Authentic experience in Southern Vietnam
Destinations: Ho Chi Minh 
Cu Chi Cai Lay
See the most overwhelming highlights of historical sites of HCM City, featuring French architecture of Post office, The Reunification Palace and eventful night life. Grasp the chance to visit an underground tunnel network constructed by Vietnamese resistance fighters during the long struggle for independence- Cu Chi Tunnels. We will help you make the best use of your time and energy to see the essence of Mekong Delta, and see in person why it inspired Cai Lay town.
Highlights of trip:
- Discover the modern and traditional Saigon lifestyle.
- Lose your way in the ghostly battle map of the Cu Chi Tunnels.
- Capture the unique Mekong Delta pictures on a boat ride in the large network of minor canals.
Save Time - Save Money. How?
Full Itinerary
ItineraryRoute map
Route map
Day 1: Ho Chi Minh arrival
Ho Chi Minh departure: You will be picked up by our driver and guide on your arrival and transfer to hotel in HCM city. It will take 10-15 minutes to move from the airport to your place.
Ho Chi Minh City is Vietnam at its most dizzying: a high-octane city of commerce and culture that has driven the country forward with its pulsating energy.
Free-time Idea(s): Some recommendations if you want to enjoy night life in HCM city:
- Several of the best hotels in Ho Chi Minh have casinos within so you can hit the roulette table, play some mah-jong or get lucky on the slot machines. Two of the biggest casinos in Saigon are located in the Caravelle Hotel and Sheraton Saigon Hotel and Towers.
- Lush Nightclub is the premier nightclub in Ho Chi Minh. It is the place to see the young and beautiful of Saigon, dressed to impress and not afraid to spend a little cash. The venue is kitted it out in an industrial chic style, with space to dance and an upstairs area with seating.
Meals: __/__/__
Overnight in HCM city
Day 2: Ho Chi Minh - Cu Chi - half day city - traditional show
Cu Chi Welcome: Cu Chi tunnels is the longest Tunnels was recognized by Asian record, were used by Viet Cong guerrillas as hiding spots during combat, as well as serving as communication and supply routes, hospitals, food and weapon caches and living quarters for numerous guerrilla fighters.
Cu Chi Tunnels discovery: After your breakfast in the hotel, you will start moving to the east north of HCM about 60km to explore the tunnels yourselves to understand more about Vietnamese history and our wars.
- Join in the morning tour to Cu Chi tunnels.
- Visit Ben Dinh - the most visited of the tunnel sites, this small, renovated section, which snakes up and down through various chambers along its 50m length.
Dynamic Ho Chi Minh City: In the afternoon, you will spend you afternoon discovering the most attractive sites in Ho Chi Minh, which will help you to learn about the history and also culture of this land
- The Reunification Palace, whose architecture is a blend of traditional ritual and modern architecture, typical of the 60s, is known as the famous historical witness which passed through the two fierce wars against the French and American colonists.
- The central Post Office is one of the oldest buildings in Ho Chi Minh. Being a mixture of Gothic, Renaissance and French influences, this building fascinates tourists by its typical colonial French features, from exterior to interior decorations.
- Notre Dame Cathedral (called Saigon Church), built in the late 1880s by French colonists, is considered the symbol of this dynamic city.
- The Fito Museum in Saigon is the first museum of Vietnamese medicine. On display are nearly 3,000 items dating back to the Stone Age.
- Ben Thanh Local market, situated in downtown Ho Chi Minh City, is a great place to buy local handicrafts, branded goods, Vietnamese art and other souvenirs.
Free-time Idea(s):
- AO Show is a 60-minute-gig to tell a series of stories describing the life and daily activities of people in the Mekong Delta from the past until now, performed from Tuesday to Friday at the Military Theater from 6-7 p.m. and at the HCMC Opera House with a more irregular schedule.
- Dark and smoky, Sax n' Art Jazz Club (28 Le Loi St, District 1) is unique in Ho Chi Minh - somewhere to listen to contemporary jazz with subtle Vietnamese influences thanks to the talented owner who plays several traditional instruments on stage.
Today useful note(s):
- On this day, you visit some historical and spiritual sites so you are required to dress up formally but comfortable enough for your discovery of the Cu Chi underground tunnel.
Meals: Breakfast/Lunch/__
Overnight in HCM city
Day 3: Ho Chi Minh - Cai Lay
After breakfast, At 8.00 AM: Your car and guide will pick up at your hotel in early morning and transfer to Cai Lay a town that far from My Tho city around 27 km & 90km from HCMC..
Mekong Delta Exploration:
- Follow the tourist guide to Cai Lay, a new destination in the Mekong delta where you will look the scenery like jungle, "Monkey bridge" & fishing nets…
- Having chance to drink honey tea, watch a fighting fish show – one of relaxing way of residents in Southern.
- Taking a try to make & bake a traditional cake by yourself following the introduction
- Biking in the village while seeing the romantic picture of Southern countryside. You will be introduced what is “Von’’, “Vo” and “Cau Khi” that are very popular there.
Have delicious lunch with homemade food. - Watching pounding rice, rice husk and rice floor fan or walk around in a temple on a small islet will give you glimpse back at our past scene
- Come back HCM City in the afternoon.
Free-time Idea(s):
- With a chic, minimalist dining room and impressive menu spanning the best dishes from Thailand, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam, Monsoon Restaurant (No.1, Cao Ba Nha, District 1) is the best choice for a spicy regional dishes like tom yam kung soup and pad Thai, red curry and pork cooked in clay pot.
- Lemongrass (4 Nguyen Thiep St., District 1) is a fine dining restaurant located in a narrow shophouse in District 1. Serving delectable Vietnamese dishes presented with French flair and providing guests with diligent service, this three floor restaurant is certainly one of Ho Chi Minh's top restaurants.
Today useful note(s):
- Keep your phone or luggage away from the water on the boat.
- Check your luggage carefully before you leave
Meals: Breakfast/Lunch/__
Day 4: HCM departure
HCM goodbye: your four-day tour in Vietnam is coming to the end. You have free time on your own to walk down the street and pick up any great images to bring back to your country before being transferred to the airport.
Today useful note(s): please check your luggage carefully and all your personal items of passports, visa etc. before leaving your hotel
Meals: Breakfast/__/__
End of services.
What's Included & ExcludedPrice
Included:
- Experienced English speaking tour guide(s)
- Door to door pick-up/transfer service with private air-conditioned vehicles
- Hotel accommodation in twin/ double sharing basis with daily breakfast
- Entrance fee and Sightseeing tickets
- Services charges and Government taxes
- 1 small bottle of water per person on day trip
- One by one care service 24/7 during the trip.
- Food as mentioned in the itinerary
- All guided sightseeing fees and entrance fees as per itinerary
- One bottle of water per person everyday on tour
- All entrance and visiting fees.
Excluded:
- Meals and drinks not mentioned in the itinerary
- Any International flights and any domestic flights
- Bank fee
- Stamping fee visa on arrival to Vietnam (at current 45 USD/ single entry)
- Travel insurance
- Personal expenses
- Tips & gratuit
List Of Accommodation Recommended
| City | Superior class | Deluxe class | Luxury class |
| HCM city | Siverland Centre hotel | Grand Siverland Central hotel | Majestic Sai Gon hotel |
If at the time of booking, any hotels or rooms in the list above are fully booked, we will endeavor to find accommodation of a similar standard elsewhere. If the only available accommodation is of a higher or lower standard, we will revise the price accordingly and consult you immediately.
* We suggest central location hotels and highly recommended on Tripadvisor in our list.
Please, Contact us
PACKAGE RATES (per person): valid until 31 Dec, 2017
Kid < 5 years old: Free of charge (share services with Adult)
Kid 5-10 years old: 50% Adult
Kid >10 years old: 100% Adult price
* S.R.S: Single Room Supplement
*Victoria Express Train option is upon on request.
* At the time of quotation, Travel Sense Asia reserves the right to adjust prices to take account of unusual movements in currency markets, hotel and transport costs as a result of inflationary price pressures in oil and other commodity markets.
Why 96% Clients Recommend TSA? Hear What They Say
Nipri (London, United Kingdom) - From Tripadvisor said:
I booked our 15night trip Vietnam, Cambodia & Laos with Ms Hien & TSA. From the very first communication to the last day everything was handled in the most professional & personal way. Ms Hien kept in touch with us by telephone & email every we went.PRICELESS!... Read more
Singapore) - From Tripadvisor said:
Henry, the consultant assisting us, was able to understand our requirements quickly and arrange a Halong Bay 1-day cruise that starts from Halong Bay early in the morning (instead of from Hanoi). Email communications was prompt and he was able to provide the answers and arrangements as needed ... Read more
Gesher Haziv, Israel) - From TripAdvisor said:
Our representative Julie organized our tour of three couples to Vietnam and Cambodia and didn't miss a beat. Everything went like clock work. The itinerary was planned together according to our needs and desires. The guides and drivers were wonderful, courteous, caring and flexible. All but one guide had a very good command of English ... Read more
Useful information for travel in South Viet Nam
What’s the difference between 3, 4, and 5 -star hotels?
We usually arrange centrally-located and Western-standard hotels. Five-star hotels are usually palatial with huge lobbies and comfortable rooms, their standards not quite matching the best of Paris or New York, but very close. Four-star hotels have quality facilities, but not as luxurious as five-star hotels. Three-star hotels meet the needs of most Westerners, but breakfasts have less choice. We also recommend some courtyard hotels or Vietnamese-style hotels with local features and architecture. These hotels have a good ranking, or positive feedback from our customers, and TripAdvisor. Usually, hotels in big cities, small cities, and rural areas are a bit different, even if they have the same star level. We try to use the best available hotel in each place.
Passport & Visa Requirements
You may be required for visa to Vietnam. Please check the list of countries which need visa to Vietnam in this links: Who need visa to Vietnam? Vietnam Visa is issued by Vietnam Embassy in your country or “Visa on arrival”. Travel Sense Asia will offer free visa to Vietnam for you (except some difficult countries). You will need one clear page (per visa) in a full passport that is valid for at least 6 months beyond the date of your departure from Vietnam.
Currency Exchange
Vietnam - The Vietnamese Dong is the local currency.
As currency exchange rates in Vietnam fluctuate, we suggest you refer to the following website for daily exchange rates: www.xe.com or www.vietcombank.com In 2015 the USD & VND has been around 22.500VND per USD. There are many ATM machines that accept both Visa and Master card, but these are limited to cities. We also recommend the use of cash and travelers checks in USD currency. Major credit cards are accepted in most shops, but they may charge a 2–4% transaction fee.
Tipping
It is customary to tip service providers in the travel industry in Asia, depending on the service. Tipping is expected — though not compulsory — and shows an expression of satisfaction with the people who have assisted you on your tour. Recommendations for tipping drivers (3 USD per person per day as a guideline) and local guides (8 USD per person per day as a guideline) would depend on the quality and length of the service. In additionally, you will sometimes use rolling boat, cyclo riding, porter which you should give a small tip to these local people.
Food
Eating is an important part of your Vietnam experience. Generally, breakfasts are included in the itinerary and offered by hotels. Travel Sense Asia recommend local Vietnam restaurants that are popular with local people for lunch. You can order dishes with the help of your guide. We usually leave dinner for your own choice — Western food can be found in most large cities. If you are vegetarian or you are looking for e.g. halal food, please feel free to inform your travel advisor, who can arrange a restaurant to fit your needs.
While it is generally safe to eat fully cooked meats and vegetables, care should be taken to avoid undercooked meat and uncooked fruits and vegetables. Because tap water is not potable, visitors should only drink bottled water or water that has been boiled and filtered. Avoid ice, as it is usually made from tap water.
Vehicle
We use comfortable sedans or vans with air-conditioning. The comfort and safety of our customers is of utmost importance, so we ensure that all of the vehicles that we use are well maintained and always very clean. Our drivers take pride in their vehicles. Our car and van are always available space for a comfortable trip. Luggage - All clients are limited to two items of luggage each; a suitcase with a maximum weight of 20kg and one piece of hand luggage with a maximum weight of 7kg. It is essential that your luggage is lockable. Please note that authorities will only allow bottles onto the aircraft if they have been checked in as main baggage. Bottles in hand luggage may be confiscated.
Electric
A soft sleeper is recommended for overnight and long-distance travel. Each soft sleeper compartment is enclosed, and contains four bunks, two on each side. The bunks are wider and more comfortable than hard sleepers, with decent bedding. Soft sleeper compartments may vary between trains. For route Hanoi – Laocai – Hanoi, it also has VIP cabin with 2 soft sleeper beds, please make quest if you prefer a private cabin. You may have both over-head storage and under-bed storage, or just under-bed storage. Fastest train is about 70kph. The railways is small here and it’s not as comfortable as train in developed countries.
In Vietnam the standard voltage is 220 V. The standard frequency is 50 Hz. The power sockets that are used are of type A / C / G. Below you find pictures of these power sockets and corresponding plugs. And we provide more information about the voltage and frequency. Climate - You will find a complete packing list and a helpful climate chart in the ‘Suggested Packing List’, which is included in the pre-departure information link sent within your deposit documentation. Seasonal weather patterns can be quite unpredictable. Up to the minute information on worldwide weather can be found on www.weather.com.
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Local Guide
My name is Phong and 24 year-olds. Tour guide was my dream when I was in high school. It was to give impulse to apply Tourism University in Hue for learning more about Tour guide job. I am also love travel to many destinations and communicate with all friends over the world. I try to learn more and more new things to make me become an knowledgeable guide to share all the things I know for my guests and learn interesting things from them. I believe that tour guide is greatest job for me from now and in the future.
Nguyen Van Phong – Expert Guide
I am a hungry guide in learning and changing myself every day. Friendly, patient, smiling, flexible in touring. Working as tourguide for 10 years, I am ready to learn and ready to share. I am passionate in traveling and guiding my tourist. I am still much eager on duty to introduce about Vietnam and make the memorable trip for the travelers from all over the world.
La Hong Hue (Tommy) – Expert Guide
My passion is travel, bike, show history to my clients.
My mission is bring them true value of the trip, local experiences.
Do Ngoc Minh (Min) – Expert Guide
I have developed my passion for guiding since 5 years ago. For me, this is a gob job with new knowledges and opportunities that approach me at work. I feel comfortable being a guide and i have planned to learn more in near future.
Nguyen Quang Minh – Expert Guide
My name is Son Tran, and im a licensed tourguide from Hanoi, Vietnam. I like this fulltime job personally, and as a result, fully dedicate to it. Being a tour guide, I have opputunities to meet people from all corners of the globe and show them around my lovely motherland, visit famous landscapes, share the glorious history and mysterious tales, or get to know better their cultures. Isnt that awesome?
Son Tran (Shaun) – Expert Guide
Xin chào! I am Nguyen Hong Khanh ( Can) and my surname is Nguyen. I’m living in Da Nang and I am really proud and passionate about my country, my people and my culture. I speak English extremely well. Educated at Da Nang University specifically to study English. I have translated complex English/Vietnamese for concerns including National Scientific & Technology Centre of Canberra, ExxonMobil, the US Air National Guard and CBC (Canadian Broadcasting Corporation).
Nguyen Hong Khanh (Can) – Expert Guide
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