South of Vietnam 12 days 11 nights

You have visited the Northern Vietnam before? You still want to come back this country, but gain more new experiences with different kind of climate, local lifestyle and culture. Let join us on the trip to the Southern Vietnam Vietnam Tour lasting for 12 days. It will show you a different world which you cannot find in the North or the Central part. More than your expectations, this short trip takes you to almost famous sites in the South of Vietnam. In addition, it offers you an opportunity to observe clearly the contrast between the Southern Vietnam’s bustling city, the Mekong Delta’s floating market and the peaceful beaches of Nha Trang or the romantic city of Dalat.  

Day 1 : Ho Chi Minh Arrival 

On arrival at Tan San Nhat Airport, picked up and transferred to hotel. Ho Chi Minh City, a bustling metropolis, contradiction of its northern counterpart, is crowded with bikes and motorbikes, excited by numerous shopping areas and sidewalk cafés. If have enough time, we stroll around Saigon down town. Overnight at the hotel in Ho Chi Minh city.

Day 2 : HCM city – Cu Chi Tunnels - City Tour (B,L)

Morning after having breakfast, depart for the famous Cu Chi Tunnels which were an incredible underground network constructed by Vietnamese fighters during the long struggle for independence. The tunnels contained hospitals, plus accommodation and schools, and were used as a military base for the Vietcong in the American war.  Afternoon, we take a half day of city tour to visit all famous sites of this bustling city. The first destination is the Reunification Palace, which was the former residence of the President of South Vietnam until end of April 1975, followed by some French colonial structures including the Notre Dame Cathedral. Apart from the religious meaning, the even more special captivating point of this Cathedral is its special neo-Romanesque style of architecture. Next, it is on to the Old Saigon Post Office. After visiting the Jade Emperor Pagoda, we continue our trip to the bustling Ben Thanh Market, which is firstly well-known as the place for real Vietnamese food. There are a number of vendors and food stalls in the market food section that offer guests many freshly delicious dishes. You also can find any goods for daily use as well as variety of eye-catching local handicrafts, souvenirs here. Overnight at the hotel in HCM city.

Day 3 : HCM city – Le Cochinchine Cruise (B,L,D)

Morning, your driver and guide will pick you up at your hotel in Ho Chi Minh at 8:30 am and transfer to Cai Be. Boarding LE Cocochinchine boat at around 11:30 am. Enjoy welcome drink. Then transfer to a local boat for exploring Cai Be known for its floating market, local pop – rice and sweets production, followed by a visit of colonial buildings, old houses, delightful flower gardens and local coconut candy and rice paper manufacturers. Lunch is served on board while Le Cochinchine sets sail through Cochien. Embark on a pleasant walking or biking on the footpaths of the countryside to discover tropical fruit orchards and the local people's activities. En route to visit a cottage industry, a local farm and sample seasonal fruits. Leisurely cruise on the Mekong River while taking in the beautiful scenery and enjoy an aperitif over the sunset. This is a wonderful day with picturesque ferry crossings over Mekong River branches. Dinner and night on board in Tra On.

Day 4 : Le Cochinchine Cruise – HCM city (B)

Breakfast on board while enjoy the magnificent sunrise on Hau Giang river. The morning bobbling commotion of Mekong river life comes to life for another lovely day, our boat set sails to Can Tho through tributary and canals.  A small boat will take you to Cai Rang, one of the most bustling floating markets in Mekong Delta with hundreds of small boats bargaining and jostling for space as owners attempt to sell their goods. We go for a walk or cycle along the canals and the palm-shaded creek to see local houses and green orchards, ship building yards, rural and water activities in full swing. Boarding back at noon, with a welcome-back drink. We then disembark in Can Tho transfer back to Ho Chi Minh. Overnight at the hotel in Ho Chi Minh city.

Day 5 : HCM city – Nam Cat Tien national Park (B,L,D)

After breakfast, at 7.30am, we leave the busy city of Sai Gon and head to a mountainous area, full of roadside plantations of rubber and green coffee. An approximately 3 and a half hour driving takes us to a former volcanic crater, known as Lava tubes. Crossing Dong Nai River to enter Nam Cat Tien National Park, we enable to begin our wildlife experience. We have lunch at the park and prepare for a hike into Crocodile Lake. A jeep takes us along a 10km-long concrete road before the 5km trekking into the forest begins. The sounds of thousands of insects and long howls of grey monkeys and the startling strange chirps of a forest bird keep us company. A rustic forester outpost is the only facility out on the lake. Accommodation is Spartan, but looking into the red eyes of a crocodile while out on the lake in a small canoe makes the visit well worth it. Tonight, enjoy a simple dinner made by forest rangers.

Day 6 : Nam Cat Tien (B,L,D)

Hike back out from the jungle to the main route where our Jeep picks us up and transfer back to the park Headquarters. Accommodation is arranged in air-conditioned rooms with hot showers in the park center. This afternoon, we walk for 2 hours through the jungle to a bird watchtower that gives a great view of the surrounding area. At night, a jeep equipped with a spot light will take you night spotting. Typical wildlife seen at night includes deer, civet, guar, mongoose, macaque, snakes and other small animals. Overnight at a guesthouse.

Day 7: Nam Cat Tien – Da Lat (B,L)

After breakfast at the park headquarters, we go on to Tien Island. Then we make our way out of the park and transportation is arranged to take us to the main road of Dalat. Check in hotel and overnight in Dalat.

Day 8 : Da Lat City Tour (B,L)

Breakfast at hotel, our trip starts visiting Tuyen Lam lake – the most scenic lake in the area. From here, it takes five minutes to drive to Truc Lam pagoda, built in 1993 and is the best maintained and prettiest Buddhist shrine in Da Lat. Certainly, we cannot miss the Datanla Waterfall, just a few meters after the turn off to Tuyen Lam lake. After lunch at a local restaurant, we continue to visit the Summer Palace of Vietnam last Emperor. We also visit the rather bizarre and very aptly named Crazy House, a brightly painted concrete house which winds itself around trees, mimicking their shapes; it is used as a guesthouse now. The rest of today is your free time. Overnight at the hotel in Da Lat.

Day 9 : Da Lat – Nha Trang (B,L)

Morning, enjoy a panoramic drive through lush mountain passes to the coastal plain and arrive Nha Trang where you will stay for two nights. The region of Nha Trang is a harmonious combination of mountains, island and beautiful white sand beaches. With numerous cultural sights, Nha Trang is also famous for fishing, snorkeling and scuba diving. Overnight in Nha Trang.

Day 10 : Nha Trang (B)

After breakfast, from your hotel depart for Cau Da port. Tri Nguyen Aquarium on Mieu Island is the first place to visit, many sea species of Nha Trang/Khanh Hoa province make a small ocean world there. Mun Island is the best island for snorkeling where you can see lots of colorful corals and fish. Take a visit to a fishing village and have a fresh lunch at the island. On the way back you will be able to see caves in which the sea swallows make their nest.  Then we head to the Po Nagar sanctuary, a beautiful site of the Cham and the Xom Bong fishermen's village, followed by the Oceanographic Institute which includes an aquarium and an exhibition Hall displaying more than 20,000 samples of sea animals. The 23 pools of the aquarium hold a great variety of richly colorful marine species, specially the sea-horses.  Make a stop to visit the Long Son pagoda. Overnight at hotel in Nha Trang.

Day 11 : Nha Trang at leisure (B)

Today you will have free and easy day in Nha Trang. Overnight in hotel in Nha Tranng.

Day 12 : Nha Trang - Flight to HCM city – Departure (B)

Morning free & easy until transfer to airport for flight back to HCM city where you can connect the international flight back home . 

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