12 Days of Tropical Summer Sunshine in Vietnam Hotel and Flight Package

Itinerary

Day 1: Ho Chi Minh City Arrival

Arrive at Tan Son Nhat Airport. The rest of the day is free to rest.

Day 2: Evening Foodie in Ho Chi Minh City (Optional Tour)

Spend a leisurely day before diving into the vibrant streets of Saigon on the back of a scooter. Guided by a local Vietnamese rider, you’ll navigate narrow alleys and bustling districts, uncovering the city’s hidden gems. Your adventure kicks off with a ride to Chinatown, followed by a visit to a lively evening market and the Ho Thi Ky wholesale flower market. Stroll through the colourful stalls and try your hand at making crispy banana crackers.

Hop back on the scooter for a scenic 30-minute ride through Saigon’s alleyways, passing fashion streets lined with fabric shops, bustling food vendors, and parks where locals gather for evening exercise. Along the way, you’ll stop at a local eatery to savour Vietnamese favourites like Pho (beef noodle soup) and Banh Mi (Vietnam’s famous street sandwich).

Next, explore the Nguyen Thien Thuat neighbourhood, renowned for its diverse street food scene that reflects Vietnam’s rich culinary heritage. With residents from across the country, this area offers a unique blend of regional flavours.

Wrap up the evening at a popular local drinking spot, where you can unwind with a beer or soft drink while chatting with your guide about Vietnamese cuisine and daily life. Seated on small chairs at a street-side table, you’ll soak in the lively atmosphere before returning to your hotel around 10:00 PM.

Vegetarian options are available upon request.

✓ Breakfast

Day 3: Explore Ho Chi Minh City (Optional Tour)

After breakfast, meet your guide for an enriching tour of Ho Chi Minh City. Begin at the History Museum, home to a captivating exhibit on the 5th-century Oc Eo civilization. Next, delve into the country’s past at the War Remnants Museum, which presents a powerful—and at times graphic—account of the Vietnam War.

Continue to Ben Thanh Market, one of the city’s most vibrant hubs, where you can browse an array of goods and local delicacies. Then, visit the Jade Emperor Temple, a stunning Taoist sanctuary celebrated for its intricate carvings, striking effigies, and vivid depictions of the descent to Hell. Be sure to check out the temple’s unique terrapin and tortoise sanctuaries.

Wrap up the day with a visit to a lacquer workshop, where you’ll witness the delicate techniques and skilled craftsmanship behind Vietnam’s traditional lacquerware.

After a day steeped in history, culture, and artistry, return to your accommodation in Ho Chi Minh City for the night.

✓ Breakfast

Day 4: Cai Be – Local Lifestyle (Optional Tour)

Leaving the bustling streets of Ho Chi Minh City behind, you’ll embark on a scenic 2.5-hour drive to Cai Be. Upon arrival at Cai Be pier, board a boat for a picturesque journey to the Cai Be Floating Market. As you glide along the waterways, explore riverside cottage industries, including coconut candy workshops, rice cracker producers, and a honey bee farm.

Next, head to Tan Phong Island, known for its lush fruit orchards filled with seasonal delights such as durian, rambutan, longan, plum, and jackfruit. Enjoy the opportunity to pick and taste fresh fruit straight from the trees. Then, visit Mr. Nam On’s home to learn about traditional Vietnamese musical instruments and enjoy a live folk music performance by talented local artists.

Afterward, board a small sampan to navigate the winding canals leading to the Mekong Ecolodge. Here, you’ll take part in a hands-on cooking class, preparing local Mekong specialties. Discover your culinary skills and savour the delicious meal you’ve crafted.

Following lunch and a short break, hop on a bicycle to explore the surrounding area and experience traditional village activities. Learn to weave with water hyacinth, make rice paper, or craft bamboo tools like nail polish brushes. Feel free to try any craft that sparks your curiosity.

As the day winds down, bid farewell to the friendly villagers and drive to Can Tho, the vibrant capital of the Mekong Delta. Settle in for the night and relax after a day filled with cultural discoveries and adventure.

✓ Breakfast

 Day 5: Cai Rang Floating Market (Optional Tour)

After breakfast, set off on a boat cruise to the Cai Rang Floating Market, one of the Mekong Delta’s most vibrant and iconic sights. Both the journey and the market itself provide a captivating glimpse into the region’s rural lifestyle, where locals conduct lively trade entirely on the water.

On your return journey to Ho Chi Minh City, stop at the picturesque Vinh Trang Pagoda, located just three kilometers from My Tho’s centre. Renowned for its harmonious blend of Chinese, Vietnamese, and Angkor architectural styles, the pagoda spans five acres (two hectares) and features five buildings, two ornamental courtyards, and 178 intricately carved pillars. Among its highlights are the remarkable wooden statues of 18 Arahants, crafted in 1907, which beautifully reflect the connection between Vietnamese artistry and Buddhist beliefs.

After exploring the tranquil grounds and rich history of Vinh Trang Pagoda, continue your journey back to Ho Chi Minh City, where you’ll spend the night.

✓ Breakfast

Day 6: Cu Chi Tunnels (Optional Tour)

In the morning, set out for the legendary Cu Chi Tunnels, an extensive network of underground passages, chambers, and booby traps. Used by the Viet Minh and Viet Cong, these tunnels exemplify the ingenuity and resilience of those who relied on them for surprise attacks and swift escapes during the war.

Next, head to the Cao Dai Holy See, an architectural masterpiece and the spiritual heart of Cao Dai, a unique and modern religion blending elements of Buddhism, Taoism, Confucianism, and Christianity. Arrive in time to witness the captivating noon ceremony, a vibrant and colorful ritual that offers a glimpse into the faith’s rich traditions.

After the ceremony, enjoy lunch at a local restaurant before returning to Ho Chi Minh City in the evening.

✓ Breakfast

Day 7: Depart Ho Chi Minh City

Today, you’ll be transferred to your chosen beach destination: Con Dao, Mui Ne, or Phu Quoc.

Con Dao:
Located about 140 km off the southern coast in the South China Sea, Con Son is the largest island in a 15-island archipelago, much of which is protected as a national park and marine reserve. With limited infrastructure and only one mid-range hotel, Con Dao offers a more rugged and untouched experience. The island’s primary historical attraction is its preserved prison complex, showcasing the area’s past as a prison colony through museum exhibits in former cell blocks and torture chambers.

Surrounding the islands is a marine environment rich in biodiversity, with excellent opportunities for snorkelling and diving among coral reefs and vibrant marine life. Explore Con Dao’s unspoiled natural beauty, from its diverse flora and fauna to its crystal-clear waters. For travellers seeking adventure off the beaten path, Con Dao is an ideal choice.

Mui Ne:
A charming coastal town in southern Vietnam, Mui Ne is renowned for its stunning beaches, vibrant fishing culture, and unique natural landscapes. Its long stretches of golden sand and clear waters are perfect for sunbathing, swimming, and relaxation. Thanks to strong sea breezes, Mui Ne is also a hotspot for water sports like kite surfing, windsurfing, and sailing, drawing adventure seekers from around the world.

One of Mui Ne’s signature attractions is its striking sand dunes. The nearby Red Sand Dunes are popular for sand-sledding and capturing breath-taking sunrises and sunsets. For a more remote, desert-like landscape, the White Sand Dunes offer opportunities for ATV rides and stunning photography.

Phu Quoc:
Vietnam’s largest island, Phu Quoc, lies in the Gulf of Thailand and is celebrated for its pristine beaches, lush forests, and vibrant local culture. The island’s top beaches—Long Beach, Sao Beach, and Ong Lang Beach—feature soft white sands, clear turquoise waters, and a peaceful ambiance, perfect for swimming, sunbathing, and water sports like kayaking and paddleboarding.

Beyond its coastline, Phu Quoc offers natural attractions like Phu Quoc National Park, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve with dense tropical forests, diverse wildlife, and hiking trails that lead to breath-taking viewpoints. The island’s waterfalls, such as Suoi Tranh and Da Ban, provide tranquil settings for picnics and relaxation, rounding out Phu Quoc’s appeal as a tropical paradise.

✓ Breakfast

Day 8 – 11: Free Time at your Destination of Choice

Enjoy free time at your chosen destination.

✓ Breakfast

 Day 12: Departure Flight

Today return to Ho Chi Minh City, before heading for your departure flight.