Private Tailor-made Tours to Vietnam & Cambodia From the Middle East

Planning a Vietnam trip from the Gulf: the essentials

This is the practical advice our travel consultants give guests from the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain and Oman before they book. It covers flights, visas, halal meals, prayer times and family privacy, all checked in October 2026.

A note on 2026 flights. Gulf airspace was closed or restricted several times from late February 2026. On 30 September 2026, Europe's aviation safety agency advised airlines to avoid parts of Gulf airspace until at least 16 November 2026, and the Gulf carriers have been running reduced schedules. Treat every route below as subject to current schedules, and confirm with the airline when you book. If a Gulf flight is cancelled, we can re-plan your trip around connections via Singapore, Bangkok or Kuala Lumpur.

Vietnam tour from Dubai

Emirates flies from Dubai International (DXB) to Ho Chi Minh City daily, using an A350 from 1 November 2026, and to Hanoi daily. A second daily Hanoi flight (EK388/389) is scheduled from 1 December 2026, leaving Dubai in the morning and arriving in Hanoi in the early evening. Emirates also flies to Da Nang four times a week, but via Bangkok, not nonstop. Allow about 6–7 hours nonstop, subject to current schedules.

Our tip: fly into Hanoi and home from Ho Chi Minh City (or the reverse) so you never backtrack. Arriving in the evening suits a quiet first night – we meet you at the airport and take you straight to your hotel.

Vietnam tour from Abu Dhabi

Etihad launched its first nonstop from Abu Dhabi (AUH) to Hanoi in November 2025, six times a week on a Boeing 787. For Ho Chi Minh City, you would usually connect via Dubai, Doha or an Asian hub such as Singapore or Bangkok. All of these are subject to current schedules in 2026.

Our tip: northern Vietnam makes an easy start from Abu Dhabi. Spend a few days in Hanoi and on a private Ha Long Bay cruise, then fly to Da Nang for Hoi An, and finish in the south.

Vietnam tour from Doha

Qatar Airways flies from Hamad International (DOH) to Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi. Ho Chi Minh City rises from seven to 11 flights a week from 7 November 2026. Four of these are direct, and the rest continue to Phnom Penh. Hanoi frequencies and any Doha–Da Nang service were not confirmed when we checked, so ask us or the airline for the current timetable.

Our tip: Qatar's routing via Ho Chi Minh City and Phnom Penh is handy if you want to add Cambodia. A week in Vietnam plus the temples of Angkor fits well into a longer winter break.

Vietnam tour from Riyadh

There is no nonstop flight from Saudi Arabia to Vietnam, so travellers from Riyadh (RUH) or Jeddah (JED) connect in Dubai, Abu Dhabi or Doha, or via an Asian hub such as Singapore, Bangkok or Kuala Lumpur. Allow roughly 10–12 hours in total. Given the 2026 disruption to Gulf airspace, an Asian connection can be the more reliable choice on some dates.

Our tip: on a long journey with children or older parents, we recommend a hotel day room or an easy first afternoon on arrival. Your private driver will be waiting, whatever time you land.

When to go from the Gulf

October to April is the most comfortable season for a full north-to-south trip. Our month-by-month guide has the details.

• UAE winter break (14 December 2026 – 3 January 2027 for Ministry of Education schools): dry and warm in the south and on Phu Quoc. Hanoi is cool, which is a welcome change from the Gulf.
• Eid al-Fitr 2027 (expected around 9–10 March) and UAE spring break (5–11 April 2027): some of the best weeks for northern and central Vietnam together.
• Eid al-Adha 2027 (expected around 16–17 May): central Vietnam is sunny. The south has its first tropical showers.
• Summer holidays (from early July 2027 in the UAE): central Vietnam – Hoi An, Da Nang and Hue – is mostly dry and sunny. The north is hot and green, and the south has short tropical showers.

Eid dates depend on the moon sighting and will be confirmed nearer the time. Private schools, Sharjah schools and Saudi schools follow their own calendars. Around Eid and in the December–April peak, private guides and boutique hotels fill early, so send us your dates in advance. UAE school dates: UAE Ministry of Education.

Halal meals, prayer times and family privacy

We arrange halal meals on request and recommend restaurants we know by name, rather than promising that everything is halal. Seafood and vegetable dishes are widely available, and alcohol-free welcome dinners are easy to arrange. Each day can be planned around prayer times. Hanoi has the Al-Noor Mosque on Hang Luoc Street in the Old Quarter. Ho Chi Minh City has the Saigon Central Mosque (Jamia Al-Muslimin) on Dong Du Street in District 1. Tell us if you would like Friday prayers built into your itinerary.

Every trip is private: your own vehicle and driver sized to your group and luggage, your own guide, and a pace that suits children and older family members. Family or interconnecting rooms, villas and private dining can be requested. We confirm availability hotel by hotel before you pay anything. See our Vietnam family tours.

Visa, money and practical details for Gulf travellers

Visa. Vietnam issues e-visas to citizens of all countries through the official portal evisa.gov.vn. The e-visa is valid for up to 90 days with single or multiple entry, and the government fee is US$25 single or US$50 multiple. Your passport should be valid for at least six months on arrival. Gulf residents travelling on another passport follow the rules for that passport. A visit to Phu Quoc island alone is visa-free for up to 30 days. Read our e-visa guide.

Money. Vietnam uses the dong; check xe.com for today's rate. Cards are widely accepted at 4–5★ hotels and upscale restaurants. Carry some dong for markets and tips.

Power. Vietnamese sockets mostly take two-pin Type A and C plugs at 220 V, 50 Hz. Type G plugs from the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait and Oman need an adapter.

Ho Chi Minh City airports. The new Long Thanh International Airport (LTH) is expected to take long-haul flights from 2027. Check which Ho Chi Minh City airport is on your ticket: Tan Son Nhat (SGN) or Long Thanh (LTH).

How Gulf travellers like to see Vietnam

In our experience as trip planners, families from the Gulf value comfort, privacy and short transfers. Nine to 12 days covers Hanoi, Ha Long Bay, Hoi An and Ho Chi Minh City at a relaxed pace. With 14 days or more, you can add the temples of Angkor in Cambodia or a beach stay.

• Vietnam Luxury Tour with SJourney Train – 13 days, from US$8,600 per person (twin/double room and cabin). Travel the length of the country in a private, Indochine-style train.
• Ha Long Bay Cruise – 3 days, from US$835 per person. Two nights among the limestone islands – easy to add to any itinerary.
• Vietnam & Cambodia – 16 days, from US$2,572 per person (based on 3–4 adults; domestic flights quoted separately). The classic route plus Angkor.

Prices are the "from" prices listed on each tour page, per person, based on 2 travellers sharing unless noted. Your final price is confirmed for your dates, and international flights are not included.

Call or WhatsApp our 24/7 team on +84 812 247 572, or email [email protected]. Tell us your dates, departure city and family details, and we will get you a free tailor-made itinerary. More ways to plan: Vietnam tours by country of departure · all private Vietnam tours.

Flight, visa and holiday information checked October 2026. Airline schedules and entry rules change – confirm before booking. Sources: Emirates Hanoi (AeroRoutes) · Etihad Hanoi (Airports Corporation of Vietnam) · Qatar Airways winter network · Gulf airspace disruption (AirHelp) · Vietnam e-visa portal · 2027 Eid estimates (Khaleej Times) · Long Thanh Airport (VnEconomy).