Hours Before Start
Welcome to Saigon – now officially known as Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam’s vibrant commercial hub. With over nine million inhabitants and five million motorbikes, this bustling city never sleeps.
Upon arrival, you will be met by your driver and tour guide for a transfer to your hotel.
Overnight in Saigon.
Saigon is renowned for its southern-style cuisine, often characterized by bold flavors and spiciness.
Begin the day with a market tour, accompanied by your chef and tour guide. Explore the colorful and lively Ben Thanh Market, where your chef will help you select fresh ingredients for your cooking class. Feel free to ask questions as you browse the stalls!
Return to the kitchen around 10:00 AM for a hands-on cooking session. Under the guidance of your chef, you will learn to prepare a traditional three-course Vietnamese meal. Each participant will have their own ingredients and utensils, ensuring a fully immersive experience in a warm, interactive setting.
In the afternoon, enjoy a half-day city tour, visiting some of Saigon’s most iconic landmarks, including:
Overnight in Saigon.
Depart Saigon for Ben Tre, the gateway to the Mekong Delta.
Upon arrival, board a boat and cruise along the Ben Tre River, observing daily life on the water. Visit traditional workshops where locals produce bricks, salt, coconut candy, and woven mats.
Next, hop on a motorized cart (xe lôi) to travel through scenic rice fields, fruit orchards, and vegetable farms.
Enjoy lunch at a local home, savoring authentic Mekong specialties.
In the afternoon, take a peaceful rowing boat ride along the palm-lined water canals, before continuing on to Vinh Long.
Check in at your local homestay – a unique opportunity to experience rural life and southern hospitality. Join your host family in preparing dinner and gain deeper insight into traditional southern Vietnamese cooking.
Overnight at the homestay.
Start your day by helping your host prepare a traditional Vietnamese breakfast.
Afterwards, take a rowing sampan through the tranquil waterways of An Binh Island, stopping at Mr. Cai Cuong’s former landlord house to enjoy fresh tropical fruits.
Visit local workshops producing puffed rice and rice paper – a staple of Vietnamese cuisine.
Continue by boat to the lively Cai Be Floating Market, where hundreds of boats trade goods in a colorful, vibrant scene typical of the Mekong Delta.
Return to Saigon in the afternoon. Check into your hotel and enjoy some free time at leisure.
Overnight in Saigon.
Enjoy your free time until your scheduled transfer to the airport for your onward flight.
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