tonys2012
Joined: 12 Dec 2011 Posts: 31
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Posted: Tue Mar 20, 2012 9:40 pm Post subject: Saigon - Mekong Discover 6 days |
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Destination:Ho chi minh – Cu chi – Vinh long – Can Tho – Chau doc
Starts in:Ho Chi Minh City
Ends in:Ho Chi Minh City
Duration:6 Days in Length
This trip designed for individual traveler who is keen to explore all aspects of the Mekong Delta. Ho Chi Minh, Cu Chi Tunnel, Vinh Long, Cai Be floating market, Can Tho, Chau Doc and Sa Dec are some of what you will see on this itinerary.
Itinerary brief:
Day 1: Ho Chi Minh City Arrival (D)
Day 2: Ho Chi Minh City - Cu chi - Ho Chi Minh City (B, L)
Day 3: Ho Chi Minh City - Vinh Long - Can Tho (B, L)
Day 4: Can Tho - Chau Doc (B, L)
Day 5: Chau Doc - Xeo Quit - Ho Chi Minh City (B, L)
Day 6: Ho Chi Minh Departure (D)
Itinerary in Details
Day 1: Ho Chi Minh City Arrival (D)
On arrival at Tan Son Nhat Airport, you are met and transferred to hotel. Ho Chi Minh City, still called Saigon by many locals, is a center of commerce, finance, culture and tourism in Vietnam. This bustling metropolis, contradiction of its northern counterpart, is crowded with motorbikes and cars, excited by numerous shopping area and sidewalk cafés. (If time permits) we stroll around the down town to explore the different local ways of life. Dinner at local restaurant. Overnight at hotel.
Day 2: Ho Chi Minh City - Cu chi - Ho Chi Minh City (B, L)
The sightseeing tour of Ho Chi Minh City begins with a visit to the Reunification Palace which was the former residence of the President of South Vietnam until end of April 1975. Close to the palace are some striking French colonial structures including the Notre Dame Cathedral and the Old Sai Gon Post Office. We also visit the Jade Emperor Pagoda and the War Remnant Museum before continuing to the bustling Ben Thanh Market where everything and anything is for sale! We drive out this afternoon to explore the Cu Chi Tunnels. At the height of the Vietnam war, the tunnel system stretched from the outskirts of Saigon all the way to the Cambodian border of over 250 kilometers of tunnels. The tunnel system, built over 25 years starting in the 1940s, let the Viet Minh and, later, the Viet Cong, control a huge rural area. It was an underground city with living areas, kitchens, storage, weapons factories, field hospitals, command centers. In places, it was several stories deep and housed up to 10,000 people who virtually lived underground for years.... getting married, giving birth,going to school. The ground here is hard clay, which made this whole thing possible. But even so, the planning and construction was incredible. People dug all this with hand tools, filling reed baskets and dumping the dirt into bomb craters. They installed large vents so they could hear approaching helicopters, smaller vents for air and baffled vents to dissipate cooking smoke. There were also hidden trap doors and gruesomely effective bamboo-stake booby traps. Today, the trees and bushes have grown back. And since 1988, two sections of tunnels have been open for visitors. Transfer back HCM city for overnight.
Day 3: Ho Chi Minh City - Vinh Long - Can Tho (B, L)
Heading out of town we travel by road to Cai Be in Vinh Long Province. On arrival we embark on a boat for a leisurely trip around the tributaries of the mighty Mekong River. Our first stop is the vibrant floating market of Cai Be where each boat usually sells one particular item, whether it be pumpkins, pineapples, sugar canes, …. and in order that the customer knows where to shop, they hang that item from the highest part of the boat. Along the way we also visit the many fascinating local cottages industries including rice paper makers, sweet factory, bonsai nurseries. After a huge lunch at an orchard we weave our way through the intricate network of canals which are the lifeblood of the Mekong Delta, to Vinh Long. At this small town we meet up with our vehicle for a short drive to Can Tho, our final destination. Overnight at hotel in Can tho.
Day 4: Can Tho - Chau Doc (B, L)
Today we continue venturing into the Mekong Delta, passing through the many rice fields fringed with palm trees, fruit orchards and canals crammed with boats and rice barges to Chau Doc. This border town is less affected by the flash and glitz of Ho Chi Minh City's fashionable young people although it is a major hub of trade along the Mekong. A highlight of our visit to this region is an interesting boat trip on the Hau River to a fishing breeding farm and a small Muslin community at Cham village. Upon disembarking we drive to explore the sacred Ba Chua Temple and the nearby sanctuary of Tay An. We complete our day with a walk to the Sam Mountain for a beautiful view of the sunset over the mighty Mekong River. Overnight in Chau Doc.
Day 5: Chau Doc - Xeo Quit - Ho Chi Minh City (B, L)
The return trip begins as we depart this border town. A part of the pleasure of travelling in this region is the simple joy of seeing the rice fields and the smiling faces of the people. On arrival we board a boat for an exploration of the Xeo Quit Forest which was once a stronghold of the communist troop during the American wartime. This boundless cajeput forests are dissevered by numerous narrow canals surrounded by aquatic grass and plants, tall trees and vines. The cool and humid air mixing with the fragrance of flowers as well as the beautiful song of bird in the quiet environment make for an unforgettable excursion. After the boat trip we drive back to Ho Chi Minh City, passing through the charming countryside. Overnight at hotel Ho Chi Minh City.
Day 6: Ho Chi Minh Departure
Breakfast at hotel, free time until transfer to the airport for your departure flight. Say goodbye Vietnam.
Thank you for traveling with Vietnam Train.
Tour includes:
• Tours & transfers in private air-conditioned vehicles
• All accommodation with daily breakfast at selected hotels
• Private English speaking guide
• Meals as indicated in the itinerary at local restaurant with local foods (B = breakfast; L = Lunch; D = Dinner)
• Boat cruise as stated
• Entrance fees and permits for all sights visited
• Mineral Water and towel
• Government taxes & Service charges
Tour excludes:
• International flights to and from Vietnam.
• Vietnam visa arrangement (upon request visa on arrival at 15 USD, not including stamping fee at 25 USD)
• Meals not indicated in the itinerary
• All other services which are not mentioned above
• Personal travel insurance (Compulsory).
• Personal expenses such as Telephone and Laundry bills.
• Tips and gratuities _________________ vietnamvisaguide |
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