10 Day South Vietnam Experience with Flights

Ho Chi Minh City

Enjoy breakfast at your hotel before setting off on your Cu Chi tunnel tour at 08:30 am. Cu Chi is now considered a heroic district for its role in the anti–American war in Vietnam, known for its tunnel system of over 220 km. Used as a military base for resistance to US forces during the Vietnam War, the tunnels were also often used as a hiding spot and for spying by the locals.

Along the way to Cu Chi from Ho Chi Minh city, we will pass by the scenic local countryside, where you might even spot ducks and buffalo cooling off in the river. You will find it hard to imagine the destruction and damage that once dominated the area, caused by bombing and mines when Cu Chi was “a free target zone.”

Enjoy lunch at local restaurant before you transfer back to Ho Chi Minh city at around 3:30pm. Then you have free time in the afternoon and at night in Ho Chi Minh city with plenty to do within easy range of the hotel. 

Accomodation: Acnos Hotel

Meals: Breakfast at hotel, Lunch in a local restaurant

Ho Chi Minh City

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel.

At around 09:00 am our talented local guide will arrive and pick you for a four hour motorbike tour. After a short riding instruction and program introduction, it’s time to ride and see the city like a local!

Admire the beauty of the French-style architecture, including Saigon Notre Dame Cathedral and the Saigon Central Post Office. Visit the Venerable Thich Quang Duc Monument, and learn about some of the lesser-known history of the area.

Then get an insight into local life with a visit to District 3, before enjoying a local coffee and some delicious, authentic Bahn mi, at one of the countries top Bahn mi shops. See how they make this iconic Vietnamese sandwich, with it’s crispy crust and variety of fillings. The snacks don’t stop there though – next stop is a small street food stall where you can learn how they wrap and grill one of top Saigon Street foods – grilled banana & sticky rice in banana leaves. Visit 80-year-old Cheo Leo Café, home of the famous ‘Vot’ coffee. Sit around and enjoy a cup with some hand-baked bread, before your next stop.

Then we head to District 10 and stop at Ho Thi Ky flower market – a huge wholesale flower market where you have a chance to see thousands of colourful flowers, fresh vegetables, live animals, and many other unique things. After that, we drive around hidden parts of the city, including fashion street, painting street, medicine street, electronic market, fabric market, lantern market, fruit market, and even a bird market, giving you an insider view of the hidden side of Ho Chi Minh – an experience which is missed on normal city tours by car/bus.

After such a busy day, we will escape from the busy streets and head to Thien Hau Temple to listen to mysterious stories, learn more about the unique architecture and local religious life. On the way to District 1, we stop to eat again at a popular old restaurant known as one of the ‘Top 5 Places to eat Vietnamese pancake in Saigon’. The guide shows you how the cook makes thin, large, and crispy pancakes skilfully, how to wrap the cake in vegetables and eat. There we also enjoy Rice noodles with grilled pork/fried roll – a specialty food of the city.

Finally, head back to your hotel after passing by Ben Thanh Market. It is time to say goodbye as your Private Saigon Sightseeing & Food Tour by Motorbike ends - but the unique memories will last forever.

Accomodation: Acnos Hotel

Meals: Breakfast and Lunch

Ho Chi Minh City Mekong Delta

Enjoy breakfast at your hotel before checking out and heading off to Cai Be for your Mekong Delta cruise tour. Arrive at Phu An Jetty and begin cruising at around 10:00 am. From the sampan, observe life as it plays out on shore - people going about their daily activities against picturesque landscapes - while your attentive crew serves tea and seasonal fruit. Before arriving at Sa Dec, stop at various points along the river for a look into some of the cottage industries of the region including a brick factory where everything is made by hand, pass monkey bridges and tiny villages to visit a Cao Dai temple.

Arrive in Sa Dec and stroll to the outdoor market. Visit one of the highlights of the charming town, the ancient house of Huynh Thuy Le, a real-life character in the celebrated novel and film “The Lover” by Marguerite Duras. Lunch is served on board while cruising towards Can Tho along a narrow canal teeming with life. Explore the countryside surroundings by local rowboat. After returning onboard, Song Xanh Sampan continues its cruise towards the Hau River. Dinner and overnight on board.

Accomodation: Song Xanh Sampan

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Can Tho

It’s an early start this morning - up at 6:00 am for a visit to the famous Cai Rang Floating Market which operates daily, starting from 5:00 am. Breakfast is served on board while the Song Xanh navigates towards the market among local barges loaded down with fruits and vegetables from the Delta, making for some stunning photos. Continue cruising towards Victoria Can Tho and disembark at the hotel’s private jetty.

*Actual timing and itinerary is dependant on tides and cruising schedules. 

Meet your guide, who will take you by car to visit the Ong pagoda, built in the late 19th century to worship Kuang Kung, a deity symbolising loyalty, justice, reason, intelligence, honour and courage among other merits. Continue to visit a large Khmer pagoda in Can Tho city, Munir Ansay pagoda. This pagoda is not only one of the most beautiful pagodas of the Western Capital, but also a symbol of Khmer architecture.

In the afternoon, check in to your hotel and enjoy a free afternoon. At about 6:00pm, our guide will meet you at hotel lobby and give a quick briefing about the walking tour, about local foods, about lifestyles, and night activities in Can Tho city.

Experience local life with your guide, visiting a nearby park frequented by residents, before heading to your first foodie stop of the night. Locals will cook and serve up yummy original fried prawn cakes right before you eyes, you can experience the best secret soup in CanTho, enjoy the myriad of flavours in the Vietnamese Grilled Pork Patty Salad Rice Paper Rolls, visit hiddens gems and finish the night with a bird’s eye view of CanTho’s rooftop and riverside sky cafe by night. Around 09:30 PM, your guide and driver will take back to your hotel, finishing the “Taste of Can Tho” tour.

Accomodation: Holiday 2 Hotel

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Can Tho Phu Quoc

Enjoy breakfast at  your hotel and a free morning until it is time to transfer to the airport for your flight to Phu Quoc, one of the most amazing beach destinations in Vietnam. With pristine white sand beaches, palm trees and friendly locals this destination is warm with lots of sunshine - perfect for relaxing on the beach or taking part in some of the many outdoor activities on offer, like swimming, snorkelling, island hopping, beach walks and more.

Also not to miss is the Phu Quoc cable car ride, featuring a panoramic view of the entire island.

A car and guide will be waiting at the airport to transport you to your hotel, where you can check in and then enjoy free time exploring the island. 

Accomodation: Sea Star Hotel

Meals: Breakfast

Phu Quoc

Enjoy breakfast at your hotel before getting ready for a day trip out exploring some amazing nearby islands. You will be picked up by your tour guide around 08:30, before boarding your boat at An Thoi harbor.

Your first stop is Buom Island, where you will stop in the crystal clear water before donning a snorkel mask and jumping in right off the boat. Spend an hour swimming and snorkelling, exploring the incredible coral reef up close.

Next, stop at Gam Ghi island and join in an underwater adventure, exploring a coral reef kingdom under the Phu Quoc sea. Lunch is served onboard or on the island. Next, sail over to May Rut Island, a paradise tropical island covered in jungle. Docking just off shore, you'll have time to enjoy the beach bar and many water activities offered on the island.

Back to the pier and be transferred back to your hotel at around 5:00pm.

Accomodation: Sea Star Hotel

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Phu Quoc

Enjoy breakfast at your hotel, and then relax with an entire free day to explore as you wish.

Optional: Cable car, Aquatopia Waterpark & South Landscape package ($90AUDpp)

Be picked up by your guide at around 9:00am and be transferred by car to a pearl farm, lwarning about the methods and culture surrounding this important aspect of island life. Enjoy a scenic drive up the hillside, stopping at the Ho Quoc pagoda – the largest Buddhist temple on the island and featuring stunning sea views.

Continue to the Phu Quoc prison, built by French colonists to jail those considered especially dangerous, and where many high-ranking Vietnamese officials have spent time.

Enjoy lunch at the famous Bai Sao beach, have a quick dip and relax on the sand before heading onwards to the world’s longest cable car. Enjoy panoramic views of the island including fishing villages, town landscapes, beaches and surrounding islands.

Finally, at Thom Island enjoy the exhilarating Aquatopia water park, featuring six different ‘zones’ and a wide variety of attractions. Return back to your hotel at approximately 4:00pm, leaving the evening free for your leisure.

Accomodation: Sea Star Hotel

Meals: Breakfast (lunch also included with optional tour)

Meals: Breakfast

Phu Quoc

Breakfast at hotel. Free whole day for your relaxation at resort.

Optional tour: Discover the North ($90 AUDpp)

Be picked up at 8:30am from your hotel before heading to Cua Can. Enjoy a kayak or basket boat trip along the longest river on the island, observing the beautiful surrounds.

Visit a bee farm and hear all about the honeybee, learning about how important bees are to the local environment and taste some raw honey. Continue your drive through the national park, featuring over 470 plant species.

Arrive at Rach Vem fishing village, locally known as the ‘Kingdom of Starfish’; one of the most amazing areas to visit on Phu Quoc and a hit with visitors. Featuring deep blue water, white sandy beaches and – you guessed it – lots of starfish, you can eplore, swim and enjoy lunch before heading back you the hotel.

On the way, stop again at Ganh Dau beach for a view of Cambodia! Return back to your hotel at approximately 4:00pm, leaving the evening free for your leisure.

Accomodation: Sea Star Hotel

Meals: Breakfast (lunch included with optional tour)

Phu Quoc Australia

After breakfast, enjoy time at leisure until your airport transfer arrives. Say goodbye to paradise, and we hope you enjoyed your time in Vietnam! 

Meals: Breakfast, in-flight