Choose from one of Escape Travel’s great range of Vietnam tours to see this amazing country in comfort and style.
The range of Vietnam tours available is as wide and varied as the country itself, for first time visitors to this colourful country an introduction to Vietnam tour is ideal. See the major cities and all of their attractions as you travel through places such as Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, Dalat, Halong Bay and the Mekong Delta.
Ho Chi Minh City is one of the most vibrant and bustling cities in Vietnam and its highlights include: the Reunification Palace, the Ho Chi Minh Museum and the Dai Nam Tourist Park which features temples, entertainment, shops, restaurants, hotels and a zoo.
Hanoi is nearly always a regular stop on many popular Vietnam tours, as it is home to many attractions including the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, the famous Water Puppet Theatre and the Old Quarter with its maze of narrow streets, tunnel houses, pagodas and street stalls.
Make sure your tour includes Dalat in the central highlands, as it is a wealth of stunning scenery including lakes, valleys and waterfalls, while Halong Bay is a definite highlight on any
Vietnam tour as it is world heritage listed and generally regarded as one of the most picturesque places in all of Vietnam. Here you can jump off a junk into the tranquil turquoise waters, kayak, swim, visit caves and go bike riding amongst the rice paddies.
The Mekong Delta is a biological wonderland and a must see on any visit to Vietnam. The best way to soak up its sights is on a cruise, which can range from around three days through to ten. Devour fresh fruits and vegetables from the floating markets, visit the many fishing villages located along the banks of the Mekong River and relax at the gorgeous beaches in the area.
If you are a food lover, culinary tours of Vietnam are a unique way to experience the rich culture of this beautiful country. Travel from the north to the south tasting and sampling cuisines particular to each region. Culinary tours can also include cooking classes where you can gain hands on experience creating various Vietnamese dishes while being taught by the masters.
If you have a taste for the unconventional, there are many unique ways to explore this diverse country. Get off the beaten track with a trekking tour through picturesque hills, a cycling tour past stunning coastlines and lush rice paddy fields or explore the Chi Chi tunnels on a motor bike.
Cruising tours of Vietnam and its neighbours are always relaxing and rail tours of Vietnam are the ultimate for train buffs. An 18-day deluxe rail tour will take you from Ho Chi Minh City to Halong Bay with city tours, stays in five star hotels, shopping and dining just some of what you can expect.
For more information on Vietnam Tours contact Escape Travel today!
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Our transport for the first half of today is a traditional cyclo, a three wheeled bicycle with a carriage at the front for the passenger to sit in, while the driver uses pedal power to power us along. This allows us to take in the sights, sounds and smells of Ho Chi Minh City without the barrier of a car window or the sound of an engine, very environmentally friendly.
Our journey takes us through Tao Dan Park to the War Remnants museum, originally opened in September 1975, the museum displays old military equipment and other related items from the Vietnam War. In the courtyard we will find some larger exhibits including a F5A fighter and a UH1-Huey helicopter.
From here we continue our journey past the Reunification Palace, previously referred to as the Presidential Palace, it is the sight of the official South Vietnamese surrender on April 30th, 1975. We will not go into the palace however our local guide will provide you with information and a chance to take come photographs. Leaving our cyclos and cyclo drivers behind we walk to the Notre Dame Cathedral, built by the French during the colonial era. It and our next destination, the General Post Office, are fine examples of architecture from the colonial period.
We meet our cyclos again and ride to the Saigon Opera House and City Hall, situated in the centre of Ho Chi Minh city where scenes from the movie "The Quiet American" were filmed, not far from the Opera House we will find the Continental Hotel where Graham Greene, amongst other famous journalists and writers, called home during their stays in Vietnam.
We leave our cyclos behind at the intersection of Ton That Dam St & Huynh Thuc Khang St and dive into a real local food market. Continuing we explore Antique shop street and shoe street. Our final visit for the day is the Ben Thanh market where your local guide will assist you in getting a taxi back to your hotel or alternatively you are free to continue exploring the area.
Why not practice your bargaining skills in the Ben Thanh market. The markets original location was close to the Ben Nghe River and the old fort of Gia Dinh was where it derived its name (Ben meaning "pier" and Thanh meaning "Fort"). The market was destroyed in 1859 during the French invasion of Saigon. It was rebuilt and later moved to its present location in 1899. At the end of the trip you are free to continue exploring the area or your guide will assist you in getting a taxi back to your hotel.
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Climb aboard a bicycle to discover the sights, sounds and smells of the villages surrounding Hue. Set off early, escaping the city for the peaceful streams and verdant fields of the surrounding countryside. Ride past rice paddies and small villages to arrive at Thanh Toan, a small village that is home to a legendary market. Climb off your bike to explore the market stalls, stopping to chat with the locals and learn more about life in this part of Vietnam.
Pay a visit to the Thanh Toan Agricultural Museum to discover more about the role of agriculture in local society. Spend time soaking up the atmosphere in town and perhaps call by the beautiful Thanh Toan covered bridge or just take it all in while enjoying a coffee at the village cafe. Climb back on your bike to continue exploring the area, passing over small streams, riding through pretty villages and stopping to chat with locals fishing, farming ducks and going about everyday life.
Pay a visit to a family to learn how they make rice wine and perhaps even visit a local kindergarten to meet the local kids. This biking tour will give you a unique insight into life in the Vietnamese countryside and by the time you pull back into Hue, you'll have worked up an appetite ready to feast on a delicious lunch.
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Jump on board a Ho Chi Minh cyclo for an adventure winding through the sights, sounds and smells of this historic metropolis. Whiz past Tao Dan Park en route to the War Remnants Museum, and then pedal past the Reunification Palace before touring the ornate Notre Dame Cathedral. Relive the American War at the War Remnants Museum, see the historic Opera House, City Hall and Continental Hotel and practise bargaining skills at Ben Thanh market. Leaving the cyclos behind wander through local markets for an insight into local life.
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Our transport for the first half of today is a traditional cyclo, a three wheeled bicycle with a carriage at the front for the passenger to sit in, while the driver uses pedal power to power us along. Its a great way to take in the sights, sounds and smells of Chi Minh City. Our journey takes us through Tao Dan Park to the War Remnants museum, originally opened in September 1975, the museum displays old military equipment and other relate from the Vietnam War. From here we continue our journey past the Reunification Palace, previously referred to as the Presidential Palace, it is the sight of the official South Vietnamese surrender on April 30th, 1975. We will not go into the palace however our local guide will provide you with information and a chance to take some photographs.
Leaving our cyclos behind we walk to the Notre Dame Cathedral, built by the French during the colonial era. It and our next destination, the General Post Office, are fine examples of architecture from the colonial period. We meet our cyclos again and ride to the Saigon Opera House and City Hall, situated in the centre of Ho Chi Minh city where scenes from the movie 'The Quiet American' were filmed, not far from the Opera House we will find the Continental Hotel where Graham Greene, amongst other famous journalists and writers, called home during their stay in Vietnam.
We leave our cyclos behind and visit a real local food market. Continuing we explore Antique shop street and shoe street. Our final visit for the day is the Ben Thanh market where your local guide will assist you in getting a taxi back to your hotel or alternatively you are free to continue exploring the area.
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Leaving the hustle and bustle of Ho Chi Minh City behind we journey 2.5 hours west towards the Cambodian border bound for the Cu Chi Tunnels. Before arriving at the tunnels visit some local friends and gain an insight into local life in the area, both past and present. Learn about their lives, culture and customs and get an insight into the recent past through local eyes.
Continue onto the Cu Chi tunnels were built by local fighters during the Indochina conflict as a base from which the Viet Cong could operate from close to the Southern Vietnamese capital. The location proved of significant strategic importance, at the end of the infamous Ho Chi Minh Trail and within striking distance of the southern Vietnam capital.
Initial construction started in 1948 when the Viet Minh required somewhere to hide from French air attacks and by 1965, the tunnel complex was estimated to consist of 200km's of tunnels. It included, hospitals, schools, meeting rooms, kitchens and sleeping quarters. Life was difficult for the inhabitants and to protect against outside intruders bobby traps were laid throughout the complex.
Today the Vietnamese government have preserved approximately 75 kilometres of the tunnels as a memorial park, in some areas tunnels have been widened and low powered lights installed so that western tourists can now fit through the complex. Our local guide will take us on a fascinating trip around the Cu Chi Tunnels where we learn more about the conditions the people lived in, the hardships they faced and the amazing ingenuity employed to maintain life in the tunnels.
We walk past huge bomb craters , evidence of the heavy bombing campaigns in the region during the Indochina conflict, discover hidden entrances right beneath your feet, wander past tiny little chimneys in the ground that dispersed smoke from the underground kitchens, sample some of the simple cuisine that local fighters would have survived on and have an opportunity to venture into the tunnels and explore the complex. Following our step back in modern history we return to the chaos of Ho Chi Minh City.
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On this unique boat and bike tour in Hoi An you will escape the hustle and bustle, weaving through the backstreets to reach the country lanes that lie outside the town's borders.
Follow country laneways to reach some of the villages that are dotted throughout the region, stopping to talk to the locals and learn more about life in this part of Vietnam. Pass emerald rice paddies, snaking waterways and plenty of waving children as you discover some of the beautiful landscapes found in this region.
Follow your guide to the banks of the Thu Bon River to take to the waterways and discover even more of the area. Cruise the river, heading out to one of the river's small islands where a barbecue feast awaits. Watch the sun set over the river and the bobbing fishing boats while feasting on local specialties.
Jump back in the boat to cruise along the river, watching the last of the sun's rays disappear behind the rice paddies before heading back to Hoi An. Watch the twinkling lights of the city appear as you approach the dock, before heading through the bustling waterfront crowds to head back into town. This unique Hoi An cycling and boating tour comes to end back in the heart of the town.
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Dive in to the sights, sounds and smells of our bustling city on our Hanoi sightseeing tour. With our local guide we start our trip with a visit to the Ho Chi Minh complex on the site where he declared Vietnam's independence in 1945, and see the reverence with which Vietnamese people treat their "Uncle Ho".
Other sites that we will visit with our local guide include: - House 54 - Ho Chi Minh lived and worked here between 1954 and 1958 - Stilt House - Ho Chi Minh moved from House 54 to the Stilt House in 1958, and worked and lived there until his death in 1969. Presidential Palace - originally built by the French at the start of the 20th Century to house the French Governor-General of Indochina. Following his "Declaration of Independence" Ho Chi Minh refused to move into the building due to it's connection with the countries colonial past. - One Pillar Pagoda - a unique wooden structure originally built in 1049 by Emperor Ly Thai Thong of the Ly Dynasty. The current structure is a replica of the original.
Continuing on our Hanoi tour through the city we drive to the Temple of Literature. Originally built in honour of Confucius by Emperor Ly Thanh Thong in 1070, a university was added to the grounds six years later. The university provided educations to the royal family and children of the aristocracy or "mandarins".
The University remained here until Emperor Gia Long moved the countries administrative capital from Hanoi to Hue around the end of the 18th century and start of the 19th century. After our visit to the Temple of Literature, we head to a local restaurant for a local lunch - "Pho" or Noodle Soup is a popular choice amongst locals.
After lunch visit the Museum of Ethnology, to learn more about the cultural diversity of Vietnams ethnic minorities. Established by the Vietnamese government in 1997, the museum provides us with a fascinating insight into the diverse cultures, customs and lifestyles of the 54 ethnic groups that inhabit Vietnam.
We finish our ultimate Hanoi travel experience with a walking tour of Hanoi's hectic old quarter. See how Hanoians live out their lives on the streets, sitting and eating together on the sidewalks and bartering for wares. Visit the local Hang Be or Dong Xuan local markets, before finishing with refreshments at a bia hoi where you have the opportunity to swap stories with local people eager to practise their language skills.
At the end of our Hanoi sightseeing tour, you are free to continue exploring the area or your guide will assist you in getting a taxi back to your hotel.
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Experience the world of the Cu Chi freedom fighters with a visit to their famous tunnel system. This network of over 200 km of tunnels became legendary during the 1960's when they played a vital part in the American War, allowing the Viet Cong to control a large rural area close to Ho Chi Minh City. In their heyday, the tunnels were functioning underground cities. Drop in on a local family and gain an insight into local life, past and present, visit the former Viet Minh underground stronghold at Cu Chi, get a great insight into the tenacity and resourcefulness of the Vietnamese people and delve into an underground world of guerrilla warfare in the incredible Cu Chi Tunnels.
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We start our trip with our local guide by heading to Chinatown with walking tour through back streets of China town near Cho Lon to view the local daily life.
Stop off for a visit of Thien Hau temple, which was built in the early 19th Century dedicated to Thien Hau, the goddess of seafarers. We delve deeper into Chinatown visiting the amazing Cholon and Binh Tay Market for an insight into where locals shop. Stop at a local cafe for a coffee to watch the hectic pace of life pass by in Ho Chi Minh City. Following our market visit, we will have a traditional local Vietnamese lunch, "Pho" or noodle soup.
After lunch we visit the War Remnants Museum, take a walking tour to Reunification Palace, Notre Dame Cathedral, General Post office, Opera house and downtown Saigon. The War Remnants Museum was originally opened in September 1975, it displays old military equipment and other related items from the Vietnam War. In the courtyard we will find some larger exhibits including a F5A fighter and a UH1-Huey helicopter.
The Reunification Palace, formerly known as the Presidential Palace was the sight of South Vietnam's surrender in April 1975. Notre Dame Cathedral, General Post Office and the Opera House are beautiful examples of architecture from the French colonial period. This trip with our local guide will give us insights into the history, culture and the daily life activities of the locals in Ho Chi Minh City. At the end of the trip you are free to continue exploring the area or your guide will assist you in getting a taxi back to your hotel.
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Packed with temples, tombs, palaces and pagodas, Hue is the gateway to the treasures of Vietnam's royal past and a must-stop on any itinerary. This full day tour in Hue will take in the best of the city, from the art and architecture to the celebrated food and culture.
Start the day with a tour of the colourful Dong Ba market, which will energize the senses with its sights sound and smells. This is the ideal place to soak up everyday Vietnamese life, and your local guide will show you to some of the traditional foods and introduce you to the local vendors. With full tummies, head out into the streets and wander over to the Citadel. It's within these 2m-thick and 10km-long walls that you'll find several of the city's best sights, from the many ornate pagodas to the Forbidden Purple City.
Explore the best of it all before stopping for lunch in a local nunnery. Enjoy a traditional meal and grab the chance to chat with the nuns to learn more about Buddhism and gain an insight into their daily lives.
After lunch, take a short bus ride through the stunning surrounds, passing rice paddies and small towns, before arriving at a village that specialises in making incense. Learn all about this ancient art before continuing on to one of the impressive emperor's tombs. Pay a visit to Bao Quoc Pagoda, a sprawling temple complex that is perched on a hill overlooking the Perfume River. After admiring its seven tiers, head to Tiger Arena, where duels between elephants and tigers were arranged for the entertainment of the Emperor right up until 1904.
After a day taking in the many sights, end it with a relaxing afternoon cruise along the Perfume River. Take in the magic of this meandering river before ending the tour back in the centre of the city.
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Hoi An is a place oozing with charm, and having largely escaped the destruction of successive wars, its streets and architecture are a delight to explore. After being picked up, head straight for the Old Town ready to hit its ancient streets.
Now a Unesco World Heritage site, the Old Town is packed with buildings of historical and cultural significance, and boasts a number of streets that are off-limits to cars. Stroll past the many Chinese Assembly Halls, from the Cantonese Chinese Congregation with its impressive main altar, to the Hainan Chinese Congregation, which serves as a memorial to 107 merchants from Hainan Island who were mistaken for pirates and killed during the reign of Emperor Tu Duc. Stop by the Japanese Covered Bridge, which was constructed in the 1590s by the town's Japanese community to link them with the Chinese quarters across the stream.
At the end of the walking tour, head to a family run restaurant for a cooking class. The chef will run through the range of delicious dishes that you will recreate, then it's time to hit the local market to stock up on all the fresh produce needed to create the feast. Learn how to choose the best supplies, and discover some of the less-familiar ingredients, then head back to the restaurant ready to cook.
Pick up recipes to wow your family and friends with and discover the tricks to making some of the legendary Vietnamese dishes at home. The tour ends as you sit down to feast on all the delicious dishes you've created.
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We depart Ho Chi Minh City for the city of My Tho (approximately 2.5 hours). A former naval base, My Tho is now a bustling port city in the Mekong Delta. The area is the final destination of the mighty Mekong River which winds it's way from Tibet, through China, Burma, Laos, Cambodia and finally Vietnam
A An incredibly fertile region it's prime industry is food production, producing approximately half of Vietnam's total agricultural output. Life for villages in the area revolves around the rivers and canals that make up the delta, people are more likely to transport by river than road. Upon arrival into My Tho we board our private boat for a cruise on the Mekong River.
Our first stop is at a fish farm to gain an insight into one of the cottage industries in the region. On our boat ride our local guide will take us to visit an island with lush tropical gardens where we have a chance to sample tropical fruit. Continuing to another island in the Mekong Delta we learn more about another cottage industry, coconut candy. Our local guide will take us to a factory and explain the process of making the sweet. We have a chance to visit local villages in the area and learn more about the traditional lifestyles, culture and customs of people who call the Delta their home.
We continue our visit by Xe Loi (motorized cart), visiting a bee farm where we transfer to smaller rowing boat allowing us to get deeper into the smaller canals of the Delta.
Our lunch destination is Diem Phuong restaurant where our local guide will provide us with some advice on the finer points of local cuisine and assist us with ordering some of these delicacies. After lunch we return to My Tho for the journey back to Ho Chi Minh City where you will be dropped off at your hotel.
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