Vietnam Beyond the Classics – Highlands & Mekong

After breakfast, meet your tour guide and driver for a half-day exploration of Nha Trang’s cultural and historical landmarks.

Begin the tour with a visit to Po Nagar Cham Towers, an ancient Hindu temple complex built between the 8th and 13th centuries by the Cham civilization. Perched on a hill overlooking the Cai River, the towers offer fascinating insights into the region’s history and impressive Cham architecture.

Continue to Xom Bong Bridge, where you’ll enjoy panoramic views of one of Nha Trang’s most photogenic fishing fleets. The colorful wooden boats anchored along the river create a picturesque scene that reflects the city’s traditional coastal lifestyle.

Next, stop at the famous Hon Chong Promontory (Husband Rock), a scenic coastal landmark known for its unique granite rock formations and spectacular views of Nha Trang Bay.

The journey continues to Long Son Pagoda, one of Nha Trang’s most important Buddhist temples. Climb the steps to admire the impressive Giant White Buddha statue, which offers panoramic views over the city and provides a peaceful atmosphere for reflection.

Before returning to your hotel, visit Dam Market, Nha Trang’s largest traditional marketplace. Wander through the bustling stalls filled with fresh produce, local specialties, handicrafts, and souvenirs while experiencing the vibrant daily life and shopping culture of the local people.

At the end of the tour, transfer back to your hotel.

After breakfast, your driver and tour guide will pick you up from the hotel and transfer you to the harbor to begin an exciting island-hopping adventure in Nha Trang Bay.

Your first stop is the Vietnam National Oceanographic Museum, one of the country’s leading marine research centers, where you can discover an impressive collection of marine life, coral species, and fascinating oceanographic exhibits. Afterwards, board a boat and cruise across the crystal-clear waters of Nha Trang Bay, making a photo stop at Tri Nguyen Aquarium, a unique landmark designed to resemble an ancient pirate ship.

Continue to Tam Island, where you’ll have the opportunity to snorkel among colorful coral reefs and tropical fish in the warm, turquoise waters. The journey then takes you to Mieu Fishing Village, where you’ll enjoy a traditional basket boat ride and gain insight into the daily lives and centuries-old fishing traditions of the local community.

Next, head to Bamboo Island for a delicious seafood lunch at a local restaurant. After lunch, spend some time relaxing on the beach, swimming in the clear waters, or simply unwinding amidst the island’s peaceful tropical surroundings.

In the afternoon, return to the mainland and visit I-Resort Hot Mineral Spring, a tranquil wellness retreat renowned for its natural mineral-rich waters. Treat yourself to a rejuvenating mineral mud bath and soak in the warm hot springs, a relaxing experience that leaves both body and mind feeling completely refreshed.

At the end of the tour, transfer back to your hotel.

This morning, you will enjoy an early breakfast at the hotel before departing to Dalat. After driving for 3 hours, we start to visit Truc Lam Zen Monastery, which is the largest Zen Monastery in Vietnam (Cable car upon request); Tuyen Lam Lake, considered the nicest lake in Dalat; Bao Dai Summer Palace, where the last Emperor of Vietnam, Bao Dai King (1913 – 1997) stayed and ruled Vietnam from 1949 to 1954.

After lunch, we keep on visiting the Crazy House, a brightly painted concrete house that winds itself around trees, mimicking their shapes; Dalat Railway station, which is remarkable with its architecture and its old steam locomotive; Trai Matgo through vegetable farms. Later in the day, we take a 7km train to this place (one-way train only), Linh Phuoc pagoda; this pagoda is the most colorful and decorated one in Dalat, carved with tens of thousands of beer bottles and broken ceramic, Lat minority people’s village, where the people live in wooden, thatched huts. End of the tour at the hotel. The rest of the day will be free

Begin the day before sunrise with an unforgettable cloud-hunting experience, where you’ll witness the first light of day illuminating a breathtaking sea of clouds stretching across the Central Highlands. Capture stunning photographs while enjoying the peaceful mountain scenery before continuing your journey to Lak Lake, one of the largest natural freshwater lakes in Vietnam.

Upon arrival at the boat pier, take a short boat transfer across the lake to LAK Tented Camp, beautifully nestled on the lakeshore amid forests and rolling hills. After check-in, enjoy lunch at the camp’s restaurant overlooking the tranquil lake.

In the afternoon, explore Yang Tao Ethnic Village, home to the indigenous M’Nong people. Accompanied by a local guide, stroll through the peaceful village to discover the community’s traditional way of life. Visit local coffee and cacao gardens, observe handmade pottery crafted using age-old techniques, admire the surrounding rice fields where buffaloes graze, and learn about the unique customs and culture of one of the Central Highlands’ oldest ethnic groups. You’ll also have the opportunity to sample locally produced fermented cacao wine.

As evening falls, return to LAK Tented Camp to experience a traditional Gong Performance, recognized as part of the UNESCO-listed cultural heritage of Vietnam’s Central Highlands. Enjoy the vibrant music and dance while tasting the local Ruou Can (traditional tube rice wine), followed by a delicious dinner featuring regional specialties. Overnight at LAK Tented Camp, surrounded by the peaceful atmosphere of Lak Lake.

Wake up early to witness the peaceful sunrise over Lak Lake, as the morning mist gently rises above the calm waters, creating one of the most picturesque scenes in Vietnam’s Central Highlands.

After breakfast, enjoy free time to experience the natural beauty of LAK Tented Camp at your own pace. Choose from a variety of outdoor activities such as kayaking across the tranquil lake, cycling through the surrounding countryside, admiring the lush green rice fields, trying your hand at fishing or archery, or harvesting fresh vegetables from the camp’s organic garden.

After checking out, take a short boat transfer back to the boat pier, where your driver and tour guide will be waiting to continue the journey to Dray Nur Waterfall and Dray Sap Waterfall, two of the most spectacular waterfalls in the Central Highlands. Surrounded by dense tropical forest, these twin waterfalls are renowned for their powerful cascades, dramatic volcanic rock formations, and pristine natural beauty. Enjoy time to explore the scenic walking trails and take in the refreshing atmosphere.

Lunch will be served at a local restaurant.

In the afternoon, continue the short drive to Buon Ma Thuot, the coffee capital of Vietnam. Upon arrival, check in to your hotel. The remainder of the day is free for you to relax or explore the city at your leisure.

After breakfast, meet your tour guide and driver for a full-day exploration of Buon Ma Thuot, the cultural and coffee capital of Vietnam’s Central Highlands.

Begin the day with a visit to Buon Don Village, a legendary destination renowned for its long history of elephant taming and the unique culture of the Ede and M’Nong ethnic communities. Stroll through the peaceful village, visit traditional longhouses, cross the iconic suspension bridge spanning the Serepok River, and learn about the fascinating stories of the region’s famous elephant hunters and local traditions. Afterwards, enjoy lunch at a local restaurant featuring specialties of the Central Highlands.

In the afternoon, return to Buon Ma Thuot to visit Sac Tu Khai Doan Pagoda, the largest Buddhist temple in Dak Lak Province. Admire its distinctive architecture, which beautifully blends traditional Vietnamese temple design with the unique longhouse style of the Central Highlands, creating a peaceful and spiritual atmosphere.

Continue to the Trung Nguyen Coffee World Museum, an award-winning museum dedicated to the history and culture of coffee. Through interactive exhibitions and an impressive collection of coffee artifacts from around the world, discover the fascinating journey of coffee from cultivation to global culture. You may also enjoy tasting some of Vietnam’s world-famous coffee while learning why Buon Ma Thuot is widely regarded as the country’s coffee capital.

At the end of the tour, transfer back to your hotel. The remainder of the evening is free for you to relax or explore the city at your own pace.

After breakfast, enjoy some free time at leisure until check-out. Your driver will then transfer you to the bus station to board your scheduled coach from Buon Ma Thuot to Ho Chi Minh City.

The journey covers approximately 350 km and takes around 7–8 hours, passing through the scenic landscapes of Vietnam’s Central Highlands before descending into the fertile plains of southern Vietnam. Along the way, the bus will make several short stops for refreshments and personal breaks.

Upon arrival in Ho Chi Minh City, you will be met by your driver at the bus station and transferred to your hotel for check-in. The remainder of the day is free for you to relax or explore the vibrant city at your own pace.

Group size: 4 – 12 people

At 7.30 am, we will pick you up at the hotel in HCMC. The first place of the morning trip is Independence Palace, also known as the Reunification palace, which was built on the sight of the former Norodom palace. The Independence palace is a widely known landmark of Ho Chi Minh City and was designed by the architect Ngo Viet Thu. We continue seeing the beautiful structures from the French Colonial times such as the Notre Dame Cathedral, and the historic Central Post Office. Followed by the remarkable site of the War Remnants Museum the museum has a vast display of both the Indochina wars. Lunch will be served in the local restaurant

Depart for Cu Chi tunnel, the trip will take approximately one and a half hours of bus driving. Upon arrival, before exploring the tunnels, you will have a short introduction followed by an introductory video about how the tunnels were constructed and how the people survived in the harsh conditions of wartime. Then, you can spend your time exploring the remaining area and tunnel systems which included the specially constructed living areas with kitchens, and bedrooms side by side with other martial facilities like storage, weapons factories, field hospitals, and command centers helping whoever lives inside the tunnels meet their basic needs. Besides, there are also many hidden trap doors and dangerous traps within the maze-like tunnels for security purposes during the war. Afterward, special tea and cassava (guerilla’s food during the war) will be served.

We have a break time for relaxation or time for those who want to try a real shooting gun. At 7 pm, we return to Ho Chi Minh City.

Notes:

*The Notre Dame Cathedral has been restored, so the guests just visit outside.

*Drop-off time is subject to traffic, weather…so the finished time could be later than expected.

Meet your guide and board a boat to begin your journey through the picturesque waterways of the Mekong Delta. Arrive in Cai Be, where you’ll stroll through a local orchard, sample seasonal tropical fruits, and enjoy a traditional Southern Vietnamese folk music performance. Continue with a peaceful sampan ride along narrow canals shaded by lush coconut palms, offering a glimpse into the tranquil countryside and daily life along the river.

Return to the main boat and cruise across the mighty Mekong River to An Binh Island, where you’ll visit Ut Trinh Homestay. An optional local lunch is available before taking a leisurely walk through the village to discover traditional family workshops producing rice paper, coconut candy, and popped rice. Enjoy local sweets accompanied by a cup of hot tea. For those wishing to explore further, an optional bicycle ride offers the chance to cycle along quiet village paths, passing fruit orchards, schools, pagodas, churches, and traditional riverside homes. The journey concludes with a visit to the traditional brick kilns, where local artisans craft pottery using clay from the Mekong River, before ending at Vinh Long City. We then transfer to the local house and spend the night there.

Depart very early in the morning for Cai Rang Floating Market, the largest and most vibrant floating market in the Mekong Delta. Cruise along the bustling waterways as local traders sell fresh fruits, vegetables, and regional specialties directly from their boats, offering a fascinating glimpse into the river-based lifestyle that has flourished here for generations.

Continue to Con Son Islet, a peaceful riverside community renowned for its authentic local experiences. Explore family-run fruit orchards, visit traditional fish farms, and discover the island’s sustainable farming practices while interacting with welcoming local residents. Depending on the season, you may also enjoy tasting fresh tropical fruits and regional delicacies.

After lunch at a local restaurant, depart for Chau Doc, located approximately 120 km from Can Tho. The drive takes around 3 hours, passing through the picturesque countryside of the Mekong Delta with its endless rice fields, canals, and rural villages. Upon arrival in Chau Doc, check in to your hotel. The remainder of the evening is free for you to relax or explore this charming border town at your own pace.

*Note: today will be a long day.

After breakfast, check out of your hotel and meet your tour guide for a visit to Tra Su Bird Sanctuary, one of the Mekong Delta’s most spectacular ecological reserves, located approximately 30 km from Chau Doc.

Upon arrival, board a motorboat before transferring to a traditional sampan to explore the tranquil waterways winding through the vast cajuput forest. Glide beneath a lush green canopy covered with floating duckweed while admiring the reserve’s rich biodiversity. Home to hundreds of species of birds, waterfowl, and native wildlife, Tra Su offers an unforgettable experience for nature lovers and photographers. Climb the observation tower for panoramic views over the endless wetlands and surrounding countryside. Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant featuring authentic Mekong Delta specialties.

In the afternoon, begin the journey back to Ho Chi Minh City. The drive covers approximately 250 km and takes around 5–6 hours, passing through picturesque rice fields, canals, and riverside villages that showcase the unique landscapes of southern Vietnam. Upon arrival in Ho Chi Minh City, transfer to your hotel. The remainder of the evening is free for you to relax or explore the vibrant city at your own pace.