Southern Charms and the Mekong Delta

Welcome to Ho Chi Minh City, formerly known as but still commonly referred to as Saigon. Ho Chi Minh City is Vietnam’s vibrant southern hub - a place where modern energy blends with rich history, bustling markets, colonial streets, and a dynamic food culture that never sleeps. Please be prepared to meet in the lobby at 5:30 P.M. to depart for your welcome dinner. The dinner reservation time will be finalized closer to your trip date. If you plan on arriving today, we recommend flying into the Tan Son Nhat International Airport (SGN).

This morning, set out to explore Saigon’s story with a drive along Dong Khoi Street, featured in Graham Greene’s The Quiet American, before passing the Saigon Opera House, an iconic building that has served roles ranging from a wartime bomb shelter to the parliamentary Lower House. Continue past the Central Post Office and Notre Dame Cathedral, two well‑known examples of French colonial architecture, and see the former CIA building where the famous helicopter evacuation took place during the final days of the Vietnam War. Move on to the Reunification Palace, once the seat of the South Vietnamese Government then tour the Saigon Commandos Museum, a little‑known 1963 house that once operated as a covert base for the Saigon Commandos’ Security Unit. After the museum, stop by a nearby historic café to try its special “butter beer.” The rest of the afternoon is free at your leisure, then in the evening you’ll head out into the Saigon traffic for dinner. This evening you’ll hop onboard vintage Vespas and ride through Saigon’s lively evening streets stopping at local shops to try various Vietnamese foods. Today you’ll want to wear comfortable walking shoes and it’s recommended to bring a water bottle.

• Reunification Palace

  Visit the Reunification Palace, once the headquarters of the South Vietnamese Government, where you can explore the war room, the banquet hall, and the presidential office, all still furnished with original items and the unusual gifts once presented to its former leaders.

  09:15· 75 min· Ho Chi Minh
• Commandos Museum

  Your next stop is a little‑known location, hidden from most tourists, where you’ll gain insight into daily life during wartime from the perspective of a local resident. The Saigon Commandos Museum, built in 1963 and outwardly resembling an ordinary house, once served as a covert base for the operational activities of the Saigon Commandos’ Security Unit led by Tran Van Lai. The exhibits preserved here provide direct evidence of the Commandos’ strategies, operations, and resilience, offering a grounded and personal look at their history.

  11:30· 45 min· Ho Chi Minh
• Saigon's Nightlife on Vintage Vespa

  The darker the night gets, the more vivid Saigon becomes! Get ready for a fascinating ride by vintage vespa tonight to discover the busy Saigon after dark, together with beautiful street foods tasting in the most authentic local restaurants. Make your first stop at a small yet popular Vietnamese bread stall, line up to get a fresh Banh Mi before heading to a hidden local restaurant to taste the freshest local Southern Vietnamese courses. Then continue to zig zag through the hustle bustle streets, wander around an old apartment complex which becomes extremely lively at night with hundreds of food and drinks stalls. Take a break at a 20-year-old desserts shop. End your night at a cozy bar room tucked away in a quiet alley to taste a signature cocktail. Finally return to your hotel by vespa. Please note the weight limit on the vespa is 285 lbs (130 kg).

  18:30· 210 min· Ho Chi Minh

Enjoy a leisurely morning before checking out and heading to the Mekong Delta. First you’ll head to a local restaurant to enjoy an included lunch before departing to Can Tho. Upon arrival, check in at your hotel and take some time to settle in. In the evening, board a dinner cruise along the Mekong River, sailing around one of the nearby islands and returning with views of Can Tho illuminated at night from the water.

• Private Dinner Cruise on the Mekong River

  Enjoy a private dinner cruise along the Mekong River where you will sail around one of the islands and admire Can Tho by night from the water.

  17:30· 120 min
• Transfer · Ho Chi Minh City → Can Tho

  Take a 10 minute private transfer to a local restaurant for lunch. Then continue your transfer to Can Tho. Stops for bathrooms will be made along the way as needed.

  210 min

Begin your day with a journey to My Tho, the gateway to the Mekong Delta, located about two hours from the city. Upon arrival you’ll step aboard a motorized wooden sampan and explore the Mekong River and see the locals whose livelihood depends on the river. Then switch to bicycles to explore a lush island filled with gardens growing grapefruits, coconuts, bananas, durian, jackfruit, and longan. Lunch is hosted in a family garden, featuring Mekong specialties and a chance to watch the hostess prepare banh khot, a well‑loved savory mini pancake. Afterward, continue cycling through quiet backstreets to discover small family industries, including a long‑running moonshine distillery and a bee farm displaying traditional tools. Re‑board your boat for the return cruise to the mainland, then travel back to Ho Chi Minh City in the late afternoon. Today you’ll want to wear comfortable walking shoes, and clothing suitable for bike riding.

• Tan My and Thoi Son Islands

  This morning transfer to the gateway to the Mekong Delta. Upon arrival, board a motorized wooden sampan to begin your exploration of the Mekong River, cruising around Tan My and Thoi Son Islands, where floating fish farms and long‑standing houseboats create a distinctive riverside landscape. Stop at one of the floating farms to meet local fishermen and gain insight into the area’s traditional fishing practices. Continue your journey with a peaceful rowing‑boat ride through narrow canals shaded by water coconut trees, offering a close‑up look at the Delta’s tranquil waterways.

  10:30· 45 min· My Tho
• Exploring Island Farms and Gardens by Bike

  Continue your journey by bicycle to explore the lush island landscape, home to expansive gardens growing grapefruits, coconuts, bananas, durian, jackfruit, and longan. Stop at a local family’s home to learn about their mushroom‑nurturing process, a small but important part of island agriculture. Hop back on your bike and ride further down to visit a small farm of cows, pigs, chickens, and a fishing pond, and enjoy fresh seasonal fruits picked straight from the garden. Please note the weight limit for the bicycles is 285 lbs (130 kg). For travelers who prefer not to ride bikes, transportation via golf cart can be arranged.

  11:30· 60 min· My Tho
• Transfer · Can Tho → My Tho

  Take a private transfer to My Tho. Stops for bathrooms will be made along the way as needed.

  120 min
• Transfer · My Tho → Ho Chi Minh City

  Take a private transfer to return to Ho Chi Minh City.

  180 min

Depart your hotel in the early morning for the Cu Chi Tunnels, traveling through the countryside that was once a major Viet Cong stronghold. On arrival, explore a section of the narrow tunnel network played a vital role in strategic missions, including the 1968 Tet Offensive. After lunch, continue to a Premium Craft Gin & Distillery Tour located just 10 minutes away. finally, return to Ho Chi Minh City. Today you’ll want to wear comfortable clothes and shoes for walking, and bring a water bottle.

• Visit Cu Chi Tunnel

  Embark on your Cu Chi Tunnels journey and transfer through the countryside, once a Viet Cong stronghold. Upon arrival, watch a brief video depicting the soldiers' life during the war. The cramped tunnels played a pivotal role in strategic operations, including the famous 1968 Tet Offensive. Despite sustaining damage from American B52 bombers, the tunnels served as living quarters, supply routes, and hospitals for guerrilla fighters.

  10:00· 120 min· Ho Chi Minh
• Lady Trieu Craft Gin & Distillery Tour & Tasting

  Just 10 minutes away, visit the distillery for Asia’s most awarded gin brand - Lady Trieu Gin! Learn about distillation, discover the Vietnamese botanicals that shape each blend, and hear the inspiring story of Lady Trieu. Step into the laboratory and tasting room for an interactive look at the science behind the gin, followed by an expert-guided tasting. You will taste 5-6 different types of gin.

  13:30· 90 min· Ho Chi Minh
• Transfer · Ho Chi Minh City → Cu Chi Tunnels

  Take a private transfer to the Cu Chi Tunnels.

  90 min
• Transfer to Ho Chi Minh City

  Take a private transfer to return to Ho Chi Minh City.

  90 min

Enjoy your final day in Saigon at your leisure or join an optional tour to explore the Heritage of Cho Lon. In the evening, gather for a farewell dinner—a moment to reflect on the journey, share final stories, and celebrate the experiences you’ve collected along the way.

All good things must come to an end, but only until your next adventure! Enjoy a final breakfast and then make your own way onward. If departing directly from the hotel, we recommend flying out of the Tan Son Nhat International Airport (SGN).