South Vietnam Highlights: From City Pulse to Highland Peace 5 days

Welcome to Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam’s bustling southern hub where French colonial charm meets modern energy. After your arrival, you’ll dive straight into the city’s rich history and culture at 08:00 with a curated half-day tour that blends iconic landmarks and thought-provoking sites.

Your journey begins at the Reunification Palace, a symbol of Vietnam’s reunification and a living witness to the events that shaped the nation. Once the presidential residence of South Vietnam, the palace now stands frozen in time, its vintage war rooms, secret command bunkers, and 1960s furnishings offering a glimpse into the country's turbulent past.

From there, continue to the War Remnants Museum, one of the most moving stops on the tour. With compelling photo exhibitions, preserved military aircraft, and sobering narratives, the museum paints a raw and humanizing portrait of the Vietnam War from multiple perspectives.

Next, admire the architectural elegance of the Saigon Central Post Office, designed by Gustave Eiffel himself. This working post office, with its vaulted ceilings and historic maps, is a throwback to the Indochina era and offers a beautiful contrast to the city’s vibrant street life.

Just across the way stands the Notre Dame Cathedral, a red-brick masterpiece built with materials imported from France.

NOTE: The Notre Dame Cathedral is temporarily closed for maintenance and will remain inaccessible until further notice.

If time permits, wrap up your tour at a local market, where the aromas of street food, the chatter of vendors, and the colors of produce and textiles immerse you in the everyday rhythm of Saigon. This is the perfect opportunity to pick up some souvenirs or simply savor your first taste of Vietnam’s street culture.

Your tour concludes around 12:30 with a comfortable return to your hotel, leaving the afternoon free to relax or explore more at your own pace.

Morning

Leave behind the buzz of the city and step into the lush, tranquil world of the Mekong Delta, Vietnam’s agricultural heartland. Today’s journey takes you deep into the waterways and culture of Ben Tre Province, where slow river cruises, traditional crafts, and local hospitality create an unforgettable experience.

Your day begins with a hotel pickup between 07:00 and 07:30 for the scenic drive from Ho Chi Minh City to Ben Tre. Along the way, gaze out at a patchwork of rice paddies, fruit orchards, and riverside villages that define this fertile region.

Upon arrival, board a wooden boat for a peaceful cruise down the Ham Luong River, one of the Mekong’s nine estuaries. The riverbanks come alive with scenes of daily life - fishing boats drifting by, coconut palms swaying, and stilt houses hugging the shore. It’s a serene setting that invites you to slow down and take in the beauty around you.

A highlight of the cruise is a stop at a local coconut workshop, where you’ll see firsthand how the locals transform coconuts into everything from candy to kitchen utensils. You’ll meet friendly artisans and witness the delicate, hands-on techniques that have been passed down for generations.

Next, take a short walk to a traditional mat-weaving house, where local women deftly thread colorful reeds into woven mats - items central to Southern Vietnamese homes and customs. You’ll be invited to sit down, sip tea, and sample tropical fruits freshly picked from nearby gardens.

Climb aboard a xe loi (motorized rickshaw) or hop on a bicycle for a gentle ride through the countryside. Pass by endless fruit orchards and glimpse daily life in the Mekong Delta - children playing in front yards, farmers tending their crops, and ducks waddling through the fields.

Afternoon

After a riverside lunch of local specialties, continue your exploration aboard a sampan boat, gliding through narrow canals shaded by water palms and overhanging vines. The silence is broken only by birdsong and the gentle dip of your paddle as you wind deeper into the delta’s secret waterways.

By 17:00, we’ll begin the return journey to Ho Chi Minh City, leaving behind the lush landscapes and river rhythms of the Mekong but carrying home vivid memories of its peaceful charm.

Morning

Around 08:00, depart Ho Chi Minh City for a two-hour drive through the quiet countryside to the legendary Cu Chi Tunnels, an extraordinary underground world that reveals the resilience and ingenuity of the Vietnamese people. As the urban sprawl gives way to rice fields and rubber plantations, the contrast sets the stage for the remarkable story ahead.

Upon arrival, begin your exploration of the Cu Chi Tunnels, a vast underground network that once stretched over 250 kilometers. These narrow, camouflaged passageways served as living quarters, supply routes, and defensive strongholds during the Vietnam War.

Before venturing in, watch a short but powerful documentary to grasp the intensity of life underground and the strategic significance of this labyrinth. Wander through reconstructed bunkers and trap displays, peer into tiny hatchways, and even try crawling through a tunnel segment yourself for a real taste of the soldiers’ endurance.

Afterward, unwind with a simple snack of boiled tapioca and hot tea - once the daily sustenance of soldiers in the tunnels. For those seeking a thrill, an optional stop at the nearby shooting range lets you try firing an AK-47, M16, or other historical firearms (at your own expense as the activity is not included in the tour price).

Afternoon

At 13:00, return to Ho Chi Minh City, where you'll transfer to the airport for your flight to the romantic highlands of Da Lat.

Upon arrival, breathe in the fresh mountain air and check in to your hotel, surrounded by rolling hills, pine forests, and French colonial charm. The evening is yours to rest and prepare for a new kind of adventure awaiting tomorrow.

Morning

Begin your immersive journey into the soul of the Central Highlands with a nostalgic ride from Da Lat Railway Station, known as the most charming colonial train station in Indochina. Featuring elegant French architecture, a vintage Japanese steam locomotive, and a unique cog railway system developed by the Swiss, this historic site offers a rare glimpse into Da Lat’s past.

Hop aboard the short but scenic train (7 km) ride to Trai Mat Town, a journey that unveils the immense challenges faced while building mountain tunnels during wartime.

As your adventure continues, the landscape shifts into rolling green hills blanketed in fragrant Arabica coffee plantations. Stop along the way to witness local farmers picking ripe coffee cherries by hand and learn how beans are sorted, dried, and roasted into the rich, aromatic brew that defines Vietnamese coffee culture.

Just beyond the coffee farms lie the captivating tea plantations, stretching across curvaceous hills like emerald waves. Watch as women in colorful attire pluck tea leaves with practiced grace, then tour the Cau Dat Tea Factory, established in 1927, where you'll uncover the meticulous process of tea cultivation handed down through generations.

Afternoon

Trade cultivated beauty for raw nature at the dramatic Tiger Cave Waterfall (Thac Hang Cop). This secluded cascade plunges through a lush, mist-filled ravine once believed to be the lair of tigers, adding a hint of mystery to its wild allure.

From there, continue on to Linh Phuoc Pagoda, a marvel of mosaic artistry constructed from shards of glass, pottery, and porcelain. Marvel at the towering Guan Yin statue made from thousands of everlasting flowers, and trace the scales of a surreal 49-meter-long dragon crafted entirely from 50,000 recycled beer bottles - an unforgettable testament to Vietnam’s spiritual creativity.

Before returning to Da Lat city center, stop at the Dalat Winery, where you can sample a variety of local specialties, including grape wines, mulberry liqueurs, strawberry spirits, and even coffee-infused liqueurs.

Then, stroll through the atmospheric French Quarter, where moss-covered villas and pine-shaded streets evoke the colonial elegance of a bygone era. As the day draws to a close, return to your hotel with a deeper appreciation for Da Lat’s natural beauty, historic charm, and hidden highland secrets.

As your journey in the Central Highlands comes to a close, take in one last breath of Da Lat’s crisp mountain air and the scent of pine trees swaying in the breeze. Known as the “City of Eternal Spring,” Da Lat enchants travelers with its cool climate, colonial charm, and peaceful tempo that contrasts so vividly with Vietnam’s bustling cities.

After breakfast and some final moments to admire the view from your hotel or take a short stroll through the serene streets, you’ll check out and be transferred to the airport. Whether it’s the memory of misty tea hills, blooming flower valleys, or the echo of waterfalls through ancient forests, Da Lat leaves you with a lingering sense of wonder - one that beckons you to return. Safe travels as you continue your adventure or journey home.