Explore Vietnam's southern highlights on a journey into one of Southeast Asia's most fascinating regions.

Begin your laid back adventure by exploring the streets of Ho Chi Minh City and taking in its many striking contrasts between old and new. Then, escape the city chaos and drive through the green and tranquil Vietnamese countryside to the legendary Mekong River, taking in traditional villages and the hustle and bustle of river life on the way, and experience the most colorful floating market on the Delta.

DESTINATIONS

• The sleepless Sai Gon
• Cu Chi - a byzantine maze of underground passages and chambers
• Can Tho city, experience the lifestyle of Mekong Delta residents

HIGHLIGHTS

• Discover the most liveliest market in Sai Gon
• Get lost in the maze of Cu Chi Tunnel
• Discover the largest floating market of the Mekong River

[Day 1] Sai Gon Arrival
Meals: N/A | Accommodation: hotel

You'll be greeted at the Tan Son Nhat airport and transferred to your hotel at the city centre. Time will be free for your refreshment and rest.

Overnight at hotel in Saigon

[Day 2] Sai Gon – Cu Chi Tunnel
Meals: breakfast and lunch | Accommodation: hotel

08.00 - Depart from Ho Chi Minh city to Cu Chi. You'll be able to get an idea of what it would have been like to live, sleep and eat in the underground passages and bunkers during the fierce battles of the war.

In the afternoon, you'll discover the Reunification Palace - a blend of traditional ritual and modern architecture, served as the presidential palace of South Vietnam until reunification in 1975. The building now functions as a museum, offering tours of the former state rooms, presidential office and library, living quarters of the president's family and underground war rooms. Then, you'll also visit the War Remnants Museum - one of the most popular and sobering museums in the city. It highlights the suffering of the Vietnamese people at the hands of the French and American forces up to 1975. You'll find here a collection of weapons, machinery, aircraft, tanks, artifacts and horrific photographs illustrating the devastating affects of napalm, Agent Orange and other weapons of mass destruction. Trip ends at your hotel around 4pm.

The drive from your Saigon hotel to My Tho takes about 2 hours as we live the city noise behind and enter the greener parts of the delta. Board a longtail boat and cross the Mekong river to Ben Tre to explore fishing villages and the four islands of Dragon, Unicorn, Turtle and Phoenix. Cruise along Vam Xep, a small canal with many little village houses dotted along its sides and glimpse the daily life of the local villagers.

Get off the boat to pause for honeyed tea at Quoi An's bee farm and to check out the workshops where a range of coconut products are skillfully handcrafted. There are options to take horsecarts or bicycles around the peaceful orchards, to enjoy seasonal tropical fruits and to listen to the folk music played by the locals while we pause for lunch.

In the afternoon, we take a small sampan along Vam Chua canal with a visit to a coconut candy workshop where cauldrons of sticky broth cook over open fires before being cooled and formed into the sweet and tasty specialties of the region. At last we'll reboard the longtail boat to head back to My Tho. Drive to Can Tho where we overnight in a nice hotel.

[Day 4] Can Tho - Saigon
Meals: breakfast and lunch | Accommodation: N/A

After breakfast, we start a boat cruise until we arrive at the bustling Cai Rang floating market – the largest in the Mekong delta. Feel free to take photographs, talk or bargain while our boat glides slowly through the market mayhem. Option to take a walk through the nearby village before returning to Can Tho for lunch.

In the afternoon, we drive back to Saigon. Tour ends at your hotel around 5pm.

PRICE PER PERSON (Valid from 01/01/2013 to 31/12/2013)

Included

• Visa on arrival arrangement fee to Vietnam
• Accommodation at all destinations
• Meals as specified in the program
• Travel in an appropriate air-conditioned vehicle with an experienced driver
• Boat cruise as specified in the itinerary
• The services of an experienced English-speaking guide
• All entrance fees
• VAT and other taxes

Not included

• Accommodation in Saigon for the last day
• International flight tickets and airport tax.
• Visa stamp fee
•Visa on arrival arrangement for passport holder from India; Sri Lanka; Pakistan; Middle East countries; Turkey; Africa countries... that needs special arrangement.
• Beverages, gratuities and personal expenses.
• Camera fees (if any)
• Gala dinner (if any)
• Insurance
• Surcharge in peak season (Christmas and New Year)

ACCOMMODATION

Mid-range
• Ho Chi Minh city: Family Inn hotel - Deluxe room
• Can Tho: Kim Lan hotel - ROH room

Superior
• Ho Chi Minh city: Lavender hotel - ROH room
• Can Tho: Ninh Kieu 2 hotel - Superior room

Deluxe
• Ho Chi Minh city: Royal Lotus hotel – Classic room (Contemporary Wing)
• Can Tho: Victoria Can Tho - Superior room