Holiday to Vietnam

Packaged Holidays to Vietnam from UK
Vietnam is a truly fascinating place. There are few countries in the world that have the ability to offer similar qualities in relation to outright relaxation and indulgence, excitement, natural wonder, history and culture. In addition to the vivid cultural scene and remarkable natural attractions, this country has the ability to put on top-quality hotel resorts that offer exception service, pampering, and complete relaxation.

Discover more about what this county has to offer by reading our Vietnam travel guide.

Best time to visit Vietnam
The best time to experience the holidays to Vietnam is spring (April to June) or autumn (September to November). In the north of the country, such as the capital city Hanoi, visitors can experience cold weather during the winter months, and ranges from December to March, while the southern areas of the country, such as Ho Chi Minh City are able to remain clear and warm year-round. The warm summer months are known for bringing the monsoon rains and the temperature stays humid and hot during this time. Irrespective of the time that you do decide to start the trip to Vietnam it is best to pack a waterproof jacket to make sure you are protected and comfortable whatever the weather.

Do I need a Visa?
British citizens who decide to take a holiday to Vietnam require a visa for travel and also a passport with at least one month remaining beyond the arrival date. It helps to arrange the visa before departure. Although there are certain exceptions in place, such as the option for the British citizen to travel to Vietnam without a visa for up to 15 days and this applies during the period 1st July 2015 to 30th July 2017. For further details, you can refer to www.fco.gov.uk.

If you plan to travel in Vietnam more than 15 days you will have to apply for Vietnam visa and it is best to choose Vietnam visa on arrival at Vietnam visa provider - service run by Vivutravel that helps you get cheap Vietnam visa at fastest time. More details, please visit www.vietnamvisaprovider.com.

Flight information
Travel to Vietnam is easy with plenty of direct flights from London to Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City. The total flight time is in the region of 13 hours. Flights are provided by several airlines, including Vietnam Airways, Eva Air, Emirates, Etihad, Malaysia Airlines and Qatar Airways.

Where to stay
Vietnam has a variety of beautiful and interesting places to stay within Hanoi in the northern region of Vietnam offering one of the most attractive cities, which is rich in French colonial architecture, tranquil lakes, pagodas and elaborate temples. In the old quarter of Hanoi there is the opportunity to visit the markets and pick up local silks and souvenirs. On the east coast of Vietnam, Nha Trang makes a very charming destination for the luxury holiday with its pristine and long stretches of sand and a perfect destination for snorkelling and diving. In the evening there are plenty of restaurants, bars and nightclubs to keep the entire city buzzing with a very lively party vibe. Also, Vietnam holidays are not complete without making a visit to Ho Chi Minh City. This is a very humid and hot city that was formerly called Saigon and is rich in attractions from the stately colonial buildings, sleek skyscrapers, bustling markets and ancient pagodas.

What to eat
The Vietnamese cuisine is similar in many ways to Chinese with lots of dishes that include rice and noodles. Many of the dishes include local ingredients with an importance given to freshness and various regional flavours. Some of the favourites include a soup called pho, which is easily bough from the street stalls and is extremely satisfying on the humid and hot days. Other delicious delights include the spring rolls, fish and seafood.

Shopping
Vietnam has plenty of clothing shops that are ready and waiting to make the tailored garments, which can be completed in a matter of hours. Other great shopping choices include the jewellery, silks, ceramics, lacquer ware and bamboo items. It is possible to buy antiques in many of the major cities, but there is likely to be difficulties in bringing these back to the UK due of issues at customs. In most of the markets or some stores it is possible to haggle to get the best possible price, although this does not apply to the state-run stores that have a fixed price policy in place.

Things to do in Vietnam
Captivating temples, pristine beaches and centuries-old traditions make the Vietnam holiday packages a perfect experience. Let's look at some of the best attractions.

Beach resorts
Nha Trang has Six Senses Ninh Van Bay, which is a private beach paradise and is often referred to as the Vietnamese Riviera
Mui Né Beach is a perfect destination for those interested in complete rest and relaxation and is based on the fringes of a sleepy fishing town.
Ke Ga Bay is based in southern Vietnam and a very peaceful and secluded beach that is based in the Princess D’Annam Resort, which is very family friendly.

Sightseeing
Visit Hanoi to get a first-hand view of the famous Ho Chi Minh stilt house and the presidential palace
See the most amazing rice terraces in northern Vietnam such as Sapa, Mu Cang Chai and Hoang Su Phi
Discover Ha Giang, the most scenic part of the country.
Take the boat trip in Ninh Binh at Tam Coc, Trang An, Van Long Natural Reserve
Go to Hoi An to get a traditional silk ao dai or suit made to order.
Explore the War Remnants Museum and Reunification Palace in Ho Chi Minh City.
Experience life and floating markets in Mekong Delta

Festivals
Get to experience the Water Puppet Festival and The Tet Festival to celebrate New Year which takes place during late January and early February.
The Tet Trung Thu is a Mid-Autumn Festival with mooncakes and lanterns and takes place during September.

Food
Visit one of the trendy cafes in Ho Chi Minh City like L’Usineto to experience a very strong cup of Vietnamese coffee.
Stop at Pho 2000 for a delicious bowl of noodle soup known as Pho.
Learn to cook like the natives by taking a cooking class at the Saigon Cooking Class or Saigon Culinary Arts Centre in Ho Chi Minh City.

Adventure
Visit the beautiful emerald waters of Halong Bay and admire the limestone cliffs while cruising in a traditional junk boat. Another great water adventure includes the Mekong Delta in Ho Chi Minh City.
Go to Cong Dam for a complete kayaking adventure that includes the geological Park and lagoons. Also explore the waterways at Hon Co Island.

Holidays to Vietnam beaches
Vietnam is rich in pristine sandy white beaches that stretch along the 2000 kilometre coastline that faces the South China Sea. There are plenty of beach resorts that are still relatively untouched by the tourist trade and still able to showcase the traditional charms with historical sites and fishing villages to explore nearby. The resorts can vary from the luxurious pool villas to the peaceful beach cottages. Any of the Vietnam tour holidays can include a beach stay to make it possible to fully rejuvenate and relax while touring this magnificent country.

Let's look at some of the best Vietnam beaches;

Nha Trang
Nha Trang is a busy city that has a local beach resort with plenty of bars and nightlife available. This area is great for boat trips as well as diving and snorkelling opportunities. Not far from the main city are the lovely beaches that give the chance to fully escape the hustle and bustle of city life. This city is easily reached by road from Dalat, as well has been on the coastal rail route and having domestic flight connections.

Phu Quoc Island
The Phu Quoc Island is just off the southern coast of Vietnam and a very quiet and magical place to escape from everyday life. It has a very laid-back atmosphere with fantastic beaches and great sporting activities such as snorkelling. It is easily reached by air from Ho Chi Minh City or a boat ride that can take about two and half hours from Rach Gia.

Phan Thiet/Mui Ne
Phan Thiet/Mui Ne is in the southern part of the country and about 7.5 hours drive from the southern city of Ho Chi Minh. This beach isn't the easiest to reach and is only accessible after completing a long drive, but the time and effort to reach this relatively small beach is certain to be worthwhile. The local area has plenty of hotels and a great choice of restaurants.

Hoi An
Hoi An is a perfect destination for those that wish to experience the full charm of this Southeast Asian country with its peaceful life and Cham ruins, while there are also excellent hotels and long stretches of sandy beaches. The actual town is great for its little shops and great restaurants and is a very charming place. The trip from the town to the beach is relatively short at about 5 miles and there is usually a shuttle service available. Danang is relatively close to Hoi An, which means there is also convenient access to both a railroad station and airport.

The preferred time to visit Mui Ne and Phu Quoc is from mid October to April, while the most favourable time to explore the central regions like Hoi An and Nha Trang are from January to August. Additionally, for the most attractive prices on hotel accommodation throughout the regions of the country is from 1st May to 30th of September.

Travel options within Vietnam
For the traveller that is likely to explore the full length of the country, air travel is likely to be essential because the distance between some of the major cities is quite extensive, which makes the domestic flights the most straightforward solution to reach your next destination. Other options include the train travel with plenty of opportunities to experience overnight journeys. However, travel by night bus is generally advised against.

Vietnam tours
Vietnam tours give the very best solution to fully explore the different regions and appreciate what this country has to offer.

A complete tour of Vietnam can provide an in-depth journey that spans the entire length of the country from the North to South, which can include the stunning Ninh Binh Province and Halong Bay, Hanoi and the Old Quarter, as well as the fast-pace of Ho Chi Minh City. Tourists get to travel by road, rail, cyclo and boat while witnessing the historic landmarks, natural wonders and cultural sights.

A short tour that keeps you close to the capital city of Hanoi can include a two night cruise in Halong Bay, which is surrounded by thousands of tiny islands and limestone karsts. It is possible to experience the tour on a luxury vessel that gives the very best in style and comfort with fine dining and a cruise itinerary that explores some of the best-known local areas. Great activities to experience include squid fishing, cooking demonstration and a high tea ceremony.

Places to visit in Vietnam

Hoi An
Hoi An is a coastal town that has plenty of old world charm with its colonial houses, art galleries, ramshackle shops and winding streets. This town has several UNESCO World Heritage sites, while it is also possible to admire the architecture that has been influenced by French-Colonial, Japanese, Chinese and Vietnamese styles. A very relaxing cruise along the river is certain to be appreciated and is lined with lanterns. This town is well known for its silk trade and the ability to create the bespoke outfits within a matter of hours.

Hue
Holidays in Vietnam that stops at Hue make it possible to experience one of the countries most beautiful cities, and situated on the bank of the Perfume River. This city is a great base to experience the imperial past of this country by visiting the temples, tombs and pagodas that appear in many places along the river. Other attractions include the Ornate Tomb of Khai Dinh and the Citadel. You can also take a day to explore the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ), Vinh Moc Tunnels, the Truong Son National Cemetery and Camp Carroll.

Sapa
Sapa is based in the Northern region of the country and offers towering mountains and internal landscape that is surrounded by rice terraces, lush fields and cloaked in mist. This gives a perfect opportunity to experience the traditional hill tribes that thrive in this area.

To plan your holidays to Vietnam, Please feel free to submit the below Vietnam travel enquiry form.