ICS Travel Group

LAOS
CAMBODIA
Ho Chi Minh City
Sights of the South
Dalat
CHINA
SOUTH CHINA SEA
Phan Thiet
Day 1 Ho Chi Minh City |
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.
Vietnam | Private Tours
Sights of the South, 9 days | After lunch, visit the first Museum of Traditional Viet-
Day 5 Dalat |
namese 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.
Day 2 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.
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.
Day 6 Dalat – Phan Thiet |
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.
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.
This underground network, dug by hand, connected
command posts, hospitals, shelter and weapon factories.
Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.
Day 3 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.
Day 4 Ho Chi Minh City - Dalat |
Travel by vehicle from Ho Chi Minh City to Dalat
and take the opportunity to visit coffee and tea
plantations on the way. Overnight in Dalat.
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.
Day 7 Phan Thiet |
Spend all day at leisure with no local guide.
Overnight in Phan Thiet.
Day 8 Phan Thiet |
Spend all day at leisure with no local guide.
Overnight in Phan Thiet.
Day 9 Phan Thiet |
Travel by vehicle from Phan Thiet to Ho Chi Minh City.
End of the tour.
16 | Vietnam | Private Tours