13 Days South & Central Vietnam Tour
Discover the heart and soul of Vietnam, from city streets of Saigon to ancient town of Hoi An and the My Son Sanctuary
A South and Central Vietnam Adventure
No Culture-Lover Should Miss
This 13-day Vietnam journey reveals the country’s rich culture, history, and beauty — a perfect blend of discovery and inspiration.
Your adventure begins in Saigon, exploring lively streets and tasting local favorites like pho and banh mi. Then drift to the peaceful Mekong Delta in Ben Tre, where you’ll cruise calm waterways and enjoy fresh, local cuisine amid lush greenery.
Explore Hoi An’s ancient town, cycle through rice paddies, experience local culture, then relax on the beaches of Mui Ne, Cam Ranh, or Phu Quoc with golden sunsets and clear waters.
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Trip type
Private tour - minimum 2 guests -
Country
Vietnam
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Duration
13 days
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Starting Location
Ho Chi Minh City
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Ending Location
Your choice: Phu Quoc or Mui Ne
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Price
Each trip is priced individually - trips differ in the number of people, selected hotels, and attractions.
- Accommodations of selected standard
- Entrance tickets to listed attractions
- Meals as indicated in the program
- English-speaking tour guides
- Transfers via air-conditioned vehicles
- Domestic flights as part of the itinerary
- Tips for services
- Vietnamese visa
- International flights
- Tourist insurance
- Other services not detailed in the itinerary
Experience Highlights
Explore Saigon's famous landmarks: Notre Damn Cathedral, Saigon Post Office, and Independence Palace
Soak up the Saigon’s vibrant nightlife on a thrilling motorbike tour
Cruise through scenic rivers of Vietnam's Coconut Capital, Ben Tre
Discover the history of the Cu Chi tunnels
Visit the ancient ruins of My Son Sanctuary, one of UNESCO’s World Heritage Sites in Vietnam
Experience the charm of Hoi An Ancient Town with its enchanting streets and lantern-lit evenings, especially during Hoi An Lantern festival
Relax on one of the best beaches in Vietnam: Mui Ne, Cam Ranh, or Phu Quoc
13 Days South and Central Vietnam Itinerary
Day 1: WELCOME TO VIETNAM – SAIGON’S NIGHTLIFE AND MOTORBIKE TOUR
As soon as you touch down at Tan Son Nhat International Airport, we’ll sweep you away to your hotel in the energetic Saigon city center. We’ll start the Saigon by Night adventure at 6pm to fully take in the dynamic and lively atmosphere of this special city when the sun goes down. With us, you’ll nudge into narrow alleyways, see the true colors of local life, and dive into the amazing Saigon food scene with specialties like pho, bun thit nuong, and banh mi.
Day 2: SAIGON'S SIGHTS AND SOUNDS
Start discovering Saigon's secrets from one of its most iconic neighborhoods: the famous Chinatown - "Cho Lon". If you wish to do some extra exploration, our guide will take you there by public bus to truly experience the Southeast Asian public transportation system. However, if you opt for comfort over adventure, we will arrange private transportation for you! Here, we'll explore Thuan Kieu Plaza, a building known for its haunted reputation. You'll learn about its intriguing history and, afterward, enjoy a cup of the famous Vietnamese 'socket coffee'.
Next, we'll visit the serene Quan Am Buddhist Temple and take a stroll down the Traditional Medicine Street. As we wander through the neighborhood, we'll also stop by the Cha Tam Church – a unique and historical landmark of Saigon Chinatown.
Our journey continues as we delve into Vietnam's history with a visit to the War Remnants Museum, where you'll learn about the impactful American-Vietnamese War. Afterward, we'll enjoy a delicious local lunch featuring the iconic dish, Bun Thit Nuong.
Following lunch, we’ll embark on a cultural discovery, visiting the heart of Saigon’s iconic center. From the grandeur of the Central Post Office and the Notre Dame Cathedral to the intricate architecture of the Independence Palace, each site tells a tale of Saigon’s past. After this enriching afternoon, we’ll head back to the hotel to relax and recharge.
As evening falls, get ready to soak in the night vibe of Saigon with a scenic ride around the city on a double-decker bus. For dinner, you’ll indulge in a traditional Vietnamese feast, combining the best of BBQ and hotpot. We’ll end this exciting day by returning to the hotel for a well-deserved rest.
Day 3: CULINARY CU CHI
Roll up your sleeves and get ready for an active day outside as we will travel to Cu Chi to join an exciting cooking class. Starting with visiting the farms, you’ll get to learn about all the herbs, vegetables, and mushrooms while harvesting the ingredients needed for your class. After gathering all the materials, we start cooking! With in-depth instructions from a professional chef, you’ll cook three traditional Vietnamese dishes along with a local dessert plate.
After the culinary experience, we still have another activity lined up for you! We cannot go to Cu Chi and not visit the famous tunnels. Here, we’ll go back in time and explore the historical site of Vietnamese guerillas. From checking out the battlefield and booby traps to crawling through the underground tunnels, you’ll get a feel for how the guerillas lived and fought back then.
Enough exploration for the day, right? Let’s head back to Saigon and rest up for the next adventure.
Day 4: BEN TRE - THE COCONUT CAPITAL OF VIETNAM
Today, we’ll take you on a trip to the land of coconuts – Ben Tre Province of Mekong Delta. The Delta welcomes you with a relaxing cruise along the charming river. Stop by a floating fish farm and learn more about the aquacultural values of the region. Then, we’ll sail through the canals covered with low-hanging palm trees. This journey will take you to the local workshops, including a coconut candy factory and a traditional coconut processor.
The journey continues with sampan rides through the peaceful Ben Tre canals for you to fully enjoy the lovely scenery. For lunch, open up your taste buds for the “elephant ear” fish, banana flowers, and many other specialties. And if you’re brave enough, durian – the King of fruits – is an option for dessert.
Having filled up our bellies, we’ll ride the tuk tuk to Big Brother Sy’s homestay and stay the night. The day may be winding down, but the fun is just ramping up! We’ll end the day with a super fun cooking class to prepare 3 local specialties: goi cuon, banh xeo, and canh chua chay.
Day 5: COMMUTE TO VIETNAM'S CENTRAL REGION - HOI AN EVENING FOOD TOUR
Enjoy your hearty breakfast to start your day off right. Afterward, take in the beautiful surroundings by hopping on a bike and exploring the local area at your leisure. Later in the afternoon, we'll make our way back to Saigon and catch a flight to Central Vietnam.
The flight to Da Nang is around 1 hour 20 minutes, and from Da Nang International Airport, we will go straight to Hoi An - a UNESCO World Heritage site. Enjoy an evening foodie walking tour through this lovely town, where you'll have the chance to sample a variety of local foods in Hoi An, such as cao lau, banh mi Hoi An, and Quang noodles. Fall in love with both the town’s romantic ambience and its diverse culinary scene as you stroll through the centuries-old neighborhood. After a long day, we’ll spend the night in Hoi An.
Day 6: THE TIMELESS ANTIQUITY OF HOI AN AND MY SON
Get ready for an amazing excursion on Day 6 as we start with a morning walking tour in Hoi An Ancient Town. We’ll explore cultural architectural wonders that have stood the test of time in Vietnam, such as the Fukian Assembly Hall, Kazik Park, and many other attractions.
Next, we’ll head to the My Son Sanctuary, the antique gem of Central Vietnam. Located in the picturesque valley between two mountain ranges, the My Son Complex is home to numerous ancient temples dedicated to Hindu Gods such as Krishna, Vishnu, or Shiva. Imagine time-traveling back in time as you explore the ruins and learn about the extensive historical and spiritual aspects of this site.
After finishing the morning journey, you’ll have the unique experience of enjoying lunch at the home of a veteran, a moment that offers a deep connection to the history and culture of the area. Following this, we’ll transfer back to Hoi An for some well-deserved rest. As night falls, the town comes alive with the warm glow of traditional lanterns, creating a magical ambiance for our dinner at a local restaurant.
Day 7: DISCOVER HOI AN’S HIDDEN CHARMS
Thought you’ve seen everything of Hoi An? Think again! Today we’ll travel to the rural and peaceful areas that are surrounded with endless rice paddies. Our adventure today will be on bike, riding through the scenic rice paddies dotted with water buffalos and nearby rivers. Our first destination is the Vegetable Village, where you’ll get literally hands-on experience on farming. Next, hang on tight as we’ll continue our journey to the Water Coconut Forest for a special experience: a basket boat shaking performance. This is a must-try activity when traveling to Vietnam so don’t miss the fun!
You’ll have the afternoon to relax and recharge after an eventful morning. After that, we’ll return to the center of Hoi An for dinner and go for the spectacular theatrical show of Hoi An Memories. With an open-air stage, the show conveys the authentic Vietnamese cultures and historical values for the audience to embrace.
For the next part of your journey, you will have two great options. If you want to explore more of Central Vietnam’s gems, stay one more day in Danang. Or, if you’re ready for your ample beach time, you can head straight to one of our favorite beach destinations: Mui Ne, Cam Ranh, or Phu Quoc.
Day 8: DA NANG OR BEACH GATEWAY
OPTION 1: DANANG DAY TRIP
After an early checkout, you’ll embark on a journey to the mesmerizing Ba Na Hills. Here, the landscape is a blend of natural beauty and architectural marvels, offering breathtaking views that feel almost otherworldly. After a morning of sightseeing, you’ll return to Da Nang for a delightful local lunch.
The adventure continues with a Jeep tour around Son Tra Mountain. Here, admire a viewpoint that was once a helicopter landing ground, offering sweeping views of the sea, and explore Linh Ung Pagoda to gain insight into Buddhism. And if you’re lucky, you might encounter monkey families running around in their natural habitat! After a fulfilling day, you’ll return to your hotel for a peaceful overnight stay in Da Nang.
OPTION 2: BEACH GETAWAY TO MUI NE, CAM RANH, OR PHU QUOC
If you choose to skip the extended stay in Da Nang, you’ll depart on Day 8 for a flight from Da Nang (DAD) to Ho Chi Minh City (SGN). From there, you’ll head straight to one of our favorite beach destinations—Mui Ne, Cam Ranh, or Phu Quoc. Upon arrival, you'll be taken to a luxurious resort where you can unwind and enjoy the final days of your trip.
Day 9-12: UNWIND AND RECHARGE
Spend the next few days indulging in pure relaxation at your chosen beach destination. Relax and unwind at your resort, sunbathe by the pool, or enjoy a peaceful read. For those seeking adventure, explore the vibrant marine life through snorkeling or diving.
Day 13: RETURN TO SAIGON
After breakfast, we’ll check out of the hotel and head back to Saigon. Depending on your flight, we’ll arrange either some shopping time, a spa session, or simply a visit to a local cafe. Lastly, we’ll transfer to Tan Son Nhat International Airport for departure.