November 27th to December 8th
12 days/11 nights
TO BOOK: Contact Intrepid at TailormadeUK@intrepidtravel.com / 0330 808 7326.
If you phone, be sure to ask for the Tailor Made team!
Deposit: USD $400 at booking time.
Full payment: 70 days before departure.
Join a small group of Sole Sisters for this once-in-a-lifetime journey.
Uncover the heart and soul of Vietnam, where vibrant culture, extraordinary food, and breathtaking landscapes come together.
Ramble through the bustling streets of Hanoi's Old Quarter and the enchanting lanes of Hoi An's Old Town during the world-famous lantern festival.
Experience the dynamic energy of Ho Chi Minh City.
Dive into Vietnam's rich history with visits to Hue's Imperial Citadel and indulge in authentic Vietnamese Imperial cuisine.
Cruise through Halong Bay, enjoy an overnight train journey and experience a memorable cultural homestay in the Mekong Delta.
A dedicated local Intrepid travel guide and SSR leader will take you beyond sightseeing with daily recommendations and purpose-driven visits to inspiring organizations, such as the Tan Tea House and Green Life, which support women-owned initiatives.
This is a journey of discovery, connection, and inspiration.
Before you go, you'll prepare for your adventure and get to know your travel companions in a dedicated trip WhatsApp group.
This trip promises a life-enriching adventure made even better by sharing it with other solo women travelers 45+.
We're sure it will be the start of new lifelong friendships.
Experience Hoi An's
World Famous Lantern Festival
The city and river will be adorned with colorful lanterns creating a truly magical ambiance against one of the world's most beautiful historic backdrops.
Everywhere is in Rambling distance when you have Sole Sisters.
A bucket list adventure with like-minded women.
Rambler Question:
"I was wondering if most women take this trip solo as part of the organized trip or if they tend to travel in groups of friends. Since the cap is 15 participants, could it be that 9 friends travel together with a few others joining them? I'm just curious about the group dynamics!"
Answer:
Our trips are specifically designed for solo travelers, and most women who sign up do not know anyone else before booking the trip.
To help build connections, we host a pre-trip WhatsApp group. This allows everyone to get to know each other before the trip, arrange travel plans, and discuss preparation for the journey
SSR X Intrepid travel adventures will take you beyond the everyday sights to see the hidden gems you might otherwise miss.
They will introduce you to the local people and culture at the heart of your trip.
It will be all about the hard-to-forget experiences in hard-to-find places.
You'll see all the highlights, but the real magic will happen off the beaten path, in the backstreet bodegas, local eateries, and other real-life experiences you won't find in a search engine.
You'll enjoy your adventure with other like-minded women 45+, finding travel companions and friends that will last a lifetime.
Rambler Question: What is the sleeper train like?
The atmosphere on the sleeper trains is rustic, but it's fun and adventurous and fun people watching.
Intrepid usually offers two nights on sleeper trains for this itinerary. However, we felt one overnight train ride would suit us Ramblers, who prefer a bit more comfort while sleeping. That's why we will be flying to Saigon.
Riding the train is a quintessential part of a Vietnam adventure.
The North-South railway line in Vietnam stretches almost 2000 km and serves as a transport network and a symbol of a reunified and connected country.
Although few travelers attempt the entire route in one go, the epic 36-hour journey from Hanoi to Saigon (or vice versa) is considered one of the world's most iconic railway experiences.
Booking trains in Vietnam can be complicated and requires some advanced planning. Intrepid will arrange the best possible train experience. However, booking a cabin to keep your group together can be tricky. For this reason Intrepid advises that you might share a cabin with travelers not part of this trip or different genders, which is a common aspect of train travel.
We will be staying in four-berth compartments (or occasionally six), which feature two bunk beds.
There will be limited food and drink options on board, so we plan to bring our own snacks and drinks.
For a more comfortable journey, it's also a good idea to take earplugs and eye covers.
The train is equipped with charging plugs and air conditioning.
In the bathrooms, Western-style toilets are available, but are very basic and not pleasant places to linger.
A sheet, pillow, and blanket are provided.
Intrepid and their local guides do a great job of working with local restaurants and hotels to ensure travelers are served quality meals that showcase regional cuisines.
You'll have the opportunity to experience a wide range of delicious foods unique to Vietnam
Not all meals are included in the trip price, giving you maximum flexibility in choosing where, what, and with whom to eat. This arrangement also allows for more budgeting options.
Your group leader will recommend restaurants for you to try during your trip.
Generally, groups prefer to dine together, so you can sample a larger variety of dishes and enjoy each other's company.
Rambler Question: What is the weather like in November?
November is the ideal time to visit Southeast Asia as it marks the beginning of the warm, dry season, which lasts from November to April.
While November is the start of the tourist high season, it is not as crowded as December and January, when the number of visitors significantly increases.
In the North (such as Hanoi), there are distinct seasons (summer and winter). January can get quite cold, occasionally requiring jackets, hats, and gloves. However, the rest of the country experiences a dry and wet season and remains warm throughout the year.
In November, the weather in the North is likely to be sunny, with temperatures in the low to mid-20s °C. This makes it perfect for exploring Hanoi without overheating. Spending time on a boat deck in Halong Bay will be comfortable, in contrast to the usual oppressive heat of the region. Swimming in Halong Bay may feel chilly for some.
If you’re accustomed to swimming in Northern lakes, you should find the water temperature in Halong Bay pleasant. The average temperature in November is around 28 °C, whereas Cultus Lake near Vancouver is about 25 °C at the same time.
As you head south (after the train ride), temperatures will rise to the low 30s °C.
The dry season continues until March or April. However, it's important to note that there is a period known as the burning season, which begins around mid-January. During this time, farmers burn their fields, which can lead to poor air quality in northern areas of Southeast Asia, including Hanoi, Chiang Mai, and Laos.
The group has the flexibility to decide the best departure time each day. However, it is advisable to leave early to avoid the heat and to allow ample time for rest and exploration at each daily destination.
Most groups aim to finish breakfast and start walking by 8 a.m.
You will be accompanied by a local Intrepid tour leader and an SSR leader.
The role of the local tour leader is to make your travels hassle-free and to ensure you have the best experience possible.
Intrepid local leaders don’t just show you a destination; they introduce you to the soul of a place.
They will provide information about the places you visit, suggest activities and sights, recommend excellent local dining options, and introduce you to their local friends.
You can expect them to possess a broad general knowledge of the locations visited, including historical, cultural, religious, and social aspects.
Our hotels are upgraded for this trip from basic to comfort which are mostly 4 star hotels.
Unless you purchase a single supplment you will be paired with another Rambler in a room with two twin beds.
All hotel rooms will have en-suite bathrooms.
Facilities at the guesthouse are basic and can vary as we stay with several different families.
Our group will sleep on camp beds in a communal room with all Ramblers in the same room. Bedding and mosquito nets are provided.
Natural sounds like roosters crowing are likely to be present so ear plugs are recommended if you are a light sleeper.
Your guesthouse will be located near the Mekong but may not be on the banks of the river itself.
When you book, Intrepid will take a deposit of $400 USD. The final balance is due 70 days before departure.
You will have access to your own Intrepid portal, which you can log in to and pay money through before the final balance is due.
Intrepid will send a payment link, but you can also call them if you prefer to speak to them.
Unfortunately, we are currently unable to process trip payments in CAD dollars. Currently, Intrepid can only accept payments in USD, GBP, EURO, or ZAR.
Intrepid is planning to add CAD dollars to its system in 2025, but it does not have a specific timeline for this implementation and apologizes for any inconvenience this may cause.
In the meantime, they recommend that Canadians pay using the currency that offers the best conversion rate.
Intrepid Travel has always focused on balancing purpose with profit. In 2018, they formalized this commitment by becoming a certified B Corporation.
Certified B Corporations prioritize their employees, strive for a more inclusive supply chain, and elevate corporate social responsibility. This certification signifies their dedication to creating benefits for everyone.
Intrepid's official pledge is to utilize travel as a force for good in the world.
The following is not included in the price: flights, required visas, services not mentioned in the itinerary, late check-out at hotels, meals and drinks not mentioned in the itinerary, drinks with included lunches and dinners, tips for leaders, guide and driver, expenditure of personal nature, personal insurance and optional activities.
Intrepid is committed to ensuring that all its trips are safe for everyone involved, including travelers, local leaders, and the communities they visit.
Their health and safety policies align with recommendations from the World Health Organization and the World Travel & Tourism Council's Safe Travel protocols for tour operators.
Each itinerary undergoes a thorough risk assessment and audit, and both leaders and suppliers complete extensive health and safety training.
You will need to have a valid passport that doesn't expire for at least 6 months.
It is your responsibility to check and address visa requirements from your country of origin.