Mekong Exploration Tour 6 Days/ 5 Nights

Ho Chi Minh City is the largest Vietnamese city and vibrant "southern capital" of the nation, throbbing with life and commercial activity. It has many exciting things of Vietnamese life to show the curious visitors. Just outside the city are the Cu Chi Tunnels - an underground maze dug by the Vietcong in their struggle against the American occupation. Not far south of this 300-year-old city is the wide expanse of the Mekong Delta with its lush vegetation and fruit orchards. Exploring the delta region gives another fascinating aspect of Vietnam and southern Vietnamese life centring on agriculture and religious worship.

Destinations

• The Mekong Delta, the story of a river and the life it generates

Highlights

• Cruise along the rivers maze of canals for a taste of the lush and lively culture
• Visit farms and workshops, bump into local people and taste their locally made products
• Spend time gently cruising through one of the Mekong's huge floating markets
• Experience an overnight in the heart of the Delta in Can Tho

Brief Itinerary:

Day 1 : Ho Chi Minh City - Arrival

Day 2 : Ho Chi Minh half day - Cu Chi Tour (B,L)

Day 3 : Ho Chi Minh City - Vinh Long - Can Tho (B/L)

Day 4 : Can Tho - Chau Doc (B,L)

Day 5 : Chau Doc - Cao Lanh - Ho Chi Minh City (B,L)

Day 6 : Ho Chi Minh City Departure (B)

Day 1 : Ho Chi Minh City - Arrival
On arrival at Tan Son Nhat Airport, you are met and transferred to hotel. Ho Chi Minh City, still called Saigon by many locals, is a center of commerce, finance, culture and tourism in Vietnam. This bustling metropolis contrasts with its northern counterpart, is crowded with bicycles and motorbikes, enlivened by many shopping areas and sidewalk cafés. If time permits, we stroll around the downtown to explore the different local ways of life.
Overnight in hotel, Ho Chi Minh City.

Day 2 : Ho Chi Minh half day - Cu Chi Tour (B,L)
Breakfast at the hotel. The sightseeing tour of Ho Chi Minh City begins with a visit to the Reunification Palace which was the former residence of the President of South Vietnam until April 1975. Close to the palace are some striking French colonial structures including the Notre Dame Cathedral and the Old Sai Gon Post Office. We also visit the Jade Emperor Pagoda and the War Remnant Museum before continuing to the bustling Ben Thanh Market where everything and anything is for sale! We drive out this afternoon to explore the Cu Chi Tunnels, an incredible underground network of approximately 200km constructed by Vietnamese fighters during the long struggle for independence. The tunnels contained hospitals, accommodation and schools, and were used as a military base for the Vietcong in the American War. Overnight in hotel, Ho Chi Minh City.

Day 3 : Ho Chi Minh City - Vinh Long - Can Tho (B/L)
Breakfast at the hotel. Heading out of town we travel by road to Cai Be in Vinh Long province. On arrival we embark on a boat for a leisurely trip around the tributaries of the Mekong River delta. Our first stop is the vibrant floating market of Cai Be where each boat usually sells one particular item, whether it be pumpkins, pineapples, or sugarcanes and in order that the customer knows what the boat is selling, the vendor hangs that item from the highest part of the boat. Along the way we also visit the many fascinating local cottage industries including rice-paper making, sweet factory, bonsai nurseries. After lunch at an orchard we weave our way through the intricate network of canals which are the arteries of the Mekong Delta to Vinh Long. In this small town we meet our vehicle for a short drive to Can Tho, our final destination for the day. Overnight in hotel, Can Tho.

Day 4 : Can Tho - Chau Doc (B,L)
Breakfast at the hotel. Today we continue venturing into the Mekong Delta, passing through the many ricefields fringed with palm trees, fruit orchards and canals crammed with boats and rice barges to Chau Doc. This border town is less affected by the flash and glitz of Ho Chi Minh City's fashionable young people although it is a major hub of trade along the Mekong River. A highlight of our visit to this region is an interesting boat trip on the Hau River to a fish breeding farm and a small Muslim community in the Cham village. Upon disembarking we drive to explore the sacred Ba Chua Temple and the nearby sanctuary of Tay An. We complete our day with a walk to the Sam Mountain for a beautiful view of the sunset over the Mekong River delta.
Overnight in hotel, Chau Doc.
 

Day 5 : Chau Doc - Cao Lanh - Ho Chi Minh City (B,L)
Breakfast at the hotel. The return trip begins as we depart this border town. A part of the pleasure of travelling in this region is the simple joy of seeing the ricefields and the smiling faces of the people. On arrival in Cao Lanh, we board a boat for an exploration of the Xeo Quit Forest which was once a stronghold of the communist troop during the American War. These boundless cajeput forests are criss-crossed by numerous narrow canals surrounded by aquatic grass and plants, tall trees and vines. The cool and humid air mixing with the fragrance of flowers as well as the beautiful song of birds in the quiet environment make for an unforgettable excursion. After the boat trip we drive back to Ho Chi Minh City, passing through the charming countryside.Overnight in hotel, Ho Chi Minh.

Day 6 : Ho Chi Minh City Departure (B)
Breakfast at the hotel. Free until time to relax or further explore Ho Chi Minh City on your own. The tour ends after your transfer to Tan Son Nhat Airport for departure flight.

Trip included:

• Accommodation on double/twin basis with daily breakfast
• All boat cruise  with meals
• Meals as indicated ( B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=dinner)
• Tours with entrance fees and English speaking  guide,
• Private transfer

Trip excluded:                   

• International  & Domestic airfares
• Travel insurance
• Visa and visa arrangement
• Other personal expenses
• Surcharge for New Year and Christmas day