Australia Asia Travels & Services

DAY 1: ARRIVAL HO CHI MINH
Meet on arrival at Ho Chi Minh City / Tan Son Nhat International Airport and transfer to hotel. Ho Chi Minh City, still called Saigon by many locals, is a center of commerce, finance, culture and tourism in Vietnam. Free time at leisure and shopping. Overnight in Ho Chi Minh.

DAY 2: HO CHI MINH CITY TOUR (B/L)
AM: Start the city tour with the War Remnants Museum has a wealth of images from the wars, the most moving being a gallery entitled ‘Requiem’ which is dedicated to Vietnamese and foreign journalists and photographers who perished during the French and American conflicts. The Reunification Palace was the former residence of the President of South Vietnam until April 30, 1975 when the North Vietnamese tanks came crashing through the front gates, bringing the U.S.-Vietnam War to a dramatic end. Close to the palace some of the best examples of French colonial architecture are represented in the forms of Notre Dame Cathedral and the Central Post Office. Notre Dame Cathedral was built between 1877 and 1883 and the stone used to create it was imported entirety from France. Next to the cathedral stands the Central Post Office , finished in 1891. It is another fine example of French architecture and is Vietnam‘s largest post office. For all its French colonial history though, Ho Chi Minh City is by far and away Vietnam‘s most modern city. It has numerous shopping malls, cinemas, discotheques and a bewildering number of bars. Have a short time for shopping at shopping malls or biggest wholesales Ben Thanh market.
PM: Proceed to visit one of the charming park Ao Dai Museum. The Ao Dai Museum is not just a gallery for exhibiting and storing, but also for exploring, collecting and archiving the materials. Here you will find numerous pictures and artifacts of the Vietnamese Ao Dai from different times. Observe 500 long dresses from different eras, from the first drafts in the 17th century to the modern designs of today. Return to city and discover the hidden of China town, Thien Hau Pagoda and shopping at Cho Lon market.
Overnight at Hochiminh.

DAY 3: HO CHI MINH – TAY NINH – CU CHI (B/L)
AM: Depart hotel for 90km to Tay Ninh province, visit the Cao Dai Great Holy See Temple, one of the most striking temples of Southeast Asia with its unique architectural style that reflects the blended religious traditions of Caodaism, which combines elements of Buddhism, Christianity and Confucianism. A highlight of this tour is the very colourful yet formal service held at midday.
PM: Continue the trip to the famous Cu Chi tunnels, which stretched for over 200km from Saigon to the Cambodian border, became legendary during the 1960s. The Cu Chi tunnels played a vital part in the U.S.-Vietnam War in that they allowed the Viet Cong to control a large rural area only 30 to 40 km from Saigon. The network, parts of which were several levels deep, included innumerable trap doors, specifically constructed living areas, storage facilities, weapons factories, field hospitals, command centres and kitchens. Today the remaining tunnels have been widened and become a major tourist attraction giving the visitor a unique experience and feel of what underground life during the war must have been like. For those interested there’s even the opportunity to try an AK47 or MK16 at the nearby rifle range. Return to city in late afternoon. Overnight in Ho Chi Minh.

DAY 4: HO CHI MINH CITY – MEKONG DELTA ( VINH LONG ) (B/L)
AM: Pick up from your hotel for an approximate 2.5 hour drive to Cai Be in Mekong Delta. The Mekong Delta is known as the Delta of Nine Dragons for the 9 tributaries that splinter from the main Mekong River. Visit the first stop-over Cao Dai Temple in Cai Be which is symbolizing for the local unique religion and then Cai Be Cathedral.
Embark on a boat to visit Cai Be floating market, the original style of commerce on the Mekong river. Have chance to observe the daily life of local people, engage in the conversation and buy some fresh tropical fruits on the local seller’s boats. Then, visiting the local poprice, coconut candy workshop and knowing the ways bee-breeding tasting honey tea by breezy river. Taking about 20 minutes for rowing sampan to the local fruit gardens of local people and listening to the traditional music Don Ca Tai Tu – an Intangible Cultural Heritage recognized by UNESCO, are the best chance for relaxation!
Continue crossing the Mekong river to An Binh island to visit the brick & pottery factory where you know how to make the brick and the pottery from the local clay and styles with the traditional technique. Have lunch at a local ancient house
PM: have a short transfer to our cycling spot. We hop on bikes and take narrow concrete paths along plantations and across villages. We stop en route to visit some families and learn a bit more about their activity and daily life. Then transfer back to Hochiminh city. Overnight in Ho Chi Minh.

DAY 5: HO CHI MINH – DEPARTURE (B)
Leisure time until transfer to Ho Chi Minh City / Tan Son Nhat International Airport for departure.