Discover Central and South Vietnam
Enjoy the best of Vietnam, just like a local! On this 8-day tour, you will see all of the must-see sights around Saigon and the surrounding areas. Get to know the history and the locals, as you learn about the rich culture of the Vietnamese people. Hop on a vintage Vespa in Saigon, as you explore the city and visit sights such as the Saigon Cathedral and Post Office. Try some of the best local cuisine on your Vespa street food tour. Outside of the city, learn about history in the Cu Chi Tunnels and enjoy the nature of the Mekong River as you embark on an overnight river cruise. Visit the Cai Be floating market, and learn to cook your own delicious Vietnamese meal in your cooking class. Meet the locals before relaxing on the beach at Hoian. Culture, history, and relaxation have never been such a perfect combination.
Services
Included:
- Accommodation in Twin Room at 4* hotels as listed, at good locations
- Private transfer by modern car
- Daily buffet breakfasts at hotel
- Lunch & dinners as described in the program at local restaurants
- Vespa tour in Saigon, all you can eat drinks and meal
- 2 days Mekong River cruise on Mekong Eyes Cruise
- Cooking class and biking tour in Hoian
- Experienced, English-speaking guide
- All entrance fees as described in the program
- Mineral water daily: 2 bottles/day
- Internal tourist insurance, with turnover 300.000 $USD
- Handmade gift
Excluded:
- Visa fees
- Domestic air tickets
Optional:
- Lantern making workshop in Hoian: 45 $USD per person
- Fishing tour in Hoian: 55 $USD per person
Itinerary at a Glance
Saigon
Land in Vietnam!
Saigon
Explore Saigon on a Vespa!
Can Tho
Feel the mighty Mekong
Cai Be
Get lost in the floating market
cu chi - Hoian
Experience Vietnam's history
Hoian
Cook your own Vietnamese meal
Hoian
Enjoy a relaxing massage in Hoian
Hoian - Saigon
Time to say Goodbye
Detailed Itinerary
Saigon
Day 1: Land in Vietnam!
Welcome to Saigon! Get your first taste of Vietnam as you land at the Tan Son Nhat airport. Upon arrival you will be greeted by our driver and taken to your hotel in downtown Saigon, the largest city in Vietnam. The rest of the day is yours to use as you wish. Get out on the town or just enjoy your hotel room.
Saigon
Day 2: Explore Saigon on a Vespa!
After breakfast, head out into the city - on a vintage Vespa scooter! Touring via Vespa gives you a personalized way to explore the city. Head first to the Chinese district, where you will visit the scent-filled flower market. You will get a chance to discover all of the must-see landmarks of the city, such as the Saigon Cathedral and Post Office, both of which were designed by famous French architect Gustave Eiffel, as well as the Reunification Palace. After lunch, continue to explore Saigon on your own. But be sure to be back for dinner! In the evening, embark on a foodie street food tour on your Vespa, and experience the nightlife like a local! Sample some of the best Vietnamese street food, try a variety of drinks, and end the evening with some live music.
Can Tho
Day 3: Feel the mighty Mekong
Today, head out of Saigon and move on to explore the mighty Mekong Delta. There is no better way to experience the river than taking a river cruise. After breakfast, you will be picked up from your hotel and transferred to your river boat. Upon arrival, meet your guide and enjoy a well-deserved lunch. In the afternoon, disembark as your cruise stops in villages and orchards along the river, where you can explore and sightsee. Return to your boat in the evening for refreshments as you enjoy the sunset. A delicious dinner will be served on board.
Cai Be
Day 4: Get lost in the floating market
Wake up to the second day of your river cruise as you feel the waters of the Mekong flow beneath your cabin. Enjoy breakfast with fresh fruits and tea as you float down the river and gaze upon its banks. After breakfast, hop into a long sampan and take an excursion to Cai Be floating market. Discover what goods the market vendors are hawking as you wind your way through the narrow canals in your sampan. Following your journey on the water, get back on land and grab your bicycle. Ride your bike along the backroads or walk to a small village along the Mekong canals. In the afternoon, travel back to Saigon. Upon arrival, you can relax in your hotel.
cu chi - Hoian
Day 5: Experience Vietnam's history
In the morning, depart from your hotel for an excursion to the Cu Chi Tunnels, a system of underground tunnels and an important base during wartime. In total, the tunnels are over 200 kilometers long, and were completely carved by hand. Explore the tunnels by hiking deep into the underground system as you learn about the important role the tunnels played in history. In the afternoon, return to Saigon for your afternoon flight to Hoian. Upon arrival, you will be taken to your hotel and the rest of the day is free to spend as you wish. If you like, explore the town, relax in a cafe or head directly to the beach to soak in some of the white sand.
Hoian
Day 6: Cook your own Vietnamese meal
Spend the day exploring peaceful Hoian and experiencing it as the locals do. Grab your bicycle and ride to Tra Que, a nearby village. Head to their vegetable village, where you can smell the fresh vegetables as they ripen. Learn about growing the vegetables from a local farmer, as you are introduced to how foods such as spring rolls and other local delicacies are made. Then, throw some veggies into the pan, as you enjoy a cooking class to learn how to make these delicious Vietnamese specialties yourself.
Afterward, move on to Bay Mau nipa palm forest by boat. Take a look at the low-roofed houses made from the nipa palm as you row through the canals. Learn about the lives of the farmers and fishermen of the area and join in some of their local activities. At the end of the afternoon, ride your bike back to your hotel in An Bang Beach.
Hoian
Day 7: Enjoy a relaxing massage in Hoian
Take a day off from exploring and relax. Why not enjoy a soothing massage at your hotel or at one of the many marvelous spas in town. You are into fashion? Get dresses tailor-made in town, they can be ready for you in less than 24 hours. Discover more of Hoian, go out for some delicious street food or indulge in people-watching in one of the many riverside cafes. Hoian also offers unique dining in decor-style restaurants. At night, return to your hotel to spend a last night in Vietnam.
Hoian - Saigon
Day 8: Time to say Goodbye
Today it is time to leave Vietnam. Your driver will take you to the airport in Hoian from where you take a flight to Saigon. Here you board your plane back home.
Your Vietnam adventure might be over, but there is so much more to discover. Come back soon, Vietnam will miss you!
