Trip to Vietnam: Rivers and Islands

Begin your journey in the buzzing metropolis of Ho Chi Minh City. Your personal guide and driver will bring you to your hotel, the Park Hyatt Saigon, a sleek and sophisticated property that puts some of the city’s top cultural and historical sites at your fingertips. The country’s past and future collide here, where heritage temples and French colonial architecture jostle for space with towering skyscrapers, and vibrant markets and street art are sprinkled among historic sites.  

Spend a day diving deep into Ho Chi Minh street culture with an expert guide. Go beyond the typical tourist trail and wind down narrow streets and back alleys to reach fascinating spots such as French colonial and war-era apartment buildings, a vibrant market, and a quiet Buddhist temple. You’ll gain insights into daily life here from the locals who call the city home.

Today starts with a scenic hourlong cruise on a privately chartered speedboat bound for the legendary Cu Chi Tunnels. Once stretching more than 150 miles, these tunnels served as supply routes, hiding places, field hospitals, and living quarters for the Viet Cong during the Vietnam War. Explore the vast underground network with your guide before enjoying a riverside lunch and returning to Saigon. Come evening, you’ll embark on a street food tour through colorful Tan Dinh Market to taste local favorites.

After a four-hour drive to the Mekong Delta, you’ll arrive in Can Tho and settle into your three-bedroom villa at Legacy Mekong before setting out on a walking tour to explore the city. Visit the historic Can Tho Prison where you’ll hear powerful stories of struggle and resilience, then explore a Khmer temple and sit down with a monk for a blessing. Sample De Tham Street’s street food, then end your day with a refreshing drink at a cozy café overlooking the wharf.

Embark on an early morning boat tour to explore the most famous of the Mekong Delta’s floating markets, Cai Rang. Savor breakfast on board as you glide through the canals and watch local life play out. After breakfast, set out on a guided e-bike tour through some of the delta’s most vibrant areas. See the lively Phone Dien market, passing lush tropical gardens along the way. Explore a Khmer Theravada temple, then continue on to Thoi Lai town (famous for its unusual free-range rat market).

Begin your day by visiting a village home to the Mekong Delta’s Cham ethnic minority, learning more about local life in this region and observing their traditional weaving handicraft. Then catch a direct flight to the Vietnam Coast and arrive at sun-drenched Con Dao Island, settling in at the luxurious Six Senses Con Dao, where spacious pool villas hugged by forested hills look out over the South China Sea. Enjoy a unique, multi-course dining experience on your rooftop this evening, ending with dessert under starry skies. 

Spend a day at leisure enjoying the serene beauty of Con Dao. Six Senses Con Dao partners with Con Dao National Park on green sea turtle conservation, and the resort’s pristine beach has been carefully maintained as a safe nesting ground, while a secure incubation center protects the eggs from threats such as poaching. Depending on the season you visit, you can participate in an ethical baby turtle release or watch a sea turtle laying her eggs on the sandy shores.  

Set out on an island-hopping adventure around the Con Dao archipelago on a private speedboat. Snorkel around vibrant coral reefs teeming with marine life, linger on a sugary soft beach for a picnic, and swim in hidden bays. You can also visit Hon Bay Canh Island and learn about its green sea turtle conservation projects.  

Enjoy a slow, free last day under the sun on Con Dao, enjoying delicious food or indulging in a massage to decompress.

You’ll be transferred to the airport for your flight back to Ho Chi Minh City (enjoying fast-track services to ensure a smooth experience before your international flight home) or for the next leg of your Southeast Asia travel adventure.