HO CHI MINH CITY ESCAPE

Upon arrival your guide will greet you and transfer by private car through the city to your hotel for check-in. Note: normal check in time for hotels is 1400 and schedule of this day will be adapted to your international flight arrival time.
Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.

This morning you’ll be visiting a local home to learn how true Saigonese live and cook. Start early at a suburban Ho Chi Minh City market (whilst it’s still busy) with your host who is more than happy to show you around their local neighbourhood and share some of their favourite dishes. You’ll then head back to the house to start your cooking, which you’ll eventually devour for lunch! A selection of dishes can be chosen from a menu, so see (in advance) what tickles your fancy.
Note for cooking class:
Departure not after 0800
Minimum 02 people
Surcharge applied for Sundays: 10 USD/group and availability upon request.
Not available on Public Holidays
There are many ways to explore the bustling city of Ho Chi Minh (still called Saigon by the locals) however none is as exhilarating as on a personally-driven Vespa scooter! Our first stop is the Reunification Palace before visiting a twin set of neighboring landmarks: the Post Office, noting the architecture and in particular the map of Saigon that shows where this modern city has come from, followed by Cathedral of Notre Dame (“Our Lady”).
Travel down Dong Khoi Street, know for its elegant shops, the name actually means “people’s revolution”. Pass by the Opera House, popular backdrop for wedding photos, now used as a Municipal Theatre. This area is rich with history from the times of the French invasion to the filming of Phil Noyce’s “The Quiet American.”
The next stop is the monument of Thich Quang Duc, a Vietnamese Mahayana Buddhist monk who burned himself to death on June 11, 1963 to protest against the persecution of Buddhists by South Vietnam’s Ngo Dinh Diem administration.
Then take a quick stop at the colorful Ho Thi Ky flower market before riding to the Funeral Home to get to know about Vietnamese funeral ceremonies & customs.
Roll through Chinatown to Nhi Phu temple built in the end of 17th century by Chinese immigrants from Fukkien Province. Although the exact construction date is unknown, an inscription on the pagoda's ancient bell dates the pagoda to pre-1765. Nhi Phu Temple is built in a “Kh?u” (gate) architectural style with an open yard in the center. Its roof is covered with tubular tiles lined with bas-relief mosaics made from broken ceramics, depicting the eight immortals of Taoism including apricot trees, orchids, bamboo and of course dragons and phoenix.
Continue with a short walk through the alley full of tailor’s supplies. Then back to Nhi Phu temple to return to district one by bike. On the way stop at a Chinese Medicine shops for an explanation about “Thuoc Bac - medicine from herbs” or “Thuoc tàu – medicine from China” End the tour at the hotel at midday.
Note for Vespa tour: minimum 02 people
Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.

Full day at leisure until you transfer to the airport for your next destination.