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Vietnam holidays & tours
Soaring peaks, paddy fields and street food
Anyone planning on visiting Vietnam on holiday should prepare for an unforgettable variety of experiences, and that’s just the food. This Southeast Asian country features some of the friendliest and most humble people on the planet as well as a rich history that’s irreversibly tied to Europe and America.
Head to Hanoi, the capital, and you’ll discover Parisian influence in the tree-lined avenues and corner store bakeries. Seek out Ho Chi Minh City (previously known as Saigon) in the south and it’s Notre-Dame Cathedral and the country’s tallest building, Landmark 81, that provide the cultural contrasts.
Explore across the border as an escorted group or on an independent tour and the whole of Indochina awaits. Alternatively, base yourself by the beach in a luxury hotel and you can sip cocktails on the sand in the southeast resorts of Cam Ranh and Mui Ne or explore the ancient waterways of historic Hoi An on Vietnam’s central coast.
From overnight adventures on a traditional junk boat in Halong Bay to making the most of the riverside markets and cottage industries along the Mekong Delta – if you think variety’s the spice of life, Vietnam holidays have everything you need to put that proverb into practice.
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Hanoi
Hanoi flows along the west bank of the Red River to leave travellers captivated and more than a little confused by the organised chaos of the Old Quarter. Vietnam’s capital city has been created over eons with Chinese and French influence offering all manner of historical insight. Highlights will always include the Temple of Literature, Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum and the turtles in Hoan Kiem Lake although attempting to cross the road while hundreds of scooters whizz by is an experience in itself.
Ha Long Bay
Head to Ha Long Bay – three hours east of Hanoi – and you’ll find an immediate antidote to the hustle and bustle of the capital. This is somewhere that’s become an Vietnamese icon with myriad limestone karst rocks jutting out of the peaceful waters like knobbly giant’s knuckles. Staying overnight on an old-fashioned junk boat is definitely the best way to dodge the crowds. And nothing beats a night under the stars followed by breakfast onboard and a paddle in a kayak to start the day.
Central coast
As you can fly or take a train to Da Nang on the central coast it’s a convenient point of entrance for anyone wishing to visit the historic towns of Hue and Hoi An. Hue was once the imperial capital of Vietnam and still retains an air of fortified authority within its Forbidden Purple citadel. Hoi An, on the other hand, is far more humble and best known for its ancient town that’s criss-crossed with waterways and aligned with traditional shophouses, ornate pagodas and Japanese covered bridges.
Mekong Delta
Stretching out across southern Vietnam, the Mekong Delta has long been one of the best ways to cross the border into neighbouring Cambodia. This has been the lifeblood of Ho Chi Minh City (formerly known as Saigon) since time began with rural riverside villages using the canals and waterways to transport the produce from the rice paddies and fruit orchards. Day trippers can travel on the Mekong Delta by converted rice barge and visit the floating markets and riverside workshops.
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What is the flight time to Vietnam?
The flight time from the UK to Vietnam is approximately 12 hours.
Do I need a visa to travel to Vietnam?
You will need an up-to-date passport and a completed tourist visa when travelling to Vietnam from the UK. Please visit GOV.UK for entry requirements to Vietnam or, alternatively, visit CIBT visas for more information.
What’s the weather like in Vietnam?
The north of Vietnam is more inclined to wet weather and colder temperatures in the winter. Summers can be stifling although humidity is quickly cleared by an afternoon downpour. Spring and autumn are usually quite comfortable times of year to visit Hanoi and the central highlands. The south-central coast is slightly more tropical with higher temperatures and more chance of typhoons during the autumn.
What’s the time zone for Vietnam?
Vietnam is seven hours ahead of the UK.
What language is spoken in Vietnam?
Vietnamese is the official language of Vietnam. English and French are both widely spoken in and around the tourist areas and beach resorts.
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