The Best of Vietnam, done differently with Realistic Asia.

As you know, we’re all about working with the DMCs with the most authentic and immersive itineraries, the ones whose deep knowledge and love of their locales result in truly memorable, life-affirming trips designed to exceed even the most formidable of expectations.

So, when we were looking for a way to get a true taste of the real Vietnam, we turned to our friends at  Realistic Asia, Vietnam DMC  for their top take.

Mysterious and magical in equal measure, Vietnam is packed with must-sees, from the bustling colonial alleys of Hanoi to the vibrant buzz of Ho Chi Minh; the cultural charm of Hoi An to the natural wonder of Halong Bay.

Of course, any traveller new to the country will want to tick these incredible experiences off their bucket list. But that’s no reason to stick to the standard tourist trails.

Here’s  Realistic Asia's lowdown on how your clients can discover this stunning land at its best.

Hustle and History in Hanoi

Vibrancy and history exist hand-in-hand in Hanoi, where the streets sing with the hubbub of daily life and its ancient temples and fading colonial grandeur mingle with a newer, sleeker modernity.

The cultural capital of Vietnam (with more museums than you can shake a stick at), this beautiful riverside city makes for a fabulous baptism into Vietnamese life - the perfect place to start exploring this fascinating country.

And what better way to begin than by discovering Hanoi’s hidden side, where locals work and live - literally - alongside the railway?

Wind through the tiny alleys of the Old Quarter to catch a glimpse of the city's incredible Train Street, a narrow passageway where trains pass twice daily within inches of houses and shops on either side, and people sip their coffees on the tracks until forced to move by the sound of the familiar horn.

As any visitor to Vietnam will agree, it’s the warmth and hospitality of the people that will leave the biggest impression - and that’s why Realistic Asia works closely with locals to create truly authentic and immersive experiences.

One of the best is a home-hosted dinner, where travellers are welcomed as guests of a traditional Hanoi family spanning three generations.

The family meal is a cherished tradition in Vietnam, a time for all ages to connect and share, and this experience is a wonderful opportunity to learn about the real customs and values of the Vietnamese. And of course, the food is utterly delicious!

To slow up the pace and see the city like a local, a cyclo trip will take you zigzagging through the narrow streets, watching the city’s romantic side unfurl as you pass through French boulevards that exude old-time charm.

For those seeking some local folk culture, experience a unique water puppetry show, where the artisan-crafted puppets are expertly handled to tell Vietnam’s ancient tales of lion dances, buffalo fighting, rice farming and boat racing.

Ready to escape the crowds?  Realistic Asia's  unique eco tour to the beautiful Muong Ethnic village in Ba Vi offers guests a chance to interact, cycling through quaint villages and rice fields before learning from locals how to make special bun cha and spring rolls, Hanoi style.

And, once bitten by the cooking bug, try an immersive market tour and hands-on cooking class with a skilled local chef - a perfectly delicious way to enjoy memories of Hanoi for a whole lifetime!

But where to stay?

Few places epitomise Hanoi’s impeccable blend of nostalgia and luxury than the Sofitel Legend Metropole . This legendary landmark from the turn of the century has welcomed the likes of Charlie Chaplin, Graham Greene and Somerset Maugham - and, in a perfectly weighted nod to the past, keeps a fleet of pristine 1952 Citroëns to chauffeur guests.

Ancient myth meets natural wonder at Halong Bay

The mythic Jade Islands of Halong Bay jut dramatically from the emerald ocean - towering limestone karsts which stand strong against time and the elements and are shrouded in legends of gods and dragons.

Virtually synonymous with Vietnam, there are still ways to soak up the sights of this incredible UNESCO World Heritage site in memorable, luxurious style that skirts past the hordes of tourists.

How?

Realistic Asia has tried many ways to explore Halong Bay, but their top pick is to take an overnight cruise with Scarlet Pearl Cruises for a brilliantly luxurious and unique experience with an eco-conscious ethos.

This cruise takes travellers to the more untouched and remote bays like Lan Ha Bay, whose hundreds of spectacularly beautiful islands and inlets hide secret beaches, caves and coves for swimmers and kayakers to explore to their heart’s content.

Don’t miss the Dark and Bright cave, one of Halong’s least visited but most interesting caves.

Exploring by bamboo boat, you’ll find this stunning cave is actually two joined together (one so dark you need a flashlight, the other brilliantly illuminated by the sun), and its combination of white karsts, perfect green waters and darkly mysterious corners make for a truly atmospheric experience.

Hoi An’s Charm and Culture

Bursting with quaint charm and a unique heritage where traditional Vietnamese culture has fused with French, Chinese and Japanese, Hoi An is a picturesque riverside town famous for its bridge of lights and lanterns as well as its ancient Old Town, declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1999.

Hoi An’s Old Town is truly fascinating - the only traditional Asian trading port that has survived intact, its architecture ranges from the 15th to the 20th centuries with pagodas and temples alongside the sunny yellow colonial buildings of French rule.

At night, its most famous landmark comes into its own, as the lanterns and lights spring to life across the Japanese bridge and cast their twinkly glow on the river beneath.

Stay at the fabulous  Anantara  Hoi An, which blends old-colonial allure and boutique luxury to fabulous effect. Set in lush tropical gardens, the resort is less than a kilometre from the historic quarter, and fronts the Thu Bon River for a blissfully romantic evening dinner setting.

Once travellers have had their fill of culture, the town’s beaches await. Try An Bang for a quintessential beach experience, or Coconut Beach provides a relatively undiscovered day for those who don’t mind sand without a sunbed!

Heading further afield into the surrounding countryside, embark on a cycling adventure around the peaceful, hidden village of Triem Tay, a place whose friendly people are delighted to share their ancient customs, traditions and crafts as you explore the winding alleys.

After lunch, discover Cam Thanh Village - one of Hoi An’s hidden gems.

Renowned for its dense water coconut jungles and vast rice fields, here you can enjoy a bamboo basket ride along the gorgeous Co Co River, taking in the breathtaking sunset scenery, before disembarking for a beautifully set dinner in a cosy tent by the riverbank - a perfect, tranquil setting for an indulgent BBQ feast of locally sourced fresh foods and vegetables.

So long, via Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City)

No trip to Vietnam would be complete without visiting Ho Chi Minh City (still known locally as Saigon).

A unique buzz pervades this exhilarating place, where French colonial architecture sits alongside a flourishing contemporary scene driven by the city’s unstoppable growth and its young population (most of Saigon’s residents are under 35).

Boutique hotels, cool bars, innovative restaurants and indie art spaces mark the new Saigon, and visitors can dive deep into this thrilling blend of old and new, splitting their time between the contemporary cosmopolitan and the historic heart.

Stay at the  Hotel des Arts Saigon,  a serene retreat in this most energetic of cities. Simple and elegant, this gorgeous boutique hotel is packed with Indochine art and tops off its world-class dining options and award-winning spa with a sensational rooftop pool and bar - the perfect place to watch the sun dip slowly below the city skyline.

As in Hanoi, the best way to discover the real city is by purring around town on a motorbike or scooter, and here the coolest are the vintage Vespas. Hold tight at the back as you’re whisked through the sights and sounds, taking in historical landmarks like the Thich Quang Duc monument, Nhi Phu temple, the People’s Committee Building and the Reunification Palace as well as places key to city life and customs - lively markets, colourful tailor’s alleys and the Opera House.

Or how about a whole morning spent making like a local? With a Realistic Asia expert guide on hand, experience what makes Saigon so different to the rest of Vietnam, sampling the delicious produce of its first-ever bread stalls and discovering the traditional “stocking coffee” of its oldest café, made to an original Chinese process involving a long fabric filter, a charcoal stove and clay pots. Winding through the street markets, travellers can watch locals bargaining for everything from veg and seafood to beautiful blossoms in the flower alleys.

Culturally, the Cu Chi tunnels are not to be missed. Two hours outside Saigon, this extensive system of subterranean tunnels dates back to 1948, when they were created to shield Vietcong guerillas from French air and ground offensives. This fascinating underground warren has since been repurposed several times, to serve as comms and supply routes, storage and even homes.

And, for a final flourish that will set off this tour with life-long memories of the incredible natural beauty and bountiful culture of this captivating country, take another drive outside Saigon to explore the canals and lush countryside of the Mekong Delta.

Meander along the canals as stilt houses and fish farms pass slowly by, savouring fresh-picked fruits, sipping on honey tea and taking time to enjoy the hospitality of local farming families and the entertainment of traditional folk songs.

Here, in this idyllic setting of rice paddies and fruit farms, the slow, gentle pace of life is the polar opposite of the excitement and vibrancy of the big city - an experience which perfectly epitomises this land of culture and contrast.

We hope we’ve given you all you need to whet your client’s appetites for a taste of the real Vietnam - and  Realistic Asia  are on hand to tailor a personalised experience that will bring the wanderlust dreams of any traveller to life.

For an introduction to Hien and the team, drop us a line today.