From soaring highlands populated by remote tribes and characterised by grand colonial towns, to small coastal trading ports and the cosmopolitan conurbation of Ho Chi Minh City, southern Vietnam is a region of extraordinary diversity.
After exploring the winding cobbled streets of quaint Hoi An, head inland to highlands that form the country’s spine to visit the Bahnar villages outside of Kon Tum and Kon Ko Tu. Continuing south, visit Buon Ma Thuot and the French colonial hill station of Dalat, before heading to Ho Chi Minh City and the wonderful beaches on Phu Quoc Island.
Hoi An – Kon Tum – Kon Ko Tu – Buon Ma Thuot – Dalat – Ho Chi Minh City – Phu Quoc
Trip Highlights
- Buon Ma Thuot in the Central Highlands is ringed by coffee estates and minority villages
- Retaining its Gallic feel, discover Dalat which was built by the French as a hill resort
- Relax on the sandy beaches of tropical Phu Quoc island off Vietnam’s southern tip
- From Kon Tum make a memorable visit to the matriarchal hill-tribe Bahnar villages
- Attend Cai Be’s famous floating fruit and vegetable market in the Mekong Delta
Day 1
Depart the UK
Today depart the UK on the Singapore Airlines flight to Singapore.
Day 2
Arrive Danang / Danang to Hoi An – 30kms
Arrive into Singapore and connect onto a Silk Air flight to Danang. On arrival continue south towards Hoi An and stay for three nights at a resort on China Beach close to the town. On arrival in Danang it is also possible to visit the Cham Museum which houses the largest collection of Cham art in the world.
Boutique Hoi An Resort
Victoria Hoi An Resort and Spa
Anantara Hoi An Resort
Four Seasons The Nam Hai
Day 3
Hoi An
Today visit the quaint, picturesque town of Hoi An. Explore the winding cobbled streets, colourful merchant houses and pretty pagodas by foot or bike and stop at the Japanese Covered Bridge which dates back to the 18th century. In the afternoon, relax at nearby China Beach or travel to a local fishing village outside of Hoi An to experience this integral part of Vietnamese life.
- Breakfast
Boutique Hoi An Resort
Victoria Hoi An Resort and Spa
Anantara Hoi An Resort
Four Seasons The Nam Hai
Day 4
Hoi An
You will have a day at leisure today so choose to continue to explore the UNESCO old town or relax at the beach or hotel pool. A local cooking class in one of the excellent schools or restaurants is recommended, or if you would prefer to discover the ancient Cham culture a day trip to the city of My Son can also be arranged.
- Breakfast
Boutique Hoi An Resort
Victoria Hoi An Resort and Spa
Anantara Hoi An Resort
Four Seasons The Nam Hai
Day 5
Hoi An to Kon Tum – 285kms
After breakfast leave Hoi An and travel south by road to Kon Tum where you will stay overnight. Later visit some of the hill-tribe Bahnar villages which surround the town. Mainly matriarchal societies, each village has a communal house called a rong built on stilts and characterised by a tall, steeply pitched thatched roof. Generally located in a prominent central location, visit the rong and gain an understanding into central highland village life.
- Breakfast
Indochine Hotel Kon Tum
Day 6
Kon Tum to Kon Ko Tu – 50kms
Today visit the villages of Kon Ray and Kon Bil then travel on to Kon Du which is renowned for its hand weaving. In the early afternoon continue to Kon Ko Tu for an overnight stay in a local homestay. In this tiny hamlet of bamboo homes and mud dwellings life remains largely untainted by the modern world. Meet the villagers or follow the river through fields of crops and ploughing buffalo.
- Breakfast
Local homestay
Day 7
Kon Ko Tu to Buon Ma Thuot – 280kms
Returning to Kon Tum, this morning visit the town’s century old French-built wooden church then spend time with the animist hill-tribes of Pleitenghia and Kanhnogokotu. Leaving Kon Tum, drive south through coffee, rubber and pepper plantations to Buon Ma Thuot for a three night stay. Later visit the main market and spend the remainder of the afternoon in a local coffee shop watching the world pass by.
- Breakfast
Dakruco Buon Ma Thuot
Day 8
Buon Ma Thuot
Following breakfast, this morning drive to Buon Don. Over the centuries the inhabitants of Buon Don garnered a reputation for excelling in the taming of elephants. Crossing the Srepok River using the large suspension bridge, explore the area then return to Buon Don in the afternoon stopping en-route to visit the local market at Trung Nguyen which is famous for its coffee.
- Breakfast
Dakruco Buon Ma Thuot
Day 9
Buon Ma Thuot
The region around Buon Ma Thuot is rightly thought by many to be the gem of the central highlands and today travel outside of the town to Lak Lake. The area surrounding Lak Lake supports numerous hill-tribe villages – including those of the M’Nong, Jun and Le – and time will be spent exploring them. Later explore the lake in a local canoe boat before arriving in a village for a local gong music performance which ends with a rice wine drinking ceremony.
- Breakfast
Dakruco Buon Ma Thuot
Day 10
Buon Ma Thuot to Dalat – 210kms
This morning leave Buon Ma Thuot and drive to Lak Lake to visit the minority village of Jun where traditional fishing techniques and water farming practices remain in operation. From here continue through the central highlands to the charming French colonial hill station of Dalat for a two night stay. Developed during the early 1900s as a summer escape from the heat of the lowland cities, much of Dalat’s colonial heritage has remained.
- Breakfast
Ana Mandara Villas Dalat
Day 11
Dalat
Today explore Dalat with your guide. There is much to see, starting at the colourful central market which, aside from the usual commodities, has a popular flower section with gladioli, rose, marigold and chrysanthemum in abundance. Leaving the market, explore the town’s colonial past. Much French architecture remains however highlights include the Art Deco Summer Palace, Cathedral, Pasteur Institute and fine Railway Station as well as the numerous pastel yellow villas that dot the town.
- Breakfast
Ana Mandara Villas Dalat
Day 12
Dalat to Ho Chi Minh City – by air
After breakfast transfer to Dalat Airport and fly to Ho Chi Minh City where you will stay for the next three nights. Renamed at the conclusion of the Vietnam War, the city is still known to many as Saigon. Growing from a small 15th century Khmer trading port, today Ho Chi Minh City is the modern face of Vietnam – a bustling dynamic metropolis of crumbling colonial buildings, chaotic streets, colourful markets and informal pavement cafes.
- Breakfast
Majestic Hotel
Caravelle Hotel
Hotel Des Arts Saigon
Park Hyatt Saigon
Day 13
Ho Chi Minh City
Today you will explore Ho Chi Minh City with your guide. Highlights include the former Presidential Palace, now Reunification Hall, the city’s colonial centre including Notre Dame Cathedral and General Post Office and colourful Chinatown with its historic pagodas. For lunch try the southern Vietnamese speciality bánh mì at one of the excellent roadside food stalls. It is also recommended to visit the War Remnants Museum, which delicately tells the story of the harrowing Vietnam War.
- Breakfast
Majestic Hotel
Caravelle Hotel
Hotel Des Arts Saigon
Park Hyatt Saigon
Day 14
The Mekong Delta
Today drive south towards the Mekong Delta and Cai Be where you will board the Cai Be Princess, a traditional riverboat made of bamboo, wood and rattan, for a private cruise. Cruise the canals and palm-covered waterways, stopping to visit the delta’s remote river communities. Return to Ho Chi Minh City in the afternoon.
- Breakfast,
- Lunch
Majestic Hotel
Caravelle Hotel
Hotel Des Arts Saigon
Park Hyatt Saigon
Day 15
Ho Chi Minh City to Phu Quoc – by air
After breakfast transfer to Danang Airport and fly via Ho Chi Minh City to Phu Quoc Island for a three night stay. Alternatively, fly to tropical Con Dao Island and stay at the luxurious Six Senses Con Dao. Located at the southern tip of Vietnam, the largely undeveloped Phu Quoc offers calm crystal-clear waters and soft sandy beaches ideal for swimming and snorkelling.
- Breakfast
La Veranda Resort Phu Quoc
Six Senses Con Dao
Day 16 - 17
Phu Quoc
At leisure to relax and enjoy your hotel.
- Breakfast
La Veranda Resort Phu Quoc
Six Senses Con Dao
Day 18
Phu Quoc to Ho Chi Minh City – by air / Ho Chi Minh City to the UK
Today transfer to Phu Quoc Airport and fly to Ho Chi Minh City. On arrival catch the onward flight to Singapore and connect onto the Singapore Airlines flight non-stop to the UK.
- Breakfast
Extending your stay...
From Ho Chi Minh City board a local boat and travel along narrow canals and winding waterways, gaining a glimpse into traditional delta life. Stay overnight in Can Tho, the heart of the Mekong Delta, where in the morning you can attend the town’s colourful floating market.
Only four hours from Ho Chi Minh City, head to the idyllic Mui Ne Peninsula which stretches along the South China Sea. Noted for its impressive red sand dunes, quaint fishing villages and palm-fringed beaches, stay at one of the area’s small boutique properties.
Opt to take a classic river cruise down the mighty Mekong between Ho Chi Minh City and Phnom Penh in Cambodia. Encounter rural scenery, bustling river life and remote villages as you traverse one of the most famous and historic waterways of the world.
Continue your journey in Cambodia, one of the region’s most welcoming and fascinating countries. Travel to Siem Reap, the gateway to the temples of Angkor – some of the most spectacular religious monuments ever built.
Guide to Price
18 days from £4500 - £6000 per person
What's Included
- International and domestic flights
- Private car and driver
- Sightseeing with accompanying English speaking guide
- Hotel accommodation and taxes
What's Not Included
- Visas
- Travel Insurance
- Expenses of a personal nature
- Meals unless specified
from £4500 - £6000
Travel Information
Getting There
Direct flights from London Heathrow to Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City are available from Vietnam Airlines. Indirect flights are also available. Thai Airways fly via Bangkok to Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City and other airlines including Emirates, Malaysian, Singapore Airlines and Qatar Airways travel via their regional hubs.
Flying Times From UK
Direct flights take around 12 hours. Flights with stops en-route take around 16 hours.
Time Zone
Vietnam is +7 hours ahead of GMT.
Visa Requirements
Visa-free travel for stays of up to 45 days. For holidays longer than 45 days, you can apply for an e-visa that allows a 90-day stay and multiple entries.
Do’s & Don’ts
It is illegal to import, transport, use, store or sell vapes or e-cigarettes in Vietnam. This ban applies to both visitors and locals. If found in possession of a vape or e-cigarette the device will be confiscated and a fine, or more significant penalty, enforced. We strongly advise not to bring or use any vape or e-cigarette during your stay in Vietnam.
Whenever entering someone's house make sure you remove your shoes.
Ensure you do not point your feet in the direction of other people as this is considered very rude.
Money
The national currency in Vietnam is the Dong. ATMs are plentiful and credit cards are widely accepted. Although US Dollars, British Pounds and Euros are all often taken, it does depend on the particular vendor and their chosen exchange rate at the time. Whatever currency you are using, make sure the notes are well-kept and not torn, otherwise they will not be accepted.
Tipping
You will not be expected to tip in most places in Vietnam, yet when you do it is very much appreciated. If you liked the service you received then a generous tip is most appreciated. A guideline for tipping drivers and guides will be advised prior to travel.
Food & Drink
Rice, noodles, fresh vegetable and herbs all play big roles in Vietnamese food making it one of the healthiest cuisines in the world. You will find that each region tends to have its own range of specialities although as a general rule southern dishes contain more spice than their northern counterparts. Whereas the bulk of the restaurants are based in the major cities, smaller vendors and stalls can be found virtually anywhere. And no matter where you go, everyone drinks the national beverage at all social gatherings – green tea. There is still a strong French influence in Vietnam’s cuisine, baguettes and patisseries are readily available, and there are numerous French restaurants.
Accommodation
The general standard of accommodation across the country is high, so no matter your budget, Vietnam will cater for you. Eco lodges, homestays or simple local hotels with basic facilities are typical in rural and remote parts of Vietnam where the focus is on experiencing the location rather than where you are staying. In contrast, cities and towns offer a whole range of accommodation with a selection of impressive high-end luxury and boutique hotels similar to the rest of Southeast Asia. Vietnam is known for its breadth of cruises and vessels vary in size, standard and style. At Ha Long Bay cruises take place in small to medium-sized junk boats whilst in the Mekong Delta smaller sampan-style boats are used for exploring the narrow tributaries and larger cruise boats for extended upstream expeditions to Cambodia. Throughout the coast between Central and South Vietnam you will find many beautiful boutique spa hotels perfect for a luxury beach holiday.
Shopping
With countless street markets, you will be spoilt for choice when it comes to handicrafts ranging from lacquerware to textiles. Ho Chi Minh City and Hoi An especially offers excellent value for money when it comes to tailored clothing, fine cotton goods, hand embroidered fabrics and various jewellery and shawls.
Suggested Reading
The usual good sources of information, such as Bradt and Footprint, are always helpful. If you want a more visually appealing guide to Vietnam, then Nguyen Van Huy's ‘Vietnam: Journeys of Body, Mind and Spirit’ carries a number of stunning photographs from journeys through the heart of the country. ‘Vietnam: A Traveller's Literary Companion’ is interesting and Qui Doc Nguyen's collection of stories by various local writers allows you to get an insight into the country's culture through its own folklore and literature. We would also highly recommend a couple of books by Pam Scott, namely 'Vietnam: Hanoi Stories' and 'Life in Hanoi'.
Health
Your doctor is the best person to advise you on staying healthy whilst abroad but current recommended vaccinations are Hepatitis A, Typhoid, Tetanus and Diphtheria. Yellow Fever is compulsory, but only if you have visited an affected Yellow Fever area within 5 days prior to your arrival. In some instances anti-malarial tablets may also be needed. For current information on health advice you may wish to visit the National Travel Health Network and Centre (NaTHNaC) website Travel Health Pro on https://travelhealthpro.org.uk/. The Medical Advisory Services for Travellers Abroad (MASTA) website (www.masta.org) is also a useful resource.
Travel Advice
For current information on Vietnam the best resource is the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice) which is a comprehensive resource and updated regularly. We would also recommend visiting the Safer Tourism Foundation website (safertourism.org.uk) before you travel and will be happy to address any questions or concerns you may have.
Looking for something more bespoke?
Our Vietnam travel consultants can help you create your perfect trip
- Experts in tailor-made holidays
- Honest pricing with no hidden extras
- ABTA and ATOL protected
Getting to know you
A crucial part of our process, discuss your plans with us either by phone, video or in person.
Helping you to design your trip
Entirely tailor-made, there is complete flexibility to incorporate all your requirements.
On-hand support, when you need it
Our team are on hand to answer any questions and ensure you are fully ready, and excited, for your trip.
Full confidence whilst you are away
Enjoy full support from our UK team and trusted local partners throughout your journey.
We’re pleased to confirm that Pettitts Travel will not apply any surcharges to our package holidays when we are operating as a tour operator, regardless of changes in global costs. The price you agree at the time of booking is the price you will pay, a commitment we have proudly upheld for the past 38 years.
