La Siesta Hoi An Resort & Spa

Family Classic + 3 more + 3 more

Highlights of Vietnam & Cambodia

Cambodia, Vietnam

Two countries, one unforgettable journey through South East Asia.

15 days

from £4,150 pp

Classic Winter Vietnam

Family Classic + 3 more + 3 more

A winter break to Vietnam with a sun-soaked finale.

14 days

from £3,675 pp

Go Local in Vietnam

Go Local Off-the-beaten-track + 2 more + 3 more

The real Vietnam, one authentic experience at a time.

12 days

from £3,365 pp

Foodie Vietnam

Classic Adventure + 2 more + 3 more

Taste your way from Hanoi to Saigon.

12 days

from £3,175 pp

Vietnam with Teenagers

Family Beach + 1 more + 2 more

A two-week adventure designed with families in mind.

14 days

from £3,450 pp

Adventurous Vietnam

Family Wildlife & Nature + 3 more + 3 more

An action-packed adventure through Northern & Central Vietnam.

16 days

from £4,350 pp

Quirky excursions

View all excursions in Vietnam

Cat Tien National Park

North-east of Saigon and south-east of Dalat is Nam Cat Tien (Cat Tien National Park) - a very diverse region encompassing rolling hills, flat plains, dense forest and meandering rivers. In 1978, the south and north Cat Tien parks were put under the State's protection and then in 1992, Cat Loc park was also listed in a joint program to protect the environment. Eventually, in 1998, these three parks joined together to become the Cat Tien National park, under the management of the ministry of agriculture and rural development. It is now the most important reserve in Vietnam, home to a wealth of flora, as well as much of the country's endangered wildlife. Amongst the species that live in the 70,000-hectare park are the Asian elephants, yellow-cheeked gibbons and sun bears. You begin by visiting the park's Endangered Primate Centre, where you'll be able to see two of the rarest species in the world - the Delacour and Cat Ba langurs. Whilst in the National Park you will be accompanied by one of the Park Rangers – all of whom are knowledgeably experienced, having been trained to a very high standard. Your programme can be tailored to suit your preferences, however typically you will spend your day hiking and spotting wildlife, including the wealth of birdlife. Nam Cat Tien is a three and a half hour drive from both Saigon and Dalat. Consequently, it is far better operated as an overnight excursion from either.

My Son Cham temples

The ancient red brick towers at My Son Cham make for an easy half day excursion from Hoi An (town or beach). To get to these Cham ruins, which date from the 4th - 13th centuries, you pass through some beautiful rural countryside as you head away from the coast. It's worth stopping at Phuoc Kieu en route, a 500 year old village which specialises in bronze crafting - bells, gongs(and other indeterminate musical instruments), incense burners, lamp holders and vases. You have time to stroll along the several interesting alleys, visit workshops and visit a temple where locals worship their ancestors. My Son is the cultural highlight of Central Vietnam, granted UNESCO World Heritage status in 1999. The tower-temples in the sanctuary are surrounded by hills. Admittedly, they are not as spectacular as the great complexes in Cambodia - no others are! - but many of the structures actually pre-date Angkor, are atmospheric and conjure images of the majesty of the Champa Kingdom. You first visit the small museum near the entrance to the site and then are free to wander amongst the towers, before heading back to Hoi An. This tour can be done either in the morning or afternoon.

Hoi An walking tour

An introduction to Hoi An. Its a small town and all you need to tick off the main sights and orientate yourself is a half day walking tour. With your guide, stroll through the charming, old narrow streets, stopping off at traditional houses, former merchants' homes, the town's iconic 400-year old Japanese Covered Bridge, a Chinese communal hall and the colourful market where an array of fresh ingredients are on offer. Once you have done this tour, you can then simply relax in to Hoi An and soak up the unique atmosphere of the town. The tour can be taken either in the morning or afternoon, although the market is obviously far better in the early morning.

Buffalo cart ride

The countryside surrounding Hoi An is beautiful, where life is simple. Riding a buffalo cart ride is the perfect transport of these rural roads, from which to experience the peace and get in step with the rhythm of daily life. This late afternoon excursion takes you on a 90-minute journey through charming village roads, alongside the canals which provide water for the paddy fields, past shrimp ponds and vegetable gardens. You will see the local farmers working in the fields transplanting rice, feeding their cows and fishing. Its a rather serene experience, clip-clopping along under the shade of coconut trees. You are picked-up from your hotel at about 3.30 (be it Hoi An or the beach) and travel to Cam Thanh, a local village where your transport is contentedly waiting for you. A buffalo, a cart, your local guide and the countryside - what more do you need?!

Morning market & street food tour

This street food tasting tour is an entertaining and informative way to approach sight-seeing in Hoi An from a different angle. Vietnam is a culinary nation - nothing is more important to the Vietnamese than what they eat! You start by visiting a colourful and friendly local 'wet' market which is well off the tourist map. You'll get the chance to meet and chat with stallholders to learn more about the huge choice of ingredients on sale. Everything from silk worms, a huge variety of fresh fragrant herbs and vegetables to the meat and fish sections can be seen. Leaving the market continue along both high streets and back streets, discovering out-of-the-way producers and street vendors making and selling a wide variety of exotic foods. Your final destination of the morning will be a local restaurant where a mammoth tasting session begins. A wide selection of local delicacies bought directly from the markets can be sampled. Learn the names and meanings of the different foods, as well as the main ingredients and the etiquette of how to eat them. This tasting session will give you a deeper understanding of Vietnamese cuisine and the purpose of the tour is to give an opportunity to try the huge variety of foods of the local Hoi An people – the benefit also goes back to the vendors as all dishes are bought directly from them. The tour departs only in the mornings, so as to make the most of the markets. It's best to have only had a light breakfast in your hotel and, even then, only if you must! The program may change depending on weather conditions.