Optional tours in Ho Chi Minh city

Ho Chi Minh city (formally Saigon) is the largest and most exciting city in Vietnam where it is possible to get your Vietnam visa on arrival and convenient to start your Vietnam holiday to visit the highlights of south before heading to the north.

Tourists have limited time can spend a full day city tour to visit the Independence palace, war remnants museum, Ben Thanh Market, Thien Hau pagoda then cyclo or walking street food tour. But, if you have ore time, there are some interesting optional tours as below:

1. Cao Dai temple and Cu Chi tunnels - Full day: This is a very popular tour from Ho Chi Minh city to visit a unique religion in Vietnam - Dao Cao Dai (Caodaism) before discovering Cu Chi tunnels to learn more about the Vietnam war. Remember to crawl through a short tunnel, try some War's food and shoot AK47.

2. My Tho and Ben Tre - full day: A tour to have a glance of Mekong delta in Vietnam. There is no floating market on this trip, but it is interesting to take the boat through narrow canals, visit local family, cycle around the villages or try some honey tea, coconut candy.

3. Cai Be floating market - full day: 135km from Ho Chi Minh city, Cai Be floating market is a famous destination for tourists to see how is life on water and have a deeper discovery to Mekong river. The market opens early in the morning and the local people come to trade by boat. If you go on this tour, start as early as possible.

4. Cai Rang floating market - 2 days: You will need more time to visit Can Tho - the heart of Mekong delta region. Cai Rang floating market in Can Tho is the biggest and most exciting one. When in Can Tho, you can stay at a nice hotel or choose homestay to have a unique experience.

5. Explore Mekong in depth: A Mekong river cruise may take 2-4 days, but give you great opportunity to explore Mekong. The tour can start in Cai Be and end in Can Tho. If you wish, take the flight to Phu Quoc island for a few day relaxing at a nice beach resort.

6. Mui Ne beach: 5 hour drive from Ho Chi Minh city, Mui Ne is a perfect destination for family vacation with kids, honeymoon or beach getaway. There are many nice beach resorts from budget to luxury and all the resorts have private beach, swimming pool. Water sports are available and things to see in Mui Ne are fishing village, sand dunes, Poshanu Cham Tower.  4 days - 3 nights should be enough to stay in Mui Ne.