Highlights of The South of Vietnam Tour in 8 Days

On arrival at Tan San Nhat Airport, you are met and transferred to hotel.

Ho Chi Minh City, still called Saigon by many locals, is a center of commerce, finance, culture and tourism in Vietnam. This bustling metropolis, contradiction of its northern counterpart, is crowded with bikes and motorbikes, excited by numerous shopping area and sidewalk cafe. (If time permits) we stroll around the down town to explore the different local ways of life.

Overnight in HCMC.

The sightseeing tour acquaints us with the city’s some major sights.

We pass the now-demolished wartime American Embassy before we visit the Reunification Palace which was the former residence of the President of South Vietnam until end of April 1975, and some French colonial structures including the Notre Dame Cathedral, the Old Sai Gon Post Office. After seeing the Jade Emperor Pagoda and the War Remnant Museum, we continue our trip on to the bustling Ben Thanh Market where anything and everything is for sale.

We then drive this afternoon, to explore the Cu Chi Tunnels, an incredible underground tunnel network of approximately 200 kilometers constructed by Vietnamese fighters during the long struggle for independence.

Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.

Heading out of the town, we travel by roads to the Mekong Delta, Vietnam’s largest rice bowl.

On arrival in My Tho we embark on a boat navigating around the intricate small canals in the delta region, which is a great way to observe the local lifestyle close-up and catch a view dotted by many islands. The exciting excursion will pass the lush green vegetation before arriving at the famous Unicorn Island. Here we have opportunities to stroll around an orchard, taste many seasonal fruits and enjoy wonderful traditional music.

The next stop of our trip is Ben Tre Province to visit some fascinating local industries.

After feasting on a huge lunch we return to Ho Chi Minh, stopping off along the way to see the beautiful Ving Trang Pagoda and the Cho Lon, Saigons Chinatown, which is crammed with sacred temples and mysterious, narrow lanes.

Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.

The journey northwards begins as we depart Ho Chi Minh and pass through the many tea and coffee plantations to the hill station of Da Lat, sometimes known as the “City of Eternal Spring”. The drive is long but views are fantastic.

On arrival we can soak up the cool climate as much as we want by spending our time to wander around and catch our first glimpse of the town. The influence of the French is prevalent since Da Lat was founded as a hill retreat for the colonials to escape the oppressive heat of the coastal plains and the Mekong Delta. This charming town is set around a lake and surrounded by forests, waterfalls and rolling countryside.

Overnight in Da Lat

An impressive way to start our day is a walk around the town.

We then embark on a short drive past the charming pine hill to visit the summer residence of Vietnams last Emperor Bao Dai, who was forced to abdicate in 1945, shortly after the end of the World War II. We follow this with a trip to the Lam Ty Ni Pagoda and the Hang Nga Guesthouse, well known as the Crazy House because of its bizarre architecture.

The central market and the old rail station are also visited this morning before we travel by roads through the undulating terrains to the picturesque coastal town of Nha Trang.

Along the way we make stopover at the scenic Ngoan Muc Pass and the Po Klong Jarai Cham Towers. These amazing structures represent an interesting culture and a colorful history of the Cham people.

Overnight in Nha Trang

The fabulous sunny weather, turquoise water surrounding a string of islands and white sandy beach stretching the whole length of the city make Nha Trang one of Vietnam’s premier beach resorts.

We board a boat for a day trip around the coastal islands, stopping on the way at a local fishing village to observe the island life.

Today we also have lots of time on the blue clear water enjoying swimming and snorkeling or lazing on a beach. A seafood lunch is some enjoyment of the trip.

We arrive back in town late afternoon and visit the Long Son Pagoda and the impressive Ponagar Cham Towers, which are overlooking the colorful fishing port.

Overnight in NhaTrang.

Today we can get up from dawn to enjoy our last minute swimming on Nha Trang Beach.

After breakfast we set off on a long but scenic drive on very goods roads which link Nha Trang and Ho Chi Minh.

A part of the pleasure of travelling through this region is the simple joy of seeing the charming countryside and the smiling faces of the people. Along the way we can make stop as we please, to stretch our legs and take some wonderful photographs.

Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City