• Saigon Opera House (Ho Chi Minh Municipal Theater) - Standing magnificently at the heart of Saigon is the Saigon Opera House, which is also known as the Municipal Theater. The building stands as one of the impressive sight in Saigon – both night and day.
  Saigon Opera House was built in 1898 by the French architect – Eugene Ferret, following the “flamboyant” style of the French Third Republic. It was set to be two meters higher than the street surface with two door layers, in order to prevent traffic noise.
  Located on the city’s center axis, connecting the metro station and roundabout in front of Ben Thanh market. From a distance, the Opera House looks like a beautiful gigantic city gate. The architecture boasts stone-carved ornaments and statues at the entrance, crystal chandeliers, and shiny granite floor at the lobby area – all built with materials imported from France. The graceful oval auditorium offers 468 seats, designed to magnify performances in both audio and visual, echo-free, and also soundproof from the outside city buzz.
• SƠN MÀI QUANG MINH - Handicap handicrafts factory: The high quality of resin from Vietnamese lacquer trees, notably those of the north, was a crucial factor in the rapid development of this art form.
  Decorated lacquer statues, panels, boxes and trays may still be seen at many temples and pagodas.
  In centuries the use of lacquerware was extended to larger items such as wooden chairs and tables, decorated with engraved, painted, inlaid mother-of-pearl designs.
  By the 18th century important central for lacquerware production in the north and in the south.
  As part of their strategy to open up Vietnamese handicrafts to new foreign markets, the French introduced formal training programmed in lacquerware at the School of Indigenous Arts near Saigon from 1901 and in Hanoi from 1930
  Since that time lacquerware has continued to develop into one of the mainstays of the Vietnamese handicraft industry, both at home and abroad. Today’s most popular items include vases, jewel cases, desk sets, trays and vertical blinds.
• Ben Dinh War Tunnels - Leave the hustle and bustle of Ho Chi Minh City to explore one of the relics from one of the most significant local historical events in recent memory.

Journey takes 2 hours west towards the Cambodian border. Ongoing way to the Cu Chi tunnels, we can see local life in the area, both past and present. Learn about their lives, culture, and customs and get an insight into the recent past through local eyes.

The location of the tunnels was of significant strategic importance: they are at the end of the infamous Ho Chi Minh Trail, and within striking distance of the southern Vietnam capital. Initial construction started in 1948 when the Viet Minh required somewhere to hide from French air attacks, and by 1965, the tunnel complex was estimated to consist of 200 km of tunnels. It included, hospitals, schools, meeting rooms, kitchens, and sleeping quarters. Life was difficult for the inhabitants, and to protect against outside intruders, booby traps were laid throughout the complex.

• Cao Dai Temple - Cao Dai Holy See, founded in 1926, is 4km east of Tay Ninh in the village of Long Hoa. As well as the Great Temple, the complex houses administrative offices, residences for officials and adepts, and a hospital of traditional Vietnamese herbal medicine that attracts people from all over the south for its treatments. While Buddhism and Christianity are well-known in Vietnam, Caodaism remains relatively obscure. Caodaism is the youngest religion in the country, blending elements from various significant religions into its unique practices. Tay Ninh Holy See, also locally known as Cao Dai Temple, represents this fascinating belief system. Prayers are conducted four times daily in the Great Temple (suspended during Tet). It’s worth visiting during prayer sessions (the one at noon is most popular with tour groups from HCMC). Only a few hundred adherents, dressed in splendid garments, participate in weekday prayers, but during festivals several thousand may attend.
• Lan Phuong Restaurant - Lan Phuong restaurant is a delectable eatery that offers flavorful Vietnamese cuisine. Situated in a charming elevated structure amidst nature, this unique tree house restaurant provides an enjoyable dining experience. It serves as an excellent lunch option following a trip to the Cao Dai temple, accommodating visitors with its pleasant ambiance and delicious food.
• Black Virgin Mountain - Ba Den Mountain, located in the northeast of Tay Ninh City, is a famous and iconic landmark in South Vietnam. Specifically, this gigantic mountain is situated within the cultural and historical relic complex of Ba Den, which is approximately 100 kilometers away from the bustling metropolis of Ho Chi Minh City.

This mountain boasts an impressive altitude of 986 meters, making it the tallest peak in the entire South of Vietnam. This soaring height contributes to the allure of the site, attracting visitors from far and wide. The natural scenery surrounding Ba Den Mountain is simply enchanting, with awe-inspiring landscapes that captivate the hearts of all who venture there.

• Saigon Opera House (Ho Chi Minh Municipal Theater) - After visiting Ba Den Black Virgin Mountain by cable car, our tour guide and driver will bring you back Ho Chi Minh city.

• Air-conditioned vehicle
• Bottled waters & lunch at local restaurant
• Pick up & Drop off from your hotel within district 1, HCMC
• English speaking tour guide

• Tips/ gratuities, personal expenses
• You will be collected around 7 - 10 USD/ each for picking outside of district 1