We are open today until 6:30 pm. Call 020 7590 0613

Vietnam

An intoxicating mix of nature, food and history

Tailor-made Vietnam holidays

Introduction

Vietnam stretches down the eastern coast of Indochina, a paper-thin country with a rich history and beautiful landscape. There are vivid rice terraces in the north and pulsating cities in the south, interspersed with towns adorned with Japanese bridges, Buddhist pagodas, and landmarks paying homage to a communist past. Combine all this with serene beaches, floating villages and exquisite dining, and the possibilities are boundless. Our specialists have travelled extensively through the region, from its cities to its countryside, and are here to help you plan your perfect Vietnam holiday.

Pulsating cities 

Vietnam’s capital Hanoi is chaotic and buzzing, its Old Quarter filled with narrow streets and endless markets nestled alongside pretty lakes and bridges. Among the ancient architecture is a bustling restaurant scene, where you can find anything from authentic street food to quirky rooftop eateries. Historic temples such as Bach Ma and the lakeside Tran Quoc pagoda add to the charm. By contrast, Hoi An recalls a bygone area, its wonderfully-preserved Ancient Town heaving with lantern displays and little markets lining a network of canals. Further south still you'll find Ho Chi Minh, famous for its French colonial architecture, bustling food markets and countless museums, including the sobering War Remnants Museum. Keen to see all three cities? Our Highlights of Vietnam itinerary includes them all.

Notre Dame cathedral in Ho Chi Minh City
Notre Dame, Ho Chi Minh City

Glorious countryside 

Some of the world's most spectacular caves lie in Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park. Reach them via motorbike – it’s well worth the journey – before kayaking and trekking through the ethereal grottoes. Further north, emblematic rice terraces dominate in Sapa, but Pu Luong is a more serene and emptier choice, all tumbling rice paddies, unspoilt landscapes and charming mountain villages. Stay here in a bamboo bungalow, complete with infinity pool – you’ll feel far removed from the bustle of the city. Alternatively, head south to Dak Lak, vaunting stunning lakes, pine forests and gushing waterfalls. You’ll also find endless coffee plantations here. And, our specialists are here to help plan your trip if you can’t decide which corner of Vietnam to explore.

Rice terraces in Pu Luong Vietnam
Pu Luong

Idyllic beaches and waterways

Vietnam has beaches to rival the Seychelles, but at a far lower price tag. Just minutes from Hoi An city lies the stunning An Bang Beach, offering excellent watersports, paddle-boarding and surfing. If you’re after some white-sands relaxation, paradisical Phu Quoc Island offers world-class snorkelling among rainbow corals and technicolour fish. On a grander scale, Ha Long Bay is well known for its beauty, and its popularity is obvious in the number of tourists it attracts each year. But, if you'd rather avoid crowds, its quieter little sister – Lan Ha Bay – is a better bet, where rainforests and rice fields tumble into azure waters perfect for kayaking and swimming. A traditional junk cruise is perhaps the best way to appreciate its splendour. The Mekong Delta is perhaps most impressive of all. Board an overnight river cruise to discover one of the world’s great waterways, home to floating markets and peaceful tributaries leading to remote villages. You can even cruise from Ho Chi Minh to Cambodia, taking in riverside monasteries and ancient temples en route to magnificent Angkor Wat. With first-hand knowledge of the region, our experts can help you get there.

Boat trip down the Mekong Delta
Mekong Delta

 

Read more

At a glance

Flying time from UK
12½ hours

Time zone
GMT +7

Currency
Dong (VND)

Language
Vietnamese

Travel advice
Check the FCDO for visa & travel advice

See Vietnam travel guide

Special offers in Vietnam

Angkor Wat, Cambodia

Essential Vietnam & Cambodia

14-day river cruise holiday from £3,795 pp incl. flights

Special
cruise offer

Save up to £1,250 per person off selected dates
Book by: 31 March 2024

Discover the ancient and cultural wonders of the Mekong on this two-week tour of Vietnam and Cambodia, travelling from Ho Chi Minh to Siem Reap with Travelmarvel by APT.

Angkor Wat, Siem Reap

Vietnam & Cambodia Highlights by River

15-day river cruise holiday from £5,495 pp incl. flights

Special
cruise offer

Early booking offer – Save up to £1,500pp
Book by: 31 March 2024

Pair the Angkor-Wat and Golden-Palace headlines of Cambodia and Vietnam with their off-the-beaten-track gems on this luxury Mekong cruise with APT. Think all-inclusive open bars, full-board dining and exclusive signature experiences.

Supertrees at Gardens by the Bay, Singapore

The Allure of Asia on Seven Seas Explorer

20-day luxury ocean cruise from £11,105 pp incl. flights

Special
cruise offer

Free 3-night pre- or post- cruise land programme
Book by: 31 March 2024

This voyage is the ultimate introduction to Southeast Asia. Sailing aboard Seven Seas Explorer, you’ll swap sun-kissed islands and vibrant coral reefs for the urban delights of the region’s city greats.

Buddha statue next to waterway at Angkor Wat, Siem Reap, Cambodia

Charms of the Mekong with AmaWaterways

14-day luxury river cruise holiday from £3,710 pp incl. flights

Special
cruise offer

Save up to £750 pp off selected 2024 departure dates
Book by: 31 March 2024

Enjoy a luxury small-ship river cruise along the Mekong River between Ho Chi Minh City and Siem Reap with AmaWaterways, discovering culture-rich cities and hidden gems with plenty of local flavour.

See all offers

Top itineraries in Vietnam

Angkor Wat, Cambodia

Best of Vietnam & Cambodia

17-day tailor-made holiday from £4,995 pp incl. flights

From city greats and iconic, jungle-shrouded temples to off-the-beaten-track gems framed by a fabulous food scene, this best-of tour takes in the must-see highlights of two Far East favourites.

Lan Ha Bay, Halong Bay

Highlights of Vietnam

12-day tailor-made holiday from £4,510 pp incl. flights

Discover the best of Vietnam, taking in vibrant Hanoi, the emerald waters of Lan Ha Bay and the culturally rich towns of Hue and Hoi An. Then, fly south to take in the magic of the Mekong Delta and the infamous Cu Chi Tunnels.

Orchid cruise, Halong Bay

Northern Vietnam Explorer

13-day tailor-made holiday from £3,205 pp incl. flights

With everything from private tours and luxury stays to indulgent dining and the services of a private driver throughout, this is a full exploration of northern Vietnam’s cultural and natural delights.

Hoi An, Vietnam

Highlights of Laos, Vietnam & Cambodia

23-day tailor-made holiday from £6,870 pp incl. flights

Experience the highlights of Indochina on this wide-ranging tailor-made holiday, taking in the unique cultures, history and natural world of Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia.

See all itinerary ideas

What our clients say about our Vietnam holidays

  • We had a very good holiday and we are grateful to Adam for his help with it. All the hotels and the mix suggested worked very well. We were very pleased with the Halong Bay package on a small comfortable junk just for us as we would not have enjoyed the big tourist boats and the limit that puts on viewing those lovely islands. Our guide and driver in Siem Reap was knowledgeable, interesting on different topics and very anxious to please and the driver produced a good clean car. We recommend the visit to Chau Doc and the delightfully unsophisticated but very comfortable Victoria Hotel. The hotel on the waterway and the speed boat plus our drive to Chau Doc showed us the life of the Mekong very well without the constraints of communal tourist boat travel. Staff in the hotels and those we met outside were so very nice and welcoming.

    Alan A

Top places to stay in Vietnam

Room, Mövenpick Hotel Hanoi, Vietnam

Mövenpick Hotel Hanoi

Contemporary hotel

A great value hotel located in the business district, close to the attractive French Quarter of Hanoi.

Beachfront Villa, Chen Sea Resort & Spa

Chen Sea Resort & Spa, Phu Quoc

Small & intimate resort

Located in a quiet bay, the Chen Sea Resort & Spa is a small and intimate beachside resort that only has 36 villas meaning that it always has a relaxed and exclusive atmosphere

Panorama, Palms, La Veranda Resort, Vietnam

La Veranda Resort Phu Quoc

Historic hotel

This boutique colonial-style beachside resort is located on one of Vietnam's most picturesque islands, Phu Quoc, and offers an atmosphere of indulgent and intimate luxury

Ocean Front Pool Villa, Six Senses Con Dao

Six Senses Con Dao, Con Son Island

Contemporary resort

Situated on a private bay in a protected marine park on Con Son island, Six Senses Con Dao is the first 5-star resort in this stunning archipelago just 45 minutes from Ho Chi Minh City.

See all places to stay

Where to go in Vietnam

A long, thin country stretched vertically on the east coast of southeast Asia, the three main regions are the mountainous north, verdant central and beach-laden south Vietnam.

Ho Chi Minh City

Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon)

Although Ho Chi Minh City was renamed after its fall at the end of the Vietnam War, Vietnam's largest city is still known to most as Saigon. It’s a place that our travel specialists know and love – explore its mix of modernity and ancient culture in style.

Provincial Route 723 from Da Lat city to Nha Trang city at Long Lanh pass, Lam Dong province

Vietnam's Central Highlands

The Central Highlands region, Tây Nguyên, is often referred to as the backbone of Vietnam. If you’re looking to head off the beaten track, this is a good place to start – speak to our travel experts for help with planning.

My Khe beach in Da Nang, Vietnam

Vietnam's Central Coast

Vietnam's central coast has a lot to offer, including splendid ancient ruins, emperors' palaces - such as those at Hue - and distinctly French colonial mansions. It’s also where you’ll find some of Vietnam’s best beaches.

Mekong Delta, Tri Ton town, An Giang province, Vietnam

Southern Vietnam & The Mekong

Southern Vietnam and the Mekong Delta form the ‘rice bowl of Asia', a rich agricultural land that supports nearly 18 million people who live and thrive among its matrix of canals and waterways.

See all places

What to do in Vietnam

Vietnam is an extraordinary holiday destination known for its rich history, delicious food and welcoming people, eager to share the best of their homeland. If you have the time, an in-depth exploration from north to south is the best way to enjoy the highlights.

Bich Dong landscapes, Ninh Binh, Vietnam

Escorted tours

Enjoy opportunities to get up close to Vietnamese culture, with unmatched access to local landmarks and insider knowledge to enrich your experiences. Get a deeper look at the cities, or go further afield in the farms and villages of the countryside, with the help of an expert guide.

Meridian Gate to the Imperial City within the Citadel in Hue, Vietnam

History and culture

Shaped by geographical and foreign influence, Vietnam has a broad history and culture. Explore a plethora of ornate tombs and temples as you uncover the history of this fascinating country.

Street Pho in Hanoi

Food & Wine Holidays

Vietnamese cuisine is a sensational balance of fragrance, taste and colour. With Chinese, French and American influences as well as regional variations, every dish you try in Vietnam offers you something unique.

See all experiences

When to go to Vietnam

Southern Vietnam & The Mekong
Average temperature (℃)
Average rainfall (mm)
  • 40
  • 30
  • 20
  • 10
  • 0
  • 400
  • 300
  • 200
  • 100
  • 0

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Max temp Min temp Rainfall

"After the rain, good weather. In the wink of an eye, the universe throws off its muddy clothes."Ho Chi Minh With around 2,000 miles between the northern and southern tips of the country Vietnam has a varied climate, with three distinct climatic zones. The driest time to visit the country as a whole is between December and March. This is by far the best time to visit the south, which will be warm and dry. The north of the country is cool this time of year and can be decidedly chilly in December and January, and although the region tends not to experience heavy rainfall it can vary from damp and misty to clear and sunny on any given …

See regional weather

Vietnam articles

  • Mekong Delta

    Destination Quiz: Vietnam & Cambodia

    Test your knowledge of Vietnam and Cambodia with our quiz to find out how well you know these favourite destinations.

  • Houseboat, Kerala backwaters

    Adventures beyond the beach

    If you prefer to combine culture or wildlife with your relaxing beach break, take a look at our favourite places on the planet for combining a beach holiday with adventures and expeditions.

  • Hanoi, Vietnam

    Visiting Vietnam in May

    Find out how to dodge the monsoon and why Vietnam's May is one of the best times to visit its bustling cities, verdant mountains and golden sands.

  • Tet, Vietnamese New Year

    What is Vietnamese New Year?

    Learn when the Vietnamese New Year is, how it's celebrated and how best to enjoy it yourself with our helpful guide.

See all articles

Meet our Vietnam experts

Speak to a tailor-made specialist on 020 7590 0613

Meet the team

Why book with Wexas Travel?

At Wexas, we specialise in bespoke travel experiences. Our itineraries are just samples of what we can arrange, and can be changed depending on your precise needs, finances and ideas by our experienced destination specialists.

Contact one of our consultants on 020 7590 0613 to discuss how we can tailor your holiday.

Learn why Wexas is the leader in creating luxury holidays. What is tailor-made travel?

Expert advice & support

Visit us in our London office

Let our travel specialists curate the perfect holiday:

  • Inspirational ideas based on experience
  • Established for over 50 years
  • Tailor a holiday to your precise requirements
  • Personalised quotes and documentation

Every step of the way

Every step of the way

Our services are with you from start to finish:

  • Dedicated personal consultants
  • Free airport lounges on qualifying bookings
  • Care and guidance pre, post and during holiday
  • Full financial security: ABTA & ATOL protected