The Times UK : These are the best holidays to Vietnam

Recently, The Times UK published an article by journalist Hannah Summers, stating that international tourists are paying significant attention to Southeast Asia. And that's not too surprising.

“Culture-rich Vietnam has so much to offer - fly-and-flop trips to pristine beaches, huge amounts of history, dazzling landscapes for hiking and paddling, remote villages, pretty architecture”, wrote Hannah Summers.

The Times believes that there are many ways to explore this Southeast Asian "paradise". Cruising on the river or going to a luxury resort or high-end fashion store promises to bring visitors special experiences.

“I first visited as a backpacker, aged 19, travelling with a rucksack bigger than my body and a budget smaller than (hopefully) most of yours. Young, carefree and potentially a little less cautious than I am today, my friend and I decided to tour the entire country on the back of a motorbike — with our guides, riding up front, navigating the wiggling countryside roads through rice paddies and along sunny coastlines.” recall Hannah Summers.

Hannah Summers visited most destinations in Vietnam.

Hoi An Ancient Town (Photo: Collection)

“One of my favourite stops was the charming riverside town of Hoi An, where you can walk into any number of small, family-run tailor shops and ask them to recreate one of your favourite suits or dresses from your pick of jazzy, or more restrained, fabrics.” Hannah wrote about her exciting experience in the ancient town of Hoi An, Vietnam.

And Vietnamese food is also very attractive. According to the journalist of The Times, with delicious bowls of pho, you can eat out every meal and never feel like you're overeating. Hannah is planning for another trip to Vietnam, enjoy the food of Ha Noi and Ho Chi Minh City. “No matter what you're craving - travelling alone, with family or friends, big or small budget, Vietnam is a destination worth visiting", stated Hannah.

Iconic rail journey from Ho Chi Minh City to Ha Noi

The train route by Thong Nhat train (Reunification Express train) over 18 days is a worthwhile experience journey. Travelling from Ho Chi Minh City to the capital Ha Noi, visitors will have the opportunity to explore the history of the route that was rebuilt after the North and South were unified in 1975 and became a symbol of people's solidarity.

It's a slow and steady journey on comfortable seats and air-conditioned carriages. Tourists will comfortably explore the journey to visit rice fields, forests, mountains and beaches.

Hoan Kiem Lake, Ha Noi (Photo: Collection)

Ho Chi Minh City (Photo: Collection)

Luxury rail and resorts

Luxury rail and resorts package is another option for a slow and steady journey. The new Vietage by Anantara hotels, a custom-designed train carriage bolts onto the back of the local Reunification Express, and pootles guests between Anantara Hoi An and Anantara Quy Nhon Villas on a six-hour journey through the Vietnamese countryside, with a three-course meal, free-flow drinks and a head and shoulder massage to up the comfort levels.

The wild north

Escape the tourist trail and fully explore the beauty of Northern Vietnam, a trip operated by the travel agency will take visitors deep into remote rural areas in the north, home to ethnic minority groups. Visitors will start in the capital city of Ha Noi with a culinary tour, before travelling north to explore authentic villages, rice terraces, tea plantations and mountains, stretching their adventure in 4 days. Between trips will combine travel by car. One of the quite attractive destinations is Ma Pi Leng Pass in Meo Vac District, Ha Giang Province, Vietnam. The route zigzags through a valley, stretching into the distance with beautiful golden rice fields.

Mopeds and motorbikes are Vietnamese ways of life. Visitors can ride solo or pillion (on the back) to soak up a lot more scenery. Hoi An to Hue trip by motorbike should be a great idea.

Hue (Photo: Collection)

Cruise the Mekong in style

Vietnam is a leading country in the field of river tourism thanks to the Mekong River - the longest waterway in Southeast Asia.

Hop aboard the 20-room Aqua Mekong Cruise in style on a 7-night expedition with the chance to enjoy local life from the cruise's sundeck. However, according to Hannah Summers, it's still better to make the most of bike rental trips to riverside villages, discovering treasures of knowledge from professional guides. Finally, return to the cruise with a Michelin-star menu waiting for you.

Nature and sleepy bays

If you want to immerse yourself in lush greenery, try a 12-night nature-themed tour. You'll see the terraced mountains of Pu Luong, the jungle and primates of Cuc Phuong or the limestone peaks and emerald waters of Lan Ha Bay - a quieter alternative much more than Ha Long Bay. The final nights are spent resting in a traditional guesthouse in the Mekong Delta, cycling through farmland and gliding along canals on sampans, enjoying a leisurely life.

Ha Long Bay (Photo: Collection)

A trip with everything

An ideal trip to Vietnam should contain a luxurious 14-night holiday to explore some of the country’s most famous cities and regions, from the chaotic capital of Ha Noi to the karsts of Halong Bay, the markets and merchant houses of Hoi An and the glittering coastline. Hannah wrote, there are numerous history spots for visitors to learn about the heroic Vietnam such as Cu Chi tunnels, the War Remnants Museum,... along with the exclusive seriously stylish beachside villas at Zannier Bai San Ho.

Hiking and homestays

Ideal as a complementary adventure to any other tour, this 6-day trip to the northern mountains offers hiking and homestay opportunities.

You'll travel to a remote region between the Tay Con Linh and Song Chay mountain ranges in Ha Giang Province, taking on long, challenging hikes through tropical forests, plantations and rice terraces between villages. A homestay in a Red Dao village will give you insight into the simplicity of daily life in a very remote part of the world.

Street food safari

The Mekong Delta - known as the rice granary of Vietnam will give visitors the opportunity to buy and sell fresh products and enjoy familiar street dishes such as Pho, banh mi and traditional seafood hot pot dishes in many different cities.

Banh mi (Photo: Collection)

Beef Pho (Photo: TITC)

It's not just about eating and drinking - there are also tours (on a Vespa), trips to local markets and homestays that also offer a glimpse of local life in Vietnam.

Wellness retreat by the beach

A typical day on the pristine sands of My Khe beach in Da Nang, Serene beach stay at Ninh Van Bay, Phu Quoc Island or Nha Trang will include a session of relaxing and regenerate morning private yoga, following by a treatment in the spa (lymphatic detox or hot stone therapy, perhaps), breathwork, a creativity workshop, sound healing and Tai chi. Two-course meals of raw food will boost the feelings of vitality, and longer stays include excursions.

Backpacking tour for grown-ups

Going on a small group tour for people in their thirties and forties or aged 50 and above will be a good chance to meet fellow travellers with a similar wavelength. Touring Ho Chi Minh City’s best street food from the back seat of a vintage Vespa, sailing across the emerald waters of Halong Bay, visiting the villages and workshops in the Mekong Delta and making tofu with a local legend in Hoi An. Instead of staying at a local hotel, visitors will stay on a traditional junk boat in Ha Long and boutique hotels with spas or outdoor pools elsewhere.

Action-packed family fun

A family trip with toddlers or teens? Vietnam offers all. A two-week Highlights of Vietnam is a good start. The itinerary includes Ha Noi, Ha Long Bay, Phong Nha - Ke Bang National Park and Hoi An in fun, family friendly ways, with boat trips, bike rides through paddy fields and zip lines into caves. A personal guide will be on hand to help ensure the trip runs smoothly.

Cultural tour with sustainability insight

A 10-day Ha Noi - Ho Chi Minh tour will focus on understanding the cultures and customs of the country and being mindful of environmental responsibilities. Visitors will be getting around spots by a variety of local transport - whizzing around places such as Hue, the former imperial capital, from the back of a motorbike, before a vegetarian feast at a nunnery.  Or take a short trip toHa Long Bay, where rubbish is repurposed into reusable bags.

Hike, bike and kayak through paddies and bays

For those keen to sightsee in more energetic ways, there will be insightful visits to the Cu Chi tunnels and Emperors’ Tombs south of Hue, plus paddling sessions through Ha Long Bay (rather than the usual tourist boat trips), treks through forest-cloaked mountains and the rice paddies of Mai Chau, and cycles through local villages.

King Minh Mang tomb (Photo: Collection)

Famous sites and lesser-known national parks

Visitors will visit the most popular parts of Vietnam on this tour, including Cu Chi tunnels, temples of Ha Noi, well-preserved buildings of Hoi An and the limestone scenery of Ha Long Bay, the 400 million-year-old limestone karst landscape, cave systems and underground rivers of Phong Nha - Ke Bang National Park, plus French colonial mansions and waterfalls and wildlife of Bach Ma.

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