Vietnam Product & Destination Update #3

Vietnam Product & Destination Update #3

Catch up on the latest news from EXO Vietnam!

As the summer continues (it actually ended for students though, as schools start again in early August in Vietnam!), we’ve been busy sourcing exciting new ways to explore the country. We’re thrilled to highlight:

  • 1 major new hotel opening in Phong Nha (a new 4-star eco-tented concept).
  • Updates on new activities, including a social impact experience in Hoi An and a fun new scooter food tour in Danang.
  • Logistical updates regarding airport arrivals in Hanoi and cruise ports in Halong Bay.
  • And last but not least, two public holidays which will bring crowds and Vietnamese flags to most city centres!

Get Inspired
Featured Experiences

Whether it’s cruising the illuminated skyline of Ho Chi Minh City by speedboat, exploring Danang’s vibrant street food scene on a scooter, or making a meaningful social impact in the heart of Hoi An, these new experiences are designed to create unforgettable memories and authentic local connections.

Ho Chi Minh City Skyline
& River Life Cruise

Half Day (Evening Tour)

Witness Ho Chi Minh City’s captivating transition from day to night from the comfort of a speedboat. Enjoy the stunning illuminated skyline, bustling street activity, and reflections on the water (and it’s great for family group pictures too!).

Why we like it: A perfect way to unwind with a plate of cold cuts and a bottle of bubbles or wine while cruising the river.

Best suited for: Honeymooners, couples, and those celebrating an anniversary.

Fun and Flavours
of Da Nang by Scooter

Half Day (Evening Tour)

An exciting evening food tour by scooter in Da Nang, exploring authentic local street food and culinary gems just like a local.

Why we like it: While Danang is getting momentum, it currently lacks great activities to do while staying in the beautiful 4 and 5-star resorts (particularly in late-afternoon where you don’t want to travel for 1 hour to Hoi An). This activity is specifically tailored for guests staying in Danang resorts, offering convenient pickups and a seamless evening out without the long drive. 

Best suited for: Foodies, couples, and “adventurous” travellers.

Get Inspired - Featured
Travel for Good (TFG) Experiences

Travel for Good experiences are curated adventures that turn the journey into a force for positive change. By focusing on community, nature and heritage, we ensure the trip leaves a lasting, ethical footprint on the world.  

From Lanterns to Ladles: A Hoi An Social Impact Experience

Travel for Good Classification -
Philanthropy

A unique combination of a traditional lantern-making class at Reaching Out and a noodle demonstration followed by a light lunch at Streets Restaurant.

Why we like it: Both venues are pioneering social enterprises in Hoi An. This experience uses the power of sustainable tourism to transform local lives while giving guests a memorable, hands-on cultural experience (and the food is great and authentic at Streets!).

Best suited for: Clients interested in philanthropy, and families with teenagers or kids (above 12 years old).

Van Long Farming & Wetland Experience

Travel for Good Classification -
Arts, Food, and Creativity

Discover the charm of the Halong Bay on land with a day of cycling through peaceful villages, hands-on farming, and a local cooking class. Conclude with a serene bamboo sampan cruise through Van Long’s tranquil wetlands and limestone peaks.

Why we like it: Experience authentic rural life through hands-on farming and a traditional home cooking class. This tour perfectly blends scenic cycling through peaceful villages with a serene bamboo sampan cruise across Van Long’s stunning wetlands. It’s an immersive cultural escape just a short drive from Hanoi.

Best suited for: Active travellers, families, and culture lovers looking for an authentic escape into Vietnam’s peaceful countryside.

Featured Vietnam Properties

Auko Eco-Wellness Lodges

Phong Nha

A highly unique 4-star eco-lodge built around a dramatic limestone karst valley and river, focusing on “adventure and stillness”. Features high-quality bamboo lodges and a “forest-to-table” dining concept.

Why EXO likes it: It is currently the best accommodation option in Phong Nha, offering an incredible feel-good vibe, authentic nature immersion, and a promising wellness concept with a dramatic yoga pavilion. A major step up for the destination!

Ideal clients type: Active travellers, nature enthusiasts, and wellness seekers. (Note: No children under 12; not suitable for guests with severe vertigo due to elevated bamboo bridges; best suited for dry/warm season travel).

Learn more

The Theodore

Hanoi

A brand-new boutique luxury hotel positioned perfectly overlooking Hoan Kiem Lake. It boasts exquisite artisan-driven design, incorporating local ceramics, wall embroidery, and high-quality lacquer.

Why EXO likes it: It offers a refined, “elegant luxury” feel with an unbeatable location and spacious rooms (most featuring private balconies with direct lake or pool views). It will be a standout addition to Hanoi’s luxury scene once the property settles into its smooth operational routine

Ideal clients type: Luxury travellers and small, high-budget groups.

Learn more

Destination News

Logistics & operations 
  • Hanoi (Noi Bai Airport): Following major organizational changes at Noi Bai Airport (HAN), the meeting point for arriving guests arriving from abroad has officially moved from Pillar 7 to Pillar 4. Arrival instructions have been updated already. This change only applies to international arrivals.
  • Reopening of Dalat International Airport: Following 5 months of runway and terminal upgrades, Lien Khuong Airport (DLI) officially resumes operations on August 19, 2026. Major domestic carriers are reinstating direct flights connecting Dalat with key hubs, including Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, and Da Nang.  
  • Mekong Delta Cruises: Due to new port authority regulations in Can Tho, Mystic Cruise day tours can no longer pick up clients directly from Victoria Can Tho or Legacy Mekong. All pickups are now centralized at Sao Hom Restaurant (Ninh Kieu Pier – central Can Tho).

 

National Day Celebrations & Office Closure
  • Vietnam will celebrate its National Day on September 2nd, with September 1st also observed as a public holiday. Travellers will enjoy a festive atmosphere with streets beautifully decorated in red and yellow, and lively crowds in major cities.

 

Office Closure: Our EXO Vietnam offices will be closed on Tuesday, September 1st and Wednesday, September 2nd, 2026, resuming normal hours on Thursday, September 3rd.

Emergency Contact: A duty team will remain on standby for emergencies and client arrivals. For urgent matters, please contact our 24/7 hotline at +84 917332246 or email [email protected].

Team Insight

EXO FAM Trips: Our North and Central product teams have been out on the field! We successfully concluded intensive FAM trips covering hotel, restaurant, and route inspections across Hanoi, Ninh Binh, Nam Dinh, Halong, and the Central coast to ensure our product knowledge and quality control remain sharp. Learn more on LinkedIn.

Sustainability News

EXO Vietnam Leaves a Green Footprint in Ta Kou Nature Reserve with EXO Foundation Support.

In a powerful display of community and conservation, 22 team members from EXO Vietnam – SGN office recently joined hands with Gaia Nature Conservation to plant 500 native trees in the Ta Kou Nature Reserve.

Made possible through the generous support of the EXO Foundation, this initiative brought our values to life—restoring local biodiversity, enriching soil health, and taking direct action for our planet.

This event captured the true EXO spirit: turning our shared passion for responsible travel into tangible, positive impact. Inspired by the incredible energy of our team, we are excited to build on this momentum and organize our very own EXO Vietnam afforestation trips in the next season.

Thank you to everyone who participated and showed what it means to lead with purpose.

 Brice Van Huffel

Product Manager

EXO Vietnam

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