The question isn't whether Vietnam is worth the trip. Everyone knows it is. The question is whether you can afford not to go at £376 return.
Air China is flying from London to Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi this September and October from just £376 return. One stop. Two of Southeast Asia's most vibrant cities on offer. You choose your adventure.
✈️ The deal
- From: London
- To: Ho Chi Minh City / Hanoi, Vietnam
- Airline: Air China
- Stops: 1 stop
- Price: £376–£399 return
- When: September–October 2026
Example dates — London to Ho Chi Minh City:
09/09/2026 – 14/10/2026
14/09/2026 – 12/10/2026
16/09/2026 – 12/10/2026
23/09/2026 – 21/10/2026
Example dates — London to Hanoi:
07/09/2026 – 14/10/2026
10/09/2026 – 13/10/2026
14/09/2026 – 21/10/2026
23/09/2026 – 19/10/2026
💰 How far does your money go?
Once you land, your wallet breathes. A bowl of pho — proper, broth-simmered-for-hours pho — costs around £1. A bia hoi (Vietnamese draught beer) is £0.30. A full street food meal for two rarely tops £4. For what you'd spend on a Zone 1 coffee and a meal deal, you're eating like a king in Saigon or Hanoi. Budget travellers comfortably get by on £20–25 a day. Mid-range? £40 covers a hotel, three meals, and an activity with change to spare.
☀️ The weather
September in Hanoi is hot and wet — temperatures up to 35°C with heavy rainfall. The city is green and lush, but pack a light rain layer. By October, it transforms: rainfall drops sharply to around 130mm, temperatures settle at 28–30°C, and the skies clear. It's one of the best times to be in northern Vietnam. Ho Chi Minh City stays warm and humid throughout (30–34°C), with October bringing more rain. If you can choose, lean towards Hanoi in October, or Ho Chi Minh in September for drier days in the south.
🏨 Where to stay
Two cities, two vibes — here's the pick across budget levels.
Spoon Hotel — 8.5/10 · From £12/night · Hanoi Underrated budget gem just 800m from Hoan Kiem Lake, with an in-house spa that punches well above its price point.
Amanaki Saigon Boutique Hotel — 8.8/10 · From £30/night · Ho Chi Minh City Opposite the Bitexco Financial Tower, modern rooms and a central location that's hard to beat at this price.
Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi — 9.5/10 · From £130/night · Hanoi One of the great colonial hotels of Southeast Asia. Over 120 years old, immaculately preserved, and still the benchmark for luxury in the capital.
🎯 What to do
Vietnam rewards the curious. Here's where to start.
Cu Chi Tunnels — An extraordinary network of wartime tunnels just outside Ho Chi Minh City. Crawl through history — quite literally. One of the most gripping historical sites in Southeast Asia.
Old Quarter, Hanoi — A dense maze of 36 streets, each historically named for the trade once sold there. Best explored on foot at dusk with a bia hoi in hand.
Halong Bay cruise — Skip the day trip. A two-night cruise through the limestone karsts of Bai Tu Long Bay — fewer crowds, same jaw-dropping scenery — is one of the best experiences in Southeast Asia.
Water puppet show, Hanoi — A 1,000-year-old art form performed on a pool stage by wooden puppets and live musicians. Sounds niche. Genuinely unforgettable.
🗺️ Where to go from here
Vietnam is long. Use that — both cities are gateways, not endpoints.
Hoi An — Vietnam's best-preserved ancient town: lantern-lit streets, riverside cafes, and tailor shops. 1-hour flight from both Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City.
Mekong Delta — A maze of rivers, rice paddies, and floating markets 2–3 hours south of Ho Chi Minh City. Best done as an overnight trip.
Ninh Binh — Halong Bay without the sea: dramatic karst landscapes, rice fields, and ancient temples. 2 hours by train from Hanoi.
Phu Quoc — Vietnam's favourite island — white sand, clear water, and excellent seafood. 1-hour flight from Ho Chi Minh City.
At £376 return, there's no sensible reason to hold off. These dates fill fast. Book now, figure out the rest later.
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