Last updated: September 2026
Vietnam holidays offer one of Asia’s most visually stunning and culinarily rich travel experiences. A long, narrow country stretching 1,650 kilometres from north to south, Vietnam delivers utterly different landscapes, cuisines and atmospheres at either end — making it ideal for a two-centre or explorer itinerary.
From the atmospheric lanes of Hanoi’s Old Quarter to the lantern-lit streets of Hoi An, the limestone seascape of Ha Long Bay and the buzzing energy of Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam never runs out of extraordinary things to show you. It pairs beautifully with neighbouring Cambodia or Laos for a longer Southeast Asia trip.
Vietnam is one of Southeast Asia’s most rewarding destinations for UK travellers. It offers extraordinary variety — ancient history, dramatic scenery, vibrant cities and arguably the finest street food in the world — at prices that remain very low by UK standards.
The country has developed its tourism infrastructure rapidly without losing the authenticity that makes it so compelling. Away from the main tourist centres, rural Vietnam moves at an entirely different pace.
Vietnam also suits multi-country itineraries exceptionally well. Overland and budget air connections to Cambodia, Laos and Thailand make it easy to combine destinations within a single trip.
Hanoi is one of Asia’s most characterful capital cities — a place where French colonial boulevards, ancient pagodas and a still-functioning Old Quarter of 36 guild streets exist in genuine harmony.
The Old Quarter is the heart of the city, where each narrow street once sold a single trade good — silk, paper, tin, bamboo — and many still do. Hoan Kiem Lake at the quarter’s edge is the city’s social hub, surrounded by cafes, street food stalls and the beautiful Ngoc Son Temple on its small island.
Hanoi’s street food is outstanding. Pho bo (beef noodle soup), bun cha (grilled pork with noodles) and banh mi sandwiches from roadside stalls represent some of the finest casual eating in Asia.
Ha Long Bay is Vietnam’s most iconic landscape — 1,600 limestone karst islands rising dramatically from emerald-green water in the Gulf of Tonkin, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1994.
The best way to experience Ha Long Bay is on an overnight or two-night cruise aboard a traditional wooden junk. This allows you to explore hidden caves, kayak into sea caves, swim in sheltered lagoons and watch the light change on the limestone formations at dawn.
Lan Ha Bay, adjacent to Ha Long and reached via Cat Ba Island, offers similar scenery with fewer boats and a quieter atmosphere — increasingly the preferred choice for visitors who find Ha Long itself too busy in peak season.
Hoi An is one of the most beautiful small towns in Southeast Asia — a UNESCO-listed ancient trading port of yellow-washed merchant houses, covered Japanese bridges, tailors’ shops and outstanding restaurants lining the Thu Bon River.
The town is renowned for its tailors. Made-to-measure clothing can be produced overnight at very reasonable prices, and many visitors plan an extra day or two specifically for fittings. Allow at least two full days in Hoi An to explore properly.
Hue, an hour north, was Vietnam’s imperial capital and contains the UNESCO-listed Citadel, the elaborate royal tombs spread along the Perfume River, and a food culture — including the famous bun bo Hue spicy noodle soup — quite distinct from the rest of the country.
Ho Chi Minh City (still widely called Saigon) is Southeast Asia’s most energetic city — a place of relentless motion, extraordinary food, rooftop bars and a history that reaches from the Cham Empire through French colonialism to the American War.
The War Remnants Museum is one of the most affecting history museums in Asia. The Cu Chi Tunnels — the 250-kilometre network built by Viet Cong fighters — are a remarkable day trip that puts the war’s extraordinary ingenuity and human cost into vivid perspective.
The Mekong Delta, an hour south of the city, offers a completely different Vietnam — a watery landscape of floating markets, river boats, fruit orchards and stilted homes where daily life has changed little in decades.
Vietnam’s beaches have developed rapidly as a holiday destination in their own right. Phu Quoc island in the Gulf of Thailand — now connected by a modern airport with direct regional flights — offers fine white sand, clear water and a growing range of beach resorts.
Da Nang, on the central coast, has a long arc of excellent beach backed by a modern city with good restaurants and easy access to both Hoi An and Hue. My Khe Beach in Da Nang is one of the finest urban beaches in Southeast Asia.
Mui Ne, further south, is a kite-surfing hub with dramatic red and white sand dunes — a unique landscape unlike anything else in Vietnam.
Vietnamese cuisine is widely considered the finest in Southeast Asia — a tradition built on fresh herbs, light broths, minimal use of oil and a philosophy of balance between textures and flavours that produces dishes of remarkable complexity.
Every region has its own culinary identity. Hanoi’s pho is lighter and cleaner than the richer southern version; central Vietnamese cooking is the spiciest; the south uses more sugar and herbs. A food tour of Vietnam is essentially a tour of its history and culture.
Coffee culture is central to Vietnamese daily life. Vietnamese iced coffee — dark robusta over sweetened condensed milk and ice — is one of the great street drinks of the world. Hanoi’s egg coffee (ca phe trung) is a local speciality that has attracted international attention.
Vietnam’s long north-to-south extent means the best time to visit varies by region. February to April is generally the most reliable window for the entire country — warm and largely dry from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City.
Central Vietnam (Hoi An, Hue) experiences significant rainfall from October to December due to its position on the coast. The south (Ho Chi Minh City, Phu Quoc) is driest from December to April. Hanoi has a cool, misty season from December to February that some visitors find atmospheric.
Peak season is December to March when the weather is most settled and prices are at their highest. The Tet (Lunar New Year) holiday — usually in late January or early February — sees domestic tourism surge and some businesses close for several days.
Vietnam Airlines and other carriers offer services from London to Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City with one connection, typically via Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur or Doha. Total flying time is usually 13–15 hours with a stop.
Domestic flights connect Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, Da Nang, Hue and Phu Quoc cheaply and quickly with VietJet and Bamboo Airways. The Reunification Express train running the length of the country is a more atmospheric option, especially between Da Nang, Hue and Hanoi.
An e-visa is required for UK citizens visiting Vietnam. It can be purchased online at the official Vietnamese immigration portal before departure and is straightforward to obtain.
| Capital | Hanoi |
|---|---|
| Main airports | Hanoi (HAN), Ho Chi Minh City (SGN), Da Nang (DAD) |
| Best for | History, culture, street food, scenery, beaches, cycling, multi-country trips |
| Peak season | February to April (best for the whole country) |
| Flight time from London | ~13–15 hours with one stop |
| Currency | Vietnamese Dong (VND) |
| Language | Vietnamese; English spoken in tourist areas |
| Entry requirements | UK citizens require an e-visa (available online); valid passport required |
| Time zone | GMT+7 |
Search4Sun compares Vietnam holiday deals from the UK’s leading tour operators, with departures from local airports across the UK. From Ha Long Bay cruises to tailor-made north-to-south explorers, we help you find the right package at the right price.
For last-minute Vietnam deals, check LastMinute.com. Vietnam pairs naturally with Cambodia for a classic Southeast Asia combination — see our Cambodia guide for details. For the full regional picture, visit our Asia holidays page.
Vietnam is an excellent first Asian destination. The tourism infrastructure is well developed, English is spoken in all major tourist areas, and the combination of history, scenery and food is extraordinary. It is slightly more challenging to navigate independently than Thailand, but well-organised guided tours and tailor-made itineraries make it very accessible for first-timers.
Two weeks is the minimum to cover north, central and south Vietnam comfortably. Three weeks allows you to linger in each region, add Ha Long Bay and explore the Mekong Delta properly. If you only have 10 days, choose either the north (Hanoi, Ha Long Bay, Sapa) or the central and south (Da Nang, Hoi An, Ho Chi Minh City).
Central Vietnam — Hoi An and Hue — is consistently rated the highlight by first-time visitors. The combination of Hoi An’s beauty, Hue’s imperial history and the dramatic Hai Van Pass between them is hard to beat. Hanoi and Ha Long Bay run a close second for those more interested in city culture and spectacular natural scenery.
Vietnam is one of Southeast Asia’s best-value destinations. Street food meals cost £1–3, mid-range restaurant meals £5–12, and comfortable hotels are available for £30–70 per night. A comfortable two-week holiday including flights and accommodation typically costs significantly less than a comparable Mediterranean package.
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