Steer clear of the often overcrowded hotspots of Vietnam with this 7-day off-the-beaten-path tour of Vietnam. Cruise across staggering landscapes that feature emerald forests, immerse yourself in the authentic culture, and partake in exciting and often overshadowed experiences. From the intricacies of Vietnam’s coveted cuisine to the heritage that shrouds iconic ornate pagodas, there is much to experience on this off-the-beaten-path adventure.
Customizable Itinerary
Day 1
Ho Chi Minh City – Farm-to-Table Dinner
Ho Chi Minh City is a dynamic destination that is home to a distinctive culture and a fascinating blend of Southeast Asian customs. Upon your arrival, a chauffeur will be waiting for you at the airport to transfer you to your 5-star accommodation. You will have a few moments to unwind in your room before having a few hours to spend at your leisure. There are secret spots and unique activities that will entertain you thoroughly without having to navigate the over-crowded and common locations. For dinner, you will transfer to an agricultural village and delight in a farm-to-table dinner.
What's Included:
Day 2
Vung Tau – Crescent Bay Beachfront
Day 3
Vung Tau – Thuong Dai Chua Kito Vua
Day 4
Can Tho – The Banks of the Mekong Delta
Day 5
Can Tho – Immersive Cruise to Floating Sites
Day 6
Con Dao Islands – The Heritage of Con Dao
Day 7
Con Dao Islands – Departure
Trip Highlights
- Discover a taste of Vietnamese culture and witness a traditional Puppet Show in Ho Chi Minh City
- Experience a gourmet farm-to-table Vietnamese dinner accompanied by a sunset over farmland pastures
- Lounge on the sun-kissed shores of Vung Tau and delight in enthralling water sports
- Fine dine at seaside restaurants of Vung Tau and submerge yourselves in the sumptuous flavors of Vietnam’s finest seafood dishes
- Traverse the rolling green hills of Vung Tau’s Little Mountain and witness the staggering sights of Thuong Dai Chua Kito Vua
- Cruise the chocolate-colored Mekong Delta from Can Tho on a traditional wooden sampan boat to charming floating markets
- Luxuriate on the breathtaking beaches of the Con Dao Islands and bask in the sunshine
- Visit iconic landmarks that share insight into the Con Dao Islands dramatic past and sacred spiritual traditions
Detailed Description
Southern Vietnam presents some of the country’s finest seaside spectacles and boasts a rich culture that is evidently presented at a number of enthralling destinations. You will begin your expedition in Ho Chi Minh City. You will only spend a brief night here before venturing off-the-beaten-path to the country’s immaculate coastal towns and islands. During your stop in Ho Chi Minh City, you will have the afternoon and evening to embrace the exuberant atmosphere that emanates throughout Vietnam. Here, you can indulge in a flamboyant Puppet Show for a colorful depiction of local cultural or peruse back alleys to follow the fragrances of hideaway eateries. Before you settle in for the night, you can distance yourself from the crowds to an agricultural restaurant for a farm-to-table meal paired with regional wines.
The following morning will mark your escape from the hustle of Vietnam’s energetic cityscapes. Today, you will transfer to the breathtaking beachfront of Vung Tau. Spoiled with a suite in a 5-star resort, you will feel at ease in the isolated regality of Vung Tau. You will have the day to bask in the beachfront, whether you wish to stroll along the shaded boulevards or paddle across the glassy waters on kayaks. Afterward, you will immerse yourself in the succulent flavors of Vung Tau’s seafood dishes. The next day, you will have a cultural and history tour of the fabled landmarks across the landscape. Your tour will conclude with Shakyamuni Buddha, which is a massive white image of Buddha.
Your private chauffeur will meet you in the lobby the following day and transfer you to the riverside city of Can Tho. Upon your arrival, you can bask in the dreamy scenes and tuneful melodies of the surrounding wildlife with a peaceful cruise along the Mekong. Afterward, you can invigorate your bodies with an authentic Vietnamese massage at a premier spa center. The next day, you will transfer to the banks of the river, where you will board a boat head for the floating villages, cacao plantations, and iconic heritage sites. Lastly, you will discover Can Tho’s hallowed spiritual architecture before tucking into exquisite Vietnamese cuisine.
Your final destination will be a short plane flight away from Can Tho. This is one of the most off-the-beaten-path island destinations beyond the coastline of Southern Vietnam. You will arrive on the Con Dao Islands and transfer to your luxurious accommodation. Your last two days in Vietnam will spotlight the tropical splendor that the country has to offer. You will also find comfortable areas to enjoy the shade of towering palm trees. During your time here, you can savor Vietnamese delicacies at venerated restaurants, snorkel marine life, and visit iconic heritage sites.
Starting Price
$2,100 per person (excluding international flights)
Your Zicasso trip is fully customizable, and this sample itinerary is a starting place for your travel plans. Actual costs are dynamic, and your selection of accommodations and activities, your season of travel, and other such variables will bring this budget guideline up or down. Throughout your planning experience with your Zicasso specialist, your itinerary is designed around your budget. You can book your trip when you are satisfied with every detail. Planning your trip with a Zicasso travel specialist is a free service.
What's Included
The starting price is based on travel during the low season for a minimum of two travelers staying in shared 3-star accommodations. Please inquire for a custom trip quote based on your travel preferences and travel dates.
Reviews of Zicasso's Referral Service
4.85 stars based on 610 reviews.
We had an amazing, nearly three-week trip throughout Southeast Asia. Zicasso's tour operators did an incredible job planning all of the details of the trip. In general, I am not easily impressed and I tend to be pretty upfront with my criticism. In this case, I was truly impressed. I really don't have any criticism about the whole experience.
This was a very complicated trip, with eight cities/locations and six internal flights. We had great communication in the months and weeks leading up to the trip. They were receptive to all of our requests and they gave very good advice when we had questions.
All of the guides were great. The hotels were amazing and all of the details of the activities, transfers, and internal flights were well thought out and well coordinated. I was so impressed by their attention to detail. They were also willing to be flexible and able to make changes, even during the trip. I was able to reach them throughout the trip by WhatsApp and they responded quickly every time. I would recommend them wholeheartedly.
Reviewed By Jeffrey W.
We traveled to Vietnam and Cambodia from May 8 to 22, 2025. This was my fifth trip through Zicasso. As expected, the itinerary was excellent and exactly what we were looking for. I did double my budget from what I initially sent to Zicasso.
All of the lodging selections were outstanding. Along with the tours of the Ho Chi Minh complex, Hue Imperial City, the Angkor Wat complex, and numerous other temples and pagodas, we experienced a cable car ride to a mountain summit, a walk through an ethnic village, a water puppet show, a Cambodian circus, a Vietnamese cooking class, an evening lantern boat ride in Hoi An, and dinner in one of the top 50 restaurants in Asia. The water puppets are an ancient Vietnamese art (11th century) and the show was extraordinary.
Reviewed By Marcia H.
Zicasso's travel specialist arranged a wonderful trip and was extremely responsive to our interest in all art forms, culture, cuisine, and the American war in Vietnam. She was very receptive to revisions, even during the trip.
Reviewed By Marlene H.
Zicasso’s travel agency worked patiently with us over several months to organize a perfect four-country tour through Indochina, doing exactly what we asked, including a Khmer cooking class with a local chef.
We were met on arrival in each county by an experienced English-speaking guide who was well-versed in the history, geography, and culture of each location, and they were just delightful people too. They took us to rural villages and through urban mazes to get a close look at the daily life of the citizens. We chatted with farmers in the field and had meals in local homes. Our agency booked amazing hotels for each stop, from an eco-lodge in the mountains of Vietnam to a spectacular seaside resort in Thailand.
We had contact names and numbers for agency representatives in each country. They were incredibly responsive, even after hours, when we had a small medical issue. They gave us a completely seamless experience from arrival to departure, with no wasted time. Vacation time is very precious, so we prefer to work with professionals who know the area intimately and take the time to understand our objectives rather than pushing a canned itinerary.
Reviewed By David H.
We used Zicasso for the third time and, once again, were not disappointed. We went to Thailand and Vietnam. Our agent helped design our trip and was absolutely wonderful. From hotel to excursion options, he helped us to tailor the trip to exactly what we wanted. He was always available and kept checking on us throughout our trip.
As far as the actual trip, everything was amazing. Our tour guides were such wonderful people who were not only immensely kind, but also so knowledgeable, filling us in on so much of the history of Thailand. We were met at every destination with private transfers that made the trip so effortless. For any minor hiccups (of which there were next to none), all we had to do was contact our agent and his team took care of it immediately. With their assistance, we were able to focus on enjoying our vacation without any stress at all.
In Vietnam, we were met by a guide in Hanoi, yet another wonderful tour guide who made sure our every need was met and who also provided us a local’s perspective on Vietnam’s history and culture. In Hoi An, our guide was very nice and provided amazing recommendations for places to eat. Our expeditions were all wonderful experiences and our only regret was not being able to stay longer.
Zicasso has only given us wonderful experiences on the trips we have planned using their services. We are clearly repeat customers and will continue to be so. We can’t wait for our next trip with Zicasso!
Reviewed By Karem B.
Overall, Zicasso’s travel agent was excellent. The agent was very receptive to our requests, planned our trip very well based on our input, and every arrangement was seamless, without any hiccups.
Singapore is quite humid and can get hot, more than Texas. With walking everywhere, it can be uncomfortable, so perhaps plan to visit in the cooler months, based on local agents’ feedback.
Vietnam was a surprise in all dimensions. It had very good infrastructure. The travel agents took fantastic care of us and the trips to Ninh Bình, which included a bamboo boat tour, and Hạ Long Bay, with a private boat tour, were noteworthy and must-dos.
Bali was a magical and mystical land, with extremely polite and hospitable people and an extraordinary guide who was calm and facilitated our tour so well. The early-morning Mount Batur hike, though moderately strenuous, was worth it, as the sunrise was spectacular, and the trip to the Jagasari area was peaceful and so insightful. I highly recommend staying longer than the four days we stayed and perhaps changing the location to the coast and north side, as traveling within the island from one spot to another takes a long time. The highlight was the kechak dance performance. It gave us goosebumps.
The arrangements were wonderful, with great accommodations and transportation.
Thanks to our travel agent.
Reviewed By suma M.
