The morning tour will take you around the busiest city of Vietnam, from downtown Saigon to Chinatown. You will get to know its history and culture with stops at the History Museum and Thien Hau Temple. You will not only learn about the past but also get a glimpse of the daily life of stall and street vendors at the Binh Tay Market and see other places of interests such as Notre Dame Cathedral, the Municipal Post Office, etc. A stopover at a well-known lacquer workshop will help you to pick up some unique gifts for your beloved.
As the country’s most dynamic city, Ho Chi Minh City is truly a vital economic hub with bustling life. The afternoon tour offers the varied sights, sounds and flavours of this enchanting city. Discover An Dong Market and the famous XQ embroidery workshop where you can find exquisite handicraft souvenirs and come into close contact with the people in daily routines. A pedicab ride roaming around lively commercial streets in Chinatown (1/2 hour) is countless unique waiting to be experienced. The tour also focuses on historical highlights including Jade Emperor Pagoda and Reunification Palace. * Note: Whenever governmental meetings take place at Reunification Palace, it is replaced by War Remnants Museum.
Cu Chi used to be a bitter battleground for many years during the Vietnam War. Visitors to our country cannot miss a visit to this “underground village” with the intricate network of over 200-km tunnels, 75 km from Ho Chi Minh City. It may be incredible if you don’t experience a short, exciting trip through this labyrinth of interlaced tunnels. Then challenge yourselves with rifle shooting at shooting range (at some surcharge). Additionally, green paddy fields stretching along the road to Cu Chi, spotted local peasants at work and buffaloes led by children... is really a pleasant sight.
Going all the way to Tay Ninh to visit the Great Caodai Holy See, a place of pilgrimage for quite a few Vietnamese Southern followers of Caodaism. In time of the noontide prayer service, you will join a peculiar but solemn ceremony with the congregation attired in lively red, yellow, blue and white and chanting religious hymns, followed by a delicious lunch in Tay Ninh. Then return to Ho Chi Minh City, with a stop at the “underground village” in Cu Chi district, which was used by the guerillas during the Vietnam War. Note: no shorts, no sleeveless tops inside the Caodai temple
About 50 km southeast of Ho Chi Minh City, the Can Gio Forest was recognized as the first mangrove biosphere reserve in Vietnam by UNESCO in 2000. Covering an area of 75,740 ha, this area is a lively world of diverse flora and fauna which has inspired biologists and nature lovers alike. On this ecotour, visitors will have opportunities not only to indulge in a fresh green environment but also to explore the mysteries of the tidal swampy ecosystem and thrill to the legends of amphibious commandos in the last Vietnam War. The highlights include a boat cruise to a bat sanctuary at Vam Sat, a short hike through the mangrove forest and a visit to the local commando headquarters. A lunch with local specialties is also included.
