Saigon & Mekong Delta Discovery

Upon your arrival at the airport, you will meet with your tour guide and driver who will take you to your hotel for check in. Day at leisure.

Ho Chi Minh City, or Saigon as the city is still frequently referred to, is Vietnam’s largest city. It is a fast-paced metropolis full of contrasts, with street vendors selling fruit and vegetables next to glitzy western-style bars and boutiques. Amazingly, the city’s history dates back only 300 years. In 1859 the city was captured by the French and became the capital of Cochin China. From 1956 until April 1975 it was the capital of the US-backed Republic of Vietnam. Today, Ho Chi Minh City is very much the heart of Vietnamese business and entrepreneurial activity. Yet, the city still retains its connections to the past, particularly in Cholon which is the city’s Chinatown. Here dozens of elegant temples and pagodas can be seen. The French also left their mark with some fine colonial-era buildings such as the Notre Dame Cathedral and the Central Post Office. Afterwards, heading to Reunification Palace is the most important building in the city where on April 30th 1975 the ‘American War’ officially ended when tank number 843 of the North Vietnamese Army crashed through the gates of what was, at the time the residence of the President of the Republic of Vietnam. Continue to The War Remnants Museum Formerly known as the Museum of American War Crimes, this is a poignant display of the futility of war. Finally visit Thien Hau Pagoda, this pagoda is dedicated to the Goddess of the Sea. Free time for shopping or return to your hotel.

Depart from your hotel this morning for 2 hours drive to Cai Be. Take the local traditional boat to admire the beauty of Mekong delta including floating market, scenic waterway and the vast emerald rice fields. Those are the key things to make Cai Be become the most desired and attractive destination. This is great opportunity for photo shoot while exploring the local trading boats and daily life of peoples who have been living on these water for generations. The selling products are hung on a top of a pole and put in front of the trading boats. This is easier to see far of what they are selling. Continue to the factory of rice paper, coconut candies and pop – rice are made. Then take the cruise to Dong Hoa Hiep Island to see the local life and villages on the two side of the river. Lunch is served at the local restaurant then drive to Can Tho where you spend the night.

Depart early for the boat cruise to Cai Rang floating market and see the bustle and hustle of wholesalers on the boats. At the market gather all the boats anchor selling main items like vegetables and fruits. All the boat has a long pole to hung up the products that they sell.

Rise early and go by boat to the township of Cai Rang to see the hustle and bustle of a floating market. Then, depart for approximately 3 hours drive to Chau Doc near Cambodia border. In the afternoon we will take the boat to one of the most famous canal which was constructed in 1824 with the involvement of nearly 90.000 Cambodian and Vietnamese workers. Overnight at hotel in Chau Doc.

After breakfast, drive 8 hours back to Ho Chi Minh City or you can choose to continue your trip by taking 5 hours speed boat to Phnom Penh.