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Full-Day Ho Chi Minh City Tour: Your Complete Guide to Saigon’s Heritage & Highlights

$ $
Saigon/Ho Chi Minh City – My Tho – Ben Tre – Can Tho – Chau Doc – Saigon/Ho Chi Minh City
This 5-day itinerary is an exciting exploration of southern Vietnam, blending history, culture, and nature. You’ll travel from the vibrant city of Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City) to the lush Mekong Delta and beyond, experiencing the region’s diverse attractions. Here’s what to expect:
Included/Excluded
Arrival in Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City):
Upon arrival, you will be greeted at the airport and transferred to your hotel. Spend the afternoon at leisure to rest or explore nearby attractions.
Evening Activity:
Enjoy a memorable dinner on a cruise along the Saigon River. Savor local Vietnamese dishes while admiring the illuminated skyline and the tranquil river atmosphere.
Accommodation: Hotel in Saigon
Meals included: Dinner on a cruise
Morning: Cu Chi Tunnels
Travel to Cu Chi (approximately 1.5 hours from Saigon).
Explore the underground tunnel network used during the Vietnam War. Learn about its historical role, and see hidden trapdoors, underground kitchens, and living quarters.
Optional: Try crawling through the tunnels for a firsthand experience.
Afternoon: Saigon City Tour
Reunification Palace: A historic landmark representing the end of the Vietnam War.
Notre Dame Cathedral: A striking example of French colonial architecture.
Central Post Office: Designed by Gustave Eiffel, this is another architectural marvel from the French colonial era.
Ben Thanh Market: Explore this bustling marketplace for local handicrafts, food, and souvenirs.
Accommodation: Hotel in Saigon
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch
Morning: Depart for the Mekong Delta, approximately a 2-hour drive.
Activities in the Mekong Delta:
Cruise on the Mekong River, visiting small canals surrounded by lush vegetation.
Stop at a local village to experience traditional crafts like coconut candy making or rice paper production.
Enjoy a local Vietnamese lunch in a tranquil riverside setting.
Afternoon: Continue to Can Tho, the largest city in the Mekong Delta. Check into your hotel and relax for the evening.
Accommodation: Hotel in Can Tho
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch
Morning: Cai Rang Floating Market
Early morning boat trip to Cai Rang Floating Market, one of the most vibrant markets in Vietnam. Observe local traders selling fresh produce directly from their boats.
Walk around a nearby village to see local life and try tropical fruits.
Afternoon: Tra Su Mangrove Forest
Travel to Tra Su Forest, a peaceful nature reserve filled with mangroves and wetlands.
Enjoy a boat trip through the forest, spotting exotic birds and wildlife.
Proceed to Chau Doc for an overnight stay
Accommodation: Hotel in Chau Doc
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch
Morning Activities:
Explore Chau Doc’s cultural and natural attractions, such as:
Sam Mountain: Known for its stunning views and religious sites like pagodas and temples.
Floating Villages: See fish farms and local life on the water.
Afternoon: Drive back to Saigon, concluding your journey.
Accommodation: None
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch
TERMS AND CONDITIONS
* The tour won’t be confirmed until 50% of the tour’s total cost is paid at the moment of confirmation
* Deposit paid by credit card online link will be charged 3.3%, which is the third party (OnePay Vietnam) regulations
CANCELLATION AND REFUND POLICIES
Count on the deposit amount and guests will pay the transaction fee
* Airfare is NOT refundable
* Cancellation within 21 days notice will be 100% refunded
* Cancellation with 14-20 days notice will be 75% refunded
* Cancellation with 7–13 days notice will be 50% refunded
* Cancellation with 6 days notice will be 0% refunded
* Cancellations due to subjective conditions such as typhoons, earthquake terrorism, or pandemics will be 100% refunded or discussed in a more beneficial way for guests
* When cancellation is a must for tourists, such as when family members pass away or the flight is canceled or delayed, we will base it on reality to help our guests lose as little as possible from our honesty
Southern Vietnam is where the country’s modern energy, riverine culture, and emerald nature meet. In just five days and four nights, you can feel the pulse of Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City), glide along coconut-lined canals in the Mekong, watch life bloom at a floating market, and disappear into the quiet of a mangrove forest. As Asian Link Travel, we designed A Glance of Southern Vietnam 5 Days 4 Nights to balance must-see icons with authentic local moments—so your memories feel both effortless and unforgettable.
Before you dive into the day-by-day plan, here’s the big picture. This journey links Saigon, My Tho, Ben Tre, Can Tho, and Chau Doc in a smooth loop tailored for first-time visitors and culture lovers. Expect comfortable hotels, thoughtful pacing, and meaningful encounters—from a dinner cruise under city lights to sampan rides beneath coconut palms.
You arrive in Saigon and cap your first evening with a river dinner cruise. Day 2 interweaves the Cu Chi Tunnels with a compact city tour. Day 3 moves to the Mekong Delta via My Tho and Ben Tre, with an overnight in Can Tho. Day 4 greets dawn at Cai Rang Floating Market, then arcs west to Chau Doc for Tra Su Mangrove Forest. Day 5 glides back to Saigon. Distances are reasonable, and each day has a clear highlight to keep the rhythm inspiring, not exhausting.
As your operator, Asian Link Travel includes handpicked accommodation, private or comfortable shared transport, guided sightseeing with entrance fees per the itinerary, a dinner cruise on Day 1, and listed meals. You’ll sample seasonal fruits, ride local boats, and walk historic districts. We leave room for personal snacks and shopping, while ensuring must-do experiences—like Cu Chi and the floating market—are seamlessly handled.
Choosing a short itinerary shouldn’t mean compromising depth. This curated route stitches together the three pillars travelers value most in the south: history that’s tangible, culture you can taste and hear, and nature that resets your senses. With Asian Link Travel, logistics serve the storytelling, so every day flows like a good conversation.
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You’ll trace wartime ingenuity at Cu Chi, then admire colonial-era architecture in central Saigon. The next morning, you’re in another world—canoeing narrow canals, hearing the thrum of river trade, and tasting coconut treats fresh from local workshops. By Day 4, you’re drifting through Tra Su’s mangroves where storks nest and sunbeams stripe the water. It’s a concise arc from underground tunnels to open water, from city skylines to whispering reeds.
If this is your first time, the route checks essential boxes without feeling rushed. If you’ve been to Saigon before, the delta days and Tra Su will show you another side of the south. The itinerary is compact, but varied enough that each day has its own texture—and every destination adds a distinct layer to your understanding of Southern Vietnam’s living culture.
Embark on an unforgettable journey through Southern Vietnam, where the vibrant energy of Ho Chi Minh City meets the tranquil charm of the Mekong Delta. From the moment you arrive, the city’s lively streets, bustling markets, and colonial architecture set the stage for a journey full of discovery. Saigon’s cafés, street food stalls, and riverside promenades offer a taste of everyday life, while landmarks and historic sites tell the story of a city that has endured and evolved over centuries.
As you move beyond the urban center, the rhythm slows, giving way to the serene waterways of the Mekong Delta. Drift along canals lined with coconut palms, visit floating markets alive with colorful boats, and experience riverside villages where traditions continue unchanged. Sample fragrant local cuisine, meet friendly locals, and see first-hand how life unfolds along the delta’s winding waterways.
The journey also offers moments of quiet reflection amid natural beauty, from lush orchards and peaceful mangrove forests to the shimmering surface of rivers reflecting tropical skies. Each day brings a new facet of Southern Vietnam—its culture, its history, and its warmth—woven together into a seamless adventure. By the end of the trip, travelers leave not just with photos, but with a deep connection to the landscapes, flavors, and spirit of this remarkable region.
Southern Vietnam isn’t a single mood. It’s a collage: metropolitan bravado, river village calm, and wild green sanctuaries. These highlights explain why each stop earned its place in a five-day journey.
Saigon is kinetic—yet anchored by icons like the Central Post Office and the red-brick Notre Dame Basilica area. Around District 1, boulevards unfurl past cafés and boutiques, while side streets reveal banh mi carts and neighborhood phở. At night, the riverfront glows. Experiencing the city from a dinner cruise adds perspective; it stitches the skyline into a single ribbon and invites you to slow down while the city keeps moving.
Visiting Cu Chi is about empathy as much as engineering. The surviving sections reveal small details—kitchen smoke vents, narrow passageways, simple traps—that show cunning under pressure. Exhibits are contextual, and your guide will tailor the depth to your interest. It’s sobering without being overwhelming, and it adds weight to the lighter pleasures that follow in the delta, where daily life hums above ground, in open air and open water.
Here the land is laced with waterways. Larger channels feel cinematic; smaller canals feel intimate. You’ll taste fruit in season, learn how coconuts become candy and crafts, and ride a sampan where your paddle almost brushes the riverbed. The palette is all shades of green—palm, mango, bamboo—cut by the glitter of water and the flash of áo bà ba working clothes. It’s an easy, gentle immersion into delta rhythms.
Cai Rang rewards early risers. Boats display what they sell by tying produce to bamboo poles, so you can scan the skyline for pineapples, melons, or yams. The air smells like river breeze and noodle broth. You’ll likely sample breakfast boat-side—perhaps hủ tiếu or a crusty banh mi—and watch money, goods, and gossip change hands. It’s not a show for tourists; it’s a living market, and that makes every glance feel candid and real.
Tra Su is the whisper after the market’s chorus. The mangrove roots tangle gracefully, and when the sampan slips forward, the duckweed parts like fabric. Birdlife is abundant; sunlight filters in stripes; photos practically compose themselves. Beyond beauty, visiting supports conservation efforts that keep this fragile ecosystem alive. It’s a serene finale to the delta section, and a reminder that Southern Vietnam’s identity is half-written by water and trees.
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Food and culture here live by the river’s schedule. Meals are fresh, herb-bright, and often eaten al fresco. Markets, music, and crafts are woven into daily life, and your tastings and encounters are designed to be welcoming and unforced.
Expect platters of dragon fruit, rambutan, or longan depending on the season, along with honey tea and—of course—coconut candy in Ben Tre. Home-style lunches lean on fish, pork, rice, and a jubilant chorus of herbs. Soups are light; sauces are jaunty with lime and chili. Even simple snacks taste new when you’re eating them on a boat, the river a steady, silver companion.
Your first evening’s cruise isn’t just a meal; it’s a stage-setter. The skyline slips by: bridges lit like ribbons, high-rises mirrored in the water, and the hum of the city softened by distance. Some cruises feature traditional music or graceful dance. It’s an easy way to celebrate your arrival, beat jet lag with fresh air, and collect some glowing photographs before the deeper excursions begin.
Southern Vietnam enjoys a tropical climate with a clearer wet/dry pattern than the north. This affects scenery and light more than the feasibility of travel. Our departures run year-round, with nuanced tweaks to timing and packing advice.
The dry season (roughly November–April) brings clearer skies and crisper sunsets; it’s popular and photogenic. The wet season (May–October) makes landscapes lusher, canals fuller, and afternoon showers likely—great for dramatic cloudscapes and fewer crowds. We adjust daily flow to dodge storms when needed, and the market still buzzes at dawn, rain or shine.
Tet (Lunar New Year) can affect opening times and crowd patterns; book early if you’re traveling around major holidays. Shoulder periods often deliver the best of both worlds: stable weather with gentler crowd volumes. Photographers love early mornings on the river year-round; in the wet season you also get luminous post-rain light that makes greens glow and reflections pop.
Traveling well means traveling kindly—to yourself and to the places you visit. Our guides brief you on simple practices that keep days smooth while respecting local communities and ecosystems.
Board slowly, follow crew instructions, and keep hands clear at docks. Hydration is your best friend; we provide water and nudge you to sip regularly. A light breakfast before early starts prevents energy dips. Breaks are built in, and shaded seating is prioritized on boats when possible. If the heat is intense, we adjust timing to keep the day pleasant.
Please pack out all trash, avoid feeding wildlife, and keep voices low in bird zones. Buying locally made goods supports families who steward these waterways. Ask before photographing people at work—most will smile and nod yes. Small courtesies accumulate into long-term benefits for fragile mangrove environments and for the river culture you came to admire.
We price transparently and help you plan personal expenses. Factors like travel season, hotel category, and group size shape final costs, but day-to-day spending can be pleasantly modest.
High season and boutique upgrades raise rates; traveling shoulder season or selecting comfort-class hotels lowers them. Private tours cost more than small-group departures but offer flexibility. Booking early secures better availability, while pairing with friends can reduce per-person rates. Tell Asian Link Travel your priorities—we’ll tune the balance without cutting the experiences that matter.
Gratuities are discretionary but appreciated for guides and boat crews. Keep small bills handy for market snacks and fresh juices; the delta is a paradise of micro-treats. Souvenirs skew practical—coconut crafts, local candies, lightweight textiles—easy to tuck into a carry-on. We’ll point you toward quality vendors that treat artisans fairly.
This journey is crafted for travelers who want a strong sense of place in limited time. If you love contrasting scenes—city lights, river life, forest stillness—this is your southbound story.
Kids and grandparents find common ground on boats and at markets. Activities aren’t strenuous, and there’s a built-in balance of movement and rest. Guides weave simple history and nature facts into the day, so every stop becomes a story, not just a stop.
From the soft glow of the dinner cruise to quiet paddles down green canals, this itinerary is a five-day date with variety. There’s time for café hopping in Saigon and sunset photos in Tra Su—plus a shared sense of discovery that turns moments into memories you’ll talk about for years.
If you savor human connection, the delta is generous. People wave from porches; vendors hand you fruit slices with pride. Traveling with Asian Link Travel gives you structure and safety while keeping the days open enough to linger where your interests lead.
Questions are natural; good answers make travel easier. Below are the ones we hear most often, answered with practicality and care.
Yes. Walking distances are moderate, and we pace days thoughtfully. Boats have life jackets and crews trained to assist with boarding. We can arrange step stools, seating preferences, and vehicle breaks. Early starts (like Cai Rang) are rewarded with afternoon rest time so the day never feels punishing for younger or older travelers.
Comfort-class hotels in excellent locations are standard, with options to upgrade to boutique or luxury on request. Rooms include private bathrooms, air-conditioning, and breakfasts with both local and international choices. In river towns, we favor properties that feel connected to the water—so dawn views and evening strolls are right at your doorstep.
Absolutely. Southern cuisine is versatile, and many dishes adapt beautifully to vegetarian, pescatarian, or mild-spice preferences. Tell us about allergies or religious requirements in advance; Asian Link Travel will coordinate with restaurants and cruise staff so your meals are safe and satisfying without fuss.
Each day includes unscheduled pockets—time for a coffee in Saigon, a riverside walk in Can Tho, or a photo stop where the light turns magical. Your guide will offer suggestions matched to your pace. We’ll never rush you through a place that captures your attention, yet we keep the overall timeline cohesive.
In five days, this itinerary distills Southern Vietnam into a vivid reel: city shine, river life, forest hush. It’s a sequence that feels natural—urban welcome, historic depth, cultural immersion, and a green finale—so your senses stay fresh and your curiosity keeps rising.
With Asian Link Travel, details are handled and stories are highlighted. You’ll taste the Mekong, hear Saigon’s music, and float through Tra Su’s lacework of roots. You’ll also meet people whose warmth becomes the memory you keep returning to. If “glance” sounds brief, think of it as a perfectly framed view—one that invites you back for a longer look next time.
phương n2025-07-13Verified Hello The facilities are very convenient, and the food is delicious and varied. The space is peaceful and comfortable. I had a great time with my friends. Thank you so much Alex D2025-07-12Verified Vietnam àn Halong Bay Halong bay is amazing, absolutly without doublt. Asian Link Travel is very quick to contact us when I emailed to them.Ann is a good person who help me to arrange everything. I highly recommend this conpany and will be back next year for sure. toan n2025-07-12Verified Good experience Nice services. We had fun. We took many photos, some poses. Things were interesting. I think that's all we had together. Ánh Nguyen Hong2025-07-11Verified Exciting Experience! Everything went smoothly – I didn’t have to worry about a thing. Truly unforgettable – thank you for the memories! Thank you so much! Loan N2025-06-20Verified My wonderful experience This place is amazing. This is a must-see place when you go to Vietnam. The nature is magnificient. The tour guide is enthusiastic and responsible. My unforgetable experience! Trần H2025-06-20Verified A wonderful experience with Halong Bay cruise day trip Ha Long Bay is stunningly beautiful, especially at night when its charm becomes truly enchanting. The experience begins with a warm welcome marked by the sound of festive drums and courteous staff greeting guests in the lobby like esteemed VIPs. The buffet dining service is exceptional, featuring a wide selection of fresh, delicious local specialties. In the evening, guests are treated to captivating cultural performances and exclusive fireworks displays right on the cruise, which children particularly enjoy. The cruise itself offers spacious accommodations and two delightful options: one for guests who prefer to enjoy dinner, music, and return to the mainland, and another for those who wish to stay overnight and wake up to the breathtaking sunrise over the sea. Hien N2025-05-09Verified Nice day, We had a wonderful day exploring the stunning beauty of Halong Bay. The cruise was smooth and well-organized, with delicious seafood lunch and amazing views throughout.Thank you to Asian Link Travel for the excellent service and attention to detail. Everything went perfectly from booking to drop-off. We highly recommend this tour to anyone visiting Northern Vietnam! Tour613830925962025-05-08Verified Halong trip We had a nice trip in the bay with our family. Well- done, exellent services, friendly staffs. We will recommend to my friends! Quyêt Q2025-05-04Verified Great short cruise — a highlight of our trip We only had half a day to spare, but this 5-hour cruise delivered! The views were spectacular, and the cruise was well organized. Our guide was knowledgeable and gave us interesting insights about the bay’s history and geology. Highly recommend this short tour if you're on a tight schedule but don’t want to miss Halong Bay. Mình T2025-05-03Verified Halongbay Visiting Ha Long Bay was an incredible experience — the stunning landscapes and peaceful atmosphere were beyond words. Asian Link Travel handled every detail with great care, making the entire trip smooth and enjoyable. A special thanks to Ms. Ann, who was exceptionally kind, responsive, and professional throughout. Her thoughtful support truly made our journey even more wonderful. We couldn’t have asked for a better experience!Load more
4.4
10 Reviews
Excellent 5D4N Trip – Hanoi, Halong, Da Nang We had a wonderful experience on our 5-day 4-night trip organized by Asian Link Travel. The itinerary was well-planned, allowing us to explore the highlights of Hanoi, the stunning scenery of Halong Bay, and the charm of Da Nang with ease and comfort. A special thank you to Ms. Dieu Anh, who was incredibly helpful, knowledgeable, and always attentive to our needs. Her enthusiasm and professionalism made the trip even more enjoyable and stress-free. We truly appreciated her quick responses and thoughtful recommendations throughout the journey. Highly recommend Asian Link Travel for anyone looking for a smooth and memorable travel experience in Vietnam!
We had a fantastic 5-day trip covering Hanoi, Halong Bay, and Sapa. The itinerary was well-organized, with beautiful destinations and smooth transfers. We especially enjoyed the breathtaking scenery in Halong and the peaceful rice terraces in Sapa. Asian Link Travel did an excellent job from start to finish. The guides were friendly and knowledgeable, and the service was professional and reliable. We highly recommend Asian Link Travel to anyone visiting Vietnam — a truly memorable experience!
We had a nice trip in the bay with our family. Well- done, exellent services, friendly staffs
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