🏍️ By motorbike
The local way to see Saigon and Côn Đảo. Helmets on, breeze included.
Richard — welcome to Vietnam. Phở at dawn, a palace frozen in time, a private island, tunnels, river boats, and dinners worth flying for. Here's your trip, day by day.
Eight days, each with its own theme — a glance tells you what's coming. Times are a guide, not a test. Just show up hungry.
The local way to see Saigon and Côn Đảo. Helmets on, breeze included.
Warm days, soft evenings, island sunsets around 5:20 PM.
Everything below is set. Nothing left to arrange.
Day One · Departure
Dinner, a film, sleep — and land at dawn.
Light layers, walking shoes — and room in your bag for Ben Thanh.
Saigon · Arrival Day

A Saigon phở institution since 1968.
Central Post Office, Notre Dame Cathedral, Opera House.
Lacquerware, coffee, tea, spices. Bargaining expected.
Rooftop above the Gem Center.
Saigon · Slow Sunday

No alarm. Sunday is slow.
The tanks, the bunker, the rooftop.
8-course menu + cultural performance, on the palace grounds.
Wander, rest, massage — your call.
One cocktail. Early night — tomorrow starts at dawn.
Côn Đảo · Island Day

Landing 9:10 AM.
Private pool villa on Dat Doc Beach.
Doing very little, very well.
Sunset around 5:20 PM.
Flowers and incense at the grave of Võ Thị Sáu.
Dam Trau at golden hour, the cemetery after dark. That's Côn Đảo.
Côn Đảo → Saigon

Museum first for context, prisons after.
Landing 5:40 PM.
One of Saigon's most inventive tasting menus.
Bui Vien in full neon, then chè at Mrs Diep.
Cu Chi · Mekong · Saigon


Early start, back by early evening — shower, change, dinner at 8.
Cu Chi first, then south to the Mekong.
Go underground if you're feeling brave.
Sampan canals, coconut candy, lunch included.
A north-to-south tasting journey. Our last big night.
Saigon · Onward to Hong Kong

The best goodbye view in Saigon.
Vietnamese design, gifts worth keeping.
Flight to Hong Kong at 1:40 PM — see you there in two days.
Vietnam ends, Hong Kong is next. We meet again on Nov 21.
Hong Kong · Together Again

The reunion — a full day to explore.
Order too much.
The best skyline view in Asia.
Up as the city lights come on.
A last harbour stroll, then home to SFO.