Starting in the bustling city of Saigon, you’ll explore historical landmarks and delve into the fascinating Cu Chi Tunnels. Then, set off for the picturesque Mekong Delta, cruising through tranquil rivers, visiting floating markets, and soaking in the peaceful beauty of the countryside. From the vibrant Can Tho to the lively streets of Saigon, this tour offers a perfect blend of cultural exploration and natural wonders, ensuring a memorable and enriching experience.
Saigon SGN Tan Son Nhat Airport (flight details tbc).
Meet you outside of the arrivals hall and private transfer to the city, which takes around 45 minutes. Check in hotel then free at your leisure.
Your guide will be with you for this transfer
We’ll begin with a short orientation tour (walking / driving) of Old Saigon Streets and Iconic Buildings. Appreciate the splendidly restored exteriors of the Opera House and the former Hotel de Ville which are still two of the finest buildings in Saigon.
Wander up to the Notre Dame Cathedral, a red brick edifice with twin spires based on the original construction from Paris. Then head across the square to the Central Post office, designed by the French architect, Gustav Eiffel before he had risen to fame for the Eiffel Tower.
WARTIME SAIGON
We begin this story with a visit to The Reunification Palace (former Presidential Palace), the headquarters of the Saigon Government during the American war and reveals the history of Saigon during its turbulent recent past.
This is the location where the two North Vietnamese army tanks crushed the gates of the palace on 30th April 1975 and signaled the end of the conflict, by taking the surrender from Duong Van Minh, who had been president of South Vietnam for only three days.
We’ll continue to visit the site of the wartime offices of the US Information Service (USIS). This is now The War Remnants Museum (formerly known as the Museum of American War Crimes). This museum is a disturbing experience. It graphically recounts the Vietnam War from the perspective of the victors. The Requiem gallery, depicting the images taken by many international War Photographers during the conflict, is especially graphic and moving.
ONWARD TO THE WARTIME
Cu Chi is about 40 km northwest and around one and a half hours drive. The Cu Chi Tunnels are an elaborate underground community made up of about 250 km of tunnels and chambers below the city. The tunnels were dug with simple tools and bare hands during the French occupation in the 1940s, and further expanded during the Vietnam War in the 1960s to provide refuge and a defensive advantage over the American soldiers.
Despite all the bombings in their town, the Cu Chi people were able to continue day-to-day living beneath the soil, where they slept, ate, planned attacks, healed their sick, and taught their young. Some even wed and gave birth underground, but over 10,000 lost their lives here.
NOTE: Depending on season, we may visit Cu Chi in the morning and the city in the afternoon.
Start today no later than 7.30 am for our day exploration of the Mekong Delta.
Driving around 2.5 hours to the small Delta town of Cai Be. Here the Tien River forms the border between Tien Giang, Vinh Long and Ben Tre Provinces.
We’ll cruise by the former small floating market. Nowadays, this is primarily a wholesale market, and there maybe a few traders moored. Their boats have usually have a bamboo pole, with a sample of the produce they sell, tied to the top – to indicate to buyers.
Lunch will be taken en-route on one of the Delta islands. Visit local gardens and houses to see orchards, rice crisped producing process etc.
Cruise along the river and canals of An Binh island to see the peaceful and tranquil life of local villagers, admiring the marvelous natural setting of the Mekong Delta region.
Around 3 pm, the boat will arrive at Vinh Long, where you have a chance to explore the land market before the 45 minutes drive to Can Tho, which will be your overnight stay.
After check-in at your hotel, take a guided orientation walk along the riverside.
Later, you may wish to explore this lively area yourself. There are a number of restaurants, street food vendors and an authentic local night market, all within walking distance.
A visit to Cai Rang floating market on a small boat from Can Tho is a definite Mekong Delta highlight. It’s one of the most photogenic spots in southern Vietnam. Floating markets have long thrived in the delta since they’re the most convenient way for traders who transport everything on the river, to trade their wares.
Cai Rang market is best visited very early. Leave Can Tho at around 7am to arrive at the market around 8am when things will be in full swing with hundreds small boats converging to buy and sell.
Stopping by Le Binh market on the way back to Can Tho is recommended. It’s a superbly chaotic local market with plenty of the delta’s fish bounty on display alongside fruits and vegetables.
For the remainder of today – it’s a flexible day of touring depending on your interests. We can use a mixture of transport including private boat, bicycle, walking and car.
The Ong Temple enjoys an especially scenic setting, overlooking the river banks, and is to be found within the Guangzhou Assembly Hall. Dating back to the latter part of the 19th century, this religious landmark is especially interesting and was constructed as a place where locals could worship Kuang Kung, the Chinese God of War.
Constructed in the mid-1940s, the Munirangsyaram Pagoda is a little gem in the centre of the city and was built for the local Khmer community. This Khmer Theravada Buddhist pagoda has some fantastic ornamentation and a noticeable lack of Taoist spirit decorations, which are so commonplace in pagodas of the Vietnamese Mahayana style.
Then, we will explore the historic Binh Thuy Ancient House, offering a glimpse into the region’s rich past.
Having breakfast and checking -out, mid-morning we’ll drive back to Saigon, taking around 4 hours with a stop along the way, arriving into Saigon by mid-afternoon and check-in to your hotel. Relax at your hotel án you will join a fantastic Back of the Bike street food tour in the evening.
EVENING STREET-FOOD AND DRINKS WITH THE LOCALS ( Small Group)
Experience Saigon the local way! You will ride on the back of typical Saigon transportation – the xe-om (motorbike)…
With an experienced driver to get away from the main tourist spots and see the ‘real Saigon’. Our night time Vietnamese food tour will take us through Districts 1,3,5 and 10 of this energetic city.
We will be visiting local Vietnamese Street food vendors on the pavement or in small local Vietnamese style restaurants so please be prepared to be outdoors in the open air for most of the tour unless the weather in Vietnam decides to not cooperate.
Guests will be paired with an English-speaking Vietnamese guide from a local university who will be with them through the whole tour to help explain all of the Vietnamese food as you spend your evening in a unique and highly enjoyable way.
The atmosphere is light and fun with a focus on enjoying great Vietnamese food. It is truly like going to a dinner party with local Vietnamese, except this one moves!
Included in this small-group tour:
Unlimited Food and Drink, Helmet, Rain Poncho, English Speaking Drivers, Tour Leaders, Security and Support Team, $2,500 Accident
Insurance Coverage
Tour starts at 18:00 and finishes around 22:00
Private transfer to Ho Chi Minh – Tan Son Nhat Airport (flight details tbc).. Your guide will be with your transfer.
This service marks the conclusion of your 6-day, 5-night journey.