Vietnam

Romantic Dalat

Waterfalls and lakes – enjoy the natural beauty of Dalat.

Spend a memorable holiday in the cool, green city of Dalat, the capital of Lam Dong Province. Visit the Valley of Love, hire a paddle boat and cruise on the lake. Don’t miss the Hang Nga guesthouse and art gallery, nicknamed ‘crazy house’ by the locals because of its unique interiors: caves, giant spider webs and a concrete giraffe – all in there. After a walk around the charming French District, visit the Dalat Flower Garden, established by the South Vietnamese Agricultural Service. The blooming fuchsias and orchids will please your senses. Also visit the Xuan Huong Lake, a manmade lake located in the centre of Dalat. Take a leisurely stroll around it and get a good view of the majestic hilltop Palace Hotel which overlooks the lake. On the drive back to Saigon, stop by at the famous Prenn Waterfall, located 10 km away from Dalat. A splendid view, not to be missed.

Hanoi full day City Tour

A treat for all history lovers – Hanoi’s History Museum and One Pillar Pagoda are a must-see!

Spend a family vacation in Hanoi as you tour around the city’s History Museum and the crystalline Hoan Kiem Lake. The lake represents the spiritual heart of the city. It derived its name from a legend involving emperor Le Thai To who came across a giant tortoise while cruising on the lake. The tortoise took his sword with which he had secured victory against the Chinese aggressors of the Minh Dynasty. The emperor named the lake after this episode. Visit the Ngoc Son Pagoda, which was built in the 19th century on a small island on Hoan Kiem Lake. Vietnam’s literary genius, Saint Van Xuong was worshipped in this temple along with Tran Hung Dao, a national hero who led Vietnamese people to victory over Chinese and Mongolian invaders. Get a slice of Vietnam’s history at the Hanoi History Museum, which displays centuries old relics that marked the country’s historical developments. On the second floor of the museum, you’ll see gongs, thrones and altars from the Nguyen Dynasties. Visit the Hanoi Opera House, the largest and oldest theatre in Vietnam and marvel at the French architecture and the traditional Gothic and Mosaic characters etched out on the doors. The Opera House is popular for its theatre performances, traditional music and classical opera. Also visit the One Pillar Pagoda, an architecturally-unique example of Vietnam’s pagodas. First built in 1049 during the Ly Dynasty, the pagoda is in the shape of a blooming lotus. Find out the interesting story behind the lotus shape of the pagoda! You’ll also visit the Temple of Literature, founded in 1070 by King Ly Thanh Tong to pay tribute to education and high academic achievers. Six years later, it became Hanoi’s first university. Explore Vietnam’s traditions and admire the city’s architectural splendours in this family vacation in Hanoi.

Hanoi half day City Tour

Hanoi’s One Pillar Pagoda and the Hoan Kiem Lake are a must-visit!

Spend a family vacation in Hanoi as you visit the architecturally-unique One Pillar Pagoda and the crystalline Hoan Kiem Lake. The lake represents the spiritual heart of the city. It derived its name from a legend involving emperor Le Thai To who came across a giant tortoise while cruising on the lake. The tortoise took his sword with which he had secured victory against the Chinese aggressors of the Minh Dynasty. Visit the One Pillar Pagoda, built in 1049 during the Ly Dynasty, the pagoda is in the shape of a blooming lotus. You’ll also visit the Temple of Literature, founded in 1070 by King Ly Thanh Tong to pay tribute to education and high academic achievers. Six years later it became Hanoi’s first university.

Tam Dao Hill Station

Learn about the history and culture of Vietnam and explore the mountainous landscape of Tam Dao.

A trip to the picturesque hill station of Tam Dao in Vietnam will be a perfect escape. Tam Dao was built by the French in 1902 at an altitude of 2,850 feet on a large plateau that stretches 90 kilometres northwest of Hanoi. The word Tam Dao means three mountains because of the Thien Thi, Thach Ban and Phu Nghia which dominate the landscape. Take a stroll and see rare plants and trees that cover the mountain slopes. Its dense foliage is home to many species of animals, birds and butterflies. Tam Dao is usually damp and chilly throughout the year but the cool climate is what makes it an ideal getaway for holidaymakers. Take a dip in the emerald waters of the Suoi Bac (Silvery Stream) that meanders its way past the foot of Thien Thi. As you explore further, you’ll come across a waterfall cascading in three levels to form a pool and numerous pagodas. The quiet environs of Tam Doa and scenic landscapes make it a perfect holiday destination.

Thay and Tay Phuong Pagoda

Explore the historic Thay and Tay Phuong Pagoda in this tour.

Spend a leisurely day in Vietnam exploring the historic Thay and Tay Phuong Pagodas. Drive 40 kilometres west of Hanoi to a quiet and beautiful village where the Thay Pagoda is situated. It is a combination of Buddhist pagodas and a Taoist temple, which is dedicated to Tu Dao Hanh, a Taoist hermit who lived in the 12th century. You’ll see interesting relics like statues of Tu Dao Hanh, stone structures, thrones and bells in the temple. Take a stroll around the village and explore other pagodas on the mountainside. If you are visiting the pagoda in a festive season, don’t miss the water puppetry performance. Eight kilometres from the Thay pagoda is the Tay Phuong pagoda, situated on a hilltop. You’ll have to climb 239 laterite steps to reach the temple, but the panoramic view of the surrounding countryside, is worth the effort! While you are here, see the tiles, wooden relievers, and rafters preserved with their traditional decorations like lotus-shape, banyan leaves, dragons and tigers in typical Vietnamese decoration style. Marvel at the 75 Arhat statues which are considered the best form of plastic art and sculpture of Vietnam. The statues describe different legends of Buddha and his disciples.

Mekong Delta Biking

Get a glimpse of life in the Mekong Delta region in this trip.

Bike your way through the southern region of the Mekong Delta and get a first hand account of life there. Start your tour from Saigon and drive down to My Tho, the capital of Tien Giang Province, and one of the poorest cities in the region. Visit the unique solid pastel-yellow coloured My Tho church, the Cao Dai temple or spend quality time with orphans, disabled and needy children in the Vinh Trang Pagoda sanctuary which is run by charitable monks. Take a walk in the orchards in Dragon Island and Phoenex Island and listen to the tales of the Coconut Monk who led a small community in this island. The next day, visit Tra Vinh, a somewhat isolated place in the Mekong Delta and meet people from the ethnic Khmer community. Appreciate the beauty of different pagodas, like the Chinese Ong Pagoda - an active place of worship. Visit the Ba Om Pond, a spiritual site for the Khmer and a picnic site for local Vietnamese. Also visit the Can Tho Province which lies in the centre of Mekong Delta amongst a network of rivers, brooks, canals and ditches. Shopping at the Cai Rang Floating Market, the biggest floating market in the delta, will be an interesting experience.

Dry Halong Bay and Floating Village Tour

This holiday in Vietnam, explore the bizarre shaped islands of the Halong Bay on a boat

Take a boat excursion to the Halong Bay and explore its craggy limestone islands and grottos (small caves). A UNESCO Natural World Heritage site, the beauty of this bay is simply amazing. Situated in the north-eastern region of Vietnam in the Gulf of Tonkin, the Halong Bay area is made up of 1,969 islands of various sizes. You’ll see bizarre shaped islands like Man’s Head Island, which resembles a man standing and facing the mainland and the Dragon Island that resembles a dragon hovering above the emerald water of the bay. Other islands resembling their namesakes are: the Sail, the Pair of Roosters, the La Vong and the Incense Burner. Also spot some wonderful grottos such as Thien Cung (Heavenly Residence Grotto), Dau Go (Driftwood Grotto), Sung Sot (Surprise Grotto) and Tam Cung (Three Palace Grotto) among others. Visit Haolu, an erstwhile capital of the country under the Dinh Dynasty. The city used to be a huge citadel with temples, shrines and smaller royal citadels. You’ll see its two restored temples, Dinh Tien Hoang, that is dedicated to the Dinh family and the Dai Hanh that is dedicated to the ruler of the Le Dynasty. With picturesque landscapes and interesting historical relics, this is one tour of Vietnam you can’t afford to miss!

Danang

City of cultural communities

In the past Hoi An has been used by the Japanese, Portuguese, Dutch, French and the large remaining Chinese community where all sorts of produce and wares were traded. Remnants of these past traders’ influences can still be seen lining the streets of Hoi An. There are nine different types of historical sites in Hoi An with an average age of 200 years. They include private houses, family chapels, community halls, communal houses, temples, pagodas, bridges, wells and tombs.

Hue

Palaces and forts and tombs - view Hue’s best in this city tour

A World Heritage site, Hue, in Vietnam has an interesting mix of history and culture waiting to be explored. Visit the Citadel-a moated, a walled fort constructed during the early 19th century. Within these walls lies the forbidden Purple City, once home to the royal family. Appreciate the beauty of the Royal Palace. Visit the tombs of Emperors Tu Duc and Khai Dinh. Tu Duc’s tomb is built in the form of a sprawling complex and is about seven kilometres away from Hue. Emperor Khai Dinh’s tomb is an aesthetic blend of French and Vietnamese architecture. This city tour will acquaint you with the history and culture of Vietnam.

Myson

Take a historical tour to My Son and appreciate the sculptures and carvings of the Cham dynasty.

Take a trip to My Son (from Hoi An) and find out about the history and culture of Vietnam. The site was chosen by Champa King Bhadravarnam – I as a religious sanctuary where he built many beautiful temples and towers. This zone is now a UNESCO World Heritage site. As you explore the area, you’ll come across many temples dedicated to Kings and Brahman deities, including Lord Shiva who was considered the creator, founder and defender of the Champa Kingdom. Find out about the two clans of Champa people, the Cau and the Dua, and learn about their history and culture through displays of sculptures and carvings found in the temples. Visit the Cham Museum and appreciate the Champa sculpture displays dating from 7th century to 15th century. See altars, statues, decorative works collected from Buddhist and Hindu temples apart from about 300 sandstone and terracotta sculptures. The museum showcases the eight centuries of evolution of Champa sculpture from the golden age to its decline. Learn about the way of life of the Champas and explore some interesting relics of the Cham royal dynasties on this historical tour in Danang.

Boat Trip on Perfume River

Let the fragrance of the Perfume River envelope you on this trip.

Enjoy this romantic boat trip on the ‘Perfume River’ with the sweet scent of tropical flowers and alluring folk music adding to the charm of the experience. The Song Huong River is popularly known as the Perfume River because of the fragrant smell it carries from the thick forest through which it flows. It then meanders its way through Hue in the central Vietnamese province of Thua Thein. Laze around in the boat and enjoy the scenic beauty along this 30 km long river, which flows past many villages. The trip will also take you to the Thien Mu Pagoda, one of the oldest religious structures in Vietnam. Its most striking feature is the seven tiered tower representing the seven steps of enlightenment. On the west bank of the river, pay a visit to the royal tombs of the Nguyen Dynasty, and learn more about Vietnamese history. Romance and history combine on this trip to make it an unforgettable experience.

City Tour

View Hue’s best sights in this city tour

A World Heritage site, Hue, in Vietnam has an interesting mix of history and culture waiting to be explored. Visit the Citadel-a moated, a walled fort constructed during the early 19th century. Within these walls lies the forbidden Purple City, once home to the royal family. Appreciate the beauty of the Royal Palace. Visit the tombs of Emperors Tu Duc and Khai Dinh. Tu Duc’s tomb is built in the form of a sprawling complex and is about seven kilometres away from Hue. Emperor Khai Dinh’s tomb is an aesthetic blend of French and Vietnamese architecture. This city tour will acquaint you with the history and culture of Vietnam.

City Tour & Boat Trip

A short city tour of Nha Trang and a boat trip will charm you

Spend a leisurely day in the coastal town of Nha Trang and explore its pristine beaches and pretty fishing villages. Take a boat excursion from Cau Da harbour to Tri Nguyen aquarium located on Mieu Island (30 kilometres from the harbour) and see a variety of marine species including colourful corals. Visit Tam Island in the south of Nha Trang and enjoy a range of water activities. Appreciate the picturesque beauty of the island - the long stretch of spotless beach, surrounding tropical forests and crystal clear waters…You could stretch on a deck chair and soak up some sun or indulge in snorkelling and other recreational sports by the beach. Float on a basket boat and learn about the life of fishermen at Mieu fishing village. Savour a delicious seafood lunch at the Bamboo Village Beach Resort. A swim in the calm waters of Bamboo island will be refreshing. With beautiful islands covered with lush tropical vegetation and lots of water sports, this is one tour in Vietnam you can’t afford to miss!

Excursion to Mui Ne Sand Dunes, full day

Visit the historic ruins of the Cham Tower in Phan Thiet and explore the huge sand dunes of Mui Ne.

Take a trip to the enormous sand dunes of the Mui Ne Beach for a perfect family vacation. Drive from Saigon to Phan Thiet which is situated in the Binh Thuan province, 198 kilometres from Saigon. Interestingly, the population of this region comprises mainly of the descendents of the Chams who ruled in this area till 1962. Phan Thiet is popular for its ‘nuoc man’ (fish sauce) and fishing industry. Buy fish sauce, an exclusive seasoning used in Vietnamese cuisine for a flavour of the country once you return home. Explore the beautiful fishing town of Phan Thiet and see fishermen rushing with their nets to the harbour and women and children mending nets in their houses. Visit the Mui Ne Beach which is located 22 kilometres east of Phan Thiet and see its famous sand dunes. A stunning landscape of rocks protruding out of the sea, the changing contours of sand dunes and lanes lined with coconut trees is truly a sight to behold.The solitude and beauty Mui Ne has been a source of inspiration for poets and artists alike. Take a dip in the azure waters of the sea or climb the golden sand dunes, while you’re here.Continue to the historical ruins of the Cham Tower, an architectural marvel of the 8th century. Wind your way up the staircase which leads to the temple on the hilltop and see the remains of a meditation hall of the Cham worshippers. A trip to Phan Thiet, its picturesque landscape and beautiful beaches will be the perfect family holiday in Vietnam.

Trekking Taku Mountain

Watch the beautiful scenery as you trek up the Ta Ku mountain

A wonderful way to see some impressive scenery is to trek up the Ta Ku Mountain. A 40 minute drive from Phan Thiet will take you to the mountain, which is 200 km east of Saigon. The 4.5 hour trek up this mountain could be a little strenuous but the breathtaking view from the top will be a wonderful reward. At the summit, enjoy a picnic lunch and the scenery. For trekking enthusiasts, this full day trip will be a wonderful experience.

The Golden Center (ex Danang), 6 days

A trip that will show you fascinating religious structures, heritage sites and stunning scenery.

Enjoy this 6-day tour which will take you to some of the World Heritage Sites in Vietnam. Start the tour from Hoi An and visit the main attraction of this town, the Japanese Covered Bridge, which was built in 1593. Architecturally, it’s very different from the Vietnamese style The Quan Cong Temple is another place worth visiting because of its partially gilded statue of Quan Cong in the central altar, Visit the Tran Family Chapel, a private mansion as well as shrine. You can see Chinese and Japanese style architecture in the building. The Trading Ceramics museum and the Sa Huynh museum contain exhibits from the earliest period of Hoi An’s history. The next day, travel to My Son and Tra Kieu, the ancient imperial cities of the Champa Dynasty. Discover temples dedicated to Lord Shiva in My Son and explore the monuments, set in a verdant valley surrounded by hills and overlooking the huge Cat’s Tooth Mountain. Later on, explore the ruins of Tra Kieu, the first capital of Champa formerly known as Simhapura. A large number of artifacts, including some of the finest carvings in the Cham Museum in Danang, were found here. The next day, drive down to Hue, the political, religious and cultural centre under the Nguyen Dynasty. While here, enjoy a boat trip on the ‘Perfume River’ to the Thien Mu Pagoda. You will also visit the Imperial City, the tomb of Emperor Minh Mang and Khai Dinh of the Nguyen Dynasty. Explore the majestic Thai Hoa Palace which has ornate roofs. Make this vacation more interesting by a trip to the local Dong Ba market, which is the largest market in Hue and sells many traditional products of the region.

Can Gio Mangrove Forest

Spend a relaxing day in the green environs of the Can Gio Mangrove Forest in Vietnam.

Go to the Can Gio Mangrove Forest in Vietnam and spend a relaxing day amidst lush mangroves and a unique natural environment. The forest is located 50 kilometres south from Ho Chi Minh City and is recognised by UNESCO as a World Biosphere Reserve. Enjoy the cool atmosphere of the place surrounded with mangroves, water coconut trees, rivers and canals. Can Gio is popularly referred to as the green lungs of Ho Chi Minh City. The reserve is home to hundreds of varieties of flora and fauna. As you take a stroll near the river, you’ll see fishermen looking for crabs, snails and mussels for sale in Ho Chi Minh City. You can sample a plate of delicious hot snails and mussels at the local eatery. Also visit the Can Gio Museum that showcases the biodiversity of the mangrove forest, and tells you about the heroes who fought battles for the independence of the country. With a phenomenal variety of flora and fauna and peaceful surroundings, this tour will leave you refreshed.

Northern Hill Tribes, 6 days

Trek to the 1900 metres high Tram Ton Pass and meet the local hill tribes at Sa Pa on this tour.

Explore the beautiful hill station of Sa Pa and the villages of the hill tribes on this holiday in Vietnam. Start your journey from Hanoi and travel towards the Lao border past Hoa Binh and Moc Chau to Son La. Spend the night at Son La and drive west the next day towards Tuan Giao, a small town between Son La and Lai Chau. Meet the colourful hill tribes who live in this region, most noticeable of whom are the Dzao tribes who wear huge headdresses and bright clothes. Stroll around the village that is surrounded by hills and green fields, and get a glimpse of a day in the life of the tribes. Visit the Dien Bien Phu, a battle site in which the French were defeated, bringing an end to the colonial era of Indochina. Visit the Bunker of de Castries, where the headquarters of a French commander has been recreated with old tanks and artillery. Revel in the solitude and beauty of Dien Bien Phu, one of the most remote parts of Vietnam in the Muong Thanh Valley that is surrounded by steep heavily forested hills. The next morning, drive from Dien Bien Phu along mountain roads through green valleys inhabited by various minority tribes, to Muong Lay (formerly known as Lai Chau). It is a small town nestled in a beautiful valley that was carved out of spectacular mountains by the Da River. Walk around the village, meet the hill tribes and listen to tales of their tradition and lore. The next day, drive from Muong Lay on mountain roads past minority villages to Sa Pa. Explore the hill station of Sa Pa which is nestled in a valley and surrounded by the Fansipan Mountain. You’ll meet Hmong and Dzao, the largest and most colourful tribes in the region. Visit the Thac Bac Waterfall that cascades 100 metres down on palm-fringed pools. It is best viewed in the rainy season! Take a hiking excursion to the 1900 metres high Tram Ton Pass to the north of Fansipan Mountain and enjoy a panoramic view of the surrounding countryside. It is the highest mountain pass in Vietnam. The next day, travel back to Hanoi. With stunning mountainous landscape and ethnic villages, this is one family holiday in Vietnam you can’t afford to miss!

My Tho / Mekong Delta

Get a glimpse of simple life in the Mekong Delta region.

Take a walk through the streets of the Mekong delta region, the bread-basket of Vietnam, and get a first hand account of life there. Start your tour from Saigon and drive down to My Tho, the capital of Tien Giang province and one of the poorest cities in the region. A boat ride on the Mekong River will refresh you with the sweet scent of tropical fruit orchards cultivated on the beautiful small islands along this river. Visit the Longan orchards in the Unicorn islands; at Phoenix islands, listen to the tales of the Coconut Monk who led a small community there. Appreciate the beauty of Vinh Trang Pagoda which represents the fusion of Chinese, French and Vietnamese architecture. Shopping at Cai Rang and Phong Dien, both floating markets, will be an interesting experience.

Saigon full day City Tour

Take a tour of Vietnam’s Ho Chi Minh City and visit some of the finest cathedrals and pagodas.

This holiday, learn more about the history and culture of Vietnam as you visit the city of Saigon (also called Ho Chi Minh City) and some of its finest cathedrals and pagodas. Visit the Notre Dame Cathedral, a beautiful redbrick structure built by French rulers in the 18th century. Further on, visit the Palace of the Jade Emperor, a supreme deity of the Chinese folk religion. According to Chinese mythology, he is considered the ‘Ruler of Heaven, Creator of the Universe and Lord of the Imperial Court’. Inside the palace, you’ll see figures representing the Daonist heavenly court. Interestingly, these figures are attended to by other divine figures and guarded by dragons, phoenixes, white tigers and tortoises. Learn some interesting titbits of information on Chinese mythology and the disciplines taught by the divine figures to find Dao (the true path). The next stop is the Ben Thanh Market, which is Saigon’s most popular landmark. In 1859, the market was destroyed and was later rebuilt by the French who had invaded Saigon. Stroll around the market filled with shops selling everything from fabric, clothes, shoes, kitchenware, cooked food and fresh vegetables to a variety of seafood and meat. Continue to the Tran Hung Dao Pagoda, which was built in 1932 to worship the victorious 13th century general Hung Dao. Inside the temple, see weapons, carved dragons and a series of sculptures depicting the General’s victory. Get a glimpse of the history and culture of Vietnam on this tour to the city of Saigon.