Vietnam holidays

Accompanied by a chef and guide, embark on a cyclo ride to the market to select fresh produce for your lesson. Transfer to the Cookery Centre, located in an authentic Vietnamese garden, where you'll be given an insight into the origin and culture of the country's cuisine. You'll learn to cook Vietnamese specialties using a variety of herbs and sauces, master the use of chopsticks and learn the nation's dining etiquette. After the lesson, feast on your creations and receive a certificate of participation.

Explore an amazing complex of tunnels and passageways that formed an underground city of sleeping quarters, kitchens and command centres during the Vietnam War. The Cu Chi Tunnels were built deep underground to stay hidden from US soldiers and housed up to 10,000 people. Search for the elusive hidden trap door and crawl along passageways. This half day tour from Ho Chi Minh City highlights the resilience and ingenuity of the Vietnamese in times of intense hardship.

A unique and often hilarious method of transport to be found on the streets of Hanoi is the ‘cyclo’. Resembling a cross between a handcart and a bicycle, it’s an excellent way to navigate the busy streets of Hanoi. Your half day tour begins with visits to Hoan Kiem Lake, the iconic Ngoc Son temple and the landmark Opera House. From here it’s a short ride to Hanoi’s Old Quarter. With a history that spans 2,000 years, it was a thriving centre for craftsmen and merchandisers. Nowadays, still maintaining a sense of history, it serves as a picturesque commercial and dining area.

In 1954, a 'provisional military demarcation line' was established along the 17th Parallel, dividing Vietnam into the 'Communist' north and 'Free' south. This narrow band of terrain saw heavy fighting during the Vietnam War and remains a fascinating historical area. Your day begins with a drive to Quang Tri, the site of several fierce battles, before heading onwards to Hien Luong Bridge at the 17th Parallel. Also discover the Vinh Moc Tunnels (home to over 300 people during the war), Con Thien Firebase, Camp Carroll Artillery Base and the Dakrong Suspension Bridge before returning to Hue.

Magical Halong Bay is a World Heritage Area of Natural Beauty locally known as ‘Dragon Descending to the Sea’. After jouneying from Hanoi, sightseeing along the way, embark on a breathtaking four-hour cruise of the bay. Marvel at the limestone islets that riddle the emerald waters, many containing stunning grottoes such as Thien Cung and Dau Go. Overnight cruise option also available; details on request.

During this fascinating tour of Vietnam's bustling capital you'll visit the imposing granite mausoleum of former leader Ho Chi Minh. Affectionately known as 'Uncle Ho', his body remains embalmed on display and receives thousands of visitors every day. Close by, his former residence the One Pillar Pagoda beautifully resembles a lotus rising out of the water. The tour ends with a visit to the Temple of Literature, built in 1076 as the original university in Vietnam.

This package combines the Half Day Ho Chi Minh City Tour, Half Day Cu Chi Tunnels Tour and Full Day Mekong Delta Tour (see individual experiences for details).

Witness and learn about the past, present and future of this amazing city. First visit Cho Lon, Ho Chi Minh’s Chinatown. Like other Chinatowns, it remains one of the oldest and most mysterious parts of the city and within its streets is the famous Cho Lon Market. Next explore the History Museum, which houses a collection of artefacts detailing over 2,000 years of Vietnamese history and helps put present day Ho Chi Minh into historical perspective. Visit the Thien Hau Pagoda, War Remnant’s Museum, Reunification Palace and enjoy photostops at the Notre Dame Catherdral and Central Post Office. You'll also stop at a traditional lacquerware workshop.

This tour of Ho Chi Minh is a great chance to learn about this amazing city. Visit Cho Lon or Chinatown, one of the oldest parts of the city, and see the famous Cho Lon Market. Discover the History Museum's collection of artefacts detailing Vietnam’s past and stop to admire the ornate Thien Hau Pagoda.

Your tour begins with a half day walking tour of Hoi An, a historic town that was a prosperous seaport city from the 16th to 18th Centuries. Visit a colourful local market, the Old House of Tan Ky, Fukien Assembly Hall and the 400-year-old Japanese Covered Bridge. You'll also see locals raise silkworms and produce silk for Hoi An's burgeoning textile industry. After lunch at a local restaurant in Danang, visit the Cham Museum before spending time on the beautiful white sands of China Beach. By the beach lie the Marble Mountains and you'll journey through their interior to reveal an array of fascinating sacred sites, temples and altars before heading back to Hoi An.

Cruise along the romantic Perfume River and visit Thien Mu Pagoda, one of Hue's most ancient religious buildings. Continue by car to the Imperial Citadel, where the Nguyen Dynasty ruled between 1802 and 1945. Nearby is lively Dong Ba Market, a treasure trove of silks, designer clothes and handicrafts, and browse the food section with its brightly coloured exotic ingredients. Enjoy lunch in a local restaurant and visit the elaborate mausoleums of Emperors Tu Duc and Khai Dinh and a traditional incense stick making village.

Cruise along the romantic Perfume River and visit Thien Mu Pagoda, one of Hue's most ancient religious buildings. Continue by car to the Imperial Citadel, where the Nguyen Dynasty ruled between 1802 and 1945. Nearby is lively Dong Ba Market, a treasure trove of silks, designer clothes and handicrafts. Visit the food section, a riot of colour and exotic ingredients.

Journey to My Tho, a prosperous town of 170,000 inhabitants nestled within the Mekong Delta and famed for its exuberant orchards and panoramas of never-ending rice fields. Board a cruiser for a ride on the Mekong River, stopping en route at the Vinh Trang Pagoda.

Set off early to see the sand dunes north of Mui Ne, then return to Mui Ne and continue to Phan Thiet, located on the Ca Ty River and capital city of the Binh Thuan province. Visit the bustling Con Cha fishing market and see colourful fishing boats dotted on the water. Board a sampan and row along the Cay River for an insight into the lifestyle of local fishermen. Your tour continues to Ho Chi Minh Museum and the nearby school where this famous leader once taught. On the way back to Mui Ne stop at Po Shanu Tower, which was built by the ancient Cham rulers of coastal Vietnam and dates back to the 8th Century.

An early morning pick-up takes you in comfort to UNESCO World Heritage Site My Son, the former Champa Kingdom's capital and religious centre. Explore the lush green valley, uncovering a multitude of red brick ruins and temples dating back as far as the 7th Century. Return to Hoi An for lunch before embarking upon a half day walking tour of this historic town, which was a prosperous seaport city from the 16th to 18th Centuries. You'll visit a colourful local market, the Old House of Tan Ky, Fukien Assembly Hall and the 400-year-old Japanese Covered Bridge. Then see locals raise silkworms and produce silk for Hoi An's burgeoning textile industry.

Discover Nha Trang’s turquoise waters and white sandy beaches. Take a morning boat cruise to offshore islands in Nha Trang Bay and enjoy lunch either on board or on an island. In the afternoon visit Long Son Pagoda and Po Nagar Cham Towers, a sacred Hindu site dating back to the 2nd Century AD. The town was built between the 7th and 12th Centuries and is still used today as a place of pilgrimage for Cham and Vietnamese Buddhists. Stop to browse Dam Market before being transferred back to your hotel.

This half-day city tour includes visits to the Oceanographic Institute, Long Son Pagoda and Po Nagar Cham Towers, a sacred Hindu site dating back to the 2nd Century AD. The town was built between the 7th and 12th Centuries and is still used today as a place of pilgrimage for Cham and Vietnamese Buddhists.

Set off early for an exciting cable car ascent up this beautiful mountain, located 25km from Mui Ne. Pass lush tropical forest teeming with monkeys until you reach the summit for breathtaking views over the surrounding valley and the ocean beyond. You'll also see Vietnam's largest reclining Buddha, which is 10 metres high. Descend the mountain and continue past dragon fruit plantations to coastal town Ke Ga, then return to Mui Ne with a stop at a fish sauce factory. Enjoy lunch at Forest Restaurant.

Discover this charming, ancient city on a leisurely walking tour. An wonderfully preserved trading port dating from the 15th to 19th centuries, Hoi An's fascinating history and enchanting architecture have Japanese, Chinese and Vietnamese influences. Visit the colourful local market and the 400-year-old Japanese Bridge that historically linked the Chinese and Japanese communities.