Day 1, Arrival in Saigon

Arrival in Saigon. – Welcome to Vietnam!

Vietnam is rapidly developing but holds onto the charming traditions and culture which make it such a fascinating holiday destination. History has left its mark on Vietnam by way of Chinese, French and American influence.

Your guide and driver will meet and transfer you by air-conditioned vehicle to your hotel. The driving distance is approximately 20 minutes, subject to the traffic.

The standard check-in time is 14:00. Early check-in is not included and subject to hotel availability.

Overnight in Saigon
Meals: –

Saigon

Saigon, a city of vibrant history and culture, offers a fascinating glimpse into Vietnam’s past. Begin your tour at Reunification Palace, the historic site where the Vietnam War ended in 1975. Now a museum, it showcases period rooms and war-time relics. A short walk brings you to the Notre Dame Cathedral (under renovation and outside visit only), a 19th-century church popular for wedding photos, and the iconic French colonial Post Office.

Next, we’ll learn more about the war in the War Remnants Museum where harrowing photos and memorabilia are guaranteed to provoke strong emotions.

We’ll head out to Cholon, the historic Chinatown district to discover colonial-era gems, the exotic Chinatown, French churches, and the enchanting Thien Hau Pagoda temples and vivacious street life.

Overnight in Saigon
Meals: Breakfast

Saigon – Ben Tre

At designated time, our private car and guide will pick you up from your own residence in Saigon for a 3 hr scenic drive to the Mekong Delta.

Arrive in a peaceful village, hidden under hundreds of coconut palm trees. Welcome to a charming local home composed of several bungalows, set in a tropical garden and on the Mekong riverbank. Fresh coconut juice will be served, then check in your room. Take rest for a while then depart with a member of the family for an introduction to the local fishing. Return to the restaurant at the end of the afternoon and participate in a cooking class: “Bánh xèo” –

Vietnamese pancake made from rice milk. Dinner is ready to serve with fresh dishes include local vegetable, ingredients and flavors cooked in local style such as: caramelized pork, fish soup, spring roll… After dinner, relax by lemongrass and ginger foot bath, a local therapeutic method to relieve the pain and fatigue of the legs.

Note: Hotel check-in time is 14h00; early check-in can be arranged at additional cost.

Overnight in Ben Tre
Meal(s): Breakfast, Dinner

Ben Tre

After breakfast, you will cruise along the Ham Luong River visiting small factories that provide an insight into how the local economy works. Stops include a coconut processing workshop where you can sample fresh coconut and see how every single part of this versatile nut is turn ed into food and other products, and a broom making family, where brooms are making using a coconut leaves – you can even have a go at weaving yourself! Stop at a peaceful village for a short walk to see more of local life in the community before travelling by bicycle or xe loi, a design of cyclo used only in the Delta, before taking a rowing boat along narrow canals back to the main boat. Return to the Mekong Home then have lunch. The remaining of the day is at your leisure.

Overnight in Ben Tre
Meal(s): Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Ben Tre – Can Tho

Enjoy your breakfast. After that, start cycling trip (from 2 hours to 2.5 hours) to the island of Oc on a concrete track, lined with fruit trees and coconut trees. On the way, pass by the local market where various of local ingredients as vegetable, meat, fruits, are sold. Subject to availability, visit a workshop of baskets made of coconut stems and a coconut processing operation. You will have chance to interact with workshop owner on different braiding techniques. Then return to the bicycles and cross a local Mekong River ferry to reach the island. From there, cycling on small paths dotted with small huts hidden in lush vegetation while seeing the daily life of the inhabitants of Mekong Delta, governed by artisanal and agriculture activities. Stop at a fish farm, to know more about two species of catfish: ca tra (Pangasius hypophthalmus) and ca as a (Pangasius bocourti), raised in ponds. These catfish are the two main species of fish production in Vietnam. Back to your lodge for checking out and our private car is waiting to take you to Can Tho.

Lunch at local restaurant on the way to Can Tho.

Overnight in Ben Tre
Meal(s): Breakfast, Lunch

Can Tho – Cai Rang – Soc Trang- Can Tho

The merchants have a great way of showing off their wares at the Cai Rang Floating Market. They simply hang a sample off the top of a long pole! We’ll explore by boat so we can get close up photos of the colorful boats piled high with seasonal vegetables and tropical fruits. And we can mingle among the merchants as they trade from boat to boat.

Drive to Soc Trang , a predominantly Khmer town. The Khmer Museum and a visit to the Chua Dat Set (clay pagoda) and the Bat Pagoda offer insight into its history.

Lunch at local restaurant.

Overnight in Can Tho
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Can Tho – Chau Doc

You travel to Chau Doc near the Cambodian border. Chau Doc is a riverside trading town and was once known for its boat races. En route, you head to the Tra Su Forest , located 25 km northeast of the Mekong River. The forest has an international reputation as an attractive destination for ecological and scientific research trips in the Mekong Delta. It is home to 70-80 species of birds and 11 other species of animals. The flora is equally lush, with 140 species, the second largest number of plant species in the Mekong Delta. Enjoy a boat ride on the small canal to observe birds and large fruit bats hanging from the trees. In the afternoon, take a relaxing boat ride to the floating fish farm to meet the fish farmers and watch them feed their fish. Continue to the Cham Village, a Muslim village, to learn about the culture of the Cham people and visit a weaving factory. You explore the village, get to know its people and watch the weavers at work.

Lunch at local restaurant.

Overnight in Chau Doc
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Can Tho – Cai Rang – Soc Trang- Can Tho

On the way to Saigon, you’ll experience the still-original town of Sa Dec. There’s much to marvel at in this sleepy place: stroll through the old market, which dates back to the colonial era and captivates with its beautiful architecture. Numerous old colonial villas and Chinese merchant houses give the town its own charm. One of these houses belonged to the main character in Marguerite Duras’ autobiographical novel “The Lover”. The building has been renovated without losing its traditional character and is now a museum, which you’ll also visit.

Lunch at local restaurant.

Overnight in Saigon
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Departure from Saigon

Free leisure until private transfer to airport for departure flight.

Meals: Breakfast

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