Liberty Central Saigon Citypoint

Vietnam's Overnight Rail

Wildlife & Nature Off-the-beaten-track + 2 more + 3 more

An overland adventure through Northern Vietnam.

15 days

from £5,025 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

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

Adventurous Vietnam

Family Wildlife & Nature + 3 more + 3 more

An action-packed adventure through Northern & Central Vietnam.

16 days

from £4,350 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

Luxury Vietnam

Romantic Classic + 3 more + 3 more

A luxurious, slow-paced holiday across the full length of Vietnam.

16 days

from £8,250 pp

Quirky excursions

View all excursions in Vietnam

Saigon City Tour (Full Day)

We start in Cholon, the city's Chinatown district, visiting busy markets and tightly-packed shops. Its an area best to explore in the early mornings. Also in Cholon is the Cantonese Thien Hau Pagoda - dedicated to the goddess of the sea. Next you head to the FITO Museum, Vietnam's first traditional medicine museum displaying an amazing collection of 3,000 items relevant to the development of traditional Vietnamese medicine, including indigenous herbs. It's then back into District 1, to visit Ben Thanh Market where an over-whelming display of fresh produce, household goods and tourist trinkets are on display. Plenty if time is put aside to simply stroll through the market, with your guide providing a commentary and helping you haggle when required. Options for a fresh local lunch are abundant in the streets surrounding the market - your guide will have many suggestions and recommendations. In the afternoon visit the War Remnants Museum and the History Museum (closed on Mondays) and the former Presidential Palace - now re-named the Reunification Palace. From here stroll (although your vehicle will be available at all times) to the principal sights of colonial Saigon: the Old Saigon Post Office, Dong Khoi Street (formerly Rue Catinat), The Continental Hotel, Opera House and City Hall. This is your day. The guide will adapt and manoeuvre the itinerary to match your interests and follow the pace you choose to set.

Saigon City Tour by Vespa

Touring the city whilst riding pillion on a classic Vespa will give you a perspective of Saigon unlike anything you'll see from a tour bus. You will visit much more of the city than you could possibly see on your own. The drivers/guides we use are longtime residents of Saigon and know exactly how to blend the 'must-see' sights whilst also managing to get you off the standard tourist trail. This half-day tour takes a unique look at familiar and not-so-familiar landmarks in modern-day Saigon. On morning tours, get up early to head to Tao Dan Park to catch the 'bird lovers club' and enjoy a local coffee while your guide explains about the history and practice of keeping birds in Saigon. The next stop is the monument of Thich Quang Duc, a Vietnamese Mahayana Buddhist monk who burned himself to death on June 11, 1963 to protest against the persecution of Buddhists by South Vietnam's Ngo Dinh Diem administration. Then take a quick stop at the colourful Ho Thi Ky flower market, before riding to a funeral home to learn about Vietnamese funeral ceremonies & customs. Roll on through Cholon (China town) to Nhi Phu temple, where the roof is covered with tubular tiles lined with bas-relief mosaics made from broken ceramics, depicting the eight immortals of Taoism including apricot trees, orchids, bamboo and of course dragons and phoenix. Continue with a short walk through the alley full of tailor's supplies. Leaving China town, you drive through the tunnel to District Two, where you see downtown Saigon from a different perspective. Visit a local market before heading back to District One for a twin set of neighbouring landmarks: the Post Office followed by Cathedral of Notre Dame. Moving then to the remarkable Reunification Palace a stop at the historic Opera House allows for an opportunity to talk to your guide about the modern history of the city. The final stop is an outside view of the Saigon City People's Committee (formerly Hôtel de Ville) which is one of the most photographed buildings in Vietnam - notable for its gardens, ornate facade and elegant interior lit with crystal chandeliers. Guests ride pillion behind experienced drivers and helmets are provided. The tour usually takes around 4 hours and can be organised either in the morning or afternoon.

Watersports, Snorkelling & Diving

A number of the resorts across Vietnam offer water-sports from the beach (including kayaking, sailing, jet-skis, boating) or you can enjoy the underwater action around Phu Quoc on a snorkelling or diving tour arranged via one of the boat companies or through your hotel. Diving is best from November to March and fun dives will cost around USD100 per person, whereas snorkelling is around USD35 per person. For many Nha Trang is the best place to head for the quality of the diving. It has, however, become very busy with a lot of different dive shops too so it is worth considering the kind of experience you would like before choosing. Diving off the coast of Hoi An is a place for many to try out diving. It isn't busy there and so makes the ideal place to stop off for an extra couple of nights and to explore the underwater world. Con Dao is considered one of the best examples of marine conservation in the country. With over 340 species of Hard and Soft corals, teeming with a colourful array of marine life. Con Dao supports a high level of biodiversity and over 1,400 currently recorded marine species. With clear waters from February to July and visibility averaging 20-30 metres, Con Dao is an excellent place for diving and offers a unique opportunity to explore the amazing variety of underwater life. Explore the untouched and pristine corals, with a chance to see rays, turtles, giant barracuda, cobia, batfish and small bamboo sharks, as well as a whole host of tropical reef fish. Phu Quoc is often the beach stop of choice and there are a lot of dive sites around. The major dive sites on the Phu Quoc are Dry island and Nudibranch Island where you will be able to spot a variety of marine animals, including cuttlefish, octopus, scorpionfish, damselfish, nudibranchs, and moray eels. The sea is calm around here and in the dry season, you'll have clear water and great visibility.

Craft Beer Tasting in Saigon by Vespa

What better way to delve into the burgeoning craft beer scene of Saigon than to zoom around the city on the back of a Vespa, just like the locals do? Get a taste of the wide variety of locally produced beers, with something for everyone in a range of popular evening haunts. Try Californian-style pale ales, Belgian Trappist-inspired brews, and freshly tapped drinks with uniquely Vietnamese flavours... anyone for salted dragon-fruit or jasmine-infused bia? As well as getting to enjoy the best beers and bars that Saigon has to offer, your drinks will be paired with elaborate and delicious food, including gourmet tapas and Vietnamese takes on classic pub bites. After an incredible night out in this bustling metropolis, rubbing elbows with the locals, you will be dropped back to your hotel by your designated Vespa driver and guide. Dzô! (Cheers!)

Evening Street Food Walking Tour of Saigon

This evening meet with a passionate foodie and walk through hidden corners of the city to discover the very best of Saigon's local food scene. Start with a stroll through a public park where locals gather after work. See friends gossiping over an evening snack, watch groups of dancers getting their daily exercise and enjoy the lively atmosphere. Continue on foot to a small alleyway where, amid houses and shops, a popular local street restaurant is serving up the city’s best banh xeo. Grab a stool and tuck into a plate of this delicious crispy pancake. Watch the chefs as they whip up plate after plate, learning the secrets of this southern delicacy. Carry on to Tan Dinh Market. Tucked away is an unassuming stall selling a delicious local soup. While slurping up the flavourful broth, the guide will explain the origins of this Chinese-inspired dish. Next on the foodie tour of Ho Chi Minh City is a short walk to another popular restaurant. Like most street stalls in Vietnam, this shop serves only one item. Enjoy a serving of com suon non nuong muoi ot, a dish consisting of rice and pork ribs, a speciality of Ho Chi Minh City. Having sampled the savoury side of the city, cross a busy city intersection (an adventure in itself) to a typical Vietnamese café and indulge in a sweet treat. Round out the evening with a stop at a live music café. Rub elbows with the locals while listening to Vietnamese music then return to the hotel full of memories of this authentic night out.