Ho Chi Minh City (L)

Ho Chi Minh City - Greet your welcoming guide upon arrival at your hotel or the airport and embark on a private tour of Ho Chi Minh City. Travel comfortably in an air-conditioned vehicle to Chinatown, where you will explore top attractions such as Quan Am Pagoda and Thien Hau Temple. Continue to Binh Tay Market and various teahouses to discover specialty items.

Savor lunch at a local eatery and spend the afternoon visiting key landmarks in the southern capital, formerly known as Saigon. Explore the renowned exhibits at the War Remnants Museum (previously the Museum of Chinese and American War Crimes) to understand the Vietnam War’s impact on the local population.

Next, head to the Reunification Palace (Independence Palace) to learn about the history of this former presidential residence until the Fall of Saigon, which concluded the war.

If time allows, make brief photo stops at Saigon Notre-Dame Cathedral and the Central Post Office, two architectural masterpieces constructed by the French on Paris Square in the late 19th century.

Then, hone your bargaining skills (with guidance from your guide) at Ben Thanh Market, the bustling central market of the city. Be amazed by the variety of foods, textiles, cosmetics, and other goods neatly organized in different sections.

The evening is yours to enjoy at your leisure.

Overnight: Select your own accommodation in Ho Chi Minh City (own expense)

Chinatown (Cho Lon) - District 5 - Ho Chi Minh City’s Cholon is Vietnam’s largest Chinatown, with origins dating back to 1778; it holds significant historical and cultural value.

Ba Thien Hau Temple - The Thien Hau Temple (Vietnamese: Miếu Bà Thiên Hậu), officially the Ba Thien Hau Pagoda (Chùa Bà Thiên Hậu, “Pagoda of the Lady Thien Hau”), is a Chinese-style temple dedicated to the Chinese sea goddess Mazu, located on Nguyễn Trãi Street in the Cho Lon (“Chinatown”) of District 5 in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.

Binh Tay Market - Constructed by the French in the 1880s, Binh Tay Market is situated in the heart of Vietnam’s largest Chinatown district. Unlike Ben Thanh Market in District 1, this market primarily serves the local community with a wide array of fresh fruits, vegetables, poultry, meat, and seafood from across Vietnam.

War Remnants Museum - The War Remnants Museum in Ho Chi Minh City opened to the public in 1975. Formerly known as the ‘Museum of American War Crimes’, it serves as a poignant reminder of the lengthy and brutal Vietnam War.

The Independence Palace - Independence Palace (Dinh Độc Lập), also referred to as Reunification Palace (Vietnamese: Dinh Thống Nhất), is a notable landmark in Saigon, Vietnam. Designed by architect Ngô Viết Thụ, it was the residence and workplace of the President of South Vietnam during the Vietnam War. It became the site of the Vietnam War’s conclusion during the Fall of Saigon on April 30, 1975, when a North Vietnamese army tank breached its gates.

Saigon Notre Dame Cathedral - Built in the late 1880s by French colonists, Saigon Notre Dame Cathedral is one of the few remaining bastions of Catholicism in predominantly Buddhist Vietnam. Situated in Paris Square, the name Notre Dame was bestowed after the installation of the ‘Peaceful Notre Dame’ statue in 1959.

Central Post Office - The Central Post Office in Ho Chi Minh is a beautifully preserved relic of French colonial times and is perhaps the most magnificent post office in all of Southeast Asia.

Ben Thanh Market - Located in Ho Chi Minh City’s District 1, Ben Thanh Market is an excellent place to purchase local handicrafts, branded goods, Vietnamese art, and other souvenirs. Inside the market, you’ll find food stalls offering hawker-style Vietnamese cuisine or a refreshing cold drink when the bargaining becomes overwhelming.

Ho Chi Minh City — My Tho — Ho Chi Minh City (L)

My Tho - After morning pickup from your hotel, enjoy a 2-hour drive to My Tho, a thriving town in the Mekong Delta known for its vast orchards and expansive rice fields.

Visit Vinh Trang Pagoda, a must-see sanctuary filled with flowers, shrubs, and lotus pools amidst beautiful gardens. After crossing a river bridge, walk with your guide through the intricately designed gate and explore the complex, where towering Buddha statues stand or sit among the extensive grounds. Admire the decorative motifs of the structures made with mosaic tiles and carved and gilded wood, and perhaps meet some of the monks who maintain the serene temple.

Then, embark on a boat ride on the mighty Mekong River, enjoying lunch en route to an island, where you’ll visit a fruit orchard and learn about regional produce.

Your day trip concludes with a return to Ho Chi Minh City and drop-off at your hotel.

Overnight: Select your own accommodation in Ho Chi Minh City (own expense)

Vinh Trang Temple - The Vĩnh Tràng pagoda is one of the most renowned in the Delta, located approximately three kilometers from the center of Mỹ Tho city. Delight in this exquisite temple and its surrounding ornate gardens.

Ho Chi Minh City — Cu Chi Tunnels — Ho Chi Minh City (L)

Cu Chi Tunnels - Meet your guide at your hotel in the morning for a journey to the Cu Chi Tunnels, an extraordinary network of underground tunnels used by guerrilla fighters during the Vietnam War.

After a comfortable drive, begin your subterranean exploration with a short film documenting the tunnels’ role as a strategic military base by the Viet Cong. The extensive underground network that once connected villages and housed living quarters, hospitals, conference rooms, and kitchens is now preserved as a memorial park.

Descend with your guide into a narrow passageway to explore a section of the labyrinth open to tourists, and gain insight into what life was like below ground during wartime.

After returning from the forest to your private car, head back to the city for lunch at a local restaurant, followed by free time for personal activities before being transferred to your hotel or the airport.

• Airport pickup available on request
• Convenient hotel pickup and drop-off
• Complimentary bottled water
• Insightful commentary from a professional guide
• Comfortable transport in an air-conditioned vehicle
• Delicious lunch included

• Hotel accommodation
• Food and drinks, unless specified
• Gratuities
• Dinner

See the highlights of southern Vietnam during three days of private tours, including Ho Chi Minh City, the Mekong Delta and the Cu Chi Tunnels. You’ll arrange your own overnight accommodation in the former Saigon, but during the day you’ll benefit from the knowledge of a private local guide who accompanies you to notable city landmarks like the Reunification Palace and the War Remnants Museum. Ride a boat to an island on the Mekong River from My Tho and visit Vinh Trang Pagoda, then finish with a trip to the underground war tunnels. Round-trip hotel or airport transport by private vehicle and three lunches are included. Small-group tour limited to seven people ensures a personalized experience.

• Please advise any specific dietary requirements at time of booking
• Accommodation is not provided on this tour. You’ll need to pre-arrange your accommodation. Please advise your hotel details at time of booking.

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.