Hoi An Tours

Ninh Binh is a wonderful region in northern Vietnam in the Red River Delta. Breathtaking scenery, vivid green fields, flowing rivers beneath limestone mountains and caves, and a laid back atmosphere that contrasts with the bustle of Hanoi. Approximately 1.5 hours to 2 hours from Hanoi by road, Ninh Binh was once the ancient capital in the 10th to 11th centuries, and now a heaven for nature lovers. Spend time exploring the paddy fields, age old temples and pagodas on foot, cycling or taking a gentle boat ride through a network of waterways opening out on to lakes with limestone mountains towering above. While a day trip to Ninh Binh from Hanoi is easy, staying a few days means you will get more out of exploring this intriguing and charming area. 

Perched on the banks of the Red River, Hanoi is Vietnam's capital and one of the world's most ancient cities. Its beauty lies in its liveliness of bustling streets where workshops and cafes spill out onto the streets and roadsides. As the intersection point where east meets west, Hanoi is a fascinating mix of old and new, Asian and European. With Chinese and French influences, an ancient culture, colonial architecture, broad tree-lined boulevards and beautiful lakes, the iconic architectural appearance of the Old Quarter and the elegance of the French Quarter, Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum and the Temple of Literature, etc... gives Vietnam’s capital city a unique charm of the ancient and modern. Hanoi is also home to one of Asia’s strong indigenous culinary traditions, with bustling wet markets and a rowdy street-food culture, as well as some five star international dining options. It is also very affordable by urban Asian standards, with the majority of hotels and restaurants offering plenty of value. 

Halong Bay, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1994, is located 170km east of Hanoi. It is made up of three neighboring bays: Halong, Lan Ha and Bai Tu Long bays, although Halong Bay is undeniably the most famous and most well-known of the three. Widely considered a natural wonder of the world, the UNESCO World Heritage Site is breathtaking with thousands of majestic limestone, peaks and islets rising dramatically out of the sparkling emerald waters of the bay. The most common way to explore is by taking an overnight night cruise or day-trip which cruises among the limestone pillars and islets. Many also include an island drop off and cave explorations. Visiting floating villages in the area gives a chance to interact with the local community whose livelihoods depend on the waters. Another way to immerse oneself close up in the bay is by kayaking near and around the limestone pillars and some of the caves that are possible to enter by kayak. 

Situated atop Hoang Lien Son mountains, Sapa is a colonial-era town in northwest Vietnam overlooking the terraced rice fields of Muong Hoa Valley. At an elevation of 1,500m, this small market town shares its border with China and offers some of Vietnam's best trekking routes. Arguably offering one of the most authentic rural experiences, Sapa is rapidly becoming a mainstream destination. Sapa is also well known for its diverse cultural makeup. Tiny villages dot the hillsides and are home to different ethnic minorities, each with their own customs and culture. While some parts of this area are more remote than others, the region has been able to preserve a rich cultural heritage and scenic beauty. As a well-known holiday destination, Sapa has an all year round appeal because of its cool weather and beautiful hilly scenery. In particular, it is the only place to have snow in Vietnam in the winter.

Hue, the former royal capital under the Nguyen Dynasty is based in central Vietnam and is one of the oldest Vietnamese cities. Set on the banks of the Perfume River, this historical city is home to the Imperial City which became a World Heritage Site in 1993. Apart from the remnants of Vietnam war, Hue is a hub of rustic, ornate royal tombs hidden away in sublime jungle settings, an imposing citadel with carefully restored gardens and palaces, and iconic pagodas. Easy going and laid back, Hue is an ideal destination for history and nature lovers and can easily be explored on foot, by bicycle or motorbike.

Da Nang is the commercial and educational center of central Vietnam and the largest city in the region. It is also the tourism hub on the west coast blessed with beautiful sunsets against a backdrop of lush mountains. This port city on the South China Sea has large areas of soft, ivory-white sand and clear blue waters making it an ideal place for a beach vacation and outdoor activities such as surfing, snorkeling, kayaking and jet-skiing. Da Nang is in easy reach of several UNESCO World Heritage Sites such as Hoi An ancient town, Hue and the My Son Sanctuary.

Nha Trang is one of the most popular beach towns in Vietnam with plenty of activities and attractions. It is a high-rise, high-energy beach resort home to remnants of the Champa Kingdom, Buddhist temples, and gothic-style Catholic churches, which live side by side with stunning beaches and off-shore islands. Nha Trang has great conditions for swimming, snorkeling, diving in the clear waters and makes for an ideal mini beach break; the city is particularly suitable for families with plenty to keep children occupied.

Mui Ne is a coastal town about 4.5 hours (by road) north of Ho Chi Minh City, bordering Phan Thiet town. Once a small fishing village, it is now dotted with up-market beach resorts, trendy cafes and restaurants attracts many seaside-loving international and domestic visitors. Mui Ne’s coastline is famed for long beaches winding along the South China Sea. The strong winds at Cape Mui Ne make these beaches ideal for a variety of adventure sports such as kite surfing, sailing, and surfing. Aside from the beaches, Mui Ne is well-known for its unusual and  impressive Sahara-like sand dunes, unique in a tropical country like Vietnam. There are two different sets of dunes; the red sand dunes are suitable for walking up, while the white sand dunes can be experienced by a quad bike – particularly impressive at sunset or sunrise.