Deltas, Beaches and Plateaus 8 Days / 7 Nights

Our Deltas, Beaches and Plateaus tour aims to show you all of these many treasures starting in the charming capital Ho Chi Minh City, where a tour by classic Citroen car or even a Vespa recreates the perfect colonial atmosphere.

From the capital it’s on to the Mekong Delta for a cruise along the region’s intertwining waterways in a boat modeled on the traditional sampan of the area. Staying overnight on the delta lets you enjoy the awe-inspiring sunrise and sunset at your leisure followed by a visit to the floating market at Cai Be. From there we return to Ho Chi Minh City to fly to the beaches of Nha Trang.

Nha Trang is a picturesque beach resort where crystal azure waters are interspersed with perfect islands, fringed in white-sand beaches. Here you have two days to relax and soak in the surroundings including beach barbecues and Vietnamese cooking classes before moving on again to Dalat.

Dalat is one of Vietnam’s most quaint colonial towns where a truly continental atmosphere mixes with traditional Southeast Asian customs. Touring the town by Citroen lets you see all that this special place has to offer including the palace of the last Emperor of Vietnam. Spending two nights in Dalat gives you enough time to take in all the sights and still have time to relax, enjoy some spa treatments or simply bask in the unique cultural atmosphere.

It’s then a short transfer flight back to Ho Chi Minh City where you depart us and head out on the next leg of your journey

Tour itinerary

Day 1: Ho Chi Minh Arrival D

Upon arrival your guide will greet you and transfer by private car through the city to your hotel for check-in. 

Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City

Day 2: Ho Chi Minh B/L/D

Depart your hotel for a full day tour of Ho Chi Minh City. Head to Cho Lon, the city’s Chinatown district, discover the markets and shops of the area, and also the Cantonese Thien Hau Pagoda – dedicated to the goddess of the Sea.  Vietnam’s first traditional medicine museum, the FITO Museum, will be visited next, displaying an amazing collection of 3,000 items relevant to the development of traditional Vietnamese medicine. Implements used to prepare indigenous herbs, objects commonly found in traditional pharmacies as well as ancient books and documents on traditional Vietnamese medicine can be seen in the galleries.

Head back into the centre of the city to visit Ben Thanh Market where an incredible display of fresh produce is offered. Simply stroll through the market seeing and enjoying the variety of goods for sale.

In the afternoon visit the War Remnants or History Museum (choose which one you would most like to see) and the former Presidential Palace, from there stroll (your vehicle will be available at all times) to the major sights of colonial Ho Chi Minh City: the Old Ho Chi Minh City Post Office, Dong Khoi Street (formerly Rue Catinat), Continental Hotel, Opera House and City Hall. At the end of the afternoon head back to your hotel.

Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City

Note: History Museum is closed on Mondays

Day 3: Ho Chi Minh – Mekong Delta B/L/D

This morning, leave bustling Ho Chi Minh for the 2-hour drive to the delta town of Cai Be. On arrival board your overnight boat for a cruise. Cruising on the local traditional wooden boats where lunch will be served en-route, along the way admire the scenery and the daily life of the local villagers. Dinner and overnight aboard your boat on the Mekong Delta.

Overnight on the Mekong Delta

Day 4: Mekong Delta – Ho Chi Minh – Nha Trang B/L/D

Crossing the Mekong on the way to Cai Rang Floating Market, you’ll take in traditional sights such as rice barges, wooden ship building yards and even fruit drying along the Mekong’s banks. After paying a visit to the colourful floating market check-out and disembark before the return to Ho Chi Minh City. Your private car and guide will be at your disposal until your transfer by private car to Ton Son Nhat Airport for your short flight to Vietnam’s beach capital Nha Trang

Overnight in Nha Trang

Day 5: Nha Trang B/L/D

Nha Trang simply has every single activity that a sun worshipper may want. Besides the pre-requisite golden stretches of land and crystal clear waters, the coast is dotted with many islands each with their own distinct character. The turquoise waters play host to a variety of marine life, and snorkeling and scuba diving are perennial favorites.

This morning take a boat off the coast of Nha Trang which visits some of the nearby islands and where you can swim and snorkel in the clear warm waters.  Along the way, visit nearby islands and villages or simply relax on the boat’s deck and ‘people watch’ as Vietnamese villagers, whose descendants have lived on these islands for generations, go about their daily lives. After a fresh seafood lunch on ‘Bamoo Island’ return to Nha Trang City

Day 6: Nha Trang – Da Lat B/L/D

Today drive to Dalat with a stopover in the rural heartland of Nha Trang to experience first-hand the charming lifestyle and culture of the local people. The day begins at a local rice paper factory where you can see how local fare is made. Following visit a typical local house where you will learn how to make Vietnamese traditional food such as Banh Xeo (savoury pancakes) before sitting down to enjoy a local meal. In the early afternoon depart for the 4-hour drive to Dalat along a spectacular road. Rising 800meters from the coast, the Ngoan Muc Mountain range offers gorgeous views over valleys, mountain passes and to the ocean. Along the way pass by hill tribe villages inhabited by the Ede, Koho and Chu Ru groups.

On arrival the rest of your afternoon is at leisure.

Overnight in Dalat 

Day 7: Da Lat B/L/D

Take an orientation tour of this former colonial hill station. Dalat is home to vast flower gardens, pine forests, vineyards and perhaps the most colourful market in Vietnam. Visit the Dalat Railway Station which dates back to 1932, Linh Phuong Buddhist Pagoda, an organic vegetable farm, the palace of the last Emperor of Vietnam and the fascinating Lam Dong Museum. The remainder of the afternoon is free at leisure.  (As an optional extra this tour can be done by a restored Citroen Car).   

Overnight in Dalat  

Day 8: Da Lat – Chi Minh Departure B

Today is departure day. Enjoy some free time before your transfer to Dalat’s airport for onward flight to Ho Chi Minh City. 

Trip Inclusion

Trip Exclusions

Advisory