Tailor-made Vietnam: Introduction

From the jagged mountains and verdant rice paddies lining the Chinese border in the far north to the lush south where the mighty Mekong finally meets the sea, Vietnam is hauntingly beautiful.

There is majestic scenery in abundance here, whether it is the towering limestone islands of Halong Bay, the jungle-clad peaks of the remote northwest or the sweeping deserted beaches along the central coast. Historical interest is all around too, in the old imperial city of Hue, the battlefields and tunnels of the former Demilitarised Zone, the South China Sea port of Hoi An, frenetic Saigon and in the capital Hanoi, a proud city of wide boulevards and ancient temples. Though communism has all but disappeared, much of the French colonial influence remains in the exquisite architecture, baguettes for sale at roadside stalls and some gallic variations on Vietnam’s own delicious cuisine.

It is easy to see why Vietnam continues to enthrall, with remote areas such as the Ho Chi Minh trail and the central highlands now open to tourism and offering new experiences for the more intrepid traveller. For many visitors it is the Vietnamese themselves, as rich and diverse as the land they live in, who transform the travel experience; charming, quietly resolute and amazingly open.

Selected Highlights

Our specialists have travelled the length and breadth of the country to research the best places to stay and things to do. Here they list a few of their favourite “unmissables”. Click here for more highlights

Mix with the locals at Can Tho and the Cai Rang floating market

This riverside town located in the Mekong Delta area is the perfect location to witness riverlife in Vietnam. A morning trip on the Lady Hau, a...  [more]

Take a cruise around Halong Bay

Four hours and a world away from Hanoi, Halong Bay is the spectacular home of over 3000 sandstone islands, all jutting out of the emerald waters of the...  [more]

Cycle around Hoi An

After a hard day's sightseeing and shopping in Hoi An town, get an insight into local life away from the tourist hub by hiring bicycles and heading to the...  [more]