Vietnam had been on my radar for years, but after recently experiencing the destination I can honestly say it exceeded every expectation I had.
Day One
We began in Hanoi, where we explored local markets, sampled street food and visited the Kymviet social enterprise supported by Planeterra, G Adventures’ non-profit foundation. One evening we took part in a cooking experience where my attempts at making Vietnamese spring rolls were, according to the group, somewhat questionable.
The standout experience in Hanoi for me, however, was the motorbike tour with the famous “Top Gear Ladies”.
Sitting on the back of a scooter weaving through Hanoi traffic sounds intimidating, but it was brilliant fun and gave a real insight into daily life in the city. So huge credit also to my driver, who somehow managed to keep the bike under control despite having a rather oversized Irishman perched on the back.
Day Two
From Hanoi we travelled to Ha Long Bay, which fully lived up to the hype. We stayed overnight aboard one of G Adventures’ newer boats and the experience was fantastic. Kayaking through the limestone karsts before sunset drinks on the rooftop deck was a real highlight. One of the things that struck me most was how different each stop felt.
Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City almost feel like different countries at times. Hanoi has a fascinating blend of French colonial and Asian influences, while Ho Chi Minh City feels more modern, energetic and fast-paced.
Day Three
After returning south via Da Nang, we continued to Hoi An, which was probably my favourite stop overall.
The lantern-lit streets, tailoring shops and riverside atmosphere give it a completely unique charm.
I visited the tailoring shop featured in Top Gear and ended up having a custom jacket made. We also enjoyed a noodle-making demonstration and lunch at Oodles of Noodles, another Planeterra-supported initiative helping vulnerable young people through tourism and hospitality training.
Day Four
In Ho Chi Minh City, one of the most memorable experiences was a cyclo tour around the city. As someone interested in history, it was incredible to pass locations familiar from iconic Vietnam War photographs that still look remarkably unchanged today.
The Mekong Delta offered another completely different side of Vietnam, with boat trips through the waterways, cycling through island pathways and a homestay cooking experience where we learned how to make traditional Mekong pancakes. Vietnam combines history, culture, scenery, incredible food and warm people in a way very few destinations manage to do.
My Top Selling Tips
• Emphasise how different each regionof Vietnam feels.
• Focus heavily on the country’s range of food experiences
• Reassure nervous clients about safety and ease of travel
• Highlight immersive local experiences – like the Hanoi motorbike tour I enjoyed.
• Match clients carefully to the right G Adventures travel style.
Book it: A 10-day Classic Vietnam: Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City trip is currently 20% off, priced from £719pp.
