Best Of The South Vietnam – Part 1

Vietnam is an exhilarating country to travel. Vibrant street life, exquisite food and epic landscapes await you here. A nation on the move, Vietnam balances cool urban culture with traditional values. In the cities, ancient pagodas squat just around the corner from sleek rooftop bars; and in the countryside, life still follows the rhythms of the rivers and the rice harvest. This contrast between old and new Vietnam is a big part of its appeal. Another great reason to visit Vietnam is its diverse natural beauty. The capital of Hanoi is your gateway to the treasures of the north: spectacular mountains and bays studded with karsts. In the south, Ho Chi Minh City will entice you with its captivating streets (just watch out for those motorcycles). Let’s make your journey an unforgettable one! Let’s explore the beauty of Vietnam together!

Detailed program:

Day 01: Ho Chi Minh city (Meals: )

Ho Chi Minh City arrival, welcome and transfer to hotel

Landing at the Tan Son Nhat airport, you are welcomed by a professional tour guide and driver at the pickup lobby. On the 30-minute drive from the airport to the city center, your tour guide will introduce you to the highlights of the city, and share the experiences of eating and drinking, traffic, culture….

On arrival, transfer to your hotel.

Note: Hotel check in time at 14.00

Day 02: Ho Chi Minh city (Meals: )

Saigon City full day tour: Independence palace, Walking tour, Binh Tay market, Fito Museum

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 preserved in their late 1960s, 1970s style and a bunker basement.

Continue by a leisurely walking 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 take 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 actual 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 the 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 to visit Quan Am Pagoda, one of the oldest pagodas in the 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.

End of the day, drop you back to hotel

Day 03: Ho Chi Minh city – Tay Ninh – Ho Chi Minh city (Meals: )

Special excursion to Cu Chi tunnels, visiting Cao Dai temple

8:00 AM: Leave 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 a local restaurant then transfer back to the hotel in the afternoon.

Day 04: Ho Chi Minh city – Ben Tre (Meals: )

From Saigon to Mekong discovery: Boat trip & biking in Ben Tre, visiting typical craft village, interact local people, garden tour, overnight in a homestay

8:00 AM: Pick up 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 with elephant ear fish is served in the village. A short walk will help 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. Disembark Ben Tre for a 1-hour transfer to Cai Lay. Upon your arrival, get warmly welcomed by the host of homestay. Take part in making Banh Xeo Nam Bo (a traditional dish in the region) with your host.

Have dinner and stay overnight in Cai Lay.

Read more: Best Of The South Vietnam – Part 2

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