Day 1: Arrival - Ho Chi Minh
On arrival at Tan San Nhat Airport, you are met by our guide and transferred to hotel. The bustling Ho Chi Minh City, still called Saigon by many locals, is a center of commerce, finance, culture and tourism in Vietnam. This metropolis ,contradiction of its northern counterpart, is crowded with bikes and motorbikes, excited by numerous shopping areas and sidewalk cafes. ( 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 incredible underground network in Cu Chi stretched over 200 kilometres and became legendary during the American war. The extensive tunnels have been specially constructed with living areas, storage facilities, weapon factories, filed hospitals, command centres, plus accommodation. Today we have an excursion to Cu Chi Tunnels to visit an exposition hall and a widened section of the tunnels to get a feel of the underground life. There are also possibilities to fire off rounds from an AK47 or MK16 at the nearby rifle range. The following programme is a sightseeing of major sights in Ho Chi Minh City. We drive past many lively streets on our way to the Reunification Palace. This mansion 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 see these before going to the Jade Emperor Pagoda and the War remnant exhibit. The final stop is Ben Thanh Market where anything and everything is for sale!. O/N in Ho Chi Minh. (B)

Day 3: Ho Chi Minh - My Tho - Can Tho
Heading out of town, we travel by roads to the Mekong Delta. This plain region boasts the largest rice bowl of Vietnam. On arrival in My Tho we board a boat navigating around the intricate small canals, which is a great way to observe the local lifestyle close-up and catch a view dotted by many islands. The exciting river trip will pass by the lush green vegetation towards the famous Unicorn Island where we have a chance to stroll around an orchard, taste many seasonal fruits and see farmers at work. We navigate some narrower canals using small rowing boats to Ben Tre Province for an interesting visit to some local industries. The extra enjoyment is a lunch at one of the famous local eating spots. We meet up with our vehicle for a short drive to Can Tho, the capital city of this delta region. O/N in Can Tho. (B,L)

Day 4: Can Tho - Cai Rang - Thot Not - Chau Doc
The watery world of the Mekong Delta is home to many bustling floating markets. Today we take a boat trip exploring the vibrant floating market of Cai Rang, whose the trading way is unique; 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. Upon leaving Can Tho we make our way towards Chau Doc with stop over at Bang Lang Stork Sanctuary just outside Thot Not village. This sanctuary is home to literally thousands of storks. The overland journey passes by 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 River. On arrival in Chau Doc we enjoy a boat trip on the Hau River to a fishing breeding farm and a small Muslin community at Cham village. At end of our river trip we visit the sacred Ba Chua Temple and the nearby Tay An Sanctuary. We round off our day with a walk to the Sam Mountain to admire the sunset over the mighty Mekong River. O/N in Chau Doc. (B)

Day 5: Chau Doc - Cao Lanh - Xeo Quyt - Ho Chi Minh City
Today we continue venturing into the Mekong delta with a next stop being 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 in Cao Lanh, 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. Upon leaving Xeo Quyt we drive back to Ho Chi Minh, stopping off en route to see the Saigon’s Chinatown, locally called Cho Lon. This bustling area is crammed with sacred temples and mysterious, narrow lanes. O/N in Ho Chi Minh. (B)

Day 6: Ho Chi Minh - Departure
There is a free time to relax or further explore Ho Chi Minh City. The tour ends after your transfer to Tan San Nhat Airport for departure. (B)