Destination guide · 2026–27

Vietnam

Three regions, one long coastline.

Vietnam stretches 1,650 kilometres from the Chinese border to the Gulf of Thailand. Most first visits combine Hanoi, Ha Long Bay, Hoi An and the Mekong Delta over around two weeks.

Wayfinder was founded here. Our operations teams, guides and fleet partners are based in Hanoi, Da Nang and Ho Chi Minh City, so every programme is run by people on the ground.

FLIGHTSHanoi and Ho Chi Minh CityDirect and one-stop connections from Europe, North America and Japan, via the major Asian hubs.

VISAE-visa for up to 90 daysVisa-free entry for many European passports and for Japan.Check visa requirements →

CURRENCYVietnamese dong (VND)Cards are accepted in hotels and most restaurants. Programmes are quoted in USD, EUR, GBP or JPY.

TIME ZONEGMT +7Seven hours ahead of London in winter and two hours behind Tokyo.

GUIDINGFive languagesLicensed guides in English, French, German, Spanish and Japanese across all three regions.

OUR TEAMHanoi, Da Nang, SaigonOperations staff in each region, supported by a duty manager 24 hours a day.

WHEN TO GO Somewhere in Vietnam is in season every month of the year.

Best months Rainy season

JANFEBMARAPRMAYJUNJULAUGSEPOCTNOVDEC

AVG. TEMP

NorthHanoi, Ha Long, Sapa

Oct – Apr

17–30°C

CentreHue, Hoi An, Da Nang

February to August

21–30°C

SouthSaigon, Mekong, Phu Quoc

Dec – Apr

26–29°C

Tet, the Lunar New Year, falls in late January or February. Hotels and transport fill early, and many businesses close for several days.

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Regions

North, Centre and South

Each region has its own climate, cuisine and pace. Most programmes combine two or three of them.

HANOI · HA LONG · SAPA Limestone bays and mountain terraces

The Old Quarter of Hanoi, overnight cruises on Ha Long and Lan Ha Bay, the karst landscapes of Ninh Binh and the rice terraces of Sapa, Ha Giang and Mu Cang Chai. Winters are cool and dry; summers are hot and humid.

Best months:October to April

HUE · HOI AN · DA NANG Imperial Hue and the lantern town

The citadel and royal tombs of Hue, the ancient town of Hoi An, the caves of Phong Nha and the beaches between Da Nang and Quy Nhon. Programmes should allow for the rains of October and November.

Best months:February to August

SAIGON · MEKONG · PHU QUOC Saigon, the delta and the islands

The energy of Ho Chi Minh City, floating markets and orchards in the Mekong Delta, and quiet beach time on Phu Quoc or Con Dao. Warm throughout the year, with short afternoon showers from May to October.

Best months:December to April

Signature experiences

Operated by our own team and available as a half or full day within any programme.

North · OvernightLan Ha Bay by private junkA quieter route than Ha Long, with kayaking and tai chi on deck at sunrise.

Centre · Half dayCraft villages of HueConical hat and incense makers on the Perfume River, with time to try each craft.

North · Full dayWalking the terracesVillage trails above Sapa with a local Hmong guide and lunch in a family home.

Centre · EveningHoi An by lantern lightA boat on the Thu Bon River at dusk, followed by dinner in a restored merchant house.

North · EveningHanoi after darkOld Quarter street food by cyclo and on foot, ending at a jazz bar or water puppet show.

South · Full dayThe Mekong by sampanFloating markets, orchards and canal villages, with lunch at a riverside farm.

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Sample programmes

Fully inclusive and quoted as a single package. Sell them as they are, or ask us to adjust the pace, hotels or guiding language.

8 days · FIT or groupNorthern Vietnam & Ha Long BayHanoi · Ninh Binh · Ha Long Bay · SapaView itinerary → 14 days · Group series, 10–16 guestsVietnam from North to SouthHanoi · Ha Long Bay · Hue · Hoi An · Saigon · Mekong DeltaView itinerary → 10 days · Family, tailor-madeVietnam for FamiliesHanoi · Lan Ha Bay · Hoi An · Phu QuocView itinerary →

Rates, full itineraries and sales material are available in Agent Hub, together with multi-country routes through Laos and Cambodia.

Where your clients stay

Hotels we know from the inside

Every property we contract is inspected in person each year. We select hotels to suit your clients’ expectations rather than working from a fixed list.

Heritage & boutiqueColonial-era landmarks and small design hotels in Hanoi, Hue and Hoi An.

Beach resortsFive-star resorts in Da Nang, Hoi An and Phu Quoc, well suited to incentives and families.

Bay & river cruisesLicensed overnight vessels on Ha Long and Lan Ha Bay, and cruises on the Mekong.

Lodges & homestaysMountain lodges and selected family homestays in Sapa, Ha Giang and the delta.

City hotelsCentral four- and five-star hotels in Hanoi and Saigon, with meeting space for groups.

Riverside retreatsBungalows and small eco-resorts along the rivers of the Mekong Delta and Ninh Binh.

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For agents

Working with us

Booking lead timesWe recommend six to nine months for groups travelling in peak season (October to April) or around Tet. FIT programmes can usually be confirmed within a few weeks.

Payment termsA deposit is due on confirmation and the balance 30 days before arrival. Credit terms are available to contracted partners.

Cruises and weatherSailings on Ha Long Bay are set by the port authority. We hold an alternative programme and hotel for every cruise and will inform you and your guests on the same day.

Visas and documentsA visa checklist accompanies every confirmation, and we issue invitation letters for groups that require them.

Guiding languagesJapanese, French, German and Spanish-speaking guides are available in all three regions. Please book early for peak dates.

Laos and CambodiaWe operate in all three countries under a single contract, with one invoice and the same operations team.

Planning a programme in Vietnam?

Send us your brief, group size and travel dates, and we will return a costed, day-by-day proposal within 24 hours.

HANOI OFFICE

Head office5th Floor, 55 Xuan La
Tay Ho, Hanoi, Vietnam+84 243 207 0199[email protected]

YOUR CONTACT FOR VIETNAMMartin NguyenPartner Relations, Vietnam · [email protected]All contact details →

Guiding partners to sustainable journeys