Vietnam Tours from the UK: Flights, Visa, Timing and Cost

Everything a British traveller asks before booking — visa, flights from London, the time difference, when to go and what a private trip costs in pounds.

Published Oct 2026 • Updated Oct 2026 • By the Vietnam Private Tours planning team, reviewed by Van Anh (Founder & Chief Executive Officer)

Quick answer

From the UK, plan 12–16 days for north to south, flying direct from London (about 11–12 hours) or with one stop (15–20 hours). British passport holders have been visa-exempt for up to 45 days — check the current rule, or use the 90-day e-Visa. Vietnam is 6–7 hours ahead of the UK. For itineraries and prices in pounds, see our UK-facing sister brand Vietnam Tours (UK), run by the same team and licence.

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Trip essentials for UK travellers

Question	Short answer
Visa	Visa-free for up to 45 days for British passport holders while the exemption is in force; otherwise the e-Visa (up to 90 days). Always check the current rule.
Flight	Around 11–12 hours direct from London to Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City where a direct service runs; 15–20 hours with one stop.
Time difference	+7 hours in winter, +6 hours in British Summer Time. Vietnam has no daylight saving.
Best months	February–April and October–November for most regions.
Typical trip	12–16 days, Hanoi → Halong or Lan Ha Bay → Hoi An → Saigon, with two internal flights.
Currency	Vietnamese dong; card payments are common in hotels and restaurants, cash for markets and tips.

Planning a British holiday in pounds

Most of our guides quote US dollars. If you would rather see itineraries and prices in pounds, Vietnam Tours (UK) is our UK-facing sister brand, run by the same team under the same Vietnamese operating licence, with itineraries and prices in pounds. Its itineraries include multi-week grand tours and shorter city and bay experiences, and you can send an enquiry for a day-by-day plan. Its visa guide is a useful check on the entry rules before you book flights.

Both brands share the same operating licence (No. 79-0743/2017/TCDL-GP LHQT), which you can look up in the official VNAT registry at quanlyluhanh.vn. If you are comparing companies, our checklist for choosing a tour company applies equally to us and to anyone else.

A sensible route for a first trip from the UK

Days 1–3 Hanoi — arrive, rest, see the Old Quarter and the Temple of Literature.
Days 4–5 Lan Ha or Halong Bay — one night on a cruise (see which bay to choose).
Days 6–9 Hue and Hoi An — fly to Da Nang; Hoi An for three nights.
Days 10–12 Saigon and the Mekong Delta — fly south for the city and one day in the delta.
Days 13–14 — beach extension or home; add Cambodia's Angkor Wat if you have a third week.

Break the long flight with an easy first day. A private driver meeting you at the airport removes the usual arrival stress.

Before you go

Check the FCDO travel advice for Vietnam and the current entry rules for your passport.
Take out travel insurance that covers medical treatment and evacuation.
Ask your doctor about routine and travel vaccinations well ahead of departure.
Book flights, the best hotels and cruise cabins early for Easter, summer and Christmas travel.

Frequently asked questions

Do UK citizens need a visa for Vietnam?

British passport holders have been able to enter Vietnam without a visa for stays of up to 45 days, but exemption periods are set by the Vietnamese government and have been extended in stages, so confirm the current rule before you book. For longer stays, or if the exemption is not in force, apply for the e-Visa on the official government portal (evisa.gov.vn), which is valid for up to 90 days. Your passport should be valid for at least six months from arrival with a blank page.

How long is the flight from the UK to Vietnam?

A direct flight from London to Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City takes roughly 11 to 12 hours, where a direct service is operating. One-stop routes through the Gulf, Singapore, Bangkok or another Asian hub usually take 15 to 20 hours in total. Check current schedules, because direct services change.

What is the time difference between the UK and Vietnam?

Vietnam is on UTC+7 all year and does not change its clocks. It is 7 hours ahead of the UK in winter (GMT) and 6 hours ahead in summer (BST). Most travellers find the first 2–3 days easier if the itinerary starts gently.

When is the best time to visit Vietnam from the UK?

February to April and October to November are comfortable across most of the country. UK school holidays (Easter, summer, October half-term and Christmas) fall in busy periods, so book the flights, the best hotels and the cruise cabins well ahead. Summer in the north is hot with storms, and the central coast is wet in autumn — see our month-by-month guide.

How much does a private holiday in Vietnam cost from the UK?

Allow roughly £1,500–£2,500 per person for a private 10 to 19-day tour with boutique hotels, excluding international flights; Vietnam Tours (Vietnam Tours (UK)) lists itineraries from £1,490 per person for 11 days at the time of writing (October 2026). Flights from London are typically a further few hundred to over a thousand pounds depending on season. For US-dollar prices and a full breakdown by trip length, see our cost guide.

Is Vietnam safe for British tourists?

Vietnam is a popular and generally safe destination for British visitors, with petty theft (bag snatching from motorbikes) and road traffic being the main practical risks in cities. Check the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) travel advice for Vietnam before you go and arrange travel insurance with medical cover. A private guide and driver remove most of the everyday friction.

Should I book with a UK-based company or a Vietnam-based operator?

The most important thing is who actually runs the trip on the ground. A UK agency usually passes the booking to a local operator; booking a licensed Vietnamese operator directly gives you the people who solve problems in Vietnam. If you prefer to pay in pounds and deal with a UK-facing brand, the sister site below is run by the same team and licence as Vietnam Private Tours. Whoever you choose, check the licence in the official VNAT registry.

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