Vietnam
Why Visit Vietnam?
Vietnam is one of those distinctly special destinations that offers something for everyone: from foodies and fitness buffs, to town mice and country mice, those seeking rooftop cocktails to those thirsting for $1 beers on teeny plastic stools.
Set against a backdrop of vibrant colours and charming, fun people, with the ever-present hum of motorbikes and karaoke, Vietnam is a sensory overload – in the best way.
Although there are plenty of things to do in Vietnam, maybe you know exactly what you want (if not, our travel assistants can help!) That’s where a custom made holiday to Vietnam comes in: a personalised experience to make the very most out of this amazing country in the time you have, the way you want it.
You see, Vietnam is all about getting things tailor made (Hoi An tailors are famous, after all!). So when Wide Eyed Tours & Travel plan Vietnam holiday packages, we draw upon the best local knowledge to create a 100% customisable trip that’s the perfect fit.
Experience The Real Vietnam
Wanna explore this country in all its vibrant glory? Get in touch to customise your adventure.
Tailor My TripTypes of Tours in Vietnam
We don’t like to give labels as to the ‘type’ of traveller you are or the ‘type’ of experience you might enjoy. Because you might start off with a few adventurous activities – bouncing along in an army jeep through the jungle, or bezzing around mountains on a motorbike – then switch gears into a slower pace: lounging on the beach, getting a massage, meandering on a bicycle through blinding green rice paddies with plenty of stops for coconuts along the way.
The great thing about Vietnam is, you can have it all: and it’s affordable to do it all, too! You can do the luxury, five-star hotel thing, drifting down the Mekong River on a fancy cruise ship. But you can also seek out delicious street food, get up with the fisherman to join the buy ‘n’ sell chaos at a beach market before finding a roadside hammock cafe for a local coffee.
What makes us different to other tour companies in Vietnam is this: you don’t have to choose any ‘type’ of tour now, if you don’t want to. What’s more, we can continue to tailor your tour along the way, depending on what you’ve liked so far while travelling through Vietnam.
So if the history motorbike tour of Hue got you all revved up, we can arrange a similar tour in Hanoi. If the Mekong River brought you the best Cruise since Tom, well, we can set you up with one you’ll love in Ha Long Bay.
Our travel team is always a phone call away – and we’re as flexible as you need us to be.
Where to Stay: North, Central & South
But where do you even start when planning a trip to Vietnam? The North, Central, and Southern regions of the country are different worlds, each with their own climates, dishes, and dialects. There’s way too much to cover here but for a rough overview:
- The North: Mountainous, remote, cooler – great for motorbike tours, hiking, visiting ethnic minority groups and enjoying a hot bowl of phở, or any other of Hanoi’s amazing cuisine
- Central Vietnam: Green valleys and fertile deltas make farming popular here, while stunning beaches along the coastline and the most temperate weather makes it a hotspot for travellers
- The South: From lazy river days to the bustling nightlife of Saigon, there’s plenty going on in the sunny south to keep you entertained
Top Tip: Many travellers try to pack in a full south-north trip in as little as a week: it’s all night buses and being too frazzled to actually appreciate each stop. So pick one region to focus on, or at least give yourself enough time to fully experience a place before moving onto the next. You’ll find that you uncover even more gems to the country as you do.
What About the Best Hotels and Resorts in Vietnam?
Well, it depends on what ‘best’ means to you! Whether you’re after a Robinson Crusoe, minimalist vibe on the beach, a 5-star resort or boutique hotel in Hoi An Old Town, a traditional homestay on the banks of the Mekong Delta – or anything inbetween – at Wide Eyed Tours, we can help you to find your best accommodation in Vietnam. One that will suit your needs, your budget and the kind of experience you have in mind.
Your Dream Holiday’s Calling…
Can’t decide where to start? Our local experts can give you the lowdown to tailor your trip.
Get planningThe best of tours collection
Get inspired by our travel itineraries, then contact us to tailor-make your perfect holiday.
Why choose Wide Eyed Tours & Travel?
Expert Local Knowledge
Ditch the stress, with a trip that’s been crafted by locals. Our team is built of on-the-ground travel experts who can’t wait to share their country’s spoils – from their hometowns, beyond.
Customisable Experiences
We’ve offered custom-made tours to Southeast Asia for over 20 years, with every ‘type’ of traveller. We know how their tastes and needs change – so our flexible tours can change with them.
More Freedom
We don’t believe in rigid itineraries. Our customers can set the scene to go at their own pace, and choose the activities that interest them – with the chance to mix things up as they go.
Frequently asked questions about Vietnam
What is the best time to visit Vietnam?
Although Vietnam is a year-round destination, North, Central and Southern Vietnam come with their own climates and weather patterns. Most of the country experiences 2 seasons – rainy season and dry season – although they don’t occur at the same time everywhere. And bear in mind, even in the wet season, you’ll still get sunny days: just with a dramatic shower thrown in.
In general, we’d say the best time to visit Northern Vietnam is from November – April, when temperatures are cool but rainfall is low. For Central Vietnam, it’s most comfortable between February – May (after that, it gets pretty hot!) – the same applies to Southern Vietnam.
At Wide Eyed Tours & Travel, we’re familiar with the changing weather patterns around Vietnam and we have teams on the ground in every part of the country who keep us updated. When helping you customise your holiday to Vietnam, we’ll do our best to ensure you enjoy Ha Long Bay or Ninh Binh with clear skies and mild temperatures, or to witness Hoi An’s ‘golden season’ before the rice fields are harvested in May.
Chat with our team today: we’ll help you work out where to go – and when – depending on your availability.
Can I visit Vietnam with my family?
Vietnam is the perfect location for a family holiday: thanks to its delicious food, stunning landscapes, diverse wildlife and beautiful beaches, to name but a few! If you’re travelling with young children, you might be nervous of things like drinking tap water or how they’ll fare when crossing a road packed with speeding motorbikes.
However, plan your trip right (or again, ask us to help!) and you can look forward to a family holiday in Vietnam that’ll be one of the most enriching cultural experiences of your children’s lives. Your family will treasure memories of seeing water buffalo bathing in the the mud, of riding in a basket boat together beneath swaying palm fronds, or trying out street food in Hanoi’s chaotically charming Old Quarter.
Vietnam is very safe, friendly and accessible to families – and the team at Wide Eyed Tours & Travel can help you discover this incredible country, with a trip you’ll never forget.
Is Vietnam safe right now?
As such a family-friendly destination, Vietnam is one of the safest countries to travel to in South-East Asia. But it’s still considered a developing country, and to get the most enjoyment/comfort out of your holiday, bear the following tips in mind when you travel to Vietnam:
- Avoid drinking tap water
- Although crime is low, opportunistic theft does exist – particularly in cities. So when travelling in busier tourist areas like Ho Chi Minh City, Hoi An or Hanoi, keep an eye on your belongings and maybe wear a bum bag/fanny pack for your valuables.
- Be careful when crossing the road: look left, right and left again – motorbikes here can appear out of nowhere.
- If you decide to rent a motorbike yourself, wear appropriate clothing and drive slowly. And of course, don’t drink and drive – it isn’t worth it.
When you book a trip to Vietnam with Wide Eyed Tours & Travel, our local guides consider your safety their highest priority. We’ll keep you safe and stress-free when you travel through Vietnam – so you can get on with making memories.
Is Vietnam cheap or expensive?
Vietnam is one of the cheapest countries you’ll find in Southeast Asia – or indeed, anywhere along your travels! Expect to pay half, or even a third of the prices you’re used to for things like meals out, beers and coffee.
Transport is really affordable, with budget airlines like VietJet, Bamboo and JetStar Airways. You will find taxis are not only cheap but in abundance and electric carts are growing in popularity at tourist destinations and these are remarkably inexpensive.
The local currency is Vietnamese Dong (VND). We suggest bringing a travel card or bank card that waives international transaction fees – they really do add up! Plus, always carry cash in Vietnam as it is still King in this country and some purchases can only be made via good, old fashioned cash.
To give you an idea of the currency conversions:
£100 GBP = 2.8 million VND
$100 USD = 2.3 million VND
$100 AUD = 1.6 million VND
$100 NZD = 1.5 million VND
It’s easy to enjoy a pretty luxurious lifestyle here, for a fraction of what you’d pay at home. And when you first take out VND from an ATM, not only will you become an instant millionaire, you’ll notice that a few dollars goes a loooong way. For instance, a bowl of phở will cost around 40,000 VND ($1.60 USD) while a beer will set you back just 25,000 VND, or 99¢. Nice one.