Private Vietnam Tour (Saigon, Mekong, Phu Quoc, Bao Loc, Dalat, Mui Ne)

Arrival in Saigon. Transfer to the hotel. A first encounter with the bustling city.

In the morning we explore the city on foot: Notre Dame Cathedral, Main Post Office, City Hall, Ben Thanh Market. We have lunch together with the kids of the Cau Kho Youth Centre (founded by a French Dominican monk). The home for street kids shows us another side of Vietnam. After lunch we visit the war museum.

Today’s the Private Vietnam Tour takes us to Cu Chi, the tunnel systems of the Vietcong. To reach the tunnels we take a motor boat (Saigontourist) on the Saigon River. After our tour through the tunnels, a bus takes us back to Saigon. Our dinner at the Royal Court will be accompanied by a traditional music and dance performance.

In the morning we explore Cholon, the Chinese quarter of Ho Chi Minh City. Here we visit the old Chinese temple Thien Hau and Binh Tay Market. Then we travel to My Tho, a small friendly town at the Upper Mekong. Here starts our four-hour trip to the four river islands “Dragon”, “Phoenix”, “Unicorn” and “Tortoise”. We visit family businesses producing coconut candy, honey, rice wine and silverware from coconut wood. We savor exotic fruits directly from the tree and listen to traditional songs. We stay overnight in Chuong Duong Hotel** set at banks of the Mekong.

In the morning we go on a boat trip on the Upper Mekong. In Vinh Long we stroll through the colorful fruit and vegetable market. We stay in Cuu Long Hotel** located right at the Mekong.

Prior to lunch a small boat picks us up and takes us through the channels to the Lower Mekong. Slowly we approach Can Tho, the largest city in the Mekong Delta. Hotel check-in and short city tour on “xe loi”, the local motorbike taxis.

In the morning, a sampan boat brings us to the floating market of Cai Rang. Later on we float through the contributory channels of the Lower Mekong and visit a rice noodle factory. In the afternoon a motor boat brings us to Chau Doc, a small town near the Cambodian border.

In the morning we climb the 234 meters high Nui Sam Hill. Many pagodas and temples line this pilgrims’ trek to the top. From up here we look over the wide rice fields up to the Cambodian border. In the afternoon, sampan boats take us to the fish farms in the floating houses, a main specialty of Chau Doc. We watch the fishermen at work. Then we take a boat to Con Tien Island. On a walking tour we visit the Cham people, one of the minorities in the Mekong Delta and who are renowned for their weaving art even outside Vietnam.

After breakfast we go by bus to Rach Gia at the Gulf of Siam. We stay at a simple hotel.

This morning, Vietnam Airlines brings us to Vietnam’s biggest island: Phu Quoc in the Gulf of Siam. Check in into the hotel at the island’s west coast nearby Duong Dong, the main city and famous for its fish sauce throughout Vietnam. We spend the afternoon at the beach or the pool.

We explore the island on motobikes. Passing by pepper and cashew nuts plantations the track leads us deeper and deeper into the jungle. At pristine Cua Can Beach, we have a light lunch and swim in azure blue waters and we go on to Ganh Dau fishing village on the north coast. If the local army commander allows, we make a short boat trip along the palm tree lined coast.

Today we explore the southern tip of Phu Quoc. We ride our rented motobikes along the 40 km still undeveloped west coast to An Thoi. We visit the bustling river market of the small fishing village. On a fishing boat we go out into the open sea and dive into the emerald-green water. On the return trip we stop by marvelous Bai Sao Beach, everybody’s favourite due to its white powder sand.

Today we say farewell to the island. Return flight to Saigon to continue our Private Vietnam Tour. Upon arrival we board a bus that brings us to the Central Highlands. The interesting journey takes us past Tri An Lake. On the way to the Dambri Waterfall near Bao Loc, we explore tea, coffee and mulberry plantations. Picnic in the open nature. Those who dare can discover the surroundings on the back of an elephant. We stay at the government-owned Viseri Hotel**.

Journey to Dalat, lying at 1475 meters above sea level. Hotel check-in. After our arrival we browse through the flower market. Coffee break at the lake.

In the morning we make a trip to the meditation pagoda Thien Vien Truc Lam, located in a beautiful mountain setting at the shore of a crystal clear lake. During the two-hour boat trip we listen to nature’s silence. On a small island we can ride around the pine woods on the back of elephants. The new cable car brings us back to the parking space. In the afternoon we take a train on the last railway route to nearby Trai Mat village. Here we visit the Mosaique Buddhist Pagoda. Return trip by train through the vegetable fields.

An exciting journey on the winding pass road brings us down to the south-central coast. On the way we visit well-preserved Cham towers from the 14th century. We go on to Phan Thiet, a small town with a picturesque harbor. 12 kilometers down the road we arrive at the fantastic beach spot of Mui Ne. We stay at one of the countless resorts.

In the morning we go on a walking tour along a river and through a canyon. Afternoon: free time.

Early birds can watch fishermen taking in their nets and lend a hand themselves. After breakfast we go on a tour to explore the red sand dunes. A short walk in the dunes and a visit to the fishing village are among today’s highlights. After a last swim in the crystal-clear waters of the South China Sea, we return to Saigon (four hours). Hotel check-in.

Free time. Transfer to the airport. Return flight home. End the Private Vietnam Tour.