Southern Vietnam Culture and Beaches
Culture
9 Days
Trip Overview
The 9-day journey begins with an exploration of Ho Chi Minh City, formerly Saigon, Vietnam’s biggest city. Next head to the Mekong Delta, Vietnam’s iconic waterway destination before finally enjoying a beach break in Phan Thiet.
Highlights
- Squeezing through the Cu Chi Tunnels
- Admiring the exotic landscape of the Mekong River Delta
- Experiencing the bustle of Ho Chi Minh City
- Enjoying some beach time in Phan Thiet
This Tour is Perfect for
- Seeing major highlights but still getting off-the-beaten path
- Exploring the diverse landscapes of southern Vietnam
- Families and couples
Detailed Itinerary
Topas Travel creates tailor-made tours for our guests according to their specific requests. This itinerary has been designed to show you just one of many options
In Brief
Day 1: Ho Chi Minh City Arrival
Day 2: Cu Chi + Ho Chi Minh City
Day 3: Ho Chi Minh City – Mekong Delta
Day 4: Mekong Delta – Ho Chi Minh City
Day 5: Ho Chi Minh City – Phan Thiet
Day 6: Phan Thiet Free Day
Day 7: Phan Thiet Free Day
Day 8: Phan Thiet Free Day
Day 9: Phan Thiet -Ho Chi Minh City Departure
Day 1: Welcome to sophisticated Saigon | Ho Chi Minh City Arrival
Xin Chao and welcome to Vietnam! Upon arrival to Saigon’s Tan Son Nhat Airport, a Topas representative will welcome you to the land of the ascending dragon before heading straight to your hotel in the heart of the city.
Included meals: N/A
Distance and Activities: 45’ drive
Day 2: Saigon History | Ho Chi Minh City - Cu Chi Tunnels
Step into the past with a visit through the Cu Chi tunnels, a vital network of 200km of underground passages, chambers, and living quarters during the American War and a fascinating piece of Vietnam’s history. Enjoy a local lunch nearby before returning to the center of Ho Chi Minh City.
The afternoon consists of an easy walking tour, starting at the Reunification Palace and then stopping at the Post Office and Notre Dame Cathedral, two still-working colonial masterpieces. End your tour at the War Remnants Museum, learning about the sobering recent tragedies and the fighting spirit the Vietnamese used to rebuild their society.
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Distance and activities: 3h round-trip transfer -3h tunnel tour – 3h sightseeing city tour
Day 3: Relax in the Mekong Delta |Ho Chi Minh City – Mekong Delta - Vung Liem
Leave the city for a quiet escape to the fertile rice bowl of Vietnam: the Mekong Delta. This lush land of palm trees and great rivers is home to some of the best fruit farms found anywhere in the world, and it is all easily explored by bike. So, take your two wheels and peddle around the area, taking in the vibrant green rice paddies and stopping to enjoy wonderfully juicy fruit.
Check-in to your riverside lodge, just in time to watch a traditional music show while enjoying a delicious dinner made from local ingredients from the area.
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Distance and activities: 2h transfer – 2h cycling
Day 4: All About Coconuts | Vung Liem - Mekong Delta - Ho Chi Minh City
Get an early start and discover more about one of the produce items that keeps this region in business: coconuts. Witness the boats piled high with coconuts destined for the factory – nothing goes to waste! After the coconuts are shelled, the fibers are removed from the husk and used to make rope and rugs. You can watch the whole process before returning to the lodge.
Arrive to your city hotel in the late afternoon, with the evening free to explore on your own.
Included meals: Breakfast
Distance and activities: 2h transfer – 2h cycling
Day 5: Ho Chi Minh City – Transfer to Phan Thiet
Today we will drive northeast toward Phan Thiet Beach. It takes around 5 hours. Phan Thiet is famous for fishing villages and nice resorts with a long and peaceful beach. Also, there are many activities available, like exploring the scenic sand dunes, watersports and boat trips.
Included meals: Breakfast
Distance and activities: 5 transfers
Day 6: Phan Thiet – Free Day
Free day at leisure.
Included meals: Breakfast
Day 7: Phan Thiet – Free Day
Free day at leisure.
Included meals: Breakfast
Day 8: Phan Thiet Free Day
Free day at leisure or join some optional tours:
– Boat Trip around Phu Hai
– Phan Thiet River Tour
Included meals: Breakfast
Day 9: Phan Thiet - Ho Chi Minh Departure
Today is the last day at the beach before heading to the airport for your flight onward.
Included meals: Breakfast
Tour Inclusions
- 2-way private A/C airport transfer
- All accommodation indicated as twin-shared room
- All meals as indicated in the program
- All tours mentioned in the program
- Refillable water in vans (Please check with your guide or driver)
- 1 x English speaking local tour guide on days with activities
- Government VAT
Important Notes
Tour Exclusions
- Drinks and alcohol
- Vietnam visa (On request with additional charge)
- Travel insurance (Compulsory with Topas Travel programs)
- Upgrades to higher standard rooms or single supplements
- Personal travel items (Please visit our Vietnam weather page for more information)
Essential Information
This program utilizes comfortable accommodation in the form of carefully curated hotels, lodges, and homestays. Hotels and lodges have been selected with the active traveler in mind, offering standard services and located as close to nature and local engagement as possible. Homestays are simple and equipped with western toilets and amenities such as fans and mattresses. If you have a specific property in mind you wish to stay at, please let your travel designer know so they can work it into your program.
