🪭 8 Nights Through Vietnam's Vibrant Southern Heart: Saigon & The Mekong Delta 🛶 (PRIVATE ROOMS)

🙋🏻‍♀️ Hi, I'm Jessica! I'm a creative writing coach, writer, and travel lover. I've taken great care in planning this trip to be fun, memorable, and a fantastic dive into Vietnamese culture & nature. (Check out my profile for more information about me and my other trips.) What's Included ✅ 🏠 Accommodations: - 🛌 2 nights at President Maison Signature by M Village, District 3, Ho Chi Minh City (Deluxe or Superior Room) - 🛌 2 nights at Phi Yen Eco Resort, Can Tho (Deluxe Double Room) - 🛌 3 nights at Thala Trà Vinh (Bungalow with Garden View) - 🛌 1 night at Amaya Saigon Boutique, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City (Private Room) 🥢 Meals: - 🍳 Daily breakfast at all accommodations - 🍛 Welcome dinner in Ho Chi Minh City - 🥟 Street Food dinner on tour in Ho Chi Minh City - 🍚 Traditional Mekong meal lunch in Trà Vinh - 🍲 Farewell dinner at a celebrated Ho Chi Minh City restaurant 🤸🏾 Experiences: - 🏍️ Ho Chi Minh Vespa Street Food Tour (3.5 hours, 10 dishes, with local guides) - 🚣🏻‍♀️ Lung Ngoc Hoang Nature Reserve guided boat tour (5 hours) - 🥥 Guided Cầu Kè Countryside & Dừa Sáp Bike Tour (cycling through orchards and Khmer villages, pagoda visit, coconut plantation tasting) - ☕️ Hands-on Discovery of Vietnamese Coffee & Culture experience at a celebrated local roastery 🚘 Transportation: - 🚕 Private group taxi from Saigon airport on arrival day - 🚘 Private taxi van from Ho Chi Minh City to Can Tho - 🚙 Private taxi from Can Tho to Trà Vinh - 🚖 Private taxi from Trà Vinh to Ho Chi Minh City - 🚗 Private group taxi to Saigon airport on departure day - 🚕 Transit to and from included activities Extras: - 🧖🏽‍♀️ Welcome self-care kit with surprise gift Not Included ❌ - International flights to and from Vietnam - Domestic flight from Hanoi (for those joining from the Northern & Central trip) - Visa or visa assistance - Travel insurance - Meals not mentioned - Optional activities - Personal expenses ‼️ Limited to 3 Travelers ‼️ This is an intentionally intimate experience. With only 3 spots available, you'll enjoy a personal journey with space to breathe. 🧳 This trip is perfect for: 🧳 - Travelers who loved Vietnam's north and want to discover the country's warm, slow-living south. - Curious travelers who want to go beyond the typical tourist trail. - Food lovers eager to experience one of the world's most exciting culinary regions. - Culture lovers fascinated by the Mekong's blend of Vietnamese and Khmer heritage. - Photography enthusiasts drawn to floating markets, hidden canals, and rural Vietnam. - Nature lovers who want to experience untouched wetland landscapes and birdlife. - Solo travelers looking for a safe, curated small-group experience. - LGBTQ+ travelers wanting an inclusive, welcoming small-group experience. - Travelers who appreciate authentic, slower-paced cultural immersion. - Anyone who wants the magic of Southern Vietnam without the stress of planning. ✨ Optional Add-On Activities ✨ Enhance your journey with these optional experiences: - 🍜 Grandma Noodles, Coffee & Exotic Fruits Breakfast Tour (Ho Chi Minh City) — €32 / $36 A 3-hour early morning tour with a passionate local guide through some of Saigon's most beloved family-run breakfast spots. Taste generations-old noodle recipes from "grandma chefs," sip rich Vietnamese coffee the way locals drink it, and try a colorful array of exotic tropical fruits along the way. The perfect way to dive into Vietnam's food culture on your first full day. - 🌅 Sunrise & Floating Market Private Boat Tour (Can Tho) — €62 / $70 A 7-hour private boat tour starting at 5am, designed to experience the Mekong as it wakes. Cruise to Cai Rang Floating Market with your local guide and discover the stories behind this vibrant trading scene. Enjoy a Vietnamese-style breakfast on the boat (vegetarian option available) with Vietnamese coffee, then walk through riverside fruit gardens and visit a traditional rice noodle workshop. Join a hands-on Bánh Khọt cooking session at a riverside home using clay stoves and local ingredients, then relax in a hammock with fresh fruits and green tea before a final visit to a floating house. Includes breakfast, snacks, tropical fruits, coffee/tea, English-speaking guide, entrance fees, and all transportation. - 🚴🏽‍♀️ Bicycle Through Villages Tour (Can Tho) — €33 / $37 A 3–4 hour cycling adventure through countryside villages no other tourists visit; led by young, knowledgeable local guides from Vietnam's top universities. Bike past riverside fruit gardens, rice paddies, and Mekong sunsets while your guides share insights into Vietnamese culture, history, philosophy, and daily life. A rare chance to experience how Mekong communities live, love, and find joy in simple things. Includes beverages, bottled water, and local guides. - 🚲 Trà Vinh Town Cultural Highlights Bike Tour — €31 / $35 A relaxed-pace, self-guided cycling experience through one of Trà Vinh's most beautiful cultural areas. A private taxi drops us at Ba Om Pond where we'll pick up rental bikes and cycle to the stunning Ăng Pagoda to take in its Khmer architecture, then continue to Hang Pagoda where we'll quietly observe monks at their daily work. After returning the bikes, we'll stroll to the town center for a delicious lunch at a local restaurant before a private taxi takes us back to the hotel. Includes lunch, bike rentals, and private taxi transfers. 🗓️ Please let me know as soon as possible which activities you'd like to add so I can book them while availability lasts. ✨ What to Expect ✨ - 4 accommodation changes across 8 nights; each one thoughtfully selected for quality, location, local ownership, and character. - A mix of scheduled activities and free time; optional experiences allow you to customize based on your energy levels. - A few early mornings for the best experiences (sunrise floating markets, cycling before the heat.) - Cycling, walking, and occasional physical activity; comfortable shoes recommended. - Rich rewards for your efforts: untouched landscapes, authentic local connections, and a side of Vietnam most travelers never see.

🏠 Where We'll Stay 🏠 Every property on this journey is locally owned and Vietnamese-run; chosen intentionally so your stay directly supports Vietnamese hospitality and communities, while also offering a far warmer, more personal welcome than any international chain. 💫 President Maison Signature by M Village — Ho Chi Minh City, District 3 (2 Nights) We begin in the leafy, café-rich neighborhood of District 3; the perfect introduction to Saigon. President Maison Signature by M Village is a refined boutique property with elegant, contemporary rooms, a beautifully curated breakfast spread, and the kind of attentive service that makes it easy to unwind after a long-haul flight. District 3 is just steps from some of Ho Chi Minh City's best coffee, food, and cultural spots, with easy access to District 1's major sights; without the constant hum of the central tourist zone. Your Room: The first two guests to book will be offered a Deluxe Room; the third guest will receive a Superior Room. Both feature beautifully appointed contemporary design, floor to ceiling windows, air conditioning, and breakfast included. 💫 Phi Yen Eco Resort — Can Tho (2 Nights) A beautiful eco-resort tucked away from the bustle, Phi Yen Eco Resort offers a serene Mekong setting with lush gardens, a peaceful pool, and warm Vietnamese hospitality. The on-site restaurant serves excellent breakfasts featuring fresh local ingredients, and the resort is well-positioned for both our Mekong adventures and exploring Can Tho's riverside culture. Your Room: Private Deluxe Double Room with air conditioning and breakfast included. 💫 Thala Trà Vinh — Trà Vinh (3 Nights) The gem of this journey. Thala Trà Vinh is a stunning bungalow retreat set within a peaceful, semi-rural Mekong setting; intentionally tucked away from the busier tourist towns. This is exactly what makes it so special. Surrounded by gardens, calm waters, and the quiet rhythm of rural Vietnamese life, Thala is the kind of place travelers dream about: beautifully designed bungalows with garden views, a gorgeous on-site restaurant celebrated for accommodating a wide range of dietary needs (including vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, and dairy-free), and the kind of stillness that's increasingly hard to find. It's a place to slow down, breathe, and feel Vietnam at its most peaceful. A note on the location: Thala is set away from the town center, so dining at restaurants in Trà Vinh requires a taxi. The on-site restaurant is excellent, and the seclusion is part of the magic. If you're looking for a busy nightlife scene, this stay isn't designed for that; but if you want a serene retreat in one of Vietnam's most authentic regions, this will be a highlight of your trip. Your Room: Private Bungalow with Garden View, air conditioning, and breakfast included. 💫 Amaya Saigon Boutique — Ho Chi Minh City, District 1 (1 Night) For our final night, we return to Ho Chi Minh City and check into Amaya Saigon Boutique in the heart of District 1; a stylish, locally owned boutique hotel known for its warm hospitality, beautifully designed rooms, and excellent breakfast. The central location means everything is within easy reach for any last-minute Saigon wandering before the trip comes to a close. Your Room: Queen Room with breakfast included. The bookings have been confirmed with the properties. Feel free to look up the hotels for more information about the accommodations. ** Important note: Vegetarian diets, common allergies, and religious restrictions can be accommodated for our included group meals. Please let me know when you book so I can do my best to ensure the food is safe for you. For optional and group activities involving food, I'll check into available options for you. ** 🪭 The Journey as a Whole What makes this itinerary special isn't just the individual destinations; it's how they flow together to tell the story of Vietnam. You'll begin in the energetic, food-obsessed capital. Glide through rice paddies and climb to mountaintop viewpoints. Board an overnight train through misty mountains. Explore imperial citadels and royal tombs. Drive over one of the world's most beautiful coastal passes. Settle into an ancient town glowing with lanterns. And discover a hidden island most travelers never set foot on. 🌅 Each destination naturally builds on the last, creating a journey that's diverse, immersive, and full of unforgettable moments. From vibrant cities and ancient towns to breathtaking landscapes and local experiences, every detail has been thoughtfully planned so you can simply relax and enjoy the adventure. 💌 Have questions? Feel free to save the trip and chat with me! 💌 Once you book, you'll receive a detailed itinerary, a recommended packing list, and practical information about the weather and what to expect.