Luxury Southern Vietnam: City, Countryside & Beach - 10 Days

Highlights

• Dine at the finest restaurants in Ho Chi Minh City
• Discover wartime history and French colonial landmarks
• Take a ride on the waterways of the famous Mekong Delta
• Enjoy the beaches of Mui Ne and go off-roading on sand dunes

Brief Itinerary

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive in Ho Chi Minh City, Michelin-Star Dining Experience

Welcome to Vietnam! This luxurious 10-day adventure will take you to the country's southern region, known for its dynamic cities, legendary delta region, and gorgeous beaches. The journey begins with your arrival in Ho Chi Minh City, formerly known as Saigon. Vietnam's largest metropolis is the perfect introduction to this beautiful country's energy, complexity, and contradictions. It's steeped in rich history yet is simultaneously on the cutting edge of modernity, as evidenced by gleaming skyscrapers sitting alongside French colonial landmarks. 

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. If you like, order a smart cocktail from the hotel bar, Park Lounge, and enjoy it at the outdoor pool surrounded by tropical gardens.

In the evening, you'll change into formalwear and head out for a night of fine dining at Anan Saigon. Specializing in Vietnamese-contemporary cuisine, chef Peter Cuong Franklin applies modern cooking techniques to street food recipes to create enticing flavors. The restaurant is consistently named one of the country's best by major publications, and in 2023 it became one of the first restaurants in Vietnam to be awarded a Michelin star. During this two-hour dining experience, you'll get to savor Vietnamese haute cuisine with a modern touch. 

Day 2: Cu Chi Tunnels, City Tour & Sunset Dinner Cruise

Wake early and indulge in Park Hyatt's opulent breakfast buffet, which features live cooking stations, vegetarian/vegan options, and a dizzying array of pastries. Then meet your private driver for the hour trip north to the Cu Chi Tunnels. Dating to 1948, this 155-mile (250 km) tunnel network was built to defend against the French, then used during the Vietnam War (known locally as the American War) as a base for 16,000 Viet Cong guerrillas, complete with supply routes, hospitals, and living spaces. During a private tour, you can crawl through a section to experience the tunnels' narrow dimensions.

Return to Ho Chi Minh City in the afternoon and embark on a private city tour by vehicle. Highlights include Independence Palace, also known as the Reunification Palace. It was here in 1975 that Ho Chi Minh's tanks stormed the complex, marking the symbolic end to the American War. Continue to some of the city's most famous French colonial landmarks, such as Notre Dame Cathedral, City Hall, and the Central Post Office. You'll also visit Ben Thanh, one of the biggest markets in the city.

Later in the afternoon, you'll head to the Saigon River and board the luxurious Saigon Princess for a three-hour cruise. It's a romantic ride that coincides with sunset, so from the sundeck you'll get to witness the last rays of light glimmering against the towering high-rises of Ho Chi Minh City's skyline. Following this is a set dinner right on the boat, during which you'll enjoy gourmet dishes prepared by top chefs. Afterward, you'll return to the hotel.

Day 3: Transfer to Can Tho, Sunset Cruise

Get ready for a true Vietnam adventure as you travel into the heart of the famous Mekong Delta region! Known as Vietnam's "rice bowl," this region is full of winding rivers, coconut groves, sugar cane plantations, and green rice paddies. Your driver will pick you up in the morning for the four-hour ride south from Ho Chi Minh City to the river city of Can Tho.

Upon arrival, you'll check into the 5-star Azerai Can Tho Resort, which occupies its own river island. You can spend the rest of the day relaxing on the terrace of your riverfront bungalow, dining at one of the hotel's fine restaurants, and relaxing by the infinity pool, which overlooks the river. 

Later in the afternoon, the hotel will arrange a special sunset river cruise. This one-hour private excursion is the ideal activity for photography buffs, as it's quite a sight to witness magic hour when the last light of the day gilds the surface of the river. Even better, you'll savor the experience with an adult beverage or fruit juice. After sunset, you'll return to the hotel.

Day 4: Mekong Day Tour, Garden Dinner

After breakfast at the hotel (you can opt for a Vietnamese option like pho or Western dishes), head out for a leisurely and private half-day tour of the Mekong. It's a great opportunity to go exploring deep into the rural province of Vinh Long, where you can immerse yourself in local culture. It's a slower pace of life here, where people live traditionally off the land and water.

The journey starts with a serene 30-minute cruise along the Hau River. After docking at the pier, hike to a nearby plantation to see some of the exotic tropical produce grown in the region, including grapefruit, jackfruit, papaya, and more. Next, visit a historic house and join the friendly owner for tea and a viewing of their fascinating antique collection. Return to the dock and head back toward Can Tho by boat, enjoying a picnic lunch onboard amid the stunning delta scenery.

Later, you'll enjoy an al fresco dinner unlike anywhere else in the world. Head to a secluded corner of the resort, which is surrounded by lush manicured gardens. There, you'll enjoy a gourmet five-course menu under the verdant canopy of a massive banyan tree. Needless to say, this experience is ideal for couples.

Day 5: Free Day in Can Tho

Today is yours to enjoy Can Tho however you like. If you wish, spend the day on the resort's river island enjoying the various amenities or while away the hours relaxing by the pool with a good book and a drink in hand. You can partake of the wellness services here, which include meditation and yoga classes, or treat yourself to a hot stone massage at the on-site spa. For something more active, head to the Pilates room or opt for a game of tennis.

Day 6: Transfer to Mui Ne, Optional Activities

In the morning, your driver will pick you up for the trip by private car from Can Tho to Mui Ne. It's a six-hour ride that takes you east out of the Mekong Delta to the coast, a region known for its multicolored sand dunes, pristine beaches, and year-round warm weather. Along the way, there will be stops for food and to snap photos.

Upon arrival, you'll check into the beachfront 5-star Anantara Mui Ne Resort. You'll undoubtedly be tired after the long drive, so you can spend the rest of the day relaxing by the resort's lagoon and infinity pools. You can also take the edge off the journey with a deep tissue massage at the on-site spa. Or, if you'd like to stretch your legs, stroll onto the beach and partake in the region's famous water sports and activities, like volleyball, windsurfing, and kitesurfing.

Day 7: Sunrise Sand Dunes Tour by Jeep

It's an early start today as your private driver picks you up at 4:30 am in an open-topped Jeep for a ride out to the famous dunes of Mui Ne. One of Vietnam's most unique landmarks, these breathtaking red and white dunes exist only in this region. You'll arrive just in time to catch the sunrise, watching as it lights up the dunes and the sky above in dazzling displays of pink and gold. 

For the remainder of this half-day tour, you'll enjoy several regional activities. Take a drive to freshwater Lotus Lake, then trek up the red dune for panoramic views of a nearby fish farm. The trip continues at Suoi Tien (Fairy Stream), a river at the bottom of a dramatic canyon. Afterward, you'll transfer back to the hotel and have the rest of the day free.

Day 8: Mui Ne Beach Day

Today is yours to enjoy the famous palm-fringed beaches of Mui Ne. These wide stretches of sand earned their notoriety due to the region's excellent windsurfing and kitesurfing conditions. If you like, take advantage of these offshore winds, hop on a board, and spend a few hours gliding around the coast. First, you may want to rise early and soak up some local life at the local market. The mornings are abuzz with activity as fishermen haul in buckets of prawns, fish, and crabs while restaurant owners barter for the best catch.  

Later, you can head to Ham Tien Beach. This is Mui Ne's most popular kitesurfing spot due to its consistent crosswinds. A short drive from Han Tien is Malibu Beach, which is quieter and less crowded but still offers solid wind conditions. Or, if you'd prefer a more relaxing day, head to Mui Ne Beach, the main stretch of sand in town. With its soft golden sands and clear blue waters, it's ideal for sunbathing and swimming.

Day 9: Transfer to Ho Chi Minh City, Fine Dining Experience

Wake early and perhaps enjoy one last stroll on the beach before meeting your personal driver. Then you'll hop in your private car for the five-hour drive back to Ho Chi Minh City and the Park Hyatt. Spend the remainder of the day relaxing and enjoying the hotel's amenities.

In the evening, enjoy one more unforgettable fine-dining experience in Vietnam. Your driver will pick you up for the ride over to Cloud Nine Sai Gon Restaurant. Here, you can choose from a diverse menu featuring a fusion of Asian and Western dishes. Adding to the experience is the fact this is a rooftop restaurant, meaning you can enjoy panoramic views of the Saigon skyline as you enjoy your meal.

After dinner, keep the rooftop theme going with a nightcap at Twilight Sky Bar Sai Gon. This chic and intimate space definitely lives up to its name, as it's located on the 32nd floor of Bitexco Financial Tower, one of the city's most iconic buildings. It's the perfect spot to enjoy a smart cocktail amid wraparound views over the city. 

Day 10: Depart Ho Chi Minh City

Avail yourself one last time of the Park Hyatt's sumptuous breakfast offerings. Then, to say a bittersweet goodbye to Vietnam. At the appropriate time, your personal driver will pick you up in the lobby and transfer you to the airport, where you'll catch your flight home. Tam biet!

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