from £1,795 pp
North to South, unhurried
Flight time
10–11 hours (typically via one stop)
Timezone
ICT (GMT+7)
Currency
Vietnamese Dong (₫)
Visa (UK)
E-visa required (apply online)
Language
Vietnamese
Best time
Mar, Apr, Oct, Nov
Written & verified by
Clara Bennett · Vietnam, Laos & Cambodia Specialist · 10 years · 360+ Vietnam holidays arranged Accessible & mobility-aware specialist
Vietnam is a country best understood slowly. The ancient trade-port lanes of Hoi An, a private junk drifting past limestone karsts, the colonial elegance of Hanoi's Metropole — each demands its own pace. Our guides are Vietnamese nationals who know the stories that guidebooks miss.
From
£1,795
per person
What you'll experience
- Two-night private junk, Halong Bay
- Lantern-lit evening in Hoi An old town
- Street-food walk with Clara in Hoi An
- Basket boat ride in the coconut forest
- Dinner in a private Hue royal garden
When to go
Best Time to Visit Vietnam
Jan
Cool & dry north
Feb
Warm & dry
Mar
Warm, some rain
Apr
Hot, pre-rains
May
Hot, rains begin
Jun
Rainy season
Jul
Rainy season
Aug
Rainy season
Sep
Rains ease south
Oct
Central storms
Nov
Dry & pleasant
Dec
Cool & dry
Health & vaccines
Hepatitis A, Typhoid recommended; Japanese Encephalitis for rural travel
Made for your pace
Why travellers over 50 love Vietnam
Vietnam's geography — a 1,600-kilometre north-to-south arc — offers dramatic variety in a single itinerary, from highland mists to tropical beaches.
Halong Bay by private junk is one of travel's defining experiences: two nights drifting through 3,000 limestone islets with a crew entirely at your service.
Hoi An's ancient town is compact, flat and endlessly walkable — lantern-lit evenings, silk tailors and riverside restaurants in a UNESCO-protected setting.
Vietnamese food is among the healthiest and most varied in Asia — light, fresh, rice-based and extraordinarily flavourful without heavy oils or excess spice.
Vietnamese-national guides offer insights into history, architecture and daily life that go far beyond any guidebook — the colonial period, the war, the reconciliation.
Experiences
Top things to do in Vietnam
1Two-night private junk, Halong Bay
Your own vessel through the UNESCO World Heritage limestone karst landscape — kayaking, cave exploration and sunrise from the sundeck with no other guests in sight.
2Old Town Hoi An at dusk
The lantern-lit streets of Hoi An's ancient trading port are magical in the hour before dark. Your guide knows the courtyards and family homes that remain closed to casual visitors.
3Hue royal citadel and imperial tombs
The former imperial capital contains a walled citadel modelled on Beijing's Forbidden City, and the ornate riverside tombs of Vietnam's last emperors.
4Mekong Delta by sampan
The maze of waterways south of Ho Chi Minh City is navigated by flat-bottomed sampan through floating markets, orchid farms and riverside villages.
5Basket boat ride, Hoi An coconut village
A traditional circular basket boat through dense water coconut palms — a unique experience operated by local fishing families and unlike anything else in Vietnam.
6Street food walk, Hanoi Old Quarter
Bun cha, banh mi, pho and cha ca — Hanoi's street-food culture is among the richest in Asia. An evening walk with a food-specialist guide covers six or seven stops.
7Train journey: Hanoi to Hue by night train
The Reunification Express runs the length of Vietnam. A soft-sleeper overnight cabin from Hanoi to Hue saves a night's accommodation and adds a genuinely romantic dimension to the journey.
8Cu Chi Tunnels, Ho Chi Minh City
The extraordinary 250km tunnel network used by Viet Cong fighters during the war. The history is visceral and important — your guide provides essential context.
9Hoi An cooking class
A morning market visit with a local chef followed by four dishes cooked in a riverside kitchen. The cao lau (noodles made with local well-water) cannot be replicated outside Hoi An.
10Perfume Pagoda by sampan and cable car
A two-hour river journey through karst scenery followed by a mountain pilgrimage site cut into the limestone — one of the most atmospheric day trips from Hanoi.
Eat & drink
Food & drink in Vietnam
Pho and the northern noodle tradition
Hanoi pho — clear bone broth, flat rice noodles, rare beef — is one of the world's great dishes. The original recipe predates the French influence and is a breakfast as much as a meal.
Hoi An's unique local dishes
White rose dumplings, cao lau noodles (made only with water from one Hoi An well), and banh mi from the legendary Phuong bakery — three dishes entirely unique to one small town.
Vietnamese coffee culture
Robusta beans brewed in a phin filter, served iced with condensed milk — ca phe sua da. Or egg coffee, a Hanoi invention: dense egg-yolk cream poured over dark espresso.
Transport & transfers
Getting around Vietnam
Domestic flights link Hanoi, Da Nang (for Hoi An) and Ho Chi Minh City efficiently. Private air-conditioned vehicles handle all city and day-tour transfers. On Halong Bay, your private junk is the transport. In Hoi An, the town is best explored on foot or by bicycle, which your guide can arrange.
This destination suits
Exclusive · your own guide & vehicle
Private Escorted Tours
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Vietnam North to South: Hanoi, Halong Bay, Hue, Hoi An & Saigon
The whole of Vietnam, from the Red River Delta to the Mekong, privately escorted at exactly the right pace
From
£2,295pp
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Halong Bay & Hanoi: 8 Days in Northern Vietnam
Northern Vietnam in full: the ancient city, the bay of dragons, and the dry Halong on land
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£1,995pp
Vietnam
Vietnam Complete: Hanoi, Sapa, Halong Bay, Hue, Hoi An & the Mekong
From the Chinese highlands to the Mekong — the whole of Vietnam, privately escorted from beginning to end
From
£2,295pp
Small groups · max 10–12 guests
Small-Group Tours
Vietnam
Vietnam Highlights: Small Group Tour
Ten days. Four cities. One extraordinary country.
From
£1,995pp
Vietnam
Hoi An & Hue: Central Vietnam in Depth
Central Vietnam's two UNESCO cities — the merchant port and the imperial capital
From
£1,795pp
Not sure which tour is right for you?
Our Vietnam specialists will help you find the perfect match — no hard sell, just honest advice.
Our promise
Why travel with us for Vietnam
Vietnamese-national guides who know the stories behind the stories — the colonial history, the poetry, the family recipes.
Our Halong Bay partner operates its own junk fleet, meaning we control quality, cabin allocation and the exact itinerary.
Hoi An is our most-requested destination — we have permanent relationships with tailors, chefs and lantern-makers who open their doors exclusively for our guests.
Common questions
Vietnam travel questions answered
Is it possible to visit both Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City on one trip?
Yes — a north-to-south itinerary is the classic approach and one we recommend for first visits. Fly into Hanoi, travel south by domestic flight or train, and depart from Ho Chi Minh City. We typically structure 14–18 days to include Halong Bay, Hoi An and the Mekong Delta.
What is Halong Bay really like on a private junk?
On our two-night private junk, you have the boat essentially to yourselves — typically 4–8 guests on a vessel with a full crew of 6–8. Mornings start with tai chi on deck, afternoons with kayaking or cave exploration. The limestone landscape is extraordinary. We use our own partner fleet, not third-party aggregators.
Is Vietnamese food suitable for guests with dietary restrictions?
Vietnamese cuisine is naturally light and relies heavily on herbs, rice and broths. It is one of the more dietary-restriction-friendly Asian cuisines. Our guides brief every restaurant in advance with your requirements. Vegetarian, gluten-aware and low-spice menus are all easily accommodated.
How hot is Vietnam, and will the heat be manageable?
Temperatures vary significantly by region and season. We schedule our Vietnam tours in the optimal weather windows — February–April for most of the country. All accommodation is air-conditioned, vehicles are cooled and midday activity is kept light. We have never had a guest unable to manage the climate on our tours.
Plan your trip
Vietnam travel guides
Free, in-depth reading from our specialists to help you plan the perfect Vietnam trip — when to go, what to expect, and how to travel well in later life.
When to Go to Asia
Best Time to Visit Vietnam: A Region-by-Region Guide for the Over-60s
When to visit Vietnam depends on the regions you choose. Our over-60s guide explains how the north, central coast and south differ, month by month.
Read the guide →Accessible Holidays to Asia
Is Vietnam Suitable for the Over-70s? An Accessibility & Pacing Guide
An honest, reassuring guide to Vietnam for the over-70s: how a private car, a guide and a gentle Mekong cruise make it very manageable at the right pace.
Read the guide →Solo Holidays to Asia
Best Countries in Asia for Solo Travellers Over 60
The best countries in Asia for solo travellers over 60, weighing safety, healthcare, language and ease, plus how a private guide transforms the trip.
Read the guide →Solo Holidays to Asia
Best Solo Holidays for the Over 70s
Your seventies can be the finest decade to travel solo. Discover the best escorted singles holidays for the over 70s, with flights, comfort and care included.
Read the guide →Solo Holidays to Asia
Solo Travel Safety in Southeast Asia: A Mature Traveller's Guide
How safe is Southeast Asia for solo travellers over 50? An honest, reassuring guide to staying secure, healthy and completely at ease on an escorted tour.
Read the guide →Solo Holidays to Asia
Solo Holidays in Asia for Women Over 55
Solo holidays in Asia for women over 55: the safest, most rewarding destinations, with a private escorted guide, included UK flights and ATOL protection.
Read the guide →Free guide
First time visiting Vietnam?
We've put together a free guide with everything you need before you go — best time to visit, what to pack, how to get around, and a few things first-timers always wish they'd known.
Plan with confidence
Ready to start planning your Vietnam holiday?
Speak with a specialist who has been to Vietnam, knows every hotel on our programme, and will design your itinerary around exactly what you want. No hard sell — just honest, expert advice.
ATOL Protected
Your money is 100% safe, guaranteed by the CAA.
Refundable Deposits
Plans change. Your deposit is returned in full if you cancel early.
No 06:00 starts
Every day begins at your pace — Gentle, Moderate or Active, as promised.
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