★★★★★
Sarah M.
Absolutely amazing service. Ava chose the right cruise and handled every detail clearly.
Private tourNEW 2026Mekong DeltaSmall group · Local experience
Discover Southern Vietnam – 5 Days 4 Nights
The Perfect First-Timer’s Journey: Saigon Vibes + Cu Chi History + Real Mekong Magic This is the ultimate 5-day Southern Vietnam experience that thousands... From $612.
Style
Private tour
Mekong Delta
Duration
5 days · 4 nights
Pickup support available
Mekong Delta tour overview
The Perfect First-Timer’s Journey: Saigon Vibes + Cu Chi History + Real Mekong Magic
This is the ultimate 5-day Southern Vietnam experience that thousands of travelers wish they had booked on their first trip. See the bright lights and crazy energy of Ho Chi Minh City, crawl through the legendary Cu Chi Tunnels, then escape to the peaceful green waterways of the Mekong Delta. Sunrise at the colorful Cai Rang Floating Market, fresh coconut juice in hidden canals, live traditional music under the stars — everything you imagine Vietnam to be, all in one perfectly paced trip.
Why This Trip Feels Like the Real Vietnam
- 2 full days in vibrant Ho Chi Minh City (most tours give only half a day!)
- Go underground at the famous Cu Chi Tunnels – a must-do history lesson
- Romantic sunset dinner cruise on Saigon River with live Đàn Tranh music
- Two different Mekong Delta provinces (My Tho–Ben Tre + Can Tho) so you see the full picture
- The biggest & liveliest floating market in Vietnam – Cai Rang at golden hour
- Stay in excellent 3–4 star hotels every night (no basic homestays unless you want them)
- Private tour the whole way – just you, your guide, and your driver
What's included
Private A/C car & experienced English-speaking guide every day4 nights in excellent 3–4 star hotels (private room, big bed, hot shower, Wi-Fi)All breakfasts + 4 lunches + 1 special dinner cruiseAll boat trips, entrance fees, fruits & snacks in the DeltaBottled water daily
Your itinerary
Welcome to Ho Chi Minh City
- Arrive at Tan Son Nhat Airport → friendly smile and private transfer to your hotel
- Free time to recover from your flight: stroll Dong Khoi Street, sip egg coffee, or relax by the rooftop pool
- Overnight in a central 3–4 star hotel (Pearl Saigon, Liberty Central, or similar)
Cu Chi Tunnels + Saigon Highlights + Sunset Dinner Cruise (B, L, D)
- 8:00 AM – Drive to Cu Chi Tunnels (1.5 hrs). Watch the clever trap-door video, crawl through widened tunnels (optional), shoot an AK-47 if you like (extra cost)
- Return to city for lunch at a beautiful local restaurant
- Afternoon walking tour of classic Saigon: Notre Dame Cathedral, Central Post Office (send a postcard!), Reunification Palace, War Remnants Museum, and funny shopping at Ben Thanh Market
- Evening: Magical dinner cruise on Saigon River – delicious buffet, live traditional music, and the city skyline lit up in neon
- Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City
Ho Chi Minh → My Tho → Ben Tre → Can Tho (B, L)
- 8:00 AM departure – watch the scenery turn from skyscrapers to endless rice fields
- Boat trip in My Tho–Ben Tre: cruise shady canals on a traditional wooden boat
- Visit local workshops: watch coconut candy being made, try fresh candy hot off the line
- Enjoy seasonal tropical fruits and a short performance of sweet Southern “Đờn ca tài tử” music (UNESCO heritage)
- Delicious lunch featuring the famous crispy Elephant-Ear Fish
- Stop at the stunning Vinh Trang Pagoda (the biggest in the Delta) on the way to Can Tho
- Arrive Can Tho in the late afternoon – walk along the pretty riverside promenade
- Overnight in Can Tho (excellent 4-star hotel: Victoria Can Tho or Muong Thanh Luxury)
– Ben Tre Coconut Paradise → Return to Ho Chi Minh City (B, L)
- Sleep in a little, then board a traditional wooden boat
- Glide through narrow canals shaded by water coconuts — your driver will stop so you can sip fresh coconut juice straight from the tree
- Visit a unique solar-powered island where locals live completely off the grid (no electricity poles, only sunshine!)
- Meet warm families, taste seasonal tropical fruits, fresh honey tea, and local honey wine while listening to their stories
- Enjoy a delicious home-cooked lunch featuring signature Mekong Delta dishes (elephant-ear fish, fresh spring rolls, caramelized pork…)
- Final short cruise across the wide Mekong River to the mainland
- Relaxed drive back to Saigon (drop-off around 5:00–5:30 PM)
Cai Rang Floating Market + Small Canals → Return Saigon (B, L)
- 6:30 AM – Boat to Cai Rang Floating Market at the most beautiful morning light
- Hundreds of boats full of pineapples, mangoes, and smiling traders – sip Vietnamese coffee while floating among them!
- Glide into tiny arroyos where big boats can’t go – visit a rice-noodle factory and a fruit orchard
- Taste fresh fruits and chat with the family who has lived on the river for generations
- Relaxed drive back to Ho Chi Minh City (lunch en route)
- Arrive Saigon around 4–5 PM – free evening for rooftop bars or shopping
- Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City
Goodbye Vietnam – Departure Day (B)
- Breakfast at leisure, last-minute souvenir hunting or spa time
- Private transfer to the airport for your onward flight (driver waits until you check in)
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick answers for planning a Halong Bay or Lan Ha Bay overnight cruise with Ava Travel.
Halong Bay is approximately 160km east of Hanoi, usually about a 3 to 3.5-hour drive by expressway. Ava Travel can arrange shared shuttle or private transfer from Hanoi and confirm the exact pickup time before you book.
Lan Ha Bay is the southern extension of Halong Bay, near Cat Ba Island. It has similar limestone scenery but often feels quieter. Many premium cruises operate around Lan Ha Bay for a calmer overnight route.
A 2-day / 1-night cruise works well if your schedule is short and you want the classic overnight experience. A 3-day / 2-night cruise gives more time for kayaking, swimming, remote areas, and a slower pace.
The best months are usually October to April, when the weather is cooler and drier. Summer can still be beautiful, but rain and storm changes are more common, so Ava Travel checks weather and operator updates before departure.
Most overnight cruises include cabin accommodation, onboard meals, entrance fees for the scheduled route, and activities such as kayaking, cave visits, swimming, cooking class, or squid fishing. Drinks, spa, tips, and transfers depend on the cruise package and are confirmed before payment.
Send Ava Travel your travel date, group size, and cabin preference. We check live availability, confirm the best current price, explain inclusions, and help you complete secure checkout once everything is clear.
What guests say about Ava Travel
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