What is a private tour in Vietnam?
A private tour in Vietnam means your own English-speaking guide, your own driver and vehicle, and an itinerary that moves at your pace, with no strangers in your group. Our 23 private tours range from a 3-hour Hanoi street food walk to 7-day itineraries across the north, centre and south, and every one can be tailored to your dates, interests and budget.
- Durations: 3 hours to 7 days (combine for 2–3 weeks)
- Destinations: Hanoi, Ninh Binh, Halong Bay, Sapa, Hue, Hoi An, Da Nang, Ho Chi Minh City, Mekong Delta, Mui Ne, Da Lat, Nha Trang
- Best for: couples, families with children, friends and travellers who want flexibility
- Best months: February–April overall; October–April in the north, December–April in the south
Browse our Vietnam private tours below, or tap "Show more" for our full guide.
Good to know (2026)
- The Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum in Hanoi is closed for maintenance from 4 September to 2 November 2026 and normally closes on Mondays and Fridays; a private guide can re-order your Hanoi day around it.
- Halong Bay cruises can be suspended at short notice when storms approach, mainly June–October. With a private tour we can move your cruise day or switch to Ninh Binh quickly.
- Hanoi’s Hoan Kiem Lake walking street is closed to traffic from Friday evening to Sunday night, a good time for our street food walk.
- Tet (Lunar New Year) 2027 falls on 6 February; many family-run restaurants close for a few days, so book early and plan around it.
Why choose a private tour in Vietnam?
Vietnam rewards flexibility. Traffic, weather and festival days can change a plan quickly, and a private guide can adapt on the spot: leave earlier to beat the crowds at Trang An, stay longer at a market that catches your eye, or swap a museum for a coffee stop when the children need a break.
- Your pace: start times, stops and meal breaks are up to you.
- Your interests: food, history, photography, hiking or crafts can shape the day.
- Comfort: door-to-door transfers in an air-conditioned car or van.
- Better conversations: a guide who is there only for you answers every question about daily life, history and food.
Private vs small group vs self-guided
Self-guided travel is the cheapest option but leaves you to manage transport, tickets and language. Joined small-group tours share costs with other travellers and run on fixed departures. A private tour costs more per person for couples and solo travellers, but the gap narrows for families and groups of four or more, and you get complete flexibility. Our joined trips are listed under Vietnam small group tours.
Our Vietnam private tours at a glance
All 23 tours are private. Prices start from US$23 per person for the Hanoi Street Food Walking Tour, US$24 for private day tours such as the Da Nang City Tour 1 Day and US$176 for multi-day tours such as the Da Nang – Hoi An Tour 4 Days.
| Tour |
Days |
Route |
| Hanoi – Ninh Binh – Sapa – Halong Bay |
7 |
Hanoi, Ninh Binh, Sapa, Halong Bay |
| Hanoi – Sapa – Halong Bay |
6 |
Hanoi, Sapa, Halong Bay cruise |
| Hanoi – Ninh Binh – Halong Bay |
5 |
Hanoi, Tam Coc, Hoa Lu, Halong Bay cruise |
| Hanoi – Ninh Binh – Halong Bay |
4 |
Hanoi, Ninh Binh, Halong Bay day cruise |
| Hanoi – Sapa |
3 |
Cat Cat, Muong Hoa Valley trek, Fansipan |
| Da Nang – Hue – Hoi An |
7 |
Hai Van Pass, Hue, Hoi An |
| Da Nang – Hoi An (2 tours) |
4–5 |
Hoi An, Marble Mountains, Ba Na Hills or Hue and My Son |
| Ho Chi Minh – Mui Ne – Da Lat (2 tours) |
6–7 |
Saigon, Mui Ne, Da Lat, Nha Trang (7 days) |
| Ho Chi Minh Tour |
5 |
Saigon, Cao Dai, Cu Chi, Mekong Delta |
| Hanoi Street Food Walking Tour |
3–3.5 hrs |
Old Quarter, 6–8 tastings |
| Hanoi day tours (6) |
1 |
Hanoi city, Halong Bay, Hoa Lu, Trang An, Tam Coc, Mua Cave |
| Central and southern day tours (5) |
1 |
Hue, Da Nang, Saigon, Cu Chi and Cao Dai, Mekong Delta |
How to choose your private Vietnam tour
1. Half a day in Hanoi: start with food
The Hanoi Street Food Walking Tour is a private 3–3.5-hour walk through the Old Quarter with 6–8 tastings, from US$23 per person. It is an easy first evening after a long flight.
2. Day trips from your hotel
Private day tours run from Hanoi (city, Halong Bay, Ninh Binh), Hue, Da Nang and Ho Chi Minh City (city, Cu Chi and Cao Dai, Mekong Delta), returning each evening.
3. Families with children
Shorter driving days and one base hotel work best. The Ho Chi Minh tour 5 days keeps one hotel in Saigon, and the 4-day Da Nang – Hoi An tour adds Ba Na Hills.
4. Hikers and nature lovers
The Hanoi – Sapa tour 3 days includes a full-day trek through the Muong Hoa Valley with a local trekking guide.
5. One week or more
The Hanoi – Ninh Binh – Sapa – Halong Bay tour 7 days and the Da Nang – Hue – Hoi An tour 7 days are our most complete single-region private tours; link two regions by a short domestic flight for a longer trip.
Best time for a private tour in Vietnam
You can travel privately all year, and flexibility helps most in the shoulder months. February to April is the best all-round window. The north is pleasant from October to April, central Vietnam from February to August, and the south from December to April. Private tours are especially useful in the June–October storm season around Halong Bay, when we may need to move a cruise day at short notice. See our Hanoi travel tips for seasons and packing.
What’s included in our private tours
- a private English-speaking guide (a local trekking guide is added in Sapa)
- a private air-conditioned car or van with driver, and hotel or airport transfers
- entrance tickets, boat trips and meals listed in the itinerary
- hotels or a cruise cabin on multi-day tours, in the class you choose
On Halong Bay day trips the boat is usually shared with other guests unless you book a private boat, and overnight cruises give you a private cabin on a shared ship. Flights, visas, insurance, drinks and tips are not included unless your quote says so.
Tips from our local team
These tips come from years of arranging private Vietnam tours for international travellers.
- Tell us what you love. Food, history, markets or photography: the more we know, the better your guide can shape each day.
- Start early. A private car lets you reach Trang An, the Imperial City in Hue or the Cu Chi Tunnels before tour buses arrive.
- Ask for a mixed pace. Alternate full sightseeing days with lighter ones, especially in the heat of May to August.
- Share the cost. Private tours become good value for families and groups of four or more.
- Keep cash for small purchases. Cards and QR payments are widely used, but street stalls and markets often prefer cash.
- Tipping is appreciated, not required. Guides and drivers welcome a tip if you are happy with the service.
For trip ideas, see our Vietnam highlight tours and the Ho Chi Minh City travel guide.
Plan your private Vietnam tour
Send us your dates, group size and interests and we will build a private itinerary and a free quote. Message us on WhatsApp +84 88 626 1368 or use our contact form.
