Vietnam travel tips, a choice of destinations also combinable as tailor-made individual holidays in Vietnam.
We do arrange customized travel in Vietnam, cultural journeys and adventure travel in Vietnam as well as beach holidays in Vietnam.
City trips Hanoi:
Hanoi is without doubt my favourite city in Vietnam, and I always enjoy it immensely to let myself drift in the busy
street-life of the traditional 36 alleys of the old town. The quarter around Hoan Kiem Lake has been built in French colonial
style with wide streets and excellent restaurants and makes a relaxing contrast. The classic places to visit are the One Pillar Pagoda, the spectacular Temple of Literature
and Uncle Ho's Mausoleum, but you should also take the time to visit the excellent Museum of Ethnology, have a long
stroll along the lake, through the quarters full of mansions built in French colonial style, and visit some Buddhist temples.
Excursions from Hanoi include a cruise on a converted Chinese junk through the islands of famed Halong Bay (2-3 days),
or a journey by car or train to the villages of the mountain people near Sapa (4-6 days).
For a day-trips I would recommend an excursion to
Perfume Pagoda 60km south-west of Hanoi or a visit to one of the many handicraft villages around Hanoi.
City trips Saigon:
Saigon or Ho Chi Minh City is situated the the far south of the country (about 1700km from Hanoi) and hot, tropical and orgiastic.
The locals are definitely more outgoing than their sisters and brothers in the north and are constantly buzzing around.
The most exciting experiences in this flourishing city are definitely the markets, especially the ones in Cholon/Chinatown with
some very interesting Chinese temples close by.
Take time to visit a couple of pagodas, some buildings in French colonial style architecture, and especially museums
like the War Remnants Museum and the History Museum. Saigon's cliche fame has been revived, sample some of the excellent
restaurants and, if you like, the vivid night-life.
To encounter the rural side of the region, make an excursion into the relaxing Mekong Delta and enjoy life on and along the river (3-4 days).
If you only have the tinme for a day-trip, take a trip to the Cu-Chi Tunnels of the Ho Chi Minh Path, Mytho in the Mekong Delta or to one of the beaches near Saigon.
City trips Hoi An:
A very atmospheric old Chinese trading town built on the tail of a dragon (the head is at Singapore).
This is a very relaxing and interesting place and always good for at least 2-3 full days. Strolling through the alleys, exploring the old Chinese buildings, hanging out at lovely coffee shops and observing street life.
Excellent Vietnamese cuisine and for cake lovers even a remarkable Belgian Patisserie. Make a day excursions to the exquisite Champa Museum
at Danang with a visit to Marble Mountain enroute, and don't forget nearby My Son, once an important religious centre of the Champa culture.
City trips Hue:
Hue was the Imperial City of the Nguyen Dynasty from 1802-1945 and for long periods the cultural centre of Vietnam.
The main attractions are the lovely view over the Perfume River, a boat cruise up-river to the almost melancholic beauty of the impressive emperor tombs,
and the once mighty citadelle, even the French and Americans only left the outer walls standing.
Beach holidays:
The climatic reliable beaches are considered to be south of Danang and the first ones are China Beach and the one near Hoi An. The most beautiful ones are in the region of Nha Trang.
Phan Tiet and Mui Ne Beach further south cater to a slightly lower budget. According to individual preferences you have the choice from a simple guest house at the beach to
an exclusive private 5 star island.
Going even further south you come to the beaches near Saigon, which are a bit more crowded. The last and least developed beaches along the coast are the ones on Phu Quoc Island (flight from Saigon).
People of the mountains:
The ethnic Vietnamese and Chinese predominantly settled in the cities and along the costal regions, while the mountain ranges of the hinterland
are home to a wide variety of ethnic minorities, which make up about 10% of Vietnam's population.
Most of their settlements are in the North-West along the borders to Laos and China, as well as around Dalat in Central Vietnam.
The largest groups are the Tay, Thai, Muong, Nung, H'mong, Jarai and Dao, to mention some.
Ideal for a few days hiking and learning about their life. Accommodation at local villages is possible.
Remarks:
Hiring a guide gives you 3 options: Guide accompanying the whole trip from arrival in Vietnam until departure, different local guides at different destinations, or just
transfers and hotels (drivers usually speak some English). English speaking guides are widely available, other languages on request.
We also joyfully accept inquiries about tours or routes which are not mentioned here. This page has been created to allow a general overview of the most asked options.
Depending on the time of year you travel, either the north-south
or the south-north route is recommended. The route can also easily be combined with a visit to Angkor Wat in Cambodia.
