Vietnam’s Southern Charm

Get your bearings in Saigon with a full-day walking tour that showcases the city’s key historic and architectural sites. This tour allows you to enjoy Saigon’s French colonial charm, as well as its Chinese heritage, with some time spent exploring Chinatown. You’ll also get time in Ben Thanh Market, where you can haggle with local vendors for a souvenir.

Today, you’ll travel to the capital of the Mekong Delta – Can Tho. This city is situated on the Hau River, which you’ll get to explore with a river cruise near the charming town of Ben Tre. In the evening, check out the local street stalls and Vietnamese delicacies with a food walk before settling into your luxury Can Tho hotel for the night. We recommend the Azerai in Can Tho, located on the riverbank on its own islet.

The Cai Rang floating market is a must-see attraction in the Mekong Delta, and this morning you’ll get the chance to join in the action as local vendors in longtail boats trade fresh produce. You will return to Saigon today, passing through the river town of My Tho. In Saigon, check back into your luxury hotel.

This morning you-ll fly to Danang where you will transfer to Hoi An. The entire city of Hoi An is UNESCO-protected, with Chinese, Japanese and French historic architecture a highlight. With more than 2,000 years’ of history and prominence as a former spice trade hub, there’s a wealth of art and culture here for travelers to enjoy. Hotels such as the Nam Hai resort offer guests luxury accommodation on China Beach, with a view of the Cham Islands.

To properly appreciate local history, today is devoted to a full-day city tour of Hoi An. It includes a food tour so travelers can sample the best local treats, a relaxing river cruise on the Tho Bon River and a walking tour or a bicycle tour so you can explore the city on street level.

From Hoi An it’s onto Hue – a journey that will take you via Hai Van Pass, a 13-mile-long stretch of scenic mountain road offering superlative views over the coast. In Hue, you’ll join a leisurely cruise down the Perfume River with a knowledgeable guide, then check into your luxury hotel.

It’s back to Saigon today. After arriving from Hue, you can spend the day in your five-star city hotel, explore the streets on foot, or head to one of Saigon’s famous landmarks, such as the Chinese Chua Quan Am Temple, Cha Tam cathedral or the Cu Chi tunnels from the Vietnam War.

A trip to Vietnam wouldn’t be complete without some time on one of its pristine beaches. Today you fly to the islands of Con Dao to Dat Doc Beach and head straight to your luxury resort – the Six Senses Con Dao. This five-star resort features beachfront villas with private infinity pool, with a long stretch of beautiful clean sand just outside the door.

Con Dao once held a prison camp and today you’ll take an insightful look into this part of its history with a War History Tour. Visit the Trai Phu Hai Prison and see the infamous “tiger cages” the inmates once called home. In the afternoon, take a stroll through the National Park and spot macaques, squirrels and local birdlife. In the evening, enjoy dinner back at the Six Senses and fall asleep to the sound of the ocean.

For the next two days you have free time to spend at your leisure, whether that’s lazing on beach, kayaking past the breakers or heading to the local fishing village to glimpse local life. The protected areas of Con Dao include a beautiful coral reef, so you may choose to spend some of your time here diving and spotting rays, turtles and barracuda.

Enjoy a morning in the sun before your departure.