About this experience
This trip is a chance to visit Ho Chi Minh City (formerly Saigon), the Mekong Delta, and the guerrilla tunnels of the Vietnam War at a leisurely pace, as you will have a full 2 days! You will experience the contrasts of the city, where modern architecture coexists with ancient pagodas, colonial villas, Asian markets, and street cafes. You will also be impressed by the power of the underground resistance of the Vietnamese, descending into the underground mazes.
What to expect
Exploring Southern Vietnam (Cu Chi)
During the American expansion, this region was a stronghold of underground resistance. It is now called an underground village: its tunnels stretch underground for 187 km - from Saigon to the border with Cambodia. The tunnels were dug for 15 years by makeshift means right under the noses of the unsuspecting American infantry.
Mekong Delta
We will head to where the Mekong River flows into the sea, dividing into many branches. We will sail on boats through channels among mangrove thickets, see how traditional coconut candies are made, how bees are raised, and exotic fruits are grown. You will encounter the life on water and the everyday life in stilt houses.
Contrasts of Saigon
Ho Chi Minh (Saigon) is the largest city in Vietnam, where traditional and modern trends and different cultures intertwine. Ancient pagodas, skyscrapers, luxurious hotels, and cheap guesthouses, top restaurants and colorful street cafes, glamorous boutiques and Asian markets - all await you. The guide will share curious facts from the ancient history of Vietnam, tell about the wartime and modern life of the metropolis.
City sights
- Reunification Palace, or Independence Palace. This was the former presidential residence of South Vietnam. Its architecture is characterized by a blend of traditional and modern features.
- Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica of Saigon. An active 19th-century Catholic church, the main center of Christianity in the city in neo-Romanesque style with elements of Gothic.
- Central Post Office. Interestingly, it was designed by Gustave Eiffel - the same architect who gave the world the Eiffel Tower and the Statue of Liberty.
- War Remnants Museum. Here, you will learn about the horrors of the war, see shocking photographs, models of "tiger cages" used to hold Vietnamese communists, images of sick children affected by American bombings. You will also view some of the experimental weapons used in the war, which were classified at the time.
We will also visit Ben Thanh Market, the Opera House, City Hall, and more.
Itinerary
There are 2 options to get from Nha Trang to Saigon.
1️⃣ By night buses (8 hours on the road) - included in the price. If you choose it, we depart the day before the first day of the trip, in the evening at 21:00-23:00.
2️⃣ By plane. When choosing this option, you independently purchase tickets (60-100$ round trip), inform the guide, whom you will meet directly in Saigon. The price of the tour remains the same.
Day 1
7:00 Arrival in Saigon, breakfast
9:00 Cu Chi Tunnels
13:00 Mekong Delta
18:00 Return to Saigon, dinner, free time for evening walks in the city
Day 2
8:00 Breakfast, check-out from the hotel
9:00 Sightseeing tour of Saigon
18:00 Departure to Nha Trang by night bus
Organizational details
- I or another guide from our team will conduct the tour for you
- We will pick you up from the hotel in Nha Trang and bring you back after the tour
Included in the price
- Transport and guide services
- Entrance tickets
- Boat trip in the Mekong Delta
- Hotel stay (3-star hotel or apartment hotel with a pool)
- Breakfasts on day 1 and day 2
Additional expenses
- Lunches and dinners
- Airfare
