Best of Southern Vietnam

With 6 days, we provide you the best experiences in the south of Vietnam about culture, people and their daily life as well as customs. You will experience not only a modern and busy Ho Chi Minh City but also quiet and peaceful Mekong Delta.
Journey highlights:
Discover the story of Saigon, from city of conflict to a modern metropolis
Squeeze through the famous Vietnam War-era tunnels at Cu Chi
Witness the solemn ceremony of the unique religion - Caodaism at Cao Dai Temple in Tay Ninh
Experience the slow rhythm of life on the Mekong Delta by riverboat
Rise early to discover the colorful floating market of Cai Rang on a sampan
 
Day 1 - Ho Chi Minh City arrival
Welcome to our beautiful Vietnam! Upon arrival in Tan Son Nhat airport, our guide and driver will be waiting to transfer you to your hotel in the city center. Check-in and spend the rest of the day free to relax in your room or stroll down the bustling centre streets to enjoy the ambience of Saigon. 
 
Meals: None
Accommodation: Hotel in Ho Chi Minh City
 
Day 2 - The untold story of Ho Chi Minh City (B,L)
After breakfast at hotel, our tour guide and driver will pick you up at the hotel, start your day tour of Ho Chi Minh highlights. The first destination is the Reunification Palace - formerly known as the museum of American War Crimes being the former residence of the President of South Vietnam until April 30, 1975. You also visit some of the best samples of French colonial architecture, which are Notre Dame Cathedral church and Saigon Central Post Office. Next to the cathedral stands the Central Post Office that is the country’s largest post office was built in 1891. It is another fine example of French architecture and is Vietnam's largest post office.
After lunch at a popular local eatery in Saigon, we continue to China town area to visit the most popular secret temple of Chinese Vietnamese community in Saigon, the Thien Hau Buddhist temple. The rest of the time is leisurely on shopping and visiting to the most bustling wholesale market in Saigon, also known as Cho Lon market, a well justified as Vietnam’s largest market. If having more time, you will have chances to visit a famous lacquer ware workshop and enjoy interaction with the local artist. Dinner is on your own arrangement.
 
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch 
Accommodation: Hotel in Ho Chi Minh City

 
Day 3 - Back to history: Cu Chi tunnels and Cao Dai temple (B,L)
Having breakfast at the hotel then the trip will be continued to Cu Chi Tunnel system that was created to assist the Vietnamese Revolutionists against the French in 1948. It was an underground city with living areas, kitchens, storage, weapons factories, etc. Especially, you will have the opportunity to take part in the unique experience of guerillas living underground during the war, with a crawl through 20/30/50 meters of the tunnel system.
We then drive 30km toward Tay Ninh, and visit The Great Temple of Caodaism (a famous local religion). It was built on 9 levels that represent 9 steps to heaven at which you will see a prayer session at noon with beautiful music prayer with Vietnamese folk instrument in a very spiritual environment.  
We then come back to Ho Chi Minh City in the afternoon.
 
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch 
Accommodation: Hotel in Ho Chi Minh City

 
Day 4 - Ho Chi Minh City - Into the Mekong Delta - Can Tho (B,L)
Today you will travel from Ho Chi Minh City to explore Ben Tre in the Mekong Delta (130km - 2.5 - 3 hour travel time). From Phong Nam pier you will board a boat and cruise along the Chet Say river (a branch of the Mekong) and stop off at various local workplaces to give you a picture of how the local economy works, including a coconut activated charcoal factory where coconut shell is put into a high heat kiln to produce coconut charcoal; a coconut processing workshop, where you can sample fresh coconut and see how every single part of this versatile nut is turned into food and other products. Then the boat will cruise through the small canal offering an opportunity to discover the local sights and sounds. Eventually the boat will stop at a quiet village where you can have a short walk to experience real Delta village life, visit a mat weaving house, where straw mats are woven using a hand loom – you can even have a go at weaving yourself before boarding your xe loi (a kind of motorized rickshaw) or biking into the village where you can see a farm, rice fields and vegetable plantings before stopping at a local house for a delicious and filling lunch, featuring such local specialties as elephant-ear fish and river shrimp, washed down with some cold drinks or beers. 
After lunch, it’s time to board a sampan for a relaxing trip along narrow canals and back to the pier. From there it’s back to the main road for the trip deeper to the Mekong Delta – Can Tho province. Upon arrival, check-in at your hotel, spend the evening free at leisure.
Today you will travel from Ho Chi Minh City to explore Ben Tre in the Mekong Delta (130km - 2.5 - 3 hour travel time). From Phong Nam pier you will board a boat and cruise along the Chet Say river (a branch of the Mekong) and stop off at various local workplaces to give you a picture of how the local economy works, including a coconut activated charcoal factory where coconut shell is put into a high heat kiln to produce coconut charcoal; a coconut processing workshop, where you can sample fresh coconut and see how every single part of this versatile nut is turned into food and other products. Then the boat will cruise through the small canal offering an opportunity to discover the local sights and sounds. Eventually the boat will stop at a quiet village where you can have a short walk to experience real Delta village life, visit a mat weaving house, where straw mats are woven using a hand loom – you can even have a go at weaving yourself before boarding your xe loi (a kind of motorized rickshaw) or biking into the village where you can see a farm, rice fields and vegetable plantings before stopping at a local house for a delicious and filling lunch, featuring such local specialties as elephant-ear fish and river shrimp, washed down with some cold drinks or beers.
After lunch, it’s time to board a sampan for a relaxing trip along narrow canals and back to the pier. From there it’s back to the main road for the trip deeper to the Mekong Delta – Can Tho province. Upon arrival, check-in at your hotel, spend the evening free at leisure.
 
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch 
Accommodation: Hotel in Can Tho
 
Day 5 - Cai Rang floating market – Back to the bustling Ho Chi Minh City (B,L)
This morning, we will visit one of the most legendary floating markets which named 'Cai Rang'. We board our boat and commence our journey along the Mekong River, observing ‘true life on the river’, the hustle and bustle of families carrying out their morning chores and the locals heading our way to the markets to pick up their daily supplies. We will be back to the hotel for checkout before coming back to Saigon. 
 
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch 
Accommodation: Hotel in Ho Chi Minh City

 
Day 6 - Goodbye Ho Chi Minh City (B)
At good time, our local driver will pick you up at your hotel and transfer back to Tan Son Nhat airport for boarding your flight back home or onward other destinations.
 
Meals: Breakfast
 
End of services.

This tour is built upon our firsthand knowledge & experience, offering you the best choices available. The price of this trip varies depending on the number of people in your party, dates of departure, and availability of ground services.

The prices are quoted in US Dollars per person based on 2 pax/room
 

Categories

2 pax

4 pax

6 - 8 pax

Single Sup.

Superior

528

396

345

114

First-class

624

492

442

211

Deluxe

782

649

598

367

Child from 4 – 10 years old: 75%

Please click on CUSTOMIZE YOUR TRIPS and supply the required information, enabling us to send you your personalized quote within 24 hours!

Note: Amendments CAN be made to this tour to suite your requirements, but may incur price changes

 

WHAT'S INCLUDED?
Accommodation with daily breakfast at selected hotels 
Private vehicles and drivers
Transport from Hanoi to Halong and return by mini van
Private English speaking guides (Other languages if available, upon request)
Meals as mentioned in the itinerary (B= Breakfast, L= Lunch, D= Dinner)
Entrance fees for all mentioned sights visited
Vietnam visa letter authorisation
Drinking water available on the vehicles
Service Charge & Government Taxes

WHAT'S NOT INCLUDED?
International flights and domestic flights
Personal expenses (such as laundry, telephone, drinks, etc.)
Any bank fees or charges at your end
Meals other than those mentioned in the itinerary
Personal travel insurance
Tips for tour guide and driver in each region
Peak season or public holidays surcharge if any
Compulsory gala dinner on Christmas or New Year's Eve if any
Vietnam visa stamp Other services not mentioned above
 
 

HOTEL SELECTION:

The hotels listed below are our suggestions for the best value on this tour.  However, Asia Essence Tours offers many more options of hand-picked hotels, with different "star ratings", allowing you to customize the vacation to meet your taste and budget.



We, at Asia Essence Tours, are aware that a good tour must have good hotels. As the hotel cost will be the major expense of your vacation in Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos, it is essential that all of the hotels chosen by us are the highest quality for the price paid. All of our prices are based on twin, double or queen shared rooms.

LOCATIONS

SUPERIOR CATEGORY

FIRST CLASS CATEGORY

DELUXE CATEGORY


LUXURY 
CATEGORY

 

HCM City

Hoang Lan Hotel
Ben Thanh Retreats
Acnos Hotel 

Au Lac Charner 
Silverland Yen 

Mia Luxury Saigon

Park Hyatt
Reverie

Can Tho

The Lighthouse 
TTC Can Tho

Can Tho Ecolodge

Victoria Can Tho
Sheraton Can Tho

Azerai Can Tho

ABOUT HOTELS:

BELOW IS AN EXPLANATION OF THE HOTEL "STAR" RATINGS:

Superior/ 3 Star (from US$ 50 - US$ 80 per room/night)

The Superior/ 3 Star Hotels are good value and normally centrally located. They all have comfortable en-suite rooms, good amenities and public areas to relax in. They are usually family run hotels, so offer great personalized service for your enjoyment and comfort. Most first class properties offer an in-house restaurant, and some may even have a swimming pool!

First-Class/ 4 star (from US$ 100 - US$ 150/ per room/night)

The 4* First-Class Hotels offer a wide range of services. Many superior hotels feature a choice of several in-house restaurants. In addition virtually all of them have a swimming pool. Some may even feature a spa or health club. This grade of hotel offers more for your enjoyment and comfort, while still remaining affordable.

Deluxe/ 5 Star (from US$160 - US$ 240++/ per room/night)

These 5* Deluxe hotels are usually owned by Worldwide, well known Hotel chains. The deluxe hotels feature excellent locations, offer the highest standards of service and facilities, and are known as the best hotels in each region. Facilities such as swimming pools and spas are the norm, and guest rooms are luxurious. These hotels offer first class service and amenities throughout.

ASIA ESSENCE TOURS™ BESPOKE STYLE SUITS EVERYONE

Flexibility: The sample itinerary can be modified to suit your interests, budget as well as your personal wishes including departure date, duration, accommodation used & how long you spend in each destination.

Tailor-Made Journey: This trip can be tailor made to create a unique holiday for your individual requirements by travel experts with intimate knowledge of the destination. It is a more individual trip that will suit those who enjoy immersing themselves in new cultures and environments, with the flexibility to plan a trip at your own pace. Quality and value are the hallmark of the trips, with most services being provided on a private basis.

Commitment to Excellence: We enjoys excellent relationships with all of the highly regarded hotels and finest properties in our destinations as well as with service suppliers so that we are able to negotiate the most attractive prices for our clients, which enables us to provide exclusive holidays and affordable special offers. We create one-of-a-kind vacations for groups and individuals. We love our destinations and do our best to make sure that our customers feel the same way. Our job is to make sure that everyone gets the right balance of comfort and excitement to enjoy the experience of a lifetime.

 

Extend This Tour With...

Best of Northern Vietnam


Hanoi Saigon Experience


Best of Central Vietnam


Best of Vietnam