Villa Song Saigon

Vietnam Express

Family Express + 1 more + 2 more

A short, but perfectly formed introduction to Vietnam.

11 days

from £2,825 pp

Go Local in Vietnam

Go Local Off-the-beaten-track + 2 more + 3 more

The real Vietnam, one authentic experience at a time.

12 days

from £3,365 pp

Vietnam with Teenagers

Family Beach + 1 more + 2 more

A two-week adventure designed with families in mind.

14 days

from £3,450 pp

Vietnam Winter Warmer

Wildlife & Nature Beach + 2 more + 3 more

Swap the drizzle for sunshine on this 12-day Vietnam winter break.

11 days

from £2,950 pp

Foodie Vietnam

Classic Adventure + 2 more + 3 more

Taste your way from Hanoi to Saigon.

12 days

from £3,175 pp

Classic Winter Vietnam

Family Classic + 3 more + 3 more

A winter break to Vietnam with a sun-soaked finale.

14 days

from £3,675 pp

Quirky excursions

View all excursions in Vietnam

Saigon City Tour (Full Day)

We start in Cholon, the city's Chinatown district, visiting busy markets and tightly-packed shops. Its an area best to explore in the early mornings. Also in Cholon is the Cantonese Thien Hau Pagoda - dedicated to the goddess of the sea. Next you head to the FITO Museum, Vietnam's first traditional medicine museum displaying an amazing collection of 3,000 items relevant to the development of traditional Vietnamese medicine, including indigenous herbs. It's then back into District 1, to visit Ben Thanh Market where an over-whelming display of fresh produce, household goods and tourist trinkets are on display. Plenty if time is put aside to simply stroll through the market, with your guide providing a commentary and helping you haggle when required. Options for a fresh local lunch are abundant in the streets surrounding the market - your guide will have many suggestions and recommendations. In the afternoon visit the War Remnants Museum and the History Museum (closed on Mondays) and the former Presidential Palace - now re-named the Reunification Palace. From here stroll (although your vehicle will be available at all times) to the principal sights of colonial Saigon: the Old Saigon Post Office, Dong Khoi Street (formerly Rue Catinat), The Continental Hotel, Opera House and City Hall. This is your day. The guide will adapt and manoeuvre the itinerary to match your interests and follow the pace you choose to set.

Saigon City Tour by Vespa

Touring the city whilst riding pillion on a classic Vespa will give you a perspective of Saigon unlike anything you'll see from a tour bus. You will visit much more of the city than you could possibly see on your own. The drivers/guides we use are longtime residents of Saigon and know exactly how to blend the 'must-see' sights whilst also managing to get you off the standard tourist trail. This half-day tour takes a unique look at familiar and not-so-familiar landmarks in modern-day Saigon. On morning tours, get up early to head to Tao Dan Park to catch the 'bird lovers club' and enjoy a local coffee while your guide explains about the history and practice of keeping birds in Saigon. The next stop is the monument of Thich Quang Duc, a Vietnamese Mahayana Buddhist monk who burned himself to death on June 11, 1963 to protest against the persecution of Buddhists by South Vietnam's Ngo Dinh Diem administration. Then take a quick stop at the colourful Ho Thi Ky flower market, before riding to a funeral home to learn about Vietnamese funeral ceremonies & customs. Roll on through Cholon (China town) to Nhi Phu temple, where the roof is covered with tubular tiles lined with bas-relief mosaics made from broken ceramics, depicting the eight immortals of Taoism including apricot trees, orchids, bamboo and of course dragons and phoenix. Continue with a short walk through the alley full of tailor's supplies. Leaving China town, you drive through the tunnel to District Two, where you see downtown Saigon from a different perspective. Visit a local market before heading back to District One for a twin set of neighbouring landmarks: the Post Office followed by Cathedral of Notre Dame. Moving then to the remarkable Reunification Palace a stop at the historic Opera House allows for an opportunity to talk to your guide about the modern history of the city. The final stop is an outside view of the Saigon City People's Committee (formerly Hôtel de Ville) which is one of the most photographed buildings in Vietnam - notable for its gardens, ornate facade and elegant interior lit with crystal chandeliers. Guests ride pillion behind experienced drivers and helmets are provided. The tour usually takes around 4 hours and can be organised either in the morning or afternoon.

Ben Tre & The Mekong Delta

Ben Tre Province, only an hour and a half's drive from downtown Saigon is home to some of the Mekong Delta's most picture-postcard-perfect scenery. For those constricted by time, there really is no need to venture further to get a flavour of the region. Discover the maze of waterways by local boat, admiring fertile green terrain and glimpsing scenes of local daily life in one of the more beautiful parts of Vietnam. During a private day tour, you can visit small family-run cottage industries such as coconut candy making and learn tricks of the trade from the locals working during the day. From here you can also visit a tropical orchard, with plenty of opportunities to taste some of the exotic fruits. Alighting from the boat, you can choose to cycle the riverside promenade and narrow lanes, or hop on a Lambro motor-tricycle - an iconic vehicle and the means of transportation in southern Vietnam during the 1960s. A delicious lunch of Mekong Delta specialities will be served during your visit to the region, the perfect chance to chat to your guide and learn more about the local history and culture in a beautiful setting.

Cat Tien National Park

North-east of Saigon and south-east of Dalat is Nam Cat Tien (Cat Tien National Park) - a very diverse region encompassing rolling hills, flat plains, dense forest and meandering rivers. In 1978, the south and north Cat Tien parks were put under the State's protection and then in 1992, Cat Loc park was also listed in a joint program to protect the environment. Eventually, in 1998, these three parks joined together to become the Cat Tien National park, under the management of the ministry of agriculture and rural development. It is now the most important reserve in Vietnam, home to a wealth of flora, as well as much of the country's endangered wildlife. Amongst the species that live in the 70,000-hectare park are the Asian elephants, yellow-cheeked gibbons and sun bears. You begin by visiting the park's Endangered Primate Centre, where you'll be able to see two of the rarest species in the world - the Delacour and Cat Ba langurs. Whilst in the National Park you will be accompanied by one of the Park Rangers – all of whom are knowledgeably experienced, having been trained to a very high standard. Your programme can be tailored to suit your preferences, however typically you will spend your day hiking and spotting wildlife, including the wealth of birdlife. Nam Cat Tien is a three and a half hour drive from both Saigon and Dalat. Consequently, it is far better operated as an overnight excursion from either.

A night at the Opera House

After a day of touring, enjoy an evening of cultural indulgence with a show at the Municipal Theatre of Ho Chi Minh City, also known as the Saigon Opera House. Built in 1898 by the French architect Ferret Eugene, and restored in 1998, the Opera House is now certified as a ‘National Relic’. After the lights dim, the stage comes alive for the hour-long AO Show. Performed by enthusiastic local dancers and artists, the show displays Vietnamese heritage and culture through contemporary choreography and traditional music. Be amazed by the stunning blend of acrobatic acts and contemporary dance. Following this vibrant spectacle, step out into the streets and join your guide for a stroll back to the hotel. Enjoy the ambiance of Ho Chi Minh City at night, seeing street vendors selling fresh snacks, motorbikes carrying young couples and locals out for their evening exercise.