Ho Chi Minh City
Founded as a small fishing village, Ho Chi Minh City is now Vietnam’s largest city. Though still commonly called Saigon, locals are as likely to simplify the name of their hometown to HCMC. No matter what you call it, it is a seamless blend of history and modern youthful energy, where pagodas and French colonial grandeur mingle with bustling old-world marketplaces and modern skyscrapers, all against a constant buzz of motor scooters and trill of bicycle bells. From enduring, narrow alleyways to wide, Parisian-style boulevards, Ho Chi Minh City has an identity all its own.
10.5 hour tour of Mekong Delta “Vietnam’s Rice Bowl”
Immerse yourself in the rich agriculture and remarkable beauty of the Mekong Delta.
This vast and fertile network of crisscrossing waterways leads to the South China Sea. Drive with your guide through the countryside to the small town of Cái Bè, home to a bustling floating market and a French colonial-era Romanesque cathedral. Here, enjoy lunch before embarking on a boat for a fascinating glimpse of life along the Mekong River. Farmers and fishermen have earned a living here for generations, often living right on the water’s edge in rustic homes. Visit with these delta residents and learn how they make traditional treats, including dried longans, rice pancakes and puffed rice candies. Sample these local favorites before continuing through the narrow waterways lined with lush green orchards and canals. Then, you will return to the mainland and your ship.