Vietnam The hustle, bustle and beauty of old and new Asia
How odd that Vietnam’s main highlights all begin with H: Hanoi, Hue, Halong Bay and Ho Chi Minh City. Whatever the letter, Vietnam has bays for you to sail on, beautiful old buildings in busy cities to wander around, awesome caves to delve deep into and one o fthe world’s great river cruises. Our personal guides give insights into the country’s history, its traditional customs and the delicious food, from spicy noodles at street stalls to pho, a popular soup.
Where it is
Southeast Asia
When to go
October to May
Why go there
Colonial cities
Delicious street food
Natural wonders
What to see
Halong Bay
Hue
Ho Chi Minh City
Old and new in the south
Ho Chi Minh City (previously called Saigon) has both new skyscrapers and old colonial buildings to discover. It’s also the start or end point of the might Mekong River cruise.
Sail the Mekong River
Halong Bay by boat
Imagine taking a luxurious cruise along this unique stretch of water, sailing past fishing villages and towering limestone islands. It’s a photographer’s paradise.
Get to the heart of Hanoi
Enjoy wandering through elegant boulevards of Hanoi, the energetic capital, rich in history. Hire a bike to explore hidden alleys and stop to sample local food.
Pagodas and palaces of Hue
The charming town of Hue sits on the banks of the wonderfully-named Perfume River. We’ll guide you round this former imperial city.
Travel in Vietnam
This long thin S-shaped country has a diverse topography and climate, so where to start your Vietnamese journey? Should it be in the north with its mountain ranges, the centre of the country for historical sites and beaches, or south to Ho Chi Minh City? Leave it to Cosa. Whether it’s an exclusive cruise in Halong Bay or discovering beautiful cave systems (some only found in 2005), we’ll advise you on the best itinerary based on your needs and the season.
Vietnam facts
Legend dates the first Vietnamese state to 2879BC, and the country has been influenced by the Chinese, Portuguese and French. The 20th century was dominated by war, with the country finally unified in 1975. Today the Socialist Republic of Vietnam is a thriving market economy of 95 million people. Ho Chi Minh City is the dynamic heart of the country and the Mekong Delta is called the rice basket of Vietnam. The country is also one of the world’s largest coffee producers.
Time zone
UTC +7
Flight time
20 hours from Switzerland
Local currency
Vietnamese dong
Dialling code
+84
