Highlights of Vietnam

Mountainous, tropical, supporting huge biodiversity, and with over fifty distinct ethnic groups, Vietnam presents the traveller with a bewildering cornucopia of possibilities. For those wanting to get a feel for this rich and complex country, a twelve day guided tour of Vietnam, taking in some of its major highlights, both natural and cultural, might be just what you’re looking for.

Vietnam is a feast for the senses. The ancient and the modern mix and mingle in a cultural melting-pot that has been simmering gently for centuries. Stunning limestone hills rise from the mist behind traditional villages where farmers still wear conical hats while tending rice by hand, while busy cities like Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh are architectural patchworks, attesting to the complex history of a fertile nation repeatedly invaded.

On this tour of Vietnam, you’ll explore the cosmopolitan city of Hanoi, Vietnam’s modern capital, as well as the vibrant Ho Chi Minh City, formerly known as Saigon. You’ll get a feel for the ehtnic diversity of the country when you visit Sapa, high in the Northern hills, a city with some extraordinary views of local scenery. The scenery just gets more incredible when you reach Halong Bay, with over a thousand limestone peaks scattered along a coast cloaked in thick forest, a landscape you’ll be able to enjoy at its best from the deck of a Junk. You’ll visit villages of the Hmong and Tay people in the surrounding hills, and experience traditional life, food and hospitality. In Hue, onetime capital, you’ll be spoilt for choice at the sheer variety of historic monuments, including the “Forbidden City” old Imperial palace, now ruined.

This trip can be tailor-made to include homestays, beach extensions and more active excursions. Contact our Vietnam specialist Anna at help@tourdust.com to discuss your itinerary.

If you’re hungry for new experiences, this tour of Vietnam is full four-course meal! The itinerary allows some free time to relax and digest the previous courses before continuing to the next, so the overall pace isn’t too hectic, but be prepared for some of the experiences to have an earthy, wholesome flavour: for several nights you’ll stay in village homestays or community houses, which are definitely not five-star hotels, but are nevertheless comfortable, and offer the chance to really get a feel for the life of the country people. There’s plenty of travelling to be done between destinations, but plenty of reason to do so. If you want a two-week holiday that positively fills you to bursting, this is a great choice.