Tailor-made Vietnam: 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 converted traditional junk boat, for breakfast is an excellent way to start the day before being transferred to smaller boats to enjoy the Cai Rang floating market up close.

Read more about: The Mekong Delta
 
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 Tonkinese Gulf. Legend has it that this amazing sight was created by the tail of a wayward dragon, but however they were formed an overnight cruise around the bay is not to be missed.

Read more about: Halong Bay
 
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 beach for the day. During the gentle 4km journey you will pass through traditional rural countryside full of friendly smiling faces.

Read more about: Hoi An
 
Discover the Central Highlands

Only opened to tourists a little over ten years ago, the Central Highlands remain relatively untouched. Offering an alternative to the coastal route, visitors have the opportunity to visit the local ethnic minority groups and take in the captivating mist-laden mountain scenery, home of some of the best coffee in Southeast Asia.

Read more about: The Central Highlands
 
Eat seafood on Phu Quoc Island

Just off the coast of southern Vietnam lies the idyllic island of Phu Quoc. Still undiscovered by most travellers, this small island edged with pristine beaches and clear waters is a fantastic place to unwind after your tour. As evening draws in watch the sun slowly set over the sea before enjoying some of the fresh seafood that is found in abundance on the island – something that should definitely not be missed!

Read more about: Phu Quoc
 
Explore Hanoi

Nowhere else in Vietnam excudes such an old world charm as the city of Hanoi. To fully immerse yourself in the city’s character, visit the Old Quarter and dive headfirst into the warren of narrow streets, many of which still specialise in one particular product, with everything available from from furniture to silks. For a more relaxing experience take a stroll around Hoan Kiem Lake, and it is worth rising early to glimpse the city stirring to life and maybe even catching a display of Tai Chi as the sun rises.

Read more about: Hanoi
 
Explore Tam Coc in a sampan boat

Described as ‘Halong Bay Island’, Tam Coc is a superb region of limestone outcrops, all dramatically rising from a sea of green rice paddies. Without a doubt, the best way to explore the numerous caves and shrines in the area is in a small sampan boat, and cruising through the dramatic limestone scenery will surely be a highlight of your trip.

 
Have a set of clothes tailor-made in Hoi An

If you need a new wardrobe, stop at one of the many tailors in Hoi An town. They are armed with Western clothing catalogues for you to choose from and can create all manner of items - including shoes and coats - overnight or in just a few hours. You will be surprised at how many clothes you can get made so quickly and so cheaply, so take an extra bag along with you to carry them all home in!

 
Wander around hill-tribe markets in Northern Vietnam

For a taste of traditional Vietnam, coincide your trip to the Tonkinese Alps with one of the hill tribe markets. Whilst some of these markets have been discovered, for those willing to travel a bit further off the beaten track the rewards are immense, with several tribes in traditional dress meeting at one market to frantically buy and sell their wares.

Read more about: Sapa & the Tonkinese Alps
 
Explore vibrant Saigon

One of the most vibrant towns in Southeast Asia, Saigon is a wonderful collision of the old and the new. The traditional Vietnamese and Chinese markets and architecture vie for attention with the more ornate French Colonial quarter, whilst the new and modern face of Vietnam is rapidly advancing in size and status. Saigon has everything from great shopping and superb restaurants to impressive architecture.

 
Take a trek around Sapa

In the northwest corner of Vietnam lies Sapa, one of the most beautiful and often overlooked regions of the country. In addition to the stunning scenery, Sapa offers some of the best trekking opportunities in Southeast Asia, be it a gentle stroll through the stepped rice terraces to the nearby minority villages or a three-day trek to the top of Mount Fanzipan for the more energetic!

Read more about: Sapa & the Tonkinese Alps
 
Sample Vietnam's culinary delights

One of the major highlights of Vietnam is the vast range of food on offer. The delicious fresh seafood available in most of the coastal towns is unparalleled, as are the traditional spring rolls which vary throughout the country. The range of fantastic patisseries and bread on offer throughout the country (one of the influences from the French colonial days) is also a 'typical' Vietnamese dish not to be missed.

 
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