The Best of Mekong Delta

Morning
After breakfast, we will take a three-hour drive to the Tay Ninh to visit the Cao Dai Holy See, home to the Cao Dai Great Temple (Thanh That Cao Dai), the Cao Dai Holy See, founded in 1926, is 4km east of Tay Ninh, in the village of Long Hoa. As well as the Great Temple, the complex houses administrative offices, residences for officials and adepts, and a hospital of traditional Vietnamese herbal medicine that attracts people from all over the south for its treatments.

We will arrive at the temple around mid-day and attend the mid-day service and to learn about this unique, interesting young local religion.

Afternoon
After lunch in a local restaurant, we’ll drive to the legendary Cu Chi Tunnels. This fascinating tour will help give an insight into how the Viet Cong managed to conceal themselves through the war.

Upon arrival, we have an opportunity to watch a brief introductory documentary. This black and white film tells of the War from a different perspective which is always interesting. Following this film, we will take a walk through the compound to experience what life was like for the 10,000 Viet Cong who took part in the 1968 Tet Offensive. You may even have a chance to crawl through the tunnels yourself.

Leaving Cu Chi, we will drive back to Ho Chi Minh City.

Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch (Choice of Halal/ No Pork – No Lard Meals)

Morning
After breakfast and check out, your private tour guide will pick you up and take you to Ben Tre town, on the way to the heart of the Mekong Delta, via some rustic country roads (travel time approximately 2 hours). The Mekong Delta, popularly known as the “rice bowl” of Vietnam, is famous for its vast rice fields, orchard farms, coconut trees, numerous waterways, and beautiful landscapes.

When you arrive at Ben Tre town, you will embark on a motorized boat trip along the scenic Ben Tre River, visiting various local industries along the way such as the small local factories where bricks and sleeping mats are made. You will take a leisure walk along the village lanes visiting the local homes to sample dry fruits and enjoy honey tea while enjoying a local Tai Tu music show. You will also visit a coconut mill workshop where the local delicacy of coconut candy is produced, and a range of coconut husk and fiber products are skillfully handcrafted.

You will then take a small sampan boat through palm-fringed back canals, gliding peacefully along the hidden waterways surrounded by an immense variety of tropical plants. The quiet, rural setting is a welcome and restorative retreat to the frenetic buzz of HCMC which seems so far away.
Lunch will be served at a local restaurant where you will sample some of the local cuisines.

Afternoon
After lunch, you will return to the boat to head back to the road and continue the drive through the fields and towns of the Mekong to Can Tho city, stopping briefly at the Vinh Trang Pagodas.

After arriving in Can Tho and checking in to your hotel, the rest of the day will be yours to explore at your leisure. We suggest you see the town on foot or by pedicab or find a quiet place for a cocktail by the river.

Overnight in Can Tho
Meals: Breakfast, lunch (Choice of No Pork – No Lard Meals)

Early Morning
We’ll rise early today (suggested at 5:00 AM) and take our motorized boat straight to Cai Rang Floating market. This time is the best time for photos when the market is at its busiest and the dawn is breaking. After the “shooting party” we enjoy a local breakfast served by one of the vendor boats then cruise further to Phong Dien floating market for another photo hunting trip of the day. Phong Dien market is best known for its excitements and variations of bizarre food and a local specialty.

On returning to the road, you will visit the Binh Thuy old house before driving back to Ho Chi Minh City
with a stop en route for lunch.

Arrive back to Ho Chi Minh City, check into your hotel and enjoy your own time of leisure.

Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City
Meals: Breakfast, lunch (Choice of No Pork – No Lard Meals)

Morning 
Today we will enjoy a guided tour of this Metropolitan City. This tour will offer you a glance of Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City) with the visits to the War Remnant Museum, the Reunification Palace, Notre Dame Cathedral, GPO “General Post Office” and the City Municipal Theater ‘Opera House”. Tour ends at around midday after lunch.

Afternoon
This afternoon will be at your own leisure for your last minute shopping time. You may want to shop in best-known places like Ben Thanh Market, Saigon Square, or stroll along the Dong Khoi and Le Loi Street. If you want some up-market products, check out the Diamond Plaza.

Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City
Meals: Breakfast, lunch (Choice of Halal/ No Pork – No Lard Meals)

Today will be on your own leisure until you are transferred to Tan Son Nhat International Airport for your flight home

Meals: Breakfast