Inspiration for your own tailor-made trip

Winter Sun in Southern Vietnam
Saigon, Mekong and Phu Quoc Island

Ho Chi Minh City - Mekong Delta - Phu Quoc Island

Starting from between £3,445 to £4,780 per person for 10 days depending on the time of year, type of accomodation and activities

Itinerary Highlights

  • Experience Ho Chi Minh City’s vibrant street food scene on a guided evening tour
  • Visit a floating market on the Mekong with a private guide
  • Laze on the white sand beaches of Phu Quoc
Go from city to river to beach during this ten-day trip in Southern Vietnam. Your journey begins in Ho Chi Minh City, or Saigon, capital of the south. This big, bustling city has a certain je ne sais quoi, an energy and independence of spirit that you’ll experience through its sights, sounds and street food. Next up is the altogether more peaceful Mekong Delta, inhabited by sarus cranes, red-crowned cranes and even Irrawaddy dolphins. Visit a coconut plantation, cruise through the plentiful floating market and spend two nights in Cân Tho, a modern university city in the centre of the canals. Finally it’s on to the island of Phu Quoc, undoubtedly one of the most appealing seaside spots in the whole country. Spend two days here relaxing on its beaches, lazing in the shade of primary forest and exploring the land and waters of its national park. Through its diversity and variety, this trip captures the essence of Southern Vietnam. Visit during winter to escape the cold UK weather and make the most of the region’s dry, mild temperatures as you explore.
Bai Sao - Phu Quôc - Vietnam © Martin Westlake / Gallery Stock
Bai Sao - Phu Quôc - Vietnam © Martin Westlake / Gallery Stock
Vietnam © Carol Sachs
Vietnam © Carol Sachs
Ho Chi Minh Ville - Vietnam © Justin Mott/The New York Times-REDUX-REA
Ho Chi Minh Ville - Vietnam © Justin Mott/The New York Times-REDUX-REA
Phu Quoc - Vietnam © Soeren Wilde/stock.adobe.com
Phu Quoc - Vietnam © Soeren Wilde/stock.adobe.com
Phu Quoc - Vietnam © avtk/stock.adobe.com
Phu Quoc - Vietnam © avtk/stock.adobe.com
Vietnam © Droits reservés
Vietnam © Droits reservés
Phu Quoc - Vietnam © Droits reservés
Phu Quoc - Vietnam © Droits reservés
Vietnam © Ennguyennguyen/Getty Images/iStockphoto
Vietnam © Ennguyennguyen/Getty Images/iStockphoto
Gastronomie - Vietnam © Aleksej/stock.adobe.com
Gastronomie - Vietnam © Aleksej/stock.adobe.com
Vietnam © Sabino Parente/stock.adobe.com
Vietnam © Sabino Parente/stock.adobe.com
Musée des beaux-arts de Saïgon - Ho Chi Minh Ville - Vietnam © FabVietnam_Photography/Getty Images/iStockphoto
Musée des beaux-arts de Saïgon - Ho Chi Minh Ville - Vietnam © FabVietnam_Photography/Getty Images/iStockphoto
Ho Chi Minh Ville - Vietnam © Justin Mott/REDUX-REA
Ho Chi Minh Ville - Vietnam © Justin Mott/REDUX-REA
Phu Quoc - Vietnam © streetflash/stock.adobe.com
Phu Quoc - Vietnam © streetflash/stock.adobe.com

Itinerary

100% customisable for you

DAY 1 FLIGHT TO HO CHI MINH CITY

After a stress-free airport experience thanks to our fast-track service through check-in and security, you’ll board your flight to Ho Chi Minh City. The direct flight takes about 13 hours so you’ll spend the night onboard and arrive in Vietnam the following day to begin your adventure.

DAY 2 EXPLORE HO CHI MINH CITY

When you arrive at the airport, you’ll be whisked to your hotel on the banks of the river by private transfer. You’ll have two days to spend here in Ho Chi Minh City, also known as Saigon. This effervescent city is Vietnam’s Capital of the South, and it’s as vibrant at night as it is during the day. You won’t be short of things to do here, so after a relax and refresh at your hotel, it’s time to get out and start exploring. Our local Concierge will be there to assist you, so if you’re keen to start sightseeing and discover the city’s exciting foodie scene, they’re full of recommendations.

Your third day is all about getting to know Ho Chi Minh City. Visit the beautiful central post office that was designed by Alfred Foulhoux, walk the halls of the Fito Museum of Traditional Medicine, or stroll along Ð?ng Kh?i Street, the city’s main thoroughfare, to take in colonial architecture, boutiques, art galleries and luxury hotels. If you’re interested in religious structures, head to the striking temple of Bà Thiên Hâu, in the city’s biggest Chinese quarter, or the pretty Ng?c Hoàng pagoda. For a real taste of local life, make your way to Bình Tây Market to browse the many stalls filled with produce, spices and clothing. You’re free to enjoy this city at your own pace, but if you’d prefer a little more guidance, we can arrange for you to have a tour of the city with a local.

In the evening, we’ve organised a scooter ride around the city so you can sample some of Ho Chi Minh’s best street food. On the back of a vintage Vespa, wind through the busy streets of colourful neighbourhoods and get your fill of local specialities such as bánh xèo: a crispy pancake stuffed with pork, shrimp, beansprouts and aromatic herbs. When you’ve had your fill, head to a café to round off the evening with a local concert.

Today you’ll leave the chaos behind as you make your way to the Mekong Delta and the charming city of B?n Tre. Your journey into the heart of the delta begins with a bike ride along peaceful country trails. Then, take a boat to a coconut plantation where you’ll have the opportunity to see what life is like at the water’s edge and sample some of their coconutty creations. After this, hop back on your bike and end up at a local restaurant to enjoy a traditional meal for lunch before continuing your ride along a tree-lined trail beside the Ba Lai River. You’ll arrive at your accommodation in Cân Tho by private transfer and you’ll have two nights to spend here on the banks of the H?u River (Bassac River), a major tributary of the Mekong. When you arrive, enjoy a spa treatment or take a dip in the pool before enjoying a delicious Vietnamese meal at the hotel’s restaurant.

Live like a local this morning as you head to the floating markets at dawn to sail between boats overflowing with bananas, rice, mangoes, pineapples, potatoes and even hot food. Your journey continues towards the arroyos (gullies) where you’ll float between banks lined with coconut palms to sample succulent fresh fruit in the shade of the trees. Lunch is served on a boat, a meal of local specialities such as papaya salad, fish in banana leaves, and chicken with lemongrass. Then, visit a sanctuary in the village of Khmer that’s home to a golden pagoda and a statue of a large reclining Buddha. If you like, we can also organise a Vietnamese cooking class before you head back to your hotel in Cân Tho.

Enjoy a well-earned lie-in today before your private transfer to the airport late morning, and a flight to the island paradise of Phu Quoc. Upon arrival, we’ll arrange another transfer to your charming home for the next three nights, nestled in a peaceful bay on the west coast of the island. This is the R&R portion of your trip, so let yourself disconnect from the stresses of life and reconnect with unspoilt nature, whether on the white sand beach or in the beautiful gardens. At the restaurant, tuck into some fresh, local cuisine.

You have two full days to make the most of Phu Quoc. While it’s tempting to spend the entire time lazing on the sand listening to the sound of the waves, there are plenty of other things to do here that really showcase the diversity of the island. Take a tour of a factory that produces Vietnam’s famous nuoc-mâm fish sauce, or head to a peaceful pepper farm to pick up one of their blends as a souvenir. The island’s national park, which occupies the north and centre-east of the island, is part of a UNESCO World Heritage biosphere reserve. Here, you can hike, kayak or raft, or take to the crystal-clear waters to dive among coral, parrotfish, stonefish and blue ring angelfish, to name a few. Whatever you choose to do, return to the hotel for sunset to enjoy an aperitif as you watch the sun melt into the ocean.

Sadly, it’s time to say goodbye to Vietnam and begin your journey home. We’ll arrange for a transfer back to Ho Chi Minh airport, and you will arrive back in the UK the following day.

Suggestions

Everything in this itinerary is entirely customisable, down to the smallest details. Here are some more suggestions of what could be included

HO CHI MINH CITY IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF A LOCAL GUIDE



Nothing beats the insight of a local for really getting to know a city. In Saigon, we can arrange for you to spend a few hours in the company of a passionate local guide who knows the city by heart and can really immerse you in local life. Sample street food, visit fashionable districts and wander through more secluded neighbourhoods during a guided tour of this exciting and energetic city.



A COOKING CLASS IN THE MEKONG DELTA



Vietnamese cuisine has long seduced with its freshness, subtle aromas and delicate flavours. After shopping at the market for spices and ingredients, learn the basics of Vietnamese cuisine in the comfortable surroundings of a refined restaurant. Learn which flavours complement each other as you put together traditional dishes under the watchful eye of a skilled chef. Naturally, you’ll finish the activity by tucking into your delicious creations.

Why visit Vietnam with Original Travel

Each of our trips is entirely tailor-made with originality, quality and cultural immersion in mind. Our team of destination specialists will craft itineraries based on your tastes, using their first-hand knowledge and the help of our in-country team of Concierges and guides. All trips are accompanied by a wide range of additional services, including a 24-hour helpline, the Original Travel app, fast-track airport services and much more.

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A few of the benefits of travelling with us to Vietnam

  • Our local Concierges
  • The Original Travel app
  • Airport lounge access
  • Wi-Fi router and e-Sim
  • Destination Dossier
  • 24-hour helpline
  • Expert guides
  • 100% carbon absorption

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A rough idea of the price

Depending on the time of year, type of accommodation and activities

The estimated cost for this trip starts from £3,445 to £4,780 per person. The final cost of the trip depends on the way we tailor it especially for you. The final cost varies according to several factors, which include the level of service, length of trip and advance booking time. The exact price will be provided on your personalised quote. The average starting price for this trip is £4,085 per person.

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