📍 Vietnam

SOUTHERN VIETNAM: VIBRANT CITIES, ISLANDS AND SAND DUNES

Dive into Saigon's buzz, wake up on a Mekong Delta floating market and discover Mui Ne's red dunes. Southern Vietnam is a land of contrasts.

≈ 6
Days
0
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6
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📖 4 min read 🔄 Last updated: 2026-01-17

Taste the south: Ho Chi Minh City and its energy, then Can Tho at dawn amid market boats. Escape to Phu Quoc and its beaches, or Con Dao and its preserved nature, then find Vung Tau and its colonial heritage. End at Mui Ne, red and white dunes facing sea.

Your day-by-day itinerary

1
Day

Ho Chi Minh

Ho Chi Minh - Photo 1Ho Chi Minh - Photo 2Ho Chi Minh - Photo 3Ho Chi Minh - Photo 4Ho Chi Minh - Photo 5Ho Chi Minh - Photo 6Ho Chi Minh - Photo 7Ho Chi Minh - Photo 8Ho Chi Minh - Photo 9Ho Chi Minh - Photo 10
10 photos
Day 1
🔍

Discover

1
Ben Thanh Market, bustling market with local handicrafts and cuisine
2
Saigon Opera House (Municipal Theatre), fine French Colonial architecture
3
Bitexco Financial Tower SkyDeck with panoramic city views
4
War Remnants Museum presenting Vietnam War and Indochina War exhibits
+5 Places visited
🎯

Activities

→
Experience world-class street food scene with pho, bun cha, banh mi
→
Try Modern Vietnamese Contemporary Cuisine at Capsule Restaurant
→
Explore vibrant nightlife on Bui Vien Street backpacker haven
+7 Optional activities
2
Day

Can Tho

floating markets dawn mekong delta heart

Can Tho - Photo 1Can Tho - Photo 2Can Tho - Photo 3Can Tho - Photo 4Can Tho - Photo 5Can Tho - Photo 6Can Tho - Photo 7Can Tho - Photo 8Can Tho - Photo 9
9 photos
Day 2
🔍

Discover

1
Cai Rang Floating Market, famous colorful wholesale market on water
2
Vinh Trang Pagoda offering insights into regional heritage
3
An Binh Island near Vinh Long with serene landscapes and fruit orchards
4
Tra Su Cajuput Forest in An Giang for bird watching
+1 Places visited
🎯

Activities

→
Take essential boat tour through Mekong River canals
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Visit floating market in early morning when most active
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Explore river life around My Tho and Ben Tre
+7 Optional activities
3
Day

Phu Quoc

pearl island beaches night market seafood

Phu Quoc - Photo 1Phu Quoc - Photo 2Phu Quoc - Photo 3
3 photos
Day 3
🔍

Discover

1
Phu Quoc National Park, UNESCO World Heritage site with diverse ecosystems
2
Dinh Cau Night Market in Duong Dong for street food and souvenirs
3
Pearl farms to learn cultivation process and purchase jewelry
4
Fish sauce factories producing world's best fish sauce
+6 Places visited
🎯

Activities

→
Flight from Can Tho to Phu Quoc Island
→
Hike and trek through national park diverse ecosystems
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Snorkel or dive to explore diverse marine life
+7 Optional activities
4
Day

Con Dao

former prison paradise untouched beaches turtles

Con Dao - Photo 1Con Dao - Photo 2Con Dao - Photo 3Con Dao - Photo 4
4 photos
Day 4
🔍

Discover

1
Con Dao National Park covering most of island with diverse ecosystems
2
Con Dao Prison (Coconut Tree Prison), infamous wartime museum
3
Hang Duong Cemetery resting place of Vietnamese revolutionaries
4
Con Dao Museum with comprehensive island history overview
+4 Places visited
🎯

Activities

→
Flight from Phu Quoc to Con Dao Island
→
Explore pristine beaches with clear waters for diving and snorkeling
→
Watch sea turtles nesting June through September
+7 Optional activities
5
Day

Vung Tau

french lighthouse beaches saigon weekend escape

Vung Tau - Photo 1Vung Tau - Photo 2Vung Tau - Photo 3Vung Tau - Photo 4
4 photos
Day 5
🔍

Discover

1
Christ the King statue similar to Rio's Christ the Redeemer
2
Vung Tau Lighthouse, one of oldest in Vietnam with coastal views
3
White Palace (Bach Dinh), colonial-era mansion museum
4
Ho May Park on Big Mountain accessible by cable car
+6 Places visited
🎯

Activities

→
Flight from Con Dao to Ho Chi Minh City then drive to Vung Tau
→
Climb to top of Christ the King statue for panoramic views
→
Take scenic cable car ride at Ho May Park
+7 Optional activities
6
Day

Mui

Mui - Photo 1Mui - Photo 2
2 photos
Day 6
🔍

Discover

1
White Sand Dunes, iconic towering dunes for sandboarding
2
Red Sand Dunes closer to town famous for sunset views
3
Fairy Stream shallow stream through dunes and rock formations
4
Fishing Village with colorful boats and daily catch
+3 Places visited
🎯

Activities

→
Kitesurf, paraglide, or windsurf at excellent wind condition beaches
→
Take thrilling jeep tour across landscape visiting dunes and villages
→
Ride ATV on sandy dunes around Mui Ne
+8 Optional activities

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🛡️ Travel advice - Vietnam

Check official recommendations

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❓ Frequently asked questions

What weather should you expect?

Spring (February-April): Perfect weather with comfortable temperatures (18-25°C), minimal rainfall, and ideal conditions for exploring diverse regions. Excellent balance of pleasant weather throughout country, blooming landscapes, moderate tourist numbers.

Autumn (September-November): Comfortable temperatures (20-28°C) with clear skies, perfect outdoor conditions, and harvest season beauty. Second-best season with excellent weather nationwide, reasonable prices, cultural festivals.

Winter (December-January): Cool temperatures in north (10-20°C), warm in south (25-30°C), dry season with regional variations. Northern mountains cold, central coast pleasant, southern regions ideal, diverse regional experiences.

Summer (May-August): Hot, humid weather (28-35°C) with rainy season affecting travel plans but lush landscapes. Monsoon rains, flooding possible, but fewer crowds, lower prices, and authentic local experiences.

How many days should I plan?

We believe you will enjoy this itinerary best by dedicating between 5 and 7 days. The next step will allow you to adjust the duration of your stay.

What to discover in Vietnam?

Southeast Asian authenticity with incredible history, delicious cuisine, and stunning landscapes. Experience Ho Chi Minh City energy, Halong Bay beauty, and traditional Vietnamese culture. The country offers cultural immersion with natural wonders and culinary excellence. Vietnam provides transformative Southeast Asian experiences with historical depth and natural beauty.