Join New Zealand broadcaster and travel writer Tim Roxborogh as he hosts you on an unforgettable adventure through one of the most intriguing, rewarding and beautiful countries in Southeast Asia, Vietnam.
Across 17 magical days, we start our journey in the very south in the dynamic capital Ho Chi Minh City (formerly Saigon), before venturing north through the serene, ancient towns of Hoi An and Hue, the culturally-rich, historic metropolis of Hanoi, and the spectacular natural landscapes of Sapa and Halong Bay.
On The Best of Vietnam with Tim Roxborogh, everything will be taken care of by Wendy Wu Tours – New Zealand's leading Asia touring specialist. Each Wendy Wu tour has been thoroughly researched to bring you a range of once-in-a-lifetime experiences, many of which are entirely exclusive to the company. Throughout the tour you'll be joined by a friendly and professional local Vietnamese guide - whose unrivalled knowledge, passion and expertise really elevate the experience from excellent to extraordinary.
Tim is has worked in media for over 25 years, and is one of New Zealand's most published travel and music journalists.
His travel articles have taken him throughout New Zealand and across the globe, from climbing Indonesia’s volcanoes to swashbuckling through jungle in the Solomon Islands.
Now he can't wait to share his incredible adventures with the lucky few who join him in Vietnam, and is looking forward to getting a few more in along the way!
Our The Best of Vietnam with Tim Roxborogh tour will see you exploring the most iconic sites, delving into deep-rooted culture and dining on delicious cuisine and thoroughly researched to bring you a range of once-in-a-lifetime experiences, many of which are entirely exclusive to us.
Infiltrate the complex network of tunnels used by the Viet Cong
Journey to the verdant palm-lined canals of the Mekong Delta
Hike the majestic green rice terraces of this frontier township
Take to the emerald waters of Vietnam's most famous bay
Embark on an easy trek through the incredible landscapes of Sapa. Admire views of the famous rice terraces and visit the villages of Black H'mong and Red Dzao minority people and meet the communities that call them home.
Take your seats for 'the Quintessence of Tonkin', an outdoor spectacular that perfectly showcases the rich culture and daily life of Vietnam’s northern river delta through talented performers, water puppetry, and lights.
Master the art of Vietnamese cooking, visiting a local market in Hoi An to talk to sellers and buy fresh ingredients that you'll then use to whip up your own culinary masterpiece!
Fly to Saigon, Vietnam's largest and most evocative city. Depending on your time of arrival the rest of the day is yours to start soaking up the local culture.
Contemplate the realities of guerrilla warfare at the astonishing Cu Chi Tunnels, the incredible network of tunnels used by the VietCong resistance during the Vietnam War. Seamlessly blending past and present, Saigon is both a treasure trove of cultural sights and the city that is driving Vietnam towards a bright future. See Vietnam's colonial past at Notre Dame Cathedral and visit the Central Post Office. Also visit the Reunification Palace and the War Remnants Museum.
Journey to Ben Tre to take a cruise on the Mekong. Paddle through the maze of palm-lined canals and get a glimpse of daily life on the Mekong Delta. Lunch on typical Mekong fare. Return to Saigon.
Fly to Danang and transfer to Hoi An. This afternoon take a walking tour of charming Hoi An – a wonderfully laidback and wilfully traditional place, whose streets are a delight to wander. Visit an old merchant's house, Visit an old merchant's house, Quan Cong Temple, the elaborate Japanese Bridge and the bustling market. Stop en route to visit Reaching Out, a social enterprise craft workshop, and watch the artisans at work.
Purchase fresh ingredients at the market for a cookery class at a local restaurant, consuming your creations for lunch. Enjoy your afternoon at leisure to further explore this delightful town.
Enjoy a day at leisure. Perhaps savour a relaxing coffee, pop into the town for a stroll or even head to the beach.
Leave Hoi An for Hue, taking a scenic route over the Hai Van Pass. Visit the imposing Imperial Citadel and Forbidden Purple City. Later, visit the UNESCO World Heritage Royal Tomb of Minh Mang, a complex of 40 monuments set in surroundings of gardens and pools. Continue to the old Thien Mu Pagoda before taking a cruise on the Perfume River.
Fly to Hanoi this morning. After lunch, enjoy a tour of the city, taking in the Ho Chi Minh Quarter, the One Pillar Pagoda and the Confucian Temple of Literature. End the day's explorations with a thrilling cyclo tour through Phan Dinh Phung street and the Old Quarter. Wrap up your ride with a strong Vietnamese coffee at a café overlooking St. Joseph's Cathedral.
Travel to Sapa by coach through the Northern Highlands, arriving in the mid to late afternoon. Vast panoramas of stepped rice terraces ribbon their way across these hills; a testament to the extraordinary skills of the local farmers.
Spend the next two days discovering this verdant and beautiful area of rolling hills and rice terraces with some light walking through the surrounding valleys and villages, and visits to ethnic minority communities including those of the H'mong people.
Take a cable car ride up Mt Fansipan, the highest mountain in Indochina. Arrive at the summit to enjoy incredible views from a breathtaking 3,143 metres. After lunch, drive back to Hanoi.
Drive east to Halong Bay, where you'll spend the afternoon and night cruising amongst magnificent karst peaks on the tranquil green waters of Halong Bay, and even explore one of the bay's many caves.
Rise early to admire sunrise over the bay as you cruise back toward the port. Spend the morning cruising back to the pier for your return transfer to Hanoi. Enjoy a farewell dinner and attend a spectacular Vietnamese stage performance.
Fly to New Zealand, arriving home the same or following day.
All of our tour departures include international flights and taxes in the price unless a land only option is selected
We have a selection of dedicated departures for solo travellers. These departures feature a maximum group size of 18 and exclusive benefits including a single room throughout your tour, complimentary return airport transfers (within 50km radius of major Australian airports) and a cocktail on arrival at your destination. Travellers from Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne also receive a complimentary Australian airport lounge pass for use prior to departure.
Extend your holiday or break up your journey with one of our extensions and stopovers. Choose from city breaks or some beach time, or spend more time in your chosen destination.
Read our latest articles or travel inspiration, exciting news about our destinations and all things Wendy Wu Tours
All of our tours offer a single room supplement, which means you’ll have a room to yourself throughout your chosen tour. Continue the check-out process for the applicable supplement.
On most tours, you can choose our 'Happy to Share' option, which may enable you to share a twin room with other solo customers of the same gender who also request Happy to Share. If a share partner is found, the Single Supplement will be removed from your booking. If a share partner is not found, the Single Supplement will remain and is payable with your final balance.
If you are booking on a Dedicated Solo departure, a single room is already included in the price and there are no additional single supplements to pay.
With our flight inclusive option, we'll do the planning for you and meet you on arrival.
We include airport pickup upon arrival at your destination and drop off at the end of your tour (on the scheduled tour arrival and departure days) and when booking pre or post tour accommodation with us.
We partner with established and reputable airlines for your international flights.
We can assist with upgrading your seat to premium or business class for an additional cost.
Our team will work with you to choose your ideal routing and if we make changes to your tour itinerary that impact flights, we’ll rebook them for you.
Our On-Tour Support Team is available to provide advice about how to handle flight changes.
