DAY 1 : SAIGON ARRIVAL (-/-/D)
Upon arrival, you will be greeted and transferred by private car to your hotel for check-in. NOTE : kindly note that should you arrive early, an early check-in is not included and subject to hotel’s availability. Your guide will brief an orientation of the city along the way. Once checked in we leave you at your leisure. The remainder of today is at leisure to rest and relax after your journey.
DAY 2 : SAIGON (B/L/-)
Today we head into the city for a full day of sightseeing. We visit Cholon, Saigon’s bustling Chinatown district as well as Vietnam’s first traditional medicine museum. From here we head to the city centre and famous Ben Thanh Market where there will be time to stroll through the colourful displays of goods for sale. Other historic sites featured today include The War Remnant Museum, the old Post Office, Dong Khoi Street, the Continental Hotel, the Opera House and City Hall.
DAY 3 : SAIGON / TAY NINH / CU CHI / SAIGON (B/L/-)
After breakfast we depart Saigon for Tay Ninh. Leaving the city behind, the scenery changes to views of rice paddies, villagers drying noodles by the side of the road and other scenes typical to southern Vietnam. At Tay Ninh we visit the Cao Dai Great Temple, with architecture that could have come straight from a Walt Disney fantasy and where all the major faiths of the world blend together in a unique religious cocktail. After lunch in a local restaurant, we move on to the famous Cu Chi Tunnels which consist of an incredible underground network constructed by Vietnamese resistance fighters (Viet Cong) during both the French and American wars. In the late afternoon journey back to Saigon, where there will be free time for the rest of the day.
DAY 4 : SAIGON / MEKONG DELTA (B/L/-)
This morning, we drive to the Mekong Delta town of Cai Be. On arrival, we board our delta cruise boat, the Bassac. Welcome drinks will be served on arrival followed by an introduction to the ship and crew. From here we sail towards Cho Lach on the Tien Giang River whilst lunch is served on the upper deck. Sit back and relax while the ship branches into the Cho Lach Canal, winding through the traffic of sand and rice barges, past fruit drying vendors and around building yards of traditional wooden ships.
In the afternoon we visit a village on the banks of river Mang Thít as well as nearby orchards and rice paddies. Back on board the Bassac, complimentary drinks will be served, whilst you sit back and enjoy the sunset overlooking the Mekong’s magical waterways. Dinner will be served as you cruise the Mang Thit River and overnight will be on board the ship.
DAY 5 : MEKONG DELTA / SAIGON / NHA TRANG (B/L/-)
Breakfast is available from 6:30 while the Bassac cruises past Tra On, towards Can Tho. Upon arrival at the Cai Rang floating market, we disembark the cruise, transfer to a local boat and visit this lively floating centre of local commerce as well as the nearby canals and gardens, ending at the Ninh Kieu Pier, late in the morning. From here we return to dry land where your guide and driver await you for the transfer back to Saigon. After some free time in the city, we transfer to the airport and fly to the beach town of Nha Trang and our resort hotel.
DAY 6 : NHA TRANG (B/L/-)
After breakfast, we take a boat off the coast of Nha Trang where we explore some of the nearby islands and you can swim and snorkel in the clear warm waters. Along the way, you can explore nearby villages or simply relax on the boat’s deck and ‘people watch’ as Vietnamese villagers, whose descendants have lived on these islands for generations, go about their daily lives. After a fresh seafood lunch on ‘Bamboo Island’ we return to Nha Trang City where the rest of the day is free for you to relax in your resort or further explore the town.
DAY 7 : NHA TRANG / DALAT (B/L/-)
After breakfast, we head overland to the mountain town of Dalat, stopping en route to view the local country side and visit a local house for a fun, hands-on cooking lesson. From here, watch the terrain and climate change as we gradually climb higher into the hills, stopping along the way at hill tribe villages of the Ede, Koho and Chu Ru communities, before reaching the mountain town of Dalat and our superior class hotel.
DAY 8 : DALAT (B/L/-)
Today you will experience the unique environment of this mountain region, featuring flower gardens, pine forests, vineyards and a colourful market. Other highlights include the 1930′s Dalat Railway Station, an organic vegetable farm, the palace of the last Emperor of Vietnam and the fascinating Lam Dong Museum. There will be some leisure time in the afternoon before enjoying a locally produced special organic meal for dinner.
DAY 9 : DALAT / SAIGON DEPARTURE (B/-/-)
After breakfast, enjoy some free leisure time before transferring to Dalat’s airport for the flight back to Saigon and catch your onward connecting flight.