For travellers who want to see Vietnam through one lens — the lens they care about most.
Special Interest Vietnam Tours is built around travellers who come to Vietnam for a specific reason — to eat, to photograph, to cook, to be well, to collect craft, to golf, to ride, to pray, or to understand history. Each journey in this collection is designed around one interest, with specialist guides, private access, and time to go deep rather than wide.
These are not general Vietnam tours with a specialist afternoon attached. They are journeys where the interest shapes the route, the pace, the accommodations, and the encounters. A culinary journey visits the markets a chef visits. A photography journey travels at the hours a photographer travels. A textile journey meets the weavers themselves.
What “Private Special Interest Journey” Means
Your itinerary is designed exclusively for your party and operated on your preferred dates. Your own specialist guide — a chef, a photographer, a textile historian, a golf pro, or a wellness practitioner — depending on the journey. Private transportation, private access, and private experiences throughout. No group departures, no fixed dates.
Special Interest Vietnam Tours is one of the collections in the Vietnam Tour Collections system — a set of journeys organised around how you actually want to travel.
Why Choose a Special Interest Journey
Six reasons travellers choose a Special Interest journey over a general Vietnam tour.
One Interest, Done Properly
Each journey is designed around a single interest — culinary, photography, wellness, craft, textile, coffee & tea, golf, motorcycle, spiritual, or history. You go deep rather than wide.
Specialist Guides
Your guide is a specialist — a chef, a photographer, a textile historian, a golf pro, a wellness practitioner, or a history specialist. Not a generalist with a script.
Access Beyond the Standard
Private kitchens, private photo shoots, private artisan workshops, private golf tee times, private meditation sessions. Access arranged specifically for your interest.
Distinct Interests, Distinct Journeys
A culinary journey is not a photography journey with food included. Each interest shapes the route, pace, properties, and encounters — genuinely different journeys.
Comfortable Throughout
Special interest travel does not mean rough travel. We pair every journey with boutique properties and character hotels — from Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi to Azerai La Résidence Hue.
Fully Tailored
Every itinerary can be adapted for specific interests — more time in the kitchen, more time behind the lens, more time on the course, or more time with the artisans.
The Interests That Define This Collection
Every Special Interest Journey is built around one of these focus areas.
The Special Interest Progression
Ten journeys, one product ladder — from a focused 10-day culinary introduction to an 18-day multi-interest immersion.
Choose by Interest — Not Simply by Duration
Special interest travellers choose journeys for a reason. Here are the four main decision paths.
Culinary & Beverage Journeys
For travellers whose primary interest is food and drink — street food, markets, cooking, coffee, tea, and Vietnam’s culinary traditions.
Wellness & Active Journeys
For travellers whose interest is personal wellbeing or active exploration — spa retreats, yoga, golf, and motorcycle journeys.
Vietnam Wellness Retreat — 10 Days
Yoga, spa, and slow travel at Vietnam’s finest wellness properties.
Vietnam Golf Journey — 10 Days
Vietnam’s leading golf courses — Hanoi, Da Nang, Hoi An, and Ho Chi Minh City.
Vietnam Motorcycle Adventure — 12 Days
Ha Giang, Sapa, and the northern mountain passes by motorcycle.
Artistic & Creative Journeys
For travellers whose interest is creative — photography, art, craft, textiles, and the artisan traditions of Vietnam.
Vietnam Photography Expedition — 12 Days
Golden hour shoots, portrait sessions, and photography across Vietnam.
Vietnam Art & Craft Journey — 12 Days
Lacquerware, ceramics, and the artisan villages of Vietnam.
Vietnam Textile & Fashion Journey — 14 Days
Hmong textiles, silk weaving, and Vietnam’s fashion heritage.
Spiritual & Historical Journeys
For travellers whose interest is spiritual or historical — pagodas, shrines, wartime heritage, and Vietnam’s layered past.
The 10 Special Interest Vietnam Tours
Each journey is built around one interest — the interest that brings you to Vietnam.
Vietnam Culinary Journey — 10 Days
Food & Cooking FocusA ten-day culinary journey through Vietnam’s three great food cities — Hanoi, Hoi An, and Saigon. Private street food tours, chef-led market visits, private cooking classes, and Vietnam’s finest restaurants.
- Hanoi street food & egg coffee
- Chef-led market tours in Hoi An
- Private cooking classes in Saigon
- Fine dining at Vietnam’s top restaurants
Vietnam Wellness Retreat — 10 Days
Spa, Yoga & Slow TravelA ten-day wellness retreat through Vietnam — spa retreats at Amanoi and Six Senses, private yoga and meditation, and slow travel at Vietnam’s finest wellness properties.
- Amanoi Wellness Pavilion
- Six Senses Spa therapies
- Private yoga & meditation
- Wellness menus & slow travel
Vietnam Golf Journey — 10 Days
Championship CoursesA ten-day golf journey through Vietnam’s leading championship courses — from Hanoi to Da Nang, Hoi An, and Ho Chi Minh City. Private tee times, caddie service, and luxury resort stays throughout.
- Vietnam’s leading championship courses
- Private tee times & caddie service
- Luxury resort stays throughout
- Hanoi, Da Nang, Hoi An & Saigon
Vietnam Coffee & Tea Journey — 10 Days
Plantation & Roastery FocusA ten-day coffee and tea journey through Vietnam — from Hanoi’s legendary egg coffee to the coffee plantations of the Central Highlands and the tea terraces of the northern mountains.
- Hanoi’s egg coffee & cafe culture
- Central Highlands coffee plantations
- Northern tea terraces & ceremonies
- Private cupping & tasting sessions
Vietnam Photography Expedition — 12 Days
Photography FocusA twelve-day photography expedition through Vietnam — golden hour shoots, portrait sessions with local artisans, and travel at the hours photographers travel. Hanoi, Ha Giang, Hoi An, and the Mekong Delta.
- Golden hour shoots across Vietnam
- Portrait sessions with artisans
- Ha Giang highland photography
- Hoi An lantern night shoot
Vietnam Art & Craft Journey — 12 Days
Artisan Village FocusA twelve-day journey through Vietnam’s artisan villages — lacquerware, ceramics, embroidery, and silk weaving. Meet the artisans, learn the crafts, and understand the traditions that continue today.
- Bat Trang ceramics village
- Ha Thai lacquerware village
- Chuong conical hat village
- Hoi An artisan workshops
Vietnam Spiritual Pilgrimage — 12 Days
Pagodas, Temples & ShrinesA twelve-day spiritual pilgrimage through Vietnam — from Tran Quoc Pagoda in Hanoi and the Perfume Pagoda complex, through Hue’s Thien Mu Pagoda and the Cao Dai Holy See, to the shrines and temples of Hoi An and Saigon.
- Tran Quoc Pagoda & Perfume Pagoda
- Thien Mu Pagoda in Hue
- Cao Dai Holy See at Tay Ninh
- Hoi An’s assembly halls & temples
Vietnam Motorcycle Adventure — 12 Days
Northern Mountain PassesA twelve-day motorcycle journey through northern Vietnam — the Ha Giang loop, the Ma Pi Leng Pass, Sapa, and the remote mountain roads that define Vietnam’s northern frontier.
- Ha Giang loop by motorcycle
- Ma Pi Leng Pass
- Sapa highland roads
- Remote mountain village stays
Vietnam Textile & Fashion Journey — 14 Days
Weaving, Silk & Ao DaiA fourteen-day textile and fashion journey through Vietnam — Hmong textiles in the northern mountains, silk weaving in Hoi An, and the ao dai traditions that continue today.
- Hmong textiles in the northern highlands
- Silk weaving in Hoi An
- Ao dai tailoring & history
- Private artisan workshops
Vietnam Historical & War Journey — 18 Days
Vietnam’s Wartime HeritageAn eighteen-day historical journey through Vietnam — from Hanoi’s wartime sites and the DMZ to Hue’s imperial history, the Cu Chi tunnels, and Saigon’s wartime landmarks.
- Hanoi wartime sites & Hoa Lo Prison
- DMZ & Vinh Moc tunnels
- Cu Chi tunnels
- War Remnants Museum & Reunification Palace
Where the Special Interest Journeys Go
A geographic view of where each special interest journey goes, and which regions suit which interest.
How Much Time Do You Have?
A functional view of our Special Interest collection by travel length.
Focused Interest — 10 Days
For travellers who want a focused introduction to their interest — culinary, wellness, golf, or coffee & tea.
| Duration | Journey | Focus |
|---|---|---|
| 10 Days | Vietnam Culinary Journey | Food, markets & cooking |
| 10 Days | Vietnam Wellness Retreat | Spa, yoga & slow travel |
| 10 Days | Vietnam Golf Journey | Championship courses |
| 10 Days | Vietnam Coffee & Tea Journey | Plantations & roasteries |
Extended Interest — 12 Days
For travellers who want a deeper engagement with their interest — photography, craft, motorcycle, or spiritual.
| Duration | Journey | Focus |
|---|---|---|
| 12 Days | Vietnam Photography Expedition | Photography across Vietnam |
| 12 Days | Vietnam Art & Craft Journey | Artisan villages & craft |
| 12 Days | Vietnam Spiritual Pilgrimage | Pagodas, temples & shrines |
| 12 Days | Vietnam Motorcycle Adventure | Northern mountain passes |
Comprehensive Interest — 14 to 18 Days
For travellers who want a comprehensive immersion in their interest, covering multiple regions and traditions.
| Duration | Journey | Focus |
|---|---|---|
| 14 Days | Vietnam Textile & Fashion Journey | Weaving, silk & ao dai |
| 18 Days | Vietnam Historical & War Journey | Vietnam’s wartime heritage |
Find Your Special Interest Journey
Food, Coffee & Beverage
10 DaysFor travellers whose primary interest is food and drink — street food, markets, cooking, coffee, tea, and Vietnam’s culinary traditions.
Wellness & Active
10–12 DaysFor travellers interested in personal wellbeing or active exploration — spa retreats, yoga, golf, and motorcycle journeys.
Artistic & Creative
12–14 DaysFor travellers whose interest is creative — photography, art, craft, textiles, and the artisan traditions of Vietnam.
Spiritual & Historical
12–18 DaysFor travellers interested in spiritual or historical Vietnam — pagodas, shrines, wartime heritage, and Vietnam’s layered past.
The Experiences That Define Each Interest
Every Special Interest Journey includes private access to experiences specific to its focus.
Street Food & Cooking Classes
Private street food tours, chef-led market visits, and hands-on cooking classes with Vietnam’s leading chefs.
Golden Hour & Artisan Portraits
Golden hour shoots, portrait sessions with local artisans, and photography at the hours photographers travel.
Spa, Yoga & Meditation
Spa retreats at Amanoi and Six Senses, private yoga and meditation, and wellness menus at Vietnam’s finest properties.
Artisan Village Workshops
Private workshops at Bat Trang ceramics, Ha Thai lacquerware, Chuong conical hats, and Quang Phu Cau incense villages.
Pagodas, Temples & Shrines
Private visits to Vietnam’s most significant spiritual sites, with specialist Buddhist guides and private meditation sessions.
War Sites & Historical Access
Private access to the DMZ, Vinh Moc tunnels, Cu Chi, and Vietnam’s wartime heritage with specialist historical guides.
Destinations In This Collection
Every Special Interest Journey is built around Vietnam’s most significant destinations for its interest.
Hanoi
Vietnam’s cultural capital — street food, egg coffee, craft villages, wartime sites, and the Old Quarter.
Ha Giang
Vietnam’s final frontier — motorcycle loops, photography, and the Ma Pi Leng Pass.
Sapa
Hmong textiles, mountain photography, and the rice terraces of the Hoang Lien Son range.
Hoi An
Vietnam’s artisan heartland — cooking classes, silk weaving, lantern making, and photography.
Hue
Imperial history, Buddhist pagodas, and imperial cuisine — a spiritual and historical focus.
Ninh Van Bay
Six Senses Ninh Van Bay — a private island sanctuary for Vietnam’s premier wellness retreats.
Amanoi, Ninh Thuan
Aman’s Vietnam property — a clifftop wellness retreat above Vinh Hy Bay.
Ho Chi Minh City
Street food, coffee culture, wartime heritage, and Vietnam’s most dynamic dining scene.
Cu Chi
Vietnam’s most famous wartime site — the Cu Chi tunnels, with private historical guided access.
Tay Ninh
The Cao Dai Holy See — one of Vietnam’s most distinctive spiritual sites, blending multiple traditions.
Mekong Delta
Floating markets, river life, and photography — Vietnam’s most photogenic delta.
Da Lat
Vietnam’s coffee capital — highland plantations, roasteries, and cupping sessions.
Dong Ho Painting Village
Traditional Vietnamese woodblock printing — one of Vietnam’s most important artisan villages.
Quang Phu Cau Incense Village
Vietnam’s most photographed artisan village — bundles of incense sticks in brilliant reds and pinks.
Notes on Special Interest Travel in Vietnam
Insights from Andy Nguyen, Special Interest Travel Expert at Asia Travel Mates.
Choose the Interest, Not the Duration
“Special interest travellers should choose by what they want to do — eat, photograph, cook, be well, collect craft, golf, ride, or pray — not by how many days the journey runs. The right journey is the one whose interest matches yours.”
Specialist Guides Make the Difference
“A culinary journey should be guided by someone who cooks. A photography journey by someone who shoots. A textile journey by someone who weaves. The guide is what turns a good trip into an expert trip.”
Spring & Autumn Are the Golden Seasons
“February to April and September to November are the best seasons for special interest travel in Vietnam — cool, dry, and clear. Photography travellers should plan around these months specifically.”
Combine Interests If You Have Multiple
“Some travellers come for food and photography, or craft and textile. Our journeys can be combined — a culinary journey with a photography extension, or a textile journey with a craft overlay.”
Access Is What You’re Paying For
“The difference between a good special interest tour and a great one is access — private workshops, private kitchens, private shoot locations, private tee times. This is what our specialists arrange.”
Comfort Matters on Longer Journeys
“Special interest travel is not rough travel. We pair every journey with boutique properties and character hotels. You need good rest to enjoy the next day’s interest.”
Every Journey Is a Starting Point
Published itineraries are starting points. Tell us how you travel and we will adapt the journey around you.
How We Customize Your Journey
Every Asia Travel Mates special interest holiday is private and built around you. From the first enquiry to the final transfer, you can change the shape of the journey.
- Change hotels or upgrade accommodation
- Add or remove days
- Add destinations along the route
- Extend time at any experience or workshop
- Add private experiences specific to your interest
- Adjust the pace and activity level
- Combine two interests (culinary + photography, craft + textile)
Tell us your dates, primary interest, travellers, and preferred pace — we will design the journey accordingly.
What’s Included & What’s Not
All Special Interest Vietnam Tours are operated by Asia Travel Mates and include:
- Accommodation as specified
- Meals as specified in the itinerary
- Specialist guides — chef, photographer, historian, etc.
- Private transportation throughout
- Private access to experiences specific to your interest
- All entrance fees for included sites
- Private workshops, classes, and sessions as specified
Not included: international flights, visa fees, travel insurance, personal expenses, gratuities, and any activities not listed in the itinerary.
Booking and enquiries are handled directly through Asia Travel Mates. Full booking conditions, cancellation policy, and privacy/terms are available on request and via asiatravelmates.com.
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes a Special Interest Tour different from a Classic Vietnam Tour?
Special Interest Tours are built around a single interest — culinary, photography, wellness, craft, textile, coffee & tea, golf, motorcycle, spiritual, or historical. They go deep into that interest with specialist guides, private access, and time to understand rather than simply visit.
Which special interests do you cover?
We cover ten interests: culinary, photography, wellness, art & craft, textile, coffee & tea, golf, motorcycle, spiritual, and historical. Each has its own journey, designed specifically around that interest.
Are the guides specialists in their field?
Yes. Every Special Interest Journey is guided by a specialist — a chef for culinary journeys, a photographer for photography journeys, a textile historian for textile journeys, a golf pro for golf journeys, and so on.
Can I combine two interests in one journey?
Yes. Many travellers come for two interests — culinary and photography, or craft and textile. We can combine journeys or create a bespoke itinerary around multiple interests.
Are these tours private or group?
All our Special Interest Vietnam Tours are private journeys — your own specialist guide, your own transportation, and your own itinerary. No group departures, no fixed dates.
What is the best time of year for special interest travel?
The best seasons for special interest travel are spring (February to April) and autumn (September to November). Photography travellers should plan specifically around these months for the clearest light.
Can families join special interest journeys?
Yes. Many of our special interest journeys are excellent for families — particularly culinary, craft, textile, and photography journeys. We adapt the pace and content for children aged 8 and above.
Do you arrange private access to artisans and workshops?
Yes. For craft, textile, and culinary journeys, we arrange private access to artisan workshops, private cooking classes, and one-on-one sessions with master craftsmen and chefs.
What is included in the tour price?
All Special Interest Vietnam Tours include accommodation, meals as specified, specialist guides, private transportation, all entrance fees, and private access to experiences specific to your interest. International flights, visa fees, travel insurance, and personal expenses are not included.
How much do Special Interest Vietnam Tours cost?
Indicative pricing starts from $3,500 per person for the 10-day culinary or wellness journeys and reaches $8,000 per person or more for the 18-day Historical & War Journey, depending on property selection and season. Final pricing depends on travel dates, group size, and the experiences you choose.
Can I customize one of these special interest journeys?
Yes. Every published itinerary is a starting point. You can change hotels, add or remove days, add destinations, extend time at any workshop or experience, upgrade accommodation, and add private experiences. Tell us your dates, interest, and pace and we will adapt the journey accordingly.
Do you offer special interest journeys in Laos and Cambodia?
Yes. Several of our special interests extend naturally into Laos and Cambodia — culinary, photography, textile, spiritual, and historical journeys. Talk to us about a multi-country special interest itinerary.
Plan your Vietnam special interest journey
Design Your Special Interest Journey.
Tell us your primary interest, travel dates, and preferred pace — we’ll recommend the right journey and adapt it to your interests.
Speak With Andy Nguyen →Vietnam special interest expertise, on the ground.
If you are building Vietnam special interest programs for your clients, we can support you with specialist guides, private access arrangements, and confidential trade rates.
Visit the Trade Page →Let’s Design Your Special Interest Journey.
Ten special interest journeys from 10 to 18 days — culinary, photography, wellness, craft, textile, coffee & tea, golf, motorcycle, spiritual, and historical. Tell us your dates, interest, and pace — we’ll take it from there.