Southern Vietnam tour

Southern Vietnam covers the Mekong Delta, the extreme southern end of the Mekong River, and the area around Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon), Vietnam.

As all deltas, it receives the bounty of the siltation from the upper Mekong, and as such is a very rich and lush area, covered with rice fields. It produces about half of the total of Vietnam's agricultural output (in fact the delta produces more rice than Korea and Japan altogether), and is the place for timeless sceneries of farmers planting or harvesting rice.

The Mekong splits in Cambodia into two main rivers, the Bassac (Hậu Giang) and the First river (Tiền Giang), then in Vietnam into a more complex system, creating a maze of small canals, rivers and arroyos interspersed with villages and floating markets. Life in the Mekong Delta revolves much around the river, and all the villages are often accessible by river as well as by road. The high times of life in the Mekong delta are the lunar new year (Tet, or Tết), and the mid-autumn festival (Tết trung thu), where children will set hundreds of candles on their way on the river on as many tiny skiffs.

If you know how to take your time, or are guided by an able guide, you will certainly enjoy your stay in the Mekong delta.
 

Meeting tour guide and driver at the airport then enjoying an orientation tour through Saigon’s bustling streets en route to the hotel. Enjoying the flavors of Southern Vietnamese cuisine at dinner.

 

Enjoying a full day to tour Saigon’s diverse attractions. Visiting Saigon’s China Town, then learning about traditional Vietnamese medicine at the FITO Museum and browsing through the amazing array of goods at Ben Thanh Market. After having luchj, visiting to the War Remnants Museum, learning about Vietnam’s recent history at Reunification Palace, visiting the nearby neo-Romanesque Notre Dame Cathedral and the City's Centre Post Office before passing by the ornate Opera Theatre and the City Hall. Ending day with a delicious while floating past Ho Chi Minh City’s enchanting night-time cityscape.

 

                                        

 

Leaving the city for Ho Chi Minh Cooking Class. Having a chance to study variety of many kinds of flora and herbs and mushroom before starting your cooking lesson. The class runs for about an hour and 15min and includes demonstrations which will help visitors gain insight into the diversity of the Vietnamese cuisine, as well as time to help prepare traditional dishes. After indulging in your creations, visiting Cu Chi Tunnels, an underground ing labyrinth of passageways, used by the Viet Cong during the Vietnam War (or “American War” as it’s referred to here) as protection against American air raids.

 

                                       

 

Leavinng the bustle of the big city and driving to the lush Mekong River Delta. After breakfast, meeting the guide and driver at hotel and moving to Cai Be. Visiting Cai Be floating market, passing by some local home factories to discover traditional rice paste making, rice popcorn, coco candies, and longans drying process. Having lunch at an Indochinese Villa, Le Longanier, located in a luxuriant garden by the river; then continuing to proceed the cruise to Vinh Long. On the way, visitors will be able observe the typical Mekong delta rural life and visit bonsai gardens. These evergreen islands among the Mekong River still remain unknown to many people.

 

                                         


 

Waking up early and leaving the hotel to visit the famous Cai Rang floating market by motor boat. Experience the daily life of the Mekong River Delta as vendors from around the region gather to sell fresh fruits, local delicacies and handmade goods. Continuing the boat ride to visit the Mekong Delta’s famous orchards and sample some of the fresh, exotic fruit. Then venture deeper into the country side, passing traditional houses made of wood and palm leaves as you observe the activities of the local people. Returning to Can Tho for lunch then drive back to Saigon, arriving in the late afternoon.

 

                                           

 

Today is free at your leisure for last minute shopping or sight-seeing before driving to the airport to catch your departure flight home.