General Information

Duration: 7 Days/6 Nights
Start/End: Ho Chi Minh City/ Ho Chi Minh City
Tour Route: Saigon – Cu Chi Tunnels – Long Tan Nui Dat Old Battlefields – Mekong Delta – Saigon
Tour Customizable: Absolutely! (Tell us your specific requirements in the inquiry form)

Brief Itinerary

Day 1: Saigon arrival (D)
Day 2: Retracing Vietnam War History (B, L, D)
Day 3: Cu Chi Tunnels Tour and Wildlife at risk (B, L, D)
Day 4: Saigon – Ba Ria Vung Tau – Old Battle Fields (B, L, D)
Day 5: Vung Tau Sea Town – Saigon (B, L, D)
Day 6: Saigon – Biking in Mekong Delta (B, L, D)
Day 7: Saigon departure (B)

Full Itinerary

Day 1:Saigon arrival (D)

On arrival at Tan Son Nhat airport in Saigon, students and leaders will be welcomed by our guide and driver. We then drive to our hotel for checking in. The rest of the day will be free. In the evening, we enjoy a welcome Vietnamese dinner in a nice local restaurant. Dinner and overnight in Saigon.

Day 2: Retracing Vietnam War History (B, L, D)

After breakfast at hotel, students and teachers will visit to the shrine outside of the US Consulate then continue to the former CIA building (outside visit only), where helicopters evacuated the remaining US citizens in 1975. We then move to the visit the Reunification Palace, the former headquarters of the South Vietnamese Government and residence of the presidents. Our next visit is the Thich Quang Duc Monument. Thich Quang Duc was a Vietnamese Mahayana Buddhist monk who burned himself to death at a busy Saigon road intersection on 11 June 1963 to anti the war.

We then drive to a historic venue for a late lunch of “pho” (noodle soup) at Pho Binh restaurant which used to be the headquarters of Viet Cong Commanders where they gathered to plan for the 1968 Tet Offensive. Take a walk upstairs to learn more about the history through the family’s photo collection. Then sit down and enjoy the traditional taste of pho downstairs.

In the afternoon, we will visit Saigon’s historic landmarks including the Notre Dame Cathedral and the Central Post Office. Both are architecture masterpiece of Saigon. Further, drive to visit the War Remnants Museum for a vivid insight of the American war through the local’s eyes (not for squeamish, sorry as some pictures as very graphic). We finish our day with a relax time at the Roof Top’s Café at Rex Hotel, a familiar landmark for Americans during the Vietnam War. Enjoy your drinks (at your own expenses) and the panoramic view of the lively streets of Saigon. Dinner and overnight in Saigon.

Day 3: Cu Chi Tunnels Tour and Wildlife at risk (B, L, D)

After breakfast at hotel, we will drive to visit the famous Cu Chi Tunnels. At its height, the tunnel system stretched over 250 KM from Saigon to the Cambodian border and was three levels deep. The network included innumerable trap doors, specially constructed living areas, storage facilities, weapons factories, field hospitals, command centers and kitchens. Today the remaining tunnels have become a major tourist attraction giving the visitor a unique experience and a feel of what underground life during the U.S.-Vietnam American must have been like.

After lunch in a local restaurant, we will Wildlife at Risk (WAR), which is around 10-minute drive from Cu Chi Tunnels, a biodiversity protection in Vietnam by combating the illegal wildlife trade, raising environmental awareness, protecting endangered species and their habitats. We can support the centre by donating money or purchase something at their Gift shop, all the money will go straight to the above purposes. Return to Ho Chi Minh City in the afternoon, dinner and overnight in our hotel.

Day 4: Saigon – Ba Ria Vung Tau – Old Battle Fields (B, L, D)

Today, we will drive from Saigon to the impressive VC Memorial, the former US/Australian wartime airbase in Ba Ria Vung Tau. We will first visit a village in Hoa Long where rice paper is still produced by hand. There is an opportunity to interact with the locals to get a glimpse of their daily life. Then travel onto Long Phuoc to visit a former wartime tunnel complex.

We then drive to the former 1^st Australian Task Force Base at Nui Dat, which is now just a clearing surrounded by rubber plantations. Continue to visit other historic landmarks including Long Tan battlefield and the Long Tan Memorial Cross, located in the tranquil surrounds of the rubber plantations. Take a moment to reflect on the Battle of Long Tan in 1966, arguably the most famous battle fought by the Australian Army during the Vietnam War. Finish our tour with a visit to Horseshoe Hill, a strategic observation outpost established by the Australian forces. Nowadays, visitors are not allowed to access it, but it is possible to see from a far.

Drive to Vung Tau, we will head up to Radar Hill where we are able to orientate ourself with a fantastic overview of the city and the coast. Continue driving down to Bai Sau beach, the longest of the peninsula's beaches. Spend time walking along the beachside area, adjacent to the former Australian wartime base (nothing remains today). Dinner and overnight in Vung Tau.

Day 5: Vung Tau Sea Town – Saigon (B, L, D)

Today, we will explore this small exciting sea-town. We will first visit the spectacular Jesus Statue for a morning panoramic view of the city and shoreline. Built in 1972, this statue is standing in Nui Nho (Nho Mount) with 32 metres high and 18.3 metres long arms. Take nearly 900 steps to the top; we will enjoy a breathtaking view of Vung Tau City. When we go down, get ourselves relaxed by a cool drink offered by our tour guide before transferring to our next visit – Niet Ban Tinh Xa (Nirvana Pagoda). Nirvana Pagoda or Lying Buddha Pagoda (12m Buddha made of marble) was built in 1969 and is one of the biggest pagodas in the city. When we get here, please try to drum the giant bronze bell in the upper level for a good luck. The next place in our itinerary is White Palace, which used as summer palace of the last Emperor of Vietnam, Bao Dai.

After lunch in a local restaurant, we will visit the Lighthouse, which offers a panoramic view of the whole city. The peak where the Lighthouse is located is around 170 metres above sea level and usually praised as the most interesting site in Vung Tau with shades of high trees on both side. In the mid-afternoon, we will return to Saigon. In the evening, we enjoy the farewell dinner at nice local restaurant. Overnight in Saigon.

Day 6: Saigon – Biking in Mekong Delta (B, L, D)

After breakfast at hotel, we will drive south towards the Mekong Delta. This will be a good chance for us to take pictures of fish, shrimps, prawns, crabs, snakes, rice-field rats, tropical fruits, vegetable...On arrival, we will cruise in the Cai Be Floating Market and stop at some cottage industries making pop-rice, coconut candy and rice-paper. We will also visit some nursery gardens, bonsai garden or fruit orchard. Our guide will take us to go around the village and stop at brick kiln and pottery factory.

Arrive in our local home at around lunch; we will enjoy our delicious lunch with typical Mekong Delta dishes. After lunch, we will take our bike and ride for an hour around the An Binh Islet in the village road and get closer to the daily life of the local people. Back to our homestay for a cool drink before getting in our car to drive back to Saigon. Dinner and overnight in Saigon.

Day 7: Saigon departure (B)

Time will be free until our car arrives at the hotel to take us to the airport in good time to board our departure flight. Trip ends

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General Information

Duration: 6 Days/5 Nights
Start/End: Ho Chi Minh City/Ho Chi Minh City
Tour Route: Ho Chi Minh City – Long Tan – Nui Dat – Vung Tau – Cao Dai Temple – Cu Chi – Ho Chi Minh City
Tour Customizable: Absolutely! (Tell us your specific requirements in the inquiry form)

Brief Itinerary

Day 1: Ho Chi Minh City arrival (D)
Day 2: Ho Chi Minh City Orientation (B, L, D)
Day 3: Ho Chi Minh City – Long Tan – Nui Dat – Vung Tau (B, L, D)
Day 4: Vung Tau Sea town – Ho Chi Minh City (B, L, D)
Day 5: Ho Chi Minh City – Cao Dai Temple – Cu Chi Tunnels (B, L, D)
Day 6: Ho Chi Minh City Departure (B)

Full Itinerary

Day 1: Ho Chi Minh City arrival (D)

Upon arrival in Ho Chi Minh City, teacher and students will be greeted then transferred to hotel. After a short rest, we will take one-hour cyclo ride around the tree-lined boulevard of this hustle and bustle city. We will finish our day with an 1-hour Water Puppet show in Golden Dragon Theatre before having a Welcome dinner in a restaurant in the city centre. After dinner, our car will drop us at hotel for overnight accommodation.

Day 2: Ho Chi Minh City Orientation (B, L, D)

After breakfast at hotel, we will visit the Reunification Palace, which is one of the most important buildings in the city. Here on April 30, 1975, what the Vietnamese refer to as the ‘American War' officially ended when tank number 843 of the North Vietnamese Army crashed through the gates of what was, at the time, the residence of the President of the Republic of Vietnam. You will call in at the War Remnants Museum or formerly known as the Museum of American War Crimes, this is a poignant display of the futility of war. The courtyard outside contains the spoils of war, namely rusting jets, tanks and cannons captured from the American military machine. You will then visit Notre Dame Cathedral and Old Post Office. Built between 1877 and 1883 this is one of the best examples of classical French colonial architecture. Remarkably, every stone used in its creation was shipped from France to Vietnam. Her two 40m towers, topped with iron spires dominate the city's skyline. The Old Post Office is another example of French colonial architecture and is also the country's largest post office.

The rest of the day will be free for shopping at Ben Thanh Market, this bustling and well-organized market is very popular with tourists, primarily due to its central location. It has a wide selection of goods ranging from fake Nike shoes to beautiful silk Ao Dai. We will end the tour in the afternoon and spend the night at the hotel. We will spend the night in Ho Chi Minh City.

Day 3: Ho Chi Minh City – Long Tan – Nui Dat – Vung Tau (B, L, D)

After breakfast at hotel, our car will drive us to Vung Tau then to Ba Ria. On arrival, we will visit Ba Ria Orphanage where we will donate some gifts for the children. We will then visit Long Phuoc Tunnels. The tunnel is 1.1 kilometres long with a clean and winding track inside before continue going to Nui Dat and an artillery area on the right. We will also visit Long Tan Memorial Cross which is established in 1969 by the 6RAR. We will take photos beside the cross on which the bronze plaque is hung.

After lunch in a local restaurant in Ba Ria, we will visit Minh Dam secret zone where diggers deployed on operations in 1968 and have short break time in Long Hai Beach for team activities and check in our hotel in Vung Tau where we will spend the night.

Day 4: Vung Tau Sea town – Ho Chi Minh City (B, L, D)

Today, we will have a nearly full day exploring this small exciting sea-town. We will first visit the spectacular Jesus Statue for a morning panoramic view of the city and shoreline. Built in 1972, this statue is standing in Nui Nho (Nho Mount) with 32 metres high and 18.3 metres long arms. Take nearly 900 steps to the top; we will enjoy a breathtaking view of Vung Tau City. When we go down, get ourselves relaxed by a cool drink offered by our tour guide before transferring to our next visit – Niet Ban Tinh Xa (Nirvana Pagoda). Nirvana Pagoda or Lying Buddha Pagoda (12m Buddha made of marble) was built in 1969 and is one of the biggest pagodas in the city. When you get here, please try to drum the giant bronze bell in the upper level for a good luck. The next place in our itinerary is White Palace, which used as summer palace of the last Emperor of Vietnam, Bao Dai.

After lunch in a local restaurant with seafood mainly, we will continue to visit Whale Temple, which worship to the remains of a whale washed up on the Vung Tau beach over 100 years ago. We will then visit the Lighthouse, which offers a panoramic view of the whole city. The peak where the Lighthouse is located is around 170 metres above sea level and usually praised as the most interesting site in Vung Tau with shades of high trees on both side. In the afternoon, we will be driven back to Ho Chi Minh City where we will spend the night.

ay 5: Ho Chi Minh City – Cao Dai Temple – Cu Chi Tunnels (B, L, D)

This morning we take a drive to Cao Dai Temple in Tay Ninh to observe the midday service. Tay Ninh, near the Cambodian border, is home to the unique Cao Dai sect, whose patron saints include Joan of Arc, Victor Hugo and Winston Churchill to name a few. The religion is a hybrid of Buddhism, Taoism, Confucianism and Christianity. The Cao Dai Temple at Tay Ninh has been described as a Walt Disney fantasia of the East. The temple's exterior is decorated with multi-colored dragons of all shapes and sizes competing for space with a number of Buddhist symbols. Above the main entrance is the all-seeing holy eye, the symbol of the Cao Dai sect. The interior is just as engaging as statues of Jesus Christ, Buddha and the Hindu god, Brahma, stand side by side.

After lunch, we will head to the Cu Chi tunnels, otherwise known as the "Iron Triangle" or "Iron Land". On our way there, we will drive through pleasant countryside; rubber plantations and rice paddies. Before entering the tunnels, we will see a short introductory video showing how they were constructed, followed by an exploration of the maze of tunnels, some of which have been widened to allow tourist access. Also on display are various mantraps and the remains of an American tank as well as numerous bomb craters made by 500lb bombs dropped by B52 bombers. After that we transfer back to Ho Chi Minh city for overnight accommodation.

Day 6: Ho Chi Minh City Departure (B)

Time will be free until our car arrives at the hotel to take us to the airport in good time to board our departure flight. Trip ends.

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