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5 Days – Southern Vietnam Snapshot: Saigon, Cu Chi, Floating Market

5 Days – Southern Vietnam Snapshot: Saigon, Cu Chi, Floating Market

3 Days Max People : 20
  • Tour Code: S5G1
  • Destination: Ho Chi Minh
  • Tour Type: Private Tours
  • Start: Ho Chi Minh city, Viet Nam
  • End: Ho Chi Minh city, Viet Nam
  • Tour Type: Private Tours

Itinerary Overview

This journey leads you through some of Vietnam’s most iconic highlights: the timeless charm of Hanoi, the tranquil karst landscapes of Lan Ha Bay, the lantern-lit lanes of Hoi An, and the imperial grandeur of Hue. Your trip concludes with the vibrant pace of Ho Chi Minh City and the peaceful waterways of the Mekong Delta. Designed as a self-guided adventure, it allows you to explore Vietnam at your own rhythm while enjoying a seamless arrangement of hotels, domestic flights, transfers, a cruise on Lan Ha Bay, and an excursion into the Mekong Delta. You are free to choose what to visit and to follow your interests as you encounter Vietnam’s unmissable sites.

Looking to unwind after exploring Vietnam’s rich culture and vibrant cities? This 4-day Phu Quoc beach escape is the perfect extension to your Vietnam journey. Enjoy three relaxing nights at a comfortable beach resort, with round-trip airport transfers included for a seamless, worry-free stay. Soak up the sun on pristine beaches, explore the island’s lush nature, and truly unwind in this peaceful tropical haven.

  • Hanoi at your own pace – independent exploration of the Old Quarter, culture, and local food
  • Lan Ha Bay overnight cruise – peaceful limestone scenery and light onboard activities
  • Hoi An at leisure – Ancient Town, cafés, tailor shops, and relaxed atmosphere
  • Hue at your rhythm – imperial heritage and local markets explored independently
  • Mekong Delta in Ben Tre – guided river cruise, coconut workshops, and local encounters

Detailed Itinerary

  • Day 1 Ho Chi Minh City Arrival

    Welcome to Vietnam! Upon arrival at Tan Son Nhat International Airport (SGN), look for our driver holding a sign with your name. You’ll be transferred directly to your hotel in the city center (approx. 45-60 minute drive). Please note the standard check-in time is 2:00 PM. Settle in and enjoy your first taste of Ho Chi Minh City at your leisure.

    • Meals:None
    • Accommodation:Hotel in Ho Chi Minh City
  • Day 2 Ho Chi Minh City Tour & Cu Chi Tunnels Full Day (B, L)

    (Pick up approx. 7:45 AM) Your day begins with a pickup from your hotel (or meeting point) for a city tour. Drive along the famous Dong Khoi street, passing the historic Opera House, City Hall (People’s Committee Building), the iconic Notre Dame Cathedral, and the Central Post Office. Visit the significant Independence Palace (Reunification Palace). Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant.

    In the afternoon, travel approximately 70km northwest to the Cu Chi Tunnels. Learn about the incredible resilience and ingenuity required to build and live in this vast underground network during wartime through an introductory video and exploration of the site. See reconstructed living areas, kitchens, and command centers, along with defensive trap doors. Afterwards, return to your hotel in Ho Chi Minh City in the late afternoon.

    • Meals:Breakfast, Lunch
    • Accommodation:Hotel in Ho Chi Minh City
  • Day 3 Ho Chi Minh City – Cai Be Exploration – Can Tho (B, L)
    • Depart: 7:30AM –Return: 5:30PM next day
    • RouteHo Chi Minh City → Cai Be → Tan Phong Island → Can Tho (Overnight) → Cai Rang Floating Market → Local Villages → HCMC

    7:30 AM: Pick-up from your hotel in Ho Chi Minh City. Drive to Cai Be in the Mekong Delta.

    Board a boat to explore the site of Cai Be’s former floating market and learn about changing local trade traditions.

    Visit craft workshops to see coconut candy and crispy rice making.

    Stop by an ancient house and enjoy a Southern folk music performance (Đờn ca tài tử). Take a sampan ride through shaded canals. Arrive at Tan Phong Island:

    Join a cooking activity and enjoy a garden lunch with locals. Cycle through orchards and villages, visiting Ba Kiet ancient house

    Return by boat to Cai Be pier. Transfer to Can Tho by bus. Check-in at your hotel and enjoy free time to explore the city in the evening.

    • Meals:Lunch
    • Accommodation:Hotel in Can Tho
  • Day 4 Can Tho – Cai Rang Floating Market – Ho Chi Minh City (B, L)

    Enjoy breakfast at your hotel. Take a morning boat trip along the Bassac River to the vibrant Cai Rang Floating Market.

    See boats trading fresh produce and local goods in a one-of-a-kind floating bazaar. Visit a local noodle-making workshop to learn how Vietnamese rice noodles are crafted.

    Stop at Munir Ansay Pagoda, a striking Khmer-style temple in the heart of Can Tho.

    Continue by boat to Con Son Islet, visit a fruit plantation and taste seasonal tropical fruitsLunch at a local restaurant, then drive back to Ho Chi Minh City. Arrive in the late afternoon, around 5:00PM

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

  • Day 5 Ho Chi Minh City Departure (B)

    Enjoy a relaxed morning and breakfast at your hotel. You have free time until your departure. Please note the standard check-out time is 12:00 PM. At the appropriate time, our driver (only) will transfer you to Tan Son Nhat International Airport (SGN) for your onward flight. Say goodbye to Vietnam!

    • Meals:Breakfast
    • Accommodation:None

Inclusions

  • Explore Ho Chi Minh City's key historical sites, including the Independence Palace and Cu Chi Tunnels.
  • Discover the Mekong Delta's charm in Cai Be: cruise canals, visit local workshops (coconut candy, bee farm), enjoy traditional music, and ride unique local transport.
  • Experience the vibrant atmosphere of Cai Rang, the Mekong Delta's largest floating market.
  • Enjoy an overnight stay in Can Tho, the delta's central city.
  • Taste tropical fruits fresh from a local orchard.

Exclusions

  • International flight from/to your country
  • Travel insurance
  • Personal expenses
  • Tipping and Gratuities
  • Other not mentioned in the program

Good to know

Passeport & Visa
Your passport must be valid for at least six months beyond your date of arrival in Vietnam and contain a minimum of two blank pages. French citizens, as well as nationals of 12 other countries (including Japan, South Korea, the United Kingdom, Germany, Italy, and Spain), may enter Vietnam without a visa for stays of up to 45 days. If you plan to stay longer, or if your nationality is not eligible for this exemption, please check with the nearest Vietnamese embassy or consulate, or feel free to contact us for further information.
International flights
International flights are not included in the price of our tours. You are free to choose and book the flights that best suit your needs and schedule. If you wish, our travel consultants can assist you in finding the best available options.
Travel Insurance

Valid travel insurance is mandatory to participate in the tour. It must cover the following:

  • Emergency medical expenses (including hospitalization and repatriation)
  • Trip cancellations or interruptions
  • Activities included in your itinerary, including outdoor excursions

Before departure, please provide us with the following information:

  • The name of your insurance company
  • Your policy number
  • A 24/7 emergency assistance contact number

Please check whether your credit card already provides coverage and consider purchasing additional insurance if necessary.

Weather & best time to visit Vietnam

Spring (February to April) and autumn (September to December) are the most pleasant seasons to visit Vietnam, with mild weather and limited rainfall. However, the country stretches over more than 1,600 km, and weather conditions vary significantly. Vietnam can be visited year-round:

  • North: Cool winters (December to February), hot and humid summers.
  • Central: Rainy season from September to November.
  • South: Tropical climate, warm year-round, with frequent showers from May to October.

Please pack clothing suitable for each region according to your itinerary.

Time zone

Vietnam operates on GMT+7 year-round. There is no seasonal time change.

Currency and Payments

The local currency is the Vietnamese Dong (VND). US dollars and euros are sometimes accepted in hotels, but this is not guaranteed.

  • Credit cards (Visa, MasterCard) are accepted in most mid-range to high-end hotels, restaurants, and shops.
  • ATMs are widely available in major cities.
  • Currency exchange is possible at the airport, banks, or authorized exchange offices.

Tip: Avoid using old, damaged, or torn banknotes, as they are often refused for payment.

Domestic flights

If your tour includes domestic flights, the exact schedules, flight numbers, and relevant details will be provided in your travel documents.

Please arrive at the airport at least 2 hours before departure, bringing your passport and electronic ticket (or booking reference).

Baggage: Checked baggage allowance generally ranges between 20 kg and 23 kg, depending on the airline. Cabin baggage is usually limited to 7 kg.

Attention: Additional fees may apply if you exceed the permitted limits. We recommend checking the specific conditions of each airline (Vietnam Airlines, VietJet Air, Bamboo Airways, etc.) before your flight.

Flight schedules are subject to change by the airline. We will keep you informed in case of any updates.

Domestic flights

If your tour includes domestic flights, the exact schedules, flight numbers, and relevant details will be provided in your travel documents.

Please arrive at the airport at least 2 hours before departure, bringing your passport and electronic ticket (or booking reference).

Baggage: Checked baggage allowance generally ranges between 20 kg and 23 kg, depending on the airline. Cabin baggage is usually limited to 7 kg.

Attention: Additional fees may apply if you exceed the permitted limits. We recommend checking the specific conditions of each airline (Vietnam Airlines, VietJet Air, Bamboo Airways, etc.) before your flight.

Flight schedules are subject to change by the airline. We will keep you informed in case of any updates.

Flight Connections

If you have a connecting domestic flight in Vietnam, please follow these steps upon arrival:

  • Collect your checked luggage.
  • Proceed through immigration and customs.
  • Make your way to the domestic terminal (at some airports, this may require a walk or a shuttle transfer).

Airport staff are generally available to assist you if needed. Do not hesitate to ask for help.

Recommended connection time: minimum 2 hours 30 minutes
This allows sufficient time for possible flight delays, queues at immigration and customs, and transfers between terminals.

Practical tip: At major airports such as Hanoi (Noi Bai) or Ho Chi Minh City (Tan Son Nhat), domestic and international terminals are not always located in the same building. Please allow ample time and follow the signs upon arrival.

Vaccinations & Personal Medication

No mandatory vaccinations are required to enter Vietnam.

However, health authorities recommend the following vaccinations, especially for long stays or travel in rural areas:

  • Hepatitis A and B
  • Typhoid fever
  • Tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis (booster shots recommended)
  • Rabies (in case of prolonged stays in rural areas or possible contact with animals)

If you are undergoing regular medical treatment, please ensure you bring a sufficient supply of medication for the entire duration of your stay.
Do not forget to carry your prescription, preferably in English, to facilitate any checks or medical consultations on site.

Malaria & Mosquitoes

The risk of malaria is very low in Vietnam’s main tourist areas, including Hanoi, Ha Long Bay, Ninh Binh, Mai Chau, Pu Luong, Hue, Hoi An, Da Nang, Ho Chi Minh City, and the tourist areas of the Mekong Delta. No malaria prophylaxis is generally recommended for these regions.

However, if you plan to travel to remote rural, forested, or mountainous areas (for example, Muong Te in Lai Chau, certain border or isolated areas of the northern highlands, or deep areas of the Mekong), you should consult a doctor or a travel medicine clinic to assess the need for preventive treatment.

Tips to protect yourself from mosquito bites

  • Apply insect repellent to exposed skin containing DEET (30–50%), icaridin, or PMD (citriodiol).
  • Wear long, covering clothing, especially in the early evening and at night.
  • Sleep under a mosquito net, particularly in simple accommodations, natural settings, or places without air conditioning.
  • Use electric diffusers or mosquito coils in the evening in non-air-conditioned areas.
  • Avoid stagnant water near your accommodation, as it is a breeding ground for mosquitoes.
Airport Pick-up

Upon your arrival in Vietnam, our driver will be waiting for you at the airport exit, holding a sign displaying: “sgntours – [Your name]”.

Please take a moment to carefully check the signs at the arrival exit. If you have any difficulty locating our driver, do not hesitate to contact our assistance team, available 24/7, at the following number:
+84 931 474 558 (direct call or WhatsApp available).

Practical tip: Make sure your phone is activated for international calls or internet access upon arrival to facilitate communication if needed.

Note: At some airports, several drivers may be waiting at the exit. If you do not immediately find our representative, please remain in the meeting area and contact us — we will assist you promptly.

Small Group Tour

Our small-group tours generally bring together between 4 and 7 participants. You will travel alongside people from diverse backgrounds, with different nationalities, cultures, and ages. This is a great opportunity to share experiences, exchange perspectives, and build meaningful connections throughout the journey.

To ensure that all planned activities run smoothly, punctuality is essential. Please respect the schedules communicated by your local guide to guarantee an enjoyable and seamless experience for the entire group.

Shared and private room

For group tours, room allocation is based on the gender indicated on your passport. By default, you will share a twin room with a traveler of the same gender.
You will be accommodated in a single room in the following cases:

  • You prefer to have a single room.
  • No other traveler wishes to share a room.

In both cases, a single supplement applies. Please contact your travel consultant to check availability and the exact supplement amount.
Note: This supplement does not apply to train cabins, which include four berths per compartment.


Price per pax in USD
$
Total cost
$220