Ho Chi Minh City with beach holiday in Mui Ne & on Phu Quoc

Today, you’ll fly from your selected airport to Ho Chi Minh City, with connecting flight(s) along the way. 

You’ll arrive at Tan Son Nhat International Airport in Ho Chi Minh City, where you’ll pass through immigration and collect your luggage. Your guide will be waiting for you outside the arrivals hall, just beyond the exit doors. The guide will be wearing a TourCompass uniform and holding a TourCompass sign so you can easily spot them.

From here, you’ll be driven to your hotel, located centrally in District 1, the very heart of the city. The area is still commonly referred to as Saigon and is considered the city’s historical and cultural core, while the remaining districts together form Ho Chi Minh City.

Your first impression of Vietnam’s largest metropolis may feel a little overwhelming. Home to around 10 million residents – and almost as many scooters and motorbikes – Ho Chi Minh City is a vibrant, fast-paced city where modern development meets tradition. You’ll see this clearly in the skyline, where sleek glass skyscrapers stand shoulder to shoulder with elegant French colonial buildings.

After checking in at your hotel, the rest of the day is yours to spend as you please. Perhaps unwind by the pool with a cool drink? Or treat yourself to a cup of Vietnamese iced coffee at one of the city’s countless cafés? Ho Chi Minh City has a thriving coffee culture, offering everything from trendy coffee bars to small local spots with plastic chairs and coffee brewed the traditional drip way.

If you’re curious about the city’s food scene, take a stroll through the streets around Districts 1 and 3. Here you’ll find everything from pho and com tam (broken rice) to crispy banh xeo pancakes and banh mi baguettes.

Today, you’ll head towards the coast and the relaxing seaside town of Mui Ne.

After breakfast, you’ll be picked up from your hotel for a drive of around three hours. Along the way, you’ll notice a striking transition from the city’s lively pace to the peaceful atmosphere of sun-drenched beaches.

Upon arrival at your hotel in Mui Ne, you’ll check in, and the rest of the day is yours to spend as you wish. Grab your swimwear and unwind by the hotel’s pool or on the soft, pale sands of the beach.

The next few days are dedicated to relaxation and personal exploration.

Mui Ne began as a small fishing village but has since transformed into a charming beach holiday destination. Here, you can enjoy long, light sandy beaches and the warm, gentle sea. Dotted along the coast are small local restaurants where you can savour authentic Vietnamese dishes in laid-back surroundings.

The area is particularly famous for its magnificent sand dunes, which the sea breeze constantly reshapes into rolling landscapes reminiscent of the Sahara desert.

To the south, on the road to Phan Thiet, stand the historic Po Shanu Cham Towers, built by the Cham people in the 9th century. Next to them lies a beautiful Chinese temple. From the hilltop where these two structures stand, you’ll be rewarded with sweeping views of the coastline and the sea.

As the sun sets, take an evening stroll along the beach road that stretches for more than ten kilometres, lined with cosy cafés, small shops, and restaurants. 

After a few relaxing days by the beach in Mui Ne, today’s journey takes you back to Ho Chi Minh City. You’ll be collected from your hotel and driven for around 3 hours back to the vibrant city life. Along the way, you’ll catch glimpses of the Vietnamese countryside, where the peaceful coastal scenery gradually gives way to more urban surroundings. As you draw closer to Ho Chi Minh City, the traffic thickens, and the lively pulse of the metropolis begins to make itself felt once more.

After checking in at your hotel, the rest of the day is free until late afternoon, when you’ll head off on a culinary evening adventure in the heart of Ho Chi Minh City.

Your guide and driver will pick you up from your hotel and take you to Cao Thang Street, known for its wide selection of street food. You’ll stroll leisurely down the street, watching as small pop-up eateries appear one by one as night begins to fall. Along the way, you’ll sample the Vietnamese rice paper pizza, banh trang nuong, and the iconic crispy sandwich banh mi – a delightful fusion of French and Vietnamese flavours.

The tour then continues through the atmospheric Ban Co Market and onwards to Nguyen Thien Thuat Street, where Madam Nga awaits with warm rice pancakes (banh xeo) and freshly made spring rolls (goi cuon).

Your culinary adventure will conclude with tastings of the noodle dish hu tieu, served either as a soup or a dry version, and the popular street food dish bot chien – cubes of fried rice flour, crispy on the outside and soft within. These are cooked with egg and spring onions and served with a sweet-and-sour soy-based sauce and freshly grated papaya. A simple yet incredibly tasty dish that many locals enjoy as a late-night snack.

To round off the evening, you’ll settle in at a local café to enjoy a drink or a cup of coffee and a friendly chat while the city truly comes to life under the night sky.

With a full stomach, you’ll then be driven back to your hotel – unless, of course, you’d like to stay on and explore the area on your own.

Today offers an exciting half-day city tour of Ho Chi Minh City.

Your guide and driver will collect you from your hotel, and from there you’ll be driven to the elegant Dong Khoi Street, one of Saigon’s most iconic boulevards. The street runs through the heart of the old colonial quarter, where French architecture, fashion boutiques, art galleries, and cosy cafés sit side by side. It brims with atmosphere and history and has played a central role in the city’s story, from the grandeur of the colonial era and through the turmoil of war to today’s vibrant metropolis. It was here that Graham Greene set pivotal scenes in his classic novel, The Quiet American.

You’ll pass the Saigon Opera House, an architectural masterpiece from 1901 and a living symbol of the city’s cultural heritage. Once used as a bomb shelter and later the home of the South Vietnamese Parliament’s lower house, the Opera House has enjoyed a truly remarkable history.

The next stop is the Old Post Office, designed by the world-famous French engineer Gustave Eiffel. With its graceful arches, elegant ironwork, and historical charm, the building stands as a testament to the French influence on Ho Chi Minh City.

Directly opposite the Old Post Office stands the city’s iconic Notre Dame Cathedral, built between 1863 and 1880. This striking remnant of the French colonial era is easily recognisable by its red brick façade and towering spires.

When you face the church, you’ll notice a grey building behind you. Some might recognise it as the “Pittman Apartments” at 22 Gia Long Street from the world-famous photograph taken by Dutch photographer Hubert van Es on 29 April 1975, depicting the fall of Saigon. It was here that a helicopter landed on the roof – a scene often mistakenly believed to have taken place at the American Embassy. Your guide will share the dramatic story of the evacuation and the hidden role this building played during the war’s final hours.

The tour continues to the historic Reunification Palace, where the Vietnam War – or the American War, as the Vietnamese call it – officially came to an end. On 30 April 1975, a North Vietnamese tank broke through the palace gates, bringing an end to a bloody conflict that claimed the lives of 58,000 Americans and some 3 million Vietnamese. Here you’ll see, among other things, the war rooms, banquet halls, and the president’s office.

The next stop is the War Remnants Museum, offering a moving insight into the horrors of war. The exhibitions depict the brutal realities of the conflict and the human suffering it left behind.

The tour then takes you to one of Ho Chi Minh City’s lesser-known gems, rarely found by visitors on their own: the Saigon Commandos Museum. Here, a local host shares a rare glimpse into everyday life during the war. The museum is housed in a modest building from 1963 that at first glance looks like an ordinary home. Behind its simple façade, however, lies what was once an operational base run by Tran Van Lai, a Vietnamese resistance fighter who posed as a furniture maker during the war. He secretly supported Saigon’s commando units by hiding weapons and helping plan missions. The displayed artefacts and hidden passages tell the story of these courageous commandos, their strategies, secret operations, and survival under extreme conditions.

To round off your visit, enjoy a drink in the museum café, where you can try the unique ‘butter beer’.

You’ll then be driven back to your hotel, where the rest of the day is at your leisure.

After yesterday’s city tour, you can spend today enjoying Ho Chi Minh City at your own pace.

The city has many faces, and you have the whole day to explore the sides that interest you most – whether that’s history, creative urban life, or local flavours.

If you’d like to feel the city’s modern pulse, visit the Café Apartment, located right on Nguyen Hue promenade, the city’s broad pedestrian street. This former apartment building now houses small independent coffee shops, design boutiques, and creative studios. Each floor has its own charm, offering a glimpse into the youthful spirit of Ho Chi Minh City.

You might also like to cross the river to District 2, a rapidly growing area characterised by modern architecture, green spaces and stylish cafés. Here, you’ll find peaceful surroundings with a mix of international restaurants, speciality shops, and small galleries. The trendy Thao Dien neighbourhood is particularly popular, with a laid-back atmosphere that attracts both locals and travellers.

As dusk falls, take a leisurely stroll along Nguyen Hue promenade, surrounded by flowers, fountains, and atmospheric architecture. This is where you can truly experience the city’s rhythm, as locals gather with street performers, dancers, and families in a lively and relaxed atmosphere that culminates in front of the illuminated city hall.

After dark, it’s the perfect time to end the day with sweeping views over the sea of city lights from the top of one of the skyscrapers, such as the Bitexco Financial Tower or Landmark 81.

Today, you’ll fly to the island of Phu Quoc, located off Vietnam’s west coast in the Gulf of Thailand, near Cambodia. You’ll be picked up from your hotel and driven to the airport for a flight of around one hour.

Upon arrival at Phu Quoc Airport, you’ll be met and transferred to your hotel. After check-in, the rest of the day is yours to enjoy the tropical surroundings. Perhaps take a walk along the beach, enjoy a refreshing drink overlooking the sea, or simply relax by the pool or on the golden sands.

The small Dinh Cau Temple offers a beautiful end to the day, where you can enjoy the sea breeze and watch the sun set over the ocean.

The coming days are set aside for pure relaxation.

Phu Quoc is Vietnam’s largest island and, in recent years, has become a popular destination for both Vietnamese and international travellers. The island offers a wonderful holiday atmosphere with palm-fringed sandy beaches, clear waters perfect for swimming, and lush green forests at its heart. Much of the island is protected National Park, adding to its abundant greenery. Along the coast, the sea invites you for a relaxing dip, and around the southern An Thoi islands, you’ll find great opportunities for diving and snorkelling among colourful coral reefs.

The atmosphere on Phu Quoc varies across the island. In and around the main town of Duong Dong, you’ll find a lively scene with shops, restaurants, and cafés. Along the beaches here, you can enjoy beach bars and stunning sunsets, while the coastal areas beyond the town offer a quieter and more tranquil holiday vibe.

Venturing inland, you can visit the island’s famous pepper plantations or learn about the production of the traditional fish sauce for which Phu Quoc is especially renowned.

In the north of the island, you’ll find small fishing villages where you can sample freshly prepared seafood dishes. In the south, you can delve into the island’s past at the former Coconut Prison from the Vietnam War, offering a glimpse into its dramatic history. It’s also here that you can take a ride on the world’s longest over-water cable car, which connects An Thoi with Hon Thom Island.

In the evening, it’s well worth visiting the vibrant night market in Duong Dong. The atmosphere is lively, with local specialities to taste, stalls to explore, and the town’s energy to experience.

Today marks the beginning of your journey home. You’ll be picked up from your hotel and driven to the airport, where your flight back to Europe departs. There will be connecting flights along the way.

You’ll arrive at your selected airport after a wonderful tour filled with new memories and some well-deserved relaxation.