South vietnam 12 day itinerary

Day 01: Saigon arrival

saigon cityArrive Tan San Nhat airport and welcomed by our guide up and transferred to hotel. Free to discover Ho Chi Minh. Dinner at your own and overnight at hotel.

Day 02: Saigon – Cu Chi Tunnel (B.L)

cu chi tunnelsAfter breakfast at hotel and drive to Cu Chi to visit the super tunnel system dug by Vietnamese troop during American War. Lunch at local restaurant. Visit the historic sites of the city including Cho Lon market, the Old Post Office of Saigon, the Cathedral, and Ben Thanh market. Dinner at your own and overnight at hotel.

Day 03: Saigon – My Tho - Ben Tre - Tra Vinh (B.L)

Breakfast at the hotel. Depart for My Tho, in Tien Giang Province, the gateway to the Mekong Delta, often referred to as the "rice bowl of Vietnam." Upon arrival around 11:00 am, board your private boat for a leisurely cruise along the mighty Mekong River.

Discover the Delta's lush islands, including Phoenix Island, Turtle Island, Dragon Island, and Lion Island, while admiring the peaceful river scenery and the daily life of local communities living along the waterways.

Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant on Phoenix Island, where you will savor authentic Mekong Delta specialties prepared with fresh local ingredients.

In the afternoon, visit traditional family-run workshops producing handmade coconut candies, puffed sticky rice treats, and other regional delicacies. Continue with a relaxing horse-drawn carriage ride through the village to experience the tranquil rural lifestyle before boarding a traditional rowing sampan to glide through the narrow, palm-fringed canals that make the Mekong Delta so enchanting.

Stop at a local family home to enjoy honey tea, sample a variety of tropical fruits, and listen to a performance of Đờn Ca Tài Tử, the traditional folk music of Southern Vietnam recognized by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage.

Return to the pier and continue by road to Tra Vinh. Upon arrival, check in at Tra Vinh Lodge, a charming eco-lodge nestled within a lush tropical garden.

In the evening, take part in a hands-on cooking class, where you will learn to prepare Bánh Xèo, the famous crispy Vietnamese savory pancake and one of the signature dishes of the Mekong Delta. Dinner and overnight at Tra Vinh Lodge.

Day 04: Tra Vinh - Can Tho (B.L.D)

Breakfast at Tra Vinh Lodge. This morning, enjoy a leisurely bicycle ride through the enchanting countryside of the Mekong Delta, where peaceful canals, lush coconut palms, emerald rice fields, and traditional villages create a picture-perfect landscape.

Along the way, visit a local rice paper workshop to discover a traditional craft passed down through generations. Continue to a tropical fruit orchard and a vibrant local market, where you will gain an authentic insight into the daily life, culture, and livelihoods of the Mekong Delta's friendly inhabitants.

Return to Tra Vinh Lodge for lunch before departing for Can Tho. En route, stop to visit a magnificent Khmer pagoda, renowned for its colorful architecture, intricate carvings, and peaceful atmosphere, reflecting the rich Khmer cultural heritage of southern Vietnam.

Arrive in Can Tho, the vibrant capital of the Mekong Delta, in the afternoon and check in to your hotel. Afterwards, embark on a city tour featuring some of Can Tho's most iconic landmarks, including Ninh Kieu Wharf, the beautifully preserved Binh Thuy Ancient House, Can Tho Market, and the historic Ong Pagoda.

Dinner is at your leisure in one of the city's local restaurants. Overnight at your hotel in Can Tho.

Day 05: Marché floating market – Chau Doc (B.L)

Rise early for a memorable boat trip to the vibrant Cai Rang floating market, the largest and most fascinating floating market in the Mekong Delta. Admire the lively scene as hundreds of motorized boats and sampans laden with tropical fruits, vegetables, rice, and local products gather to trade on the river. This authentic experience offers a unique insight into the traditional river life that has shaped the Mekong Delta for generations. After exploring the floating market, return to the hotel for breakfast.

Later, departure for Chau Doc, the charming border town between Vietnam and Cambodia, renowned for its rich cultural heritage and vibrant riverside life. Visit the sacred Sam Mountain, explore the fascinating floating fishing village, admire the revered Ba Chua Xu Temple, and stroll through the lively streets of Chau Doc to experience its unique blend of Vietnamese, Khmer and Cham cultures. Overnight in Chau Doc. 

Day 06: Chau Doc - Tra Su Bird Sanctuary - Saigon (B.L)

After breakfast at hotel. Depart for Tra Su Bird Sanctuary, one of the largest and most spectacular wetland nature reserves in the Mekong Delta. Enjoy a peaceful sampan ride through the tranquil cajuput forest, where you will discover an extraordinary ecosystem rich in birdlife, native flora, and diverse wildlife. Surrounded by lush greenery and the soothing sounds of nature, this unforgettable experience offers a unique glimpse into the ecological beauty of southern Vietnam.

After the visit, continue your journey back to Ho Chi Minh City, arriving in the late afternoon. Check in at your hotel and enjoy the rest of the evening at leisure.

Enjoy a delicious homemade lunch featuring fresh Mekong Delta specialties before beginning the drive back to Ho Chi Minh City. Overnight in Saigon.

Day 07: Saigon – Da Lat (B.L)

da lat cityAfter breakfast at hotel and leave Saigon for Dalat with a stopover on road to see the tea and coffee farm in Bao Lac. You will have lunch in a local restaurant. Continue to Da Lat with many stops for taking pictures and arrive in Da Lat at the end of the day. You will have dinner at your own and stay overnight at hotel.

Day 08: Da Lat (B.L)

da lat cityAfter breakfast at hotel and full day city tour of Dalat includes Langbiang Mountain, hill tribes village, Truc Lam Pagoda. Lunch at local restaurant. Then, visit flower market, House of Bao Dai King and Old Station. Dinner at your own and overnight at the hotel.

Day 09: Da Lat – Nha Trang (B.L)

nha trang beachBreakfast at hotel and depart to Nha Trang with many stops on the way to take pictures. Arrival in Nha Trang, check in hotel. Lunch at local restaurant. Free for swimming at the most beautiful beach Nha Trang. Dinner at your own and overnight at hotel.

Day 10: Nha Trang (B)

nha trang beachBreakfast at hotel and free for swimming and relax at the most beautiful beach Nha Trang. lunch and dinner at your own and overnight at hotel.

Day 11: Nha Trang – Saigon (B)

nha trang beachAfter breakfast at hotel and free until back to Saigon. Lunch and dinner at your own and overnight in Saigon.

Day 12: Saigon – Departure (B)

After breakfast at hotel and free until tranfer to the airport for the departure