Top 9 trips to Vietnam

Fragrant cuisines and storied cultures, rice terraces and karst scenery, river cruises and heart-pumping hikes… No two Vietnam trips are the same, but most start in the north and work their way down the country, taking in classic sights like Halong Bay, Hoi An’s Old Quarter, and Ho Chi Minh City’s frenetic buzz.

But you could also hone in on one region of Vietnam, like its mountainous north, or build your tour around a particular interest, like a cruise along the Mekong Delta. Alternatively, perhaps you’d like to combine it with time in other Southeast Asian countries, like Cambodia and Laos.

Whatever route you choose, we’ll help you experience the country more deeply by pairing you with local guides and experts. You might enjoy lunch at the house of an award-winning chef in Hue, take a private hike through Sapa’s deep valleys, or join a family-friendly lantern-making class in Hoi An.

Below, we’ve put together our Southeast Asia specialists’ top tour ideas to help you plan your trip to Vietnam.

Pick your trip

1. Highlights of Northern & Southern Vietnam

From the mountainous north to the waterways of the south, it’s worth scaling (almost) the entire length of the country to experience Vietnam’s shifting landscapes and cultures. Along the way, you can take in many of its highlights, including the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Halong Bay, the buzzing metropolis of Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon), and the peaceful riverbanks of the Mekong Delta.

Where the trip could take you:

Flying into Hanoi, you’ll spend a couple of days soaking up the capital city sights before taking an overnight train to Sapa in the Tonkinese Alps. After time in the rural hills, you’ll ride the train back to Hanoi and be driven to Halong Bay for a cruise among the karst scenery. You’ll also spend time in Hue, Hoi An, and Ho Chi Minh city to experience their individual characters, plus time to relax along the Mekong Delta.

Experiences you can have:

In Sapa, in the north of the country, you can stay at a hilltop retreat overlooking the rice terraces that wrap around the valley and hike through traditional wooden villages with a local guide. In the south, you can cruise along the Mekong to visit a floating market and take in life along the water.

As for the regions in between, we can help you take in postcard-famed sights from new perspectives. You might choose to pass through busy Halong Bay on a traditional junk (Vietnamese sailing boat) to the quieter waters of Lan Ha Bay, where you can watch the sun sink behind the karst-scattered horizon and wake to morning t’ai chi on deck.

Escape the crowds in Hoi An’s Old Quarter by exploring the city’s surrounding countryside on a privately guided cycling tour, or embrace the chaos of Ho Chi Minh City on the back of a Vespa, darting from one fragrant food stall to the next.

2. Vietnam’s culture & coast

Houses and restaurants that huddle closely around working railway tracks, cuisine fit for royalty, and slow-paced life along the river… This trip idea gives you a closer look at Vietnamese life up and down the country, as well as the chance to unwind on its white-sand beaches afterwards.

Where this trip could take you:

Making the most of Vietnam’s extensive flight routes, you can cover more ground and experience more of its culture. First, you’ll fly into Hanoi before embarking on a relaxing cruise to Lan Ha Bay. Then, fly south to Da Nang on the coast, a short drive to Hoi An and a couple of hours from Hue. After delving into the stories of each city, you’ll fly to Ho Chi Minh City for a few days before another flight to Phu Quoc island for a palm-fringed beach stay.

Experiences you can have:

We’ll connect you with local guides so you can experience Vietnam’s culture authentically. In Hanoi, you could experience life along the railway that cuts through the heart of the city, where locals drink coffee on the tracks before stepping aside in the nick of time for oncoming trains.

You could also explore the country through its food. Hue, in particular, is known for its elaborate gastronomy, which stems from the cuisine served to the royal court in the 19th and early 20th centuries. Spend the day with award-winning artisan chef Nhu Huy at her home for a private lunch that showcases this innovative and beautifully presented cuisine.

In the south of Vietnam, life and culture is shaped around the Mekong, so we’ll arrange for you to experience it from the water. As you cruise, you’ll see rice paddies stretching out for miles, floating markets where boats heave with fresh produce, and traditional houses perched on the riverbanks.

3. Cruising Vietnam’s Mekong Delta

The Mekong is the lifeblood of Vietnam, feeding into local culture, traditions, and the economy. Cruising gives you a relaxing glimpse into rural life and the opportunity to cross over into Cambodia. We’ll help you choose a vessel and route that suits your style and interests.

Where this trip could take you:

This trip focuses on the south of Vietnam, where the Mekong River splays out into an array of channels, before draining into the South China Sea. There are a variety of ways to explore the region, from taking short overnight cruises that depart from sleepy delta towns to staying in luxury hotels along the riverbank, where you can take to the water for a few hours at a time. You could also embark on a longer cruise, from Ho Chi Minh City and across the border into Cambodia’s capital city, Phnom Penh. Some take you even further to Siem Reap, where you can explore Cambodia’s storied Angkor temples.

Experiences you can have:

Your cruise experience will partly depend on the type of vessel you choose. For an intimate take on the Mekong, opt for a private teak sampan to explore the quieter canals. Or choose a larger ship complete with a pool, spa, and gourmet cuisine for a more luxurious experience.

Throughout your journey, you’ll get glimpses into local life, passing by riverside villages, flat rice paddies, and small fishing communities. You might stop off to explore one of these villages on foot, or take a cycling tour through the fields. In the evening, you can sip a cocktail on deck and watch as the sinking sun paints the dusky waters in an orange-pink glow.

If you take a seven-night cruise, your trip will likely end in Siem Reap, where Cambodia’s Angkor temples rise from the jungle. They can get very busy, so we’ll pair you with a private guide for an e-bike tour that steers clear of the crowds and takes you atop thick temple walls for a closer look.

4. The great outdoors in Northern Vietnam

In the mountainous north, ribbon-like rice terraces wrap around mountain valleys and stilted wooden houses perch on their inclines. We can arrange for you to stay in lodges that are far from other visitors. If you’d like a more remote, nature-focused trip, Northern Vietnam merits two weeks in itself.

Where this trip could take you:

Hanoi’s international airport is the gateway to Northern Vietnam, and it’s worth spending a couple of days soaking up the city’s culture before you head into the countryside. Mai Chau, Ninh Binh, and Sapa all provide ample opportunity for outdoor adventure, while you can slow things down on a cruise to Lan Ha Bay. If you don’t mind a four-hour drive from Sapa (with a private driver), we also suggest including some time in Hoang Su Phi for an even more secluded escape.

Experiences you can have:

Many Vietnam trips include time in Halong Bay (or in the nearby and quieter Lan Ha Bay), but there’s another karst-scattered landscape in the north that sees fewer visitors: Ninh Bihn. Here, limestone formations tower above flat rice paddies. You can spend the day cycling around them or cruising along the river that cuts its way through the sculpted landscape.

For hiking, Sapa, Mai Chau, and Hoang Su Phi each offer trails that wind up hillsides and through traditional villages. We’ll pair you with guides who’ll lead you to the best trails and help you learn about the culture of the communities who farm the land, such as the Red Dao in Hoang Su Phi.

There’s also plenty of time and space to relax throughout this trip, from a hilltop infinity pool overlooking the rice terraces of Sapa to private picnic lunches against the backdrop of mountain peaks.

5. Adventure trip to Vietnam

Cycling, hiking, caving, and speedboating — Vietnam’s ripe for adventure, whether you’re in the midst of a city or in the remote depths of a national park. This action-packed trip scales the length of the country, from its terraced mountain treks in the north to its vast network of former military tunnels in the south.

Where this trip could take you:

Start your adventure in Hanoi before taking the overnight train to Sapa in the Tonkinese Alps for some hiking. After journeying back to Hanoi, you’ll then fly to Dong Hoi to spend a couple of days in the UNECSCO-protected Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park. Further south, you’ll also visit the cities of Hoi An, Hue, and Ho Chi Minh City.

Experiences you can have:

Trekking steals the limelight on this trip. We’ll arrange for you to go with local guides who’ll shed light on the ecology, history, and culture of each region you hike through.

In Sapa, you’ll hike up hills etched with verdant rice terraces, pausing to visit a Red Dao family’s home, where you’ll learn more about this traditional community. In Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park, you can embark on multi-day treks through the jungle and into yawning caves, where you can float on underground rivers. You can even spend the night on the sand of an underground beach in the world’s third-largest known cave.

But hiking isn’t the only way to explore Vietnam’s adventurous side. You might also hop on the back of a rickshaw cyclo in Hanoi’s Old Quarter to zip through its maze of narrow streets. Or take a speedboat to the Cu Chi Tunnels in Ho Chi Minh city to learn how the Viet Cong soldiers lived and hid there during the war.

6. War history tour in Vietnam

The war that broke out in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia in the 1950s was so far ranging and complex that there’s no one name for it — Americans call it the Vietnam War, the Vietnamese often call it the American War. To better understand its complexities, you can visit key locations across Vietnam and get personal insights from people who lived through it.

Where this trip could take you:

Your journey will start in the capital city of Hanoi before traveling south to Thanh Hoa, Hue, Dong Ha (the former Demilitarized Zone), Hoi An, and Ho Chi Minh City, which each hold a piece of war history. You’ll have a private driver and guide for shorter journeys and make use of speedy domestic flights for longer distances.

Experiences you can have:

Throughout your time in Vietnam, we’ll connect you with local guides and veterans who’ll share their personal experiences and stories with you.

In Hanoi, you’ll meet a local Vietnamese veteran for a history-focused tour of the city, including visits to the Army Museum, Hoa Lo Prison, and Huu Tiep Lake, where the wreckage of a B-52 bomber still remains. Further south, you can also visit the Mine Action Visitor Center in Dong Ha, which exhibits the ongoing effects of unexploded ordinance in the DMZ area.

Finally, you can scramble through a section of the Cu Chi Tunnels in Ho Chi Minh City (formerly Saigon) with a local guide (or veteran) to learn what life was like for the Viet Cong soldiers who lived there under harsh conditions.

7. Luxury Vietnam

From private guides who elevate your experience to the finest hotels where service is second to none, this trip idea lets you take in Vietnam with a luxury touch. It covers the country’s highlights, while also steering you away from the crowds to its lesser-known corners.

Where this trip could take you:

Journey down from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City for a luxury tour that takes in the sights of Halong Bay, Hoi An’s Old Quarter, the Mekong Delta, and Vietnam’s tranquil Con Dao Islands further south. You can also include a luxury train journey from Da Nang to Quy Nhon, an unspoiled stretch of coast.

Experiences you can have:

Not only will we recommend the best hotels to suit your taste, but we’ll also help you move from place to place in style. You could stay in a luxury ship suite to cruise the quiet, karst-dotted waters of Lan Ha Bay. Or sail along the Mekong in a private sampan, soaking up rural life along the riverbanks at your own pace.

For an alternative look at Vietnam’s cinematic landscapes, board The Vietage train to the coast, and enjoy gourmet cuisine and a massage along the way. You can then spend a couple of days on the quiet champagne sands of Quy Nhon.

As for delving into the local culture, you might take a private cooking class in Hoi An, learn the age-old practice of calm-collecting in Con Dao, or take a private tour of Ho Chi Minh City on the back of a Vespa.

8. Family trip to Vietnam

From hands-on crafts to high-energy adventures, Vietnam’s culture, history, and dramatic landscapes can keep families of all ages and interests entertained. We suggest focusing on the country’s main cultural hubs, where you’ll find plenty of experiences to keep littles ones (and teenagers) busy.

Where this trip could take you:

Travel down the country, spending time in Hanoi, Hue, Hoi An, and Ho Chi Minh City to experience Vietnam’s many facets. We’ll make sure to arrange short flights where possible to avoid long drives, and where driving is necessary, we’ll provide a private driver so you can focus on your family.

Experiences you can have:

Our specialists will tailor your trip to suit the ages and interests of your family. If you have young children, you might enjoy a Vietnamese lantern making class in Hoi An, a water puppet workshop in Hanoi, or making flying kites in Hue.

Older children might like to scout out the best street food spots with a local food blogger in Hanoi. Or spend the day with local fishermen in Hoi An, where you can all learn how to cast traditional nets and catch your own lunch.

For adventurous families, we can arrange rural cycling tours, city tours on the back of a Vespa, and a speedboat ride to the vast network of underground military tunnels near Ho Chi Minh City.

9. Grand tour of Southeast Asia

If you’re planning to visit Southeast Asia just once, it’s worth combining Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, and Cambodia in a single trip. You can experience the highlights of each destination in around three weeks, as well as scratching beneath the surface on private tours that take you away from the main visitor hotspots.

Where this trip could take you:

Your exact route will depend on how you want to cross the borders — opt for planes to cover more ground quickly or choose cruising for a gentler approach (the Mekong River meanders through them all). Whichever you pick, you’ll likely visit the Golden Triangle in Thailand, Luang Prabang in Laos, Siem Reap in Cambodia, and Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam. There are plenty of other destinations that you can weave into the trip, like Vientiane, Phnom Penh, Hoi An, and Hue.

Experiences you can have:

You could choose to explore Southeast Asia through its cuisine, both on street food tours and in cooking classes. For example, in Siem Reap, you can join a local chef to pick out ingredients from the market, before turning them into aromatic Khmer dishes to enjoy afterwards.

This trip also makes space for immersive stays that go beyond standard hotels, from transparent jungle ‘bubbles’ in the Golden Triangle that give you unfettered views of roaming elephants to converted rice barges that carry you along the Mekong.

There are plenty of ways to dig deeper into the cultures of each country too, including witnessing almsgiving in Luang Prabang, a guided walking tour of Hoi An’s merchant houses, and a trip to the floating villages of Tonle Sap Lake.