Arrival in Ho Chi Minh City. The vibrant metropolis Ho Chi Minh City teems with energy, activity and motion where traditional life meets modern life. The emerging modern skylines stand cheek by jowl with colonial buildings and traditional temples. Begin the tour into modern history with a visit to the REUNIFICATION PALACE which formerly was the Independence

Palace of the South Vietnamese president. The 60s-style building was stormed by tanks on April

30, 1975 signifying the fall of South Vietnam and has been preserved in its original state. Proceed the tour with a quick visit to the neo-romanesque NOTRE DAME CATHEDRAL as well as the CENTRAL POST OFFICE and pass by the ornate CITY HALL (HOTEL DE VILLE) and the old OPERA HOUSE (both may only be viewed from outside). Continue to the WAR REMNANTS MUSEUM which contains a comprehensive documentation of the long Vietnam-American War. The tour continues with a visit to the historic center. The EMPEROR OF JADE PAGODA is one of Ho Chi Minh City ’s most interesting pagodas. After lunch, visit the first Museum of Traditional Vietnamese Medicine (FITO): FITO Museum displays more than 3,000 objects, which are arranged in different topics, different materials and age – the oldest being from the 6th century. Visitors can practice grinding medicine, watch a documentary about the history of

Vietnamese traditional medicine and taste a cup of linh chi tea before leaving the museum. Finally, end up at the central BEN THANH MARKET, where vendors display a vast variety of traditional goods and handicrafts.

Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.

During today’s sightseeing tour a visit to TAY NINH will take place. This is the birthplace of the unique Cao Dai religion which is a fusion of Buddhism, Confucianism, Taoism, Christianity, Islam and native Vietnamese spiritual beliefs. Every day at noon there is the opportunity to respectfully watch the worshippers dressed in colourful robes flock to the CAO DAI GREAT

TEMPLE where they participate in the daily prayer session. Continue to the CU CHI TUNNELS which was never discovered by American forces. These tunnels are stretching over 200 km and were an important Vietcong base during the American war. This underground network, dug by hand, connected command posts, hospitals, shelter and weapon factories.

Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.

Journey through Ben Luc and Tan An. Take a boat trip on the Mekong River through the Vam Xep canal to Ben Tre where local handicrafts and sweets from coconut are produced. Observe the local life and take a short ride on a horse carriage to a typical local house to taste some homemade honey-tea. Continue the tour on a small sampan boat through the canals and stop for a stroll.

Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.

Travel by vehicle from Ho Chi Minh City to Da Lat and take the opportunity to visit coffee and tea plantations on the way. Overnight in Da Lat.

Take a trip to the nine hamlets of the LAT VILLAGE and visit the home of the LAO, Chil, Ma and Koho minorities. The villages are situated at the base of the LANG BIAN MOUNTAIN which is known for its five volcanic peaks. Start the trekking tour up to the Lang BIAN mountain

where a spectacular view on the top can be enjoyed. The total distance is 7 km and can also be done by cable car.

Overnight in Dalat

Dalat is filled with gardens, parks, lakes and waterfalls, while the region is famous for its vegetable and flower production owing to the ever temperate climate. In the past years, artists have come to Dalat, making it one of Vietnam’s most vibrant art colonies. Begin the

tour at the XUAN HUONG LAKE located at the heart of Dalat. Then stroll around the FRENCH DISTRICT whose atmosphere reminds of a provincial town in France and visit the DALAT CATHEDRAL. Continue to the whimsical HANG NGA ART GALLERY, nicknamed the CRAZY HOUSE. This guesthouse and art gallery reflects the unique style of the architect Mrs. Dang Viet Nga. The tour ends at the BAO DAI’s SUMMER PALACE to get an insight into the daily

life of the last Vietnamese emperor and his family. Visit the FLOWER GARDEN where flowers rarely seen elsewhere in Vietnam can be found. Travel by vehicle from Dalat to Phan Thiet.

Overnight in Phan Thiet

Spend all day at leisure with no local guide.

Overnight in Phan Thiet

Spend all day at leisure with no local guide.

Overnight in Phan Thiet

Travel by vehicle from Phan Thiet to Ho Chi Minh City to have departure flight.

End of the tour