This morning we we depart from Ho Chi Minh city to Cu Chi Tunnels, that’s about 80km from Ho Chi Minh city (about 1.5hr driving). The tunnel system was built in the war battles in the South of Vietnam, are sobering insight into the dedication of the Viet Cong who lived almost entirely underground in the narrow and claustrophobic tunnels, for up to 10 years! Upon arrival, you will have a chance to watch a brief video that will introduce you to the Cu Chi tunnels, followed by a walk through the reserve. In this walk, you can see the Secret Entrance to the tunnels, workshops for the handmade weapons, the clinic bunker, the commander bunker, the meeting bunker and the kitchen bunkers, which are all open and above ground. Nearby is a chilling exhibition of the traps and weapons used against the American GIs. You also can experience the Cu Chi tunnels by crawling inside to see how difficult life must have been, and discover the 3 levels underground. For those who do not like the claustrophobic atmosphere, you do not have to crawl into these tunnels! The small replica displayed outside will give you a perfect example of what the interior looked like. We return Saigon by early afternoon for a tour discovering Saigon. This afternoon, we are more than happy to show you the most interesting sights that Ho Chi Minh City has to offer. Make like a local and experience Ho Chi Minh City using your own two feet and from the seat of a cyclo, combine with car transfer. Join your local tour guide in a private tour around the city, giving you the opportunity to travel at your own pace and to ask as many questions as you would like. With a combination of foot power and pedal power, you'll see the classic sights and quintessential markets of Ho Chi Minh city like you've never seen them before! We'll embark on a cyclo tour , rolling around the city on a traditional three-wheeled bicycle with a carriage at the front for passengers. Drivers use pedal power to push us along, and gives us the opportunity to take in the sights, sounds, and smells of Saigon without the barrier of being trapped behind a car window (or the sound of a noisy engine!). We'll ride toward the crossroads where the famous monk Thich Quang Duc self-immolated in 1963, in protest of the government’s persecution of Buddhists. We’ll then ride to the very local District 3 and the biggest flower market in the city. Back on the cyclo, it’s non-stop sightseeing as we pass by the ‘pet street,’ Le Hong Phong, and the ‘art and painting street,’ Tran Phu, before bidding our cyclos and say goodbye. Get on van and we head to visit some historical sites: General Post Office , one of the oldest buildings in Ho Chi Minh City. It was built between 1886 and 1891, based on Gustave Eiffel’s design, a famous French architect and has become the busiest post office in Vietnam. Here you can send postcards, buy stamps and books, change money, buy souvenirs and enjoy the elegant architecture. At first sight, visitors may feel they are seeing an old 20th century railway station in Europe! Notre Dame Cathedral that was constructed between 1863 and 1880 by French colonists. It is a famous Romanesque cathedral in Southern Vietnam. Notre Dame Cathedral is also in the center of the Paris square, France. Reunification Palace (formerly known as Independence Palace) has stayed in the mind of many generations. It is the famous historical building which went through the two fierce wars against the French and Americans. It displays many pictures, weapons, and other artifacts in the basement under the palace. Cantonese Thien Hau Pagoda in China town, a Buddhist temple dedicated to the Chinese sea goddess, Mazu. Optional tour: The tour guide take you to a Silver House , where you can learn about the history and development of Silver in Vietnam, witness on your eyes how the stuffs and beautiful accessories are made from Silver, you can buy some as souvenirs. You even can join a workshop in about 2hrs if you want to learn how to make a Silver jewelry for yourself (this course is about USD 35/person, and you can pay on spot), this is truly a unique experience. By late afternoon, we return hotel. The rest of the day is on your own. Overnight in Saigon.
This morning we we depart from Ho Chi Minh city to
Cu Chi Tunnels, that’s about 80km from Ho Chi Minh city (about 1.5hr driving). The tunnel system was built in the war battles in the South of Vietnam, are sobering insight into the dedication of the Viet Cong who lived almost entirely underground in the narrow and claustrophobic tunnels, for up to 10 years!
- Upon arrival, you will have a chance to watch a brief video that will introduce you to the Cu Chi tunnels, followed by a walk through the reserve. In this walk, you can see the Secret Entrance to the tunnels, workshops for the handmade weapons, the clinic bunker, the commander bunker, the meeting bunker and the kitchen bunkers, which are all open and above ground. Nearby is a chilling exhibition of the traps and weapons used against the American GIs.
- You also can experience the Cu Chi tunnels by crawling inside to see how difficult life must have been, and discover the 3 levels underground. For those who do not like the claustrophobic atmosphere, you do not have to crawl into these tunnels! The small replica displayed outside will give you a perfect example of what the interior looked like.
We return Saigon by early afternoon for a tour discovering Saigon. This afternoon, we are more than happy to show you the most interesting sights that Ho Chi Minh City has to offer. Make like a local and experience Ho Chi Minh City using your own two feet and from the seat of a cyclo, combine with car transfer. Join your local tour guide in a private tour around the city, giving you the opportunity to travel at your own pace and to ask as many questions as you would like. With a combination of foot power and pedal power, you'll see the classic sights and quintessential markets of Ho Chi Minh city like you've never seen them before!
- We'll embark on a cyclo tour, rolling around the city on a traditional three-wheeled bicycle with a carriage at the front for passengers. Drivers use pedal power to push us along, and gives us the opportunity to take in the sights, sounds, and smells of Saigon without the barrier of being trapped behind a car window (or the sound of a noisy engine!). We'll ride toward the crossroads where the famous monk Thich Quang Duc self-immolated in 1963, in protest of the government’s persecution of Buddhists. We’ll then ride to the very local District 3 and the biggest flower market in the city. Back on the cyclo, it’s non-stop sightseeing as we pass by the ‘pet street,’ Le Hong Phong, and the ‘art and painting street,’ Tran Phu, before bidding our cyclos and say goodbye.
- Get on van and we head to visit some historical sites: General Post Office, one of the oldest buildings in Ho Chi Minh City. It was built between 1886 and 1891, based on Gustave Eiffel’s design, a famous French architect and has become the busiest post office in Vietnam. Here you can send postcards, buy stamps and books, change money, buy souvenirs and enjoy the elegant architecture. At first sight, visitors may feel they are seeing an old 20th century railway station in Europe!
- Notre Dame Cathedral that was constructed between 1863 and 1880 by French colonists. It is a famous Romanesque cathedral in Southern Vietnam. Notre Dame Cathedral is also in the center of the Paris square, France.
- Reunification Palace (formerly known as Independence Palace) has stayed in the mind of many generations. It is the famous historical building which went through the two fierce wars against the French and Americans. It displays many pictures, weapons, and other artifacts in the basement under the palace.
- Cantonese Thien Hau Pagoda in China town, a Buddhist temple dedicated to the Chinese sea goddess, Mazu.
Optional tour: The tour guide take you to a Silver House, where you can learn about the history and development of Silver in Vietnam, witness on your eyes how the stuffs and beautiful accessories are made from Silver, you can buy some as souvenirs. You even can join a workshop in about 2hrs if you want to learn how to make a Silver jewelry for yourself (this course is about USD 35/person, and you can pay on spot), this is truly a unique experience. By late afternoon, we return hotel. The rest of the day is on your own. Overnight in Saigon.