Lazy waterways of The Mekong

per person

The Mekong Delta is the bottom half of Vietnam’s two rice baskets. This vast delta is formed by the deposition of the multiple tentacles and tributaries of the mighty Mekong River which has its origin in the Tibetan highland plateau 2,800 miles away. From its source, the river makes its way through China, Myanmar (Burma), Laos, Cambodia and South Vietnam before flowing out into the Sea. The Mekong’s Vietnamese name, Cuu Long, means Nine Dragons for the nine mouths that terminate the flow of this great river as it is absorbed by the sea.

Cruising upstream with a lazy way is very unique way to get very close view of local people in the Delta, to understand more about their cultural lives that live along with water with canals & rivers around and the richness…

SAIGON – CAI BE- VINH LONG – SA DEC – LONG XUYEN – CHAU DOC

6 days / 5 nights

Travel styles: Active, Cruising, Short tours

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Tour Plan

Day 1/ Arrival in Saigon

Arrive in Saigon. Welcome by tour guide and transfer to hotel. Overnight in Saigon.

Day 2/ Saigon city tour & Saigon street food by night on scooters (B,L)

In the morning, the city tour includes War Remnants Museum, Notre Dame Cathedral built by the French in 1880 and City Post office building. Drop by Ben Thanh Market for viewing local people doing their transaction at busiest time. Late afternoon, pick-up from your hotel, ride through the busy lit boulevard to Chinatown to get a whole view of daily lives of food-stall and vendors at the market, which reflect the majority daily activities of Vietnamese people. Continue the ride along “Tau Hu canal” a man-made canal, which was an important waterway to link between Saigon and down to Mekong Delta that is over 200 years. Saigon by night tour is not complete without food taste of some popular and famous local restaurants where you can enjoy the real local tastes and blend yourself in local life. We end tour at local coffee shop, enjoy sips of coffee dripping from the filter. This night may be an unsleeping night for those who don’t get used to drinking coffee but it’s also an unforgettable memory before leaving the beautiful and friendly country.

Day 3/ Saigon – Cai Be – Vinh Long (L,D)

Morning your driver will pick you up at hotel lobby. We will enjoy a scenic drive through the Mekong Delta to the town of Cai Be well-known for its floating market. Here we will board your private boat with your local tour guide and cruise the maze of waterways and canals to Vinh Long. A local bonsai gardener will prepare a sumptuous lunch, featuring a popular dish of 'Elephant ear fish'. With bellies full we will continue our exploration of the tributaries and canals of the delta. Towards the end of the day we arrive at a house is built on stilts over the water. There will still be some time for those who wish to bike around the village enjoying the big smiles and “hello” from the local people. A local family will be our hosts for the night. Those who wish will be able to participate in a free cooking class to prepare the evening meal. Overnight at homestay in Vinh Long.

Day 4/ Vinh Long – Sa Dec – Long Xuyen (B,L)

We will make our way up the less travelled branches of the mighty Mekong River taking in the natural beauty of the surroundings. Along the route, we will stop and learn about local industry such as brick manufacturing, coconut products, and visit fruit orchards. Arrival at Sa Dec, you will visit the local market and the Trung Vuong primary school where well known writer Marguerite Duras spent her childhood… A picnic lunch will be provided on board in an area of natural beauty away from the hustle and bustle of civilization and we can enjoy the natural surroundings. The afternoon will have us continue up the Mekong stopping at other areas of interest. In the late afternoon we will arrive at Long Xuyen which is a typically peaceful provincial town lying on the Mekong’s banks, dotted with an attractive floating market. Check in hotel. Overnight in Long Xuyen. (Optional: You might join with the guide to explore local delicacies).

Day 5/ Long Xuyen – Chau Doc (B,L)

After breakfast – we will visit the Long Xuyen floating market “it is amongst the biggest markets on the river which is not yet discovered by heavy tourism.” Our Sampan will continue up the river offering us glimpses of river life and offering interesting landscapes. Today we will enjoy a lunch on board prepared with traditional dishes enjoyed by the Mekong natives and after lunch time will be spent discovering the ways of a local Muslim Village. We will visit fish farms on the river and be amazed by the feeding frenzy at feeding time. The Mekong adventure will end with your arriving at your hotel. Overnight in Chau Doc. (Optional – You might join with the guide to explore local delicacies)

Day 6/ Chau Doc – Departure (B)

Breakfast at hotel. Transfer to boat station for the hydrofoil to Phnom Penh (approximately 5 hours). The express boat (hydrofoil) from Chau Doc to Phnom Penh starts at 7:30am. Have a wonderful journey!