Vietnam > Culture & History Tours

MEKONG DISCOVERER

This trip designed for individual traveller who is keen to explore all aspects of the Mekong Delta. Riverbanks are laden with coconut palms, rice fields, orchards and stilted houses. The water is teeming with boats of all shapes and sizes and the Mekong comes alive as you cruise past fishing boats, cargo vessels and even floating houses

HIGHLIGHTS

. Ho Chi Minh

. Cu Chi Tunnel

. Cai Be Market

. Can Tho

. Chau Doc    

. Sa Dec

 

LENGHTH: 6 days / 5 nights
 
GRADE:
 
TRANSPORTATION:

 

 

DETAILED ITINERARY

DAY 1: ARRIVAL - HO CHI MINH
On arrival at Tan San Nhat Airport, you are met and transferred to hotel. Ho Chi Minh City, still called Saigon by many locals, is a center of commerce, finance, culture and tourism in Vietnam. This bustling metropolis ,contradiction of its northern counterpart, is crowded with bikes and motorbikes, excited by numerous shopping area and sidewalk cafés. ( If time permits) we stroll around the down town to explore the different local ways of life. O/N in Ho Chi Minh.

DAY 2 : HO CHI MINH - CU CHI - HO CHI MINH
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. We also visit the Jade Emperor Pagoda and the War Remnant Museum before continuing to the bustling Ben Thanh Market where everything and anything is for sale! We drive out this afternoon to explore the Cu Chi Tunnels, an incredible underground network of approximately 200 km constructed by Vietnamese fighters during the long struggle for independence. The tunnels contained hospitals, plus accommodation and schools, and were used as a military base for the Vietcong in the American war. O/N in Ho Chi Minh. (B)

 DAY 3: HO CHI MINH - VINH LONG - CAN THO
Heading out of town we 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,…. 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. After a huge lunch at an orchard we 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. O/N in Can Tho. (B,L)

DAY 4: CAN THO - CHAU DOC
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. This border town is less affected by the flash and glitz of Ho Chi Minh City’s fashionable young people although it is a major hub of trade along the Mekong. 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. O/N in Chau Doc. (B)

DAY 5: CHAU DOC - XEO QUIT - HO CHI MINH
An early morning departure to Cao Lanh. 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. This boundless cajeput forests are dissevered by numerous narrow canals surrounded by aquatic grass and plants, tall trees and vines. The cool and humid air mixing with the fragrance of flowers as well as the beautiful song of bird in the quiet environment make for an unforgettable excursion. After the boat trip we drive back to Ho Chi Minh, passing through the charming countryside. O/N in Ho Chi Minh. (B)

DAY 6 : HO CHI MINH - DEPARTURE
There is a free time for you to relax or further explore Ho Chi Minh City. The trip ends after your transfer to Tan San Nhat Airport for departure. (B)

TRIP NOTE:

- THE ITINERARY IS CORRECTED AT THE TIME OF VIEWING. OCCASIONALLY, OUR ITINERARIES CHANGE AS WE MAKE IMPROVEMENT THAT STEM FROM OUR PAST TRAVELLERS' COMMENTS AND OUR OWN RESEARCH OR DUE TO LOCAL CONDITIONS OR CIRCUMSTANCES BEYOND OUR CONTROL. THIS INCLUDES FESTIVAL, PUBLIC HOLIDAYS, WEATHER AND FLIGHT DELAY,.. THAT MAY EFFECT THE ITINERARY.

- VIETNAM IS A DEVELOPING COUNTRY WHOSE INFRASTRUCTURE, VALUES, CUSTOMS, STANDARD MAY DIFFERENT FROM WHAT YOU EXPECT IN YOUR HOMELAND. ROAD CONDITIONS ARE POOR, ACCOMMODATION AND TRANSPORTATION MAY BE BASIC IN REMOTE AREA.

- DAILY BREAKFAST( B) AND 1 LUNCH ARE INCLUDED ON THIS TRIP. OTHER MEALS ARE AT CLIENT'S EXPENSES HOWEVER OUR GUIDE WILL BE ON HAND TO ADVISE YOU AS FAR THE AVAILABLE RESTAURANTS WHERE YOU CAN ENJOY LOCAL FOOD. THE TRIP WITH FULL BOARD MEAL IS ARRANGED UPON REQUEST .

- THE DRESS STANDARDS ARE CONSERVATIVE THROUGHOUT ASIA. LOOSE , LIGHTWEIGHT, LONG CLOTHING ARE ALL RESPECTFUL AND COOL IN ASIAN HOT CLIMATE. IN ADDITION TO YOUR ITEMS OF PERSONAL CLOTHING, WE SUGGEST YOU TO BRING TRAINER OR SNEAKER SHOES, JACKET FOR COLD WEATHER, TORCH/FLASH LIGHT, HAT, RAIN COAT FOR WET SEASON, SUN CREAM, SUNGLASSES, DAYPACK, TOILETRIES AND SMALL TOWER, INSECT REPELLENT.

TRIP PRICE IN US$ PER PERSON

Group Size

Standard Class First Class Superior Class
2 pax US$ 366 US$ 424 US$ 482
3 - 5 pax US$ 305 US$ 352 US$ 410
6 - 9 pax US$ 229 US$ 277 US$ 345
10 - 14 pax US$ 190 US$ 242 US$ 310
15 - 19 pax US$ 175 US$ 223 US$ 292
20 pax & up US$ 170 US$ 212 US$ 280
Single room sup. US$ 69/pers. US$ 110/pers. US$ 169/pers.
Full board sup. US$ 57/pers. US$ 57/pers. US$ 75/pers.

INCLUDING

Transportation in private air-conditioned vehicle with driver + Meal as mentioned: B = breakfast, L = Lunch, D = dinner + Accommodation: twin sharing room at the below mentioned hotel or similar one + English or French speaking guide + Entrance fee to indicated sights + Boat trip in Vinh Long, Chau Doc and Xeo Quyt

NOT INCLUDING

Other meals, tip, drinks, airport tax, single room supplement, personal expenses, travel insurance, visa, flight in/ out Vietnam, any optional additional tours or activities during free time...

HOTELS USED ON THIS TRIP

CITY/ AREA

Standard Class First Class Superior Class
Ho Chi Minh Vien Dong hotel, Liberty hotel, Chancery hotel Kim Do hotel, Continental hotel, Oscar Saigon hotel Rex hotel Novotel Garden Plaza hotel, Amara Saigon hotel
Can Tho Hoa Binh hotel, Ninh Kieu hotel Saigon Can Tho hotel Golf 4 hotel
Chau Doc Thuan Loi hotel Victoria Chau Doc hotel
HOTEL NOTES The deluxe class tour based on higher hotel category will be arranged upon request.
 

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