Ho Chi Minh City, Saigon Serenity - A River Odyssey

You will board your motor coach for the 15-minute ride to the center of the first stop will be the Museum of Vietnamese History housed in a fine example of Sino-French architecture . It contains an excellent series of exhibits dating from the Bronze Age to the Nguyen dynasty. Continue your drive to the Reunification Palace. This important city landmark was assured its place in history on 30th April 1975, with the Fall of Saigon and ultimately the end of the Vietnam War. The palace is now a museum. You will walk through a green park to reach the Notre Dame Cathedral which dates back to the late 19th century. Across the street from the cathedral is the city's striking French colonial-era post office. After lunch, you will spend the afternoon exploring the hustle and bustle of China Town. Here you will find Mandarin speakers, ancient pagodas and Chinese script adorning shopfronts. Begin your exploration of the area with a visit to Thien Hau Temple. It is not uncommon for the photogenic large coils of incense that hang from the ornate ceiling of this temple to burn for up to three months at a time. Drive back downtown and experience an unprecedented 360-degree vistas of Ho Chi Minh City from the Sky Deck - Bitexco Financial Tower. Drive back downtown and experience the unprecedented 360-degree views of Ho Chi Minh City from the Sky Deck 614 feet above the city at the Bitexco Financial Tower. Experiencing the elevator there, which travels at 23 feet per second. At a height of 860 feet and spanning 68 floors, the Bitexco Financial Tower is currently the tallest building in Ho Chi Minh City. Drive back to the port (or you may wish to be dropped off at Ben Thanh Market for shopping then make your own way back to the port). Your last stop today is Ben Thanh market to explore a lively local market and shopping. Drive back to the port. Please note : Guests are welcome to stay on the motor coach if the tour becomes too strenuous. Please wear conservative clothing for visiting the temples and pagoda.so knees and shoulders are covered. The museum visit will include a 20-minute water puppet show. Bring sunscreen, a hat and local currency.

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You will board your motor coach for the 15-minute ride to the center of the first stop will be the Museum of Vietnamese History housed in a fine example of Sino-French architecture . It contains an excellent series of exhibits dating from the Bronze Age to the Nguyen dynasty. Continue your drive to the Reunification Palace. This important city landmark was assured its place in history on 30th April 1975, with the Fall of Saigon and ultimately the end of the Vietnam War. The palace is now a museum. You will walk through a green park to reach the Notre Dame Cathedral which dates back to the late 19th century. Across the street from the cathedral is the city's striking French colonial-era post office. After lunch, you will spend the afternoon exploring the hustle and bustle of China Town. Here you will find Mandarin speakers, ancient pagodas and Chinese script adorning shopfronts. Begin your exploration of the area with a visit to Thien Hau Temple. It is not uncommon for the photogenic large coils of incense that hang from the ornate ceiling of this temple to burn for up to three months at a time. Drive back downtown and experience an unprecedented 360-degree vistas of Ho Chi Minh City from the Sky Deck - Bitexco Financial Tower. Drive back downtown and experience the unprecedented 360-degree views of Ho Chi Minh City from the Sky Deck 614 feet above the city at the Bitexco Financial Tower. Experiencing the elevator there, which travels at 23 feet per second. At a height of 860 feet and spanning 68 floors, the Bitexco Financial Tower is currently the tallest building in Ho Chi Minh City. Drive back to the port (or you may wish to be dropped off at Ben Thanh Market for shopping then make your own way back to the port). Your last stop today is Ben Thanh market to explore a lively local market and shopping. Drive back to the port. Please note : Guests are welcome to stay on the motor coach if the tour becomes too strenuous. Please wear conservative clothing for visiting the temples and pagoda.so knees and shoulders are covered. The museum visit will include a 20-minute water puppet show. Bring sunscreen, a hat and local currency.

Experience an authentic moment in Ho Chi Minh City that most travelers rarely have the chance to enjoy. Start with a relaxing ride in a cyclo (pedal-powered rickshaw) to one of the city's beautiful green parks. Take a peaceful stroll through the park, before joining a tai chi session led by an experienced master. Many locals gather here to engage in their daily routines, with activities like walking, jogging, tai chi, and the slow-motion shadow boxing style called Thai Cuc Quyen being especially popular. Next, explore the vibrant flower market and indulge in a traditional bowl of pho at one of the city's best noodle shops, paired with a refreshing iced coffee, known locally as "Ca Phe Sua Da." Continue your journey to discover Saigon's beautiful colonial architecture and iconic landmarks. In Chinatown, you'll find a blend of modernity and history, where century-old shophouses stand amidst contemporary buildings. Stroll through a bustling wholesale market filled with the sights and smells of tropical fruits, dried fish, and fragrant herbs, before visiting a traditional Chinese temple. Admire the unique fusion of French and Chinese architectural styles as you immerse yourself in the local atmosphere of this colorful district. Your adventure concludes with a scenic ride along the Tofu Canal, before returning to the city center and heading back to your ship. Please note : Please wear conservative clothing for visiting the temples and pagoda.so knees and shoulders are covered. Bring sunscreen, a hat and local currency.

Visit a charming artists' village along the Saigon River, where local craftspeople from various regions showcase their work in beautiful homes and galleries. The talented artists specialize in a variety of mediums, from wood and pottery to oil paintings and lacquer art. Upon arrival at the first artist's garden home, you'll be surrounded by vibrant flowers and trees, including lacquer trees, whose resin is used for creating intricate lacquer paintings. A local artist will guide you through additional studios, each reflecting the unique artistic styles from the artists' native regions. Admire traditional wooden houses built in the style of northern Vietnam's Muong people, and enjoy leisure time sampling fresh fruits and tea while watching a live painting demonstration. Next, immerse yourself in the rich cultural heritage of Vietnam's national dress, the Ao Dai, at the Ao Dai Museum. Here, you'll explore the history of this iconic garment, view stunning designs by famous designer Sy Hoang, and witness the meticulous process of creating an Ao Dai from scratch before returning to your ship.

Ho Chi Minh City, Saigon Serenity - A River Odyssey

Journey by comfortable speedboat for approximately 1 1/2 hours along the scenic Saigon River to the historic Cu Chi site. Along the way, enjoy the picturesque views and tropical fresh fruits served during your journey. Cu Chi is synonymous with the Vietnam War and stands as a testament to the resilience and determination of the Vietnamese people. The underground network of tunnels is a fascinating part of history. Construction on the tunnels began during the war against the French in the 1940s, and over the following 25 years, as the conflict with the U.S. escalated, the system was expanded into an underground city. It included meeting areas, storerooms, living quarters, and more. The tunnels were instrumental in allowing the Viet Cong to control a strategic area of South Vietnam, stretching over 200 kilometers from Saigon to the Cambodian border. Today, preserved as a memorial park, two sections of the network are open to the public. At Ben Dinh, you'll have the opportunity to explore parts of the tunnels firsthand. For those feeling more adventurous, you can venture deeper into the tunnels, with your guide providing insights and guidance on the difficulty level. There's also plenty to see above ground, so make sure to wear good footwear, sunscreen, and a hat. Note that if you choose to explore the tunnels, it can be a bit dusty! After your visit, return to Ho Chi Minh City by speedboat, with a delicious lunch at a rustic restaurant. Spend some time exploring the War Remnants Museum, which primarily focuses on the Vietnam War but also features exhibits from the French colonial period and the First Indochina War before heading back to the port. Please note: The Cu Chi Tunnels are not wheelchair accessible. Please wear comfortable walking shoes. Bring sunscreen and a hat. You may get dusty if you decide to go underground.