Wherever your holiday in Vietnam takes you, you’ll enjoy the country’s amazing cuisine. Bowls of steaming pho, the staple soupy noodle dish, fragrant with herbs, cinnamon, and star anise make a hearty meal. Banh mi the Vietnamese-French fusion sandwich is great for breakfast. And a glass of strong, sweet Vietnamese coffee is welcome just about any time. Like the experienced chef that knows her ingredients and prepares a meal with the right balance of flavors, Enchanting Travels destination experts can curate a personalized tour that caters exclusively to your appetite.
Known for its great street food, fast-paced and modern Ho Chi Minh City is also famous for two architectural wonders from the colonial era: Saigon Central Post Office and the Notre-Dame Cathedral. Walk the narrow streets of the bustling Old Quarter of the Vietnamese capital Hanoi, before heading across the city to the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum Complex. Stop at a restaurant to eat the city’s iconic dish, cha ca La Vong. At Hanoi’s popular Thang Long theatre, watch puppets emerge from the water to act out a traditional Vietnamese folktale, accompanied by musicians on a variety of instruments.
Beyond the tourist trails, there are many less-visited places in this once strife-torn country. You could call on the erstwhile Imperial City of Hue, the underground tunnels of Cu Chi district, Cat Tien National Park, or the enormous cave of Hang Son Doong.
It’s thrilling to set sail on Ha Long Bay in an upcycled traditional Chinese junk, fitted with all manner of amenities. As you cruise this scenic, dense archipelago of 1,600 limestone karsts covered in thick vegetation, you’ll spot natural caves and hidden bays. Take in another kind of boat ride too: down the Mekong Delta, where women wearing the trademark conical bamboo hats tend rice fields, and the lush countryside glides by.
Places: Hanoi (2 days) → Halong Bay (1) → Hoi An (2) → Hué (2) → Ho Chi Minh City/Saigon (2)
Tour Highlights: Colonial Buildings, Water Puppet Show, Cyclo Ride, Hanoian Culture, Ancient Architecture, UNESCO World Heritage Site...
Ideal For: Heritage & Culture Nature & Landscapes Wine & Food
Places: Hanoi (3 days) → Halong Bay (1) → Hué (2) → Hoi An (4) → Ho Chi Minh City/Saigon (3)
Tour Highlights: Colonial Buildings, Water Puppet Show, Cyclo Ride, Hanoian Culture, Ancient Architecture, UNESCO World Heritage Site...
Ideal For: Heritage & Culture Nature & Landscapes Relaxation & Spas
Places: Hanoi (2 days) → Halong Bay (1) → Hué (2) → Hoi An (2) → Ho Chi Minh City/Saigon (2) → Can Tho (1) → Chau Doc (1) → Phnom Penh (2) → Siem Reap (2)
Tour Highlights: Colonial Buildings, Water Puppet Show, Cyclo Ride, Hanoian Culture, Ancient Architecture, UNESCO World Heritage Site...
Ideal For: Beaches Heritage & Culture Nature & Landscapes Relaxation & Spas
Places: Ho Chi Minh City/Saigon (2 days) → My Tho / Mekong Delta (4) → Phnom Penh (3)
Tour Highlights: French Colonial Buildings, Opera House, Notre Dame Cathedral, Thien Hau Temple, Mekong Delta, Fish Markets...
Ideal For: Heritage & Culture Nature & Landscapes Wine & Food
Vietnam has a tropical climate and the temperatures range between 22 ÌŠC and 30 ÌŠC. However, there is no bad travel time to undertake a tour of Vietnam. Our destination experts share an overview on when to visit the various parts of Vietnam.
Water Puppet Shows, Perfume River and the mighty Mekong – Vietnam is brimming with treasures large and small. Experience the best of Vietnam’s fascinating culture and bounteous nature. Follow the link to discover our top ten Vietnam attractions.
What should you consider while planning your Vietnam tour? What should you pack for your Vietnam tour? What currency is accepted in the country? Find answers to all your questions from our destination experts.
While the country is becoming increasingly popular with tourists from all over the world, it is wise to keep in mind that Vietnam is still a developing nation. Generally, traveling in Vietnam is quite safe. However, here are some tips to keep in mind for a seamless and stress-free vacation.
Discover an incredible inheritance steeped in traditions, and warm, hospitable people, during our authentic Vietnam tours. Chinese influence is easily discernible in the historic city of Hanoi. In central Vietnam, imperialism has left in mark, and the art and architecture of Hue are an ode to bygone eras. The lantern-lit streets of Hoi An will have you meander past remnants from colonial settlements of yore.
On your Vietnam tour of the South, which is dominated by the country’s colonial history, expect a brush with fast-paced modern life, and a charmed existence in the beautiful waterways of the mighty Mekong. The people are wonderfully polite and their customs are deeply rooted in Confucianism and Taoism – they respect their family and elders and have an aversion to conflict.
Vietnamese, the local language, is very hard to learn as it comes with six different tonal variations that differ from region to region. English is spoken in cities such as Ho Chi Minh, Hanoi, Hoi An and Hue.
In Vietnam, you will have the opportunity to experience many culinary delights, as the cuisine is considered one of the world’s healthiest – and, in our opinion, delectable.
On your Vietnam tour, you will notice that there is more Chinese influence in the north, and you can savor noodles and soupy broths. In central Vietnam, such as in Hue, meals are very elaborate, and many side dishes are served with the mains. A Ho Chi Minh City tour offers you some delicious options. In fact, Forbes magazine ranks this city as one of the top 10 street food destinations in the world! French colonial influence is evident from the many European-style coffee shops in Ho Chi Minh City, where stuffed baguettes are popular.
Your private Vietnam tours will take you deep into the South, where people prefer their food spicier, and rice-based dishes are common.
You’ll find that fish sauce is practically inescapable during your Vietnam tour, as almost every dish will come with a liberal dose of fish sauce!
Your Vietnam tour will ensure you aware of the country’s rich history, which is as diverse as the country’s natural beauty. There is evidence of humans settling here from as early as 500,000 BC! The Chinese introduced Confucianism and Mahayana Buddhism during their 1000-year rule, although many years of war and strife followed.
During your many Vietnam tours, you will see beautiful boulevards in Ho Chi Minh City (formerly known as Saigon) – an effect of French colonisation in the 16th century. After the second World War, Ho Chi Minh signed a treaty with the French to unite the nation but foreign intervention worsened the situation. After many massacres and global anti-war protests, the USA withdrew its troops.
Late in the 20th century, after the fight between the north and south had ended, the government introduced economic reforms and today, Vietnam is a booming economy. Despite many trials, the people have retained their warm spirit and simple lives, and Vietnam tours are an important source of revenue.
