DRAMATIC SOUTHERN VIETNAM FAMILY TOUR – 11 DAYS

* BRIEF ITINERARY:

Day 1: Ho Chi Minh city arrival

Day 2: Ho Chi Minh city Tour

Day 3: Ho Chi Minh city-Tay Ninh-Cu Chi

Day 4: Ho Chi Minh city-Cai Be-Vinh Long-Can Tho

Day 5: Can Tho – Ho Chi Minh City

Day 6: Ho Chi Minh City – Dalat

Day 7: Dalat Sightseeing Tour

Day 8: Dalat – Nha trang Beach Tour

Day 9: Nha Trang Beach Relaxation

Day 10: Nha Trang Ho Chi Minh city

Day 11: Ho Chi Minh city Departure

DAY 1: Southern Vietnam Family Tour to Mekong Delta, Da Lat, Nha Trang: HO CHI MINH CITY ARRIVAL (-/-/-)

Welcome to HCM city which is formerly named as Saigon and nowadays becomes the Vietnam’s financial hub. The city is not only known as the most important economic center in Vietnam, but also has some very imposing colonial architecture which belies in fascinating past. On arrival, you’ll be picked up and transferred to the hotel for check- in and tour briefing. If time permits, take an orientation walking tour around and a chance to acclimatize ourselves. Free evening.

Overnight in Saigon.

Day 2: Southern Vietnam Family Tour to Mekong Delta, Da Lat, Nha Trang: HO CHI MINH CITY TOUR (B/L/-)

Enjoy a full day to explore this frenetic city with lunch at a local restaurant. Start with a visit to Saigon’s China Town, then learn about traditional Vietnamese medicine at the FITO Museum and browse through the amazing array of goods at Ben Thanh Market.

Stop for lunch then continue on the city tour with a visit to the War Remnants Museum and former Presidential Palace. Finally, stop at the Notre Dame Cathedral and the Old Post Office to admire the city’s French colonial architecture before finding the way back to hotel to conclude the day.

Overnight in Saigon.

DAY 3: Southern Vietnam Family Tour to Mekong Delta, Da Lat, Nha Trang: HO CHI MINH CITY-TAY NINH-CU CHI (B/L/-)

Excursion to Tay Ninh to visit the spectacular Cao Dai temple, the Cathedral of the religion of the same name. This sect, originating in Vietnam, draws freely from other philosophies of Christianity and Confucianism. The architecture of the cathedral is stunning, neither Eastern nor Western. You can attend the main ceremony at Noon (Remove your shoes before entering). Lunch at a local restaurant.

Continue to visit Cu Chi, where the Viet Cong confused the Americans through a miracle of primitive technology. The guerrillas escaped from their enemies through a maze of resistant bomb tunnels that span nearly 200 km. Most of these tunnels are too narrow for Western visitors, who usually, rapidly become claustrophobic. Thus, a small portion of the labyrinth has been enlarged to give tourists a glimpse of the site. Transfer back to Saigon later this afternoon and spend the rest of day at your leisure.

Overnight in Saigon.

DAY 4: Southern Vietnam Family Tour to Mekong Delta, Da Lat, Nha Trang: HO CHI MINH CITY – CAI BE – VINH LONG – CAN THO (B/L/D)

Rise up early today and after having breakfast, travel 105 km south to Cai Be, the gateway to Mekong delta. On arrival, embark on a boat to cruise along the Mekong River visiting the floating markets, where you can admire displays of fruits and vegetables.

Explore islands, stopping at the family factories where you can see how the delicious coconut candies, popcorns, poprice and so on are prepared. Enjoy your lunch with the special local fish “elephant ear” in a bonsai garden or in an old house.

After lunch, continue your trip by a small sampan ride through the shady canals to Vinh Long. You will cross over the parkway many small boats carrying the local products such as fruits, vegetables and fish. Parkway in orchards, tasting tropical fruits. In the late afternoon, transfer by road to Can Tho, the center of the Mekong Delta. Can Tho is also named as the Capital of the West, located at the edge of Hau Giang, arm the southern Mekong. Dinner.

In the evening, after dinner it’s advisable to stroll on the Ninh Kieu docks, bordering the river.

Overnight in Can Tho.

DAY 5: Southern Vietnam Family Tour to Mekong Delta, Da Lat, Nha Trang: CAN THO – HO CHI MINH CITY (B/L/-)

Morning boat trip to the floating markets of Cai Rang, then continuation to the discovery of small channels through the islands covered with lush flora. Cycle the parkways and paths through orchards (optional), tasting the tropical fruits. After lunch, travel back to Saigon.

Overnight in Saigon.

DAY 6: Southern Vietnam Family Tour to Mekong Delta, Da Lat, Nha Trang: HO CHI MINH CITY – DALAT (B/L/-)

7:30 am, drive away from the city bustle heading uphill to Da Lat, nicknamed the “City of Eternal Spring,” admiring the rice paddies, vegetable patches, tea plantations & pine forests and gently sloping hills that you’ll pass along the way. Prized by the Vietnamese for its mild climate, Dalat, nestled in the mountains, was the site of the summer residence of Vietnam’s last emperor, Bao Dai. Stop in Bao Loc city for a quick lunch before reaching Da Lat at around 14.30.

On arrival, pay your first visit to Chua Linh Phuoc to admire its amazing architecture and huge collection of Buddha statues which are artfully carved in every details. Then, transfer to Trai Mat nearby where you’ll board a 30-minute train ride toward to Dalat’s crémaillere (cog railway) train station which becomes one of the city symbols. Established by the French in the early 20th century, the railway linked Dalat to Thap Cham before ceasing operation in 1964 due to Viet Cong attacks. You’ll admire the Art Deco aesthetic of the station.

Transfer to the hotel for check in and refreshment. Evening is free for your own exploration. Overnight in Da Lat.

DAY 7: Southern Vietnam Family Tour to Mekong Delta, Da Lat, Nha Trang: DALAT CITY TOUR (B/-/-)

Morning: Breakfast at hotel. 8:00 am pick up for a visit to Datanla and Prenn waterfalls, two of the many famous waterfalls in Dalat. Then visit Truc Lam Buddhist Meditation Monastery and the Robin hill by cable car (expenses excluded). Visit the Palace of Bao Dai (the last king of Vietnam,) then back to the hotel for lunch.

Afternoon: This afternoon you may choose just to enjoy your time at leisure or join us for an optional tour that focuses on Dalat’s agricultural production. We’ll stop at the local market and then a Green House Farm where you’ll learn about how the flowers and vegetables are grown. Next, transfer to Trai Ham Da Lat, a coffee farm where the special local weasel coffee produces.

Coffee was introduced in Vietnam after the French invasion at the 1800s and nowadays it becomes popular nationwide. However, weasel coffee is special and it’s not affordable for everyone. Don’t miss the chance to try its special taste when you are in Da Lat.

Home hosted dinner with a local family. Overnight in Dalat

DAY 08: Southern Vietnam Family Tour to Mekong Delta, Da Lat, Nha Trang: DALAT SIGHTSEEING TOURS TO NHA TRANG (B/-/-)

Breakfast at hotel. 8:00 AM, depart from Dalat to Nha Trang. Stop along the way to visit Ngoan Muc Pass, one of the most beautiful mountain pass in Vietnam. Visitors have chance to see a panoramic view from the foot to the top of the mountain pass.  Next visit Pok’long Garai Cham Tower. Arrive in Nha Trang about 1:30 PM.  Check in at hotel and free time to visit Cho Dam or Vinpearl Land amusement park.

Overnight in Nha Trang

DAY 09: Southern Vietnam Family Tour to Mekong Delta, Da Lat, Nha Trang: NHA TRANG ISLAND TOUR  (B/-/-)  

Breakfast at hotel. Pick up at hotel at 8:00 AM to go to the dock at Nha Trang port. Start the journey to visit four beautiful islands. Tri Nguyen Aquarium on Mieu Island is the first place to visit, many sea species of Nha Trang/Khanh Hoa province make a small ocean world there.

The next point is Hon Mun island, where you will have the opportunity to swim and snorkel in the most beautiful coral reefs in Vietnam.  Free snorkeling equipment is provided. We then continue to Hon Mot and then  Hon Tam.  We will stop here to swim, sunbathe or buy souvenirs before we head to the floating fishing village to see the daily activities of the local fishermen. We will return to the pier around 3:30 PM. Then, transfer back to the hotel.

Overnight in Nha Trang.

DAY 10: Southern Vietnam Family Tour to Mekong Delta, Da Lat, Nha Trang: NHA TRANG – HO CHI MINH CITY (B/-/-)

Breakfast at hotel. 8:00 AM, departure from hotel to Ho Chi Minh City. Check in at the hotel. Free time at your own leisure.

Overnight in Saigon/ HCM City.

DAY 11: Southern Vietnam Family Tour to Mekong Delta, Da Lat, Nha Trang: HO CHI MINH CITY DEPARTURE (B/-/-)

Free at leisure until transfer to the airport for your onward flight