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Ho Chi Minh City (commonly known as Saigon) is a city in southern Vietnam famous for the pivotal role it played in the Vietnam War.
It’s also known for its French colonial landmarks, including Notre-Dame Cathedral, made entirely of materials imported from France, and the 19th-century Central Post Office. Food stalls line the city’s streets, especially around bustling Bến Thành Market.
3 Hours Before Flight Time
Day 1 Saigon (HCMC) arrival
Day 2 Full day city visit & Cu Chi Tunnels
Day 3 Full day Mekong delta excursion (Ben Tre)
Day 4 Saigon departure
GENERAL REMARK:
– There will be surcharge for period of National Holidays and New Year as well as TET (Lunar New Year).
o 20 December – 10 January
o Compulsory gala dinner on 24 Dec & 31 Dec at some hotels.
o Tet (Vietnamese Lunar New Year): last week or January – first week of February
You will meet your guide on arrival Saigon airport, be transferred and check-in to your hotel. During the drive your guide will provide an introduction to Saigon, answer any questions you have. Enjoy free time for the remainder of the first day.
Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) in southern Vietnam is a sprawling metropolis of ten million people. Formally renamed Ho Chi Minh City in 1975 at the end of the Vietnam-American war, locals still refer to Saigon. With thousands of motorbikes zipping past luxury cars, French colonial buildings dwarfed by modern skyscrapers and traditionally dressed school girls riding bicycles past trendy city workers, Saigon is an exciting city of contrasts.
Saigon is a city that never sleeps and offers a plethora of great restaurants and bars catering to all tastes, from street food vendors to the rooftop bar at the Rex Hotel, where international correspondents covered the Vietnam War and where the U.S. military attaché’s press briefing was held daily and dubbed the “Five O’clock Follies”. Whatever your interests, be sure to ask your guide for personal recommendations.
Included meals: None
Accommodation in SAIGON
After breakfast at hotel, enjoy a two hour drive northwest of Saigon, through urbanized areas and typical lush southern Vietnamese countryside, to the famous Cu Chi tunnels. The incredible underground tunnel network was constructed by Vietnamese resistance fighters (Viet Cong) during their long struggle for independence. The tunnel complex was initially started in 1948 to protect the Viet Cong guerrillas from the French air and ground sweeps. The tunnels also served as communication routes, storage facilities for food and weapon caches as well as hospitals and living quarters for guerrilla fighters throughout the American war. A visit to the underground villages will provide a better understanding of the tunnels’ history, the hardship of life in the tunnels and the Vietnamese resilience during combat.
Return to Saigon and have time for own lunch (own account of lunch fee) before continuing the day activity with visiting Saigon’s historic landmarks.
The landmark Reunification Hall, formerly known as the Presidential Palace – the headquarters of the Saigon Government during the American war. It was towards this modern building that North Vietnamese resistance fighters tanks (Viet Cong) rolled on the morning of April 30, 1975 as Saigon fell. This fascinating building is filled with history still fresh in the minds of many.
Visit the War Remnants Museum which was formerly known as the Exhibition House of American War Crimes. The museums exhibitions include some disturbing photographs of the Vietnam War, a real guillotine, a simulated “tiger cage” prison and jars of deformed fetuses blamed on Agent Orange.
Transfer to Dong Khoi street, or Rue Catinat as it was known in the time of the French occupation, to discover some of the beautiful French colonial buildings built in the late 19th and early 20th century. 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. (It is only possible to visit inside when no service is being performed) 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.
Included meals: Breakfast
Accommodation in SAIGON
Depart your hotel this morning for a 1.5 hour drive heading south Ben Tre where referred locally as one of the biggest coconut tree orchards in Vietnam. Take in the lush surroundings of rice paddies and fruit farms alongside the highway as you leave behind the busy city.
Arrive at the waterfront pier and embark on an enjoyable motor boat excursion, take a glimpse at the Delta scenery, houses built on stilts and local fish farms along the way. Cruising among the islands named Dragon, Unicorn, Turtle and Phoenix Islands. You will stop along the way to discover how Vietnamese farmers work their rice fields and observe daily life of the villagers in the Mekong Delta. You will have the chance to see a family run-business where they make coconut candy directly in front of the pier.
Take short horse cart ride (or walking or biking) along country roads to a tropical orchard garden of a farmer for a tasting session of honey and some exotic fruits and a traditional folk song performance… Engage in a casual chat with your host and stroll through the garden to get an insight into daily farming life. Take some time to enjoy a leisurely walk through the village observing tropical gardens along the way. Continue discovering the Mekong by cruising the small canals and arroyos lined with palm and coconut trees.
Continue driving and stop en route at either Vinh Trang pagoda, which was built in 1849 and is one of the first pagodas to incorporate a mixture of Asian and European architectural features or a small, colorful Cao Dai temple which represents a synthesis of world religions. Lunch will be served at My Tho, taste some local delicacies before returning to Saigon mid-afternoon.
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation in SAIGON
Breakfast at hotel. Free at leisure.
Your guide and private car will meet you at the hotel and transfer you to the airport for your departure flight.
Please note that hotel check-out time is by noon 1200. Hotel late check-out is subject to hotel availability and with extra fee.
Included meals: Breakfast
Breakfast at hotel. Free at leisure.
Your guide and private car will meet you at the hotel and transfer you to the airport for your departure flight.
Please note that hotel check-out time is by noon 1200. Hotel late check-out is subject to hotel availability and with extra fee.
Included meals: Breakfast
