On Kensington Tours’ new Vietnam Mountains & Southern Islands tour, guests travel from the rice paddies in Vietnam’s mountainous countryside to tropical beaches stretching along the country’s southern coastline while staying in an array of unique accommodations, including eco lodges and traditional junk boats. Private guides lead the 12-day exploration of historical sites in Hanoi, Sapa, Halong Bay, Ho Chi Minh City, and Phu Quoc by boat, bike and car.
In the capital city of Hanoi, guests can take in a traditional Vietnamese water puppet show or sample classic dishes, such as hot and sour soup, clams in tamarind, or deep fried squid at the upscale, Art Deco-inspired Wild Lotus restaurant. Farther north in Sapa, guests can participate in a half-day cycling tour along dirt trails to Muong Hoa Village. A relaxing sail in Halong features views of the bay’s famous sculpted limestone islands, onboard massage services and a visit to an old fishing village. The tour ends on the beaches of Phu Quoc, where guests can rent their own charter boat and explore the area’s diverse mangroves and hidden coves; or go fishing or snorkeling. The Vietnam Mountains & Southern Islands itinerary’s four- and five-star accommodations include Topas Ecolodge, situated on a hilltop overlooking the mountains of the Hoang Lien National Park; Silk Path, a luxury hotel located by Hoan Kiem Lake; and Villa Song Saigon, a French-colonial designed hotel nestled along the banks of the Saigon River. Kensington Tours suggests traveling on this itinerary between September and February. Rates start at $3,624 pp. For more information, visit kensingtontours.com.
