We have sold many group tours to Vietnam and a few multi-centres tied in with other Southeast Asia destinations like Thailand and Cambodia. A huge proportion of our sales and clients are in the luxury market, so it was really invaluable to experience the destination in a gold standard way that many may not associate with Vietnam. It’s still very much up and coming, especially in the luxury space.
If clients are looking for a luxury yet authentic destination in Asia, full of culture and history, I would highly recommend Vietnam. It’s one of the best-value destinations in Southeast Asia, and many areas still have authentic local charm and are not as developed, which is what tourists love: seeing how the local people live.
I loved every moment, even with it being typhoon season. Audley curated such a memorable trip showcasing the incredible highlights of Vietnam.
We started off in Hanoi, staying at the famous Metropole, which has such a rich and interesting history, with past guests ranging from Charlie Chaplin and Fidel Castro. We had fun on a street food tour and visited the famous Hanoi Train Street in the Old Quarter, along with street markets.
Nong Skett (third from right) with the rest of Audley Travel's group, checking out Hanoi's Train Street © Greg Thurston
We then ventured to Ninh Binh for the most incredible private dining experience in a little hut in the middle of a lake surrounded by limestone mountains. The tranquil bamboo raft boat ride with the locals was amazing – it was so peaceful, and the landscapes were incredible, with limestone mountains rising from rice paddies and rivers.
Next, we went to Hue, full of history as the ancient capital of Vietnam, and famous for its Unesco heritage sites such as the Citadel. You couldn’t help but be in awe of its scale, detail, and architecture. Audley even arranged for a private tour to take place hours before the Citadel was open to the public, and we had our very own traditional morning tea ceremony to welcome us to the city.
We travelled onwards to Hoi An, the city of lanterns and a photographer’s haven. The old town’s architecture, influenced by different cultures, and the stunning colourful lantern displays made it one of my personal favourite locations. Not to mention the incredible shopping, crafts, and food scene to be found.
The Vietnamese cuisine was a highlight of the trip, says Nong © Nong Skett
The hotel we stayed in, Namia River Retreat, was one of my highlights. Every part of this stunning wellness hotel, part of Small Luxury Hotels, was exceptional – from the food, service, and spa treatments included in your stay, to the spectacular villa accommodation. Guests here get the best both of worlds – access to the river, while also being just a stone’s throw from Hoi An centre. A real hidden gem for luxury travellers.
Then we ventured to another personal favourite, Con Dao. Staying at the exceptional Six Senses Con Dao, an exclusive island resort with the most beautiful views from our rooms, was a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Six Senses Con Dao is one of a kind, not only rooted in nature and committed to sustainability, but it’s also a turtle conservation site, taking huge steps to support the endangered species. We were lucky enough to witness the hatching of baby turtles, and we also had the opportunity to release these beautiful endangered sea turtles back into the ocean. Something I will truly remember forever. I’ve been lucky to go on a few trips, but nothing compares to this. I’m so thankful to Audley for helping me tick off one of my bucket list experiences!
View from a beach villa at Six Senses Con Dao © Nong Skett
If that wasn’t enough, we finished off the trip in Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) with a super fun Vespa food tour. I have the utmost respect for our tour guides – the roads and traffic there are crazy and not easy! But our little group had the best time. It was such a laugh, and most importantly, I felt completely safe and comfortable.
All of this was a 10-day trip, experiencing Vietnamese history and culture, staying at some of the best hotels and eating the best food. Vietnamese food is known for its fresh, clean flavours. Highlights included spring rolls, pho, banh mi, and surprisingly, the coffee – which was exceptional. Each destination had so much local charm. Wandering through markets, visiting temples, and eating local street food were great ways to experience authentic Vietnam.
The beauty of Audley trips is that you don’t have to think about logistics, everything is curated from start to finish, with your own private tour guides tailoring the experience to you. That’s why I love using them as one of my preferred partners for high-end clients. You know they’ll be well looked after.
Nong Skett (far right) in Ninh Binh, with the rest of Audley Travel's top-sellers' fam group © Greg Thurston
We travelled by Audley mini bus and took internal flights to each destination to make the trip as time-efficient as possible. If you want to optimise your time and experience, I highly recommend pre-booking all elements. Traffic in Vietnam can eat into valuable time, so private transfers were invaluable and really comfortable too.
The tour guides were exceptional, they waited until we were all checked in at airports and were available to help with any language barriers before we went through security. Especially in smaller airports like Con Dao, the Six Senses team went above and beyond. That level of service is perfect for first-time travellers to Southeast Asia, nervous travellers, or anyone who values convenience and care.
I mentioned above it was typhoon season, and we did have some rain, but also some dry warm weather too. We were supposed to do an overnight cruise in Ha Long Bay, but Audley's amazing team on the ground were constantly monitoring the situation and due to the weather, they made an alternative plan really quickly and got us to stunning Ninh Binh. It was great to see Audley and their DMC work this magic so the quality of our stay wasn't impacted at all.
Nong: 'We had the best of the weather at Con Dao' © Nong Skett
To be honest, it was good to see the country off peak, because if I had an amazing time when the weather was less favourable, I can imagine what it would be like during the dryer months. And some clients prefer to travel during low season when it's less busy in any case.
I'd say early- to mid-June is an excellent time for shoulder season travel, but for better weather, depending on the region, you'll be looking at November to April for the sunny south of Vietnam, February to August for sunny central beaches, and October to April for a cooler north.
But if it's a return visit, or the budget is a bit tighter, and your clients are not so fussed about the weather, then I would say take advantage of the off-peak rates, particularly if they're more into the culture than the beaches.
This whole trip was invaluable. I had so much interest while I was away, sharing my experience on social media, especially Instagram, where most of my agency’s audience is. Since returning, we’ve had even more interest, and my team will be working with Audley to curate trips and make it happen. Trips like this are so powerful because they allow us to sell not just hotels, but stories and experiences.
The local people are so lovely, friendly, humble, and welcoming. The value for money is exceptional, and Vietnam is an up-and-coming destination compared to more developed and crowded places like Thailand and Bali. Vietnam still has that authentic Southeast Asian charm, and its rich culture and history offer something for everyone. Even if you’re not into arts or history, you’ll still find it interesting and insightful. It has everything, beautiful beaches, city breaks, and adventure. You don’t have to do Vietnam as a group tour; you can do it in style and luxury, and it’ll still be great value. Vietnam is truly unique, and I’ll always recommend it.
