Luxury Vietnam Holidays

Overview

Travel Gems

Bars
Saigon’s pancake topography means that the view from up high is far more impressive than anything witnessed on the ground – head to the Caravelle Hotel Saigon Saigon bar, which comes into its own at night, to witness the views, alternatively head downtown to Vietnam’s first open-air Chill Sky Bar which can be found on the 26th and 27th floors of a high-rise building in District 1. Up until 10pm drink at the super sleek, bi-level glass box rooftop after 10pm head to the lounge for more panoramic views, an outdoor cigar terrace and sway to the sounds of track spun by the resident DJ.

Boat Rides on the Mekong Delta
Talk to our Travel Consultants about arranging an early morning boat ride to see the floating market on the Mekong Delta. As you watch the traders selling their wares you can sip on Vietnamese coffee and partake in a specially prepared breakfast, on-board your very own private sampan.

Cyclo Rides
Hiring a cyclo (three-wheel bicycle taxi) is the best way to discover the maze of narrow streets in Hanoi’s Old Quarter. The antiquated setting provides a wonderful backdrop for Hanoi’s designers to showcase their merchandise, so amongst the more traditional shops you’ll find some quaint boutiques packed with original products.

Climate

Due to its length and the diversity of its topography, Vietnam experiences several different climate zones, with weather patterns varying considerably from season to season and region to region. Thanks to these regional variations, you can visit Vietnam at any time of year: catch the good weather in Saigon in February - March, following the coast to the north, visiting Hanoi in October - November. Temperatures shown in the grid, reflect the average temperatures and rainfall for Hanoi.

Northern Vietnam
Generally cooler than the other South East Asian regions in the same longitude, northern Vietnam experiences a pleasant spring (March-April) and autumn (October-December) with chilly winters (December- February) experiencing average temperatures of 17.2°C (62.9°F), and hot summers (June – July) when temperatures can reach approximately 37°C (98.6 °F). Humidity levels remain at approximately 80% all year round and there may occasionally be typhoons and heavy rain in late summer (September to November).

Central Vietnam
With two sub-regions, coastal lowlands and central highlands, this area of Vietnam offers a climate that falls somewhere in between that of the North and the South. The coastal strip is usually dry and hotter with storms and typhoons (from July to November) affecting this area more frequently than the northern coasts. The Central Highlands have nearly double the average rainfall of the country and the two biggest towns in this plateau, Dalat and Pleiku, are cool throughout the year. Coastal cities, near-the-south, (Nha Trang), on the other hand, experience steamy hot weather (21°C-32°C / 70°F-90°F) all year round.

Southern Vietnam
The south of Vietnam, which lies just eight degrees north of the Equator, enjoys a typically humid, tropical climate. Temperatures experience little variation throughout the year (staying at around 27-32°C/80-90°F) and there are two main seasons: the rainy and the dry. During the rainy/monsoon season (from May to November), downpours are expected to happen nearly every afternoon, which can result in occasional street flooding, in and around Saigon. In the dry season, it is hot from late February to April, cooling slightly when the first downpours come. December to March is said to be the most pleasant time to visit.

Flight Information

Flight Information
British Airways, Thai Airways International and EVA Air from London Heathrow to Bangkok, with onward connecting flights to Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos.

Flights with Emirates (via Dubai) from London Heathrow, London Gatwick, Manchester, Birmingham, Newcastle and Glasgow.
Flights with Vietnam Airlines from London Gatwick are also available.

Flight Time
From London Heathrow to Ho Chi Minh: 14 hours, 45 minutes.

Documentation

Travelling With Children or Without an Adult

Children travelling without both parents should be aware that some countries require documentary evidence of parental responsibility before allowing lone parents to enter the country or, in some cases, before permitting the children to leave the country. Please contact the relevant Embassy for the county you are travelling to for further information.

Visa and Advance Passenger Information

All passengers must ensure they have a valid, acceptable passport, any required visa and any other documentation for both the final destination and any stop-off points en route. Please make sure that Advance Passenger Information is submitted in advance to travel for all destinations. Failure to hold correct documentation or submitting incorrect details with Advance Passenger Information or Visa applications may result in refusal of carriage or entry into a country. Please check with the relevant Embassy regarding visa requirements well in advance of your travel date. Charges may apply for some visas.

Health

Health facilities, hygiene and disease risks vary worldwide and you should take health advice about your specific needs from your general practitioner or a specialist clinic as early as possible before travel. Those planning to become pregnant should discuss their travel plans with their healthcare provider to assess their risk of infection with Zika. For information about Zika, other mosquito-borne diseases (such as Dengue fever and Chikungunya), Lyme Disease (caused by tick bites), and to receive advice on mosquito bite avoidance measures, please visit Insect and tick bite avoidance. In addition, we highly recommend that you seek specialist advice from your doctor and, where recommended, obtain vaccinations or tablets for protection against, for example: Malaria, Hepatitis A, Polio and Typhoid. In some cases, treatments for Malaria should begin well in advance of travel. Travellers may also be required to show Yellow Fever Certificates on arrival in certain destinations i.e, some African countries. Please note that you are strongly advised against scuba-diving for 24 hours before travelling by air. We would also like to draw your attention to the risk of DVT (Deep Vein Thrombosis) and recommend that you consult with your doctor before travelling. Visit the FCDO website and select your destination country for the very latest travel advice: Foreign Travel Advice. Additional sources of information include: Public Health England, The National Travel Health And Network Centre, Foreign And Commonwealth Office and your General Practitioner or a specialised clinic.