Asia

Vietnam Holidays

History & culture

Visit Ho Chi Minh City’s museums and galleries, or discover Hoi An’s ancient architecture and temples

Top attractions

Sail around Halong Bay, hike through Sapa, marvel at age-old Hué, and explore the Mekong Delta

Perfect match

Extend your holiday and see more of Asia when you venture into neighbouring Cambodia or Laos

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VIETNAM TRIP? NO TROUBLE

Curved around Cambodia and Laos, with China to the north, Vietnam is a country of contrasts. Here, you can discover bustling cities and lantern-lit towns, along with lush rice fields, pretty beaches and limestone islands. There’s a patchwork of cultural influences, too. You’ll see Chinese, French, Indian and Malaysian touches across both the architecture and cuisine – and you’ll notice variations between North and South Vietnam. Although the two regions became one unified country in 1975, they’re still markedly different. So, to get the most out of your Vietnam holiday, it’s best to visit both.

In the North, you can explore the energetic capital, Hanoi, and the peaceful rice terraces of Sapa. And no holiday to Vietnam would be complete without a visit to Halong Bay. This UNESCO-stamped natural wonder is made up of more than 2,000 islands and spans a whopping 600 square miles. You can take a daytrip from Hanoi or, better still, spend a few days sailing around the bay on a cruise.

Elsewhere, in Central Vietnam, you’ll find picturesque Hoi An – an ancient riverside town featuring scented temples, Japanese merchant houses and an 18th-century bridge. You can also unwind on powdery beaches in Da Nang, or explore the impressive Complex of Hué Monuments, which was the political and cultural centre of Vietnam in the 17th and 18th centuries.

And, finally, there’s the South. If you’re into history, this is sure to be a highlight of your Vietnam holiday. Once known as Saigon, Ho Chi Minh City has several must-see sites relating to the Vietnam War. And the remnants of French occupation are felt everywhere, from the landscaped gardens to the city’s very own Notre Dame Cathedral. More interested in nature? Venture into the Mekong Delta. This network of waterways is a world away from Vietnam’s cities, with tangled mangroves, traditional villages and floating markets.

If you want to explore independently, our Travel Specialists will help you plan the perfect itinerary. Fancy hopping over the border into Cambodia, or joining a Vietnam tour? We can sort that, too. Whatever you’re looking for, our Vietnam holidays tick all the boxes.

Things to do

Why Go to Vietnam?

Best time to go

Essential info

Things to do in Vietnam

Wherever you stay, you’ll find plenty of things to do in Vietnam. At the top of any list should be an overnight junk cruise on Ha Long Bay to enjoy its natural wonder in tranquillity after the daytime boats have sailed. While in Hanoi, be sure to see a traditional water puppet show, take a stroll over Hoan Kiem Lake’s red bridge to Ngoc Son Temple, and make a trip to the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum. Speaking of Ho Chi Minh, his namesake city in the south is home to the fascinating Cu Chi tunnels, while the spectacular Saigon Opera House, the Reunification Palace, and Gustave Eiffel’s colonial-style post office are some of the best things to see in Vietnam. Out in the country, a gentle cruise on the Mekong Delta is an amazing way to soak up rural Vietnam.

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Why Go to Vietnam?

You can go to Vietnam for the urban attractions of Hanoi in the north and Ho Chi Minh City in the south or for the spectacular scenic waterways around them. You can go to Vietnam for its central beaches beside charming and historic villages where the pace of life slows down. You can go to Vietnam for enchanting temples, blended Asian architecture, and bustling night markets. You can go to Vietnam for the all-inclusive spa resorts near Cam Ranh Bay or on Phu Quoc Island in the Gulf of Thailand.

The real reason to travel to Vietnam, however, is that you can do all this in one trip. Vietnam’s fantastic domestic flight network makes it easy to travel between all its diverse and remarkable destinations or add Cambodia, Laos, and Thailand to create a complete Southeast Asia multi-centre holiday.

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Best time to visit Vietnam

Hanoi and the north enjoy their best weather from March to May and again from September to November. Rain should be expected here between June and August, while the nights may feel a little chilly over winter. In the central beach areas, the best time to go to Vietnam is February to August. These summer months are filled with clear and sunny days before the rainy season arrives in September. Ho Chi Minh City and the south stay hot all year, with the driest months falling between December and April. If you plan a stay on Phu Quoc Island, you’ll find blissful and balmy days from November to March. For a multi-centre trip or tour, April is the best time to visit Vietnam for warm and dry days in all regions.

Show Less

Essential information for Vietnam

Visa: 45-day exemption
Language: Vietnamese
Currency: Vietnamese đồng (₫)
Time difference: GMT + 7hours
Flight duration from London: 11 and a half hours direct to Hanoi, 12 and a half hours direct to Ho Chi Minh City
Capital city: Hanoi

Show Less

Things to do

Things to do in Vietnam

Wherever you stay, you’ll find plenty of things to do in Vietnam. At the top of any list should be an overnight junk cruise on Ha Long Bay to enjoy its natural wonder in tranquillity after the daytime boats have sailed. While in Hanoi, be sure to see a traditional water puppet show, take a stroll over Hoan Kiem Lake’s red bridge to Ngoc Son Temple, and make a trip to the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum. Speaking of Ho Chi Minh, his namesake city in the south is home to the fascinating Cu Chi tunnels, while the spectacular Saigon Opera House, the Reunification Palace, and Gustave Eiffel’s colonial-style post office are some of the best things to see in Vietnam. Out in the country, a gentle cruise on the Mekong Delta is an amazing way to soak up rural Vietnam.

Show Less

Why Go to Vietnam?

You can go to Vietnam for the urban attractions of Hanoi in the north and Ho Chi Minh City in the south or for the spectacular scenic waterways around them. You can go to Vietnam for its central beaches beside charming and historic villages where the pace of life slows down. You can go to Vietnam for enchanting temples, blended Asian architecture, and bustling night markets. You can go to Vietnam for the all-inclusive spa resorts near Cam Ranh Bay or on Phu Quoc Island in the Gulf of Thailand.

The real reason to travel to Vietnam, however, is that you can do all this in one trip. Vietnam’s fantastic domestic flight network makes it easy to travel between all its diverse and remarkable destinations or add Cambodia, Laos, and Thailand to create a complete Southeast Asia multi-centre holiday.

Show Less

Best time to go

Best time to visit Vietnam

Hanoi and the north enjoy their best weather from March to May and again from September to November. Rain should be expected here between June and August, while the nights may feel a little chilly over winter. In the central beach areas, the best time to go to Vietnam is February to August. These summer months are filled with clear and sunny days before the rainy season arrives in September. Ho Chi Minh City and the south stay hot all year, with the driest months falling between December and April. If you plan a stay on Phu Quoc Island, you’ll find blissful and balmy days from November to March. For a multi-centre trip or tour, April is the best time to visit Vietnam for warm and dry days in all regions.

Show Less

Essential info

Essential information for Vietnam

Visa: 45-day exemption
Language: Vietnamese
Currency: Vietnamese đồng (₫)
Time difference: GMT + 7hours
Flight duration from London: 11 and a half hours direct to Hanoi, 12 and a half hours direct to Ho Chi Minh City
Capital city: Hanoi

Show Less

Plan your Vietnam holiday

Take a look at these popular places

Hanoi & Ha Long Bay

Ho Chi Minh City

Hoi An

Hue

Da Nang

Nha Trang

Phan Thiet

Phu Quoc

How to do Vietnam

Let our destination experts tailor your Vietnam trip to suit you

Vietnam

12 Day Essential Vietnam & Cambodia River Cruise

River Cruise

Explore

Luxury

Experience Vietnam and Cambodia like never before on this 12-day Mekong River cruise. You’ll travel with a group of like-minded people and a knowledgeable guide, as you journey from Ho Chi Minh to Siem Reap.

From

£4,119pp

11 nights including tour and return flights

View Itinerary

Vietnam

12 Days The Best of Vietnam

Tour

Culture

Historic

Prepare to be wowed as you embark on this fascinating tour of Vietnam. Start in the pulsating capital, Hanoi, before travelling through epic scenery in central Vietnam, cruising around dramatic Halong Bay and ending in the thriving southern city of Ho Chi Minh

From

£2,699pp

View Itinerary

Vietnam

Ho Chi Minh, Mui Ne & Nha Trang

City

Multi-centre

Beach

Embark on a journey across Southern Vietnam, starting in the pulsating city of Ho Chi Minh, then heading east to Mui Ne and finishing up on Nha Trang’s fine white sand beaches.

From

£2,399pp

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Vietnam

Hanoi & Hoi An

Multi-centre

Culture

City

Visit two of Vietnams most fascinating cities in one epic trip. Up first is Hanoi, the countries buzzing capital, before making tracks towards the coast to the charming city of Hoi An.

From

£1,949pp

10 nights bed and breakfast including flights and transfers

View Itinerary

Indochina

16 Day The Best of Indochina

Tour

Culture

Multi-centre

Head to Asia for this once-in-a-lifetime trip, encompassing Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos

From

£4,259pp

15 nights including return flights and tour

View Itinerary

Asia

10 Day Charms of the Mekong

River Cruise

Culture

Luxury

Experience Vietnam and Cambodia from a less-seen perspective onboard the luxurious AmaDara ship on this 8-Day Charms of the Mekong River cruise.

From

£3,739pp

9 nights including 2 night hotel stay and river cruise

View Itinerary

Vietnam

11 Day Highlights of Vietnam

Escorted Tour

Culture

Historic

Embark on a memorable journey through Vietnam on this escorted tour, with a maximum of twelve participants, this adventure certainly has an air of exclusivity about it.

From

£2,779pp

10 nights including tour and flights

View Itinerary

Asia

Thailand and Vietnam

Multi-centre

City

Adventure

Never thought of a Thailand and Vietnam holiday combination before? Why not! These two giants of Asia compliment each other perfectly and you will be left in awe of their natural beauty, interesting culture and endless white sand beaches. Head to south-east Asia and discover why travellers return time and time again.

From

£3,389pp

11 nights bed and breakfast including flights and transfers

View Itinerary

Asia

Singapore and Vietnam

Multi-centre

City

Culture

Combine two of South East Asia's most enviable holiday destinations during one mesmerising trip. Begin in the sparkling city of Singapore before hot footing over to the cultural hub of Vietnam.

Call to book

View Itinerary

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