SAIGON AND VUNG TAU BEACH BREAK

After breakfast, we commence a half day tour with a visit to Cuchi Tunnels, located 70 km northwest of Ho Chi Minh City, built and used by the Viet Cong during Vietnam War. It took 25 years to construct this tunnel and it stands today as a symbol of struggle of the Vietnamese people. This Tunnel consists of more than 200 km of underground tunnels, many branches connecting to underground hideouts, shelters, and entrances to other tunnels and home to more than 16,000 communist guerillas and sympathizers during the war. The underground network provided sleeping quarters, meeting rooms, hospitals, and other social rooms. Visiting the Cu Chi Tunnels provides a better understanding of the prolonged resistance war and also of the persistent and clever character of the Vietnamese.

Back to Ho Chi Minh for lunch. We then proceed to Vungtau, formerly resorts of American Army during Vietnam War, Vietnamese’s honeymoon destination with many untouched beaches are chosen for relaxation and water activities. Upon Vungtau arrival, we check in the hotel and free at leisure. Overnight in Vungtau.

After breakfast, we commence a city tour with a visit to Bao Dai Palace or White Palace, built by the French (1898-1916) as a summer holiday house of some Indochina-French Governors, later both President Ngo Dinh Diem and Nguyen Van Thieu used it as well for recreation and holiday, today White Palace exhibits hundreds of antiques collected from Cau Islet-Con Dao. The excursion continues with a visit to Jesu’s Statue with outstretched arms on top of Small Mountain, from the top the panoramic view of the whole city is magnificent and definitely a must do. We then end the excursion by visiting Whale Temple, dedicated to whales considered as the rescuing gods for Vietnamese fisherman, one of the largest whale bones are being displayed here. After lunch, we head back to Saigon for shopping at Ben Thanh Market, the city’s central market that is packed with all kinds of local wares and souvenirs famous for wholesaler trading before transfer you to hotel for check in.
Overnight in Saigon.

Today, we leave the bustle of the city behind for a day of exploring scenic rice fields, waterways of the Mekong Delta area. My Tho, the quiet capital city of Tien Giang province, is the traditional gateway to the delta, just some hours by coach from Ho Chi Minh City, a famous destination with its extensive orchards and immense rice fields in the Mekong Delta. Upon arrival at My Tho boat station. You board your local boat and cruise along the Mekong River for sightseeing of fish floating market, four famous islands of Dragon, Unicorn, Turtle, and Phoenix. The first island you will be land on Unicorn Island, walk along village paths to visit to orchard of tropical fruits, enjoy a folk music show performed by peasants and seasonal fruits. Visit then to a coconut candy workshop, taste fresh candies. It’s time for you to experience of the daily life of villagers in Mekong Delta by getting on a horse-cart and it brings you along the countryside road. The next spot is to visit a bee- farm, enjoy honey- tea and discovery of Ben Tre province’s Vam Chua natural canal by rowing boat. We end the day excursion with a visit to Vinh Trang Pagoda before heading back to Saigon for dinner
Overnight in Saigon

After breakfast, we commence a city excursion with a visit to the Independence Palace, formerly the Presidential Palace, the home to the last 3 President of South Vietnam. Gothic-style Notre Dame Cathedral, the city’s main Catholic cathedral built by the French in the 1880s. The Cathedral’s twin spires were for decades the city best-known landmark. Finally, we proceed with a sightseeing of central Post office, a Gothic architectural style, which was constructed when Vietnam was part of French Indochina in the early 20th century, designed and constructed by the famous architect Gustave Eiffel in harmony with the surrounding area. The excursion will continue with a short stop at lacquer-ware factory and War Museum which exhibits photographs and weapons of the Vietnam War. After lunch then transfer to airport for your home flight.
End of service!