3,4-Day South Vietnam Highlights Tours

Day-by-Day Itinerary for South Vietnam Highlights Tours

Day 1: Welcome to Ho Chi Minh City

Morning

• Arrival at Tan Son Nhat International Airport: Our friendly guide shall welcome you with a smile and assist you with the luggage and a comfortable transfer to your 4-star hotel (Grand Hotel Saigon or Liberty Central).
• Check out & quick nap after your flight.

Afternoon

• Take a city tour of Ho Chi Minh City, the bustling heart of the South.
• Uncover the beautiful Notre Dame Cathedral, a masterpiece of the French era, and the legendary Central Post Office, a work of Gustave Eiffel.
• Visit the historic Independence Palace, where the Vietnam War came to a dramatic close.
• Uncover the rich undercurrents of colonial history, wartime legacies, and city rejuvenation that render Ho Chi Minh City Tours so unforgettable.

Evening

• Choose your adventure:
  • Option 1: Join a relaxing Saigon River Dinner Cruise, enjoying live music and fine cuisine while drifting past the glittering skyline.
  • Option 2: Take a casual walk down Nguyen Hue walking street, a bustling central spot of vendors selling street food, local artists, and nightlife.
• Return to the hotel and rest.

Saigon River Dinner Cruise (Sours: saigonadventure)

Day 2: Cu Chi Tunnels & Rural Southern Vietnam Experience

Morning

• Leave early for the Cu Chi Tunnels, roughly 70km from the city.
• Immerse yourself in Vietnam’s history of resistance as you navigate the complex network of underground tunnels that were employed during the conflicts.
• Venture through camouflaged trapdoors, navigate through a tunnel (optional), and discover how Vietnamese fighters lived, cooked, and survived in the underground.
• The experience is one of a personal and interactive type, distinguishing it from typical South Vietnam Highlights Tours.

Afternoon

• Savor a countryside-style lunch at a restaurant that offers local, farm-produced vegetables, claypot cooking, and barbecue-style grilled meats.
• Head to a rural cultural village, where you’ll:
  • Take a ride on a horse cart using a typical horse.
  • Stop by a neighborhood home to see how to make rice paper by hand.
  • Watch a charming “duck show” performed by trained village ducks, yes, they perform tricks!
  • Interact with locals and gain insight into everyday life beyond the tourist trail.

Evening

• Back to Ho Chi Minh City in the late afternoon.
• Shop at Ben Thanh Market, try local treats, and see the city’s colorful commerce in action.
• Dinner at An Vien, a restaurant that specializes in upscale reinterpretations of Southern classics.
• Free time to discover the city or to relax in your hotel.

Cu Chi Tunnels (Sours: plo)

Day 3: Mekong Delta Escape – Life on the Water

Morning

• Early departure to the quaint river town of My Tho from Ho Chi Minh City.
• Take a ride in a classic wooden boat through the scenic canals of the Mekong Delta.
• Stop at Thoi Son Islet to:
  • Stroll through fruit orchards and savor freshly harvested tropical fruit.
  • Drink local tea made of honey.
  • Listen to a performance of Southern Vietnam’s soothing folk music, the don ca tai tu.

Afternoon

• Indulge in a delicious lunch of Mekong specialties at a riverside restaurant’s garden, including fried elephant ear fish, banh xeo, and other local treats.
• Brief break and stroll through a coconut candy factory or handicraft town (optional).
• Back by boat and transfer to Ho Chi Minh City.

Evening

• Return to the city at 5-6 PM.
• According to your flight plan or your schedule:
  • Drop-off at the hotel for an additional night (if you’re staying).
  • Or transfer directly to the airport for evening flights.

Thoi Son Islet (Sours: vietspacetravel)

What’s Included & Not Included

Tour Includes

• 2 nights’ accommodation in a 4-star hotel (Grand Hotel Saigon or Liberty Central)
• Exclusive air-conditioned transport during the entire tour
• English- or French-speaking professional tour guide
• Admission charges to all the sights: Independence Palace, Cu Chi Tunnels, Ben Thanh Market, Thoi Son Island, and others
• Boat ride in the Mekong Delta, horse-cart experience, folk musical performance (don ca tai tu)
• Food as stated: 2 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 2 dinners (Halal/veggie available if requested)
• Daily bottled water during transfers

Tour Excludes

• Foreign air fares to/from Ho Chi Minh City
• Personal travel insurance
• Personal expenses (laundry, telephone calls, drinks other than those consumed during meals)
• Tips to the guide and driver (optional but appreciated)

Optional Day 4: Can Gio Biosphere Reserve 

Morning

• Head out of Ho Chi Minh City early one morning for a scenic drive to the unspoiled natural haven of Can Gio Biosphere Reserve, a mere 50 km south of the city.
• Cross the Binh Khanh ferry, passing the cityscape behind and into a realm of emerald-green mangroves and twisting riverways.
• Start your environmental expedition with a boat tour of the mangrove forest. Cruise along serene canals lined with dense foliage, while your local expert explains the exceptional coastal ecosystem.
• Stop by the interesting Monkey Island, inhabited by several hundred long-tailed macaques. These mischievous residents are full of surprises with their antics and high spirits.
• Proceed to the crocodile sanctuary, where you’ll see these magnificent reptiles close-up and, if you dare, feed them from a platform under professional guidance.

Afternoon

• Finish a leisurely seafood lunch at a quaint seaside restaurant. Enjoy the freshly caught prawns, grilled calamari, scallops, and local crab, served simply yet deliciously.
• Relax in the serene 30/4 Beach, a quiet shoreline that locals flock to during the weekends. Walk along the fine sands, wade in warm water, or just lounge back under the softly whispering casuarinas.
• Optional stop at a local seaside market of the region, in which you can view the daily life of coastal fishermen, cooks, and traders preparing their daily catch.

Evening

• Return to Ho Chi Minh City by late afternoon.
• Your last night is a celebration of the experience. Enjoy a farewell dinner at Dat Viet Restaurant, in which the South’s flavors are reimagined in an elegant, inviting atmosphere. It’s a time to look back, tell tales, and toast to the experience that we’ve shared.
• Finish the day with warm goodbyes or linger an extra night in the city to absorb its magic for a little while longer.

Monkey Island (Sours: myguidevietnam)

What’s Included & Not Included

Tour Includes

• 3 nights in a 4-star hotel (Grand Hotel Saigon or Liberty Central)
• All transfers by private air-conditioned vehicle, including the day trip to Can Gio
• Seasoned Impress Travel guide with environmental and cultural insight
• Admission charges to Can Gio Biosphere Reserve, Monkey Island, Crocodile Sanctuary, and 30/4 Beach
• Boat ride in the mangrove forest of Can Gio
• Meals as mentioned: 3 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 3 dinners (including a farewell dinner at Dat Viet Restaurant)
• Bottled water and fresh towels every day

 Tour Excludes

• International flights
• Travel insurance
• Personal expenses and items not mentioned in the itinerary
• Gratuities for the driver and guide

South Vietnam Highlights Tours: Practical Travel Tips & Local Advice

Best Time to Travel South Vietnam Highlights Tours

Southern Vietnam enjoys a tropical climate with two distinct seasons:

• The dry season, from December to April, is the best time for visitors—clear skies, low humidity, and better access to all destinations featured in our South Vietnam Highlights Tours.
• The rainy season (May to November) yields green fields and cool afternoon rains. Don’t be alarmed, something is charming about the region that comes with that. Just pack wisely!

What to Pack for South Vietnam Highlights Tours

For countryside excursions and all Ho Chi Minh City Tours, you’ll need to pack light and practical:

• Lightweight, natural fibre clothing: cotton or linen.
• Sunscreen, insect repellent, and a broad-brimmed hat for sunny days.
• An umbrella or a raincoat, particularly in the rainy season.
• Comfortable footwear (you’ll be grateful for the markets and tunnels!).

Local Etiquette & Safety Tips for South Vietnam Highlights Tours

The Vietnamese are friendly, hospitable, and polite, so dress respectfully and modestly when you see a religious or countryside area. A smile or a bow works wonders. In Ho Chi Minh City, keep your belongings secure in crowded environments. Like any city of its caliber, be vigilant at night and don’t show luxury goods.

Transport Tips for South Vietnam Highlights Tours

• Airport to City: The most hassle-free option is pre-booked transfers (such as those in our packages). Taxi services are an option, but stick to the Vinasun or Mai Linh brands.
• Inner-city transport: The Grab app is trustworthy for motorbikes and cars.
• Avoiding Being Scammed: Always settle the price in advance before taking unmetered taxis. Even better, allow us to arrange transport in your South Vietnam Highlights Tours so you can just relax and enjoy.

Street Food & Food Safety for South Vietnam Highlights Tours

Ho Chi Minh City Tours would be incomplete without tasting world-renowned Vietnamese street food. But be discerning:

• Eat at the locals’ haunts, it’s most often the best sign of freshness.
• Watch the cooking process: high heat and quick turnover are good signs.
• Drink bottled water only, and do not use ice except at safe restaurants.

Conclusion

Get ready to make your dream vacation a reality! At South Vietnam Highlights Tours, you don’t just visit spots, you experience stories, you savor heritage, and you feel each pulse of the South. Have Impress Travel tailor that ultimate getaway that you’ve been dreaming of, be it your first or your fifth trip to Vietnam.

Contact us now to start planning your personalized tour!

• Email: info@impresstravel.com
•  Website: https://impresstravel.com/ho-chi-minh-city-tours
•  Hotline / WhatsApp: +84 912 379 189