Mar 4 Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon)

Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) is often referred to as Vietnam’s jewel and the Pearl of the Orient. Located in south Vietnam, Ho Chi Minh City is the country’s largest city, with more than six million people and over one million motorbikes. Under the current regime the city is once more being rebuilt. Whole blocks are disappearing, being replaced by concrete, steel and glass structures. Central Saigon, which is still the official name for the city center, shows evidence of the French colonial city, with wide, tree-lined boulevards, sidewalk cafés and elegant French architecture. The city is divided into two sections: Saigon, the municipal and historical district, and Cholon (Chinatown), where the entrepreneurial talent and private funds are concentrated. Cholon appears to be the most populated and in general the most vigorous part of Ho Chi Minh City. It is well worth a visit for its bustle and activity and its pagodas, which are reputed to be the finest in the whole city.

Destination Guide

Excursions

Cu Chi Tunnels & Sai Gon Highlights Tour – 10 hours - Saigon — Optional Private Excursions
Highlights:

Visit Cu Chi Tunnels
Visit Reunification Palace
Stop at the Notre Dame Cathedral, Centre Post Office
Visit Jade Emperor Pagoda
Shopping at the Central Ben Thanh Market

Tour Duration: 10 hours

Tour can operate: Morning

Wheelchair Accessible: No

Physical Activity Level: Moderate

Inclusions:

Pick up/ Drop off at Phu My Port
Tours and transfers as specified including entry fees, on a private basis in modern air-conditioned vehicles.
Service of English Speaking Local Guides.
Ports permit arranged
Meals (food only) as stated in the above itinerary
One 0.5 litre of bottled water and cold towel in vehicle during sightseeing
Vietnam Government tax and services charge

Not Included:

All international and domestic air tickets
Accommodation
Vietnamese visa arrival
Other meals than those specified
Travel insurance
Tips for tour guides, drivers, waiters at included meals, local assistants

Highlights of Ho Chi Minh City Tour – 10 hours - Saigon — Optional Private Excursions
Highlights:

Visit Reunification Palace
Photo stop at the Notre Dame Cathedral, Centre Post Office
Visit History Museum & Jade Emperor Pagoda
Visit China Town & Cao Dai Temple en-route
Shopping at the Central Ben Thanh Market

Tour Duration: 10 hours

Tour can operate: Morning

Wheelchair Accessible: Yes

Physical Activity Level: Moderate

Inclusions:

Pick up/ Drop off at Phu My Port
Tours and transfers as specified including entry fees, on a private basis in modern air-conditioned vehicles.
Service of English-speaking local guides
Ports permit arranged
Meals (food only) as stated in the above itinerary
One 0.5 litre bottled water and cold towel in the vehicle during sightseeing
Vietnam Government tax and services charge

Not Included:

All international and domestic air tickets
Accommodation
Vietnamese visa on arrival
Other meals than those specified.
Travel Insurance.
Tips for tour guides, drivers, waiters at included meals, local assistants, etc.

Mekong Delta Tour – 10 hours - Saigon — Optional Private Excursions
Highlights:

Get on a motorized sampan to experience the life of local people, visit local brickwork, local fruit farms, family workshops Photo stop at the Notre Dame Cathedral, Centre Post Office
Take rowing-boat along water palm creek and cruise back to the Pier
If time permits, have a quick visit of Sai Gon or shopping at Ben Thanh Market

Tour Duration: 10 hours

Tour can operate: Morning

Wheelchair Accessible: No

Physical Activity Level: Moderate

Inclusions:

Pick up/ Drop off at Phu My Port
Tours and transfers as specified including entry fees, on a private basis in modern air-conditioned vehicles.
Service of English-speaking local guides
Private boat cruise on Mekong River
Ports permit arranged
Meals (food only) as stated in the above itinerary
One 0.5 litre of bottled water and cold towel in the vehicle during sightseeing
Vietnam Government tax and services charge

Not Included:

All international and domestic air tickets
Accommodation
Vietnamese visa on arrival
Other meals than those specified.
Travel insurance
Tips for tour guides, drivers, waiters at included meals, local assistants, etc.

Saigon Port — Optional Private Excursions

SAIGON PORT

Destination: Saigon
Tour Duration: Within 4 hours or 8 hours

Tour Description:
Meet with guide at the ship docking and transfer to town. Car and guide is at disposal.

Note: There is an extra charge for transfer from other ports.

Inclusions:
• Private transfers and transportation on tour
• Sightseeing with local English-speaking guide
• Entrance fees
• Cold towels and water on sightseeing days

Non-inclusions:
• Vietnam visa
• Drinks/ waters on meals
• Other meals where not mentioned in the program
• Personal expenses
• Travel insurance
• Tips and Gratuities
• Other services not listed in inclusive column

Saigon City Highlights — Optional Private Excursions

SAIGON CITY HIGHLIGHTS

Destination: Saigon
Tour Duration: 8-9 hours
Code: MDSGNSE002

Tour Description:
On arrival to Saigon (Nha Rong Port or Hiep Phuoc Port), drive to the city centre for a tour of some of Saigon’s historic landmarks reflecting its French and Chinese influences. Visit the Notre Dame Cathedral, a red brick edifice with twin spires constructed from materials imported from France (entrance is only permitted when no services are being performed). Then head across the square to the Central Post Office, completed in 1891. Appreciate the restored exteriors of the Saigon Opera House and the elegant City Hall (the former Hotel de Ville), two of Saigon’s most stunning colonial monuments. If time permits, we will visit the iconic Ben Thanh Market, one of the earliest surviving structures in Saigon and popular wholesale market for local handicrafts, textiles, souvenirs and street food. After lunch, we drive to Saigon’s Chinatown to visit the beautiful Thien Hau Pagoda, built by the Cantonese community in the early 19th century to honour the Goddess of the Sea. Take time to make a wish, write it on a small card and attach it to one of the incense coils according to local custom. Continue your visit to FITO, the first museum of traditional medicine in Vietnam, offering insight into the history and application of traditional medicine in everyday life before taking the scenic route through the city back to the ship.

Notes:

Availability: Morning, Afternoon.
There is an extra charge for transfer from other ports beside Nha Rong or Hiep Phuoc port.
Due to the anticipated completion of the renovation project for Saigon Notre-Dame Cathedral in 2027, we are limited to exploring its exterior for the time being.

Inclusions:

Private transfer
Port pick-up and drop-off
Sightseeing with Local English Speaking guide
Entrance fees
Meals as specified (meals only, no drinks/ waters)
Cold towels and water on sightseeing days

Exclusions:

Visa (Please contact your cruise for the visa details)
Other meals where not mention in the program
Drinks/ waters on meals
Personal expenses
Travel insurance
Tips and Gratuities
Other services not listed

Saigon - Cooking Class at Ambassador's Former Residence — Optional Private Excursions

COOKING CLASS AT AMBASSADOR'S FORMER RESIDENCE

Destination: Saigon
Tour Duration: 5-6 hours
Code: MDSGNSE015

Tour Description:
On arrival to Saigon (Nha Rong port or Hiep Phuoc port), disembark the ship and meet your guide. Then drive to the residence of The American Ambassador to South Vietnam in the 1960s, Mr. Henry Cabot Lodge, carried a mission of overthrowing the southern government at that time. When Lodge arrived in Saigon, an old villa in District 3 was converted into the Ambassador’s residence. Mr. Lodge lived in this home between 1960 - 1965 and the architecture is a mix of Vietnamese, French and American. Today it remains a private residence owned by Trails of Indochina and it has been fully restored to its former glory. The Vietnamese cooking class commences with a visit to Ben Thanh market to buy all the fresh ingredients before continuing to this historic home for a private hands-on cooking demonstration. The guide will provide an orientation tour of the house while the chef prepares the ingredients. Learn typical Southern style dishes such as Fresh Spring Roll, Pan Cake, and Fish in clay pot. The chef will show you how to serve each dish before the meal, and you will need to master the chopsticks before you can savor your own culinary creations in the old-world ambiance of the villa. Then drive back to the port to embark the ship.

Notes:

Inclusions: Lunch with the foods prepared during the cooking class.
There is an extra charge for transfer from other ports beside Nha Rong or Hiep Phuoc port.
Age restrictions: Children from 12 years old onward are allowed by joining the cooking station with their parents.

Inclusions:

Private transfer
Port pick-up and drop-off
Sightseeing with Local English Speaking guide
Entrance fees
Meals as specified (meals only, no drinks/ waters)
Cold towels and water on sightseeing days

Exclusions:

Visa (Please contact your cruise for the visa details)
Other meals where not mention in the program
Drinks/ waters on meals
Personal expenses
Travel insurance
Tips and Gratuities
Other services not listed

Saigon - Retracing The Past — Optional Private Excursions

RETRACING THE PAST

Destination: Cu Chi Tunnels
Tour Duration: 5-6 hours
Code: MDSGNSE009

Tour Description:
On arrival to Saigon (Nha Rong port or Hiep Phuoc port), disembark the ship and meet your guide. Commence with a visit of the shrine outside of the US Consulate then continue to the former CIA building (outside visit only), where helicopters evacuated the remaining US citizens in 1975. Head to the rooftop café of the Rex hotel, a familiar landmark for Americans during the Vietnam War. Sit down for a drink, enjoy the view and this piece of history which your guide will help to explain. Then visit the Reunification Palace for a guided tour of the former headquarters of the South Vietnamese Government and residence of the presidents. Drive to the former residence of the US Ambassador of South Vietnam in the early 1960s, Mr. Henry C. Lodge, who conducted a mission to overthrow the South Vietnamese Government. Watch a 10 minutes documentary film about Saigon during that time while enjoying a cold drink. Then drive to a secret weapon chamber which VC used as a place to hide and store weapons during Vietnam War. Then weave through tiny back alleys and meet and chat with the locals who are living in tiny houses. Head to a historic venue for a late lunch of “pho” (noodle soup). The house number 07 on Ly Chinh Thang Street (former Yen Do street) is now known as Pho Binh restaurant which used to be the headquarters of Viet Cong Commanders where they gathered to plan for the 1968 Tet Offensive. Take a walk upstairs to learn more about the history through the family’s photo collection. Then drive back to the port to embark the ship.

Notes:

Inclusion: Simple pho at Pho Binh is included
There is an extra charge for transfer from other ports beside Nha Rong or Hiep Phuoc port.

Inclusions:

Private transfer
Port pick-up and drop-off
Sightseeing with Local English Speaking guide
Entrance fees
Meals as specified (meals only, no drinks/ waters)
Cold towels and water on sightseeing days

Exclusions:

Visa (Please contact your cruise for the visa details)
Other meals where not mention in the program
Drinks/ waters on meals
Personal expenses
Travel insurance
Tips and Gratuities
Other services not listed

Saigon City Tour on Vintage Car — Optional Private Excursions

SAIGON CITY TOUR ON VINTAGE CAR

Destination: Saigon
Tour Duration: 4 hours
Code: MDSGNSE011

Tour Description:
On arrival to Saigon (Nha Rong port), disembark the ship and meet your guide. Saigon is the country’s commercial center and, with over eight million inhabitants and four million motorbikes, a city that never sleeps. Despite the well-documented hustle and bustle, Saigon retains its connections with the past. Driven in a charming vintage car to visit the city’s highlights is one of the most wonderful & lavish way. Sit back and enjoy a city tour to admire Saigon’s historic landmarks including the Notre Dame Cathedral, a red brick edifice with twin spires based on the original construction from Paris (Outside visit only due the renovation at Notre Dame Cathedral until 2027). Then head across the square to the Central Post Office, designed by the French architect, Gustave Eiffel. Continue your visit with the former Presidential Palace, the headquarters of the Saigon Government during the American war, revealing the history of Saigon during its turbulent recent past. Further, head to the War Remnants Museum for a vivid insight of the American war through the local’s eyes (Please note that some of the photos are very graphic). Then drive back to the port to embark the ship.

Notes:

Inclusion: No meal included
This excursion is only available for any guests arriving to Saigon via Nha Rong port.
Due to the anticipated completion of the renovation project for Saigon Notre-Dame Cathedral in 2027, we are limited to exploring its exterior for the time being.

Inclusions:

Private transfer
Port pick-up and drop-off
Sightseeing with Local English Speaking guide
Entrance fees
Meals as specified (meals only, no drinks/ waters)
Cold towels and water on sightseeing days

Exclusions:

Visa (Please contact your cruise for the visa details)
Other meals where not mention in the program
Drinks/ waters on meals
Personal expenses
Travel insurance
Tips and Gratuities
Other services not listed

Saigon - City Highlights & Musician Family Visit — Optional Private Excursions

CITY HIGHLIGHTS & MUSICIAN FAMILY VISIT

Destination: Saigon
Tour Duration: 4-5 hours
Code: MDSGNSE014

Tour Description:
On arrival to Saigon (Nha Rong port or Hiep Phuoc port), disembark the ship and meet your guide. Drive 20 minutes to the city center to admire Saigon’s historic landmarks. Despite the well-documented hustle and bustle, Saigon retains its connections with the past. Visit Notre Dame Cathedral, a red brick edifice with twin spires based on the original construction from Paris. Then head across the square to the Central Post Office, designed by the French architect, Gustav Eiffel, before he had risen to fame for the Eiffel Tower. Appreciate the splendidly restored exteriors of the Opera House and the former Hotel de Ville which are still two of the finest buildings in Saigon. Pay a short visit to Ben Thanh market (if time permits) which is one of the earliest surviving structures in Saigon and popular for local handicrafts, textiles, souvenirs, as well as local cuisine. Then visit a local family of musicians. Learn about traditional musical instruments through conversations with the artists and listen to the performances from each family member (3-generations). You then have the chance to try the instruments yourself - a memorable if somewhat noisy experience! Then drive back to the port to embark the ship.

Notes:

Inclusion: No meal included
There is an extra charge for transfer from other ports beside Nha Rong or Hiep Phuoc port.
Due to the anticipated completion of the renovation project for Saigon Notre-Dame Cathedral in 2027, we are limited to exploring its exterior for the time being.

Inclusions:

Private transfer
Port pick-up and drop-off
Sightseeing with Local English Speaking guide
Entrance fees
Meals as specified (meals only, no drinks/ waters)
Cold towels and water on sightseeing days

Exclusions:

Visa (Please contact your cruise for the visa details)
Other meals where not mention in the program
Drinks/ waters on meals
Personal expenses
Travel insurance
Tips and Gratuities
Other services not listed

Saigon - In The Dark: A Blind Experience — Optional Private Excursions

IN THE DARK - A BLIND EXPERIENCE

Destination: Saigon
Tour Duration: 4-5 hours
Code: MDSGNSE016

Tour Description:
On arrival to Saigon (Nha Rong port or Hiep Phuoc port), disembark the ship and meet your guide. Then drive to Bung Sang, a small private home and school for over a hundred blind orphans in Saigon. The school was founded by a blind musician - Mr. Dao Khanh Truong. With the love and care for unlucky children, he spent most of his life teaching the children and gathering support from the benefactors. After he passed away few years ago, Bung Sang was given to the Lovers of the Holy Cross Sisters to take care of. This afternoon, visit the school, talk with the manager for a thorough understanding of their lives here, meet the children and listen to them singing, playing music. Afterwards transfer to Noir restaurant for a special culinary journey - dining in the dark. The concept is to imitate the experience of having meals like a blind person, which is a unique mind-altering experience. Leave behind the sight and let your other senses lead your mind to feel the taste of food. Then drive back to the port to embark the ship.

Notes:

Pick up time: 16:30
Inclusions: Set menu at Noir restaurant.
Capacity: Maximum 10 pax due to the limited space of Bung Sang Home.
Age restrictions: Children from 10 years old onward are allowed to enjoy the dining experience. For younger children, this experience may be a little frightening and informing in advance is highly recommended.
There is an extra charge for transfer from other ports beside Nha Rong or Hiep Phuoc port.
Dress code: Smart casual is highly recommended. Shorts and slippers are fine, however no tank tops and no glowing shoes, clothing or accessories.

Inclusions:

Private transfer
Port pick-up and drop-off
Sightseeing with Local English Speaking guide
Entrance fees
Meals as specified (meals only, no drinks/ waters)
Cold towels and water on sightseeing days

Exclusions:

Visa (Please contact your cruise for the visa details)
Other meals where not mention in the program
Drinks/ waters on meals
Personal expenses
Travel insurance
Tips and Gratuities
Other services not listed

Saigon - City Highlights & Lunch at Ambassador's Home — Optional Private Excursions

CITY HIGHLIGHTS & LUNCH AT AMBASSADOR'S HOME

Destination: Saigon
Tour Duration: 5-6 hours
Code: MDSGNSE019

Tour Description:
On arrival to Saigon (Nha Rong port or Hiep Phuoc port), disembark the ship and meet your guide. Drive 20 minutes to the city center to admire Saigon’s historic landmarks. Despite the well-documented hustle and bustle, Saigon retains its connections with the past. Visit Notre Dame Cathedral, a red brick edifice with twin spires based on the original construction from Paris (It is only possible to visit inside when no service is being performed). Then head across the square to the Central Post Office, designed by the French architect, Gustav Eiffel, before he had risen to fame for the Eiffel Tower. Appreciate the splendidly restored exteriors of the Opera House and the former Hotel de Ville which are still two of the finest buildings in Saigon. Pay a short visit to Ben Thanh market (if time permits) which is one of the earliest surviving structures in Saigon and popular for local handicrafts, textiles, souvenirs, as well as local cuisine. Then drive to the residence of The American Ambassador to South Vietnam in the 1960s, Mr. Henry Cabot Lodge, carried a mission of overthrowing the southern government at that time. When Lodge arrived in Saigon, an old villa in District 3 was converted into the Ambassador’s residence. Mr. Lodge lived in this home between 1960 - 1965 and the architecture is a mix of Vietnamese, French and American. Today it remains a private residence owned by Trails of Indochina and it has been fully restored to its former glory. Meet with the present host for an introduction of the house before enjoying a home-hosted lunch in the historic setting. Then drive back to the port to embark the ship.

Notes:

Pick up time: TBA. In the morning and is subject to cruise docking time.
Inclusions: home hosted lunch
There is an extra charge for transfer from other ports beside Nha Rong or Hiep Phuoc port.

Inclusions:

Private transfer
Port pick-up and drop-off
Sightseeing with Local English Speaking guide
Entrance fees
Meals as specified (meals only, no drinks/ waters)
Cold towels and water on sightseeing days

Exclusions:

Visa (Please contact your cruise for the visa details)
Other meals where not mention in the program
Drinks/ waters on meals
Personal expenses
Travel insurance
Tips and Gratuities
Other services not listed

Mar 5 Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon)

Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) is often referred to as Vietnam’s jewel and the Pearl of the Orient. Located in south Vietnam, Ho Chi Minh City is the country’s largest city, with more than six million people and over one million motorbikes. Under the current regime the city is once more being rebuilt. Whole blocks are disappearing, being replaced by concrete, steel and glass structures. Central Saigon, which is still the official name for the city center, shows evidence of the French colonial city, with wide, tree-lined boulevards, sidewalk cafés and elegant French architecture. The city is divided into two sections: Saigon, the municipal and historical district, and Cholon (Chinatown), where the entrepreneurial talent and private funds are concentrated. Cholon appears to be the most populated and in general the most vigorous part of Ho Chi Minh City. It is well worth a visit for its bustle and activity and its pagodas, which are reputed to be the finest in the whole city.

Destination Guide

Excursions

Cu Chi Tunnels & Sai Gon Highlights Tour – 10 hours - Saigon — Optional Private Excursions
Highlights:

Visit Cu Chi Tunnels
Visit Reunification Palace
Stop at the Notre Dame Cathedral, Centre Post Office
Visit Jade Emperor Pagoda
Shopping at the Central Ben Thanh Market

Tour Duration: 10 hours

Tour can operate: Morning

Wheelchair Accessible: No

Physical Activity Level: Moderate

Inclusions:

Pick up/ Drop off at Phu My Port
Tours and transfers as specified including entry fees, on a private basis in modern air-conditioned vehicles.
Service of English Speaking Local Guides.
Ports permit arranged
Meals (food only) as stated in the above itinerary
One 0.5 litre of bottled water and cold towel in vehicle during sightseeing
Vietnam Government tax and services charge

Not Included:

All international and domestic air tickets
Accommodation
Vietnamese visa arrival
Other meals than those specified
Travel insurance
Tips for tour guides, drivers, waiters at included meals, local assistants

Highlights of Ho Chi Minh City Tour – 10 hours - Saigon — Optional Private Excursions
Highlights:

Visit Reunification Palace
Photo stop at the Notre Dame Cathedral, Centre Post Office
Visit History Museum & Jade Emperor Pagoda
Visit China Town & Cao Dai Temple en-route
Shopping at the Central Ben Thanh Market

Tour Duration: 10 hours

Tour can operate: Morning

Wheelchair Accessible: Yes

Physical Activity Level: Moderate

Inclusions:

Pick up/ Drop off at Phu My Port
Tours and transfers as specified including entry fees, on a private basis in modern air-conditioned vehicles.
Service of English-speaking local guides
Ports permit arranged
Meals (food only) as stated in the above itinerary
One 0.5 litre bottled water and cold towel in the vehicle during sightseeing
Vietnam Government tax and services charge

Not Included:

All international and domestic air tickets
Accommodation
Vietnamese visa on arrival
Other meals than those specified.
Travel Insurance.
Tips for tour guides, drivers, waiters at included meals, local assistants, etc.

Mekong Delta Tour – 10 hours - Saigon — Optional Private Excursions
Highlights:

Get on a motorized sampan to experience the life of local people, visit local brickwork, local fruit farms, family workshops Photo stop at the Notre Dame Cathedral, Centre Post Office
Take rowing-boat along water palm creek and cruise back to the Pier
If time permits, have a quick visit of Sai Gon or shopping at Ben Thanh Market

Tour Duration: 10 hours

Tour can operate: Morning

Wheelchair Accessible: No

Physical Activity Level: Moderate

Inclusions:

Pick up/ Drop off at Phu My Port
Tours and transfers as specified including entry fees, on a private basis in modern air-conditioned vehicles.
Service of English-speaking local guides
Private boat cruise on Mekong River
Ports permit arranged
Meals (food only) as stated in the above itinerary
One 0.5 litre of bottled water and cold towel in the vehicle during sightseeing
Vietnam Government tax and services charge

Not Included:

All international and domestic air tickets
Accommodation
Vietnamese visa on arrival
Other meals than those specified.
Travel insurance
Tips for tour guides, drivers, waiters at included meals, local assistants, etc.

Saigon Port — Optional Private Excursions

SAIGON PORT

Destination: Saigon
Tour Duration: Within 4 hours or 8 hours

Tour Description:
Meet with guide at the ship docking and transfer to town. Car and guide is at disposal.

Note: There is an extra charge for transfer from other ports.

Inclusions:
• Private transfers and transportation on tour
• Sightseeing with local English-speaking guide
• Entrance fees
• Cold towels and water on sightseeing days

Non-inclusions:
• Vietnam visa
• Drinks/ waters on meals
• Other meals where not mentioned in the program
• Personal expenses
• Travel insurance
• Tips and Gratuities
• Other services not listed in inclusive column

Saigon City Highlights — Optional Private Excursions

SAIGON CITY HIGHLIGHTS

Destination: Saigon
Tour Duration: 8-9 hours
Code: MDSGNSE002

Tour Description:
On arrival to Saigon (Nha Rong Port or Hiep Phuoc Port), drive to the city centre for a tour of some of Saigon’s historic landmarks reflecting its French and Chinese influences. Visit the Notre Dame Cathedral, a red brick edifice with twin spires constructed from materials imported from France (entrance is only permitted when no services are being performed). Then head across the square to the Central Post Office, completed in 1891. Appreciate the restored exteriors of the Saigon Opera House and the elegant City Hall (the former Hotel de Ville), two of Saigon’s most stunning colonial monuments. If time permits, we will visit the iconic Ben Thanh Market, one of the earliest surviving structures in Saigon and popular wholesale market for local handicrafts, textiles, souvenirs and street food. After lunch, we drive to Saigon’s Chinatown to visit the beautiful Thien Hau Pagoda, built by the Cantonese community in the early 19th century to honour the Goddess of the Sea. Take time to make a wish, write it on a small card and attach it to one of the incense coils according to local custom. Continue your visit to FITO, the first museum of traditional medicine in Vietnam, offering insight into the history and application of traditional medicine in everyday life before taking the scenic route through the city back to the ship.

Notes:

Availability: Morning, Afternoon.
There is an extra charge for transfer from other ports beside Nha Rong or Hiep Phuoc port.
Due to the anticipated completion of the renovation project for Saigon Notre-Dame Cathedral in 2027, we are limited to exploring its exterior for the time being.

Inclusions:

Private transfer
Port pick-up and drop-off
Sightseeing with Local English Speaking guide
Entrance fees
Meals as specified (meals only, no drinks/ waters)
Cold towels and water on sightseeing days

Exclusions:

Visa (Please contact your cruise for the visa details)
Other meals where not mention in the program
Drinks/ waters on meals
Personal expenses
Travel insurance
Tips and Gratuities
Other services not listed

Saigon - Cooking Class at Ambassador's Former Residence — Optional Private Excursions

COOKING CLASS AT AMBASSADOR'S FORMER RESIDENCE

Destination: Saigon
Tour Duration: 5-6 hours
Code: MDSGNSE015

Tour Description:
On arrival to Saigon (Nha Rong port or Hiep Phuoc port), disembark the ship and meet your guide. Then drive to the residence of The American Ambassador to South Vietnam in the 1960s, Mr. Henry Cabot Lodge, carried a mission of overthrowing the southern government at that time. When Lodge arrived in Saigon, an old villa in District 3 was converted into the Ambassador’s residence. Mr. Lodge lived in this home between 1960 - 1965 and the architecture is a mix of Vietnamese, French and American. Today it remains a private residence owned by Trails of Indochina and it has been fully restored to its former glory. The Vietnamese cooking class commences with a visit to Ben Thanh market to buy all the fresh ingredients before continuing to this historic home for a private hands-on cooking demonstration. The guide will provide an orientation tour of the house while the chef prepares the ingredients. Learn typical Southern style dishes such as Fresh Spring Roll, Pan Cake, and Fish in clay pot. The chef will show you how to serve each dish before the meal, and you will need to master the chopsticks before you can savor your own culinary creations in the old-world ambiance of the villa. Then drive back to the port to embark the ship.

Notes:

Inclusions: Lunch with the foods prepared during the cooking class.
There is an extra charge for transfer from other ports beside Nha Rong or Hiep Phuoc port.
Age restrictions: Children from 12 years old onward are allowed by joining the cooking station with their parents.

Inclusions:

Private transfer
Port pick-up and drop-off
Sightseeing with Local English Speaking guide
Entrance fees
Meals as specified (meals only, no drinks/ waters)
Cold towels and water on sightseeing days

Exclusions:

Visa (Please contact your cruise for the visa details)
Other meals where not mention in the program
Drinks/ waters on meals
Personal expenses
Travel insurance
Tips and Gratuities
Other services not listed

Saigon - Retracing The Past — Optional Private Excursions

RETRACING THE PAST

Destination: Cu Chi Tunnels
Tour Duration: 5-6 hours
Code: MDSGNSE009

Tour Description:
On arrival to Saigon (Nha Rong port or Hiep Phuoc port), disembark the ship and meet your guide. Commence with a visit of the shrine outside of the US Consulate then continue to the former CIA building (outside visit only), where helicopters evacuated the remaining US citizens in 1975. Head to the rooftop café of the Rex hotel, a familiar landmark for Americans during the Vietnam War. Sit down for a drink, enjoy the view and this piece of history which your guide will help to explain. Then visit the Reunification Palace for a guided tour of the former headquarters of the South Vietnamese Government and residence of the presidents. Drive to the former residence of the US Ambassador of South Vietnam in the early 1960s, Mr. Henry C. Lodge, who conducted a mission to overthrow the South Vietnamese Government. Watch a 10 minutes documentary film about Saigon during that time while enjoying a cold drink. Then drive to a secret weapon chamber which VC used as a place to hide and store weapons during Vietnam War. Then weave through tiny back alleys and meet and chat with the locals who are living in tiny houses. Head to a historic venue for a late lunch of “pho” (noodle soup). The house number 07 on Ly Chinh Thang Street (former Yen Do street) is now known as Pho Binh restaurant which used to be the headquarters of Viet Cong Commanders where they gathered to plan for the 1968 Tet Offensive. Take a walk upstairs to learn more about the history through the family’s photo collection. Then drive back to the port to embark the ship.

Notes:

Inclusion: Simple pho at Pho Binh is included
There is an extra charge for transfer from other ports beside Nha Rong or Hiep Phuoc port.

Inclusions:

Private transfer
Port pick-up and drop-off
Sightseeing with Local English Speaking guide
Entrance fees
Meals as specified (meals only, no drinks/ waters)
Cold towels and water on sightseeing days

Exclusions:

Visa (Please contact your cruise for the visa details)
Other meals where not mention in the program
Drinks/ waters on meals
Personal expenses
Travel insurance
Tips and Gratuities
Other services not listed

Saigon City Tour on Vintage Car — Optional Private Excursions

SAIGON CITY TOUR ON VINTAGE CAR

Destination: Saigon
Tour Duration: 4 hours
Code: MDSGNSE011

Tour Description:
On arrival to Saigon (Nha Rong port), disembark the ship and meet your guide. Saigon is the country’s commercial center and, with over eight million inhabitants and four million motorbikes, a city that never sleeps. Despite the well-documented hustle and bustle, Saigon retains its connections with the past. Driven in a charming vintage car to visit the city’s highlights is one of the most wonderful & lavish way. Sit back and enjoy a city tour to admire Saigon’s historic landmarks including the Notre Dame Cathedral, a red brick edifice with twin spires based on the original construction from Paris (Outside visit only due the renovation at Notre Dame Cathedral until 2027). Then head across the square to the Central Post Office, designed by the French architect, Gustave Eiffel. Continue your visit with the former Presidential Palace, the headquarters of the Saigon Government during the American war, revealing the history of Saigon during its turbulent recent past. Further, head to the War Remnants Museum for a vivid insight of the American war through the local’s eyes (Please note that some of the photos are very graphic). Then drive back to the port to embark the ship.

Notes:

Inclusion: No meal included
This excursion is only available for any guests arriving to Saigon via Nha Rong port.
Due to the anticipated completion of the renovation project for Saigon Notre-Dame Cathedral in 2027, we are limited to exploring its exterior for the time being.

Inclusions:

Private transfer
Port pick-up and drop-off
Sightseeing with Local English Speaking guide
Entrance fees
Meals as specified (meals only, no drinks/ waters)
Cold towels and water on sightseeing days

Exclusions:

Visa (Please contact your cruise for the visa details)
Other meals where not mention in the program
Drinks/ waters on meals
Personal expenses
Travel insurance
Tips and Gratuities
Other services not listed

Saigon - City Highlights & Musician Family Visit — Optional Private Excursions

CITY HIGHLIGHTS & MUSICIAN FAMILY VISIT

Destination: Saigon
Tour Duration: 4-5 hours
Code: MDSGNSE014

Tour Description:
On arrival to Saigon (Nha Rong port or Hiep Phuoc port), disembark the ship and meet your guide. Drive 20 minutes to the city center to admire Saigon’s historic landmarks. Despite the well-documented hustle and bustle, Saigon retains its connections with the past. Visit Notre Dame Cathedral, a red brick edifice with twin spires based on the original construction from Paris. Then head across the square to the Central Post Office, designed by the French architect, Gustav Eiffel, before he had risen to fame for the Eiffel Tower. Appreciate the splendidly restored exteriors of the Opera House and the former Hotel de Ville which are still two of the finest buildings in Saigon. Pay a short visit to Ben Thanh market (if time permits) which is one of the earliest surviving structures in Saigon and popular for local handicrafts, textiles, souvenirs, as well as local cuisine. Then visit a local family of musicians. Learn about traditional musical instruments through conversations with the artists and listen to the performances from each family member (3-generations). You then have the chance to try the instruments yourself - a memorable if somewhat noisy experience! Then drive back to the port to embark the ship.

Notes:

Inclusion: No meal included
There is an extra charge for transfer from other ports beside Nha Rong or Hiep Phuoc port.
Due to the anticipated completion of the renovation project for Saigon Notre-Dame Cathedral in 2027, we are limited to exploring its exterior for the time being.

Inclusions:

Private transfer
Port pick-up and drop-off
Sightseeing with Local English Speaking guide
Entrance fees
Meals as specified (meals only, no drinks/ waters)
Cold towels and water on sightseeing days

Exclusions:

Visa (Please contact your cruise for the visa details)
Other meals where not mention in the program
Drinks/ waters on meals
Personal expenses
Travel insurance
Tips and Gratuities
Other services not listed

Saigon - In The Dark: A Blind Experience — Optional Private Excursions

IN THE DARK - A BLIND EXPERIENCE

Destination: Saigon
Tour Duration: 4-5 hours
Code: MDSGNSE016

Tour Description:
On arrival to Saigon (Nha Rong port or Hiep Phuoc port), disembark the ship and meet your guide. Then drive to Bung Sang, a small private home and school for over a hundred blind orphans in Saigon. The school was founded by a blind musician - Mr. Dao Khanh Truong. With the love and care for unlucky children, he spent most of his life teaching the children and gathering support from the benefactors. After he passed away few years ago, Bung Sang was given to the Lovers of the Holy Cross Sisters to take care of. This afternoon, visit the school, talk with the manager for a thorough understanding of their lives here, meet the children and listen to them singing, playing music. Afterwards transfer to Noir restaurant for a special culinary journey - dining in the dark. The concept is to imitate the experience of having meals like a blind person, which is a unique mind-altering experience. Leave behind the sight and let your other senses lead your mind to feel the taste of food. Then drive back to the port to embark the ship.

Notes:

Pick up time: 16:30
Inclusions: Set menu at Noir restaurant.
Capacity: Maximum 10 pax due to the limited space of Bung Sang Home.
Age restrictions: Children from 10 years old onward are allowed to enjoy the dining experience. For younger children, this experience may be a little frightening and informing in advance is highly recommended.
There is an extra charge for transfer from other ports beside Nha Rong or Hiep Phuoc port.
Dress code: Smart casual is highly recommended. Shorts and slippers are fine, however no tank tops and no glowing shoes, clothing or accessories.

Inclusions:

Private transfer
Port pick-up and drop-off
Sightseeing with Local English Speaking guide
Entrance fees
Meals as specified (meals only, no drinks/ waters)
Cold towels and water on sightseeing days

Exclusions:

Visa (Please contact your cruise for the visa details)
Other meals where not mention in the program
Drinks/ waters on meals
Personal expenses
Travel insurance
Tips and Gratuities
Other services not listed

Saigon - City Highlights & Lunch at Ambassador's Home — Optional Private Excursions

CITY HIGHLIGHTS & LUNCH AT AMBASSADOR'S HOME

Destination: Saigon
Tour Duration: 5-6 hours
Code: MDSGNSE019

Tour Description:
On arrival to Saigon (Nha Rong port or Hiep Phuoc port), disembark the ship and meet your guide. Drive 20 minutes to the city center to admire Saigon’s historic landmarks. Despite the well-documented hustle and bustle, Saigon retains its connections with the past. Visit Notre Dame Cathedral, a red brick edifice with twin spires based on the original construction from Paris (It is only possible to visit inside when no service is being performed). Then head across the square to the Central Post Office, designed by the French architect, Gustav Eiffel, before he had risen to fame for the Eiffel Tower. Appreciate the splendidly restored exteriors of the Opera House and the former Hotel de Ville which are still two of the finest buildings in Saigon. Pay a short visit to Ben Thanh market (if time permits) which is one of the earliest surviving structures in Saigon and popular for local handicrafts, textiles, souvenirs, as well as local cuisine. Then drive to the residence of The American Ambassador to South Vietnam in the 1960s, Mr. Henry Cabot Lodge, carried a mission of overthrowing the southern government at that time. When Lodge arrived in Saigon, an old villa in District 3 was converted into the Ambassador’s residence. Mr. Lodge lived in this home between 1960 - 1965 and the architecture is a mix of Vietnamese, French and American. Today it remains a private residence owned by Trails of Indochina and it has been fully restored to its former glory. Meet with the present host for an introduction of the house before enjoying a home-hosted lunch in the historic setting. Then drive back to the port to embark the ship.

Notes:

Pick up time: TBA. In the morning and is subject to cruise docking time.
Inclusions: home hosted lunch
There is an extra charge for transfer from other ports beside Nha Rong or Hiep Phuoc port.

Inclusions:

Private transfer
Port pick-up and drop-off
Sightseeing with Local English Speaking guide
Entrance fees
Meals as specified (meals only, no drinks/ waters)
Cold towels and water on sightseeing days

Exclusions:

Visa (Please contact your cruise for the visa details)
Other meals where not mention in the program
Drinks/ waters on meals
Personal expenses
Travel insurance
Tips and Gratuities
Other services not listed

Mar 6 My Tho

My Tho is the capital of the Tien Giang province of Vietnam. It was founded in the 1680s by Chinese refugees fleeing Taiwan after the fall of the Southern Ming dynasty. It's a town easily explored by foot and provides for a taste of Vietnamese river life.

Mar 7 Cai Be

Cai Be is the gateway to the city of Vinh Long in the Mekong Delta region of Vietnam. In Cai Be visitors are encouraged to set off by motor boat to visit the floating market and watch locals trading food and and goods on board their vessels. This region is rich in agriculture and travellers can visit orchards, fruit plantations, and flower gardens. There are also a number of French colonial buildings, Gothic churches and other fascinating architecture to explore.

Mar 7 Sa Dec

Sa Dec is a city in Dong Thap Province in the Mekong Delta of southern Vietnam. It is a river port and agricultural and industrial trading center. During the Vietnam War, it was the site of an American Swift Boat base.
Before the nineteenth century, it was the capital of Dong Khau Dao, and it was known as one of the largest cities in the Mekong Delta.

Destination Guide

Mar 8 Tan Chau

Tân Châu borders Tân Biên District to the west, Hòa Thành District to the southwest, Duong Minh Châu District to the south, and Bình Long to the east. The Saigon River runs along the eastern boundary of the district, and is also the division between Tay Ninh and the provinces of Binh Duong and Binh Phuoc to the east. Several waterfalls and springs, the Ngô, Dây among others, are in the district and flow into the Saigon River.

Mar 8 Chau Doc

Chau Doc is located along the Mekong Delta in Vietnam. The main market in the center of town and the floating markets along the river are worth exploring. The other main attraction of the city is hiking up Sam Mountain where visitors will find traditional Vietnamese Pagoda's and temples.

Mar 9 Phnom Penh

Phnom Penh is the capital of Cambodia and situated at the confluence of three rivers, the Mekong, Tonle Sap and Bassac. Considered the gateway to this exotic country, everything of interest can be found within its reach – the temples of Angkor, the beaches to the south and the ethnic minorities and jungles of the north. Being the hub of the country, the city is filled cultural and historic attractions, such as national museums, monuments and the Silver Pagoda. The Silver Pagoda is probably the city’s most visited pagoda because of its vast display of historical objects. There are also over 5000 silver tiles which cover the floor. Over the past few years, the city has experienced an influx of tourists.

Destination Guide

Excursions

Phnom Penh Sightseeing Tour – 9 hours - Phnom Penh — Optional Private Excursions
Highlights:

Royal Palace/Silver Pagoda
National Museum
Central Market (Traditional Market)
Khmer set menu lunch at a local restaurant
Toul Sleng Genocide Museum (S 21)
Chheong Ek (Killing Field)

Tour Duration: 9hours

Tour can operate: Morning

Wheelchair Accessible: No

Physical Activity Level: Light

Inclusions:

Cold towel service onboard
Bottle of water onboard
Local English speaking guide
All sightseeing with entrance fees as per your program
Meals: Khmer set menu lunch at local restaurant

(One first drink is included either one soft drink OR one bottle of water OR one local beer)

Not Included:

Beverages or meals not mentioned
Personal expenses
Travel insurance
Gratuities to your guide and driver

Mar 10 Mekong River

The Mekong River in southeastern Asia is the longest river in the region, running from its source in China, near the Tibetan border to the South China Sea, nearly 2,610 miles. It acts as a border between Myanmar and Laos and between Laos and Thailand. It also flows across Cambodia and southern Vietnam before empting into the sea. The river is generally navigable in Laos on. The basin of the river serves as an important agricultural area and irrigates the many rice paddies throughout its course. Over 60 million people depend on the river and its tributaries for food, water and transportation. Known as the Mother of Waters, it supports one of the world’s most diverse fisheries, second only to the Amazon River.

Mar 10 Kampong Chhnang

Many people believe Kampong Chhnang is the most beautiful of Cambodian provinces. Kampong Chhnang's main industries are fishing and rice growing, but it is most known for its pottery. In Khmer, chhnang means pot. With a lobster fishing industry thriving in the area, be sure to visit one of the local restaurants to sample some! Kampong Chhnang has a fabulously quaint French Quarter, complete with shady boulevards and large gardens that compliment the crumbling but still stately colonial structures. Even during the colonial times, this city was an important stopping point between Phnom Penh and Siem Reap.

Mar 11 Kampong Tralach-Oudong

Kampong Tralach-Oudong is in central Cambodia, where the the Tonle Sap river runs through from the north to the south. Many travelers enjoy a ride in ox-carts or trying local cuisine in the colorful market of Kampong Tralach.

Mar 11 Koh Dach Island

Mar 11 Wat Hanchey

Mar 12 Angkor Ban

Located along the Mekong River, and part of the Sampov Loun District in north-western Cambodia. Activities while visiting this rural hamlet include, a walking tour of the area, visiting traditional Khmer homes, and visiting with monks at the local Buddhist monastery. The nearby town of Chong Koh is also worth visiting as it is know for silk and cotton weaving offering intricately crafted scarves.

Mar 12 Kampong Cham

Kampong Cham is a port city on the banks of the Mekong River north of Phnom Penh. The city is most known for Phnom Proh and Phnom Srei, which are temples situated on two hills just outside of town. The views from both temples are lovely, and Phnom Proh is home to a band of very cheeky monkeys who entertain visitors for food. Wat Nokor is an 11th century temple that stands within the city limits. It is truly a beautiful place and many people take the time to wander around the peaceful and tranquil atmosphere.

Destination Guide

Mar 13 Steung Trang

Mar 13 Siem Reap

The small provincial capital of Siem Reap stretches along the Siem Reap river – surrounded by rice paddies and serving as the gateway to centuries-old temple ruins of the Khmer Empire. Designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, Angkor Archaeological Park contains numerous temple ruins including Bayon, Banteay Srey and legendary Angkor Wat. Those visiting the site stay in Siem Reap. Experience some local flavor, attend a dance performance, or shop in some local craft shops. Angkor Wat’s artistic and archaeological significance rivals the Pyramids in Egypt, Machu Picchu in Peru and the Taj Mahal in India. Unspoiled by over-development, many areas of the area are possible to explore away from crowds. Its three-tiered massive pyramid is crowned by five beehive-like towers on the ground. It is the centerpiece of any visit to temples in Angkor. This amazing structure is thought to be dedicated to the Hindu god, Vishnu.

Destination Guide

Mar 13 Angkor Wat

Located in Northwestern Cambodia, Angkor, the Capital of the Ancient Khmer Empire was possibly founded around the Ninth Century AD by King Jayavarman II. However, the city reached its peak glory in the 12th Century under Kings Suryavarman II and Jayavarman VII. The most beautiful and most famous monument in the city, Angkor Wat, lies about one kilometer south of the Royal town of Angkor Thom which was founded by Jayavarman VII.

Mar 14 Angkor Wat

Located in Northwestern Cambodia, Angkor, the Capital of the Ancient Khmer Empire was possibly founded around the Ninth Century AD by King Jayavarman II. However, the city reached its peak glory in the 12th Century under Kings Suryavarman II and Jayavarman VII. The most beautiful and most famous monument in the city, Angkor Wat, lies about one kilometer south of the Royal town of Angkor Thom which was founded by Jayavarman VII.

Mar 14 Siem Reap

The small provincial capital of Siem Reap stretches along the Siem Reap river – surrounded by rice paddies and serving as the gateway to centuries-old temple ruins of the Khmer Empire. Designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, Angkor Archaeological Park contains numerous temple ruins including Bayon, Banteay Srey and legendary Angkor Wat. Those visiting the site stay in Siem Reap. Experience some local flavor, attend a dance performance, or shop in some local craft shops. Angkor Wat’s artistic and archaeological significance rivals the Pyramids in Egypt, Machu Picchu in Peru and the Taj Mahal in India. Unspoiled by over-development, many areas of the area are possible to explore away from crowds. Its three-tiered massive pyramid is crowned by five beehive-like towers on the ground. It is the centerpiece of any visit to temples in Angkor. This amazing structure is thought to be dedicated to the Hindu god, Vishnu.

Destination Guide

Mar 15 Angkor Thom

Explore Angkor Thom's intricate Buddhist ruins, remains of what is considered the last great city of the Khmer Empire. Known for its great Bayon Temple (1190 CE), Angkor Thom holds many wonders to discover, admire and explore as you gaze in awe at the architectural structures elaborately carved from stone.

Mar 15 Siem Reap

The small provincial capital of Siem Reap stretches along the Siem Reap river – surrounded by rice paddies and serving as the gateway to centuries-old temple ruins of the Khmer Empire. Designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, Angkor Archaeological Park contains numerous temple ruins including Bayon, Banteay Srey and legendary Angkor Wat. Those visiting the site stay in Siem Reap. Experience some local flavor, attend a dance performance, or shop in some local craft shops. Angkor Wat’s artistic and archaeological significance rivals the Pyramids in Egypt, Machu Picchu in Peru and the Taj Mahal in India. Unspoiled by over-development, many areas of the area are possible to explore away from crowds. Its three-tiered massive pyramid is crowned by five beehive-like towers on the ground. It is the centerpiece of any visit to temples in Angkor. This amazing structure is thought to be dedicated to the Hindu god, Vishnu.

Destination Guide

Mar 16 Siem Reap

The small provincial capital of Siem Reap stretches along the Siem Reap river – surrounded by rice paddies and serving as the gateway to centuries-old temple ruins of the Khmer Empire. Designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, Angkor Archaeological Park contains numerous temple ruins including Bayon, Banteay Srey and legendary Angkor Wat. Those visiting the site stay in Siem Reap. Experience some local flavor, attend a dance performance, or shop in some local craft shops. Angkor Wat’s artistic and archaeological significance rivals the Pyramids in Egypt, Machu Picchu in Peru and the Taj Mahal in India. Unspoiled by over-development, many areas of the area are possible to explore away from crowds. Its three-tiered massive pyramid is crowned by five beehive-like towers on the ground. It is the centerpiece of any visit to temples in Angkor. This amazing structure is thought to be dedicated to the Hindu god, Vishnu.

Destination Guide

12-night Sailing Vietnam and Cambodia's Mekong River Aboard The Jahan Northbound Cruise/Land Package

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Available Add-Ons

Itinerary

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Excursions

Excursions

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12-night Sailing Vietnam and Cambodia's Mekong River Aboard The Jahan Northbound Cruise/Land Package

What's Included

Available Add-Ons

Itinerary

Excursions

Excursions

Excursions

Cabin Categories

Category 1

Category 2

Category 3

Suite

Request Info

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