PROGRAM DETAIL
Day 01 . Mon 05 March 2018 : Arrive in Ho Chi Minh. AK 528, arrive at 10:05 Am (-) | Driver
Welcome to Vietnam. Pick up by Asiatica travel. Transfer to hotel. Overnight in Ho Chi Minh.
Day 02 . Tue 06 March 2018 : Saigon city - Cu Chi tunnel (B) | Guide and driver
You will be picked up at 8:30am from your hotel in Saigon, to visit the Notre Dame Cathedral and the General Post Office. The Saigon city tour then continues along Dong Khoi Street, where the Opera House and the Peoples’ Committee building, built in 1897 by French architect Ferret Eugene, are situated. The 800 seat Opera House served as the home of the Lower House Assembly of South Vietnam after 1956. You will then visit The Reunification Palace, formerly known as Presidential Palace, which was the residence of the president of South Vietnam until the end of April 1975. Lunch will be served at a local restaurant.
You then drive to the Cu Chi Tunnels, situated 70km from Saigon. The Cu Chi Tunnel system was created around 1948 to assist the Viet Minh in their combat against French occupiers. Construction and enlargement continued during American bombings and they were turned into an underground city with living areas, kitchens, storage, weapon factories and field hospitals. The Cu Chi Tunnels could house up to 10,000 people who lived underground for years, getting married and raising children. During the Vietnam- American War the entire area of Cu Chi was designated as a fire free zone yet was heavily bombarded. Since 1988, two sections of the tunnels are open for visitors to crawl through and better understand the war. Overnight at hotel in Saigon.
Day 03 . Wed 07 March 2018 : Saigon - Ben Tre - Can Tho (B) | Guide and driver
Departure from the hotel at 8:30 am to Ben Tre province in the Mekong Delta. Arrive at Hung Vuong Pier (Ben Tre town) 90km far from SaiGon, embark and cruise along the Ben Tre River, then visit an artisanal brick factory and its imposing ovens. Next, stop for a sweet break to discover how coconut flesh is used and processed. (tea time in a coconut cadies manufacture).
A short bike ride or tuktuk (motorcycle, allowing transporting 6 passengers) will allow you to explore the countryside, and make a stop at a family braiding mats.
Lunch in a local restaurant offering typical dishes.
Then, boarded a rowing boat to join the canal through a maze of arroyos and return to the landing stage. Transfer & overnight at hotel in Can Tho.
Note:
- Transfer time and distance by car: 4h/200km
- Road conditions: good
- Boat duration: 1 hour
- Cycling /tuktuk time: 30' - Cycling /tuktuk time: 30'.
- Visit time: 1 hour
Day 04 . Thu 08 March 2018 : Can Tho- Saigon (B) | Guide and driver
In the early morning, have an excursion to the floating market of Cai Rang, the largest one in the region, where boats full of fruit and vegetables gather every day. Then, take a walk in an orchard of Mr. Ba Cong, where it will also be possible to enjoy fresh tropical fruits and visit a vermicelli factory.
The day will continue with a visit to Binh Thuy's old house where the film adaptation of Marguerite Duras' novel L' Amant was filmed in 1992.
Return to SaiGon in the late afternoon. Overnight at the hotel.
Note:
- Transfer time and distance by car: 3h30/170km
- Road conditions: good
- Visit time: 2 hours
- Boat duration: 1 hour
Day 05 . Fri 09 March 2018 : Saigon departure .AK 523 at 16:10 Pm (B) | Driver
After breakfast, check out hotel at 12:00 Pm. Pick up at 13:00 Pm and then transfer to the airport for departiure flight. Finish trip. Thanks for your travelling with us.