This is a great time to embark on Vietnam tours from the UK. Most people have heard of the capital Hanoi, and Ho Chi Minh City, the southern center of trade and commerce. There’s a lot more to see and experience, though.
This country of nearly 100 million people possesses over 3,260 kilometers (2,000 miles) of stunning coastline. It also contains the incredible Mekong River and its massive delta, dotted with floating markets and fishing enterprises.
Shiny, new, well-planned cities show off wide roads, and there’s a decent infrastructure to simplify getting around. Several local airports make covering large distances easy, and modern buses offer a more affordable option. Train travel remains slow but pleasant.
Vietnam is a thriving nation of contrasts and complexities. The country mixes the modern shine with ancient traditions. The result is an elegant contrast of past and present, reminiscent of the traditional simplicity of the áo dài dress.
Top points of interest in Vietnam
Vietnam has enormous variations, primarily between the north and south. This Vietnam trip guide covers a few of the clear highlights that shouldn’t be missed.
Hanoi
Get lost strolling through the labyrinthine old quarter of the capital. The unique street typology and tiny alleyways make keeping track virtually impossible. The 36 named streets and clogged sidewalks feature fresh street food and flower vendors.
Walk or exercise beside Westlake or Hoan Kiem Lake and the Tran Quoc pagoda to find solace from the mayhem on the streets. Find a cozy coffee shop and savor an original egg coffee, taking in the scenery and watching the locals go about their daily lives.
The French quarter has St. Joseph’s Cathedral, the Hanoi Opera House, and the National Museum of History. Visit the cruel Hoa Lo Prison, ironically named the “Hanoi Hilton” that once housed former senator John McCain and several other American POWs.
During Vietnam tours, you can see national hero Ho Chi Minh’s mausoleum. Stroll around Buddhist temples, or improve your education in the various museums.
Join hordes on plastic chairs and eat delicious local dishes in the early evenings. Sample the local beer, always accompanied by an enthusiastic refrain: “Một, hai, ba, dzô!” (1, 2, 3, drink!).
Ho Chi Minh
An enormous, sprawling city of around nine million people, Saigon is an assault on the senses and a great place to start for Vietnam tours. The cacophony of scooters and bleating horns blends seamlessly with rich aromas, visceral sights, and an interwoven society.
There are several excellent examples of French colonial architecture, like the People’s Committee building and the gorgeous Saigon Opera House. The French gothic Central Post Office next to the Notre Dame Cathedral basilica is another must-see.
Most visitors head for Bui Vien walking street, the tourist hotspot in District 1. It’s where east meets west with bars, restaurants, and clubs.
It’s near the hulking Ben Thanh market, a shopaholic's dream, and within walking distance to the interesting but grueling War Remnants Museum. It’s also close to the iconic Independence Palace, forever famed for Tank 390 breaching the gates.
Hoi An
The quaint traditional ancient village of Hoi An is central to Vietnam beach holiday packages. Only 25 kilometers (16 miles) down the coast from Danang, it’s a firm favorite with city-weary travelers.
Mustard-colored buildings draped with attractive colorful lanterns, house tailors, artisans, artists, and souvenirs.
Its compact size makes it ideal for exploring the old town market and riverfront stores on foot. In the evenings, you can take a boat down the river or release a paper lantern to make a wish. Take a cooking class, browse the night market, or watch a water puppet show.
Ride a bicycle through the surrounding rice paddies and countryside to the magical An Bang beach area. Eat fantastic seafood in the many restaurants and listen to live music as the waves gently lap nearby.
The architecture is an eclectic mix of eras, combining Chinese workhouses, French colonial, the iconic Japanese Bridge, and other influences.
If you need your city fix, DaNang is a legitimate destination in its own right, with gorgeous beaches, the epic Dragon Bridge, and much more.
Sapa
In the extreme north-western part of the country, in the high mountains bordering China, sits Sapa, known as the “town of clouds.” It’s a popular trekking base with the highest peak in Vietnam nearby.
Fansipan reaches over 3 kilometers (10,300 feet), and locals affectionately call it the “roof of Indochina.” Reach the top via a multi-day hike or a 15-minute cable car ride. The north gets much cooler in winter.
The town sits at the head of a valley of terraced rice paddies, with an unimpeded view over the surrounding scenery. Most of the local population comes from ethnic minority mountain tribes like the Hmong, Red Dao, Tay, and Giay people.
Vietnam tours offer a long list of other epic destinations. Cruise the UNESCO World Heritage Site in Halong Bay to visit floating villages amid massive limestone karsts soaring out of the emerald waters.
Phu Quoc is a tropical island south of Cambodia with luxury resorts and relaxation. The Phong Nha caves boast the world’s largest cave system, while southerners escape the heat in temperate Dalat.
The waterlogged Mekong delta offers fabulous floating markets, Khmer temples, and impossibly green rice paddies. The former imperial city of Hue contains the Citadel, beaches, and several tombs of ancient emperors.