Day 1: Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) Airport Pick-up
Upon your arrival at Ho Chi Minh City Airport, you’ll be warmly welcomed by your professional local guide and driver and then be escorted to the well selected downtown hotel. If you arrive before the hotel check-in time at 14:00, you can store your luggage at the hotel, and take a leisurely stroll around the city by yourself.
► Activities Recommended upon Arrival
If you’re staying at Hotel Nikko Saigon, explore An Dong Market, a wholesale market where you can browse Vietnamese daily supplies with prices reasonable and negotiable. You can find clothes including Vietnamese traditional clothing "ao dai", accessories, dried foods, coffee beans, wood carvings, as well as woven goods. Then treat yourself with some local food in the food section. The market closes at 6 p.m. If you’re staying at Liberty Central Saigon Riverside Hotel, Ben Thanh Market, which sells similar items, can provide a great experience of local customs and market culture. The cost of living and travel in Vietnam is low, and haggling is acceptable - shop owners will often call you back with a lower price when you pretend to leave, try it!
► Apps You May Need
You are suggested to download some useful apps in advance in case of emergency, like Grab, Vietnam's widely-used taxi hailing app, Google Map, Google Translate and xCurrency, a cross-border exchange rate tool. It should be noted that $1 equals around ₫24,000 and it’s necessary to check real-time rate every time you exchange.
Accommodation: Hotel Nikko Saigon - Deluxe Room (5 stars) or Liberty Central Saigon Riverside Hotel - Deluxe Room (4 stars) or similar
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Day 2: Ho Chi Minh City Highlights: Cu Chi Tunnels & Colonial-Era Architectural Complex
After breakfast, your guide and driver will pick you up from your hotel. We’ll head northwest to the first station, the Cu Chi Tunnels, which were first dug in the 1940s during the Anti-French War and expanded rapidly from 1950s to 1970s during the Vietnam War. It connected six villages and all the bases of Viet Cong guerrilla force in Cu Chi area. Upon arrival, you’ll be amazed by the clever design of the entrances, from which ambushed soldiers would take enemies by surprise. Some of the narrow tunnels have been widened and your experienced guide will accompany you through a hidden entrance to explore them. Relive history at different functional parts inside, including dormitories, kitchens, meeting rooms, granaries, first aid stations, ammunition dumps, ventilation shafts, firing posts, disabling traps and even theaters. In the afternoon, we’ll watch the war relics exhibited in the War Remnants Museum, where you’ll witness the cruelty of war through pictures, maps, texts as well as the used-in-war tangibles, including aircrafts, artillery shells, poison gas bombs and a guillotine. Please be prepared as some photos may be quite a sensory shock. Then, we’ll come to the symmetrically-beautiful Reunification Palace and the Central Post Office, which both enjoy French-style architecture dating to the late 1990s. Finally, today's tour will end with the Dong Khoi Street, a commercial hub to find life and cultural heritage. You’ll also experience the fusion and contrast of modern and ancient as well as French and Vietnamese styles at the same time here. Shopping malls are juxtaposed with small local workshops, and polished glass of high-end bespoke shops contrasts with the rubbish on the street, which sets the background for swarms of motorbikes speeding by - the whole scene radiates a glamor unique to Vietnam. Watch out for those vehicles when crossing roads. Afterwards, you’ll be transferred back to hotel. ► Dinner Recommendation in Ho Chi Mihn City If you’re still energetic, walk east from Dong Khoi Street and treat yourself a nice dinner at Runam Dong Khoi, where you can enjoy a view of Saigon River. The diverse menu will cater to your appetite. Try its appetizing onion rings, Banh Mi or beef rice, and maybe some various desserts or the refreshing sugarcane juice. It costs ₫200,000-400,000 ($8-16) per person on average. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch Accommodation: Hotel Nikko Saigon - Deluxe Room (5 stars) or Liberty Central Saigon Riverside Hotel - Deluxe Room (4 stars) or similar War Remnants Museum Central Post Office
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Day 3: Ho Chi Minh City - My Tho - Mekong River Cruise - Can Tho
Today, have an excursion through Mekong Delta like a jungle explorer. After breakfast, we’ll drive for around 2 hours to My Tho to board a cruise down the Mekong River. Wear a conical bamboo hat and immerse in the enchanting view of river flanked by lush water coconut trees. Coconuts and their trees are versatile - the flesh can be made into sweet coconut candy and coconut jam, and branches can be made into broomsticks and various handicrafts. ★ Privilege of Our Guests Dissimilar to most travel agencies that arrange for you a regular ferry cruising the commercialized areas of Mekong River, we’ll accompany you to discover the pristine rainforest waterways via a smaller hand-rowing boat. Away from the hustle and bustle of the city, you’ll see stilt houses along the bank, locals making a living on the river, as well as endemic plants and animals. Halfway through the cruise, enjoy a precious chance to visit a coconut candy factory to see how coconut candies are made, taste free samples and learn how much the industry values to locals. Once you step into the factory, you’ll be drenched in a fragrance of the fruit. Next, visit a rice paper factory before having lunch on an island. Today's trip is also an effort to support the local community. Then after around 2 hours' cruise, you’ll arrive at Ben Tre. Afterwards, take a 2 hours' private ride to Can Tho City and your guide will help you check in at the local hotel. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch Accommodation: Victoria Can Tho Resort - Superior Room (4 stars) or Victoria Can Tho Resort - Deluxe Room (5 stars) or similar
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Day 4: Can Tho - Cai Rang Floating Market; Fly to Da Lat
Today, start the day early for a unique experience in lively Cai Rang Floating Market. Unlike land markets, the traditional floating market shows you how people in Mekong Delta live and trade on the river. People here are industrious and begin their trading from early 5 a.m. to 8 a.m. We’ll arrange a private motorboat for you and leave at 6 a.m., so that you don’t need to get up at 4 a.m. to rush for the public shuttle boat arranged by most other travel agencies. Upon arrival, you’ll be overwhelmed by the vibrancy where there are multitudes of colorful boats loaded with fresh fruits, vegetables, local specialties like spring rolls and home-made coffee. Drifting on the river bathing under the gentle light of sunrise, why not sip a cup of Vietnam coffee amid vendors’ hawking and buyers’ bargaining around you. After that, we’ll head to an islet to see the tropical fruit orchards. Finish the cruise, and you’ll be escorted to Can Tho airport or Ho Chi Minh airport for a flight to Da Lat, depending on the schedule. If flying from Can Tho airport, you may have free time to stroll along the Mekong River and savor the tranquil atmosphere on your own. After arriving at Da Lat airport, your local guide will pick you up and transfer you to the hotel for check-in.
Meal: Breakfast
Accommodation: Ana Mandara Villas Dalat Resort & Spa - Villa Suite (5 stars) or Golf Valley Hotel Da Lat - Superior City View Room (4 stars) or similar
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Day 5: Da Lat Highlights: Bao Dai Summer Palace, Old Railway Station, Thien Vien Truc Lam
After breakfast, your sightseeing in Da Lat begins with a visit to the French-style Bao Dai Summer Palace, the summer residence of Vietnam's last emperor, Bao Dai (reigned from 1926 to 1945). If you are interested, you can rent a traditional Vietnamese royal dress for cosplay at your own expense and take some nice pictures. Then, we’ll visit the most beautiful and oldest railway station in Vietnam - Da Lat Old Railway Station, with a narrow-gauge railway built by French in the middle of last century. You’ll be attracted by its eye-catching appearance which is primarily in yellow and white, along with red roof tiles and columns. Take a look at a segment of the 7-km (4.4 mi) track which is still running nowadays and leading to a town named Trai Mat, and pose by old carriages available for photo-taking. You may wander around the chocolate shop nearby where you can sample a variety of chocolates for free. Next, pay a visit to the stunning artificial Xuan Huong Lake as well as the lively and rustic Central Market. Afterwards, we’ll move on to Lam Ty Ni Pagoda to enjoy some tranquility as well as poems and paintings created by a mad monk who lives here. Then visit Thien Vien Truc Lam, a secluded monastery with carefully arranged garden. Stroll around the courtyard embellished by flowers blooming in the season, visit ancient buildings shaded by trees, and hear your guide explaining Zen Buddhism stories carved on reliefs. Immersing in the stately and meanwhile lively atmosphere, meditate and relax. Later, today's trip will be concluded with the immense Tuyen Lam Lake, which reflects blue sky and the lush fine forest around. ► Please note: All of our itineraries can be tailored according to your interests, including today’s Da Lat attractions. If you are interested in cultural heritage like Linh Phuoc Dragon Pagoda, natural wonders like Datanla Waterfalls, and architectural sites like the Crazy House, feel free to discuss with your private guide and decide what you want to see today. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch Accommodation: Ana Mandara Villas Dalat Resort & Spa - Villa Suite (5 stars) or Golf Valley Hotel Da Lat - Superior City View Room (4 stars) or similar Cai Rang Floating Market Tuyen Lam Lake
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Day 6: Da Lat - Nha Trang; Visit Po Nagar Cham Tower, Long Son Pagoda and Dam Market
Today, after checking out of the hotel, we’ll drive for around 3 hours to Nha Trang. Along the way, we’ll stop by some rural villages to experience local rural life. Upon arrival, you’ll be accompanied to visit the Po Nagar Cham Tower, which was built between 7th and 12th centuries by India and dedicated to the god Po Nagar, who protects fishermen living off the sea. You can wear long sleeves and long pants, or you can borrow a monk robe here for free to have an immersive religious experience. Despite the tower’s small scale, you'll find that your guide seems to have an endless story to tell. Then admire the Long Son Pagoda, a Chinese-style temple famous for a huge stone statue of Bodhisattva of Compassion inside. Afterwards, we’ll head to the Dam Market to take in cultural flavors. If you’re interested, have a taste of Nha Trang's specialties and tropical fruits at a very affordable price on your own. The market is known for its unique tile-grilled barbecue - tender grilled shrimp, squid, fish, or beef, served with lettuce and sauce and wrapped in a rice paper. Seafood, such as fried razor clam and mantis shrimps, will amaze you, too. At the end of the day, you’ll be escorted to the hotel and your guide will help you with the check-in procedure. The hotel we selected for you faces the sea, making it convenient for you to have a walk on the beach. Exploring the activities offered by the hotel is another great idea: Mia Resort offers a visit to Nha Trang's specialty mud bath; Havana Hotel offers traditional food cooking class. Let alone all kinds of water sports! Meals: Breakfast, Lunch Accommodation: Mia Luxury Collection Nha Trang - Garden View One-Bedroom (5 stars) or Premier Havana Nha Trang - Deluxe Ocean Room (4 stars) or similar Po Nagar Cham Tower Visit the Local Market
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Day 7: A Free Day in Nha Trang
After breakfast, you can spend the whole day freely on the beach in Nha Trang. Soaking up the sun, swimming or diving in the sea are all great choices. If you want to explore more nearby, get your wet suit, socks and sunscreen ready and ask the reception or your guide for information about an island hopping tour. First head to Hon Mun Island, also known as Coral Island, a paradise for snorkelers and well-known for the nearby crystalline sea water. Then go to Yen Island to see swallows and their caves. It’s also the right place for scuba diving. Walk under the sea to see lovely fishes and corals of all shapes and colors. Finally, experience a variety of water activities on Silkworm Island; try the banana boat, motorboat and parasailing which allows you to overlook the entire sea! These projects also provide aerial photography service.
Meal: Breakfast
Accommodation: Mia Luxury Collection Nha Trang - Garden View One-Bedroom (5 stars) or Premier Havana Nha Trang - Deluxe Ocean Room (4 stars) or similar
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Day 8: Another Free Day in Nha Trang
Today is still on your own arrangement. If you want an adventurous day trip, explore Vietnam’s biggest jungle park - Kong Forest, about a one-hour drive from the hotel. Enjoy an exciting Zipline trip through canopies; drive an ATV on the rugged and winding red earth mountain roads; hike and admire the pristine forest and crystal-clear waterfalls. Don’t forget to take a picture with the giant stone gorilla. If you are a watersport enthusiast or you come with kids, the VinWonders Nha Trang is a good place to go. It is an all-in-one amusement water park where you could enjoy the longest sea-crossing cable car route in the world and admire the stunning scenery of Nha Trang Bay. At night, you can round off the day with a hearty seafood feast. Meal: Breakfast Accommodation: Mia Luxury Collection Nha Trang - Garden View One-Bedroom (5 stars) or Premier Havana Nha Trang - Deluxe Ocean Room (4 stars) or similar Beach in Nha Trang Try the Water Scooter
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Day 9: Fly from Nha Trang back to Ho Chi Minh City
After breakfast, continue to enjoy some free time and seize your last morning in Nha Trang to enjoy the sun, sands and sea! If you stay in Mia Resort, let the hotel staff take you to explore its private beach and have a kayak adventure to discover the secret of coral reefs! If you stay in Havana Hotel, follow staff's instructions to walk a separate underground tunnel from the hotel leading towards the beach! When your energy runs out, have a traditional Vietnamese lunch, lie back by the hotel pool and enjoy a refreshing beverage.
After that, you’ll be escorted to the airport to board a flight to Ho Chi Minh City. Your local guide will meet you at the airport and escort you to the hotel. The rest time of today is free for you. You may explore Pham Ngu Lao Street on your own. Browse the cafes, bars, and souvenir shops here, try Vietnamese street eats and sample a coconut milkshake. It’s said that beef meatball noodle soup, called “pho” in Vietnamese, with iced coffee is a magical match. Give it a try! It’s located less than a 10-minute drive southwest from Liberty Central Saigon Riverside Hotel or northeast from Hotel Nikko Saigon.
Meal: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel Nikko Saigon - Deluxe Room (5 stars) or Liberty Central Saigon Riverside Hotel - Deluxe Room (4 stars) or similar
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Day 10: Ho Chi Minh City Airport See-off
Your 10 days Ho Chi Minh trip and beach leisure draw to an end today. According to your flight time, your driver will pick you up at the hotel and then escort you to the airport for your homeward flight. Wish you a pleasant journey.
► Recommended Places for Late Departures
If there’s time before your flight, head to Tan Dinh Church, which is the second largest church in Ho Chi Minh City and among the global list of 8 prettiest pink destinations! Then visit the Ho Chi Minh City Museum of Fine Arts. Step into this French-style and maybe a little bit bizarre building to admire the thought-provoking drawings, paintings and sculptures depicting the colonial period. The building is almost without air-conditioning, so it’s suggested you take a fan to cool yourself.
Meal: Breakfast
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