Destination Vietnam

Vietnam Excursions

Half day Saigon City Tour

In this essential highlight tour, visit the former Presidential Palace, which is now preserved as a museum, including the underground communications bunkers, headquarters for the Saigon Government during the American War. Continue to the History Museum, which houses an excellent display tracing the origins of the indigenous Vietnamese. Take the opportunity to see a delightful performance of Water Puppetry in the grounds. Visit Notre Dame, an impressive neo-Romanesque cathedral in the centre of city, the ‘wedding cake’ styled hotel d’ville and Dong Khoi street, formerly the centre of haute couture in Saigon when it was known as Rue Catinat.

Half day China Town and Temples

Cholon, which literally translates to ‘big market’, is the focus of the Chinese community in Saigon. See Cha Tam Church where President Diem sought refuge shortly before his assassination in 1963. Visit the impressive Thien Hau Temple dedicated to the goddess of the seas, who is said to protect fishermen and sailors. Here huge coils of incense hang from the ornate ceiling, and can burn for up to three months at a time. Visit Binh Tay market and the surrounding area, which bustles with trading activity. En-route your return journey, stop at a tiny Cao Dai temple, where one small sect of this eclectic religion worship daily.

Half day The Tunnels of Cu Chi

Journey out of the city centre to the Cu Chi regions, where you will visit the vast underground network of tunnels built first as a defence against the French, and later expanded during the American war. It was from here that the North Vietnamese waged their guerrilla warfare and you will marvel at their ingenuity and resilience. See secret trapdoors, underground kitchens, living areas and meeting rooms. The more adventurous may explore the deeper second, and even third level tunnels. For those preferring to remain above ground, there is ample opportunity to view excavated areas from above. Your guide will advise you of the length and level of difficulty of each tunnel before entering - some are easily accessed by stairs. We recommend good walking shoes and sun protection for this tour and advise you may get a little dirty!

Half day visit local market followed by a cooking class with a local chef

Discover the culture of Vietnamese culinary art with a local renowned chef,who will entertain and provide a “Hands-on” cooking experience of some of Vietnam’s most famous dishes.

The morning will start with a cyclo ride to the nearest food market and a walk through with the chef to purchase the ingredients for the meal you are about to make.

At the cookery centre you will be provided with a handbook and guided assistance to help produce these unique dishes to Vietnam.

Full day Ho Chi Minh City Tour with Lunch

Visit the former Presidential Palace, which is now preserved as a museum, including the underground communications bunkers, headquarters for the Saigon Government during the American War. Continue to the History Museum, which houses an excellent display tracing the origins of the indigenous Vietnamese. A water puppet performance is housed in the grounds. See Notre Dame, an impressive neo-Romanesque cathedral in the centre of city, the ‘wedding cake’ styled hotel d’ville and the former US Embassy.

Lunch will be taken in a leading Vietnamese restaurant where you will have a chance to sample some unique local cuisine before continuing to Cholon, which literally translated is ‘big market’ and is the focus of the Chinese community in Saigon. See Cha Tam Church where President Diem sought refuge shortly before his assassination in 1963, and the impressive Thien Hau Temple dedicated to the goddess of the seas, who is said to protect fishermen and sailors. Here huge coils of incense hang from the ornate ceiling, and can burn for up to three months at a time. Visit Binh Tay market and the surrounding area, which bustles with trading activity. En-route on your return journey, stop at a tiny Cao Dai temple, where one small sect of this eclectic religion worships daily.

Full day Mekong Delta Tour with Lunch

Travel the bustling highway into the surrounding countryside where you will pass lush rice paddies carefully tended, before boarding your motorised sampan for a unique experience on the mighty Mekong Delta waterways. You will see how, to the people of Delta, the water is a lifeline - the focus of all daily activity - as you journey through a maze of tributaries and fruit plantations. Enjoy a sample of delicious fruit in the shade of a fruit farmer’s garden before continuing via small canals on a sampan and on to lunch, where the speciality is a remarkable dish of ‘elephants ear fish’. Return to Ho Chi Minh City by the late afternoon.

Full day Cu Chi Tunnels and Cao Dai Temple with Lunch

The Cao Dai religion is unique to Vietnam and is a blend of both ancient and modern beliefs. The Great Temple at Tay Ninh is the centre of the religion, demonstrated by an exotic temple, often likened to something from Disneyland! Here followers of this eclectic religion worship saints such as Victor Hugo, Joan of Arch and even Shakespeare. A highlight of this tour is the very colourful yet formal service held at midday, which you are welcome to observe.

Following lunch at a local restaurant, stop at Cu Chi where you will visit the vast underground network of tunnels built first as a defence against the French, and later expanded during the American war. It was from here that the North Vietnamese waged their guerrilla warfare and you will marvel at their ingenuity and resilience. See secret trapdoors, underground kitchens, living areas and meeting rooms. The more adventurous may explore the deeper second, and even third level tunnels For those preferring to remain above ground, there is ample opportunity to view excavated areas from above. Your guide will advise you of the length and level of difficulty of each tunnel before entering - some are easily accessed by stairs. We recommend good walking shoes and sun protection for this tour and advise you may get a little dirty!

Full day Vung Tau Tour with Lunch

Just 128 kilometres south east of Saigon, Vung Tau is a favoured beach resort for the local Saigonese. Pass through picturesque rice paddies to the eastern point of land once known as Cape St Jaques, and marked by a large Jesus statue (a la Rio de Janeiro). Visit the former royal residence of Bach Dinh (White Palace) with its refreshing ocean views and bougainvillaea surrounds. You will see hillsides dotted with summer villas and the quaint Bay of Boats, home to a very active fishing fleet. After lunch in an excellent local restaurant there will be time for a swim at one of several popular beaches or simply relax in front of the ocean.

Full day tour to Cai Be with lunch at a local house

Journey south of Ho Chi Minh City by road for approximately 3 hours to the Mekong River town of Cai Be to board a motorised sampan for a winding introduction to life on the river. Cai Be is known for its large floating market, where displays of food produce are hung from bamboo poles over the host boat in order to attract custom. From here the journey continues across the upper reach of the river to a maze of tributaries and fruit plantations. Barges ply the route, overloaded with rice husks used as fuel for the regions numerous brick kilns.

Depending on the season, a sample of local tropical fruit will be served with lunch in the shade of a local farmer’s home before rejoining your craft for the leisurely cruise back to Cai Be. Return to Saigon in late afternoon.

Half day Da Lat Orientation tour

Much delight will be taken in an exploration of Dalat ’s architecture – from the villas of the ‘French Quarter ’ to the unusual guesthouse shaped with each annex shaped like a different animal, known as the ‘Crazy House ’!

Visit the town ’s bustling central market, renowned for its fresh vegetables and fruit that is rarely found in a tropical country; they even grow strawberries here! Visit the former Railway Station (in use only for an optional steam train ride) and Dalat Cathedral.

Bao Dai ’s Summer Palace sits on a hill just outside the main centre. Bao Dai was the Last Emperor of Vietnam and the Palace has been preserved exactly as he left it in 1954. It is a classic example of art deco that is a tourist attraction in itself.

Subject to opening times, also visit the Ethnic Museum, which houses a fascinating display of artefacts and traditional costumes.

Half day Lat village

Located 12 km north of Dalat, Lat village is where the ethnic groups habit. The site is suitable for studying the culture of the southwestern Highland ethnic minorities.

Standing at the foot of Langbian Mountain, from the village visitors can climb to the top of the mountain or ride a motorbike to a slightly lesser peak. There are nine hamlets in Lat Village. The inhabitants of five of the hamlets are of the Lat ethnic group and the other four are members of the Chil, Ma, and Koho tribes. They speak different dialects. Traditionally, Lat houses are built on piles with rough plank walls and a thatch roof. There are now 7 groups of ethnic music that perform traditional shows. Visitors can enjoy some of them here.

Half day Nha Trang City tour

Visit Long Son Pagoda, which was founded in the late 19th Century. The entrance and roofs are decorated with mosaic dragons made of glass and ceramic tile. From the pagoda, those more energetic will have the chance to climb the 152 stone steps leading to the giant white Buddha seated on a lotus blossom. There are superb views of the whole city from the platforms around the Buddha (14 metres high), which was built in 1963.

You will also visit Dam market in the centre of Nha Trang – one of Vietnam’s most interesting local markets. There’s a colourful selection of local produce. Fruit, vegetables and seafood are the most common but you will also see dried seahorses and lizards - popular specialities of Nha Trang!

Evidence of the ancient Cham civilisation of Vietnam can be seen in Nha Trang at the hill top Po Nagar Cham Towers. Built between the 7th and 12th Century and named in honour of the former Cham Princess who introduced her people to profitable weaving and wet rice cultivation techniques, it is still used as a centre for worship today. Walk across Ha Ra Bridge below to photograph the abundant fishing boats moored in the shallow Nha Trang harbour. Boats are brightly painted in blue and red – an engaging sight against a typically azure sky.

Half day Nha Trang countryside and village

Just a few kilometres from Nha Trang’s beachfront is the picturesque countryside dotted with palm trees and fruit orchards. Here the local people go about their daily business, with farming and cottage industry traditionally the mainstream of their simple lives. Board a small, motorised boat for a delightful look into the nearby rural areas of Nha Trang. Visit the household bakery that supplies the surrounding villages with delicious French style baguettes. The aroma wafting from the primitive oven is tantalising! The village path leads us to the home of one family who weave mats from rushes, which grow abundantly in the area. Two people working together will weave just four mats in a day, which will be taken to the local market and traded for food and other essentials.

Visit a local home – these are traditionally laid out in the same manner throughout the village. Ancestor worship is an important part of daily life in Vietnam and a large area of these small homes is usually reserved for the family alter. Pass through a fruit orchard boasting a plentiful supply of tropical fruits - sample some at a riverside cafe, where you may see children playing or bathing with their water buffalo at the end of a days’ work in the rice paddies.

On your return, stop by the local market – the hub of the village where women from every family gather daily to barter for life’s essentials. Trading goods is more commonplace than currency in this lifestyle.

Half day Bay and Boats tour

A relaxing half-day cruise on the turquoise waters of the South China Sea. Your craft is a simple (but safe and comfortable!) reconverted fishing boat.

Off shore from Nha Trang lie numerous islands, some inhabited and many dotted with idyllic fishing villages. We pause at one of these villages – Bai Tru – and you are free to wander at will. The local people are very friendly and hospitable to visitors. Young children will ferry you between the boat and shore by coracle, the round bamboo boats so commonly used in coastal Vietnam. Should you wish, there will be opportunity to swim and snorkel in secluded bays. Lunch is a feast of local specialities prepared onboard or at a local beach.

Full day city tour & island boat trip

This excursion takes you to visit a selection of the numerous attractions in Nha Trang City. First the car will drive you to Cau Da for a visit the Vietnam Oceanographic Institute. After that, you will go to Long Son Pagoda, Chong Promontory Rocks and the Po Nagar Temples. The tour end after the visit to local Dam Market.

After lunch at a local restaurant you will have a relaxing half-day cruise on the turquoise waters of the South China Sea. Your craft is a simple (but safe and comfortable!) reconverted fishing boat.

Full day boat & islands trip

Experience the coast of Nha Trang boat trip as we set out in the morning, for our first stop at the aquarium. We then head out to Hon Mun Island where we have the chance for swimming and snorkeling to see really beautiful coral reef in the crystal clear waters. Get back on the boat we keep sailing to fishing village of Lang Chai for lunch. From here we continue to Hon Tam Island where you have the choice of relaxing on the beach or for the energetic - there is a choice of water sports, where we have time to enjoy that before boarding our boat back to Nha Trang harbor.

Half day Da Nang city tour

The tour starts with a visit the Cham Museum in Danang, once centre of the ancient Cham civilisation. Hindu in origin, the Cham people left a legacy of excellent sculptures, now housed in the only museum if its kind in Danang, as they were pushed south by the advancing Vietnamese invaders.

Close by Danang is China Beach, immortalised for many by the US television show and still one of the most spectacular beaches in Asia.

Continue to the Marble Mountains for a photo stop en-route to Hoi An. These five rocky outcrops are said to represent five natural elements, and are the source of many intriguing legends, as well as housing temples and once even an army hospital! You will see skilled artisans carving all manner of statues from marble sourced locally at the mountains’ base.

Half day Hoi An Ancient Civilization

Just a short drive from Danang, the unique trading town of Hoi An was a civilisation cut off by destroyed rail lines and a silted river, leaving it untouched by war and frozen in time. See architecture reminiscent of traders of a bygone era - Japanese, French, Chinese, and Indian, as well as beautifully preserved ancient houses. No cars are allowed to pass through Hoi An, rendering it an excellent walking village. Visit the unique Japanese covered bridge and a Chinese communal house. Shop for art at one of the numerous galleries and enjoy the riverside ambience.

Half day Danang Countryside

This tour will take you into the very heart of rural Danang for a special insight into the every day life of a local village community. The small settlement of Hoa Chau, nestled among seemingly endless rice fields, allows the visitor to experience first hand the very backbone of Vietnam’s rural culture.

Enjoy a comprehensive walk through the village, shaded from the sun by a canopy of bamboo thickets, passing by local homes, vegetable and fruit gardens, a village temple and a husking mill.

Depending on the season, you will have the opportunity to see the local farming community threshing and harvesting.

Half day Cam Ha Pottery Village (from Hoi An)

The small village of Cam Ha is reached by boat from Hoi An and, because of its isolation, has retained traditions that have long since been modernised elsewhere in the world.

On disembarking your simple, but comfortable boat, you will wander the well-trodden track to the village centre. At every turn you will see the remarkable tenacity of the local people as they perform the backbreaking labour of their craft that has been handed down through generations. Courtyards are lined with hand cut bricks, drying in the accommodating sun. Village elders turn the potting wheels whilst their children shape vase after bowl after plate from the supple clay.

The village of Cam Ha is a truly remarkable example of a simple life, unfazed by the hustle and bustle of the modern world.

Half day Mountains and Beaches

For the fit and the willing, this tour combines an active climb to the top of one of the Marble Mountains, with some well-deserved relaxation!

Nestled just a short distance from both Danang city and Hoi An, the five rocky outcrops known as the Marble Mountains are said to represent five natural elements, and are the source of all manner of legends. The climb to the top is via stairs cut from stone, and as you weave your way toward a spectacular view of Vietnam’s coast and the South China Sea beyond, you will stop to visit many of the temples and caves en-route.

Upon your descent and after all that expended energy, a swim is in order! ‘China Beach’ is the ideal location with a pristine expanse of deserted, white sandy beach. Whilst many locals will dispute which stretch of sand is the ‘real’ China Beach, there is no denying that this is one of the most beautiful, undiscovered beaches in Asia. Take some time out to relax, perhaps consider lunch in a nearby resort, before returning to your hotel.

Half day Market visit and cooking lesson

We start the day with a drink at a local restaurant then visit Hoi An?s colorful market to experience the amazing sights, sounds and aromas of this busy market. We will have the opportunity to interact with the local sellers and purchase some of the ingredients to be used in the cooking lesson later.

Then board a boat for a leisurely cruise along the Hoi An River to the local restaurant. This is a chance to view local river life.

On arrival, we explore the cooking school?s herb and vegetable garden, before learning about some of Hoi An?s and Vietnam?s well-known dishes. The cooking lesson runs for about 2 hours ? each dish is first demonstrated by a local chef?s, before we prepare the same dish ourselves. Included in the class is a brief introduction to Vietnamese food carving (plate decoration).

After the lesson, it is time for lunch and to eat exactly what we have cooked!

Full day Ancient Ruins of My Son

Your day will begin with an early morning drive from Danang/Hoi An through 60 km of rolling countryside, passing through small towns with markets in full swing, often journeying alongside the wide reaches of the Han River.

As you draw closer to My Son, which translates literally as “Beautiful Mountain&8221; the condition of the road begins to deteriorate and the last few kilometres of track are often rutted and potholed. On arriving at the My Son area you will take a short 500m walk through lush hillsides, trees and brush, before emerging into the main site.

There were over 70 classic Cham monuments at My Son, dating from the 7th - 13th Centuries. Set against the backdrop of the appropriately named Cat’s Tooth Mountain, they would then have been an awesome sight. Until 1968 they remained, remarkably, in almost perfect condition, having been sheltered from the worst excesses of weather by the surrounding hills. Regrettably however, man achieved what nature could not and B52 bombers destroyed most of the towers when My Son found itself in a free-fire zone during the Vietnam War.

Your guide will offer full commentary on the Cham heritage of My Son whilst you wander at will around this most historic site. Take the opportunity to do so now, as My Son is due to become part of UNESCO’s protected monuments list and access may well be restricted in the future.

Full day Da Nang & Hoi An tour

Close by Danang is China Beach, immortalised for many by the US television show and still one of the most spectacular beaches in Asia.

Half day boat cruise to Thien Mu pagoda and Imperial Citadel

One of the most notable features of Hue is the meandering Perfume (Huong) River that divides the city. As both the Imperial Citadel and the Thien Mu Pagoda are situated on the river banks, boating on a simple, yet comfortable, vessel offers a relaxing alternative to the Imperial Hue tour.

Built in 1601 between a river and a pine forest, the Thien Mu Pagoda (“Heavenly Lady Pagoda”) in Hue is one of the oldest and prettiest religious buildings in the country. Among the many interesting artifacts housed at the complex is the car that took the monk Thich Quang Duc to his self-immolation in 1963 Saigon.

The Citadel stared in 1805 under the reign of Emperor Gia Long and completed in 1832 under the reign of Emperor Ming Mang. Under Nguyen’s reign, Kings have ordered to build ramparts, palaces and constructional works of royal. Over 200 years to now, it is still original with nearly 140 small and large constructions.

Half day Tu Duc & Khai Dinh tomb

The hills surrounding Hue are dotted with the tombs of the Nguyen dynasty emperors. Built not only as an eternal resting place, the tombs were designed for recreation; somewhere the Emperor could fish, hunt and enjoy the company of concubines in his twilight years. This tour combines visits to two of the most contrasting tombs.

Visit first the tomb of Emperor Tu Duc, resplendent in traditional architecture, paved walkways, resting pavilions overlooking tranquil lotus ponds, and a small forest for hunting. In stark contrast, continue to Khai Dinh’s Tomb. Remembered as the *#8216;Puppet Emperor’ because of his affiliation with the French, this tomb was designed with colonial flair, and a glass mosaic frieze dominates the interior.

Half day boat cruise to Thien Mu pagoda and Minh Mang’s tomb

Visit Thien Mu Pagoda by boat then continue by boat to the less visited and perhaps most majestic of all of Hue’s tombs – the tomb of Minh Mang.

Built in 1601 between a river and a pine forest, the Thien Mu Pagoda (“Heavenly Lady Pagoda*#8221;) in Hue is one of the oldest and prettiest religious buildings in the country. Among the many interesting artifacts housed at the complex is the car that took the monk Thich Quang Duc to his self-immolation in 1963 Saigon.

Built between 1841 and 1843, Minh Mang’s this tomb is well known for its harmonious blend of architecture and natural landscape.

Half day Imperial Citadel & Dong Ba market

The tour starts with a visit at Imperial Citadel. Situated on the Northern bank of the Perfume River, with an area of 500 ha and a system of three circles of ramparts, namely from outside to inside: Kinh Thanh (Capital Citadel), Hoang Thanh (Royal Citadel) and Tu Cam Thanh (Forbidden Citadel).

Dong Ba Market in Old Hue is near the place where the Dong Ba Canal joins the Perfume River. This market is strongly recommended to anyone with an interest in Vietnamese food or culture. The maintenance of ancient characteristics makes an unforgettable impression to visitors. Dong Ba Market is near the eastern corner of the Citadel. Nearby, a commercial district stretches along the Dong Ba Canal.

Half day market visit and cooking class

The tour starts with a visit at a local market where the local chef will introduce you with the normal life of local vendors. Return to the traditional house of the chef then enjoy a 2.5 hours cooking lesson. Enjoy lunch of what you have cooked.

Full day Royal Kingdom

This is a combination of half day Perfume River Cruising to the Imperial Citadel and Thien Mu Pagoda in the morning, lunch in a local restaurant, and afternoon visits to Tu Duc and Khai Dinh’s Tombs and provides an in-depth look at the fascinating city of Hue.