Vietnam

Vietnam is a country of remarkable cultural richness and natural beauty, stretching over 1,600km (1025 mi) kilometres from the cool mountains of the north to the tropical waterways of the Mekong Delta. Its landscapes are wonderfully diverse, ranging from terraced rice fields and forested highlands to limestone karsts, sandy beaches and bustling river systems. Cities such as Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City offer a lively mix of French colonial heritage, modern energy and traditional Vietnamese charm.

Vietnamese culture is shaped by a long history of regional influences, including Chinese, Cham and French traditions, blended with a strong national identity. Buddhism, Confucian values and ancestor worship all play a role in daily life, reflected in temples, family rituals and the country’s strong sense of community. Food is a highlight of any visit—fresh, fragrant and regionally distinct, with northern, central and southern kitchens each offering their own memorable flavours.

Travel in Vietnam is increasingly smooth thanks to good infrastructure, reliable domestic flights and well-connected transport networks. While major cities are vibrant and fast-paced, much of the countryside remains relaxed and deeply traditional. With its friendly people, rich cultural heritage and striking variety of landscapes, Vietnam offers a rewarding and engaging travel experience for visitors.

Rice paddy cycling in Vietnam | Richard I'Anson

About Vietnam

Accommodation Leaders Responsible Travel

Lodges

Enjoy selected lodges that offer comfortable, well maintained accommodation in characterful settings.

Rooms are clean and welcoming, with good facilities suited to the location.

Each lodge is chosen for its atmosphere and reliability, providing a relaxed base between days of exploration.

Simple but comfortable homestay, Vietnam

Homestays

Stay with a local family who welcomes you into their home for an authentic cultural experience.

Homestays offer simple, comfortable accommodation and the opportunity to share meals and daily routines with your hosts.

It is a meaningful way to gain insight into local life beyond the usual traveller experience.

Fine dining aboard the Ha Long Bay cruise

Halong Bay Junk Boats

Experience a deluxe junk boat crafted from aromatic wood, combining traditional design with modern comfort.

On board, you’ll find comfortable cabins and an elegant dining room and bar, creating a relaxed setting as you cruise through scenic waterways.

It is a unique way to experience Vietnam’s coastal and river landscapes from a unique vantage point.

Accommodation along the Mekong Delta | Lachlan Gardiner

Hotels

In cities such as Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, as well as larger regional centres, you stay in well selected 3 to 4 star properties chosen for their comfort, character and reliability.

Hotels are typically centrally located or well positioned for easy access to key sights, dining precincts and cultural highlights, providing a comfortable base as you explore.

Do Chi Hung

Do was born in Ha Noi, graduating in Tourism from Ha Noi Open University. He has been guiding for more than 10 years in both touring and adventure trips. As part of the Ha Noi cycling team he has a great passion for biking tours as well as showing his fellow travellers the beauty of all of Vietnam - from the remote villages and mountainous areas to cities and beaches.

Nom Vannak Nom

Nom joined the tourism industry in 1999 after completing a Tourism degree in Siem Reap. His interest in adventure tourism propelled him into a career of taking travellers walking and cycling across many regions of Indochina. A great communicator, his genuine interest in nature and history make him an exceptional guide.

Dr Ross Anderson

Dr Anderson lives with his wife in a small town near the Lakes District in the north of England. He is a family doctor and spends much of his spare time travelling as an expedition doctor. He has more than 10 years of altitude and travel medicine experience. Previous treks and expeditions have focused on the Himalayas, with others in the Scandinavian Arctic and mountainous areas of Africa. He also enjoys trail running, cycling and open-water swimming.

Support of local communities

Employees are from local communities and are provided with training, good wages and insurance benefits under the labor law. We use locally run accommodation and encourage travelers to purchase handicrafts from village stalls and artisans and to elect to dine at small restaurants serving traditional foods.

Carbon travel minimisation

Our itineraries are designed to minimise the amount of carbon produced, opting for bikes, city walks, cyclos and electric cars as a first option.

Protection of vulnerable children

We protect vulnerable children by adhering to our comprehensive Child Welfare Policy and we seek to educate travellers about these issues.

No elephant rides

We advocate against the practice of elephant riding as part of a tourism experience and as such we do not include elephant rides in any of our Vietnam itineraries. In the interest of public safety and animal welfare we discourage our clients from partaking in such activities outside of our itineraries.

Useful Vietnam Info

Vietnam offers dramatic mountain landscapes, fertile river deltas and rich cultural heritage, with the best regions to explore including northern Vietnam, the cities of Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, central Vietnam and the Mekong Delta.

Northern Vietnam & Sapa: Northern Vietnam’s highlands feature rice terraces, forested mountains and ethnic minority villages ideal for trekking through some of the country’s most spectacular landscapes.

Hanoi & Ho Chi Minh City: Vietnam’s two great cities reveal a striking contrast between the colonial boulevards and historic Old Quarter of Hanoi in the north and the buzzing streets and modern energy of Ho Chi Minh City in the south.

Central Vietnam & Hoi An: Central Vietnam combines coastal scenery, historic trading towns and scenic cycling routes through countryside and fishing villages.

Mekong Delta: The Mekong Delta’s fertile waterways and floating markets reveal traditional river culture explored by boat and bicycle through villages, orchards and rice fields.

Riding through rice paddies in Vietnam - <i>Photo: Amanda Fletcher</i>

The best time to travel to Vietnam for hiking, trekking, kayaking and adventure touring is usually during the drier months when rainfall is lighter and conditions are more comfortable for exploring forests, coastlines and national parks.

Vietnam has a tropical climate with warm temperatures year round, typically ranging between 24°C and 32°C (75°F–90°F). Most regions experience a dry season and a wetter season which influence outdoor travel conditions.

During the wetter season tropical showers refresh the landscape and create lush green forests and flowing rivers. While humidity is higher, this time can still be rewarding for adventurous travellers seeking vibrant scenery and quieter trails.

Beautiful view of the Halong floating village, Vietnam

Vietnam is +7 hours ahead of UTC/GMT

Vietnamese (official); English (increasingly favoured as a second language); mountains area languages (Mon-Khmer and Mayalo-Polynesian); plus some French, Russian, Chinese and Khmer.

Vietnamese Dong

USD, EUR & AUD dollars are easily changed in Vietnam.

Credit cards and ATM are available in most large cities and hotels, however it is not recommended to rely on these solely.

+84

Electricity in Vietnam is usually 220v at 50Hz cycles, but you may sometimes find 110v at 50Hz cycles. The pin type varies but is most commonly types A (two prong flat) or C (two prong round). We recommend taking a universal adapter.

If you have a valid Australian, New Zealand, Canadian or United States passport, you are eligible to apply online for an E-visa. This can be a single-entry or multiple-entry electronic tourist visa, valid for a maximum of 90 days. It allows you to enter Vietnam via the port of entry indicated in the visa approval notice only. Apply for an E-visa through the Vietnamese Government's e-visa portal https://www.xuatnhapcanh.gov.vn/

United Kingdom – British Nationals can enter Vietnam for up to 45 days without requiring to apply for a visa. For stays longer than 45 days a visa must be obtained prior to arrival in Vietnam, apply for an E-visa online through the online portal https://www.xuatnhapcanh.gov.vn/

E-visas are issued for stays of up to 90 days of entry only and are valid for multiple entries. A Vietnam eVisa typically requires 4-6 working days for processing.

For stays longer than 90 days, please contact the nearest Embassy or Consulate of Vietnam.

To apply for an E-Visa for Vietnam, you must make sure that:

Your passport is valid for at least 6 months following arrival date and has at least 2 blank pages;

You have a soft copy (ideally JPEG format) of a passport-size photo;

You have a soft copy (ideally JPEG format) of your passport personal data page which must be full and clear;

You have an exact entry port;

You have a credit/debit card to make payment online for E-visa fee.

From 15 April 2026, all foreign nationals entering Vietnam via Tan Son Nhat Airport (SGN), Ho Chi Minh City, are required by the Vietnamese Government to complete a pre-arrvival a digital card online generating a QR code for immigration. This can only be done 72hrs before arrival. This does not replace visa requirements and transit passengers not passing through immigration are exempt.

From July 1, 2026, passengers entering, exiting, or transiting through Vietnam are required to complete health declarations and quarantine procedures in accordance with the guidance of the Ministry of Health.

Passengers may submit their health declarations electronically or in paper form within 7 days prior to entry. The Health Declaration section will be updated from 1 July 2026 on: prearrival.immigration.gov.vn

Proof of vaccination or other preventive measures may be requested at the border. Please carry vaccination records with you.

Your safety is our number one concern. Our safety track record is exemplary thanks to careful management and thorough consultation with local partners. Our industry leading risk management procedures have become a skill that we continue to refine. Our leaders in the field are highly trained and have safety as their number one priority. Expert leaders, risk assessments, quality inclusions and your financial security all come standard when you travel with us.

Please refer to our Travel Advisory page for updates on recent events, travel warnings and advice.

We strongly recommend that all clients take out travel insurance at the time of booking to cover against sickness, accident, loss of baggage, unexpected alterations to travel arrangements and travel disruption, emergency evacuation, cancellations, etc. Insurance information is enclosed with your pre-departure information. Please contact us if you would like to obtain a quote for your trip duration.

We suggest that you consult your doctor, local government inoculation centre or a travel medical specialist in order to get the most current advice regarding vaccination requirements.

Money and valuables should always be stored safely when travelling. Keep your passport with you at all times and do not leave it in your main luggage. You will need it to change money and check into hotels. Where safety deposit boxes are available, we recommend that you use them. Keep jewellery and valuables to a minimum.

People and Culture First

Travel with purpose, placing local communities at the heart of your adventure.

Led by experienced local guides and supported by regional crews and partners, your trip helps sustain livelihoods, build skills and strengthen long term partnerships.

Every adventure is designed to encourage respectful cultural exchange and ensure the benefits of tourism are shared with the communities you visit.

Our Sustainability Commitment