Southern Essence of Vietnam

Arrive in Ho Chi Minh City, welcome by our guide and transfer to hotel for check in. 

Ho Chi Minh City formerly named Saigon is the largest city and economic center of Vietnam always bustled with activities of modern life. It is where businesses converge and shoppers indulge themselves into unlimited choices. However the city also carries with it a rich historical legacy in contrast with its dazzling glamor.

Afternoon, take a half-day city tour to visit Saigon Notre-Dame Basilica, a neo-Roman cathedral built by the colonial French with materials entirely imported from Marseilles, Saigon Central Post Office, which was designed and constructed in the early 20th Century by the famous French architect Gustave Eiffel, end of the day shopping at Ben Thanh Market.

Today included: Private transportation with English speaking guide, 02 bottles of mineral water per pax on coach, Hotel accommodation.

Morning, take a half-day city tour to visit the War Remnants Museum, which features an extensive collection of exhibits including weaponry, photos and documentation on Vietnam’s wars with the French and Americans, and the Reunification Palace the South Vietnam President’s residence and symbol of the Southern Administration’s reign until end of April 1975.

Afternoon, free time for shopping at Saigon Square center, the Ben Thanh Market, which was built by the French in 1870 and originally named Les Halles Centrales. The market whose main entrance clock tower is a city’s symbol, features one-way aisles lined with vendor stands offering cheap goods for sale such as postcards, t-shirts, silk, bamboo and lacquer ware.

Today included: Private transportation with English speaking guide, entrance fee, 02 bottles of mineral water per pax on coach, Hotel accommodation. 

Morning, transfer to Tay Ninh province, 99 km Northwest of Ho Chi Minh City to visit the Great Temple also known as The Holy See Temple of a rare religion named Cao Dai native to the province. Cao Dai was established in 1926 as a monotheistic religion with its name meaning “Way of the Highest Lord” and its symbol of the left eye standing for Highest Lord’s clairvoyant power and wisdom. However it incorporates some aspects of Buddhism, Taoism, Confucianism and even Catholicism. The Great Temple, which was built in 1933, has a unique cross-architectural style akin to the religion’s blended nature.

Afternoon, continue to discover the Cu Chi Tunnels which was once a major underground hideout and resistance base of Viet Cong forces during the two wars against the French and later on Americans. The tunnels, entirely hand-dug, formed a highly intricate network of interlinked multilevel passageways at times stretched as far as the Cambodian border and totaling over 120 km in length. Its complexity was beyond imagination containing meeting rooms, kitchens, wells, clinics, schools, depots, trenches and emergency exits all aimed for guerrilla warfare. The tunnels were deep and strong enough to withstand destructive bombings and self-contained enough to outlast prolonged sieges. Back to Ho Chi Minh City

Today included: Private transportation with English speaking guide, entrance fee, 02 bottles of mineral water per pax on coach, Hotel accommodation.

Morning, pickup at your hotel to transfer about 136 km to Vinh Long, a riverside town in the vast Mekong Delta, the world’s largest delta. Take a boat cruise to lively Cai Be floating market where sellers and buyers bargain and exchange goods from their boats. Proceed through a fascinating maze of shady canals to Hoa Binh Phuoc Island. Beautiful landscape of zigzag canals, lush vegetation, peaceful villages and activities of rural life will make you a delightful sight. There on the island, visit some local farmers’ homes, interact with warm-hearted hosts and learn about their trades of bonsai gardening, tile and ceramic production and rice paper and coconut candy making. Return to Ho Chi Minh City late afternoon and enjoy your free evening

Today included: Private transportation with English speaking guide, entrance fee, boat fee, 2 bottles of mineral water per pax, Hotel accommodation.

Free at leisure until guide and take you back to airport for departure flight.