Vietnam: Tried, Tested & Truly Unforgettable

I have always loved creating Vietnam itineraries for my clients, but this year I had the chance to experience it all first-hand on a magical Christmas and New Year trip with my own family. From the buzz of Hanoi’s Old Quarter and a luxury small-ship cruise through Halong Bay, to lantern-lit evenings in Hoi An, powerful history in Saigon and a glamorous New Year’s Eve on the beach in Phu Quoc, Vietnam completely exceeded our expectations.

This is not a guidebook, it is simply our story: the moments that made us laugh, the places that moved us and the experiences that I now recommend with even more confidence when I am handcrafting Vietnam holidays for my clients.

First Impressions of Hanoi

Hanoi was our starting point and it hit us with that perfect mix of chaos and charm. The Old Quarter is a maze of tiny streets, tangled wires and endless scooters, but once you relax into the rhythm it becomes part of the fun. Even crossing the road turned into a family joke: you just have to walk out steadily and trust that the traffic will flow around you, which it somehow always does.

One of my favourite experiences in Hanoi was our street food tour. Following a local guide through alleyways and tucked‑away corners, we sampled steaming bowls of pho, crispy spring rolls and bun cha, washing it all down with that rich, indulgent Vietnamese coffee. Coffee is big in Vietnam and we loved seeking out little cafés, including a beautiful hidden one that felt like a secret escape from the busy streets. I was a bit unsure about egg coffee at first, but it turned out to be fantastic: creamy, sweet and completely addictive.

Another stand‑out was Train Street, that narrow stretch of track lined with tiny homes and cafés where the train passes incredibly close. Sitting there with a drink, watching everyday life unfold right beside the railway, felt unlike anywhere else we have been.

And then there was the moment that really captured the warmth of the Vietnamese people. A lovely local family approached us and asked if their children could practise their English with us. They had created a little Q&A game and even made a yes/no stick by hand. We spent the most magical time with them, answering questions, laughing and watching the children grow in confidence. At the end, they presented us with traditional Vietnamese hats as a thank you. We carried those hats all the way through Vietnam and they somehow made it home in one piece. My eldest daughter now has hers proudly mounted on her living‑room wall as a reminder of the journey and the kindness we experienced.

Hanoi set the tone for the whole trip: busy, fascinating and full of heart.

Cruising Through Halong Bay

From Hanoi we travelled to Halong Bay for what became one of the most memorable parts of our holiday. We chose to cruise with Sena, a small luxury ship that offered a much more intimate feel than some of the larger boats on the water. As a family of six we took three cabins, which worked perfectly for us and still kept us feeling close to the action.

Life on board was relaxed but special. Being full board meant we could simply enjoy the beautiful food and focus on the scenery and experiences. We kayaked through calm, emerald water, surrounded by dramatic limestone karsts. We joined a cooking class and tried our hands at making spring rolls, and I am very pleased to report that I won. Evenings were filled with a really fun karaoke session that quickly turned into one of those “remember when…” family stories.

The moment that will stay with me forever though was waking up in Halong Bay. Opening the curtains to see mist rising off the water and those towering rock formations in the early light felt completely magical. It is one of those views that is even more beautiful in real life than in any photograph.

Having experienced it first‑hand, I now feel even more confident recommending different Halong Bay cruises to suit my clients, from intimate small ships like Sena to ultra‑luxury options.

Christmas In Hoi An

After the soft grey‑green tones of Halong Bay, Hoi An greeted us with a golden glow. It is one of the most atmospheric places I have ever visited and it turned out to be the perfect setting for Christmas.

We stayed at Allegro Hoi An, a beautiful hotel in a fantastic location for exploring the Old Town. What really made it special, though, were the people. Nancy, a member of staff there, was a complete star and took such wonderful care of us that we felt genuinely at home.

Where you stay in Hoi An can really shape your experience. During our winter it is lovely to be in or very close to the Old Town, just as we were at Allegro, so you can wander out to the lantern‑lit streets and riverside restaurants in the evenings. In our summer, when you might want more pool and beach time, I often recommend basing yourself at a beach resort and popping into the Old Town by shuttle or taxi whenever the mood takes you. For a truly exceptional stay, I strongly recommend the Four Seasons, which is an incredible choice if you are looking for something very special, although there are options to suit a wide range of budgets.

Christmas Eve at Allegro was everything we hoped it would be and more. The hotel organised a gala evening with an insanely beautiful and delicious dinner, live entertainment from the staff and thoughtful little gifts for guests. It felt both luxurious and heartfelt, and it gave us a Christmas we will always remember.

Hoi An is also famous for its tailors and we fully embraced that. We decided to follow the tradition of welcoming the New Year in new clothes. The girls had gorgeous dresses made for our New Year’s Eve party on the beach in Phu Quoc, and the boys were fitted for suits and shirts. The whole process was fun, creative and surprisingly quick, and we all felt fantastic wearing our bespoke outfits later in the trip.

Saigon And The Mekong Delta

Next on our journey was Saigon, or Ho Chi Minh City, which brought a different kind of energy again. It is a city of contrasts, with historic buildings sitting alongside modern skyscrapers, busy markets, rooftop bars and layers of history everywhere you turn.

Two places really stood out for me. Independence Palace was fascinating and gave real context to Vietnam’s more recent past. The War Remnants Museum was incredibly powerful and at times emotional, and it left a strong impression on all of us. These are not necessarily light visits, but they are important and very worthwhile, especially for adults and older teens.

My personal highlight in the south, though, was the Mekong Delta. It is insanely beautiful: lush, green and full of life. We spent our time on the water, cruising along narrow channels, watching daily life unfold on the riverbanks and meeting local people. Seeing their craftsmanship up close and learning how they make a living from traditional trades was both humbling and inspiring. It felt like stepping into a different world after the city and I would class a Mekong Delta trip as a must‑do if you are visiting this region.

New Year on Phu Quoc

After all the exploring, Phu Quoc was our chance to slow down and savour some beach time. We stayed at Dusit Princess Moonrise Beach Resort and it was the perfect place to round off the trip.

Days quickly settled into a relaxed rhythm of pool, beach, warm sea and those gorgeous tropical sunsets. The real showstopper, though, was New Year’s Eve.

The resort hosted a masquerade ball right on the beach and it was easily one of the best New Year’s celebrations we have ever experienced, right up there with our memories of Reykjavik. There was an extravagant gala dinner with an incredible spread, free‑flowing drinks all evening, live singers, fire dancers performing on the sand and a brilliant firework display to welcome in the New Year. Standing there in our tailored outfits from Hoi An, toes in the sand, masks on, watching the sky light up over the ocean, felt wonderfully special.

Why Vietnam Works So Well As A Tailor‑Made Trip

Seeing Vietnam in this way really confirmed everything I have always believed when designing itineraries for my clients. It is a country that lends itself beautifully to tailor‑made, multi‑centre trips. You can combine buzzing cities, UNESCO‑listed landscapes, charming historic towns and tropical beach time in a single holiday, with internal flights and transfers making it all surprisingly seamless when planned properly.

It is also a destination that offers something deeper: history that moves you, food that you will talk about long after you get home, and people whose kindness stays with you.

Since returning, I have already hand‑crafted two very different Vietnam tours for two lovely sets of clients, one of which also includes Cambodia and the temples of Angkor. Having just travelled the country myself, I can now add all those little touches and timings that only come from recent, first‑hand experience.

If this has sparked ideas for your own Vietnam or Vietnam‑and‑Cambodia adventure, I would love to chat. I can help you decide the best time to travel, the right route for you, and the hotels, cruises and experiences that will make your trip feel every bit as special as ours.