Southern Vietnam Highlights

When you arrive at Tan Son Nhat International airport, you’ll be met and transferred to your hotel in the downtown for overnight stay.

Meals:
Accommodation: Hotel
Transportation: Private vehicle

Morning embark on a half day guided city tour starting with the War Remnants Museum – a real eye-opener to a part of Vietnam’s proud history, followed by the Reunification Palace, the former Presidential Palace for the president of the South of Vietnam, the Notre Dame Cathedral and Old Post office to get good shots for our memory of the big, modern city of Vietnam.

After lunch at a local restaurant, you will continue by heading to Chinatown with walking tour through back streets of China town near Cho Lon to view the local daily life. Stop off for a visit of Thien Hau temple, which was built in the early 19th Century dedicated to Thien Hau, the goddess of seafarers. We delve deeper into Chinatown visiting the amazing Cholon and Binh Tay Market (or back to District 1 to visit Ben Thanh market) for an insight into where locals shop. Then you’ll be back to hotel at around 17:30.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Hotel
Transportation: Private vehicle

After breakfast, you will drive for 2-hours to Tay Ninh, once the historical center of the Cao-Dai religion. Founded in 1926, Cao-Dai is a combination of Buddhism, Christianity, Taoism and Confucianism. At the Holy See Temple, you will have the chance to watch the worshipers in their long white tunics during noon mass.

After lunch at a local restaurant, you will drive to the Cu Chi Tunnels where you will visit the amazing network of underground tunnels was used during the Vietnam War by the Viet Cong. This huge construction was a habitation for villagers in the war time. With 3 levels of depth, it was never discovered by the US during the Vietnam War despite its proximity to Saigon. Visit the fighting tunnel system with your local guide. In the late afternoon, return to Ho Chi Minh City.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Hotel
Transportation: Private vehicle

At 8.00 AM, depart for a 2-hour drive to Ben Tre, one of the country’s southern provinces, situated in the Delta of the Mekong River. Take in the highway as you leave behind the busy city. On arrival, take a boat on Ben Tre River – one of tributaries of Mekong River to witness lively activities along river such as fishing, water transferring. Stop at brickwork to see how to make bricks in traditional style by printing and baking. You will visit one of plenty of coconut processing workshops located along canal. Turn on natural scissors creeks where they look smaller and smaller to go to village. Take a walk to family workshop making sleep mats and enjoying some fruits. Later, take a motor-cart on shady village paths, passing by green rice fields and vegetable plains to be able to touch on real life and find out about tropical culture from Peasants.

After lunch at a riverside restaurant, enjoy rowing-boat along water palm creek, and boat back to pier where you will be taken to Ho Chi Minh City, arriving at around 17.00.

Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Hotel
Transportation: Private vehicle, Boat

Transfer to Tan Son Nhat airport for your departure flight. Farewell from Vietnam!

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation:
Transportation: Private vehicle