SOUTHERN DELIGHTS

( 8 days/ 7nights)

Ho Chi Minh City - Cu Chi- Mekong Delta - Dalat - Nha Trang - Ho Chi Minh City

Day 1: Arrival - Ho Chi Minh City 
On arrival at Tan Son 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 is a contrast to its northern counterpart with its crowded streets full of bikes and motorbikes, fascinating numerous shopping areas and sidewalk cafes. If time permits we stroll around the downtown area to explore the different local ways of life.

Overnight in hotel, Ho Chi Minh City.

Day 2 : Ho Chi Minh City - Cu Chi (B)
Breakfast at the hotel. The sightseeing tour acquaints us with the city's major sights. We pass the now-demolished wartime American Embassy before exploring the Reunification Palace which was the former residence of the President of South Vietnam until April 1975. Close to this palace are some French colonial structures including the Notre Dame Cathedral and the Old Saigon Post Office. After seeing the Jade Emperor Pagoda and the War Remnant Museum, we continue our trip on to the bustling Ben Thanh Market where anything and everything is for sale. We drive out this afternoon, to explore the Cu Chi Tunnels, an incredible underground network 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.

Overnight in hotel, Ho Chi Minh City.

Day 3 : Ho Chi Minh City - Mekong Delta (B,L)
Breakfast at the hotel. Heading out of the town, we travel by road to the Mekong Delta, Vietnam's largest rice bowl. On arrival in My Tho we embark on a boat navigating around the intricate small canals in the delta region, which is a great way to observe the local lifestyle close-up and catch a view of the many islands here. The exciting excursion will pass the lush green vegetation before arriving at the famous Unicorn Island. Here we have opportunities to stroll around an orchard, taste many seasonal fruits and enjoy wonderful traditional music. The next stop of our trip is Ben Tre Province to visit some fascinating local industries. After feasting on a huge lunch we return to Ho Chi Minh City, stopping along the way to see the beautiful Ving Trang Pagoda and the Cholon, Saigon’s Chinatown, which is crammed with sacred temples and old-style narrow lanes.

Overnight in hotel, Ho Chi Minh City.

Day 4: Ho Chi Minh - Dalat (B)
Breakfast at the hotel. The journey northwards begins as we depart Ho Chi Minh City and pass through the many  tea and coffee plantations to the hill station of Dalat, sometimes known as the "City of Eternal Spring". The drive is long but views are fantastic. On arrival we can enjoy the cool climate as much as we want by spending our time wandering around and look around in the town. The influence of the French is prevalent since Dalat  was founded as a hill retreat for the colonials to escape the oppressive heat of the coastal plains and the Mekong Delta. This charming town is set around a lake and surrounded by forests, waterfalls and rolling countryside.

Overnight in hotel, Dalat.  

Day 5: Dalat - Nha Trang (B)
Breakfast at the hotel. An impressive way to start our day is a walk around the town. We then embark on a short drive past the charming pine hill to visit  the summer residence of Vietnam’s last Emperor Bao Dai, who was forced to abdicate in 1945, shortly after the Japanese were defeated in World War II. We follow this with a trip to the Lam Ty Ni Pagoda and the Hang Nga Guesthouse, well known as the Crazy House because of its bizarre architecture. The central market and the old railway station are also visited this morning before we travel by road through the undulating terrain to the picturesque coastal town of Nha Trang. Along the way we make a stopover at the scenic Ngoan Muc Pass and the Po Klong Jarai Cham Towers. These amazing structures represent the era of Cham culture and the people’s history from the 6^th century

Overnight in hotel, Nha Trang.

Day 6: Nha Trang (B,L)
Breakfast at the hotel. The fabulous sunny weather, turquoise ?blue water surrounding a string of islands and a white sandy  beach stretching the whole length of the city make Nha Trang one of Vietnam's premier beach resorts. We board a boat for a day trip around the coastal islands, stopping on the way at a local fishing village to observe the island life. Today we also have time for swimming and snorkeling or lazing on a beach. A seafood lunch is served as part of the enjoyment of the trip. We arrive back in town late in the afternoon and visit the Long Son Pagoda and the impressive Ponagar Cham Towers, which overlook the fishing port.

Overnight in hotel, NhaTrang.

Day 7: Nha Trang - Ho Chi Minh (B)
Breakfast at the hotel. Today we can get up from dawn to enjoy our last minute swimming on Nha Trang Beach. After breakfast we set off on a long but scenic drive on very goods roads which link Nha Trang and Ho Chi Minh. A part of the pleasure of travelling through this region is the simple joy of seeing the charming countryside and the smiling faces of the people. Along the way we can make stopS as we please, to stretch our legs and take some wonderful photographs.

Overnight in hotel, Ho Chi Minh City.

Day 8: Ho Chi Minh City - Departure (B)
Breakfast at the hotel. Free until time to transfer to Tan Son Nhat Airport for departure.

  End of Programme.

INCLUDED :
+ Transportation in private air-conditioned vehicle with driver
+ Accommodation: twin sharing room at the mentioned hotels 
+ English speaking guide (other languages possible)
+ Entrance fee to indicated sights
+ Meals as indicated
+ Boat trip in Mekong Delta, Nha Trang

NOT INCLUDED : Other meals, tip, drinks, airport tax, single room, personal expenses, insurance, international flights, visa fee.