This travel itinerary from Saigon gives you a broad view and authentic experience of Southern Vietnam. Known as Vietnams’ "rice bowl", the rich soil of the Mekong Delta supports bountiful orchards and fields producing rice, coconuts, sugar cane and a variety of exotic fruits. This tour takes you deep into our beautiful country, immersing you in the rich culture and elegant landscapes.
Upon your arrival at Tan Son Nhat Airport in Ho Chi Minh City, our local guide and driver will greet you at the pickup area and transfer you to your hotel in the city center (District 1). The drive takes approximately 60 minutes.
After arriving at the hotel, you'll check in* and have the rest of the day free to relax or explore at your leisure.
Notes: Hotel check-in time is at 2:00 PM. Early check-in is subject to hotel availability and may incur an additional fee.
9:00 AM: Pick up from your hotel to the Independence Palace, once used as the home - office of the Presidents of South Vietnam. Our visit includes the North Vietnamese tank which effectively attacked the palace in 1975 to bring the controversial Vietnam War to an end and the five-story palace with its rooms have been preserved in their late 1960s, 1970s style and a bunker basement.
Continue by a leisurely waking tour. Heading to the Saigon Notre Dame Cathedral, originally built between 1863 and 1880, evidently reflects the French colonist influences. It’s a picturesque spot in the city.
Toward to Nguyen Hue walking street, you will take a few walks to the unmissable city's famous landmark. The Saigon Central Post Office is a stunning building, designed by the famous architect Gustave Eiffel. It is an actually working post office with beautiful indoor decorations.
Pick up by car then short drive to have a visit to Binh Tay Market, located in Saigon’s Chinatown area with hundreds of stalls, the biggest market in city actually contributes a hub for many of Saigon’s demands including clothing, souvenir and food items. There is also a food court where visitors can sample local delicacies and street food.
Continue visit Quan Am Pagoda, one of the oldest pagodas in city and dedicated to Guan Yin, elements of Taoism, and the folk worship of the "Queen of Heaven".
Finally visit the Traditional Medicine Museum (FITO) where the medicinal herb recipes, magic potions and special antique tools are preserved.
At the end of the day, driver drops you off at your hotel
8:00 AM: Leave from your hotel to visit the most striking place in the history of the Vietnam War, the Cu Chi Tunnels.
Cu Chi is a real underground city made up of a large network of tunnels covering an area of over 250km long where the Viet Cong conducted the war of resistance against American troops. All of the tunnels were dug over a period of twenty years using only pickaxes and shovels. The tour includes special entering some part of tunnels. You will also have a chance to visit Ben Duoc memorial temple nearby but far less touristic built in 1993 in memory of the Vietnamese killed at Cu Chi.
Continue to visit one of the most sacred attractions in Vietnam - the Cao Dai Temple. Caodaism is a uniquely Vietnamese religion that is influenced by elements of Confucianism, Buddhism, Taoism and even Roman Catholicism. On a visit, you can attend the midday mass.
Have lunch at local restaurant then transfer back to hotel in the afternoon.
Tour guide and driver welcome you at your hotel for your transfer to Ben Tre, a beautiful region in the Mekong Delta River, famous for making coconut candy. Arrive at Hung Vuong pier, take a boat trip on the Ben Tre River to discover the daily local life. Continue your boat trip on a canal to Nhon Thanh Village. This will be an opportunity to taste the fresh fruits. Take a bike ride (or Tuk tuk) on a small path through the villages and enjoy views of the coconut ranges, rice fields and vegetable gardens.
A lunch of elephant ear fish is served in the village. A short walk helps you to discover the local life in depth. This is followed by a boat ride on the small canal shaded by the wild palm trees. For those who wish to ride a bike, you can enjoy riding through the rice fields and meet the locals.
Transfer back to the village where you will spend a night in a homestay. Later this afternoon, you can join in preparing dinner with the host. Have dinner and stay overnight in Ben Tre.
After breakfast, transfer to Cho Lach and Tra Vinh with a stop to visit a Bonsai garden on the way. Cross the Mekong River by ferry. Arrive at Khmer people's Cau Ke village, which belongs to Tra Vinh province, check into the homestay.
Lunch is served at the homestay. After that enjoy a bike ride through Ba Mi village. Visit the surrounding area and meet the local farmers who work on the garden (vegetable or fruit garden). This is the opportunity to witness the local life and the hospitality of the people in this region. Continue to visit the cathedral and Ba Mi School (closed during the summer holiday). End your bike ride with a visit to Khmer pagoda before returning to the homestay for refreshments.
Enjoy dinner and stay overnight at Suonsia homestay. (Note: there are motorbikes for those who cannot ride bike)
Start the day with a bike ride through the nursery fields. Continue to visit some Khmer villages including Canh Dai, Tra Khao, Giong Lon... Then depart by car to Huynh Ky'sfamily house, dated back to the beginning of the 20th century, which has preserved a mixture of oriental & western architecture.
Transfer to Long Xuyen via Sa Dec where we visit Kien An Cung pagoda, then visit Huynh Thuy Le's house from the novel by Marguerite Duras “ L’Amant – the Lover”, Discover the local market in Sa Dec which is rich in fruits, vegetables, and fish. Continue to Long Xuyen, visit Cao Dai temple and a crocodile farm on route. Stay overnight in Long Xuyen.
In the morning, transfer to the floating market and floating village in Long Xuyen which are animated and authentic on a small tributary of the Mekong River. Discover the daily activities of people living by the river. Enjoy a boat trip to Cu Lao Ong Ho where there is a small museum about our famous president Ton Duc Thang. Take a bike ride on the island and enjoy the beauty of the peaceful landscapes.
Take the road back to Saigon and check in your hotel in late afternoon.
Our driver will pick you up from the lobby of your hotel in Ho Chi Minh city center (district 1) and take you to Tan Son Nhat airport. The drive takes approximately 45-60 minutes, whether you're heading to the international or domestic terminal, depending on your needs.
Notes:Hotel check out is before 12:00 PM. Late check-out is subject to hotel availability and may incur an additional fee. For international flights, it's recommended to arrive at the airport 3 hours before departure, and for domestic flights, 2 hours before.