Discovering Southern Vietnam: A Journey Through Culture, History and Nature

Visit the Reunification Palace, War Remnants Museum, Notre Dame Cathedral, Old Post Office, Giac Lam Pagoda, Cholon district, Thien Hau Pagoda, and bustling Ben Thanh Market.

• You will have the opportunity to discover Ho Chi Minh City's splendor with the help of our all-day city trip. You will see the War Remnants Museum, Notre Dame Cathedral, the Old Post Office, and the Reunification Palace this morning.

• One of the most significant historical structures in the city, The Reunification Palace, is a great place to start your trip. The American Vietnam War came to an end at this location. In an effort to bring North and South Vietnam together, the North Vietnamese Army's T54 tank, number 843, crashed through its gates on April 30, 1975, and raised the National Flag atop the palace.
• The War Remnants Museum, originally the Museum of American War Crimes, is your next trip. It is a moving exhibit about the pointlessness of war. The only museum in Vietnam included in the global network of more than 60 "Museums for Peace" by UNESCO is this one. The Museum was founded in September 1975 and serves as a repository for artifacts, history, and all things pertaining to Vietnam's conflict and desire for peace. You can learn about the history of Vietnam during the war as well as the crimes committed by the invaders by visiting this museum.
• Before lunch at a local restaurant, take time to visit two iconic examples of French colonial architecture in Saigon's District 1: Notre Dame Cathedral and the Old Post Office. Notre Dame Cathedral, completed from 1877 to 1880, stands impressively at 57 meters tall, with every stone transported from France. Its twin 40-meter bell towers make it not only a place of Catholic worship but also a beloved landmark for locals and tourists alike. Adjacent to it, the Old Post Office, constructed between 1886 and 1891, is Vietnam's largest post office and blends European and Asian architectural styles. Renowned for its expansive interior dome, it remains a functional and grand setting, reflecting its historical significance and utility.
• In the afternoon, you'll explore Giac Lam Pagoda, the oldest pagoda in Saigon dating back to 1744, celebrated as one of Vietnam's most revered. It offers a rich repository of historical, cultural, and religious artifacts, including 113 ancient statues predominantly crafted from wood, alongside 8 bronze statues. These sculptures exemplify a unique blend of Southeast Asian architectural styles, reflecting centuries of cultural exchange. Noteworthy is the Tree of Wandering Souls, where visitors inscribe the names of their ailing loved ones on slips of paper, affixed to the tree in hopeful prayer.
• Next on the itinerary is Cho Lon, the vibrant Chinatown established in 1778 by the Hoa people fleeing the Tay Son - Nguyen Anh War. Encompassing Districts 5, 10, parts of 11 and 6, Cho Lon is Vietnam's largest market and Chinatown, dotted with exquisite temples and pagodas. Among them, Thien Hau Pagoda in District 5, constructed in 1760 by the Hoa community, showcases their distinctive architectural style.
• Your final destination today is the bustling Ben Thanh Market, renowned among tourists and locals alike. Central to Ho Chi Minh City's commerce and the southern trade hub, Ben Thanh Market and its iconic clock tower are symbolic of Saigon. Here, you'll find a diverse array of goods, from imitation Nike shoes to elegant silk Ao Dais, offering a glimpse into local life and commerce.
• After a full day of exploration, the tour concludes in the late afternoon with your return to the hotel, where you can unwind and reflect on the day's discoveries in Ho Chi Minh City.

Transfer to Tay Ninh, Visit Cao Dai Temple, Discover Cu Chi Tunnels

• At 8:00 AM, your private car and tour guide will collect you from your hotel in Ho Chi Minh City for a journey to Tay Ninh Province.

• Upon arrival at 10:00 AM, visit the awe-inspiring Cao Dai Temple, a sanctuary of Caodaism blending elements of Buddhism, Taoism, Confucianism, and Catholicism. Gain insights into Vietnam's diverse religious landscape.

• Enjoy a local lunch at noon before departing Tay Ninh at 1:00 PM for the Cu Chi Tunnels. Watch a brief documentary detailing the wartime experiences of soldiers and explore the intricate network of underground tunnels used for living, transportation, and strategic operations during the conflict.

• Following your Cu Chi Tunnels visit, return comfortably by car to your hotel in Ho Chi Minh City.

• End of tour. We look forward to welcoming you back soon!

Drive to Hung Vuong Pier, Take local boat on Tien River, Pass through coconut jungle, Visit local house & workshop, Hop on Xe Loi, Cycle surrounding fields and board a sampan along canals

• At 8:00 AM, following breakfast at your hotel, your guide and driver will meet you in the lobby. Today's journey takes you away from the lively streets of Saigon to the serene town of Ben Tre, offering a peaceful retreat.
• Upon arrival at Hung Vuong Pier, embark on a boat trip along the Tien River, a tranquil tributary of the Mekong. Glide past mangrove forests and observe morning activities such as fishing and coconut cargo boats. Pause at a traditional brickwork to witness the handmade brick-making process.
• Continue boating along Cai Son canal through coconut jungles, visiting a coconut workshop to learn about coconut processing from husking to candy making. Experience local hospitality at a nearby house with a demonstration of beekeeping and a tasting of honey tea.
• Stroll along the canal to a coconut candy workshop, where you can observe the artisanal candy-making process, sample some sweets, and enjoy local music. Board a Xe Loi, a motorized rickshaw, for a countryside exploration, followed by a delightful local lunch at a riverside restaurant.
• After lunch, take a short cycling tour to explore the surrounding fields before boarding a sampan for a peaceful journey along picturesque canals. Before returning to Saigon, visit the bustling Ben Tre local market to experience the local atmosphere and perhaps pick up some souvenirs.
• Return to Saigon and drop-off at your hotel concludes the tour.