Upon arrival to Tan Son Nhat International Airport you will be welcomed by your guide holding a sign with your name on it. He will escort you to your hotel (approx. 30-minute-drive). Check in time is after 2 PM.

Ho Chi Minh City, formerly Saigon, is Vietnam’s largest and most dynamic metropolis—alive with constant movement, modern skyscrapers, and endless shopping and entertainment. Beneath its dazzling energy, the city also preserves a rich historical legacy that contrasts beautifully with its contemporary charm. Depending on your arrival time, start exploring the colonial charm of the city center. Begin your journey at the Jade Emperor Temple (Phước Hải), one of Vietnam’s few Taoist sanctuaries, built in 1909 and dedicated to the celestial ruler of heaven. Step inside and you’ll find yourself surrounded by incense smoke, carved wooden statues, and the mystical atmosphere of a century-old place of worship.

Continue to the Notre-Dame Cathedral of Saigon (currently under restoration), an elegant neo-Romanesque landmark built by the French more than 130 years ago, using red bricks and materials shipped all the way from Marseille. Just a short walk away stands the Central Post Office, a beautiful fusion of Gothic and Renaissance styles designed in the early 1900s, often attributed to the world-renowned architect Gustave Eiffel.

Your final stop is the iconic Ben Thanh Market, whose clock tower has become a symbol of the city. This bustling marketplace, dating back to 1870, is packed with stalls selling everything from clothing and handicrafts to aromatic spices and lacquerware—an ideal place to soak up local life and shop for souvenirs. Back to hotel for refreshment.

6.15 PM, pick up at hotel then enjoy a cyclo tour around 45 minutes then transfer to the Bach Dang Pier on Saigon River, you enter the replica of the emperor's “Sai Gon boat Cruise” for a magnificent and memorable dining and entertainment spectacle along the Saigon river. Enjoy 2 hours cruise and gastronomic moments with soft and classic music on the most authentic vessel on the river. The captain will welcome you onboard and introduce you to the specialties which have made this boat a culinary experience in Ho Chi Minh City. While on board, relax on the upper deck and enjoy a panoramic view of the city lights. Dinner will finish at 9.30 PM then back to your hotel.

Meal: Dinner

Overnight at hotel in Ho Chi Minh City

Your army Jeep and guide will meet you at hotel and take a drive to the farm near Cu Chi Tunnels. Upon arrival, you will pick the ingredients for your cooking from the farm and also learn about how the locals use the vegetables and herbs as traditional medicines and foods.

Cooking: choose your own choice for the menu as below 

Essential Menu: spring rolls; BBQ (pork or chicken or beef) salad; caramel chicken with lemon grass and desert

Exotic Menu: try to “finish” SCORPION or SNAKE or paddy mouse or frog or eel or whatever you find crazy and never try before. You then hand on cooking it into delicious dishes and taste it.

Following the cooking, you will jump on your Jeep and head to Cu Chi Tunnels. Visit various mantraps, the remains of an American tank and numerous bomb craters (You may be curious enough to try out war-era guns at your own expense).

Get back to the city and free at leisure until 6 PM. Our guide will meet you again at the hotel lobby and take you to Saigon Opera House for the iconic A O show - a modern cultural show with a difference, this is a blend of acrobatic acts, circus stunts, traditional music and contemporary dance, the lavish production embraces different elements of performance art to paint a uniquely Vietnamese picture. Adding to the allure of the show is its venue – the Saigon Opera House built in 1898 by the French Architect Ferret Eugene. Its structure is one of the grandest and most distinctive in the region and a fitting home to the new production.

À O Show is a new kind of art performance commonly acknowledged globally as a new circus. All the details that are recorded of the show reflect the spirit of the Vietnamese people and their heritage.

It is almost as if the audience was captured in a Vietnamese dream of life, survival, love and everything. Through My village or Lang Toi (in Vietnamese) is a delicate merge of tradition and innovation, where poetic beauty of Northern Vietnam’s village life is presented under a new cirque approach. Building activities, farming, traditional games, lifestyle of Northern farmers are recreated by ancestral bamboo props, breath-taking cirque and rhythmic dance, juggling, and acrobatic movements to distinct folk music played from more than 20 musical instruments. You’ll be lost in that silent but splendid atmosphere.

Meal: Breakfast, lunch

Overnight at hotel in Ho Chi Minh City

Today, you’ll explore the legendary Mekong Delta, known as the "Land of Nine Dragons," where the country's largest rice basket and warm-hearted farmers await, ready to leave indelible memories for every visitor. A short, picturesque 2-hour drive southwest from vibrant Saigon transports you to the heart of this captivating region, offering a unique opportunity to delve into local traditions and handicrafts amidst breathtaking scenery.

Upon arrival, step aboard the elegant Mekong Queen at Thong Luu bridge pier, located approximately 4km from Cai Be intersection. Cruise along the gentle tributaries of the Mekong River, indulging in fresh local fruits as the tropical breeze caresses your skin. Marvel at the bustling riverside scenes, where rice-related activities unfold along the banks and local boats ply their trade. Cross the mighty Mekong River, disembark briefly for a leisurely bicycle ride along tranquil village lanes shaded by verdant orchards. Immerse yourself in the serenity of rural life, finding solace in the simple pleasures that abound. Along the way, visit local families skilled in crafting traditional products such as rice wine, bamboo handicrafts, and unique items made from natural materials like water hyacinth and banana ropes. After your cycling adventure, savor a delightful meal hosted by a local family, featuring authentic Mekong Delta specialties that showcase the region's rich culinary heritage. Following lunch, continue your exploration with a leisurely sampan ride through the island's picturesque canals, revealing hidden gems and tranquil waterways. 

Conclude your journey with a short cruise back to Cai Be pier, where your awaiting car stands ready to transport you to Can Tho. 

Meal: Breakfast, lunch

Overnight at hotel in Can Tho

Early in the morning, depart from Ninh Kieu Wharf by shuttle boat and witness the lively atmosphere along the Can Tho riverbanks at dawn. Observe local life unfolding on the water as fishermen tend their traps and boats transport passengers and goods along the waterways. Upon reaching Cai Rang Floating Market, experience the vibrant trading scene where vendors advertise their produce using traditional “offering poles,” exchanging Mekong fruits and vegetables directly from boat to boat. To gain deeper insight into the local lifestyle, continue cruising into the narrow canals known as Rạch Nhỏ, where the peaceful charm of the southern countryside comes into full view, before returning to Ninh Kieu Wharf. Return to Ho Chi Minh City. 

Arrive at your hotel around noon and free at leisure. 

In the afternoon, discover the fascinating world of Vietnamese coffee and learn the art behind the world-famous ‘egg coffee,’ first invented in 1946 in Hà Nội, but still as delicious as ever.

Meet your guide at hotel and head to Lacàph Sài Gòn where you will be welcomed by a lovely team that is passionate about Vietnamese coffee, and want to share their passion with you. 

The team of knowledgeable Coffee Guides at Lacàph Space will lead you through the process of brewing the perfect cup of ‘phin’ coffee using the signature Lacàph Phin Blend topped with fluffy egg custard sweetened with Lacàph Raw Coffee Blossom Honey. They share the history and stories behind this amazing treat, and why it has become such an integral part of Vietnamese coffee culture. Exploration and learning rolled up into a fun-packed 60 to 90-minute activity that introduces you to the cultural significance of coffee in Việt Nam. This is something you really must do during your stay in Sài Gòn! 

Meal: Breakfast

Overnight at hotel in Ho Chi Minh City

In the morning continue your historical exploration with visits to the War Remnants Museum, home to compelling wartime photographs and artifacts, and the Reunification Palace, the former presidential residence and symbol of South Vietnam until 1975.

Check out your hotel at noon and transfer to the airport for the departure flight. End tour.

Meal: Breakfast