FROM A MASTERCHEF'S KITCHEN TO A MONK'S BLESSING AND A MEKONG SUNRISE, experience it on OUR WOMEN ONLY TOUR
Vietnam
Book now with $550. Pay the rest at your pace.
14 days starting at $4,950 USD.
Up to 14 solo female travelers.
Vietnam is one of the most traveled countries in Southeast Asia. You’ve seen the itineraries. Ha Long Bay, Hue, Hoi An, Ho Chi Minh City. Cooking class. Street food tour. Done.
This isn’t that trip.
Ours starts with dinner in a MasterChef contestant’s kitchen on your first night in Hanoi. It takes you to a stilt house in a valley so quiet you’ll fall asleep to the sound of rice paddies and wake up to roosters. You’ll eat breakfast inside a royal palace before it opens to the public, with a live musician playing in the background.
You’ll sit with a monk for a blessing, ride motorbikes through Saigon neighborhoods most visitors never find, and spend an afternoon with a woman named Ms. Duong Dang, who will walk you through her life and the entire history of Vietnam using a book she made by hand.
Vietnam rewards the people who go deeper. This trip is built for exactly that.
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TRIP HIGHLIGHTS
Dinner in a MasterChef's kitchen
Five courses cooked by Chef Ai, a former MasterChef Vietnam contestant, in her own kitchen. She sits with you and tells you the story behind every dish.
Overnight On Halong Bay
Board a private boat and spend the night on the water surrounded by thousands of limestone karsts rising out of the bay.
Cooking class in a riverside village
Shop at a local market, take a boat to a river island, farm and fish for your ingredients, and sit down to a full Vietnamese lunch that you made yourself.
Breakfast Inside A Royal Palace
We eat inside Hue’s Imperial Citadel before it opens to the public, a private set menu in the former residence of the Queen Mother, with a live traditional musician in the room.
Meet A Child Of The Doi Moi Generation
Sit with Ms. Duong Dang as she walks us through her life growing up in post-war Vietnam, a personal, honest conversation that puts the whole country into sharper focus.
A monk's blessing in the Mekong Delta
Sit inside a Khmer temple in Can Tho while a monk performs a blessing and offering.
Saigon by motorbike at night
Ride through Chinatown, wholesale markets, and hidden street food stalls in neighborhoods most tourists never reach
TRAVELER LOVE
INCLUSIONS
STAY IN HAND-PICKED BOUTIQUE HOTELS & A TRADITIONAL STILT HOUSE HOMESTAY
Arrival airport pickup on day 1
13 BREAKFASTS, 3 LUNCHES, 4 DINNERS
All activities listed in the itinerary
Twin share rooms
ALL TRANSPORT IN PRIVATE AIR-CONDITIONED VEHICLE AND 3 DOMESTIC FLIGHTS
Max group size of 14 solo female travelers
Expert local guide for the whole tour
MEET YOUR NEW BFF
GUARANTEED SOLO TIME
Spend it with friends or explore on your own, but take time to reflect on your incredible journey.
GET YOUR BEAUTY SLEEP
Enjoy our hand-picked accommodation combining the best of design, location and comfort.
TOUR AT A GLANCE
DAY 1 - WELCOME TO HANOI
Airport arrival & dinner with a MasterChef finalist
DAY 2 - HANOI
Temple tour, cyclo ride through the Old Quarter & optional papermaking workshop
DAY 3 - HANOI TO HALONG BAY
Board a private junk boat & cruise through Bai Tu Long Bay
DAY 4 - HALONG BAY TO MAI CHAU
Cave hike, brunch on the water & drive into the mountain valley
DAY 5 - MAI CHAU
Village walking tour through rice fields & Thai communities
DAY 6 - MAI CHAU TO HUE
Morning drive to Hanoi & afternoon flight to the imperial capital
DAY 7 - HUE
Trúc Chỉ bamboo paper art workshop & free afternoon in the old city
DAY 8 - HUE TO HOI AN
Private breakfast inside the Imperial Citadel & scenic drive south through Da Nang
DAY 9 - HOI AN
Local market run, boat ride to Reu island & hands-on cooking class
DAY 10 - HOI AN
Electric scooter tour, painting workshop & afternoon at An Bang Beach
DAY 11 - HOI AN TO CAN THO
Flight to the Mekong Delta & evening street walk through sacred spaces
DAY 12 - CAN THO TO SAIGON
Dawn at Cai Rang floating market & XO motorbike tour by night
DAY 13 - SAIGON
Meet a child of the Doi Moi generation & farewell dinner
Farewell for now
Breakfast, goodbyes and check out
Why Choose SoFe Travel?
Built for Solo Women
Every trip is designed specifically for solo female travelers. That means no awkward third wheels, no feeling like the odd one out—just instant community, shared values, and support from Day One.
Real Connection
Almost everyone arrives solo, and 92% of our travelers stay in touch long after the trip ends. It’s not just a tour—it’s a chance to make lifelong friendships in some of the world’s most unforgettable places.
Space to Breathe
We build in solo time, always. Want to wander a market alone or skip a group dinner for some quiet? Go for it. Prefer a travel buddy? There's always someone ready to join you. You do you—with the comfort of community when you want it.
No Forced Single Supplements
Forget the extra fees. Our roommate matching quiz pairs you with a like-minded traveler, or you can upgrade to a private room if you prefer your own space.
Is The Vietnam Meetup Tour Right for you?
Lots of Ground to cover
This trip moves through six cities across the entire length of Vietnam, with a mix of flights, buses, and boats between them. The pace is well-planned and includes downtime, but if you prefer to stay in one place for days at a time, this isn't that kind of trip.
A homestay in a village
Minh Tho is a family-run stilt house in a rural Thai ethnic minority village. It's warm, genuine, and one of the best nights on the trip. It is not a hotel. Expect shared bathrooms, simple rooms, and roosters at dawn.
November weather
We chose November deliberately — the crowds have thinned out, the temperatures are cooler, and the south is warm and dry. The tradeoff is that central Vietnam, particularly around Hue and Hoi An, can see some rain this time of year. We plan around it, but pack a light rain jacket and don't let a grey morning throw you off. It usually clears.
Your Vietnam Itinerary
Day 1 - Welcome to HANOI!
Airport pickup, welcome meeting & dinner with a MasterChef
You’ve landed. Someone’s already waiting for you.
Your driver and guide will meet you at Noi Bai Airport and get you to your hotel. Settle in, shake off the jet lag, and get ready for your first taste of Vietnam.
Tonight we sit down for a five-course dinner personally cooked and served by Chef Ai, a former MasterChef Vietnam contestant who opens up her kitchen and the stories behind every dish. It’s a pretty good first night.
Meals: dinner
Day 2 - HANOI
Temple of Literature, cyclo ride through the Old Quarter & a papermaking workshop
This morning we visit the Temple of Literature, built in 1076 and home to Vietnam’s first university. Wander through stone courtyards shaded by frangipani trees, past the carved steles of scholars who studied here centuries before any country you know existed.
From there, we climb into cyclos and roll through the Old Quarter, where 36 ancient streets still carry the names of what was once sold on them. Silk Street. Paper Street. Tin Street. The French left their buildings behind and Hanoi just kept going around them.
In the afternoon, a papermaking workshop where you’ll learn to make traditional Vietnamese “Dó” paper by hand, decorated with flowers and leaves, and take home something you actually made yourself.
Meals: breakfast
Day 3 - HANOI TO HALONG BAY
Board a private junk boat, kayak through a fishing village & fall asleep on the water
This morning we leave Hanoi behind and head to one of the most stunning places on earth.
Ha Long Bay is 1,500 square kilometers of emerald water studded with thousands of limestone karsts rising straight out of the sea. Words don’t really do it. You just have to get out there.
We board our overnight cruise at noon. A junk boat, for the uninitiated, is a classic wooden vessel with proper cabins, real beds, and a sundeck that becomes your favorite place on earth by about 4pm. Think boutique hotel, but floating, with better views.
We spend the afternoon kayaking through Vung Vieng fishing village, where families have lived on the water for generations. As the sun drops, happy hour kicks off on the sundeck with snacks and views that will make you put your phone down.
Dinner is a full Vietnamese spread served as the boat rocks gently and the karsts go dark around you. Try the squid fishing after. It’s more fun than it sounds.
Meals: breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Day 4 - HALONG BAY TO MAI CHAU
Morning cave hike, Tai Chi on deck & a private stilt house in the valley
Wake up early. This morning is worth it.
Start with optional Tai Chi on the sundeck as the bay comes alive around you, then hike up to Thien Canh Son Cave, a mountain cave rich in stalactites and geological history with views over the water that you’ll be describing to people for years.
After a Vietnamese brunch on board, we disembark and make our way to Mai Chau, a valley so green and quiet it feels like a different country entirely. Rice fields stretch in every direction, water buffalo wander the paths, and the hills in the distance turn purple at dusk.
Tonight we sleep in a private stilt house at Minh Tho Homestay, raised off the ground the traditional way, with dinner cooked by the family who owns it.
Meals: dinner
Drive Time: approx. 4-5 hours
Day 5 - MAI CHAU
Village walk through rice fields, lunch with locals & an evening at the homestay
No rushing today.
After breakfast, we set off on foot through some of the most quietly beautiful landscape in Vietnam. Rice paddies stretch out on either side, bamboo forests line the path, and the villages we walk through, Ban Denh, Ngoa, Son, Muoi, have kept their traditions largely intact. The people here are warm, the pace is slow, and the whole morning feels like a deep breath.
Around midday we sit down to lunch made from whatever was fresh that morning. Simple, local, and genuinely delicious.
The afternoon is yours. Sit on the veranda, watch the valley, and do absolutely nothing. You’ve earned it.
Meals: breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Drive Time: approx. 5 hours
Day 6 - MAI CHAU TO HUE
Morning drive back to Hanoi, flight to Hue & an evening to settle in
Mai Chau will be hard to leave. It always is.
After breakfast we make our way back to Hanoi and catch an afternoon flight south to Hue, the former imperial capital of Vietnam. Where Mai Chau was all green valleys and quiet mornings, Hue is incense and history and the lingering weight of dynasties.
Check in, get your bearings, and let the city find you. There’s no agenda tonight.
Meals: breakfast
Day 7 - HUE
Truc Chi art experience & an afternoon to explore the city
This morning we visit Trúc Chỉ Garden for one of the more unexpected experiences on this trip. Trúc Chỉ is a uniquely Vietnamese art form that transforms traditional handmade paper into something between craft and fine art. You’ll watch the artists work, learn the history behind it, make your own piece using flowers and natural motifs, and leave with a certified artwork delivered to your hotel.
The rest of the day is yours. Hue rewards wandering. Find a café on the Perfume River, explore the citadel streets, or follow your nose to wherever something smells good.
Meals: breakfast
Day 8 - HUE TO HOI AN
Private breakfast inside an imperial palace, mountain pass drive & the Marble Mountains
This morning you’ll have breakfast somewhere most people never get to go.
Truong Sanh Palace is the former residence of the Queen Mother, tucked inside Hue’s Imperial Citadel. We have it to ourselves before it opens to the public. A set menu of Vietnamese and Western dishes, premium tea and coffee, and a live traditional musician playing in the background while you eat inside a 200-year-old royal residence. It’s a hard morning to top.
From there we check out and head south toward Hoi An, either over the dramatic Hai Van Pass with its sweeping views of coastline and jungle, or along the coast past Lang Co Beach, a quiet stretch of white sand bordering a turquoise lagoon. Weather decides, and either way you win.
We stop in Da Nang to explore the Marble Mountains, a cluster of limestone peaks riddled with caves, temples, and a circular cave chimney that opens to the sky at the summit.
Then on to Hoi An.
Meals: breakfast
Drive Time: approx. 3-4 hours
Day 9 - HOI AN
Morning market, boat ride to a village & a private cooking class
This morning starts at the market.
We wander through the stalls, haggle for the freshest ingredients, and fill our bags with whatever smells best. Then we take a short boat ride down the river to Reu, a small village where the cooking class is held in the middle of lush gardens you can also farm or fish in while you’re there.
You’ll cook a full Vietnamese meal from scratch, eat every bit of it for lunch, and probably spend the boat ride back trying to remember the recipes.
Meals: breakfast and lunch
Day 10 - HOI AN, SCOOTERS, ART, AND AN AFTERNOON AT THE BEACH
Electric scooter ride through the old town, art workshop & afternoon at the beach
Today we explore Hoi An the best way possible — on electric scooters.
We wind through the ancient old town, out to Cam Nam Island to watch local boat builders at work, and through villages where artisans still make shoes and lanterns by hand the way they always have. We stop at a café overlooking the Thu Bon River for Hoi An’s famous bread, then head to Tra Que Village, where the herbs that define this city’s cuisine are grown and harvested.
Along the way, there’s an option to sit with a local artist and paint what you see around you.
The day ends at An Bang Beach with a cold drink and your feet in the sand.
Meals: breakfast
Day 11 - HOI AN TO CAN THO, INTO THE MEKONG DELTA
Morning flight south, riverfront walk & a monk’s blessing in the Mekong Delta
We leave the ancient streets of Hoi An and fly south into a completely different Vietnam.
Can Tho sits in the heart of the Mekong Delta, where life moves by river and the air smells like river mud and frangipani. This afternoon we walk the waterfront, visit the historic Can Tho Prison, and make our way to a Khmer temple where a monk will offer you a blessing and a moment of unexpected stillness.
We keep walking through De Tham Street, stopping for a renowned mung bean and shrimp snack at a Khmer-Chinese eatery that’s been doing it the same way for decades, before ending up back at the wharf with a cold drink and the river in front of you.
Meals: breakfast
DAY 12 - CAN THO TO SAIGON, FLOATING MARKET AT DAWN
Dawn floating market, small canal boat ride & Saigon by night on a motorbike
Up early one more time, and again, worth it.
Cai Rang is one of the last great floating markets in Vietnam. Hundreds of wooden boats loaded with pineapples, dragon fruit, and vegetables so fresh they still have dirt on them, trading on the water the same way they have for generations. We weave through it all by boat, then duck into the narrow canals where the delta slows down and gets quiet.
After breakfast we make our way to Saigon.
Tonight we get on motorbikes. Our local guides take us through the parts of the city most visitors never see, through Chinatown’s wholesale markets, past the largest outdoor wet market in the city, into District 10 where the streets are loud and young, and finally to a hidden street food market in District 4 for local desserts under the neon lights.
Meals: breakfast
Drive Time: approx. 3.5 hours
DAY 13 - SAIGON, A WOMAN'S STORY AND A FAREWELL DINNER
Meet Ms. Duong Dang & a farewell dinner at Old Compass
Today we sit down with Ms. Duong Dang, who grew up in one of Vietnam’s poorest provinces and moved to Saigon as a child during the post-war years. Over drinks, she walks you through her life and Vietnam’s transformation since Doi Moi, the economic renovation that changed everything, using a handcrafted book that traces her personal story all the way back to 2800 BC. It’s one of those conversations you didn’t know you needed.
Tonight, the whole group comes together one last time for a farewell dinner at Old Compass, one of Saigon’s most beloved restaurants. Order everything.
Meals: breakfast and dinner
DAY 14 - DEPARTURE
One last breakfast, then the road home.
Last bowl of pho. Final goodbyes. Check out by noon.
Hop in a taxi or share a ride with a new friend to Tan Son Nhat Airport whenever you’re ready. And if Vietnam has already gotten under your skin, that’s completely normal. It does that to everyone.
Meals: breakfast
HAND-PICKED ACCOMMODATION
Our stays in Vietnam are as varied as the country itself. From boutique hotels in the heart of Hanoi’s old city to a traditional White Thai stilt house in the mountains of Mai Chau, a private junk boat anchored in Halong Bay, and an eco-lodge on the edge of the Mekong Delta, every property is chosen for its character, location, and genuine sense of place.
Each stay offers something the one before didn’t. Thoughtful design, warm local hospitality, and rooms that actually reflect where you are, not a generic hotel room that could be anywhere. Expect comfort without sterility, authenticity without roughing it, and at least one morning where you wake up, look out the window, and can’t quite believe this is your view.
Garden Bay Peak, Halong Bay
Garden Bay Peak is a private charter junk boat on Bai Tu Long Bay, the quieter, less-trafficked side of Halong, where the karsts are just as dramatic, and the water traffic is not. The cabins are comfortable and well-appointed, and the sundeck is where you’ll want to spend most of your time.
Minh Tho Homestay, Mai Chau
A private stilt house on the edge of a Thai ethnic minority village, owned and run by a couple named Minh and Tho who have been hosting travelers since 2012. The food comes from their garden. The rice wine comes from their kitchen. Wake up to roosters and rice paddies and the kind of quiet you genuinely can’t find anywhere else on this trip.
Can Tho Ecolodge, Mekong Delta
Twelve thatched bungalows on the banks of the Ba Lang River, built almost entirely from bamboo, mangrove wood, coconut husks, and palm leaves by local craftspeople. The bathtubs are carved from jackfruit wood. The pool is shaded by coconut trees. The restaurant serves elephant ear fish and lemongrass chicken made with herbs from the lodge’s own garden. It’s four stars and it barely feels built.
We match you with your most compatible roommate
We get it—sharing a room with a stranger can feel like a gamble. That’s why we’ve partnered with a professional matchmaker and psychologist to create a bespoke roommate matching quiz, designed to pair you with someone you’ll actually click with.
Whether you’re an early riser or a night owl, a social butterfly or someone who values quiet time, our quiz helps ensure you’re matched with the best possible roommate. And if you prefer your own space, you always have the option to upgrade to a private room.
No stress, no awkward surprises—just a trip made better by great company.
MEET LE THI LINH CHI
YOUR GUIDE FOR THE TRIP
Chi has been working in the travel industry for over 20 years and is widely considered one of the top guides in Vietnam. With a background in tourism from the Canada Tourism College, she brings both deep expertise and a genuine passion for sharing her country with travelers.
Chi is known for her warm, gentle nature and her incredible ability to connect with people from all over the world. Fluent in English, she creates a space where travelers feel both comfortable and deeply immersed in the culture. Her tours are thoughtful, personal, and rooted in genuine care—something that consistently leaves a lasting impression on everyone she meets.
She is especially passionate about sharing the richness of Vietnamese culture—from its history and traditions to everyday local life—and hopes to inspire travelers to see the country beyond the surface.
When she’s not guiding, Chi loves to explore—whether that’s mountain biking through the northwest of Vietnam, traveling to new countries, reading, or playing the flute. She brings that same sense of curiosity and joy into every trip she leads.
Things happen, so if it’s not Chi, you will have another incredible, experienced, and vetted guide.
What Our Travelers Say
Join 1,500+ women who’ve embraced adventure, found their people, and taken the trip of a lifetime on a tour with us, the largest global community for solo female travelers.
Dates & Prices
Prices listed in USD
We sell out fast!
Hold your spot with a $550 deposit that goes toward the total cost of your tour.
Flexible payment plans
Pay what you want when up want with the balance due 90 days before departure.
Free transfer
Change your dates or your destination one time for free, just give us at least 90 days notice.
November 16, 2026
Arrive on Monday
November 16, 2026
Arrive on Monday
November 29, 2026
Depart on Sunday
November 29, 2026
Depart on Sunday
$4,950
with a private room +$800
$4,950
with a private room +$800
Book now with $550. Pay the rest at your pace.
Get the full Vietnam Guide
Inside you will find more about the tinerary, experiences you couldn’t find on your own, accommodations, and everything you need to decide if this trip is right for you.
Frequently Asked Questions About Vietnam
WHAT ARE THE ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE DETAILS?
Arrival: Noi Bai International Airport in Hanoi (code HAN)
- We will will have an airport transfer waiting for you when arrive on day 1. The transfer will take you from the airport to our group hotel in Hanoi.
- Our tour officially begins at 6pm, so we recommend arriving by around 3pm on Day 1 to give yourself time to settle in beforehand. If your flight arrives later that day, don’t worry—your airport pickup is still included.
- If you arrive a day or two early, the airport transfer is not included. Please email us directly if you book flights outside this window so we can assist with arranging a transfer and an early night in the hotel.
Departure: Tan Son Nhat International Airport in Ho Chi Minh City (code SGN)
You’re free to depart at any time on the final day. Hotel check-out is at 12pm.
Airport transfers on departure day are not included, but your guide will be more than happy to help arrange a ride to the airport. You’ll also likely be able to share a transfer with other travelers heading out around the same time.
Please note that your arrival and departure airports are different, so be sure to plan your flights accordingly.
WHAT'S NOT INCLUDED?
- Airfares
- Visa fees if applicable
- Travel insurance (mandatory)
- Tips for guide & driver
Airport drop off
PAYMENT & REFUND POLICY
- A non-refundable $550 deposit is required to hold your spot.
- Final payment is due 90 days before departure.
- Pay as much as often as you like until the due date.
- If you cancel your spot earlier than 90 days before departure, you can apply your payment to any trip within the next year.
- No refunds on deposits.
DOMESTIC FLIGHTS
On rare occasions, any domestic flight that we include in this trip may be changed or canceled with little notice. Remember, we cannot control the decisions that airlines make, so sometimes amendments will need to be made to our mode of transportation. Rest assured that if this happens, we will still get you to your destination. Part of the unique experience of traveling in any form is having the flexibility and grace to embrace detours
DO I NEED A VISA?
Most travelers—including those from the U.S., Canada, and Australia—will need a visa to enter Vietnam, but it’s very straightforward. The majority can apply for an e-visa online, which typically takes about 3–5 business days to process and is valid for up to 90 days. Some nationalities (like the UK and certain EU countries) may be visa-exempt for shorter stays, but for most of our travelers, the e-visa is the standard option.
You can apply up to 90 days before your arrival date, and we recommend submitting your application at least 2-4 weeks in advance to allow for processing time (which is usually 3–5 business days, but can occasionally take a bit longer). The official government fee is typically around $25 USD for a single-entry visa or $50 USD for multiple entry.
You can apply directly here: https://evisa.gov.vn/
For more details and step-by-step guidance, please refer to your Traveler Information Guide.
WILL THIS ITINERARY CHANGE?
The itinerary is subject to change due for any reason – weather, unexpected cancellations, impromptu local opportunities, or surprise additions.
All bookings are subject to our terms and conditions.
DO I NEED TRAVEL INSURANCE
Comprehensive travel insurance is mandatory or you may be refused to join the tour. See our guide for help choosing a plan.
HOW MUCH LUGGAGE CAN I BRING?
Our domestic flight allows up to 23kg check-in luggage and 10kg hand luggage. If you bring more weight, there will be a fee at the airport.
Still unsure if this trip is right for you?
Book a 15-minute clarity call with Jaqueline or Grace and we’ll walk through your questions together.