From bustling capitals to rural villages, from ancient wonders to modern marvels, Vietnam is a destination that needs to be on every traveller’s bucket list. With Uniworld, you’ll do it all in style with an unrivaled degree of all-inclusive luxury. And importantly, we’ve structured this itinerary with a careful eye toward positive local impact.
The star of the trip is the Mekong Jewel, a vessel utterly in a class of its own. Its breezy design creates a feeling of tropical elegance. The sundeck is the perfect place to relax and watch the river float by, with a stunning, tiled pool for cooling off from a day’s explorations. And multiple onboard venues serve up the delicious flavors unique to the region you’re sailing through. The hotels we’ve selected in Vietnam are no less incredible, including an elegant Sofitel property in Hanoi and a magnificent Park Hyatt in Ho Chi Minh City.
Every town and city you’ll visit in Vietnam has an entirely distinct look and feel. Walk the busy streets of Ho Chi Minh City to see eclectic public buildings and dizzyingly high skyscrapers (an iconic experience here is to head to one of the skyscraper bars for incredible views of the city below). Slow things down for a stroll around the romantic French-Vietnamese architecture of Hanoi, and take in the centuries of history behind impressive religious structures like the Phuoc Lam Pagoda in Hoi An.
The cuisine of Vietnam makes excellent use of herbs and spices to lend rich, yet refreshing flavour to their dishes. You’ll find a wide variety of fish and meats served here, often with rice products. Vietnam is one of the world’s largest producers and exporters of rice, and you’ll learn all about this staple and its importance to the region as you visit a local establishment where workers make everything from rice paper and rice wine to traditional rice candy.
If you enjoy coffee, you must make sure to enjoy the ultra-strong but delightfully sweet styles popular in Vietnam. Of these, the most internationally popular is what’s known as Vietnamese coffee, brewed somewhat like espresso in a unique metal cup called a phin that sits directly on top of your cup. When served, you’ll watch the drink drop slowly onto a generous base of sweetened condensed milk, which you can stir together when the phin has emptied. Another popular coffee drink, Egg Coffee, is pretty similar, but with egg yolks beaten into the sweetened condensed milk for an even richer taste.
Sail down the Mekong to immerse yourself in a lush jungle environment. Each day, you’ll leave your floating hotel—usually via small sampan boats—and set ashore to discover various island villages. You may even catch locals selling their wares on floating markets. And if you opt for the majestic Ha Long Bay extension, you’ll enter a unique landscape famous for the countless rocky islets dotting its waters.
When to go: Vietnam is always warm, so it’s best to plan your travels according to the rain. We only sail our cruises between September and March, avoiding monsoon season entirely. Travel in the fall for the lightest rainfall or in winter for the most moderate temperatures.
How to pack: Bring quick-drying and lightweight clothing, and a bathing suit if you’d like to take advantage of the beautiful sundeck pool aboard the Mekong Jewel. For the evenings, we recommend casual and cool attire. Sport jackets and cocktail dresses are not needed at any time during this program. You will participate in a significant amount of walking over uneven terrain during your time ashore, so we recommend comfortable walking shoes with good ankle support. Sturdy sandals are another good option. Don’t forget to pack a lightweight waterproof jacket, as well as sunglasses, sunscreen, mosquito repellent, and a hat.
Avg. Temp. 93º F / 34º C
Avg. Temp. 88º F / 31º C
Avg. Temp. 88º F / 31º C
Avg. Temp. 84º F / 29º C
Vietnamese Dong (VND, đ)
Indochina Time (ICT)
Vietnamese
220V
Plug types A, B, and C
Verified reviews by 
"We had a full service experience. All staff were welcoming and helpful. They went out of their way to make things perfect...yes, I mean perfect. The presentation of food was very impressive, the activities offered on board were interesting and well prepared. By far this was my favorite river cruise."
– Barbara Snyder
"We are very impressed with Uniworld, they were very well organised, everything was planned in detail, all the local guides were knowledgeable, hotels were all 5 stars, foods were fantastic. Booked our next trip to Egypt already after we got back from this one just last week. Very happy we meet lots of lovely people, all became great friends and we all keeping in touch as well."
– Carol Parisi
"There is nothing that could be improved. It was an amazing experience, both on ship and off. Loved every minute."
– Barbara Firestone
Ho Chi Minh City to Hanoi | 15 days
Two of the most beautiful, historic and friendly places in all of Asia, dynamic Vietnam and pastoral Cambodia are intriguing studies in contrast. Each possesses its own unique charm and social...
Ship: Mekong Jewel
Countries: Vietnam, Cambodia
River: Mekong
4.8/5 (315 reviews)
From £6,099 per person