DAY 1: CAI BE - PHU AN - DONG HOA HIEP - VINH LONG - SA DEC (Overnight on board “Song Xanh” sampan)
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 artisanal 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.
***** Please note you will leave the Song Xanh Sampan Cruise for good at the time you embark for the last visit.
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