Itinerary 6 days 5 nights a time to visit the whole Mekong delta area

Overview

The Mekong Delta is one of the largest and most fertile deltas in Asia, and indeed in the world. The productivity and economic contribution of the Mekong Delta depend very much on its natural ecosystems. The delta is home to a highly diverse fauna including mammals, birds, fish, reptiles and amphibians – and in a range of habitats including rivers, coastal mudflats and mangroves, seasonally flooded grassland and Melaleuca forest, open swamps and agricultural land.

During the war in Vietnam, thousands of people in the Vietnamese province of Cu Chi lived in an elaborate network of underground tunnels. The tunnels were used by Viet Cong guerrillas as hiding spots during combat, as well as serving as communication and supply routes, hospitals, food and weapon caches and living quarters for numerous guerrilla fighters. The tunnel systems were of great importance to the Viet Cong in their resistance to American forces, and played a major role in North Vietnam winning the war.

Destinations: Ho Chi Minh city - Cu Chi - Vinh Long - Can Tho - Chau Doc

Highlights:

• - Go around Ho Chi Minh city and enjoy the life in this modern city.
• - Explore the Cu Chi Tunnel to learn more about Vietnam's history as well as the heroic life of people here.
• - Take a boat trip to discover the remote area of Mekong Delta.

Itinerary

Day 1: Ho Chi Minh city Arrival

• - On arrival at Tan San Nhat Airport, our car will pick up and transfer you to hotel for check-in.
• - If time permits, you can stroll around the down town to explore the different local ways of life.
• - Stay overnight at hotel.

Day 2: Ho Chi Minh City – Cu chi – Ho Chi Minh City (B)

• - Have breakfast at the hotel.
• - Then 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 end of April 1975.
• -  Close to the palace are some striking French colonial structures including the Notre Dame Cathedral and the Old Sai Gon Post Office waiting to be visited.
• -Afterthat you will visit the Jade Emperor Pagoda and the War Remnant Museum before continuing to the bustling Ben Thanh Market - the most famous market for not only domestic but also foreign travellers.
• - In the afternoon after few hours driving from city centre you will have chance explore the Cu Chi Tunnels, an incredible underground network of approximately 200 km constructed by Vietnamese fighters during the long struggle for independence.
• - Get back to the city centre. Stay overnight at hotel.

Day 3: Ho Chi Minh City – Vinh Long – Can Tho (B, L)

• - After breakfast, we will 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 mighty Mekong River.
• - Our first stop is the vibrant floating market of Cai Be where each boat usually sells one particular item, whether it be pumpkins, pineapples, sugar canes etc. and in order that the customer knows where to shop, they hang that item from the highest part of the boat.

• - Along the way we also visit the many fascinating local cottages industries including rice paper makers, sweet factory, bonsai nurseries.
• - Enjoy a lunch at an fruit orchard and then weave our way through the intricate network of canals which are the lifeblood of the Mekong Delta, to Vinh Long.
• - At this small town we meet up with our vehicle for a short drive to Can Tho, our final destination.
• - Stay overnight at hotel in Can Tho.

Day 4: Can Tho – Chau Doc (B)

• - Today we continue venturing into the Mekong Delta, passing through the many rice fields fringed with palm trees, fruit orchards and canals crammed with boats and rice barges to Chau Doc.
• - A highlight of our visit to this region is an interesting boat trip on the Hau River to a fishing breeding farm and a small Muslin community at 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 mighty Mekong River.
• - Stay overnight in Chau Doc.

Day 5: Chau Doc – Xeo Quit – Ho Chi Minh City (B)

• - 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 rice fields and the smiling faces of the people.
• - On arrival we board a boat for an exploration of the Xeo Quit Forest which was once a stronghold of the communist troop during the American wartime.
• - After the boat trip we drive back to Ho Chi Minh City, passing through the charming countryside.
• - Stay overnight at hotel Ho Chi Minh City.

Day 6: Ho Chi Minh Departure (L)

• - After breakfast, you have time to relax or go sightseeing until transferred to airport for your ongoing flight.

Rate & availability

Price inclusion:

• Accommodation in a shared twin or shared double room
• Meals as mentioned (B= Breakfast, L= Lunch, D= Dinner)
• English speaking guide (for other languages and a national guide supplements apply)
• Tours and transfers as mentioned by private air conditioned vehicle
• Entrance fees for mentioned visits
• Boat trips as mentioned in the itinerary

Price exclusion:

• Other meals than mentioned
• Other services than mentioned
• International and domestic flights
• Laundry, telephone calls and expenditure of a personal nature
• Tips, Travel insurance