Traveling with a group of six friends sounds like a dream - until you try to plan everything yourself. From different travel styles, we knew we needed something in between a fixed tour and a free-for-all. That’s how we landed on a customizable small group tour through BestPrice Travel.

Their tailor-made group itineraries gave us the best of both worlds: structured travel with enough room to slow down and enjoy Vietnam our way. The goal? See the best of Vietnam from north to south - Hanoi to the Mekong - in just 12 days, without the stress of figuring it all out on the fly.

We wanted a seamless, memory-making trip that kept us close to the culture. And that’s exactly what we got. Take a look at our detailed journey if you’re curious about the full itinerary.

Itinerary Review - A Balanced, Flexible Journey

Our journey covered all the essentials: Hanoi, Halong Bay, Hoi An, Hue, Ho Chi Minh City, and the Mekong Delta. But what made this tour really special was how personalized it felt.

We asked for an extra day in Hoi An - everyone wanted more time to explore the lantern-lit town and do some custom tailoring - and BestPrice Travel built that in easily. We also requested a Hanoi motorbike food tour instead of the typical walking version, and it turned out to be a highlight of the whole trip.

There was always time carved out for personal exploration - be it a cafe crawl or spontaneous shopping. Unlike rigid group tours that funnel you from shop to shop, this itinerary emphasized culture, scenery, and storytelling. It was the pace we didn’t know we needed.

Accommodation - Comfort & Local Charm

We opted for 4-star accommodations, and they hit the sweet spot: clean, charming, central, and perfect for a group of friends.

In Hanoi, we stayed in a boutique hotel just steps from the Old Quarter chaos - close enough for night walks, quiet enough for sleep. In Hue, our hotel felt like a restored colonial villa, complete with leafy courtyards and a peaceful pool. Hoi An absolutely stole the show: our riverside hotel had traditional wooden decor, lush gardens, and complimentary lantern-making classes.

The real standout, though, was our overnight cruise in Halong Bay. Our cabins had panoramic windows, the food was top-tier, and sunset on the top deck was unforgettable. It felt like a luxury retreat in the middle of a UNESCO site.

Transfers - Seamless and Door-to-Door

One of the biggest perks of booking through BestPrice was the zero-stress logistics. Every airport pickup, van transfer, and cruise boarding was handled for us.

We had a private van for intercity drives - spacious, clean, and stocked with water bottles. Our internal flights (Hanoi - Da Nang and Hue - Ho Chi Minh) were pre-booked, and we even got helpful reminders the night before.

No guessing where to go or how to get there - just show up and go. That alone saved us hours of decision-making and potential headaches.

Local Guides - Professional, Friendly, and Knowledgeable

Each region had its own local expert, and every single one brought something unique to the table. In Hanoi, our motorbike guide zipped us through narrow alleys, explained Vietnamese coffee culture, and even introduced us to his favorite Banh Mi stand.

Our Mekong Delta guide was another standout - warm, funny, and full of local wisdom. She taught us how to make rice paper, pointed out rare birds, and explained why dragon fruit farms switch to solar-powered lighting.

Travel Agent Experience - Supportive from Start to Finish

A massive shoutout to our travel agent, Hang Moon, who made this entire trip effortless from day one. We sent over a basic wishlist: "12 days, Vietnam north to south, mix of culture, nature, and food." She replied within hours with a proposed route and price. When we requested changes (add a day here, swap an activity there), she adjusted instantly.

Throughout the trip, she stayed in touch via WhatsApp, checking in after key transfers and solving small issues. Booking and payment were transparent, safe, and clear from start to finish.

Final Thoughts: Is Tailor-Made Group Travel Worth It?

If you’re a group of friends with different interests or a solo traveler, booking a flexible group tour is absolutely worth it. This style of travel gave us the comfort of pre-arranged logistics, plus the freedom to explore on our own terms.

We got to see Vietnam’s stunning diversity - from the misty limestone cliffs of Halong Bay to the lantern-lit alleys of Hoi An, from the imperial calm of Hue to the tangled canals of the Mekong. And we did it without sweating over bookings, schedules, or daily planning. Every day, we showed up and got to experience, not organize.

Would we do it again? No question. In fact, we’re already talking to Hang Moon about customizing a Cambodia & Vietnam combo trip for next year. 

Browse small group Vietnam packages here to see which tours are suitable for your group.