MEKONG DISCOVERER/5 DAYS

TOUR CODE: DOTVN-01

DESTINATION: Vietnam ( Saigon, Caibe, Cu ChiTunnel)

DURATION: 5DAYS

DAY 1: ARRIVAL - HO CHI MINH (Meals: None)

On arrival at Tan San Nhat airport you are met and transferred to hotel. Ho Chi Minh City still called Saigon by many locals’ people, which is the center of commerce, finance, culture and tourism in Vietnam. This bustling metropolis, contradiction of its northern counterpart is crowded with bikes and motorbike exciting with numerous shopping area and sidewalk cafés. O/N in Ho Chi Minh.

DAY 2: HO CHI MINH - CU CHI TUNNELS - HO CHI MINH (Meals: B)

The sightseeing tour of Ho Chi Minh City begins with Reunification Palace which was the former residence of the Southern Vietnam President 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 also visit the Jade Emperor Pagoda, War Remnant Museum before continuing to the bustling Ben Thanh Market where handy craft, laquer ware and more on sales! This afternoon we drive Cu Chi Tunnels, an incredible underground network of approximately 200 km constructed by Vietnamese fighters during the long struggle for independence. The tunnels contained hospitals, accommodation and schools, which were used as a military base for the Vietcong in the Vietnam War. O/N in Ho Chi Minh.

DAY 2: SAI GON - CAIBE (Meals: L/D)

8am: Depart for Caibe - 2 and a half hour: can stop at Trung Luong for some cups of tea/coffee and toilet.  10.30am: get on a motorized boat (with cover and life jackets). Cruise to see a bit of the wholesale floating market, and catch some pictures of fishing activities (cameras should be ready on your hands most of the times). A visit stop on a nearby island to see local businesses e.g. pop rice made, coconut candy made, rice wine made, rice paper made... a lunch stop at a local family on another island with Mekong specialties such as elephant ear fish, fresh water prawns... keep going to cruise to another island to see more other local businesses, for instance brick/tile factory, knife made, keep going to cruise to a home stay in Long Ho island a dinner will be included with more local cuisines such as rice soup with chicken, steamed elephant ear fish with rice paper (make your own rolls)...and some cups of rice wine will make your meal more tasty and lively... an optional folksong showed if requested. Overnight on Long Ho island (a folded single bed, a pillow, a blanket and a small towel will provided - hot and cold shower with private toilet well-set up here - so should not worry!)

DAY 3: CAIBE - SAI GON (Meals: B/L)

For whom that can get up early!  - 6am - 7.30am: a walk around the island to see a local market and a primary school near-by. Highly recommended!

- 6am - 7.30am: an optional short cycling trip around the island (bike can be rented easily at the home stay).

For everyone! 7.30am - 8am: breakfast

- 8am: cruise to see more the floating market

- On the way back, stop at Dong Tam snake farm, the biggest farm in the country.

- Lunch at Trung Luong

- Keep going to head back to the bustling and hustling Saigon.

DAY 5: HO CHI MINH DEPARTURES (Meals: B)

There is a free time to relax or further explore Ho Chi Minh City. The trip ends after your transfer to Tan San Nhat airport for departure.

END OF SERVICE/ Meals , B: Breakfast, L: Lunch,  D: Dinner

TOUR INCLUSIVE:

·         Transportation in private air-conditioned vehicle with driver 

·         Accommodation: twin sharing room at mentioned hotel or similar one

·         Meal as mentioned: B = breakfast, L = Lunch, D = dinner

·         Entrance fee to indicated sights

·         Boat trip in Vinh Long

·         English or French speaking guide

TOUR EXCLUSIVE:

Other meals, tip, drinks, airport tax, single room supplement, personal expenses, travel insurance, visa, flight in/ out Vietnam, any optional additional tours or activities during free time.