7 Days Beauty of Southern Vietnam

In the morning, we begin our sightseeing around Vietnam’s largest and busiest city with a visit to the imposing Notre Dame Cathedral, built between 1886 and 1890. From here we will visit the French-style Central Post Office, where we will be able to purchase some stamps to put on our postcards to send home.

We continue to the Reunification Palace. This was the scene for the final stages of the American War in Vietnam when a North Vietnamese tank bulldozed through the gates and a soldier ran to the fourth floor of the palace to raise a North Vietnamese flag from its balcony.

Next we visit the emotional War Remnants Museum where sensitive photographs and infantry weapons are on display. As it is a self-explanatory museum, we will have time to walk around on our own. Please be aware that some of the remnants and photographs on display at this museum may be confronting and upsetting for some group members.

In the afternoon, we will drive to Cholon, the Chinatown of Saigon; here we will visit the beautiful Thien Hau Pagoda, dedicated to the Goddess of the sea. If there is time, you will be able to explore Ben Thanh Market for some bargains later this afternoon.

• Overnight: in Ho Chi Minh City.
• Meal Included: Breakfast at hotel.
• Accommodation: 3, 4, 5 stars hotels as mentioned or similar.

After an early breakfast you’ll avoid the city heat to visit the headquarters of Cao Dai religious sect which is located in Tay Ninh. This religion was founded in 1923 and now numbers over 2 million members. It’s an unusual religion with an eclectic mix of different saints from different religions and has Victor Hugo and Charlie Chaplin as patron saints.

Afterwards, visit the Cu Chi Tunnels, an incredible underground network constructed by Vietnamese fighters during the long struggle for independence. The tunnels contained hospitals, plus accommodation and schools, and were used as a military base for the Viet Cong in the American war.

Transfer back to Saigon for your stay.

• Overnight: in Ho Chi Minh City.
• Meal Included: Breakfast at hotel.
• Accommodation: 3, 4, 5 stars hotels as mentioned or similar.

Departing from hotel and arriving in My Tho, take a motorboat on the upper part of the Mekong River (Tien River) to see the fish market and the floating fish farm. Enjoy the view of Dragon, Phoenix, Unicorn, and Turtle islands as well.

Arrive Unicorn Island, visit orchards and bee farms to taste pure honey and honey wine, take a walk around the fruit garden: taste the seasonal fruits as you enjoy a traditional South Vietnamese musical performance.

Cross the Mekong River to Bến Tre province. Enter Rạch Xếp natural canal, which is fully covered with water coconuts. Visit Nam Bo house (traditional Southern Vietnamese houses) by horse carriage (or Tuk tuk ) and stop by a coconut candy mill to indulge in this tasty snack while seeing how it is made.

Enjoy a memorizing rowing boat trip through small canals under the shadow of coconut palms.

Enjoy a Vietnamese lunch at local restaurant (own expense)
Transfer to Can Tho for your stay.

• Overnight: in Can Tho.
• Meal Included: Breakfast at hotel.
• Accommodation: 3, 4, 5 stars hotels as mentioned or similar.

Have an early breakfast at the hotel and checking out the room.

06:30AM – 07:00AM Being at a wharf to board a motorboat for sightseeing the Cai Rang Floating Market which is the biggest and most colorful floating market in the Mekong Delta’s region.

In the very early morning, the river has become a busy commercial site where hundreds of boats packed with fruits, vegetables, plants, and foods… line along the river and are ready for trading. Sellers will hang samples of what they are selling on the top of a long pole on their boats so that buyers can see from a distance what sellers are selling.

After the Cai Rang market, continuing cruising through small creeks to a local orchard and enjoying tropical seasonal fruits (included).

Disembark at Ninh Kieu quay then travel by land to Chau Doc, on the way we will pass Thot Not to visit Bang Lang Bird Sanctuary or Crocodile Farm. On arrival at Chau Doc, visit the Sam Mountain to enjoy the breath-taking view and enjoy the sunset on the top of Sam Mountain.

• Overnight: in Chau Doc.
• Meal Included: Breakfast at hotel.
• Accommodation: 3, 4, 5 stars hotels as mentioned or similar.

This morning, taking a a transfer to visit Tra Su Forest. After sitting on a motorboat around 20 minutes to contemplate the natural sights, you will take to the rowing sampan (about half hour) to watch birds (seasonal) and enjoy the most beautiful flooded forest in Vietnam.

Afterwards, get back to the motorboat and reach inner the forest. Take 500-meter walking to get to the 25-meter observation post to enjoy the fascinating view over the mountain in the area, the expanses of cajeput forest and the white dots of flying storks. Take an amazing longest bamboo walking bridge in the forest in Vietnam which give you much time to feel the beauty of the nature, then return to Ho Chi Minh City.

• Overnight: in Ho Chi Minh City.
• Meal Included: Breakfast at hotel.
• Accommodation: 3, 4, 5 stars hotels as mentioned or similar.

Depending on your departure time there is some free time to relax or further explore Saigon on your own before a transfer to Tân Sơn Nhất airport you’re your departure flight. Trip ends at the airport.

• Meal Included: Breakfast at hotel.