Classic South and Central Vietnam

Xin Chao and welcome to Vietnam! Upon arrival to Saigon’s Tan Son Nhat Airport, a Topas representative will welcome you to the land of the ascending dragon before heading straight to your hotel in the heart of the city. The day is at leisure until the evening, when your guide will escort you to explore the French colonial area of district 1, for some night shopping at Ben Thanh Market and take a walking street food tour. You have chance to get a cold beer, taste banh xeo and com tam, two of the classic dishes of the city.

Included meals: N/A
Distance and Activities: 45’ transfer – 3h for street eat

Step into the past with a visit to the Cu Chi tunnels, a vital network of 200km of underground passages, chambers, and living quarters during the war with America and a fascinating piece of Vietnam’s history. Enjoy a local lunch nearby before returning to the center of Ho Chi Minh City.

The afternoon consists of an easy walking tour, starting at the Reunification Palace and then stopping at the Post Office and Notre Dame Cathedral. End your tour at the War Remnants Museum where you can learn about the sobering recent tragedies and the fighting spirit of the Vietnamese who rebuilt the nation.

Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Distance and activities: 3h round-trip transfer -3h tunnel tour – 3h sightseeing city tour

Leave the city for a quiet escape to the fertile rice bowl of Vietnam- the Mekong Delta. This lush land of palm trees and great rivers is home to some of the best fruit farms found anywhere in the world. You will arrive Phu An Hamlet’s pier in Cai Be at around 10am, where you get on board Sampan and cruise along the river to experience how the local people live in Mekong Delta.

You will disembark your sampan at an ancient mandarin house where your lunch is served. Take a rest before getting back on board to visit a rice milling factory. The river will become ever busier allowing you to see the bustle of the still working waterways of the region.

Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Distance and activities: 2h transfer – 3h sightseeing

This morning you can explore this vibrant city before heading to Hue, the ancient capital, ruled by the Emperors of the Nguyen Dynasty. Hue is famous for imperial cuisine, leafy streets, the tranquil flow of Perfume River and above all, the ancient tombs.

Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Distance and activities:45’ transfer –1,5h flight to Hue

After a relaxed breakfast, hop into a dragon boat and cruise the Perfume River, a large, sweeping river that descends from the mountains before dividing Hue in two. Pass villages and temples on the way to our first stop, Thien Mu Pagoda, one of Vietnam’s most impressive Buddhist sites.

Then, it is time for the tombs! Head further upriver to Tu Duc Tomb, the most elegant of all the royal resting places in Hue, decorated with lotus ponds and ancient shrines. Enjoy a vegan lunch prepared by Buddhist nuns before moving on to Khai Dinh Tomb by car. This is an entirely different structure that blends elements of European and Vietnamese design.

Finish the day’s history tour at the Imperial Citadel, a palace constructed by great emperors and continuously improved upon over the centuries. Explore the proud flag tower, ornate gates, and various royal chambers before returning to your hotel in the late afternoon.

Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Distance and Activities: 1.5h boat ride – 4h sightseeing tour

Head north towards to visit the demilitarized zone (DMZ) as you go. Stop and explore the historic battlegrounds, including Vinh Moc Tunnels, the site where an entire village of around 90 families moved underground in response to American bombing. Vinh Moc tunnels differ from those you have seen in Cu Chi, as the Cu Chi tunnels were built for soldiers, not civilians. You can also check out the Ben Hai Museum which holds some artifacts and photographs from this period.

Included meals: Breakfast
Distance and Activities: 3h transfer – 1h DMZ tour

Depart Hue today after a relaxed breakfast and head for the charm and beauty of Hoi An, another UNESCO World Heritage Site. Hue is connected to Hoi An along a stunning coastal road where you’ll glimpse lagoons, mountains, rice fields, and the vast ocean.

In the afternoon we take a half day guided tour of Hoi An. Known as Faifo to early western traders, this was one of the region’s major trading ports during the 17th to 19th centuries. Today, this historic town is still graced with finely preserved homes built by Japanese, Indian, Dutch and Portuguese merchants of old. Your guided sightseeing tour showcases ancient Chinese temples, art galleries and colorful local markets that give you a deeper insight into this old town.

Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Distance and activities: 2.5h drive -3 hours walking sightseeing

This morning, your guide picks up you at the hotel to start your morning cooking class tour by exploring the colorful and vibrant local market. Then we take a round bamboo boat to a cooking school in Cam Thanh village We join with the local fisherman in traditional round boats as we paddle into coconut forest waterways to catch purple crabs. Then head back to your cooking station and prepare meals under the guidance of your local teacher.

Included meals: Breakfast
Distance and activities: 45’ transfer – 4h cooking tour

Hoi An is one of Vietnam’s most charming towns, with beautiful old streets decorated with hanging lanterns. Enjoy the day, getting to know the restaurants, cafes, and tailors situated on the banks of the Thu Bon River. We suggest popping by the Reaching Out Teahouse, a lovely old-fashioned house providing work for the hard of hearing, serving up delicious tea and homemade snacks.

Included meals: Breakfast
Distance and activities: Free at Leisure

Today is your free day at your leisure

Included meals: Breakfast
Distance and activities: Free at Leisure

Enjoy the day in Hoi An until your flight to onward journey.