DAY 1 HO CHI MINH – CAI BE – PHU AN – DONG HOA HIEP – AN BINH
(Overnight at local house by the river – basic accommodation)
At 7:30 Am we will depart Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) for Cai Be, we will be in Cai Be at around 11 AM. The excursion starts from Cai Be town pier. Upon embarkation on your river junk, you will be welcomed with fresh cotton towels. The cruise will begin with the visit of Cai Be colorful floating market cruising among local barges full of fruits and vegetables. We will then proceed to Phu An hamlet, an untouched beautiful area reflecting some of the best sights the Mekong Delta can offer. On the way, stop will be made at some local home factories to observe how rice paste, coconut candies and other regional specialties are made.
A delicious lunch will await you at “Le Longanier”, a superb Indochinese villa located by the river, in a lush tropical garden surrounded by fruit plantations. After lunch, your private sampan will cruise deeper to Dong Hoa Hiep and An Binh islands, a peaceful escape where you will be able to discover the rural life style and daily activities of the delta inhabitants such as roofs making with palm tree leaves, a bricks and tiles artisanal factory, net fishing, an ancient Mandarin house dating from late 19th century…Cruising along Dong Phu canal, we will make a last stop at a fruit orchard and bonsais plantation near Binh Hoa Phuc islet.
These evergreen islands among the Mekong River bring about large networks of meandering rivers, criss-crossed with countless arroyos, and remaining unknown to many people. Late afternoon, disembarkation and check-in at a traditional charming house built on pillars by the river (Mai Quoc Nam or Muoi Dai). Rest of the day at leisure in a peaceful and romantic atmosphere.
Dinner and overnight.
DAY 2 AN BINH – VINH LONG – SA DEC – HO CHI MINH CITY
After breakfast, back on board your private sampan for your second day cruise in the delta. Crossing the Co Chien River, some of the largest Mekong’s arm, we will cruise under the spectacular My Thuan Bridge. A stop will be made at Dinh Tan Hoa, an ancient provincial house built some hundred fifty years ago…
We will proceed the cruise up-stream on the Tien Giang River, another large arm of the Mekong. On the banks, some dark smokes in the sky will lead us to one of the biggest bricks and tiles factory where we will you have an interesting visit.
Back on board, we will cruise to Sa Dec. On both sides of the river, locals are recolting water jacinth, another famous Mekong delta product used for furniture and baskets. We will reach Sa Dec around noon. Lunch will be served on boat while cruising or at a local ancient house in Sa Dec (Nha Co).
The town is appearing like a little “Venice” with numerous narrow canals, with various kinds of activities on the banks. You will disembark at Sa Dec local market at around 3pm, one of the biggest of the delta. Visit of Sa Dec charming and peaceful town, walking along its narrow streets and beautiful old houses dating from the last century, among some old Chinese temples, ancient Dinh, including the primary school of Marguerite Duras famous writer. (See Marguerite Duras novel turned into a famous movie, “The Lover”). The excursion will end at around 4pm. Our own private transportation vehicle will await you for us transfer back to Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) or proceed to our next destination.
