This is a land of serene beauty, traditional charm and bustling industry. Great holiday destination, Vietnam boasts a landscape of misty hills and tropical beaches, a fascinating cultural heritage and a climate that ranges from the cool of the northern highlands to the warmth of the South China Sea coast and the Mekong Delta. Vietnam has survived the past thirty years relatively untouched by Western commercialism but things are changing rapidly, making this the most exciting time to visit.
Facts at a glance
- Flight times from the UK
- Average flight time is 13 hours
- Time difference
- GMT + 7 hours
- Peak season
- October - March
This Southeast Asian country stretches along the eastern coast of the Indochina Peninsula and emerged from a century of colonial rule and conflict to become an independent country in 1976. Although still a communist state, Vietnam is starting to open itself up to international trade and flourish as a tourist destination. When you come on holidays to Vietnam, make sure you trace the country's history from the imperial city of Hue via the boulevards of Hanoi to the sprawling energy of Ho Chi Minh City then hit the sandy beaches of Nha Trang and Hoi An. To satisfy the explorer in you, visit the limestone crags of Halong Bay or Ba Be National Park, a tropical rainforest region of waterfalls, caves and forest villages home to the stilted huts of the Tay minority tribes.
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Create a tailor-made multi-centre holiday in Vietnam
Our team of travel consultants will be happy to tailor make a holiday that takes in more than one resort in Vietnam, so that you can really experience the country. Or with so much to see in Southeast Asia, why not combine your holiday in Vietnam with another of our fascinating countries?
View some of our Suggested Itineraries, or speak to a specialist about a bespoke luxury holiday that is tailored to you.
Recommended highlights
We recommend the following experiences for your holidays in . Talk to our expert travel consultants about how to make your holiday extra special:
Discover the 8th Natural Beauty of the World at Halong Bay
Halong Bay is a collection of 3000 spectacular limestone outcroppings, cliffs, arches and coves in an area that is without doubt the most outstanding natural beautiful in the country. Travel 3-hours east from Hanoi through verdant rice fields, and upon your arrival in Halong, hire a traditional Chinese-style sailing junk. To make your holiday in Vietnam truly unforgettable, you should meander through the area, stopping off at an islet to climb through a series of breathtaking caves and grottoes, marvelling at some of the most impressive stalactite and stalagmite formations in the world.
Mekong Delta River Leisure Cruise
Whilst on holiday in Vietnam, head into the countryside where you will pass lush rice paddies carefully tended, before boarding your motorised sampan for a unique experience on the mighty Mekong Delta waterways. Witness how the people of Delta live on the river as you journey through a maze of tributaries and fruit plantations. If you have time, join the smaller waterways, where the speciality of a remarkable dish called 'elephants ear fish' should be sampled for lunch.
Sample Rural Vietnam By Boat and on Foot
Just a few km from Nha Trang's beachfront is the picturesque countryside dotted with palm trees and fruit orchards. You should board a small, motorised boat for a glimpse of the nearby rural areas of Nha Trang. Visit the household bakery that supplies the surrounding villages with delicious French style baguettes; pass through orchards boasting tropical fruits. Why not sample some at a riverside cafe, where you may see children playing or bathing with their water buffalo at the end of a day's work in the rice paddies. On your return, you should stop by the local market - the hub of the village where women from every family gather daily to barter for life's essentials.
