Vietnam

With its striking landscapes, gripping history and rich culture, Vietnam is an outstanding destination on all fronts.

Seas of motorcycles swarm city streets, where lanterns and lacquerware jostle for space and street vendors push carts loaded with baguettes, brooms and fragrant street food. Head out of town and scenes change to remote mountain villages, meandering rivers and white sand beaches.

In Hanoi, faded propaganda posters line the streets of this city of contrasts. Lose yourself in the Old Quarter, Hanoi's ancient shopping district; explore the imposing Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum; or stroll around Hoan Kiem Lake, fringed with locals practicing the sweeping strokes of Tai Chi.

Sail through the breathtaking turquoise waters and limestone islands of Ha Long Bay, one of Asia's most spectacular sights; sunbathe and snorkel on the beaches of Nha Trang; or cruise down the lush waterways of the Mekong River.

Unwind in Hoi An, a charming ancient town of wooden houses and temples, cool cafes and shopping streets lined with silks, lantern and clothing tailors; then head south to Ho Chi Minh City to haggle in the Ben Thành Market and explore the frightening subterranean network of the Cu Chi tunnels.

Trek through the rice paddies and hill tribe villages of Sapa or the idyllic valley of Mai Chau; or join us on a thrilling cycle journey through forested mountains, fertile farmlands and down scenic backroads that criss-cross the Mekong.

From north to south, Vietnam offers a dazzling diversity of experiences, so whichever itinerary you choose you're in for an unforgettable adventure.

Rice paddy cycling in Vietnam | Richard I'Anson

About Vietnam

FAQs

Shop, eat and lose yourself amongst the colour and bustle of Hanoi’s Old Quarter

Learn about Vietnam’s history with visits to Ho Chi Minh’s mausoleum, the Cu Chi Tunnels, the Temple of literature or the DMZ (demilitarised zone)

Stroll around Hoan Kiem Lake, or soak up some history at the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum in Hanoi

Explore the frightening, twisting network of the Cu Chi tunnels

Get lost among the crowd in Ho Chi Minh City’s B?n Thành Market

Relax, eat, stroll and treat yourself to beautifully tailored clothing in Hoi An

Get a taste of rural Vietnam with a hill tribe trek near Sapa

Sail through the breathtaking turquoise waters and limestone outcrops of Ha Long Bay

Take a boat ride or day trip through the fertile Mekong Delta

Chill, sunbathe or snorkel along the beaches of Nha Trang, Mui Ne or Phú Quc Island

Eat your way around Vietnam’s street stalls and local restaurants

Climb Fansipan, Vietnam’s highest peak located in Sapa

Riding through rice paddies in Vietnam - <i>Photo: Amanda Fletcher</i>

Vietnam’s climate can vary markedly from region to region due to its length, stretching 1650km from north to south. You can go from soaring temperatures in HCMC to cool and mild conditions in Dalat to frosts and even occasional snow in the mountains of the north.

Generally two distinct seasons prevail in Vietnam: from November to April, the temperatures are usually fairly cool, especially in the north. In the mountain areas temperatures can be as low as 0°C (32°F) and there can be a constant light drizzle. May to October is marked by hotter temperatures, heavy monsoon rains and occasional typhoons, although you can experience rain at any time of year.

In the north, the hottest months of the year are June, July and August; November, December and January are the coolest. In the south, temperatures are fairly consistent across the year. Hanoi’s average daily min-max temperatures range from 12-20°C in January, to 26-32°C in July. HCMC’s range from 21-32°C in January, to 25-31°C in July.

Beautiful view of the Halong floating village, Vietnam

Vietnam is +7 hours ahead of UTC/GMT

Vietnamese (official); English (increasingly favoured as a second language); mountains area languages (Mon-Khmer and Mayalo-Polynesian); plus some French, Russian, Chinese and Khmer.

Vietnamese Dong

USD, EUR & AUD dollars are easily changed in Vietnam.

Credit cards and ATM are available in most large cities and hotels, however it is not recommended to rely on these solely.

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Electricity in Vietnam is usually 220v at 50Hz cycles, but you may sometimes find 110v at 50Hz cycles. The pin type varies but is most commonly types A (two prong flat) or C (two prong round). We recommend taking a universal adapter.

Your safety is our number one concern. Our safety track record is exemplary thanks to careful management and thorough consultation with local partners. Our industry leading risk management procedures have become a skill that we continue to refine. Our leaders in the field are highly trained and have safety as their number one priority. Expert leaders, risk assessments, quality inclusions and your financial security all come standard when you travel with us.

Please refer to our Travel Advisory page for updates on recent events, travel warnings and advice.

We strongly recommend that all clients take out travel insurance at the time of booking to cover against sickness, accident, loss of baggage, unexpected alterations to travel arrangements and travel disruption, emergency evacuation, cancellations, etc. Insurance information is enclosed with your pre-departure information. Please contact us if you would like to obtain a quote for your trip duration.

We suggest that you consult your doctor, local government inoculation centre or a travel medical specialist in order to get the most current advice regarding vaccination requirements.

Money and valuables should always be stored safely when travelling. Keep your passport with you at all times and do not leave it in your main luggage. You will need it to change money and check into hotels. Where safety deposit boxes are available, we recommend that you use them. Keep jewellery and valuables to a minimum.