Saigon Mekong Delta Tour: Saigon Stories to Mekong Memories

Welcome to Ho Chi Minh City – the vibrant and bustling metropolis located in the South of Vietnam.

Upon arrival, you’ll be transported to your hotel, where you can unwind and recharge after your journey. Ho Chi Minh City, formerly known as Saigon, is a dynamic hub of commerce, culture, and history. It offers a captivating blend of the old and the new, with colonial-era architecture juxtaposed against modern skyscrapers.

You will be met on arrival at Tan Son Nhat International Airport with a welcome signboard with your names on it and a private transfer to your selected hotel, allowing you to settle in and start exploring the city at your own pace, either by enjoying the hotel amenities or venturing out for your initial taste of Ho Chi Minh’s unique atmosphere.

Overnight in HCM City.

Start your day at 8:30 AM with a visit to the Notre-Dame Cathedral, an iconic 19th-century French-colonial landmark in the heart of District 1. Though the interior is often under renovation, the striking red-brick façade and peaceful square are perfect for photos and learning about Saigon’s colonial past. Just steps away, explore the beautifully preserved Saigon Central Post Office, designed by Gustave Eiffel, with its grand arched ceilings, vintage phone booths, and historic maps.

Continue to the Reunification Palace, a former presidential residence frozen in time since the fall of Saigon in 1975. Walk through grand halls, war rooms, and an underground command bunker to gain insight into Vietnam’s political history. Afterward, enjoy a relaxing lunch at a nearby Vietnamese restaurant.

After lunch, visit the powerful War Remnants Museum, where exhibitions on the Vietnam War, Agent Orange, and war photography offer a sobering but essential perspective. Conclude your sightseeing by around 4:00 PM, leaving you time to relax or explore further at your leisure.

At 6 PM, the adventure begins with an orientation ride around Saigon downtown, passing by the famous must-see sights then having a break at a local café to enjoy a welcome drink and see how life goes by from the eyes of the locals.

Throughout the night, we will travel around the city to learn, discover, and enjoy a variety of authentic local street food that Saigon has to offer including the famous Banh mi, Vietnamese pizza-like, pork BBQ… A brief stop at the back-alley area will bring you a more local travel experience. The tour also includes visits to the most popular eat-out snacks area which allows you to be a local to enjoy the food and mingle in the local life atmosphere.

Vietnamese food is getting more and more well-known to the world, so this food tour is best for those who love to explore the local food while having a glance at city life. Let’s roll and make our day filled with appetite and joy but you must make sure that you come with an empty stomach but a full adventurous spirit.

Highlights: Free flow of local beer, soft drinks, and traditional street food available on the tour. Vintage Vespa ride through the main street, back streets, and famous sights of Saigon.

Orientation ride by must-see sights of Saigon

• Welcome drink at a local café
• 45 years old open through Banh Mi restaurant (Vietnamese club sandwich – chosen as one of the best breakfasts in Asia)
• 50 years old family runs noodle soup
• Family secret recipe of pork BBQ, Spring roll
• On-stick meatball over charcoal
• Vietnamese Pizza-like, spring roll
• Back street, less-traveled areas

Finishing at around 10 PM, then you will be dropped back to hotel by your Scooter rider.

Overnight in HCM City.

After breakfast, your guide and driver will take you to the outskirts of Saigon to visit the iconic Cu Chi Tunnels.

Originally constructed in 1948 as a refuge from French forces, these tunnels evolved into a complex network of underground hideouts used by the Viet Cong during the Vietnam War. Explore these tunnels, which served as living quarters, communication routes, hospitals, and storage for food and weapons.

During the tour you will have a chance to meet a Viet Cong veteran who once lived in these tunnels, gaining valuable insights into their history and the incredible resilience of the Vietnamese during wartime. With your translator-guide’s assistance, listen to the veteran’s firsthand experiences, painting a vivid picture of life in these subterranean hamlets during challenging times. Finish the tunnel tour with lunch at a riverside restaurant.

Be back to your hotel by early afternoon and spend rest of the day at your own pace.

Overnight in HCM City.

Enjoy a full day at leisure in Ho Chi Minh City, giving you the freedom to explore at your own pace. You can opt to spend your morning wandering through vibrant markets like Ben Thanh or browsing trendy boutiques in District 1. Take time to unwind with a spa treatment or enjoy a leisurely lunch at one of the city’s many diverse restaurants.

In the afternoon, you might choose to visit a museum, stroll along the Saigon River, or simply soak in the city’s energetic atmosphere from a rooftop bar. This day is all about your personal interests and discovering Ho Chi Minh City on your own terms.

Overnight in HCM City.

Breakfast and check out of your hotel in Ho Chi Minh City, transfer to Coco Riverside Lodge in Trung Nghia – Vung Liem (Mekong Delta). Upon arrival, meet a representative who will guide you to the lodge located by the river, where you’ll be greeted with a welcome drink.

Check in and enjoy lunch at the lodge, then take some time to relax before choosing bicycles for a village tour. Visit Mr. Cong’s home to observe the traditional process of pop rice production and gain insights into this age-old technique. Experience his daily life firsthand and learn about his craft.

Next, stop by another local home to harvest and weave water coconut leaves, used in Mekong Delta construction. Mrs. Chien will also demonstrate making ‘poon’ sticks. Further, your guide will explain animal raising and biogas collection.

Cycle along serene village paths, explore rice paddies, and visit a dragon fruit plantation (you can discuss with your guide if you’d like to extend the ride). Enjoy the sunset before returning to the lodge to freshen up.

Later, visit home of Mr. Hai Luong, a war veteran, who will share his memories of the Vietnam War in this village. Enjoy traditional military music, illuminated by the soft glow of poon candles. At the end of the show, walk back holding torches made from dried coconut leaves, a traditional local custom for nighttime.

Conclude the evening with a cooking class where you’ll learn to make Vietnamese pancakes, followed by dinner at the lodge’s restaurant

Overnight at Coco Riverside Lodge.

After breakfast, board a motorboat and head to the local floating market to immerse yourself in the region’s vibrant culture and daily life.

Next, visit a Cao Dai temple and a nearby coconut factory along the river, where you’ll observe the handcrafting of coconuts into ropes and rugs. This artisanal process caters primarily to international buyers, particularly from Korea.

Afterward, return to the lodge to unwind or take a swim before checking out.

Note: The program may be adjusted due to tides or weather conditions.

Head back to your hotel in Ho Chi Minh City after checking out, and enjoy your last evening in this vibrant city.

Overnight in HCM City.

After breakfast, feel free at your leisure until our driver picks you up and transfers you to the airport for your departure flight. We wish you a lovely experience ahead!