Day 1: Cai Be - Phu An - Dong Hoa Hiep
(Overnight at an ancient house / basic accommodation)
The excursion starts from Cai Be town pier at around 10.30 am.
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" restaurant, a superb Indochinese villa located by the river, in a lush tropical garden surrounded by fruit plantations.
After lunch, your boat will cruise deeper into the country side along smaller rivers and canals. Visits on the river banks will allow you to discover some fruit markets and plantations such as bananas, water melon, coconuts, longans, and some very large paddy fields...
Occasion will be given to establish friendly contacts with the local population.
Along the river, local houses are still traditionally made of wood and palm tree leaves.
We will cruise under several small bridges traditionally made by wood and bamboos, passing by numerous suspended fishing nets, an ancestral way of fishing in the Mekong Delta.
Your river junk will proceed to Dong Hoa Hiep islet reaching an ancient mandarin house where you will disembark for the night.
Free time to discover the old house and surroundings.
Dinner and overnight.
Day 2: Dong Hoa Hiep - An Binh - Vinh Long
(Overnight at local house by the river - basic accommodation)
After breakfast, back on board Cai Be Princess to proceed the excursion from Dong Hoa Hiep to An Binh and Vinh Long, 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..
Lunch will await you at a fruit orchard plantation near Binh Hoa Phuc islet.
After lunch, discover beautiful landscapes on the river banks, cruising along Dong Phu canal, and An Binh 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.
After cruising for about 30 minutes on a small arroyo, we will reach your home for the night (Mai Quoc Nam or Muoi Dai), some traditional charming construction built by the river.
Disembarkation and check in. Rest of the day at leisure in a peaceful and romantic atmosphere. Dinner and overnight.
Day 3: An Binh - Vinh Long - Sa Dec
After breakfast, back on board your private sampan for your last day cruise in the delta.
Crossing the large Co Chien River we will pass under the spectacular My Thuan Bridge.
A visit will be made at a beautiful fruits orchard plantation.
We will proceed the cruise up-stream on a beautiful canal. 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.
On both sides of the river, locals are recolting water jacinth, another famous Mekong delta product used for furniture and baskets.
Sa Dec is appearing like a little “Venice” with numerous narrow canals, with a lot of activity on the banks. You will disembark at the local market place, one of the biggest of the delta.
Lunch will be served at an ancient house (Nha Co).
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.
Your own private transportation vehicle will await you for your transfer back to Saigon or proceed to your next destination. Transfer back to Saigon City. End of service.
**** During the cruise, fresh cotton towels, hot green tea, mineral water and exotic seasonal fruits will be served on board free of charge.
