Highlights of Vietnam

Experiences

If you have some free time before meeting your group at the hotel, take a walk through the city. Top sights include the National Museum of Vietnamese History, Hoan Kiem Lake and the Temple of Literature.

Experiences

Visit the Ho Chi Minh Complex. Many Vietnamese take pilgrimages to the Ho Chi Minh complex. It's a lovely place to roam around, exploring stunning botanical gardens and the original structures that were there in the time of the late Ho Chi Minh. You can also view the embalmed remains of the president himself at the on-site mausoleum. .

One pillar pagoda. Pagodas are tiered towers that serves as a place of worship for individuals of the Hindu or Buddhist faith. The One-Pillar Pagoda is one of the foremost landmarks in Vietnam and has been constructed to resemble a delicate lotus flower.

Temple of Literature. The Temple of Literature is one of Hanoi's most peaceful and picturesque sights. It is one of the country's 23 official monuments and holds a place of honour on the 100,000 dong note.

Vietnam Museum of Ethnology. If you like your museum experiences to be immersive, the Vietnam Museum of Ethnology will be your cup of tea. Here you can explore full-scale structures of authentic dwellings of each of the country's 54 groups and peruse countless exhibits and objects that provide insight into their cultures.

Hoan Kiem Lake & Ngoc Son Temple. Hoan Kiem Lake is associated with the Vietnamese legende of a tortoise that drove the Chinese from Vietnam and then returned the weapon to the lake. Today it is a restful greenspace where visitors can drink in the comings and goings of locals and visit the Ngoc Son Temple located on an island in the lake.

Experiences

Ha Long Bay. Ha Long Bay is one of the 7 Natural Wonders of the World and has also been named a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Also known as the ‘Descending Dragon Bay’, it's incredible scenery has made it one of the best-loved visitor destinations throughout the country.

Visit Sung Sot Cave. First discovered in 1901, the cave was named ‘Grotte des Surprises’ due to its surprising beauty. The two caverns in the cave are illuminated by bright lights, which depict different formations.

Cooking demonstration. Marvel as a Vietnamese-style seafood feast that is prepared in front of you.  

Night-time squid-fishing (onboard). Squid-fishing is a Vietnamese custom and partaking in this pastime with the locals is a great way to get up close and personal with their culture.

Indochina movie screening (onboard). Watch an informative film on the history and ecological importance of Ha Long Bay.

Experiences

Tai Chi lesson. Start the morning with a sunrise Tai Chi lesson on the sundeck of the boat.

Tour to Luon Cave. The only way to enter the cave is by a small boat or kayak. Depending on the tide, the arch of the cave only rises 4-6m above the water level.

Cát Bà island. Cát Bà is the largest island in Ha Long Bay. Green and lush, it sits in gorgeous juxtaposition to the busy metropoles nearby.

Experiences

Cruise the Perfume River on a dragon boat. The Perfume River is named for the fragrant blossoms that drop into it upriver. Take a cruise on this pretty waterway in a traditional dragon boat.  

Visit Thien Mu Pagoda. The Pagoda of the Celestial Lady is perched on Hà Khê hill and is seen as the unofficial symbol of the city of Hue.

Visit the ancient Imperial Citadel. Hue used to be the seat of Imperial power in Vietnam and was home to the last of its impressive dynasties. The last dynasty to rule from the citadel was the Nguyen.

Visit Royal Mausoleum of Emperor Tu Duc. Tu Duc Tomb is situated in a narrow valley, 8 km from Hue City. Here you will find a scenic park, filled with lakes, pines and frangipani trees that shelter a magnificent tomb. Constructed in the 1860s, the tomb was completed before Tu Duc's death, and he used it as a retreat from court life where he would compose poetry or go hunting.

Free time in Dong Ba Market. This market is the living heartbeat of Hue. This is the ideal place to do some people-watching and pick up souvenirs to take home.

Experiences

Scenic drive from Hue to Hoi An. The drive along the Vietnamese coast is a great opportunity to immerse yourself in the striking scenery and view locals as they go about their day-to-day tasks.

The Marble Mountains. The Marble Mountains are a scenic cluster of five limestone and marble hills in Da Nang. Dotted with peaks, caves and tunnels, the mountains are also a famous Vietnamese pilgrimage site.

Experiences

Japanese Covered Bridge Pagoda. This famous covered pagoda was constructed in the late-1500s to connect the Japanese and Chinese communities across the stream.

Sa Huynh Culture Museum. Learn more about the Sa Huynh civilization who established the Hoi An trading port two centuries ago, opening the door for merchants from China, Southeast Asia and further afield.

Tran Family Chapel. The Tran family built the chapel in the 1800s to worship their ancestors. Today, the architecture represents the perfect amalgamation between the Chinese and Japanese styles of the time.  

Lantern Workshop. Visit a lantern workshop where you can see skilled craftspeople creating these delicate keepsakes from bamboo and silk.   

Phuoc Kien Assembly Hall. This traditional place of worship was constructed in the late 17th century for use by the Fujian, the most populous Chinese ethnic group in Hoi An at the time. It still remains an important part of religious life for the inhabitants of Phuoc Kien.

Experiences

Visit Binh Thuy Ancient House. This structure is about as iconic as it gets. If you've seen a film about Vietnam, chances are you've glimpsed it somewhere in the background. It was originally constructed in the 1870s but also received some extensive refurbishment in the 1900s.

Experiences

Cai Rang Floating Market. Haggle with traders and experience the unique ambience of a quintessential floating market.

Visit An Binh market. Compare the feel of a bustling indoor market with that of its floating counterpart and see as the locals go about trading fresh produce, meat and merchandise.

Rau Ram canal walking tour. Set out on foot to see local life unfold all around you. Keep your camera nearby to capture memorable images.

Demonstration at a rice processing factory. See how rice noodles are made and indulge in some of this tasty staple food.

Visit Ba Cong tropical  fruit garden.  Join a local family to learn about their farming methods and taste delicious indigenous fruit straight from the tree.

Experiences

Cu Chi Tunnels. The Viet Cong used a 200 km-long network of tunnels to stay out of sight during the war. Walk in the footsteps of these guerilla fighters as you crawl along the Cu Chi Tunnels.

Notre Dame Cathedral. Constructed in the 1800s by French colonists, the cathedral recounts the French and Christian influence on Saigon/Ho Chi Minh City. 

Presidential Palace. As far as historically significant places go, the Presidential Palace (also known as the Reunification Palace) is as epic as it gets. It’s here where the Vietnamese government ceded power to the National Liberation Front.

Ben Thanh Market. This is the best place to see where the locals buy their clothes and trinkets, and also happens to be a great spot to shop for some of your own.

Experiences

After spending your final night in Romania, sit down for one last breakfast with your fellow travellers. Your tour of northern and eastern Europe has come to an end. Feel free to take your time to explore the many marvels of Warsaw before you head home. Safe travels! Make sure you have exchanged contact details with your new-found travel friends, and share your amazing tour memories with us online using the hashtags #ExpatExplore.