Arrive at Tan Son Nhat Airport (SGN). Clear immigration (show e-visa or approval letter), collect bags and take a Grab/taxi to District 1 (30–45 min depending on traffic).
Visit these iconic French-colonial landmarks (Post Office open 07:00–19:00; Cathedral grounds open daily). Good for photos and short history about French influence.
Eat at a student-friendly Vietnamese restaurant near District 1 (open 11:00–15:00). Try rice plates (com tam) or noodle bowls; delicious and budget-friendly.
Try a group dinner with rice/noodle dishes in District 1; many restaurants offer group-friendly menus and vegetarian options. Most open until 22:00–23:00.
Explore Bui Vien pedestrian street for lively student vibe, street performers, cafes and low-cost drinks (open late). Safe in groups, watch belongings.
Book a budget 3-star hotel or hostel in District 1 for easy access: options include group dorms (hostel) or twin rooms in 3-star hotels. Central location saves travel time.
Join a guided Cu Chi Tunnels tour — travel time 1.5–2 hours each way; tour visits tunnel network used during the war and includes museum, tunnel crawling (optional) and shooting range (optional). Tours typically run 07:00–13:00.
Full-day tour includes speedboat or motorboat rides, visits to coconut/fruit islands (Ben Tre), sampan rides through small canals, local workshops, and traditional music. Tours run ~08:00–17:00.
Prices change daily — these are estimated ranges (book early for student group discounts). Check aggregator sites and consider group booking for lower rates.
Hostel dorm bed: USD8–15/night. Budget 3-star twin-sharing (student-friendly): ~USD20–35 per person per night (twin share). For 22 students, consider booking 10–11 twin rooms or a small hotel takeover for group rates.
Cu Chi tour (half day with coach & guide): USD18–25. Mekong Delta day trip (coach + boat + lunch): USD20–35. Bitexco SkyDeck: USD10. War Remnants Museum: USD2. Shooting range at Cu Chi (optional): USD7–15.
Currency: Vietnamese Dong (VND). 1 USD ≈ 24,000 VND (estimate — check live rate). Taxis/Grab short rides ~VND40,000–150,000; airport taxi to District 1 ~VND250,000–350,000. Use Grab app for safer pricing.
Street/ local canteens: VND30k–80k per meal. Mid-range restaurants: VND100k–200k. Budget around USD8–12 per student per day for three basic meals if you choose local options.
Keep passports and money secure; carry photocopies. Stay in groups at night, prebook reputable tours, confirm price with drivers before boarding, and follow guides at Cu Chi and Mekong for safety. Carry a basic first-aid kit and any meds.
Contact hotels and tour operators for group rates and free guides/drivers. Airlines sometimes give group discounts at 10+ passengers; ask travel agents for school/student packages and required documents (list of names, passports).
I can convert this itinerary into a printable, student-friendly PDF (with a cover, flight and hotel cost table and checklists). Please confirm travel dates and preferred arrival/departure airports so I can include exact flight samples and total cost summary before I produce the PDF.