South Vietnam delights

Welcome to Ho Chi Minh city, still called as Sai Gon by many. Upon arrival, welcome by our local representative for short drive to hotel for check in. If time permits, we will have brief look at famous Ben Thanh market. 

   Meals: None
   Accommodation: Ho Chi Minh

Breakfast in the hotel, leave the bustling city behind and drive northwest to visit the Cu Chi tunnels, an extraordinary network of tunnels more than 120 miles in length that was used by the Viet Cong as a hideout and secret village during Vietnam war. Here, after a 20 minutes long documentary movie you will learn about how the tunnels were created and have a chance to walk through a section to experience what life would have been like underground. Start our city tour with visit to the historic Reunification Palace formerly the Presidential Palace of the South Vietnamese government, which was attacked by Viet Cong troops on April 30, 1975, marking the end of the Republic of Vietnam. 

Then stroll to European-style landmarks neo-Romanesque Notre Dame Cathedral , which dates from the late 19th century and is built of red brick with two distinctive spires, the Central Post Office - one of Vietnam’s most beautiful examples of French colonial architecture.

Continue the city tour with visit to War Remnants museum, which displays a number of exhibits relating to the war with the U.S. and battles with occupying French forces. Back to your hotel via the magnificent Saigon Opera House (Municipal Theatre), city Hall, continental hotel. 

Dinner on boat cruising on Sai Gon river.
   Meals: Breakfast / lunch
   Accommodation: Ho Chi Minh

This morning, make 2hours journey outside of bustling Ho Chi Minh City to discover the famous Mekong Delta that considered  “Rice bowl of Vietnam”. The delta is blessed with the best weather, excellent geographic location and a vast area of 3.8 million hectares of rice cultivable area. Our destination is Ben Tre where is famous for its coconut plantations.

Upon arrival in Ben Tre city, taking private sampan ride to visit local brick kilns to learn how the local burn bricks in traditional method. Continue sampan ride along one of the town's scenic and peaceful canals where you can disembark to visit a riverside coconut candy workshop to learn about making the sweet keo dua the region is known for.  Taking brief walk into local village to visit a mat weaving family, where sedge mats are woven by using a hand loom.

Riding on motor cart (Tuk Tuk) on shady village road, passing by lush rice fields and vegetable plains next. Stop at local restaurant for delicious lunch featuring such local specialty as elephant-ear fish and river shrimp. 

Go back to the main boat by sampan rowing boat. Tour ends after visit to local market. Continue road journey to the biggest city in Mekong Delta, Can Tho.

   Meals: breakfast / lunch
   Accommodation: Can Tho

Take early private 30 minutes engine boat ride  to explore the largest wholesale floating market in the Mekong Delta – Cai Rang market. The market begins around 05:00 and runs until midday. Here you will see hundreds of large cargo boats packed with mangos, bananas,
coconuts, papayas, mangosteen, watermelons, longans, rambutants, pineapples, vegetables,…The boat owners advertise what they sell by hanging their product from the top of a long bamboo pole at the bow. More interestingly, smaller boats sell local breakfast dishes like Bun Rieu,  Banh Mi, coconut water and even lottery tickets.

Head to rice noodle factory for visit next.  It is a good place to learn steps of making the noodles from soaking the grains of rice in water to sun drying on bamboo racks and machine cut into noodles. Transferred back to Ho Chi Minh city for 1hour flight to Dalat city. Upon arrival, tour guide and driver will greet and escort to the city center help with check-in hotel.

   Meals: Breakfast / lunch 
   Accommodation: Da Lat

City tour begins with visit to the city’s bustling central market, renowned for its fresh vegetables and fruit that is rarely found in a tropical country. 

Visit Bao Dai's Summer Palace that sits on a hilltop just outside the main centre. The art deco building was built between 1933-1938 as summer retreat for Vietnam’s last Emperor and his family. 

Then take cable enjoyable car ride departing from Robin Hill above pine forest to Truc Lam pagoda - the largest Institute of Meditation in Vietnam. The city’s largest pagoda is set amidst pine forests right by the tranquil Tuyen Lam Lake and is divided into 3 zones: a zone for the monks, a zone for the nuns and a zone for visitors. 

Lunch break prior to next stop at the Hang Nga House, also known as “Crazy House”, a unique piece of art by Madam Viet Nga, a contemporary architect.

Move onto Dalat's crémaillere (cog railway) train station, which was built by the French from early 20th century to link Dalat and Thap Cham. The railroad’s operation stopped in 1972 due to fierce war. But in 1991, 7km railroad was rebuilt for tourism purpose.  Here you can admire the Art Deco style of the station and take a 30-minute train ride to Trai Mat, where you will  explore Linh Phuoc Pagoda, a striking pagoda decorated with a mosaic of glass, pottery, and porcelain.

   Meals: Breakfast / lunch 
   Accommodation: Da Lat

This morning, take 3hours scenic drive to the coastal city of Nha Trang. Drive on a panoramic route down a lush mountain pass the coastal plains of Central Vietnam. Your journey  is through highland crops of coffee, tea and vegetables to that of tobacco, grapes and rice as the road descends into a dry climate. Arrival in Nha Trang by noon. Lunch break at local restaurant. 

Start afternoon tour with visit to Po Nagar temples - spectacular Cham architecture. The temples were built the 7th and 12th centuries and situated on hilltop of mount Cu Lao.  The Po Nagar Cham Towers are part of a sacred Hindu site that dates back to the 2nd Century AD but now both Hindu Cham & Buddhist Vietnamese come to practice their own religion. Then depart to Long Son Pagoda, with its enormous white Buddha statue. Visit to vivid Dam market before enjoying free time. 

   Meals: Breakfast / lunch 
   Accommodation: Nha Trang

After breakfast, make short drive to Cau Da pier to board private cruise boat as to explore couple of islands dotted offshore.  First stop is Mun island where you can jump into crystal lear waters and do snorkeling or scuba diving  to see fish as well as colorful corals. Then continue to Lang Chai for sightseeing.  Head to Tam island where your boats anchors for lunch.  You are free to partaking in the exciting watersports here or relaxing on the beach. 

Mid afternoon, the boat takes you back to the pier. Embark 20 minutes drive to Thap Ba hot spring, which is well known for hot mud soaking, temperate aquatic therapy and many more. Get back to the hotel late afternoon. Free at leisure.

   Meals: Breakfast / lunch 
   Accommodation: Nha Trang

Today, free discovering the city your self.  Check out of hotel room by noon. Our tour guide and driver will come to transfer you back to the airport for your departure flight.

   Meals: Breakfast