Luxury Getaway to Southern Vietnam - 7 Days

Highlights

• See the highlights of Ho Chi Minh City, formerly Saigon
• Take a private speedboat ride through the Mekong Delta region
• Spend days enjoying the beaches and beauty of Nha Trang
• Dine on the deck of a luxury sailing junk at sunset

Brief Itinerary

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive in Ho Chi Minh City, Optional Activities

Welcome to Vietnam! This weeklong luxury tour celebrates the country's south, beginning in Ho Chi Minh City. The country's largest metropolis is home to nine million people, reflected in city streets constantly abuzz with activity. But despite modern neighborhoods filled with shimmering office towers and high rises, a lot of history remains in the place once known as Saigon. Lining its streets are French colonial buildings, 19th-century cathedrals, and museums recounting a complex history that includes devastating wars.

Upon arrival at the airport, a driver will pick you up and transfer you to the Park Hyatt. This gleaming white 5-star hotel occupies an elegant French colonial building in the city center, and its spacious rooms meld traditional Vietnamese decor and modern luxury. There's no shortage of amenities here, and after checking in, you may want to hit the Xuan Spa to take the edge off the flight with a massage. Or order a smart cocktail from the hotel bar, Park Lounge, and enjoy it at the outdoor pool surrounded by tropical gardens.

If you want, head out on your own to explore Ho Chi Minh City. Perhaps browse the offerings at Ben Thanh Market, a popular spot for street food and shopping. Later, grab a beer at the 861-foot (262 m) Bitexco Tower and enjoy panoramic views across this sprawling city and the Saigon River that runs through it.

Day 2: City Tour, Bamboo Circus & Fine Dining

Meet a local guide in the morning for a private half-day highlights tour of the former Saigon. Zipping around the city, you'll visit historic buildings like Reunification Palace (once the headquarters of the Saigon government), the People's Committee Building, and 19th-century icons like Notre Dame Cathedral and the Central Post Office. Last on the tour is the War Remnants Museum, which offers a vivid and sometimes graphic perspective of the almost 20 years of war through the eyes of the Vietnamese. Afterward, you'll return to your hotel and have the afternoon to relax.

In the evening, get ready for dinner and a show. First up is the show: a "bamboo circus." The performance occurs at the Saigon Opera House, a stately French colonial theater dating to 1898. During this one-hour spectacle inspired by Vietnamese folk culture, you'll enjoy live music, dancing, acrobatics, visual arts, and songs, with the performers utilizing traditional bamboo props/items like baskets, blinds, and poles, to reveal the rich culture of rural Vietnam.

After the show, you'll head over to one of the city's finest restaurants for a memorable dining experience. This high-end eatery specializes in modern Vietnamese cuisine with a Western fusion flourish. All the plates are artfully presented to showcase Vietnam's colors and fresh ingredients. The restaurant also boasts a solid wine list and handcrafted cocktails as refined as the main courses.

Day 3: Mekong Delta Speedboat Tour

Leave at 8 am on a full-day private tour of the famous Mekong Delta. It begins when you meet your guide, transfer to the pier, and board a speedboat for the scenic ride south to the delta. As you enjoy a light breakfast on board, you'll pass beautiful rural landscapes. You'll also see the region's famous floating markets, where vendors ply the waterways selling fresh produce right from their boats. At around 10:30 am, you'll arrive in the Mekong, which abounds with rice paddies, sugar plantations, and coconut groves.

From here, the boat will turn off the main waterway into the small, winding canals of the Thu Thua area, where you'll enjoy a more leisurely ride as you pass under the shade of a canopy of palm fronds. Depending on the day's route, you'll either visit a traditional river house (whose owner keeps Burmese pythons as pets), a quaint Mekong village and surrounding rice paddies, and/or a traditional farmhouse where you'll sample coconuts and Mekong whisky. Another option is to visit a local merchant and sample a variety of Mekong produce, whisky, and wine.

Then walk along the banks of the river to a traditional rural Vietnamese house, where three generations of a family live together, before continuing to a charming village where you can try fresh coconuts right from the tree. After a break for lunch, you'll visit an orphanage run by Buddhist monks, followed by a stop at Cao Dai Temple. The Cao Dai faith is interesting because it combines elements from various world religions, including Buddhism, Taoism, Confucianism, Christianity, and Indigenous Vietnamese beliefs. Later, you'll return to Ho Chi Minh by speedboat.

Day 4: Fly to Nha Trang, Optional Activities

Say goodbye to Ho Chi Minh City this morning as your driver will whisk you off to the airport for the one-hour flight northeast to Nha Trang. One of Vietnam's premier resort destinations, this coastal city is known for its stunning beaches, clear turquoise waters, and lively atmosphere. However, this trip's remaining portion is about relaxation rather than nightlife.

That's why, upon arrival at the airport, a driver will be waiting to transfer you just north of Nha Trang to Six Senses Ninh Van Bay. This 5-star luxury resort is located in the eponymous bay, nestled between lush green hills and the sparkling South China Sea. Its luxurious suites and private villas are situated in a remote, serene environment, which is the postcard image of tropical beauty.

After checking in, you'll have the rest of the day to enjoy the hotel and beach. Perhaps stretch your legs with a stroll on the sand, go for a swim in the ocean, or relax by your own private pool amid stunning bay views. When you get hungry, choose between fine dining on the beachfront or overlooking the bay at one of Six Senses' gourmet restaurants. The menus are a decadent East-meets-West celebration of locally sourced ingredients that range from lobster ravioli to traditional Vietnamese pho (beef noodle soup).

Day 5: Nha Trang Beach Day & Sunset Dinner Cruise

If you like, wake up early and enjoy the sunrise over the water. Then, after breakfast amid sea views, you'll have the whole morning and afternoon free. If you like, walk down to the beachfront bar and relax on a day bed with a good book as you sip a boozy Manhattan or nonalcoholic Shirley Temple.

In the evening, you'll head out for dinner—with a seafaring twist. As the sun sets over the bay, make your way to the jetty and board the Emperor Junk, an elegant ship designed in the style of a traditional Chinese fishing boat. During the private three-hour sailing trip, you'll sit down for a five-course seafood dinner on the deck. As you enjoy the delicious feast, you'll sip on cocktails and fine wines while being serenaded by musicians, creating memories to last a lifetime. At the end of the experience, you'll return to the hotel.

Day 6: Enjoy Nha Trang at Your Own Pace

Today is yours to spend at the resort or embark on an adventure. If you like, you can head into Nha Trang for a day of shopping, dining out, and riding the famous cable car (one of the longest in the world) from the city to offshore Hon Tre Island.

Or, the resort can arrange a day trip/outdoor activity for you. Top options include day hikes, visiting local villages, water sports (kayaking, paddleboarding, etc.), and charters to nearby islands. You can also drive to natural hot springs or take advantage of the resort's spa and wellness center with a massage treatment and mud bath. 

Day 7: Return to Ho Chi Minh City, Depart

Your Vietnamese luxury escape draws to a close today. In the morning, you'll meet your driver for the ride back to the airport in Nha Trang and fly to Ho Chi Minh City, where you'll catch your connecting flight home. Tam biet!

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