Southern Vietnam has many of its own unique charms that make it a fascinating destination.  In this 6-day tour, you will be afforded fabulous insights into the timeless beauty and traditional charms of Southern Vietnam.

SOUTHERN VIETNAM EXPLORER ITINERARY

DAY 1: HO CHI MINH CITY ARRIVAL 

Upon arrival to Ho Chi Minh City (Tan Son Nhat International Airport) you will be picked up and transferred by private car through the city to your hotel for check-in (hotel rooms are available for mid-afternoon check-in).
Ho Chi Minh City, or Saigon, is a pulsating city home to glittering skyscrapers, vibrant nightlife and chic fashion. Yet juxtaposed amid this dynamism is also a city filled with grandiose colonial architecture, wide tree-lined boulevards and ladies in conical hats peddling their wares along the streets. Free and easy.
Stay overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.

DAY 2: HO CHI MINH CITY TOUR (B, L)

Depart your hotel at 08h00 for a full day tour of Ho Chi Minh City. Head to Cholon, the city’s Chinatown district, discover the markets and shops of the area, and also the Cantonese Thien Hau Pagoda – dedicated to the goddess of the Sea. Next visit the FITO Museum, Vietnam’s first traditional medicine museum, displaying an amazing collection of 3,000 items relevant to the development of traditional Vietnamese medicine, implements used to prepare indigenous herbs, objects commonly found in traditional pharmacies as well as ancient books and documents on traditional Vietnamese medicine.
Head back into the centre of the city to visit Ben Thanh Market where an incredible display of fresh produce is offered. Simply stroll through the market seeing and enjoying the variety of goods for sale.

This afternoon visit the War Remnants or History Museum (choose which one you would most like to see) and the former Presidential Palace, from there stroll (your vehicle will be available at all times) to the major sights of colonial Ho Chi Minh City: the Old Saigon Post Office, Dong Khoi Street (formerly Rue Catinat), Continental Hotel, Opera House and City Hall. At the end of the afternoon head back to your hotel.
Stay overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.

DAY 3: HO CHI MINH CITY – CAO DAI TEMPLE – CU CHI TUNNELS – HO CHI MINH CITY (B, L)

Depart Ho Chi Minh City at 08h00 in the morning for the drive to Tay Ninh. Leaving the city behind, the scenery changes to views of rice paddies, villagers drying noodles by the side of the road and other scenes typical to southern Vietnam.

At Tay Ninh visit the Cao Dai Great Temple, with architecture that could have come straight from a Walt Disney fantasy and where all the major faiths of the world blend together in a unique religious cocktail.
After lunch in a local restaurant visit the famous Cu Chi Tunnels which consist of an incredible underground tunnel network constructed by Vietnamese resistance fighters (Viet Cong) during both the French and American wars. Start the visit with the Ben Dinh or Ben Duoc sections of the tunnel. Here you can imagine what it was like to be a guerrilla complete with Russian Carbine rifles and AK 47’s on display. In the late afternoon journey back to Ho Chi Minh City.
Stay overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.

DAY 4: HO CHI MINH CITY – MEKONG EXCURSION: MY THO – BEN TRE – CAN THO (B, L, D)

This morning, depart at 08h30 from the southern economic hub of Ho Chi Minh City to the area referred locally as “the rice bowl of Vietnam”.
On arrival at My Tho, visit Vinh Trang pagoda, then head to My Tho boat station where you will board the local boat for a cruise among the aptly named Dragon, Unicorn, Turtle and Phoenix Islands. Enjoy a leisurely boat ride along Tien River, view stilt houses, fruit plantations and fishing villages along the river bank.
Continue on a smaller rowing boat for a more adventurous cruise on the Xep Canal which is set amongst a forest of palm trees.
After the boat trip, take a ride on a horse driven cart along country roads to the famed garden for a honey tasting session. Enjoy seasonal fruit & honey tea to the sound of “Southern Vietnamese folk music”, performed by the locals.
Keep cruising on a hand-rowed sampan under the shade of the water coconut trees along natural canals.
Embark once more by boat to Turtle Island then visit a family business which epitomizes the idyllic rural lifestyle, taste delicious coconut candy & observe the pastoral life as you roam through fruit plantations and villages. Lunch will be served with a selection of Mekong delicacies.
After lunch have a short cycling tour (if time permitted) then back to the boat station where you will be picked up and transferred to Can Tho. Check in on arrival. Free time to visit bustling Can Tho market. Have dinner at a local restaurant.
Stay overnight at hotel in Can Tho.

DAY 5: CAI RANG FLOATING MARKET – HO CHI MINH CITY (B, L)

Take a leisurely boat trip to explore the picturesque tributaries of the Lower Mekong river (Bassac River), then proceed to visit Cai Rang floating market which is the liveliest in the whole religion.

Have you ever tasted Vietnamese vermicelli soup? Well, now go and see how it is made. Then wander around the village and meet the friendly local people and experience how to cross a “Monkey bridge” which is built by only one stem of bamboo. Visit the orchard garden, taste some fresh fruits.
After lunch at a local restaurant heading back to Ho Chi Minh City where you will arrive late this afternoon.
Stay overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.

DAY 6: HO CHI MINH CITY DEPARTURE (B) 

Breakfast at the hotel. Day free to relax, shop, or continue sightseeing on your own. Pick up from your hotel for transfer to Tan Son Nhat Airport for international flights or a domestic extension.

If hotel and other travel arrangements are required, please contact us.

PACKAGE INCLUDES:
• Private tours with English speaking guide for the entire trip except leisure time
• Air conditioned private transportation & Airport transfers
• Entrance fee to any applicable tourist sites
• Boat trip on Mekong River
• Cold water and towel during the trip
• Meals as indicated (B=Breakfast, L=Lunch)
• Accommodation in a shared twin or shared double room

PACKAGE EXCLUDES:
• Vietnam visa
• Optional tours
• Surcharges for other language guides
• Personal travel insurance
• Personal expenditure, such as drinks, souvenirs, laundry, camera fees, communications, postage, gratuities etc…
• Meals and services other than mentioned in the program
• Drinks with meals
• Early check-in and late check-out at hotels, if not mentioned in the program
• Air tickets not mentioned in the program and above quotation
• Single supplement surcharge for solo travelers

NOTES ON OUR PRICES:
– Prices shown are  for private arrangements based on two people travelling together and sharing a room. Single supplement applies to solo travellers who occupy a single room.
– Prices may vary according to your travel time and are higher in the high season, e.g. Christmas period (Dec 24-26), New Year period (Dec 31-Jan 02) and Public holidays of Vietnam.
– For additional hotel night cost to the packages, please contact us for the rates.
– Upgrades available to stay at a 4-star or 5-star hotel, please contact us for more details. Additional costs will be applied.

– This tour package can be fully customizable to fit your travel plan. You can also disregard full package tours and choose whatever travel items you need we can quote the tours you really want. Usually travel insurance is not covered in our quotations.
– Itinerary Change to the confirmed itinerary may happen because of traffic, weather, or any other conditions not under our control such as war, strike, fire, acts of government, riot, etc. We will do our best to make sure that all the travel will be similar. Go Viet Travel can substitute the itinerary upon your agreement.
– Transportation and Restaurants: The cars, vans or coaches for the land transportation should be in good shape with air conditioner. All restaurants should be tidy and clean.