Southern Vietnam Highlights & Beach

📍 From Tan Son Nhat International Airport to hotel in HCMC (8km): 30mins

Ho Chi Minh City, still referred to as Saigon by the locals. Once known as the ‘Pearl of Indochina’, Saigon boasts an enormous architectural wealth, mirroring its colourful history. From the pagodas, museums and European architecture of the city’s recent past to the growing number of skyscrapers, Saigon is like a trip through time. 
 
Upon arrival to Ho Chi Minh City, be met by the guide and driver and transfer to the hotel.

The rest of the day is at leisure. 

Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City. 
 

Inclusions:

Today’s tour starts at 08:30. Meet with a local guide and start with a walking tour (depending on the season, this order might be changed) through the historic city center and CBD. See the architecturally splendid City Hall, historic Dong Khoi Street, the Continental Hotel and the Saigon Opera House. 

Then step off the main road into a historic building revolutionized by the city’s youth. Here, locally owned retail stores, coffee shops and art spaces offer a glimpse into the city’s creative  generation. If time allows, relax and enjoy a local coffee at one of the building’s cafe’s. 

Continue on foot to the Central Post Office. Here, you can also glimpse the former CIA building, where one of the last helicopter evacuations took place in 1975.   

Stroll through lovely 30 April Park to perhaps the city’s most famous landmark - the Reunification Palace. Now preserved in a time warp, the ‘war rooms’ in the basement plus the opulent display’s are fascinating.  

Finish up the day at another historic site, the Ben Thanh Market. Still functioning as a local neighborhood market, the central location also welcomes travelers with a variety of stalls. 
Having gained greater understanding of Saigon's culture and history, return to the hotel or the next destination. 

This evening at 18:00, get picked up from the hotel by your driver for an exciting scooter ride through the rush of Vietnam’s busiest city. Ride pillion through unassuming streets and alleys to witness an insider’s view of the Saigonese and their famed cuisine. 

Begin your culinary adventure with a visit to the go-to spot for sizzling ‘Banh Xeo’, a Vietnamese pancake, and bite-sized ‘Banh Khot’. Not only will you savor the crispy, flavorful dish that’s beloved by locals, but you’ll also have the opportunity to witness firsthand the culinary expertise of the skilled cook who prepares it with care. 

Continue through the backstreets and venture to a vibrant residential complex to witness the daily lives of locals. You’ll observe small apartments where three generations may reside under one roof, while neighbors converse and share stories of their day. Lively, colorful and vibrant, sit down for a seafood dinner, a well-loved meal among Saigonese. If fortunate, catch a glimpse of the charismatic owner. 

Once sated, take the lesser-known paths of the city to reach the bustling flower market that remains open round the clock. From there, make your way to a bustling night market nestled in a nearby residential complex, where the city's young and adventurous come to congregate. Join the locals sampling delectable savory bites or indulgent desserts if your taste buds are feeling tempted.

Finish up this two wheeled culinary adventure with a local equivalent of beef bourguignon soaked up with banh mi at an establishment that’s been in operation since 1975. To finish, and if the stomach allows, sample some of the Saigon’s best coconut ice cream.  Your scooter will then transport you back to the hotel where the tour ends.

Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.
 

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast, 🍗 Dinner

📍 Saigon - Cu Chi (50km): 1.5 hours

Depart early this morning at 08:00 to avoid the crowds at Cu Chi. Drive away from Ho Chi Minh City, through urban areas.

Spend a couple of hours walking around Cu Chi’s rugged grounds with a local guide. Hear how the residents constructed an intricate, underground network of tunnels during the country’s recent wars. Crawl underground (optional) and have a look at the tiny chambers, imagining what life was like for those who lived there. Once above ground, see other ingenious items used by the residents to defend themselves such as bamboo traps and camouflaged pits. 

Throughout the tour, the guide will explain the impact of war on the local community and the country as a whole. Following this insightful visit, journey back to Ho Chi Minh City. 

Note: In the hot season months, we recommend departing earlier than the suggested time, in order to avoid the heat.  

Rest of the day at leisure.  

Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City. 

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast

📍 HCMC to Ben Tre (100km): 2.5 hrs

Today’s tour starts at 08:00 with a pick up from the hotel in the city center. Leave the busy streets and modern buildings of Ho Chi Minh City behind to drive 2-hours south of the city to the verdant Mekong Delta. 

On arrival, board a local boat for a first glimpse of life on the Mekong Delta’s maze of waterways. See the life of locals and how they make their living on floating fish farms as the boat winds through the maze of canals.

En-route visit a small factory producing handicrafts made of coconut – a material found in abundance in the Mekong region. See a traditional folklore performance while relishing in some of the freshest tropical fruits the region has to offer.

As an option, switch gears and hop on a motor-tricycle, once the iconic vehicle and main means of transportation in southern Vietnam in the 1960s (Please note: motor-tricycle to be requested in advance). Explore the riverside promenade and narrow lanes to a lush garden. Taste the honey that is harvested by the residents and famous throughout Vietnam.

Get a closer look at delta life on a sampan boat, rowed through a hidden maze of small, waterpalm draped canals. Then, kick back and enjoy a delicious lunch featuring the unique flavours of Mekong Delta cuisine. 

Before returning to the big city, stop at Vinh Trang Pagoda. This massive Buddhist pagoda boasts impressive architecture and an incredible collection of statues, including a life-size jade image.

Return to Ho Chi Minh City late this afternoon, filled with fantastic memories of a day in the Delta.

Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.
 

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast, 🥘 Lunch

📍 HCMC to Phan Thiet (190km): 3 hours

This morning, leave Ho Chi Minh City by private transfer for the 3 hour drive to Phan Thiet. Closer to Phan Thiet, observe how the terrain changes to arid semi desert with cactus plants and exotic dragon fruit trees. 

Arrive in Phan Thiet in the late morning and check into the resort. Spend the rest of the day at leisure and relax by the pool or on the sandy beach. 

Overnight in Phan Thiet.
 

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast

A full day at leisure in the resort, or visit the nearby fishing village, sand dunes. For the more active, golfing, surfing, bodyboarding, and kitesurfing are available in the area.

Overnight in Phan Thiet. 

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast

A full day at leisure in the resort, or visit the nearby fishing village, sand dunes. For the more active, golfing, surfing, bodyboarding, and kitesurfing are available in the area.

Overnight in Phan Thiet. 

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast

📍 Phan Thiet to HCMC (190km): 3 hours

Spend the morning at leisure before checking out around noon and heading back to Ho Chi Minh City with the driver.
 

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast