*** Note: This cruise itinerary
is designed for those who want to travel by water way to
Cambodia. The cruise program
can be reversed starting from Chau Doc for clients
arriving from Phnom Penh, Cambodia and want to cruise
back to Cai Be.
DAY
1: SAIGON - CAI BE - VINH LONG - SA DEC
07:30. Pick up at your hotel in Saigon and drive to Vinh
Long. The excursion starts from Cai Be town pier at
around 10.00 am.
Upon embarkation on your sampan-hotel, you will be
welcomed with fresh cotton towels.
After your installation, the cruise will begin with the
visit of Cai Be colorful floating market cruising among
local barges full of fruits and vegetables.
Visits will be made at an ancient mandarin house dating
from 1890 where you will we welcomed by the owner.
Further, another stop at some local home factories will
allow you to observe how rice paste, coconut candies and
other specialties are traditionally made.
We will proceed to Phu An hamlet, an untouched beautiful
area reflecting some of the best sights the Mekong Delta
can offer.
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 sampan will proceed to Sa Dec cruising
the Tien Giang river, one of the two large arms of the
Mekong.
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.
We will then cruise on a small beautiful canal through
water jacinth plantations… You will take a small
rowing boat for a cruise along a narrow canal passing by
a local tiny village and fruit plantations.
Further on the banks, some dark smokes in the sky will
lead us to one of the largest artisan bricks and tiles
factory where you will have an interesting visit.
Sa Dec town will appear like a little “Venice” with
numerous narrow canals.
You will disembark for a guided visit of this charming
and peaceful town, walking along its narrow streets
where beautiful French old houses, Chinese temples and
Vietnamese Dinh are dating from the last century…
You will visit the local market and the Trung Vuong
primary school where well known writer Marguerite Duras
spent her childhood (see her famous novel turned into
the movie “The Lover”). Before sunset, we will have
our last stop on the banks arranged at a splendid
ancient house or “Nha Co” dating from the early 19th
century. After being greeted by the owners, we will
cater a delicious dinner for you, an unforgettable
experience in a unique atmosphere.
First night on the Mekong river…
DAY 2: SA DEC - LONG XUYEN – CHO MOI
(Overnight on board “Song Xanh” sampan)
The breakfast will be served on board at 07am. Your
Sampan will slowly leave Sa Dec and proceed the cruise
upstream the river to Long Xuyen, a peaceful provincial
town located on the Mekong’s banks. We will pass by
several luxuriant islands, crossing countless sampan
boats carrying sand, rice, fruits and vegetables,
fishes, showing an intense activity on the river.
Approaching Long Xuyen, your lunch will be served on
board.
Later, you will have a quick tour of Long Xuyen
typical center before cruising further to “Cu Lao Ong
Ho” (The Tiger Island) for a visit at Ton Duc Thang
museum, second president of Vietnam… We will proceed
upstream on the Mekong river to Chau Doc. Some stops on
the banks will be possible for cycling tours to discover
deeper the inhabitants life style.
In the evening, we will organize for you an exciting
experience at an ancient house located by the river in
the suburbs of Cho Moi, where your dinner will be
arranged.
You will be able to share experiences with family
members and learn about traditional Southern Vietnam
lifestyle, one of the highlights of your journey on the
Mekong which should not be forgotten!
Back on board your private sampan for your second night
on the river.
DAY 3: CHO MOI - CHAU DOC
Early morning, your breakfast will be served on
board while we will be cruising to Chau Doc. We will
cruise on a little arm of the Mekong where several
traditional activities can be observed on the banks
(artisanal boat factories, bamboo baskets making, palm
leaves cutting, net fishing), as well as old Vietnamese
temples dating from late 19th century. We will
reach Chau Doc late in the morning. Located on the upper
Mekong Delta, the town is 280 km south-west of Saigon on
to the Cambodian border. With such proximity the local
population is an eclectic mix of Cham, Khmer, Chinese
and Vietnamese sharing different cultures and historical
richness. At around 11am, you will disembark at Chau Doc
main city pier. End of services here.
During
the cruise, fresh cotton towels, exotic seasonal fruits,
hot green tea and two bottles of mineral water will be
served daily free of charge
*** Note: This cruise itinerary
is designed for those who want to travel by water way to
Cambodia. The cruise program
can be reversed starting from Chau Doc for clients
arriving from Phnom Penh, Cambodia and want to cruise
back to Cai Be.
The cruise program can be
reversed starting from Can Tho ending in Cai Be
