Vietnam Holidays
Vietnam holidays offer a melting pot of peaceful natural attractions, buzzing cities, a rich history and world-famous cuisine. Vietnam shares a border with China in the north and Cambodia in the south, giving you a blend of cultures and attractions, as well as making Vietnam multi-centre holidays a popular choice.
In the beautiful north of Vietnam is Hanoi, centre of the French Indochina administration and home to well-preserved colonial architecture. Colourful fronts, sweeping arches and towering pillars adorn the buildings in the Old Quarter, which are interspersed with trees and greenery.
Hoi An, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is nestled on the east coast and is packed with character and history. This laid-back riverside town is best explored on foot or by bike, allowing you to admire the French, Japanese, Chinese and Vietnamese influences on its architecture and culture. For a more frenetic city experience, visit Ho Chi Minh (formerly Saigon). This thriving city blends a modern, western feel with a rich history of the Vietnam War and French colonial days.
Vietnam holidays: A natural beauty
Vietnam is a country teeming with natural beauty. The country snakes in an s-shape along the South China Sea, finishing in the Gulf of Thailand and giving it swathes of powdery white sands, as well as fresh mountain scenery inland.
Take one of our Vietnam tours from the north to the south and contrast the subtle differences in its many cultures, cuisines and landscapes. Visit Halong Bay in the northeast and witness the limestone karsts emerging from the water, before heading further south to cycle through the rice paddies and countryside surrounding the historic town of Hue.
The relatively untouched island of Phu Quoc is ideal for adventurers. Immerse yourself in the fresh mountain scenery, swim in crystal-clear waterfalls and visit pearl and pepper farms. Alternatively, enjoy a Vietnam beach holiday on the palm-fringed coast in Nha Trang. This sun-kissed town is perfect for Vietnam family holidays with world-famous scuba diving, child-friendly hotels and restaurants, and over 300 days of sunshine per year.
Destination Highlights
Great sample itineraries
Vietnam shares borders with China, Laos and Cambodia, bringing with it a blend of cultures. Explore the changes in ingredients, styles and language as you tour Vietnam with expert guides. Get inspired by our selection of popular itineraries for your Vietnam holidays.
Vietnam in Style
Guide Price £4,299 pp
This unique tour of Vietnam will appeal if your adventurous side demands that you really connect with the country, and ensures you get to touch, feel and taste this land of sublime beauty and culture. Explore the bustling streets of...
Escorted tours
A Journey Through Vietnam Tour
Guide Price £2,399 pp
Travel from north to south as you discover the unique culture and endless beauty of Vietnam Explore French and Chinese heritage, as well as cultural treasures such as Hoi An town and the Imperial Citadel of Hue. Stunning lakes can...
Rail journeys
Phu Quoc and Ho Chi Minh City Multi Centre
Guide Price £2,099 pp
Phu Quoc is one of Vietnam's up and coming must-visit beach escapes. The island itself is located just off of the southern tip of the country, and just a one hour flight from Ho Chi Minh City. More than half...
Multi centre holidays
Hanoi and Hoi An Multi Centre
Guide Price £1,599 pp
The capital of Vietnam, Hanoi, offers a captivating mix of old and new Asia, where the medieval and modern co-exist. Make sure to visit the Temple of Literature, which once housed the country's oldest university, and the Old Quarter bursting...
Spa & wellbeing holidays
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Vietnam is home to 7 UNESCO World Heritage Sites throughout the country as well as many other landmarks, attractions and areas of outstanding natural beauty. Below is just a small selection which we recommend when visiting Vietnam all of which can be incorporated into a tailor-made itinerary for your trip, just contact our Destination Specialists for a quote.
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![Halong Bay at dusk]( "Halong Bay at dusk")
Cruise on Halong Bay
Just one of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Vietnam, your trip is not complete until you have taken an overnight cruise in a traditional junk boat on Halong Bay.The thousands of limestone islets create a very unique and interesting landscape like no other.
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![Spring rolls made in a cooking class]( "Spring rolls made in a cooking class")
Cooking Classes
With food being such a core part of Vietnamese life it's no surprise that activities related to the local cuisine are so readily available. Cooking classes, street food stalls and food markets throughout Vietnam will all add to your experience of this country.
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![Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum]( "Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum")
Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum
Found in the capital of Hanoi at Ba Dinh Square, for ten months of the year this is home to the embalmed body of Ho Chi Minh, the President of the Communist Party of Vietnam from 1951 until his death in 1969. The well respected and the most popular leader among the people of Vietnam, his body is preserved in a glass case for public viewing while surrounded by armed guards. Many Vietnamese nationals and tourists visit daily and the attraction is especially busy around the birthday of Ho Chi Minh on the 19th May.
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![Hoi An lanterns]( "Hoi An lanterns")
Hoi An
In central Vietnam on the Thu Bon River is the ancient town of Hoi An. Most of the quaint buildings are still the original wooden structures and colourful lanterns line the streets bringing light to the town by night. The Japanese Covered Bridge, Silk Village and shopping should not be missed and the best way to explore is on two wheels on a hired bike.
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![a couple of lawn chairs sitting on top of a sandy beach]( "Beach")
Beach Resorts and Spa Retreats
Vietnam has over 3,000 km of coastline featuring many beach resorts such as Danang, Phan Thiet and Nha Trang as well as the island of Phu Quoc. Luxury beachfront resorts will ensure your stay is more comfortable than you could ever imagine and spa inclusive resorts are also available if you are looking to indulge that little bit further.
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![Ci Chi Tunnels]( "Ci Chi Tunnels")
Cu Chi Tunnels
Just outside of Ho Chi Minh City is the complex of underground tunnels known as Cu Chi which were constructed by the local people during the Vietnamese War to protect themselves. They lived their whole lives for many years in the tunnels and today part of them are open to the public be explored during your visit.
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December to February is generally agreed to be the best time to visit Vietnam. Temperatures remain fairly mild (between 20°C and 30°C) and there is minimal rain. You can also enjoy around 10 hours of sunshine per day. Make sure to plan your Vietnam holiday around its two monsoon seasons. May to September brings the monsoon to the southwest, while the northeast has a monsoon from October to April.
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Karen
Destination Executive
“Spend some time immersing yourself in the local culture, and you will gain a much deeper understanding of the Vietnamese people. Book a homestay, visit different temples, and try to head out to meet local people in some ethnic minority villages. The north, such as in Sapa, is particularly good for this.”
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Isla
Destination Executive
“Don’t miss out on the opportunity to relax and enjoy the white sands, crystal-clear water and fresh seafood served to you on your chair at the beach. Check out An Bang Beach or Cua Dai Beach, which are both in Hoi An, or Doc Let Beach on the Hon Khoi Peninsula or Con Dao Islands in southern Vietnam.”
Events & Festivals
Festivals and events are wonderful to include during your Vietnam holiday, offering a glimpse into the country’s authentic culture and traditions.
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Full Moon Festival
Held on the 14th day of every lunar month, the Full Moon Festival fills Hoi An’s streets with colourful lanterns and poetry readings. The old town’s public spaces host traditional Bai Choi opera, while the Hoai River becomes the home of flower lanterns set afloat as a wish is made.
Local Cuisine
Get a flavour of the local culture through your palate during your Vietnam holiday. Here are a few of our favourite dishes.
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Pho
Now famous around the world, pho is a simple staple of any Vietnam holiday. It’s packed full of flavours and healthy ingredients, and the steamy broth contains fresh rice noodles and a sprinkling of fresh herbs, as well as chicken or beef.
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Bánh Mì
Banh mi, or bánh mì, is a popular dish consisting of a light, crispy baguette with a variety of different fillings. Banh mi is the Vietnamese word for bread, and fillings include ground pork in a sweet and sticky sauce, marinated grilled pork, sardines, meatballs or vegetarian marinated tofu.
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