If you're looking for a diverse destination that has a delightful mix of bustling cities, historic sites and natural beauty, all with a healthy dose of extremely friendly people, look no further than Vietnam.
Vietnam has a rich and vibrant culture that has been shaped by its unique history, both recent and ancient. The country has been occupied multiple times, and as such has a collision of influences from France and China in its architecture and culture. In Hanoi, you can see charming French-colonial buildings in their pastel colours alongside narrow streets with crooked buildings adorned with lanterns (we recommend taking the city in on a rickshaw ride), while in Hue visit temples and palaces that are reminiscent of China’s Forbidden Palace. Through it all, Vietnam has maintained its own distinct and complex culture and flavour.
Meanwhile, outside of the cities, the country’s landscape is equally diverse. Perhaps most famous is the limestone towers of Halong Bay. Protruding from emerald waters to create greenery-covered islands both large and small, this otherworldly landscape is best experienced on a cruise. During this trip, we also visit Ninh Binh, which has similar limestone formations – here you can be paddled along river through caves and beautiful scenery.
One of the highlights of Vietnam is its diversity; the south of the country looks vastly different. Ho Chi Minh city is a busy business centre with extremely interesting history and iconic buildings and sites, especially significant for those intrigued by the Vietnam War. Drive out of the city and you’ll reach the Cu Chi Tunnels, which provide an insight into the lives of the Guerilla soldiers who lived underground for two decades in the civil war. You can visit the tunnels – and much more, including the Mekong River for a cruise - on our Vietnam and Cambodia tour.
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Vietnam has experienced including multiple invasions and colonisations over the past two millennia, from the Chinese occupation that lasted over 1,000 years before Vietnam declared independence, to the French colonialisation in the 1800s, and the American presence during the Vietnam War of the mid-20th century. There are clear influences in the architecture, food and general culture of the country, but there’s no doubt that Vietnam has its own distinct identity. The language – originally using Chinese characters and words of Chinese origin – was changed to use the Latin alphabet when the French settled in the country, and similarly in the cuisine you’ll find typically Southeast Asian dishes like spring rolls and noodles, alongside traditional French bread and pastries.
Hanoi
Vietnam’s capital is layered with history and cultural influences, from Chinese and French occupation through to the wars and political upheavals of the 20th century. The city is at once peaceful and reflective with its elegant pagodas and gardens and buzzing with the sound and energy of people and scooters and food sellers. Don’t miss the Temple of Literature, or the chance to see the city from the back of a cycle-driven rickshaw.
Hue
This royal city has been the home of kings and emperors for centuries, with a 19th-century citadel at its heart. The imposing stone walls and moat surrounding the original imperial palaces and shrines of the Forbidden Purple City are a sight to behold. The Perfume River flows through the city, so named because petals from trees upstream fall into the water and give it a uniquely fragrant aroma.
Ho Chi Minh City
Vietnam’s largest city is also its economic heart, and the country’s most popular tourist destination. Among its many landmarks are the imposing City Hall, the Reunification Palace, and the Cathedral, along with plenty of elegant avenues and colonial era architecture. You’ll also find soaring skyscrapers alongside ancient temples and pagodas, and no end of museums and art galleries, including the impactful War Remnants Museum.
Hoi An
Centred around the ancient town which sites on both sides of the Thu Bồn River, this picture-perfect destination is ideal for those who want to step back in time. The narrow streets are adorned with thousands of lanterns, bringing a unique colour and vibrancy, and there are countless street vendors selling everything from octopus tentacles to crepes. There are also dozens of boats sailing along the river, allowing you to see Hoi An from a different perspective.
Cruise in UNESCO-listed Halong Bay
Halong Bay is one of the world’s most breathtaking natural sights, with soaring limestone islands rising out of emerald waters. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is a must for visitors, with a boat tour around the national park offering the best views and an unforgettable experience. Our Vietnam and Cambodia tour offers a traditional cruise through this otherworldly wonderland on a converted Chinese junk.
Explore the mighty Mekong River
One of the world’s longest, this mighty river begins on the Tibetan Plateau before flowing over two and a half thousand miles to the beautiful Mekong Delta in Vietnam. Here you’ll find a world of shifting green, with rice fields, floating houses and countless small boats moving between them. It’s a whole world afloat, and one of the country’s most fascinating sights, especially when enjoyed on a Mekong river cruise.
Uncover secrets of the Forbidden Cities
Vietnam has been through enormous upheavals and world-changing events, though it still retains much of its unique historic heritage and architecture. You can find pagodas and palaces all over the country, from the imperial citadel at Hue to the solitary temple on Hoan Kiem Lake. Even in the modern bustle of Ho Chi Minh City, you’ll find stunning temples like the Jade Emperor Pagoda.
Famous pho
Vietnam’s most famous culinary export is pho (pronounced similar to ‘fur’) a dish of noodle soup with any combination of meat and vegetables. It’s a staple of everyday cooking wherever you travel in Vietnam, with many variations and local specialities. You’ll also find other culinary delights like springs rolls and manh mi – a kind of sandwich using French baguette and various meat and vegetables, with coriander.
Street eats
Some of the very best places to sample Vietnamese food are the many street kitchens that can be found in towns and cities all over the country. Here you’ll find fantastic quality food at very low prices, with stalls tending to specialise in one particular dish. Most use fresh and local ingredients which are continuously cooked throughout the day – or until they run out of ingredients. They are a great way to get a genuine flavour of Vietnamese culture.
Drinks
Beer is the most easily accessible tipple, if you're after an alcoholic drink, with multiple Vietnamese beers available, plus other imports from nearby countries such as Thailand and India. Coffee is also incredibly popular. There are cafes every few metres in any city. You can choose from your regular coffees - cappuccinos, espressos etc - as well as Vietnam's specialities, such as salted coffee (made with condensed milk and a sprinkling of salt, so that it tastes a little like salted caramel) and egg coffee, where eggs are whipped into a custard-like mixture to top the coffee.
