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Vietnam holidays
Excellent holiday in all respects - well done Cox & Kings! 10 out of 10. Can thoroughly recommend as a place to visit.Mr Karl Riechers
From lush mountain landscapes and hill tribes in the north to karst landscapes in Halong Bay, from quaint colonial towns in central Vietnam to coastal areas and the Mekong Delta in the south, Vietnam has plenty to engage the senses.
Vietnam’s capital city is energetic; full of street food vendors and buzzing motorcycles driving down wide boulevards and winding through the small streets of the Old Quarter. Visit the One Pillar Pagoda, the Temple of Literature and the Ho Chi Minh mausoleum for an insight into the country’s history. Wander the outskirts of Hoan Kiem Lake for a taste of community life, with locals practising tai chi in the surrounding park.
A few hours’ drive away is stunning Halong Bay. Sail past dramatic limestone karsts, and explore cave systems in this Unesco world heritage site; stay overnight on a traditional junk boat for an encompassing experience.
Hue and Hoi An
The charming Unesco world heritage city of Hue is set by the banks of the Perfume river, and taking a boat ride to visit sites such as the Buddhist Thien Mu Pagoda is a highlight. Uncover historical remnants from when the city was the capital from 1802 to 1945, including the Citadel, Forbidden Purple City and the Royal Mausoleums.
Leaving Hue, the drive to Hoi An is a highlight in itself – the Hai Van Pass winds high through the mountains, featuring beautiful views of lush countryside and ocean below. Hoi An is a historical town with a beautifully preserved old town and a distinct Chinese atmosphere with low, tile-roofed houses and narrow streets. Visit the Chinese Assembly Hall, the 200-year-old wooden merchants’ houses and the Japanese covered bridge. Take the time to attend a cooking school and visit the local market for an authentic experience.
Ho Chi Minh City, also known as Saigon, is a frenetic Asian city of markets, streets clogged with scooters, streetside food stalls, as well as foreign restaurants office blocks and shopping malls. The Reunification palace, Notre Dame Cathedral and the War Remnants Museum are all well worth a visit, as are the Cu Chi tunnels built by the Viet Cong, which can be visited in a day trip.
Nearby is the famous Mekong delta, the ‘rice bowl’ of Vietnam – a fertile region of flat farmland interlaced with thousands of waterways and tributaries of the Mekong. The majority can only be accessed by boat, so board a sampan to explore the maze of tributaries and fruit plantations, and perhaps enjoy lunch in the shade of coconut palms. Visit Cai Rang floating market, the largest of its kind in Indochina, and spend time in Can Tho, the jumping off point for a tour of the delta.
Uncover breathtaking mountain scenes and rural Vietnam in the top corner of the country. Drive along winding roads in the Ha Giang province, and head to ‘Heaven’s Gate’, a high mountain pass with spectacular views. Take to small towns along the way to visit markets, attended by local hill tribes.
Mai Chau and Sapa are perfect for walking, with rice paddies and stilted houses dotting the landscape.
Nha Trang is an attractive town surrounded by green hills, and a deep-blue bay fringed with a glorious crescent of golden-white sand. There are many nearby small islands that protect the bay from the unpredictable South China Sea, and it is possible to take a boat cruise around this picturesque landscape.
Phan Thiet is located around 3 hours’ drive north of Ho Chi Minh City, and is a typical Vietnamese fishing town with some interesting museums and pagodas; plus Ho Chi Minh was once a teacher here.
Phu Quoc is a relatively undeveloped island with beautiful white sand beaches, lush forested hills and crystal clear waters – the perfect formula in which to relax.
Halong Bay is an area of great natural beauty, with waters studded with thousands of islets covered in green foliage, sheer cliffs and caves. Spend the night on a luxurious traditional junk boat and soak up the atmosphere.
After exploring the Mekong delta, cruise up the mighty Mekong river to Cambodia, all the way to Ankor Wat. It’s a luxurious way to see these iconic temples, and glimpse local village life as you float on by.
A village inhabited by the Hmong hill tribe, Xa Linh is located 1,000 metres above sea level in the Mai Chau region. Walk through the serene countryside, dotted with fruit trees and wildlife, and gain an insight into this historic culture.
Set in the cool central highlands, Dalat is a former French hill station with a somewhat faded elegance, offering respite from the heat and hustle of nearby Nha Trang and Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon). The town is surrounded by pine-covered hills and waterfalls, with picturesque churches and beautiful colonial French buildings dotted along the hillsides. The Bao Dai Summer Palace is a highlight, an art deco building offering a glimpse into the retreat of Vietnam’s last emperor.
With its elegant carriages, the Victoria Express train recalls a more romantic era, passing through the exotic landscapes of northern Vietnam. The train departs six times a week between Hanoi and Lao Cai (Sapa), and takes approximately 8.5 hours.
See Vietnam come alive in this image and video gallery, showing off some of the best areas that you can visit and explore.
Discover the temperatures and rainfall you can expect when visiting the main areas of Vietnam, along with the best time to travel.
Find out more about what you can expect from travelling in the Far East – from internal flights to accommodation standards and local transport.
Learn more about the airlines we use to fly to the Far East, chosen for reliability and good service; as well as any available upgrade facilities.
Before travelling to the Far East, please read more about the entry requirements for each country, as well as any general health advice.
Get to know our expert Far East tour consultants, their personal recommendations and favourite hotels around the world.