Complete Vietnam

Hanoi is a bustling and fascinating place – a whirlwind of colours, smells and sounds and a wonderful place to get a real flavour of life in Vietnam.

It is unmissable in terms of its pretty pagodas, ancient temples, enchanting French colonial quarter and cultural institutions. Just as fun, however, is darting down its winding lanes and discovering your own favourite hidden corners. The hustle and bustle of Hanoi is contagious and it is also one of the best place to sample the mouthwatering array of streetfood that Vietnam is famous for.

With ochre-coloured colonial buildings, tree-lined boulevards and scenic lakes, Hanoi is full of charm. Start the tour at the historic Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, an imposing monument lavishly built using marble and granite, where the preserved body of ‘Uncle Ho’ resides. Behind the Mausoleum, you can see Ho Chi Minh’s house where his belongings are on display - you can walk up the steps to see his bedroom. You’ll also visit One Pillar Pagoda which is regarded as one of Vietnam’s most iconic temples.

You’ll then enjoy an hour-long cyclo tour through the old quarter, one of Vietnam’s liveliest areas. It is known for its ‘tunnel’ or ‘tube’ houses which were built to reduce the fees paid when fares were set according to the width of the house. Weaving your way through the maze of back streets, you’ll get a glimpse into everyday life and an insight into the country’s long history.

A maze of streets dating back to the 13th Century, Hanoi’s Old Quarter is all hustle and bustle. Look out for the Communal Houses, Tube Houses and old colonial houses along the crooked streets before seeking respite from the chaos at Hoan Kiem Lake. Jacada Travel can arrange a guide to show you to the best of the area.

Your private guide, on request, can escort you to Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum – a large memorial to the Vietnamese leader. Contrary to his wishes of a modest burial, his embalmed body is centrepiece of the museum. His simple stilt house is close by giving visitors the opportunity to see how he lived.

A striking and rare example of well-preserved Vietnamese architecture which forms an important part of Hanoi’s history, the Temple of Literature is made up of five temples and peaceful courtyards within one complex and parts date back to the 11th Century.

Limestone outcrops blanketed in lush vegetation rise up from the still, jade-coloured water. Your boat glides smoothly across the glassy surface, the shapes and shadows of the islets changing as you navigate this watery paradise. This is Lan Ha Bay, the smaller, quieter and altogether more serene neighbour of Halong Bay.

Although belonging to a different province, Lan Ha is essentially an extension of Halong Bay and offers the same mesmerising scenery. Lying south-east of Cat Ba Island, fewer boats make their way to Lan Ha meaning you'll get to enjoy this idyllic setting without the busy crowds.

As you weave your way through the islands, you'll come across secluded bays, white sandy beaches and floating villages. There are caves to explore, islands to cycle on, and the pristine waters are perfect for swimming, snorkelling and kayaking.

Your luxury junk boat will be your home away from home as you explore Lan Ha Bay, and there are few experiences as magical as watching the sunrise from the comfort of your cabin, then watching it sink behind the sparkling water as the day draws to a close.

Enjoy your days in the imperial city of Hue either exploring it on your own account, or choose from a number of our private tours with expert local guides to show you around the things that interest you. Once the capital of Vietnam, there is plenty historical relics and landmarks to discover, not to mention a picturesque position on the Perfume River which is good for walking or bicycling excursions. Talk to your personal travel designer about how you wish to spend your time here.

Hue served as an imperial capital to the Nguyen Lords, a feudal dynasty which reigned from the 17th to the 19th century. With splendid emperors’ tombs, ancient pagodas and the remains of the citadel, the city retains its royal charm. Visit the Imperial Citadel, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, to see its magnificent architecture and gardens as your guide explains the events and the intrigue of the former royal court.

Despite being the setting for one of the Vietnam War's fiercest battles, there are some incredibly well preserved sections still intact and others which are being lovingly restored. From there, the vehicle will take you to visit Thien Mu pagoda, Hue’s best-preserved religious monument. After that, head out to the serene Tu Duc and Khai Dinh Royal Tombs. En route back to your hotel, you can choose to visit an incense stick making house.

With its pretty architecture and beguiling riverside setting packed into its neat size, Hoi An is small enough to stroll around and soak up its rich wealth of heritage. Once an important port and trading town, Hoi An is one of Vietnam’s greatest cultural relics and a melting pot of Chinese, Japanese and French influences. Visit the atmospheric Old Town to see the Japanese Merchant Houses, the famed Japanese bridge, the Chinese temples, old tea warehouses, temples and traditional pagodas. Motorised traffic is banned from the town centre which has cemented Hoi An’s status as one of Vietnam’s most prized and pleasant towns.

Visit the local market of Hoi An to enjoy the tantalising sights, smells and flavours of local produce and xplore zigzagging alleys to savour real street food as the local people do on this delicious walking tour.

Set out for a local fishing village and spend some time to learn about the lives of fishermen in this area. Walk through the village and take the time to observe local life and gain an insight into the community then board a local boat and start cruising down the Cua Dai River. When you reach a good spot, hop off the boat along the shore and try your hand at casting the Vietnamese fishing nets, taught by a local with years of experience.

Later, you will also get to navigate the waters in a round basket boat, through the tranquil coconut-palm flanked waterways whilst learning about the area's history.

Your adventure starts with a short boat trip crossing the river from Hoi An and you will have a chance to take photographs of many fishing boats and country villages. On arrival, start cycling along quiet inland trails to discover how wooden river boats are made, learn the secret of weaving the colourful straw “Hoi An” sleeping mats, and try the renowned Vietnamese basket boats. You will observe the workers in the rice fields. And explore the sumptuous landscapes and meet wonderful people.

You may wish to stop Tra Que Vegetable Village to observe local farmers working the organic fields using traditional methods that date back hundreds of years. The rich soil from this village produces some of the most flavoursome vegetables and herbs in all of Hoi An. If you don’t mind getting your hands dirty, spend some time helping water the plants or fertilizing the land before cycling back to your hotel.

A booming economy has given Ho Chi Minh city (often still referred to as Saigon) a new energy and lease of life. Socially the city is flourishing with a sophisticated café culture, an exciting dining scene and burgeoning interest in eclectic art.

Ho Chi Minh also has the largest remaining assortment of French architecture, most famously the Notre Dame cathedral, which lends the city’s sprawl a unique elegance. Wide boulevards turn to narrow streets and timeless alleys are a delight to explore along with its ancient pagodas and thriving street markets.

Enjoy a light snack on board your speedboat to the Cu Chi tunnels. The river journey will provide a glimpse of the changing faces of Vietnam – from the glittering skyscrapers and busy commercial centres to green paddy fields and pottery villages dotted along the Saigon River. On arrival you’ll visit the underground Cu Chi tunnels and villages that were constructed in 1948 for guerrillas to hide from the French air and ground sweeps. Learn about their use as communication routes and food and weapon caches, as well as hospitals and living quarters during the American war. Enjoy a light lunch on board during your journey back to Saigon.

Discover Vietnam's commercial centre of Ho Chi Minh on this interesting half day tour. While it is a busy, vibrant city, this tour will also show how Ho Chi Minh is steeped in history with stops at historic landmarks including the former Presidential Palace where Saigon's government ruled from throughout the American war. This tour will also take you to sights such as the Notre Dame Cathedral, which is based on Paris' original monument, the Central Post Office plus the War Remnants Museum. Here at the war museum you will have the chance to gain an intense insight into the war through the eyes of the local people.

Enjoy a speedboat journey out onto Mekong Delta. This trip provides a glimpse of the changing faces of Vietnam – from the glittering skyscrapers and busy commercial centers to green orchard fields and houses built on stilts dotted along the Saigon River. Upon arrival in Long An, visit a local riverside market, authentic villages, and lush jungle canals. Light lunch is served on-board.

You can choose to do as much or as little as you like during your stay at the Six Senses Ninh Van Bay. Your every whim will be taken care of; from indulgent spa treatments and assorted dining experiences, and if you fancy getting out and about you can choose between hiking, island hopping, snorkelling and diving.