Vietnam Private Tours & Local Tour Guides

Generally, 7–10 days in Vietnam is enough to get a gasp of the country’s greatest highlights, and see glimpses of Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh and Nha Trang (if you want to squeeze it in). Honestly, though, you could spend two weeks in Vietnam and never run out of sights and sounds.

- Hello: Xin chào (seen chow) 

- Thank you: Cảm ơn (gauhm uhn) 

- Excuse me: Xin lỗi (seen luh-ee) 

- I want to buy: Tôi muốn mua (toy muh-own moo-ah) 

- How much does it cost?: Bao nhiêu tiền? (baow nyew tien) 

- Can I have one please?: Cho tôi xin một cái (chow toy seen mot cái) 

- I am vegetarian: Ăn chay (an chay)

- One, two, three: Một, hai, ba (một, hai, ba) 

- I don't understand: Tôi không hiểu (toy khom hyu)

- Good night: Chúc ngủ ngon (chewk ngoo ngawn) 

Generally speaking, the best time to visit Vietnam is between November and April, as this is when it’s the most comfortable in terms of temperature, as well as the driest period, in terms of rainfall. However, Vietnam’s weather varies by region.

Yes! Even if you’re not sure where to start your journey, head to our Vietnam local guides page and click on the profiles that stick out to you. You can see which tours match your travel schedule (Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh, Da Nang and so on), and book instantly, or message a guide to create your own tour with their suggestions for you and your travel group. Looking to relax, have a thrilling adventure, or learn about history? Let the guide know, and they’ll give some amazing suggestions.

While this depends on your preferences, touring Vietnam’s major cities has been made less difficult with the spread of English in tourist areas (Vietnam ranks number 58 out of 113 non-native English countries). But guides are so much more than language translators. They provide safety, historical, cultural and social context, and they save a lot of time that could be spent zipping from one venue to the next, or getting lost.

This is a tough one! But each city offers something different, so here’s a quick comparison.

• Hanoi is the capital, so it’s ideal for travelers looking for history and culture. Hanoi captivates visitors with its charming Old Quarter, serene lakes, and centuries-old temples. As Vietnam's capital, it offers a more traditional and laid-back atmosphere compared to Ho Chi Minh City.

• Ho Chi Minh is ideal for daily excitement, so it's ideal for travelers interested in urban exploration, nightlife, and a bustling street food scene. Also known as Saigon, it has a deep wartime history that some travelers might find interesting.

Yes! Based on data from Travel Ladies, Vietnam is ranked the 8th safest travel country for solo women travelers. With that said, it’s best to keep the following tips in mind.

• Dress conservatively.
• Keep your cash, card and valuables in a safe place.
• When touring, use legitimate, recommended Vietnam tour guides.

Depending on which city you’re headed to, here are some key travel points and adventures you should consider for your first trip to Vietnam;

Hanoi’s Highlights

• Hoan Kiem Lake and Ngoc Son Temple
• Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum
• Temple of Literature
• Old Quarter
• Hoa Lo Prison

Ho Chi Minh’s (Saigon) Highlights

• Ben Thanh Market
• War Remnants Museum
• Notre Dame Cathedral
• Reunification Palace
• Bitexco Financial Tower

Nha Trang’s Highlights

• Nha Trang Beach
• Vinpearl Amusement Park
• Long Son Pagoda
• Hon Chong Promontory
• Po Nagar Cham Towers

Da Nang Highlights

• Marble Mountains
• My Khe Beach
• Dragon Bridge
• Son Tra Peninsula (Monkey Mountain)
• Han River Bridge