Our favorite Vietnam tours and excursions

If destinations and accommodation are the bread and butter of a great vacation, a hands-on cultural experience is the secret sauce that brings it all to life.

Limestone karts in Halong Bay Vietnam

Halong Bay/Lan Ha Bay cruising

Every time we do it, cruising on Halong Bay - or quieter Lan Ha Bay - feels almost magical – like we’ve accidentally sailed into a Vietnamese legend. 

Imagine waking up in a wood-paneled cabin to the quiet lapping of water against the hull of your Chinese junk boat. You head out on deck, and there’s a thick sea mist all around you. Sheer green cliffs come into view, looming so high above you that it’s impossible to see where they end. As the sun rises and the mist clears, you can see jagged, limestone pinnacles stretching into the distance as far as the eye can see.  For added romance, treat yourself to your own private vessel – or maybe a luxury cruise with an onboard spa? If there’s ever been a place to travel in style, it’s here.