SOUTHERN HIGHLIGHT OF VIETNAM

Arrive in Ho Chi Minh City, welcome by our guide and transfer to hotel for check in. Ho Chi Minh City formerly named Saigon is the largest city and economic center of Vietnam always bustled with activities of modern life. It is where businesses converge and shoppers indulge themselves into unlimited choices. However the city also carries with it a rich historical legacy in contrast with its dazzling glamor. In the afternoon, take a half-day city tour to visit Saigon Notre-Dame Basilica, a neo-Roman cathedral built by the colonial French with materials entirely imported from Marseilles or Tan Dinh (Pink Church), Saigon Central Post Office, which was designed and constructed in the early 20th Century by the famous French architect Gustave Eiffel. Dinner will be served at a well-known local restaurant.

Meals:

After breakfast, take a half-day tour to the Cu Chi Tunnels, 75 km Northwest of downtown Ho Chi Minh City, which were once a major underground hideout and resistance base of Viet Cong forces during the two wars against the French and later on Americans. The tunnels, entirely hand-dug, formed a highly intricate network of interlinked multilevel passageways at times stretched as far as the Cambodian border and totaling over 120 km in length. Its complexity was beyond imagination containing meeting rooms, kitchens, wells, clinics, schools, depots, trenches and emergency exits all aimed for guerrilla warfare. The tunnels were deep and strong enough to withstand destructive bombings and self-contained enough to outlast prolonged sieges. Have lunch before driving to Mui Ne Phan Thiet, beautiful beach with golden sandy beaches and warm water all year around. Arrival Mui Ne, check in and free at leisure for swimming and relaxing at the beaches. Dinner at a well-known local restaurant.

Meals: Breakfast.

4:30AM Driver will pick you up at your hotel/ resort by private jeep. 5:15AM Visiting White sand dunes. At the top of the sand dune, catching the first sunrise of the day. Other activities can be taken: riding quad bike over sand dunes and ostrich riding (at own expense), sliding down sand dunes’ slopes with sand boarding 6:00AM Continue with your jeep to visit Red sand dunes, slopes are less steep than the White sand dunes, but great opportunity for taking photo as red colour of the sand is great contrast to background scenery 7:15AM Visiting the fishing village, observing the daily lives of fishermen, morning catch is hauled to shore and women are busy sorting out the catch and fishing boats are lining up and waiting to depart 7:45AM Visiting Fairy stream (Suoi Tien) where the small stream running through the middle of the red sand dunes. It is like a mini version of Red Canyon 8:30AM Returning back to your hotel/resort. ***Quad bike is own expense at beach. Afternoon, drive back Ho Chi Minh city free for shopping at local market. Dinner at local restaurant.  

Meals: Breakfast.

After breakfast, travel by road to the Mekong Delta, the world’s largest delta and Vietnam's largest rice bowl. Upon arrival in My Tho City, capital of Tieng Giang Provine, embark on a boat and navigate through intricate canals while observing the local daily life up close as well as the landscape of waterways and lush islands. Land on the Unicorn Island to enjoy wandering through verdant orchards, tasting fresh fruits and listening to some Southern style traditional music. Move on to the second delta province, Ben Tre, where you will watch local villagers make coconut candy in a rural workshop, walk around briefly and try riding a horse-pulled carriage. Next, cruise to some bee-keeping households to taste fresh homegrown honey and honey tea. Lunch is served at a well-known local restaurant. Go back Ho Chi Minh City and spend time at leisure before dinner time.

Meals: Breakfast.

Free at leisure until transfer to airport for departure flight. 

Meals: Breakfast.