Day 1: Arrival in Ho Chi Minh City – City Tour (L, D)
Early morning arrival in Ho Chi Minh City. You will be picked up at the airport and transported downtown. We will start the visit with a walk down Dong Khoi Street, formerly known as Catinat Street. We will go to the Central Post Office (build in 1886 by Gustave Eiffel), Notre Dame Cathedral, Town Hall, and Municipal Theatre (Opera).
After lunch at a local restaurant, we will visit the Reunification Palace, Chinese market in Cho Lon – the “Chinatown” of the city -, Thien Hau Pagoda, and Phuong Nam lacquer factory.
Overnight at the hotel.
Day 2: Ho Chi Minh City – Ben Tre – Cho Lach (B, L, D)
Depart for the Mekong Delta in the morning.
Upon arriving in Ben Tre, the “country of coconut trees”, we will board a boat for a cruise through authentic landscapes and discover the customs and traditions of locals. Stop to visit a traditional brick workshop and a coconut candy factory. Then, the boat will sail towards the Cai Son and Thanh Nhon creeks, places where local families are specialized in manufacturing mats. There, you will also have the chance to taste seasonal exotic fruits before having lunch with locals.
In the afternoon, stroll in Cai Coi cove on a rowing boat. After that, head to Cho Lach across Cai Mon district, well-known for its fabulous bonsais and orchards. There, we will stop to visit a Catholic church and a bonsai garden. We will finally reach Cho Lach where we will relax during a peaceful bike ride in the area.
Dinner and overnight in a bungalow on the bank of the river.
Day 3: Cho Lach – Cai Be – Ho Chi Minh City (B, L, D)
Have a good breakfast before we board a boat to Cai Be Floating Market.
After cruising for 90min, we will arrive in Cai Be, a place where people do business from boat to boat and where each merchant hang samples of their products on a long pole (“beo”) so buyers can see from a distance. You will also walk on land to discover the local island – during this visit, you will taste seasonal fruits while listening to Don Ca Tai Tu folk songs, an art that has recently been recognized as a World Intangible Cultural Heritage by the UNESCO.
Lunch at a local restaurant.
After that, we will head back to Ho Chi Minh City. Along the way, we will stop to visit a marvelous Cao Dai temple.
Check-in at the hotel.
Dinner at a local restaurant and overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.
Day 4: Ho Chi Minh City – Cat Tien National Park (B, L, D)
Breakfast in the early morning before leaving around 07:30am to Cat Tien National Park in Dong Nai. We will arrive in Cat Tien National Park around noon and have lunch on site.
At 2:00pm, we will start a beautiful 6-km hike in the forest to observe the rich wildlife. We will cross the landscape amidst singing birds while admiring the lush nature made of orchids, redwoods, bamboo forests, and waterfalls. We will walk for approximately two and half hours.
We will be back at the hotel around 4:30pm.
In the evening, we will enjoy a jeep tour that will bring us into the jungle, a nice chance to observe the wildlife.
Dinner and overnight at the inn of Cat Tien National Park.
Day 5: Cat Tien National Park – Dalat (B, L, D)
Wake up early around 6:00am for breakfast. Then, we will start with a canoe trip along Dong Nai River. Visit the Botanical Garden and Paradise Rapids. This trip will take us upstream of the river. Then, we will hike through the forest and visit a Ta Lai village.
Picnic lunch on our way back before driving for 160 km to Dalat.
Check-in at the hotel. Dinner at a local restaurant and overnight in Dalat.
Day 6: Dalat (B, L, D)
Breakfast at the hotel.
In the morning, we will visit Truc Lam Pagoda and go to Datanla Waterfalls, lost in the forest. We will also go to Tuyen Lam Lake before visiting King Bao Dai’s Palace.
Lunch at a local restaurant.
In the afternoon, you will jump on a cogwheel train to Trai Mat Village. Later, we will also visit Linh Phuoc Pagoda.
Back to Dalat for dinner. Overnight in Dalat.
Day 7: Dalat – Mui Ne (B, L)
After having breakfast at the hotel, we will visit the flower market.
Then, we will leave Dalat for Mui Ne, and arrive around noon.
Lunch at a local restaurant before a visit to the Cham towers. Later in the afternoon, enjoy free time in this charming seaside town.
Dinner on your own and overnight at the hotel.
Day 8: Mui Ne (B)
Free time to relax at the beach, swim in the beautiful waters and discover the amazing sand dunes.
Overnight in Mui Ne.
Day 9: Mui Ne (B)
Free time to relax at the beach, swim in the beautiful waters and discover the amazing sand dunes.
Overnight in Mui Ne.
Day 10: Mui Ne – Ho Chi Minh City – Departure (B)
Enjoy free time at your own leisure until the bus picks you up and takes you to Ho Chi Minh City airport for your flight.
