10-Day Senior Vacation to South Vietnam

Ho Chi Minh City is a destination that is imbued with iconic highlights that represent Vietnam’s turbulent past, both the dramatic disasters and gripping victories that occurred during the Vietnam War. This iconic period of history and, more specifically, the reunification of the country post-war will reveal itself to you as you journey with an experienced guide to the admired monuments and museums that are situated within the city’s diverse districts. Restored military vehicles, such as Huey helicopters and M48 Patton tanks, stand on display outside the War Remnants Museum while a collection of black and white stills hang on its interior walls. The trials and tribulations will have never felt as real as they will when you peruse the fascinating exhibits and are completely absorbed by the intriguing wartime stories.

Afterward, you will find yourselves crossing underneath the royal palm trees that envelope the 1960s-designed government building, which is known as the Reunification Palace. Its abandoned halls, which you will wander, evoke a hair-raising atmosphere that perfectly encapsulates the feelings that were experienced by officials in 1975 when Communist tanks rolled up onto the gardens. Though steeped in history, its antiquated decor creates an eye-catching display of decades-old Vietnamese architectural design by which to remember your expedition. Finally, you will tour Ho Chi Minh City’s History Museum for a more dated look into its heritage. What was once a French-colonial country house is now a museum that houses ancient artifacts and relics that date back to the Bronze Age. You will be astounded to explore its treasure trove of gems before you make your way to a delicious restaurant for dinner.

Can Tho is a spirited city within the Mekong Delta and is situated on the banks of the Hau River. It features an exuberant waterfront and is flanked by a number of bewitching markets that will showcase Vietnamese authenticity in an unbridled fashion. During your stay, you will grow accustomed to the city’s vibrant groove as you meander along palm tree-lined boulevards and traverse narrow back streets to discover what makes this internationally sought-after destination tick. For complete comfort, you will enjoy your time here at a distinguished resort that will be with outstanding amenities and set on its very own islet for supreme privacy away from the hustle and bustle.

You can spend the morning at your leisure before you transfer to Ninh Kieu Wharf, which is a thriving hotspot that features an ensemble of engrossing experiences. You can step out into nature and enjoy the serene settings at a quiet park before making your way to a premier restaurant for delightful Vietnamese dishes. You will be spoiled for choice over a collection of tantalizing meals, and each will highlight the celebrated chef’s finesse for crafting exquisite renditions of timeless classics. With an uninterrupted view of the river as your backdrop, you may snap up gorgeous images of the golden sunshine as it glimmers off of the water at sunset.

This morning, you will board a private boat at the wharf and head for the Cai Rang floating market. Your voyage will transfer you across the river for approximately 30 minutes and provide you with a magnificent vantage point from which to view the city. Others will likely be doing the same as mornings in Vietnam begin with a bang, so you will float to the soundtrack of whistles and chatter, which will make your trip all the more immersive. Shortly after, you will reach the market and be in utter awe at its inception. Wooden vessels will be packed into a spacious corner of the river and present a variety of items for sale. Your boat will come into arms reach of the vendors, and you may exchange money for goods without having to leave your vessel. In a peculiar way, the chaos is orderly, and the locals have seemed to figure out a system that adapts on the fly to suit your travel needs, bringing you right into the thick of traditional Vietnamese living.

After a thorough exploration, you will continue along and veer off the vast river to the tapering canals that flowing through rural villages. Your experienced guide will show you to the mangroves and the age-old stilt houses that are nestled within. You will feel greatly humbled as you witness a simpler way of life in which locals make do with welcoming smiles. You can explore more of the endearing, natural scenery and picturesque riverside settings as you continue to My Khanh Tourist Village. Priding itself in eco-tourism, your afternoon will be as inspiring as it is entertaining. You can visit preserved, ancient houses along tree-shaded streets and enjoy delicious delicacies as you are surrounded by the luscious wilderness before returning to your resort for a tranquil night's rest.

Though Vietnam is well-known for its staggering mountain ranges in the Northern regions, South Vietnam boasts beautiful coasts with brochure-worthy beaches. Off the Southern tip of Cambodia, in the Gulf of Thailand, lies the Vietnamese island of Phu Quoc. You will transfer to Phu Quoc from Can Tho and arrive at the sights of soft, white-sand shores that stretch out across the island’s coastline. The island boasts world-class, seaside resorts, and you will reside in an award-winning suite that affords unobstructed vistas of the expanse of azure water.

A short walk out of your suite will find yourself on the pearly sands of Vung Bau Beach. Here, you can retreat to the shade of a nearby palm tree and watch the world go by in absolute comfort or wade in the warm water and feel all stress slip off out to sea. In the evening, you will transfer to a revered beach bar for some of the finest cocktails on the island. Tonight, you will be provided with a fine dining experience that you would expect from the likes of a Michelin-starred restaurant. A backdrop of the sunset over the sea will set the sky ablaze and share many surreal photo-worthy moments to commemorate your evening of relaxation.

Today, you will discover more about the wondrous flavors of Vietnamese cuisine at a recognized culinary school on the island. Expert chefs will assist you in recreating cherished, traditional dishes, and you will discover Vietnamese cooking secrets to aid in your craft. The island naturally provides a spectacular setting in which to cook, and quality equipment and an expert chef will ensure that you experience the best training possible. After you have completed your course, you will delight in the fruits of your labor while you converse with your head chef to find out more about the country’s culinary culture.

Afterward, you will transfer to more of the island’s marvelous beaches for a day to soak up the sunshine. You can laze on loungers with an elegant cocktail in hand and be embraced by the serenity of it all. Your brief stay in Phu Quoc will refuel your minds and bodies for the final leg of your enthralling expedition, especially after you have enjoyed a deluxe spa treatment at a leading wellness center, where aromatic oils will awaken your senses, and professional masseuses will knead away your knots.

Da Lat is a scenic retreat in Vietnam as its trademark natural wonders include impressive lakes, pristine flower gardens, and emerald forests that are teeming with wildlife. You will experience it all from your luxurious, French-colonial style hotel, which embodies 1920s charm in its stately suites and decorous furnishings. The Bao Dai Summer Palace was constructed in 1933 and is a regal display of the destination’s affluent influence, and you will capture images of the ornate belongings and iconic furniture that it houses.

The elaborate architecture of Linh Phuoc Pagoda will provide further awe-inspiring spectacles to snap up in abundance as you encounter its colorful halls and storied murals, which serve as memoirs to Buddha’s life. Finally, you will witness the adored pieces of art within Zen Buddhist monk Vien Thuc’s sacred gallery in Lam Ty Ni Pagoda. The austere artwork embodies spiritual philosophies and depicts mysteries that are rooted in the local monks’ traditions in a manner that can rarely be seen anywhere else, giving you an entirely unique look into the talent of these humble painters.

The surrounding landscape features an array of pounding waterfalls and lakes, which offer dreamlike encounters with nature that you will revel in on your second morning in Da Lat. You will arrive at Datanla Waterfalls and be met by a momentous stream of silver water as you peer out from the small, wooden walkway bridge that connects the rocky paths. The trails, which wind around the waterfall, will become enveloped by a cool mist as the streams gush over the craggy rocks and you make your way to the translucent pools of water at the base of the falls.

The Lake of Sighs, which awaits your arrival, is a body of water that is shrouded in the local legend of star-crossed lovers who would meet on its banks, but sadly, never ended up together. Though the stories are somber, the lake is stunning, and you will be whisked away across its beautiful banks in a horse-drawn carriage. As you approach the water, you may board a paddle boat and gently glide out into the lake’s center. With only the melody of bird song around you and a refreshing breeze that blows against your cheeks, you will feel absolutely detached from everyday life. Your afternoon will culminate at the Da Lat Flower Gardens, where immaculate, brightly-colored flower displays will guide you through the greenery, and the sweet fragrances of these blossoming flowers will fill you with vigor.

Today, you will escape to a premium beachfront resort in Cam Ranh. Your ultra-chic suite embodies the luxury of the world’s finest seaside hotels, and the first-class amenities will ensure that your stay is utterly riveting. You can unpack your belongings and meet your private transfer who will lead you to what is often referred to as the Vietnamese Maldives of Binh Lap. With immense stretches of emerald sea to swim in and in addition to pristine beaches to relax on, you will cherish your day in the secluded splendor of this beloved island.

The breathtaking landscape and calm atmosphere will make for an unforgettable afternoon under the radiant sun, and you can bask in the evening sunset at an award-winning beachside restaurant back in Cam Ranh for an exceptional taste of the finest Vietnamese seafood before falling asleep to the gentle, crashing of waves against the shore.

Your final day in Vietnam will reveal the age-old beauty of Cam Ranh’s ancient coral reefs and untouched beaches of Nui Chua National Park. You will capture marvelous images of the picturesque rock and luminescent, moss-covered stone formations that encapsulate Hang Rai beach within the park. Before you return to your resort and gather your things, you will have the opportunity to visit Hang Rai’s grape arbor, where you can have a hand at picking grapes that burst with flavor and are used to produce local red wine. This uniquely Vietnamese experience will conclude your engrossing tour across its Southern highlights and fill your memories with magical moments of your adventures. You will comfortably transfer to Ho Chi Minh City before the afternoon sets in. You will make your way home feeling totally satisfied and wanting to return.