Vietnam Cultural Charm 12 Days: Saigon, Mekong, & Imperial Hue

• Focus: Discovering the city's layered history and vibrant commerce.

• Accommodation: Elios Hotel (Senior Superior Room) or similar

Start with a deep dive into history at the Independence Palace, exploring its preserved 1960s war rooms and bunker—a powerful symbol of reunification. Follow this with a leisurely walking tour past the iconic Saigon Notre Dame Cathedral and the elegant Central Post Office, a stunning architectural masterpiece by Gustave Eiffel. The afternoon takes you deep into the bustling, colorful world of Chinatown (Cho Lon). Navigate the labyrinthine aisles of Binh Tay Market for a true immersion in local commerce, and find serenity at the ancient Quan Am Pagoda. Conclude your day at the FITO Traditional Medicine Museum, where you’ll be fascinated by centuries of Vietnamese healing secrets and antique remedies.

• Focus: The ingenuity of the Vietnamese spirit and a spiritual spectacle.

• Accommodation: Elios Hotel (Senior Superior Room) or similar

Today is a journey of striking contrasts. Travel to the Cu Chi Tunnels to witness the incredible ingenuity and resilience of the Vietnamese people. This vast, 250km underground network of tunnels, hand-dug over twenty years, offers a powerful experience. You will have the unique, optional opportunity to enter actual sections of the tunnel system. After lunch, prepare for a vivid, mystical experience at the Cao Dai Temple . Witness the mesmerizing, colorful midday mass—a spiritual and visual spectacle unique to Vietnam, fusing elements of global faiths.

• Focus: Escaping to nature and intimate local immersion.

• Accommodation: Hai My's Homestay (Standard Room) or similar

Leave the city behind and transfer to Ben Tre, the gentle Coconut Kingdom of the Mekong Delta. Your adventure begins on the Ben Tre River, gliding past stilt houses and traditional craft villages. You’ll bike (or tuk-tuk) along shaded village paths, past lush coconut ranges and rice fields. Enjoy fresh fruits, interact with welcoming locals, and then experience the serenity of a small canal boat ride beneath the wild palm trees. The day culminates with a warm welcome at your homestay in Cai Lay. Join your host for a hands-on cooking class, learning to make Banh Xeo Nam Bo (Southern Vietnamese savory pancake) before enjoying a delicious home-cooked dinner. This is the authentic connection you've been waiting for.

• Focus: Active exploration and literary history.

• Accommodation: Hoa Binh 1 Hotel (Standard Room) or similar

Start your day with an invigorating 1 to 1.5-hour bike ride along peaceful paths, exploring durian, sapota, and longan gardens, and meeting locals at the village market. (Option: Ride pillion on a motorbike or enjoy a gentle walk). After refreshing, we travel to Long Xuyen via Sa Dec. Here, step into the romantic world of Marguerite Duras’s The Lover with a visit to Huynh Thuy Le's House. Explore the beautiful Kien An Cung Pagoda and the bustling Sa Dec local market. We stop at another Cao Dai Temple and a crocodile farm en route before settling into Long Xuyen for the night.

• Focus: Genuine floating market experience and farewell to the Delta.

• Accommodation: Elios Hotel (Senior Superior Room) or similar

Today, experience the true, unvarnished pulse of the Mekong at the less-traveled Long Xuyen floating market and floating village. Take a boat trip to Cu Lao Ong Ho Island, home to a small museum dedicated to President Ton Duc Thang. A final bike ride on the island lets you absorb the peaceful, emerald-green landscapes one last time. After a hearty lunch, we begin the comfortable road transfer back to Ho Chi Minh City, arriving in the late afternoon, refreshed and ready for the next chapter of your journey.

• Focus: Seamless transition and the magic of an ancient port.

• Flight: VN118 (SGN - DAD) / 09:00 - 10:30

• Accommodation: Delicacy Hotel & Spa (Deluxe City View Room) or similar

Enjoy a final Saigon breakfast before a swift transfer to the airport for your flight to Da Nang. Our Central Vietnam team will greet you and transfer you directly to Hoi An. This afternoon, the magic of the ancient town unfolds on a captivating walking tour. Cross the 400-year-old Japanese Covered Bridge, find serenity at the Cam Pho Communal House, and step into the preserved life of a merchant family at Quan Thang Ancient House. Conclude by admiring the colorful courtyards and ornate dragons of the Fujian Assembly Hall. The night is yours to explore the town as thousands of lanterns illuminate its irresistible charm.

• Focus: Hands-on culture, cycling, and pure fun.

• Accommodation: Delicacy Hotel & Spa (Deluxe City View Room) or similar

Prepare for a great day of active discovery! Begin with a ferry across the Thu Bon River to Kim Bong Village, famous for its wood carving. Cycle through tranquil rice paddies and visit artisans like mat weavers (Ms Duoc), sampan makers (Mr Kha), and traditional shipyard craftsmen. In Cam Thanh village, the fun really begins: hop into a small round bamboo sampan basket boat for an unforgettable experience, trying your hand at crab catching in the water palm forest! After this joyful activity, relax with a soothing foot massage and join a cooking practice to prepare typical Central Vietnamese dishes, enjoying the delicious fruits of your labor for lunch.

• Focus: Historical awe and Champa artistic heritage.

• Accommodation: Delicacy Hotel & Spa (Deluxe City View Room) or similar

Embark on a half-day excursion to the spiritual heart of the ancient Champa Kingdom: My Son Sanctuary . This UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site is a breathtaking collection of 70 Hindu temples and ruins, built between the 7th and 13th centuries. Your guide will bring the history to life, explaining the intricate architecture and cultural values. The tour is enriched by attending a beautiful traditional Champa dancing show before you return to Hoi An for a free afternoon—perfect for relaxing on the beach or exploring the town further.

• Focus: Breathtaking coastal scenery and discovering royal majesty.

• Accommodation: Rosaleen Boutique Hotel (Deluxe Double Room) or similar

Today features one of the most scenic drives in the world! As we travel to Hue, we stop in Da Nang to explore the Cham Museum, home to the world’s most important collection of Cham sculptures. Then, prepare for the breathtaking ascent up the Hai Van Pass, offering stunning panoramic views where the mountains dramatically meet the ocean. Upon arrival in Hue, enjoy lunch and immerse yourself in the imperial grandeur of the past. Visit the poetic Thien Mu Pagoda and then explore the colossal Hue Citadel, the vast, fortified home of Vietnam's last monarchy, encompassing the Forbidden City and Imperial City.

• Focus: Intimate cultural creation and spectacular imperial architecture.

• Accommodation: Rosaleen Boutique Hotel (Deluxe Double Room) or similar

Experience the poetic side of Hue with a Royal boat trip along the Huong (Perfume) River, disembarking at Tien Non village. Bike ride through Tien Non, Thanh Tien, and Sinh villages, immersing yourself in the daily rhythm of life and meeting local artisans. In Thanh Tien, you'll learn the 400-year-old art of making artificial paper flowers from master Mr. Hieu. In Sinh village, meet Mr. Phuoc to learn the techniques of traditional folklore prints—perfect, unique souvenirs! The afternoon is dedicated to the spectacular Khai Dinh King’s Tomb, distinguished by its dramatic, century-old blend of Oriental and Western architectural styles. Discover the amazing decoration and ascend the hundred steps for a final, panoramic view.

• Focus: Smooth departure.

Enjoy your final delicious breakfast in the Imperial City. Our driver will pick you up and ensure a comfortable, efficient transfer to Phu Bai Airport (Hue) for your onward flight. You leave Vietnam not just with souvenirs, but with a deep understanding of its resilience, warmth, and cultural charm.

This detailed itinerary is designed to highlight the authentic, immersive, and unique elements of the tour, ensuring maximum appeal. Let me know if you'd like to dive deeper into any specific day or explore optional extensions!