Vietnam is an inspirational country - a long-standing favourite of ours here at i-escape - with its combination of tropical coastline and lush terraced hills, of luxe resorts and paddy-field villages, of ancient imperial history and recent war stories, of exotic local cuisine and artisanal crafts. It's also a very long country - 1650 km from top to toe - with most itineraries requiring either internal flights or long train journeys on the so-called Reunification Express, as well as shorter car or van transfers, and perhaps also an overnight cruise on a junk boat.
Putting this all together can become quite challenging, which is why we've teamed up with this highly regarded local operator, Trails of Indochina. Not only can they do all the nuts and bolts for you - hotel reservations, train tickets, itinerary planning - they can also throw in some wonderful experiences to help you get under the skin of this fascinating country. Cookery classes, arts and craft lessons, cycling excursions, sea kayaking or SUP trips, guided tours to museums and palaces, floating markets, river rides in a bamboo boat, after-dark city adventures on a vintage Vespa - they know all the best spots and have the best contacts. And their knowledgeable English speaking guides will make sure it all runs smoothly for you.
So if you want to add an extra dimension to your Vietnam trip, or are just finding it all a little daunting to arrange, choose one of their preset itineraries; or ask them to customise one for you.
Why we chose this partner
- Like us, they seek out small independent hotels (from midrange to luxury) where you don't feel like part of an organised tour
- We love the sound of their immersive experiences - making traditional pottery or paper lanterns, kayaking to a creek village for a local seafood dinner, or one of their many cycle tours
- Their guides (now numbering 280 of them) get rave reviews: most are university educated, with at least 10 years' guiding experience
- For road transfers, they use a range of smart, new, air-conditioned vehicles, from 4 to 16 seats or more
- Their sustainability pledge includes prioritising local ingredients and suppliers (chefs, artisans, accommodation hosts), reducing plastics, and donating to conservation projects
Please be aware
- It's a good idea to book at least 3 months ahead, as availablity is always tricky in the smaller hotels at busy times; and finalising your trip often takes a couple of weeks or more
- Distances are large by European standards, and travel can be slow, so don't try and cram too much in
- You'll want at least 14 days to see the whole country (or highlights of it); anything less and it's usually better to concentrate on just the north or the south
Best time to go
Vietnam has a complicated climate. In the north, autumn (Sept to Dec) is the nicest season. At this time of year it's warm, dry and sunny, though you'll need warm clothes up in the mountains and Ha Long Bay. Winter (Dec to Feb) can be surprisingly cold with temperatures as low as 10°C. Things warm up in March then get hot in May, though the rainy season starts in June and brings heavy downpours and flooding. By mid Sept, it's perfect weather.
The central region has a wet climate, particularly around Hué. The dry season lasts from Feb - May although there are occasional shock typhoons in April and May. After this it gets wetter and hotter (averaging 30°C) until the rainy season in Sept, which eases off from Nov - Jan.
The lower east coast and the south have a dry season from Dec to late April/May, and rain from May - Nov. Most rain falls in brief downpours. Daytime temperatures rarely fall below 20°C.
The central region has a wet climate, particularly around Hué. The dry season lasts from Feb - May although there are occasional shock typhoons in April and May. After this it gets wetter and hotter (averaging 30°C) until the rainy season in Sept, which eases off from Nov - Jan.
The lower east coast and the south have a dry season from Dec to late April/May, and rain from May - Nov. Most rain falls in brief downpours. Daytime temperatures rarely fall below 20°C.
Our top tips
The story of the man behind the company is no less inspiring. John Tue Nguyen was in his mid-20s when he first started guiding visitors around his hometown of Hue. But as his vision of creating an innovative, bespoke tour company developed, so unfortunately did the vision in his eyes deteriorate. After two internal haemorrhages and an unsuccessful surgery, he was completely blind by 29.
But that did not stop him. Having already travelled throughout Europe and America, and with an MBA from Henley Management College under his belt, he hired offices, handpicked and trained a dozen guides, and expanded his black book to include contacts all around Indochina, almost all of whom he recognizes immediately by voice. His memory is phenomenal, his optimism undimmed, and the ethos of his company - unique experiences delivered with kindness, generosity and great attention to detail - shine through each and every trip
But that did not stop him. Having already travelled throughout Europe and America, and with an MBA from Henley Management College under his belt, he hired offices, handpicked and trained a dozen guides, and expanded his black book to include contacts all around Indochina, almost all of whom he recognizes immediately by voice. His memory is phenomenal, his optimism undimmed, and the ethos of his company - unique experiences delivered with kindness, generosity and great attention to detail - shine through each and every trip
Lodging
Like us, the Trails of Indochina team specialise in small independent lodgings (from midrange to luxury) where you don't feel like part of an organised tour. Indeed, they co-own two of our very favourite options: the wonderful Ancient Hue Garden Houses and the superb Heritage Line Cruises in the lesser known parts of Halong Bay.
Other memorable hideaways include the mountain-top Avana Retreat near Mai Chau (a great alternative to Sapa, without the crowds); and the ultra-pampering beach hideaway L'Alya Ninh Van Bay.
In terms of city hotels, they favour the boutique, affordable and Vietnamese-owned La Siesta mini-chain (as do we), with options to upgrade to more luxurious international brands. Their on-the-ground staff are constantly checking out new accommodations, and vetting existing ones, so you can be sure of quality.
Activities
The list of activities on offer is almost endless, but suffice to say that almost all itineraries include at least one cycling tour, at least one water-based excursion (usually kayak, junk-boat cruise, or river trip), at least one crafts experience (often a cookery or art lesson), and guided tour(s) to the major museums and palaces of the city where you start or end the holiday.
Beyond that, here are some of the quirkier adventures which caught our eye:
- Hanoi Street Eats - an after-dark, guided browse through the city's sociable streetside food stalls
- Hue Highlights Tour - including a guided cyclo (rickshaw) ride through the Imperial Citadel
- Tam Giang Lagoon Sunrise - a leisurely sampan ride around the lagoon and fishing village near Hue
- Lantern making and cooking experience in Hoi An, including two boat trips
- Private Rice Field Dinner - including a bamboo basket ride along the river near Hoi An
- Vintage Vespa Tour of Saigon - with street food tastings and dessert shops
- Ben Tre Craft Tour in the Mekong Delta: coconut- and mat workshops, a brick factory and a fruit farm
- Full Day Kayak Escape on Ba Khan Lake near Mai Chau
Activities include:
- Boat trips
- Caves
- Climbing
- Cycling
- Farm tours
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Historical sites
- Kayaking
- Kitesurfing
- Mountain biking
- Museums / galleries
- Nightlife
- Private guided tours
- Sailing
- Shopping / markets
- Swimming
- Tai Chi
- Theatre
- Traditional cultures
- Trekking
- Walking tours
- Well being
- Yoga
With Kids
Children of all ages are welcome. They have several family-friendly itineraries up their sleeve, or can customise a trip to suit your family's interests, be they watersports, cycling, crafts, cooking, school visits, or perhaps the thrill of tasting exotic fruit (and more!) at a floating market. Their guides are adept at tailoring their talks for a younger audience, using story-telling or quizzes.
Vehicles can be supplied with child seats, and life jackets are available on the river/sea trips.
Best for:
Children (4-12 years), Teens (over 12)
Family friendly accommodation:
Cots Available, Extra Beds Available, Family Rooms
Kids Activities nearby:
Families Should Know:
If coming with younger children, be prepared for some longer journeys - take plenty to eat and drink, plus films to watch, reading or drawing materials etc. If coming with teens, don't expect much nightlife outside of Hanoi and Saigon.
For more family-friendly places, see our Kids Collection
Transport
Most itineraries will include some road transfers by air-conditioned vehicle, either a 4-seater (such as Toyota Innova or Fortuner) or a minibus (such as a Ford Transit) for groups of 4 or more. Child seats are available. Some itineraries also feature internal flights, using Vietnam Airlines Economy Class (these are generally excluded from the tour cost; upgrades may be available).
Northerly trips featuring Halong Bay will include one (or more) nights aboard a beautifully converted wooden junk cruise, with 6-10 cabins (all with super-comfy beds and ensuite bathrooms) and excellent meals in the on-board restaurant. For more details, read our separate review.
Custom trips may include journeys on the atmospheric Reunification Express train, which plies the length of the country between Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. Tickets, including berths in a 2- to 4-bed cabin for overnight journeys, will be pre-booked for you. On some stretches (Danang - Quy Nhon - Nha Trang), it is possible to book a special 12-seat carriage (The Vietage) chartered by Anantara, with six double seating booths and luxury sleepers for the evening stretch. For more insights into the train journey, see our Great Journeys blog.
Location
Trails of Indochina are based in Saigon, with 7 offices covering the whole of Vietnam, as well as the neighbouring countries of Cambodia, Thailand and Laos.
By Air:
You can fly into Hanoi in northern Vietnam, or into Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City) in the south. If you want to do a one-way land tour, you can book "open-jaw" flights i.e. into Hanoi and out of Saigon, or vice versa. Trails of Indochina will book internal flights as required, but they are not normally included in the tour quote.
From the Airport
You will be met at your arrival airport and transferred to your first hotel. If your tour is part of a longer stay in the country, please indicate where you would like you tour to start.
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