Southern Vietnam & Phu Quoc in 8 Days

The spirit of the trip:

Discover the best of Southern Vietnam on this 8-day journey from the vibrant streets of Ho Chi Minh City to the tranquil waterways of the Mekong Delta and the tropical paradise of Phu Quoc Island. Explore the historic Cu Chi Tunnels, experience authentic river life in My Tho, Ben Tre and Can Tho, visit the famous Cai Rang Floating Market, then unwind on Phu Quoc's pristine beaches with crystal-clear waters and breathtaking sunsets.

Highlights:

Private trip and 100% tailor-made
Discover the most beautiful sites in Vietnam
Discovery of the historical, cultural and spiritual remains of the country
Beauty of nature and landscapes
Warm encounter with local populations
Discovery of Vietnamese tradition, culture and way of life
Complimentary Vietnam visa service

Brief Itinerary:

Giorno 01: Saigon - Arrival

Giorno 02: Saigon - Discovery of the city

Giorno 03: Saigon - Cu Chi Tunnels - Saigon

Giorno 04: Saigon - Ben Tre - Can Tho (Mekong Delta)

Giorno 05: Can Tho - Cai Rang Floating Market - Rach Gia - Phu Quoc Island

Giorno 06: Phu Quoc Island - Beach stay

Giorno 07: Phu Quoc Island - Beach stay

Giorno 08: Phu Quoc Island ✈ Saigon - Return flight

Giorno 01: Saigon - Arrival (D)

English-speaking guide & Private driver
From Tan Son Nhat Airport – Hotel: 10km~45’ drive

Welcome at the airport by our driver and our English Speaking Guide, then transfer to the city center for check-in at the hotel. The rest of the day is free to rest or to make a first discovery of the city of Saigon.

Welcome dinner in a good restaurant in Saigon and overnight at the hotel in the center of the city.

Your hotel room is officially available from 2 p.m.

Giorno 02: Saigon - Discovery of the city (B, L)

English-speaking guide & Private driver

After breakfast, you begin a wonderful day of discovery of Saigon (renamed Ho Chi Minh City) an active, bustling, rebellious, commercial, and casual city, it still remains the economic heart of the country. You begin the tour of beautiful colonial buildings such as Notre Dame Cathedral “view from the outside “, L he post office of HO CHI MINH, the municipal theater “View outside”. Then we visit the Reunification Palace, former residence of the President of South Vietnam until April 30, 1 975.

After lunch at a local restaurant, we visit THE Museum of Traditional Medicine called “Fito” – one of the first private museums in Vietnam. There you find nearly 3,000 ancient objects relevant to traditional medicine of Vietnam, dating from the Stone Age to today, instruments used in the preparation and manufacturing of traditional medicines: knives, grinders, mortars and pestles, pots and jars.

Then, we head towards the typical Chinatown to discover another aspect of the city. You walk towards a street specializing in traditional herbal medicine for a closer look at the use of remedies and admire the work of apothecaries preparing magic potions that cure all ailments!

Continuation of the city tour with THE Thien Hau Temple which is dedicated to the worship of the Sea Goddess, the “Gra nd Market” of Binh Tay in the center of the Chinese district of Cholon.

Free dinner and overnight at the hotel in Saigon.

Giorno 03: Saigon - Cu Chi Tunnels - Saigon (B, L)

English-speaking guide & Private driver
Cu Chi – Saigon: 50 km ~ 1h drive

After breakfast at the hotel, you leave by private car to explore the Cu Chi tunnels, it is an immense network of 200 km of underground galleries and narrow tubes dug by hand by the Viet-Cong to take refuge and defend themselves against the “American war machine”. The visit to this tunnel system explains how the Vietnamese with their rudimentary weapons were able to fight against the modern weapons of the Americans.

Lunch at a local restaurant.

Return to Saigon via a very pleasant country road. The rest of the day is completely free for your personal discovery.

Free dinner and overnight at your hotel in Saigon.

Giorno 04: Saigon - Ben Tre - Can Tho (Mekong Delta) (B, L)

English-speaking guide & Private driver
Saigon – Ben Tre: 80 km ~ 2 hours drive
Ben Tre – Can Tho: 120 km ~ 2h30 -3 hours drive

Ben Tre Mekong trip in Vietnam Breakfast at your hotel then departure towards Ben Tre for the discovery of the Mekong Delta, formed by the nine arms of the nourishing river. When you arrive in Ben Tre, you board from a local boat. This private boat takes you on the river to discover the daily activities of the locals.

Then you cross the canal and visit the artisanal coconut making workshop : you will see how people use all parts of the coconut and you will taste these sweets with honey tea while listening to there traditional music “Don ca tai tu” – intangible cultural heritage of the world.

Navigation continues on the Cai Son river. You disembark at Nhon Thanh village where local families have specialized in making mats with reed. You are then invited to taste fresh tropical fruits. Pursuit by ride by bike or tuk tuk “motorized vehicle” through the coconut fields and vegetable and fruit gardens. Lunch of local specialties.

Then, you take a pleasant walk of around ten minutes in a rowing boat in a coconut orchard which will take you through preserved and romantic landscapes. Disembarkation and departure towards Can Tho crossing extensive landscapes of the Mekong Delta. Arrival in Can Tho late in the afternoon. Free dinner and overnight at the hotel in the town of Can Tho.

Giorno 05: Can Tho - Cai Rang Floating Market - Rach Gia - Phu Quoc Island (B)

English-speaking guide & Private driver

After breakfast at the hotel, this morning is devoted to the visit of Cai Rang floating market known as one of the most typical and beautiful markets in the Mekong Delta. This discovery promises to be impressive.

You sail among local boats which transport a wide variety of fresh fruits and vegetables from the regions. This image makes the market more lively, lively and friendly.

We leave the market and continue the ride by boat to the local fruit orchard. You have the opportunity to taste the fresh fruit. Then you visit making rice noodles (Hu Tieu) – a specialty well appreciated in the Cai Rang floating market.

You disembark for transfer to Rach Gia to take a fast boat to reach the island of Phu Quoc. Our driver will welcome you upon your arrival and take you to the hotel.

The rest of the time is free to rest and enjoy the beach on Phu Quoc Island. Free meals and night at the seaside hotel.

Giorno 06: Phu Quoc Island - Beach stay (B)

English-speaking guide

Phu Quoc Island, Vietnam Breakfast at the hotel, then you are free all day (swimming, relaxation on the fine sand beach). Free meals and night at the hotel by the sea.

Giorno 07: Phu Quoc Island - Beach stay (B)

English-speaking guide

phu quoc Snorkeling Breakfast at the hotel, then you are free all day (swimming, relaxation on the fine sand beach). Free meals and night at the hotel by the sea.

Giorno 08: Phu Quoc Island ✈ Saigon - Return flight (B)

Private driver
Phu Quoc ✈ Saigon: 55’ by plane

Breakfast at the hotel, then you enjoy your remaining time on this island before our driver picks you up and transfers you to Phu Quoc Airport for domestic flight to Saigon.

When you arrive in Saigon, you continue to record the international return flight.

1. Climate in Vietnam

The climate of Vietnam is very different and characteristic from one end of the country to the other due to the differences in latitude. The geographical particularities of the country make it possible to have a nice trip to Vietnam in any season. In fact, when one region is humid or suffocating, another has a sunny and very temperate climate.

+ From December to February:
The north and center of the country are in winter. The average temperature varies between 15°C and 23°C. The climate is rather cool and humid with irregular rainfall, especially in the mountains where the temperature often drops below 10 °C. This period is characterized by frequent light rains which the Vietnamese call “rain dust”. The sun therefore shines very little.

The south of the country is considered the ideal period, as it is the dry season with 1 or 2 days of rain per month. It is also the time when the temperature is pleasant, with values between 22°C and 33°C. The vegetation is lush and offers excellent opportunities for taking beautiful photos.

+ From March to May:
This period is known as the most beautiful season of the year for an ideal stay in Vietnam. In this period the climate is very pleasant. It is the dry season in all three regions of the country, but also the period when the vegetation is lush and the rice fields are green, offering you splendid opportunities to take magnificent souvenir photos.

The north is in spring, where the climate is mild. This region enjoys the freshness of the wind with an average temperature between 15°C and 25°C. During this period, this region enjoys beautiful sunshine but rarely rains.

It is also the best time to visit the center of the country. The climate is rather favorable and tropical. The weather becomes sunnier with a nice increase in temperature between 25 °C and 32 °C.

The south is considered an acceptable period. The climate is dry and very sunny. However, the heat can be uncomfortable, as the average temperature is between 28°C and 34°C and can rise up to 41°C. However, frequent short rains bring a little of freshness.

+ From June to September:
It is the third tourist season in the country. Overall, the climate is pleasant from north to south for traveling in Vietnam.

The north of the country is in summer. The climate is warm, with an average temperature between 25°C and 33°C. The rains this season are intense (mostly downpours) but short-lived, about 30 minutes-1 hour. Even in the mountainous region it is hot, the rains are frequent but intense and rapid. The sky is blue and sunny and the weather is the clearest of the year, while the terraced rice fields are a beautiful intense green. It is the ideal period for small excursions to ethnic villages.

The center is the right time to visit this region which is not affected by the summer monsoon. The weather is therefore fine, often with heat haze, and the temperature can rise up to 40°C. However, the frequency of rainfall in this region is lower than in the north. However, if you find yourself in the central seaside resorts, the beach will be your best ally for cooling off.

The south has a tropical climate with an average temperature between 25°C and 33°C. It is the rainy season, but the precipitation is often in the form of very rapid heavy downpours (about 15-30 minutes), after the rain there is immediately generous sunshine under a clear sky and the vegetation is very green.

+ From October to November:
Overall, the months of October to November are considered a great time to travel to Vietnam.

The north has a very pleasant, cool and dry climate in autumn with an average temperature between 15 °C and 23 °C.

The center enjoys rather pleasant temperatures between 20°C and 28°C. This period also corresponds to the storm season with heavy rainfall which can cause more or less serious flooding on the coastal strip. This region is also subject to abundant rainfall, which, however, despite being very intense, does not last long.

The south has a tropical climate, with average temperatures varying between 24°C and 32°C. The sun and heat are always present. During this period, heavy rains (in the form of short but almost daily torrential downpours) refresh the atmosphere. However, it is good to know that heavy rains generally occur at the end of the day and should leave you free time to explore the region.

Our latest weather advice

Vietnam is in the path of typhoons and tropical storms and is particularly affected between mid-July and mid-November. GThanks to the modernization of infrastructure and meteorological warning systems, there are no particular dangers.
The rainy season is not synonymous with all-day rainfall, so the term “monsoon season” seems to be more appropriate and, contrary to popular belief, these rains are nourishing and synonymous with life in Vietnam, the land of water!

2. Accommodation

The hotels offered by Horizon Vietnam Travel are carefully selected and classified from 2 to 5 stars, to guarantee comfort and services suitable for every type of traveller. Based on your budget, your preferences and travel style, we offer you properties that offer the best balance between quality and price.

It is important to know that the price of a hotel can vary considerably: a 5-star hotel can cost up to ten times more than a 2 hotel stars. Furthermore, two hotels of the same category may have different rates, since the quality of services, location and level of comfort may vary.

All hotels included in our proposals are personally verified by our team. Our selection criteria are based on cleanliness, quality of hospitality, location, charm and tranquility. Whenever possible, we favor more intimate and authentic structures, avoiding large international hotel chains as much as possible.

In addition to hotels, we also promote responsible and authentic tourism, offering the possibility of staying with local families. This experience allows you to come into direct contact with the population, share moments of daily life and discover the local culture in a more authentic way. The accommodations we offer always respect adequate standards of quality and comfort.

Useful information: During the high tourist season (October to April) hotel availability can quickly decrease. To ensure you get the best accommodation options, we recommend book your trip in advance.

3. View

To travel to Vietnam, you must be in possession of a valid passport, with a validity of at least 6 months from the date of return.

The Government of Vietnam has introduced a tourist visa exemption for citizens of five European countries: United Kingdom, France, Germany, Spain and Italy. This exemption allows you to stay in Vietnam up to 45 days without a visa, regardless of your passport type or reason for travel. The measure is in force from 15 August 2023.

The visa exemption is also valid for multiple entries, provided that each stay does not exceed 45 days.

For stays of over 45 days, you must request a Vietnam visa before departure or via the official procedures available online.

For more information on entry requirements and visas for Vietnam, please do not hesitate to contact us or consult the updated information on our website.

4. Vaccine

According to the Vietnam National Tourism Administration, no vaccine is required for travel to Vietnam.

Vietnam has a tropical climate, so the presence of mosquitoes is normal. However, cases of malaria are mainly recorded in remote and mountainous areas, especially in forest areas far from the main tourist circuits. Based on our experience, any vaccinations or specific precautions may be recommended especially for trekking trips or multi-week expeditions in isolated regions.

For most cultural trips in Vietnam, which pass through cities, villages and well-traveled tourist regions, sanitary conditions are generally safe.

Usually our travelers simply use mosquito repellents, which are effective and practical during the trip. However, we recommend bringing these products from your home country, as it is not always easy to find good quality repellents in Vietnam.

It is also recommended to bring long, light trousers, particularly useful during walks in nature or in rice fields.

Today, most hotels in Vietnam use effective treatments against mosquitoes. Furthermore, during any stays with local families, mosquito nets are normally available and well prepared to ensure guests' comfort.

Note: If you are particularly sensitive to infectious diseases or have specific health conditions, we advise you to consult your doctor before departure.

5. International flight

International flights to Vietnam

Our travel offers do not include international flights between Italy and Vietnam for two main reasons.

First of all, international flights purchased directly in your country are often cheaper than those booked through a local agency in Vietnam. Additionally, payment terms for international airline tickets generally require full payment at the time of booking and incur high international bank fees.

For this reason, we advise our travelers to buy flights directly from Italy, using comparison sites or the official websites of the airlines.

Useful sites for comparing flights

flight search engines are the simplest and most effective tool for finding the best price. They allow you to compare different airlines based on dates, price and duration of the trip.

You can consult for example:

Airlines used by our travelers

Flights with one stopover (the most common options from Italy)

Vietnam Airlines – https://www.vietnamairlines.com
Qatar Airways – https://www.qatarairways.com
Emirates – https://www.emirates.com
Turkish Airlines – https://www.turkishairlines.com
Singapore Airlines – https://www.singaporeair.com
Thai Airways – https://www.thaiairways.com
Lufthansa – https://www.lufthansa.com
Air France – https://www.airfrance.it

These companies offer regular connections between Italy and Vietnam, generally with a stopover in cities such as Doha, Dubai, Istanbul, Paris, Frankfurt, Bangkok or Singapore.

Flexibility of travel dates

Our itineraries in Vietnam and Indochina are always adaptable to your arrival and departure dates. You can then purchase flights on the dates you prefer and we will organize the travel program accordingly.

If you wish, our team can also help you search for the best flight options for free based on your departure city and travel dates.

Inclusions:

Transport in spacious private vehicle with friendly, professional and competent driver.
Accommodation in the planned hotels or in a similar category depending on availability.
Meals mentioned in the program: (B=breakfast, Br=brunch, L=lunch, D=dinner included), served in local restaurants with typical Vietnamese cuisine.
English-speaking guide as described in the detailed program.
All entrance fees to tourist sites.
All entry permits to tourist areas.
All costs of all other services as clearly described in the above program.
Excursion boats as described in the program.
02 bottles of mineral water 0.5 (l)/person/day.
Other services as mentioned in the program (water puppet show, cooking class etc.).

Exclusions:

Drinks during meals
Personal insurance
Personal expenses
International flights
Personal tips

Further information:

1. This is a travel proposal. No service is booked at the time of the quote. We await your confirmation and the payment of the first deposit to proceed with the booking according to the terms and conditions.

2. We propose good hotels as indicated in this program. If you prefer other hotels and would like to change them, please feel free to let us know.

3. Please note that the hotels proposed in the program are indicative and may change depending on availability at the time of booking. In the event of unavailability or cancellation by the hotel due to force majeure, the proposed hotels will be replaced by ones of an equivalent category.

Hotel rooms are officially available to you from 2:00 PM on the day of arrival (check-in) until 12:00 PM on the day of departure from the hotel (check-out).

4. Domestic flights are operated by the local airlines Vietnam Airlines and Angkor Cambodia Air. The times indicated in the trip description are subject to change without notice by the airline. The best possible solution will be offered as an alternative, and Horizon Vietnam Travel assumes no responsibility towards its customers for anything that falls within the scope of force majeure.

5. The price of the trip:

Trip prices are calculated in euros (EUR). They are based on the services clearly indicated in the program. The prices shown do not include services before your arrival in our country, nor drinks, tips and personal expenses. Prices are subject to change based on airfares, currency fluctuations and hotel or ground transport rates.

After the sale, these prices are valid for a period specified by HORIZON VIETNAM TRAVEL in the price list, invoice or any other document given to the customer. During the validity period, these prices may be subject to adjustment in the event of very significant currency fluctuations, a significant increase in the price of hotels, air or ground transport… Should the customer refuse the adjustment request, HORIZON VIETNAM TRAVEL reserves the right to cancel the program and refund the deposit to the customer.

6. Since your trip to Vietnam and Cambodia is set, we sincerely advise you to make a decision as soon as possible, so that our agency or a local agency you entrust your trip to can book the best services for you.