SG41 Hoi An – Ho Chi Minh – BEN TRE – CAN THO 5 Days

Tour Itinerary

DAY 1: Hoi An – Fly to Ho Chi Minh – City tour Highlight (B) 

Set off with your guide for a half-day excursion taking in some of the important sites of the city. Visit the War Remnants Museum which presents a partial yet vivid view of the American War through the Vietnamese’s eyes as it contains fascinating remnants and photographs of the past including US armored vehicles, artillery pieces, bombs, and infantry weapons. (Please note that some of the displays are very graphic and sensitive). Or wind your way to one of the most significant historical sites of the city, the Reunification Palace which is former Residence of the Indochina Governor-General and later of the President of the Republic of Southern Vietnam until the fall of Sai Gon inApril 30, 1975. It is called “the heart of Sai Gon” for its own reasons by many locals. Take a stroll around the Palace and admire the amazing work of its architecture while learning from your guide the untold stories connected to great changes in Ho Chi Minh City’s history.

Continue to visit the wholesale Flower Street market the biggest in Ho Chi Minh City which bursts with blooms from the beautiful Da Lat Mountains and from along the mighty Mekong — a guaranteed treat for the senses! Take some beautiful pictures when people are so busy to purchase for their business.

A short drive or walk away is one of Saigon’s most historic landmarks, the Notre Dame Cathedral, a red brick edifice with twin spires, based on the original construction from Paris. Then head across the square to the Central Post Office, designed by the French architect, Gustav Eiffel, before he had risen to fame for the Eiffel Tower.

 Wander along with the many tantalizing shops of Dong Khoi Street, once known as Rue Catinat, the boulevard where the high society flocked and shopped in colonial times. Conclude your visit to the bustling Ben Thanh Market to enjoy shopping and discover your bargaining power and come away with unusual items that will always remind you of this exciting day.

Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.

DAY 2: LEARN ABOUT CU CHI TUNNELS, THE UNIQUE SYSTEM MADE BY VIETCONG SOLDIERS –COOKING CLASS 

Breakfast at the hotel. 

This morning, depart Ho Chi Minh City for a 1.5-hour drive northwest to the famous Cu Chi Tunnels, passing through urbanized areas and typically lush southern Vietnamese countryside. Originally dug to serve as a base for organizing guerrilla actions against the French, the Cu Chi tunnels were expanded during the Indochina War to become an ingenious and incredible underground network intended to protect guerrillas from Viet Cong French air and ground raids. Visit the extensive network of underground passages to gain insight into the history of the tunnels, life in the tunnels, and the tenacity and ingenuity of the Vietnamese during battle.

Enjoy the cooking class in the countryside with organic herbs and vegetables in a local’s farm.

“The Vietnamese love their food and cooks make the most of each region’s abundance produce and special ingredients to make their meals. Northern food is known for its simplicity; the dishes of central Vietnam are generous in spice and quantity; Southerners like to add sugar.”

Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.

Notes:

• Duration of the excursion: Full day (08:00-17:00) depending on the traffic.

DAY 3: SAIGON – BEN TRE-CAN THO (B, L)

GET LOCAL TOUCH BY SEEING THE REAL VIETNAM BY MEKONG TOUR 2 DAYS

Pickup and drop off at Ham Luong Pier in town or Chet Say Pier (5 km from Center). Boating on Ben Tre river – one of tributaries of Mekong river- go along mangrove trees growing up ashore of waterway. Witness lively activities of town market on land and transfering on waterway as fishing boats, coconut cargo boats. Discover handmade local workshops and country in Nhon Thanh village.

 Boating on river to traditional brickwork to see how to make bricks by hand. Turn on Cai Son canal winding through coconut jungle, visit coconut workshop, have a look stages of coconut processing from husk off, prize out to peel out by hand. Go on small waterway and stop at coconut candy workshop, have a look them making candy by hand, try some sweet, enjoy some fruits and listen to local music as well. Go on by boat and step ashore and take a shortwalk to farmer house who making sleeping mats. Hop on tuktuk or bicycle through coconut grove, Nhon Thanh – Thuan Dien village, deeping on coconut jungle in country. Keep going by rowing boat on shady palm tree canal in Cai Tac pier. Stop for lunch at local restaurant with local specialties along river. Go back by boat and drop tour off at Chet Say pier. Transfer to Can Tho.

Overnight in Can Tho.

Notes:

• Tour duration: Full day (08.00-17.00)

DAY 4: CAN THO – SAI GON (B)

Wake up early morning and board a local boat to visit Cai Rang floating market. The waterway becomes a maze of hundreds of boats, you will see an interesting trading activity by using a traditional “offering pole”-exchanging consumer goods hanging on the pole for Mekong fruit and vegetables with local sellers. Stop in a hammock café for some fresh air before heading back to Saigon.

Overnight in Sai Gon.

Day 5: Ho Chi Minh City – Departure (B)/ @ 09:35 Qatar Airways/QR QR975

Breakfast at your hotel. 

Free time until 06:00AM transfer (private transfer without guide) to the airport for the return flight.