Vietnam is a vibrant and diverse country with a rich history, beautiful landscapes, and delicious cuisine. Whether you are foodies, nature lovers, history buffs, or adventurers, Vietnam will offer something special to you, no matter whether you are travelling with your kid(s) or just your husband/wife.
The following travel guide will help you to plan your perfect trip to Vietnam, especially if this is your first Vietnam trip!
1. Choose Where to Go
With so many wonderful destinations in Vietnam to choose from it can be overwhelming when you have to decide which to see and which to leave out.
With our knowledge of Vietnam and feedback from our customers, we suggest you visit Hanoi and Halong Bay in the north, Hoi An and Danang in the middle, and Ho Chi Minh City and the Mekong Delta in the south on your first trip.
1). Hanoi — the capital city with rich history and local cuisine
Cyclo in the Old QuarterAs the capital of Vietnam, Hanoi is a must-visit when planning a Vietnam trip.
For those who like history and culture, don't miss the Vietnam Museum of Ethnology, the Mausoleum of Ho Chi Minh, and One Pillar Pagoda.
Your Hanoi trip would not be complete without a visit to the Old Quarter where you could experience local life and taste the local cuisine.
Vietnam's traditional water puppet show is recommended, which is usually enjoyed by adults as well as kids.
If your time permits, you could take a one or two day tours to explore the best places surrounding Hanoi, such as Ninh Binh or Mai Chau.
2). Halong Bay — for UNESCO heritage seascape cruises
As a UNESCO Natural World Heritage site, Halong Bay is a popular travel destination in Vietnam that offers stunning scenery and a wide range of activities suitable for families and couples.
For a leisurely tour, we recommend that you have a 2-night cruise that takes you to visit less-crowded bays and leaves you more time to go kayaking, cycling, swimming, etc.
For a big day like an anniversary or birthday, we can arrange an entire house boat for only your family or partner.
Because Halong Bay is quite far from Hanoi and requires 3–4 hours' driving, our private transfers are the best way to save time and guarantee comfort.
3). Hoi An — a charming ancient town with cultural activities
Hoi AnHoi An is a must-see in central Vietnam. It is a charismatic ancient town with well-preserved architecture, lantern-lined streets, and a vibrant food scene.
Take a walk to explore the ancient architecture — pagodas, temples, and traditional shops — and to experience Hoi An's slow-pace of life.
If travelling with your kid(s), don't miss learning how to create traditional lanterns. It's a fun activity for the whole family. If travelling on a full moon day, you can join in the monthly lantern festival.
If interested, leave a half-day to visit a local market and take a cooking class.
The countryside surrounding Hoi An is beautiful. Our unique half-day farming experience tour allows you to see rural life in Vietnam and experience the peaceful countryside.
4). Ho Chi Minh City — a bustling metropolis with Vietnam War sites
Ho Chi Minh City, the biggest city in the south of Vietnam, is one of the most popular ports of entry and departure in Vietnam. Most travelers spend one to two days there to see the bustling metropolis, which is a mix of colonial and modern architecture, museums, and vibrant nightlife.
You could learn about the Vietnam War from world-class museums and the Cu Chi Tunnels, have a cup of coffee atop skyline towers, or try the street foods.
5). The Mekong Delta — floating markets and traditional villages
As the rice bowl of Vietnam, the Mekong Delta is vibrant with rustic life: see busy floating markets, lush-green rice fields, and fruitful gardens. No matter whether you take a boat trip or cycle around the villages, you can get an insight into authentic local life.
Just 2–3 hours' driving from Ho Chi Minh City, you could take a day trip to the Mekong Delta or spend a night there to catch the early-morning floating markets (the most traditional and authentic ones).
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98.8% positive customer reviews among 10,000+
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Vietnam & UAE FANTASTIC tour! Thank you Albee Ning!
Albee was INCREDIBLE. She arranged a 9-day private tour of both North and South Vietnam. No stone was left unturned: a private cruise up the Mekong; excellent hotel reservations; personal, caring tour guides; More
Consumer,
Jun 2020
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We traveled with Asia Highlights…
My husband and I had an absolutely wonderful 5 1/2 week trip that was organized by the exceptional Ruby Zhao. We have traveled a lot and Ruby is the VERY BEST AGENT we have ever had! More
Lurinda Smith Barton Barnwell,
Mar 2020
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We were.very satisfied with Asia…Four Great Weeks in China and Viet Nam
Asia Highlights was very efficient at advising us on what to see and the best routes to take, but they were also very flexible in integrating our own ideas in regard of travel destinations and accommodations. More
Eva and Jim,
Oct 2019
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Trip to Vietnam with Asia Highlights was well above expectations
My 12-day private trip to Vietnam was a very rewarding experience, and every day was fantastic, and well above expectations. My trip was perfectly well prepared and organized by Lissy Syoo from Asia Highlights, More
cdietp,
May 2019
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Repeat Customer
We traveled with China Highlights in 2015 and were completely satisfied, so when they emailed that they now were arranging trips to SE Asia we didn't even consider looking at other tour companies. More
Terry,
Feb 2019
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7-Day Vietnam Tour - Hanoi, Halong Bay, Hue, Danang/Hoi An
Asia Highlights did a great job planning and executing our family’s trip around Vietnam. We have two young girls and wanted to have a balance of sightseeing and activities so nobody got bored. More
Andrew,
Jan 2019
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We would like to thank Asia Highlights
We would like to thank Asia Highlights for a wonderful trip. Lissy was a joy to work with, in planning a vacation that took into account all our interests and was able to give us so much more than we expected. More
Victor Cognato,
Dec 2018
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Vietnam with Asia Highlights
Just returned from Vietnam trip arranged by Albee at Asia Highlights.She was very helpful with the arrangements even when I requested multiple changes in the itinerary. More
Tom,
Oct 2017
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Just came back from Vietnam/Cambodia…
Just came back from Vietnam/Cambodia trip via Asia Highlights and had a wonderful experience. The hotels they chosed for us were all very food. the guides were all very professional and spoke good English More
Yumin Zheng,
Feb 2017
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2. Decide How Many Days to Stay
For your first Vietnam trip, we recommend you have a 10-day trip to visit the highlights in the top cities from north to south, covering Hanoi, Halong Bay, Hoi An, Ho Chi Minh City, and the Mekong Delta. (For a shorter trip, you can see page: 7 Days in Vietnam - 6 Best Itinerary Ideas)
Suggested read: 10 Days in Vietnam: 5 Top Itineraries for First-Timers, Couples, and Families
If you have 15 days, we would recommend you spend an extra 3/4 days in the north to see Hanoi's surrounding highlights (such as Mai Chau, and Ninh Binh) or go farther north to Sapa, and 2–3 days in the central region to see Da Nang or Hue, or enjoy some free days on a beach. See more info on the page How to Spend 2 Weeks in Vietnam: Top 4 Itineraries
If you have 2–3 weeks or longer, it is possible to involve one more country in your trip. Thailand-Vietnam, Vietnam-Cambodia, and Thailand-Cambodia-Vietnam are popular choices. Get some inspiration from our 19-Day Highlights of Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam.
These are just a couple of examples of possible itineraries!
- 10-Day Highlights of Vietnam: Hanoi (2 days), Halong Bay (2 days), Hoi An (2 days), Ho Chi Minh (2 days), and Mekong Delta (2 days). See our sample itinerary for inspiration: 10-Day Best of Vietnam with Mekong Delta.
- 15-Day Vietnam Discovery Tour: Hanoi (4 days), Halong Bay (2 days), Hue (2 days), Da Nang (1 day), Hoi An (2 days), Ho Chi Minh (2 days), and Mekong Delta (2 days). See our sample itinerary for inspiration: In-Depth Vietnam Discovery from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City
Contact our travel specialist to inquire about a Vietnam tour, and you will get a reply with an itinerary and quotation within 24 hours.
3. Consider Your Vietnam Trip Budget
travel cost for a private Southeast tourThe biggest part of your tour costs may be the international flights. Airfares vary a lot for different routes, so make a comparison before booking. Check with your consultant: he/she may get a better rate.
Vietnam's domestic flights are very affordable. For instance, a single flight costs around just US$80 for economy class in low season. Airfares from Vietnam to other Southeast Asian countries are similar.
Hotel room rates vary from guesthouses' to deluxe hotels'. As Vietnam's system is different from international hotel star ratings, it would be better to classify Vietnamese hotels as ‘Comfortable'/‘Boutique' (US$50–100 per room), ‘Luxury' (US$150–200 per room), or ‘Guesthouses' (from US$10 per room).
As for food, you could choose to taste Vietnam's street food from just US$1–2 per meal, or have upmarket cuisine for only US$20–50 per meal, or anything in between.
Here are the prices for a private tour based on a group of 2 people during the peak season, for your reference:
- On a medium budget, touring Vietnam typically costs around US$200–250 USD per day per person (including 4- or 5-star hotels, airfares within Vietnam, attractions, guides, and transfers).
- For a higher budget of US$250–350 per day per person, more comfort can be enjoyed (including 5-star or plus hotels, airfares within Vietnam, attractions, guides, and transfers).
- For a family trip (2 adults plus 2–3 children) for 2 weeks in Vietnam or in Southeast Asia, it normally costs US$10,000–20,000 per family excluding international flights from/to America or Europe.
Travel with us to enjoy a comfortable and flexible private tour.
4. Decide When to Travel to Vietnam
As a long and narrow country, stretching north to south, with a long coast, the weather is pleasantly milder all year round in Vietnam, with fewer extremes of temperature than inland countries.
The weather varies between northern, central, and southern Vietnam. Although the best time for travel depends on the region you visit, November to March are the best months to travel to most places in the country.
The months of April and late October (just after or before the peak season) are ideal times for those wishing to find a compromise between the price and the weather.
Ninh Binh in JuneNovember–March: The Mild, Dry Festival Season
This season is blessed with Vietnam's most comfortable weather. You would also get the chance to immerse yourself in the atmospheric festivals and holidays, such as Christmas, New Year, and Tet (Vietnamese New Year, during January or February).
In this peak season, hotels are easily booked up, and tour costs go up accordingly. Due to the high demand, you're suggested to book your tour at least 3 months in advance.
April–October: The Hot, Rainy Low Season
Visiting Vietnam in the rainy season, you can enjoy lower prices and fewer crowds.
Thanks to its long, S-shaped coastal geography, which means Vietnam's weather is very changeable, the rainy days are not often persistent. The rainfall mainly comes in the afternoon or evening, which would allow you to enjoy most of the day. Doing outdoor activities in the morning to avoid the afternoon heat and taking rain gear are recommended.
Typhoons are likely to happen in July and August in Northern Vietnam, but in October in central Vietnam. Thus, a flexible itinerary and buying travel insurance are helpful to make possible adjustments.
Note: Rainy seasons vary in Vietnam — north and south: May–October; central: September–December. >>>More on Vietnam weather and seasonal travel tips
5. Consider How You'll Travel
If you are traveling with kids or you are a couple, a private guided tour is the best way to enhance your journey as it can provide a more personalized, educational, and stress-free travel experience.
With a private guided tour, you can customize your itinerary to fit your interests, preferences, and pace. A local guide can offer valuable insights and knowledge about the destination, including its history, culture, traditions, and hidden gems, and help you navigate through Vietnam, saving you time and energy in figuring out transportation, directions, and logistics.
Contact us now to start your Vietnam trip planning, and no matter what you're celebrating — anniversary, birthday… — we'll create an unforgettable trip for you.
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98.8% positive customer reviews among 10,000+
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I have never hear of this company…
I have never hear of this company before , and after reading all these reviews ,I decided to give it a try . The professionalism and communicative skill received by one of the agent , Sharon of Asia Highlights , convince me that She was the right travel agent for my trip in Asia . Very quickly she communicated with me and got all the detail of my desire vacation . Sharon made me a great itinerary with great experiences that I am dreaming to experience and I am looking forward to it . Thanks Sharon for been so great and crafting me a dream vacation with great suggestions. More
orge alvarez,
May 2023
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Coco Yang worked tirelessly to…
From the moment I landed in Bangkok, Ms Noi Ying was there to welcome me and get me settled into my hotel. We enjoyed several days together touring Bangkok and Kanchanaburi. In Chiang Mai, Mr Ekachai took my son snd I on an amazing trip to the Elephant Jungle Sanctuary and to visit a community Lanna home, gardens and a hands-on cooking class preparing an authentic Thai meal. Lisa arranged a last-minute speedboat tour of 5 breathtaking islands in Phuket. From start to finish, the guides exceeded my expectations!! Thank you, Asia Highlight!! Debbie Woods More
Debbie Woods,
May 2023
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Sharon from Asia highlights has been…
Sharon from Asia highlights has been amazing. She offered her amazing ideas to other tours I wanted. We have planned the perfect 9 day itinerary to Thailand. She worked in my budget and was very flexible when I had to change my flights. Thank you sharon. Can’t wait for the trip. More
Heather Stern Wilensky,
Apr 2023
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Ms. Ning first review 4-2023
Ms. Albee Ning has been doing a great job accommodating my requests and itinerary changes. Remember the first itinerary is a rough draft and you may modify it to suit your tastes. Remember you can not do it all and see everything in 3 weeks. If the flight wasn't so long I would visit Southeast Asia more often. I will update my review in a few months. We don't leave for 9 more months. Asia Highlights is working well for me so far! More
Chiefray,
Apr 2023
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Perfect Trip To Thailand…
We had so much fun in Bangkok with Tanni and Tom as they kept laughing at all of our silly jokes. Paul, our guide and Chiang Mai was really thoughtful, fun and full of great information about the temples and sights. Thanks so much! Brian and Michelle More
Scott Orchard,
Mar 2023
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I highly recommend Asia Highlights
I highly recommend Asia Highlights. I worked with Alisa and she is fantastic! I was planning my honeymoon trip, and I changed the destination multiple times. Each time, Alisa provided me an updated itinerary with activities that matched my interests. Whether I had a small change to an activity, a question about one of the arrangements, or a change or destination, Alisa was helpful, thoughtful, and knowledgeable, providing me with updated options in an extremely timely manner. In the end, despite the fact that I changed my mind on location multiple times, I ended up booking a 17 day trip to Thailand for this upcoming November. I am extremely excited to experience everything that Alisa planned for us. I recommend Asia Highlights to everyone and look forward to using them again on any other trips to Asia in the future. Thank you Alisa and Asia Highlights! More
Britt Rosen,
Mar 2023
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Three weeks encompassing Vietnam
A special shoutout to our last guide in Bangkok - Ms. Ka-Noon who spoiled us with her kindness and then got us through check in and security for our flight home in record time at that huge Bangkok airport. More
Deby,
Feb 2023
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Over the last 5 years we've used Asia…
Over the last 5 years we've used Asia highlights twice. And both times we've had fantastic vacations. Would not want to do it any different when we travel to Asia from now on. Sharon was fantastic. She was a wonderful agent who helped us nail down our trip and make everything go as smooth as possible. More
Todd Atwell,
Feb 2023
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Family Trip to Thailand
Our trip to Thailand comprised three generations of the family , ten people and an age range of 4 to 70 so a potentially difficult brief.Our itinerary over two weeks involved four locations, and a number of different trips and tours.From out arrival at an extremely busy Bangkok airport Asia Highlights were terrific.In each location we were met by a smiling , knowledgeable and professional guide who simply made everything easy and stress free for everyone.Our transportation was clean and comfortable . Transport was always ready for us at the agreed time and the drivers were excellent.There were so many highlights enjoyed by all the age groups. The floating houses , railway market and elephant sanctuary were particular favourites.We had one minor glitch with the accommodation in Phuket which was immediately dealt with by Tip. I think we would have struggled to resolve the problem by ourselves. So, thank you Asia Highlights , Cathy, Tip and tour guides Tanny, Sam and Lisa. It was a memorable holiday and we will be back. More
Roger Pyle,
Feb 2023
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Trip of a lifetime from Asia Highlights!
I recommend highly Asia Highlights as a travel company. Our travel consultant Albee took the time to connect with us during the planning process to make sure we were comfortable with our itinerary. When we arrived, we were met by our guide and all the details were attended to. They picked great hotels and tours. I often describe our trip as the trip of a lifetime! Would definitely use them again when we come back to Asia More
Nancy Parker,
Feb 2023
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Asia Highlights and Albee - highly recommended
Asia Highlights is very reliable agency and Albee is an amazing representative of the company. From the moment when we contacted her until our departure, the whole support we received was 6* level. She prepared our trip offer within few hours and afterwards she was extremely flexible to adjust as per our needs. In the period between the offer and the trip, Albee was always available for all our questions and supported us on the best possible way. During the trip she was again flexible to add new activities/transfers and this went on the smoothest possible way. Thank you, Albee and Asia Highlights. Definitely we will approach you again for our next Asian trip More
AZ,
Feb 2023
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5 STAR CUSTOMER SERVICE BY MONICA
Monica is a very sweet young lady who speaks excellent English via email/WhatsApp, and knows the importance of excellent customer service. More
Trent,
Jan 2023
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We had an awesome experience with Asia Highlights
We started our trip in Bangkok, where Mr. Prassert our tour guide, met us. He was on time and the van was clean and well-maintained. Mr. Prassert was our guide for the 4 days we spent in Bangkok. He was helpful, kind, and willing to accommodate our pee and coffee breaks. The driver was safe and punctual. Next, we went to Chiang Mai.Gemma exceeded every expectation we had for our tour of Chiang Mai! She had a great attitude that made exploring the city fun and exciting, as well as an abundance of knowledge and experience. She was always spot on with figuring out logistics and coming up with unique ideas that suited our interests and schedules. Gemma was incredibly generous with her time and even walked us to security at the airport to make sure we could carry all of our luggage. That’s just one example of how far out of her way she went to make our trip easier and more enjoyable. Gemma was sincerely interested in making every minute of our trip count. We’re very grateful to have met her and feel like we have found a friend in Gemma! Our driver in Chiang Mai was also great and very accommodating to our changes in schedules. More
Lois Paskow,
Dec 2022
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Thailand & Cambodia 2022
Albee went above and beyond to make our trip perfect. She rearranged flights due to a mistake of mine. She made sure we were still picked up and escorted to the airport. I felt comfortable and safe with all our reps. She did an excellent job and I highly recommend her booking your next trip. Thank you, Albee. More
Karen Brooks,
Dec 2022
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Perfect vacation thanks to Albee we…
I can’t say enough about how much we appreciate all the efforts, attention to details and immediate responses to all questions that Albee and her team provided. The Asia Highlights team deserves more stars than the maximum allowed because of continually going above and beyond all expectations. Thanks Albee for making our vacation through south east Asia absolutely perfect!!! More
Michael Sharp,
Dec 2022
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2023 Chiang Mai CAD Yipeng Festival
We got early bird ticket and Bella was assisting us through whatsapp. Easy, competitive price, front row tickets. Thanks Bella, for being patient explaining everything to me. Highly recommended. More
lily hartati,
Dec 2022
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Bella has been an outstanding customer service rep
Bella has been an outstanding customer service rep. She was responsive and knowledgeable. Buying tickets from their website was super easy and the whole process was straightforward. Highly recommended. More
Khai,
Nov 2022
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I was ever so grateful to have a point…
I was ever so grateful to have a point of contact while in a foreign country for the first time, alone, that helped me through the Ins and outs of getting to and from my destination. Albee was readily available which brought me much comfort and feeling of safety. If in this part of the world again, I will not hesitate to use your services.. More
Omega,
Nov 2022
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Memorable Experience!!!
I booked tickets to the Chiang Mai Yi Peng Lantern Festival in Nov 2022. Bella was extremely responsive and helpful!! More
Bowen,
Nov 2022
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Personalized
It is the attention to detail and what we specifically wanted to see that made the reservation experience so exciting. More
Peter Bongiovanni,
Nov 2022
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6. Check Out Vietnam's Visa Policy
About 23 countries enjoy visa exemption in Vietnam, mainly European countries, such as the UK, Germany, and France. See if your country is on the list: see Vietnam Visas and Exemptions.
If you're from America, Canada, Australia, or about 80 other countries not on the list for visa-free entry, the most convenient way to enter is to apply for an e-visa online. It usually costs around US$25 for a 30-day single entry. Double-entry or multiple-entry visas cost more. Contact us for more info.
If your country is not on the list for Vietnam visa exemptions or e-visas, you will need to apply for a Visa Approval Letter in order to obtain a visa on arrival or a visa via a Vietnamese Embassy.
7. Getting To and Around Vietnam
Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City receive most of Vietnam's international flights. For American and European travelers, you're recommended to make a stopover in popular travel hubs, such as Bangkok, Tokyo, Taipei, Hong Kong, and Shanghai, for the best prices and choice of flights.
When travelling around Vietnam from region to region, domestic flights are the most comfortable and time-saving option.
In each region, a private transfer is the best option for enjoying more comfort and flexibility.
If you book one of our private Vietnam tours, we will work out the best itinerary to match the time of your international flight. Also we will take care of all your transportation in Vietnam, from flight bookings, and handling any changes that occur or cancellations needed, to airport transfers.
You're in Good Hands with Asia Highlights
We have created over 10,000+ big trips for insightful travelers, mostly for families and couples. We truly understand that every single big trip planned for our clients is not just for good holiday memories but also for joyful celebrations of life's milestones.
Get a wonderful Vietnam vacation by sending us a message. Or check out our sample itineraries for inspiration:
Why Travel with Asia Highlights (98.8% positive customer reviews among 10,000+)
- Unique experiences tailored to your interests: Enjoy a premium trip that goes beyond the typical tourist attractions.
- Hassle-free travel and peace of mind: Every aspect of your trip will be carefully planned and organized by your 1:1 travel consultant.
- Experienced and knowledgeable guides: Your guides will be local and love to work for travelers' smiles.
Get Inspired with Our Sample Itineraries
At Asia Highlights, we create your kind of journey — your dates, your destinations, at your pace. You can have any trip tailor made for your travel.
