Vietnam Southern Highlights (9 ngày/8 đêm)

Vietnam Southern Highlights (9 ngày/8 đêm)


Day 01: Ho Chi Minh City arrival (D)

You will be welcomed by our guide by arrival at Saigon Airport. We transfer you with a comfortable vehicle to the city center of HCMC (Saigon) to check-in in your hotel. This day is scheduled to take some rest after your long flight. You have the opportunity to get some first impressions of the city by yourself and of course our tour guide is always available at your request. Tonight you have dinner in a local restaurant and you overnight in your hotel in HCMC.
Day 02: Ho Chi Minh City - Cu Chi Tunnel and Cao Dai Temple (B, L)

Today an interesting visit to the Cu Chi Tunnel is planned, situated 30 km northwest from HCM City. This complex of underground tunnels stretching over more than 250 km and was made by the Viet Cong guerillas during the war against the Americans. The cleverly constructed tunnel was the key to victory over the modern American forces and Southern Vietnamese fantoccini. During our excursion we also learn more about what ‘Viet Cong life’ looked like during these times. We continue our trip to the village of Tay Ninh where we visit the Cao Dai Temple, the center of Caodaism in Vietnam. Caodaism is a bizarre and unique sect in Vietnam, which represents a mix of Taoism, Christianity and Confucianism. Saints who are praised here are Jesus, Buddha and legendary people like Victor Hugor, Churchill and Nguyen Binh Khiem! Their religious ceremony is celebrated everyday and we will have the chance to get to know more about this mysterious sect. Afterwards we return to HCMC where we will spend the night in our hotel.


Day 03: Ho Chi Minh City - My Tho - Can Tho - Mekong Delta (B, L)

The Mekong Delta is formed by nine tributaries of the Mekong River and is often referred as the ‘rice bowl’ or the ‘garden from heaven’ of Vietnam. Because the soil is very rich you will find here countless green rice paddies and dozens of tropical fruits, which only grow in this certain area. A visit to this region allows us to explore the ‘life on the water’ of the local people. Because of periodical floods the local people adapted their lives to he water. Experience their floating houses, floating schools, floating mini-supermarkets and even their complete floating markets! Welcome to the wet rice civilization. Afterwards we drive to My Tho to come aboard of our private boat which sails us to Dragon Island. Here you will have the opportunity to taste some typical tropical fruit, which are nowhere else to be found in the country. We also bring a visit to some home-run enterprises, where rice crape end coconut sweets are being produced and afterwards you participate in a traditional show, better known as the ‘Cai Luong Folk’. We return to Can Tho, the metropolis of the Mekong Delta, to spend the night.


Day 04: Can Tho - Chau Doc (B, L)

In the early morning we take a local boat which will take us in the direction of the Cai Be floating market. The sightseeing is extremely exciting with hundreds of people participating in the market by boat. Rice, fresh fruits, fish, handicrafts, everything is for sale!! After our visit to the market we have a delicious lunch, fresh fruit and the typical ‘Elephant Ear Fish’ will be served for you. Afterwards we drive towards Chau Doc, situated near the Cambodian border. Here we bring a visit to the Sam Mount from which we have a panoramic view over the area of Vietnam and Cambodia. We spend the night in a hotel in Chau Doc.

Day 05: Chau Doc - Ho Chi Minh City (B,L)

After breakfast, we return to Ho Chi Minh City by driving through Vinh Long. Here we make a cruise to visit the Phan Thanh Giang Confucius Temple and the handicraft village of Cho Cua. We also bring an interesting visit to the Nuoc Mam factory, Nuoc Mam is one of the most famous sauces of Vietnam, which is served by almost every meal! During the afternoon we are going to explore the vivid economic capital of Vietnam, Ho Chi Minh City. We bring a visit to the Central Post Office of Saigon and the Notre Dame Cathedral, which is the symbol of semi-colonial architecture of the French occupation in Vietnam. We continue our trip with an interesting visit to the Thien Hau Pagoda, situated in the heart of China Town. We spend the night in a hotel.

Day 06: Ho Chi Minh City - Dalat (B,L,D)

Today you will be transferred by bus to Dalat, where we take off for a short flight towards the Central Highlands, bordering Laos. Here we travel through numerous coffee plantations alternated by plantations of rubber trees. We make a stop to take some photos of the spectacular La Nga floating village. The city of Dalat is situated at an altitude of 1,500 m and was chosen to be a hill station during the colonial occupation by the French. This city is interesting because of its exceptional climate. It can be said that Dalat’s climate reflects the 4 seasons in just one day! Because of its varied climate the soil is very rich; fruit, vegetables and beautiful flowers can be found throughout the whole year. After lunch in a local restaurant we explore the Botanic Garden, the Love Valley, Xuan Huong Lake, the old train station and the Crazy House (famous for its incredible architecture). A full day of discovery, satisfaction guaranteed!

Day 07: Nha Trang - Da Lat (B, L)

Today we set of in the direction of Nha Trang, the coastal region of the Oriental Sea known as the most beautiful beach of Vietnam. During our drive we cross the impressive Ngoan Muc Pass (literal translation: Beautiful View Pass). We bring a visit to the Cham tower Polong Giarai on the way. After arrival in Nha Trang we visit the Long Son pagoda and the Oceanographic Institute where we will learn about various maritime beings in the sea. We spend the night in a beautiful hotel situated near the beach.

Day 08: Nha Trang (B, L)

In the early morning we come aboard from a little boat which brings us to an island situated in Nha Trang Bay. We have a lunch in the afternoon which is fresh sea-food oriented, prepared by our professional cooks. The rest of the day is planned for leisure, you will have plenty of time for swimming and sunbathing on the white sandy beach of Nha Trang, the most beautiful beach of the country with guaranteed warm weather year round. A perfect opportunity to work on your tan! We will spend the night in our lovely hotel on the beach.

Day 09: Nha Trang - Ho Chi Minh City

You will have free time until we transfer you to Nha Trang Airport where we take off for a short flight to HCMC. The rest of the day is scheduled for your own activities.

Day 10: Ho Chi Minh City - Departure (B)

You will have free time until we transfer you to Nha Trang Airport.

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