The city and the beach: South Vietnam

Welcome to Hanoi!

Once upon a time, this metropolis in southern Vietnam was known as Saigon. Despite the devastation of a protracted war, the city has retained much of its unique cultural mix of Asian and Western traditions. In fact, many of its French colonial landmarks still stand.

The biggest change in Ho Chi Minh City is that it has only gotten bigger, busier, and more energetic. The streets fill with mopeds whizzing past the markets and modern shopping districts as the sidewalks overflow with vendors selling everything from delicious street food to golden lucky cats.

You will see and feel the rising energy of Ho Chi Minh city first-hand during the private transfer from the airport to your hotel. After check-in, you will have the rest of the day free to spend as you see fit. You can relax in your hotel room and dine or go out and let yourself be carried away by the energy of the city.

Ho Chi Minh City Tour

After breakfast, you will leave Ho Chi Minh in a private transfer for the short drive north to Củ Chi. This area is home to a huge network of tunnels that became famous during the Vietnam War as a base of operations for the Viet Cong, particularly during the 1968 Tết Offensive. Here you will have the option to go to the tunnels and take a look at the harsh conditions faced by the Vietcong guerrillas who lived here, as well as see the innovative booby traps they left for the unfortunate enemy soldiers.

Later in the afternoon, you will discover the highlights of this former capital of French Indochina on a tour. Historic landmarks include the 19th century Gothic / Renaissance Post Office, Notre Dame Cathedral (built in the late 19th century with materials imported from France), and the Opera House, which was built in 1897.

Mekong Delta

Today you will experience first-hand the lifestyle that the people of the Mekong Delta live. In the morning you will leave your hotel for the coastal province of Ben Tre. Upon arrival at Hung Vuong Pier in Ben Tre City, you will board a boat for a ride along a tributary of the Mekong River.

As you travel through the mangrove forests of this waterway, you will see the morning bustle of fishing boats and coconut freighters passing from one side to the other. A stop at a traditional brick factory reveals how workers still make bricks the old-fashioned way: by hand. After that, it is a visit to My Long>, a town famous for the tasty rice cakes that its residents make.

Back on the water, you will travel through channels lined with coconut trees. Here you will visit a coconut workshop to see the stages of coconut processing, from removing the shell to peeling it, which is done by hand.

You can then experience some of the breath-taking scenery when you embark on a bike ride (or motorized scooter ride) through the coconut trees and orchards around the river. Then, take a sampan rowboat along a tranquil canal shaded by palm leaves to a riverside restaurant where you will stop for lunch.

After lunch, you will return to Hung Vuong Pier by speedboat and return to Ho Chi Minh City by car. Then you will have the rest of the day free.

Phan Thiết

In the morning, you will set out by road on a 124-mile (200 km) drive east to the coastal city of Phan Thiết. The journey takes up to five hours, but once you arrive, you find yourself in a true coastal paradise. Phan Thiết is a thriving port city, but despite more and more hotel and resort developments emerging, its vibe as a laid-back fishing community remains largely unchanged. Combine this with the beautiful 14 km long white sand beach and palm trees of Phan Thiết, and you have the perfect place to kick back and relax.

You will arrive at lunchtime and, as with any great beach destination, leisure is the order of the day. The itinerary is yours to do what you want. Definitely try some fresh seafood at an oceanfront restaurant, and if you are feeling restless you can go for a run on the beach and a swim. Or just spend the day sunbathing. Make sure you are near the water at dinner time when the setting sun browns the surface of the water.

Phan Thiết

Feel free to spend the morning and afternoon relaxing on the beach and swimming in the water. Try to be awake at dawn when the sun appears over the ocean; it is an unforgettable sight.

During this hour you can also visit the nearby White Dunes, a group of desert sand dunes reminiscent of the Sahara. They offer excellent views of the ocean and are the perfect place to watch the sun rise over the shoreline. If you are feeling active, you can even rent a quad bike and hit the sand.

There are a number of other activities you can participate in, such as paragliding or taking a cultural walk around the city. Phan Thiết is home to many Buddhist temples and pagodas. There are also golf courses, as well as many water sports to enjoy.

Back Home

In the morning, you will take a private transfer to return to Ho Chi Minh City airport for your flight home. See you!