My OAT Inside Vietnam Review

What Makes This Vietnam One Of The Trips We'd Repeat?

We visited Vietnam in 2005—some 21 years ago. At the time, most of our travel experience had been traditional big-bus tours through Europe.

Then we went to Vietnam.

At the time, I blogged that “this was the best tour/trip we'd ever taken.” Today, and after 19 different OAT trips —including an African safari and an Antarctic cruise — I suspect we'd revisit Vietnam before re-doing either of those two 5-star-rated adventures again.

If you're considering OAT's Inside Vietnam, here's why the Thrifty Senior Traveler says: “YES, YES, YES—DO IT!”

What Thrifty Senior Traveler Wants You To Know About Vietnam

If This Is Your First Overseas Adventure Travel Trip

If you're considering Inside Vietnam or another Overseas Adventure Travel trip, I hope my experiences and tips help you decide whether OAT is right for you.

The OAT Referral Program
I've now taken 19 OAT adventures and have another one booked. If you decide to travel with OAT, I'd really appreciate your telling them (when booking):
"I was referred by Jesse Slome
OAT #932019."

It costs you nothing . And the OAT referral program helps me earn a 1-time credit toward a future adventure. Then you get to earn all the credits.

So far, 88 travelers have told OAT they were referred by Jesse Slome.

If you decide to take an OAT adventure, I hope you'll be #89!

Thank you - and I hope to see you somewhere in the world!

When We Took This Trip: November 28- December 13, 2005
Jesse's Thrifty Senior Traveler Rating: 4.9 out of 5 Stars

Here are a few key reasons why we loved Vietnam—and why I think it remains a standout destination for senior travelers:

Exceptional Value for Your Money
Vietnam can offer an outstanding travel experience without the eye-popping prices found in many other destinations. And if you can take advantage of one of OAT's Special Deals, the value can be extraordinary—with some trips priced as low as $79 per day. (See Tip #1 below.)

Rich History and Culture
From spectacular Ha Long Bay to ancient cities, historic landmarks and UNESCO World Heritage sites, Vietnam offers an incredible depth of history and culture to discover.

Warm and Welcoming People
One of the things we remember most about Vietnam is the warmth of the people. Traveling with OAT gave us opportunities to experience the country in ways that went beyond simply checking famous sights off a list.

Fresh, Delicious Cuisine
Vietnamese food was another highlight. From pho to fresh spring rolls and countless local specialties, the cuisine makes wonderful use of herbs, vegetables and fresh ingredients. Delicious—and, at least in my experience, not the kind of food that leaves you wishing you'd packed the antacids.

Vietnam: Your Top Savings Tips

Vietnam was a bargain when we visited in 2005. And it still is. OAT provides exceptional value, but here's where the Thrifty Senior Traveler says OAT and Vietnam really shine.

Savings Tip #1: Look for OAT Special Deals

Check the OAT website for special deals. As I write this, spaces on October–December dates (see image) are reduced from $3,995 to $1,495.

That's just $79 per day for your hotel, meals, internal flights, Trip Leader and more. For an OAT adventure, that's a savings that's really hard to pass up.

Savings Tip #2: Look for No Single Supplement Dates

Inside Vietnam can be an especially good choice for solo travelers. OAT regularly offers selected departures or spaces without the usual single supplement, so check what's available when you book.

Savings Tip #3: Vietnam Is Still a Shopper's Paradise

$100 USD converts to about 2.6 million Vietnamese dong. So yes, you'll instantly feel a little rich.

When we visited in 2005, I remember the men on our tour competing to see who could find the least expensive fake Rolex. Meanwhile, the women were having blouses, skirts and dresses custom-made.

And here's the good news: you can still have clothing made to order in Vietnam today. In Hoi An, custom shirts can cost roughly $15–$40 and simple dresses about $30–$120, depending on fabric and quality.

Savings Tip #4: Great Food Doesn't Have to Cost Much

Vietnamese food is one of the country's great bargains. A bowl of pho at a local restaurant can run about $1.50–$2.50, while a banh mi sandwich can cost as little as 50 cents to $1.50. A full meal at a local sit-down restaurant can often be found for $4–$8 per person.

Of course, you can spend considerably more at upscale restaurants and hotels. But you certainly don't have to.

What We Loved Most About Inside Vietnam

It's been 21 years since we traveled to Vietnam, but the memories have stayed with us. That's saying something when you consider how many trips we've taken since then.

What stands out isn't just one spectacular sight. It's the combination of experiences: the people, the food, the history, the scenery and the opportunity to experience Vietnam beyond the usual tourist stops.

And there's something else I appreciate about OAT. You're not simply being driven from one attraction to another and told to take a picture. The smaller groups and local Trip Experience Leaders give you opportunities to interact with people and experience everyday life in Vietnam.

That's what made our 2005 trip so memorable—and why, 21 years later, I'd still put Vietnam high on our list of trips we'd happily take again.

What Should Seniors Know Before Going?

Vietnam isn't a resort vacation. You'll be moving around, exploring cities and towns, getting out and experiencing the country.

That said, that's precisely what makes Inside Vietnam so rewarding.

If you're an active senior who enjoys seeing, tasting and experiencing a destination rather than simply looking at it through a bus window, I think you'll love this trip.

And if you're traveling solo, pay particular attention to OAT's No Single Supplement offers. That's a savings worth looking for.

What Are Other OAT Travelers Saying?

I'm not the only one who thinks Inside Vietnam is special.

OAT travelers have consistently rated this adventure 5 out of 5 stars, and their comments reinforce many of the things we remember loving about Vietnam: the people, the food, the cultural experiences and the way OAT gets travelers beyond the typical tourist experience.

What Other OAT Travelers Say

Okay, so maybe I'm not the only one who thinks Inside Vietnam is special.

OAT travelers have given this adventure 5 out of 5 stars, and some of their comments explain why this trip continues to stand out.

“There is no way that you can NOT have a great experience! The Vietnamese folks were absolutely wonderful to visit with.”

Another traveler called Inside Vietnam “the most unique of my 50+ years of traveling internationally” and said it was “the most surprising of my life.”

And for a first-time OAT traveler traveling solo, the experience was equally impressive: “Our group of 16 was delightful, our leaders were well informed about history as well as bringing us into intimate settings where we were treated to cooking, weaving and visits into hosts family homes.”

That's something I remember about our own Vietnam experience. OAT wasn't simply taking us to Vietnam. It was helping us experience Vietnam.

And after 19 OAT adventures of our own, that's still one of the biggest differences between an OAT trip and the big-bus tours we took years ago.

Sometimes the best recommendation isn't mine. It's hearing what other travelers experienced for themselves.

The Thrifty Senior Traveler's Final Verdict ★★★★★ 5 OUT OF 5

Would I take Inside Vietnam again? YES. YES. YES.

In fact, that's one of the things that surprised me when I started writing this review. We've taken 19 OAT trips since that first Vietnam adventure. We've been on an African safari. We've sailed to Antarctica. We've traveled to places I could never have imagined seeing when we were doing those old big-bus tours of Europe.

And yet Vietnam remains one of the trips I'd most like to do again.

Maybe that's the best endorsement I can give it.

If Inside Vietnam is on your travel wish list, I'd move it closer to the top.

Planning Your Own OAT Vietnam Adventure?

If you decide to book Inside Vietnam, I'd be delighted if you'd mention that Jesse Slome referred you (OAT #932019) when you make your reservation.

You'll receive OAT's applicable referral benefit, and I'll get credit for sending another traveler on an adventure I truly believe is worth taking.

After 21 years, I still say: GO.

Written by Jesse Slome, The Thrifty Senior Traveler
Originally published August 27, 2026 | Last updated August 27, 2026