Hanoi vibes everywhere
John Lee - United Kingdom
If you have 5 days to discover Southern Vietnam, this cultural tour will take you through the best highlights, including vibrant cities, the beautiful delta, and relaxing beaches.
From the vibrant streets of Ho Chi Minh City to the historic Cu Chi Tunnels, the lush waterways of the Mekong Delta, and the relaxing beaches of Vung Tau, each day offers a new perspective on the region’s charm.
Travelers will explore colonial landmarks, war relics, and bustling markets in Ho Chi Minh, then step back in time at the legendary Cu Chi Tunnels.
Then, we’ll spend a day in the Mekong Delta with boat rides, tropical fruit orchards, and local crafts, while Vung Tau offers sandy beaches and iconic sites like the Christ of Vung Tau and the White Palace.
This itinerary is one of the most popular Vietnam Tour Packages, designed for those who want a balance of history, culture, and relaxation in a short journey.
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When you land at Tan Son Nhat International Airport, our driver will be there to welcome you and take you to your hotel in the city center. After check-in, you’ll have the rest of the day free to relax or explore at your own pace.
Ho Chi Minh City (still called Saigon by many locals) is a lively mix of modern skyscrapers, French colonial buildings, and buzzing markets.
Optional suggestions for the evening in Ho Chi Minh City:
Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.
Meals: N/A
Accommodation: Hotel in Ho Chi Minh City
After breakfast at your hotel, you’ll be picked up between 7:30 and 8:00 am from the meeting point in District 1.
Your morning begins with a city tour, starting at the Independence Palace (also known as the Reunification Palace), a historic symbol of Vietnam’s reunification, designed by the renowned architect Ngo Viet Thu.
We’ll continue to admire the Notre Dame Cathedral and the Central Post Office, two iconic landmarks from the French colonial era. The morning wraps up with a visit to the War Remnants Museum, where you’ll gain deeper insights into Vietnam’s wartime history through powerful exhibitions.
Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant before heading out to the Cu Chi Tunnels (about 1.5 hours by bus). Upon arrival, you’ll watch a short documentary about how the tunnels were built and used during wartime.
Then, you can explore this fascinating underground network, complete with kitchens, living quarters, command centers, weapon storage, and hidden trapdoors. You’ll also have the chance to taste cassava and tea - the traditional wartime food of the guerrillas.
For those interested, there’s an option to try real shooting at the range (extra charge). Afterward, relax before returning to Ho Chi Minh City in the late afternoon.
Please note: Complimentary pick-up and drop-off are available for hotels located in District 1, Ho Chi Minh City. If your hotel is outside this area, you will need to make your own way to the designated meeting point in District 1.
Meals: Breakfast , Lunch
Accommodation: Hotel in Ho Chi Minh City
07:30–08:00: The driver will pick you up and leave the busy streets of Ho Chi Minh City for My Tho, a peaceful town on the Mekong River. Upon arrival, the group will visit the historic Vinh Trang Pagoda, dating back to the late 19th century.
The boat crew will then take you on a sampan cruise along the river, passing the four charming islands – Dragon, Unicorn, Phoenix, and Tortoise. On Unicorn Island, local villagers will welcome you with folk songs, tropical fruits, and a walk through their orchards.
The trip also includes a visit to a fruit plantation, a ride on a hand-rowed sampan through the peaceful Thoi Son Canal, and a stop at family-run workshops to taste honey tea, see a bee farm, and watch how coconut candy is made. A local restaurant will serve lunch.
In the afternoon, the tour guide will lead a cycling trip around Tan Thach Village, where you can meet local villagers and experience their daily life. For those who prefer to rest, hammocks are available to relax and enjoy the countryside breeze.
By late afternoon, the bus will bring you back to Ho Chi Minh City, arriving around 17:30.
Please note: Complimentary pick-up and drop-off are available for hotels located in District 1, Ho Chi Minh City. Guests staying outside this area will need to make their own way to the designated meeting point in District 1.
Meals: Breakfast , Lunch
Accommodation: Hotel in Ho Chi Minh City
07:00–07:30: The driver will pick you up at your hotel, and the group will depart for Vung Tau, a beautiful coastal city about 120 kilometers from Ho Chi Minh City.
Around 09:00, you will arrive in Vung Tau and enjoy some leisure time at Thuy Van Beach (Back Beach). A local restaurant will then serve a traditional Vietnamese lunch.
In the afternoon, the guide will take you to explore the highlights of the city, including the impressive Jesus Christ Statue, the spiritual Thang Tam Temple (Whale Temple), the historical Bach Dinh (White Palace), and the scenic Cape Nghinh Phong.
After a short break, the bus will return you to Ho Chi Minh City, arriving around 18:00.
Please note: Complimentary pick-up and drop-off are available for hotels located in District 1, Ho Chi Minh City. Guests staying outside this area will need to make their own way to the designated meeting point in District 1.
Meals:
Accommodation: Hotel in Ho Chi Minh City
In the morning, you will enjoy breakfast at the hotel. Afterward, you will have free time for shopping or relaxing until check-out.
The driver will then transfer you to Tan Son Nhat International Airport (without guide assistance) for your departure flight back home.
Meals: Breakfast
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I liked how this trip gave both city and beach. Saigon was busy and full of life, then Vung Tau was quiet and breezy. Sitting by the sea with fresh coconut was my favorite memory. It felt like two different worlds in just a few days.
The War Remnants Museum was hard to see, but it gave me a deeper understanding. After that, Notre Dame Cathedral felt calm and peaceful. The mix of serious and light spots made the day balanced. It was emotional but worth visiting.
The boat ride on the Mekong River was relaxing. I liked visiting small workshops to see honey, coconut candy, and handicrafts. It didn’t feel touristy, just simple and local. The cycling in the afternoon was also a nice touch.
Ho Chi Minh City is full of energy. So many scooters, food stalls, and busy streets. At night we joined locals on Nguyen Hue Walking Street and it was packed with families, kids, and music. It felt safe and very fun to just people-watch.
I went with two friends and we had so much fun. The fruit tasting and folk songs were lighthearted and cheerful. We laughed a lot while trying coconut candy. The hammock break after lunch was our little highlight, just chilling like locals.
The city tour gave me a quick but full picture of Saigon. Independence Palace and the Post Office were beautiful. The museum was emotional, but it showed an important side of the country. I liked ending the day with a walk around Nguyen Hue Street.
I loved the small hand-rowed boat in the Mekong canals. Palm trees above, water calm, it was like another world. The locals were friendly, and they gave us honey tea and tropical fruits. It felt very homely and warm.
Vung Tau was exactly what I needed after busy Saigon. The sand was soft, the water warm, and not too many people. Climbing up to the Jesus statue gave me amazing views. After lunch, just lying on the beach felt like pure holiday.
Crawling inside the Cu Chi Tunnels was such a new experience for me. I only stayed a short time underground and already felt the heat. It made me respect how people lived there during the war. The cassava and tea snack afterwards was simple but meaningful.
For me, the balance was perfect. City energy, war history, countryside rivers, and then the beach. In just 5 days, it felt like 4 different trips combined. My favorite part was sitting on the beach at Vung Tau with fresh coconut juice. Simple happiness.
I’m not a fan of planning details, so I loved how everything was organized here. Pick-ups on time, meals arranged, guides friendly. All I had to do was enjoy. My highlight was the hand-rowed sampan through the small canals in the Mekong. Quiet and beautiful.
The War Remnants Museum was emotional, I stayed longer than I thought. After that, seeing Notre Dame and the Post Office felt lighter. It’s good that the tour balances history with easier stops. Gave me a lot to think about.
After the city tour, I went with some new friends from the group to try local food. We had banh mi, pho, and sugarcane juice, all so good and cheap. Honestly, the food in Saigon made me just as happy as the sights.
I traveled with my mum, and she was worried it might be too tiring. But the Mekong day was perfect for her. Boat rides were calm, fruits were delicious, and she even laughed during the folk songs. It felt like a good family bonding day.
I liked how Ho Chi Minh City shows both history and modern life. One moment you’re inside the Independence Palace, next moment you’re in a café with neon lights. The energy of the city kept me excited all day.
I joined the tour with two friends, and Vung Tau was our favorite day. The beach wasn’t crowded, just clean and relaxing. We climbed up to see the Christ statue and the view blew us away. Finished the day with fresh seafood.
The Mekong Delta trip was so refreshing. Locals sang folk songs for us, and everyone was smiling. I liked the coconut candy workshop, the smell was sweet and warm. My friend bought a few packs to take home. Simple but so fun.
Walking through the tunnels was eye-opening. I only crawled a short part and it was already hot and tight. Can’t believe people lived down there for years. Eating the cassava snack made me think of how tough life must have been. Glad I did it once in my life.
I was a bit nervous at first because it was my first time in Vietnam, but the city tour made me feel at ease. The guide explained clearly and we saw the big landmarks in just one morning. In the evening I went to Ben Thanh Market, so many smells and colors, it felt alive.
I happened to be in Vung Tau on my birthday, and our guide helped me buy a small cake. We ate it on the beach after lunch, which was such a nice surprise. The White Palace visit later in the day was also interesting. Definitely a birthday to remember.
In just 5 days I saw so much – Saigon, Cu Chi, Mekong, and even the beach. It felt full but not rushed. My highlight was the little sampan ride through the canals, so calm compared to city traffic. The tour made everything smooth.
The War Remnants Museum was tough to see, but important. Some photos really made me quiet. After that, visiting Notre Dame Cathedral and the Post Office balanced the day, showing another side of the city. It was a mix of heavy history and calm sightseeing.
Went out with my husband on Nguyen Hue Walking Street, so lively! Kids playing, couples dancing, street performers everywhere. We even tried “bia hoi” at a small stall, super cheap but good. It felt safe and fun to just wander around.
I brought my parents along, and they loved the Mekong Delta. The boat rides weren’t too long, so they weren't tiring. They enjoyed the tropical fruits and folk music on the island. The guides were patient and explained slowly, which made my parents comfortable.
The city tour mixed old and new perfectly. I liked the Independence Palace but honestly, my favorite part was trying random food around Ben Thanh Market after. Pho, spring rolls, and fresh juice, so cheap and tasty. Felt like I got both culture and fun.
After days in the city, Vung Tau beach was just what I needed. Clean sand, warm water, and lots of space to chill. Climbing up to the Christ statue was sweaty but the view of the coast was stunning. A nice break before heading back to Saigon.
The Mekong Delta trip was so peaceful compared to the city. I liked the little boat ride through the canals with palm trees all around. Tasting honey tea and coconut candy felt super local. My friend and I just relaxed in hammocks after lunch, best nap ever.
Going down into the Cu Chi Tunnels was crazy, so small and dark, I can’t imagine living there. The cassava snack was simple but gave me chills thinking soldiers ate that daily. The museum in the morning was heavy, but I’m glad I saw it. Learned a lot in just one day.
My first time in Ho Chi Minh and wow, the city never sleeps. Motorbikes everywhere, but the chaos was kinda fun. Nguyen Hue walking street at night felt like a festival, with music and families hanging out. The rooftop bar view was a great way to end my first night.
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Ella Morris,
AustraliaEverything was smooth: pick-up, meals, timing. The guide was funny and made the group laugh a lot. I joined alone but ended up making new friends on the cruise and in Mekong. It felt like a small adventure but without stress.