trip is often still possible. Vietnam offers a wide range of accommodations and activities, so even last-minute trips can usually be arranged successfully.
Where should I start when planning a trip to Vietnam?
Start with three things: how many days you have, your budget, and what you would like to see. That is enough for a first proposal. The section Where to start explains travel time, hotels, destinations and the best season. For more, read our Vietnam travel guide.
The travel proposal
How do I request a travel proposal?
You can easily request a travel proposal via the form on this page. In the form, you can indicate your travel dates, number of travelers, approximate budget, and any destinations or experiences that interest you.
You don’t need to have a complete itinerary yet. A few ideas about what you would like to see or do are usually enough. Based on this information, we create a first proposal for your tailor-made Vietnam trip.
Requesting a travel proposal is completely free and without obligation.
How long does it take to receive a proposal?
In most cases, you will receive your first proposal within 48 hours.
This proposal includes a suggested route, accommodations, activities, and transport for your trip. It is based on the information you provided and our local knowledge of Vietnam.
If your request is more complex or if we need additional information, it may take slightly longer.
What can I change in the proposal?
The proposal is fully flexible. In principle, all parts of the trip can be adjusted.
For example, you can:
- add or remove destinations
- adjust the route
- change accommodations
- add extra activities
- modify the pace of the trip
We will also give honest advice about what is realistically possible within your travel time and route. Based on your feedback, we refine the proposal until it fully matches your preferences.
Are the accommodations in the proposal guaranteed?
When creating your proposal, we check whether the accommodations are generally available. Once you confirm the trip, we proceed with making the actual reservations.
If an accommodation is no longer available at that time, we will arrange a comparable alternative. We always look at similar price level, location, type of accommodation, and guest reviews, so the alternative fits well within the original plan.
Booking & Payments
How does payment work with Local Vietnam?
Once you agree to the proposal, we ask for a 30% deposit to confirm the booking. This allows us to secure all parts of your trip, such as accommodations, transport and activities. The remaining balance is due no later than one month before departure.
You can pay in two ways:
- Bank transfer in USD, EUR, AUD, CAD or VND (no fees from our side)
- Credit card through PayPal (no PayPal account needed; a 3% fee covers the transaction costs)
Our cancellation and travel conditions explain what happens if your plans change.
Are there any booking fees or additional charges?
No. Local Vietnam does not charge booking fees or additional costs for organizing your trip.
The price shown in your proposal is the total cost of the trip. Only credit card payments (via PayPal) include a small surcharge to cover transaction fees. Bank transfers are free of charge.
Do I need to pay the full amount at once?
No. After accepting the proposal, we first ask for a deposit to confirm the trip. Once received, we secure all parts of your itinerary.
The remaining balance is due no later than one month before the start of your trip.
Can I pay in installments?
In some cases, it is possible to pay in multiple installments. If you would like this option, please let us know in advance so we can discuss what works best for your situation.
Before traveling to Vietnam
Do I need a visa for Vietnam?
For many nationalities, Vietnam offers visa exemptions for stays of up to 45 days. Since most trips last two to three weeks, many travelers can enter visa-free.
If you plan to stay longer than 45 days, you can apply for an e-visa. This can be done online and is valid for up to 90 days.
Visa regulations depend on your nationality, so it’s important to check the latest requirements for your passport before traveling.
What is the best time to visit Vietnam?
Vietnam has three different climate zones: North, Central, and South Vietnam. As a result, the weather can vary significantly depending on the region.
As a general guideline:
North Vietnam: usually best from October to April, when it is cooler and drier
Central Vietnam: often good from February to August, with plenty of sunshine and beach weather
South Vietnam: tropical climate, with a dry period roughly from December to April
Because each region has its own climate, the best time to visit often depends on which destinations you plan to include and the type of trip you’re looking for.
Is Vietnam a safe country to travel to?
Vietnam is generally considered a very safe destination. Serious crime involving foreign travelers is rare, and many visitors experience the country as friendly and welcoming.
The main thing to be aware of is traffic, which can be chaotic in larger cities such as Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. It’s important to be cautious when crossing streets and when renting or riding a motorbike.
Do I need vaccinations for Vietnam?
There are no mandatory vaccinations required to enter Vietnam. However, certain vaccinations are commonly recommended, depending on your travel route and personal situation.
Many travelers consider vaccinations such as:
- DTP (diphtheria, tetanus, and polio)
- Hepatitis A
Malaria exists in some remote areas, but most standard travel routes in Vietnam do not include these regions.
For personal advice, it’s best to consult a travel health clinic or medical professional before your trip.
During your trip
How can I contact Local Vietnam during my trip?
Upon arrival at your first hotel, you will receive a free Vietnamese SIM card from us. This gives you internet access on your phone and allows you to easily stay in touch with us anywhere in Vietnam.
With internet on your phone, you can contact us directly via WhatsApp at any time. You can reach your personal contact person or our general WhatsApp number.
Because we live and work in Vietnam, we are in the same time zone and can respond quickly to questions or assist when something needs to be arranged during your trip.
Will I have a contact person during my trip?
Yes. During your trip, you will have direct contact with our local team in Vietnam. Since we are based in Vietnam, our support team operates in the same time zone while you are traveling.
You can easily reach us via WhatsApp, phone, or email. This means you always have someone to contact if you have questions, need advice, or require assistance.
What happens if something unexpected occurs during my trip?
Because we are based locally in Vietnam, we can respond quickly if something unexpected happens during your trip. This could include bad weather, transport changes, or other situations that require adjustments to your itinerary.
In such cases, we immediately look for a suitable solution. This may involve adjusting your route, rescheduling an activity, or arranging an alternative so your trip can continue as smoothly as possible.
Thanks to direct contact with our local team, we can usually act quickly and provide practical solutions.
Can I make changes to my itinerary during the trip?
Yes, in many cases it is possible to make small adjustments during your trip. For example, if you would like to stay longer in one place, add an activity, or skip something.
Since every trip is different, this depends on your schedule and the availability of accommodations and activities. Some parts of the trip are fixed, while others are more flexible.
If you would like to make changes during your trip, you can always discuss this with us. We will check what is possible and assist in arranging any adjustments if needed.
Still have questions?
We are happy to help. Chat with us on WhatsApp, or send us your travel ideas through the request form. You can also reach us through our contact page.
