Ho Chi Minh City - My Tho - Cai Be - Sa Dec - Long Xuyen - Ho Chi Minh City. Culturally rich and steeped in centuries-old charm, Vietnam’s appeal lies in its unique artistic, religious and architectural heritage set against a backdrop of diverse natural beauty. Awaken your senses as this tour takes you through colourful, bustling markets and serene temples to palm-fringed beaches and rugged mountains, introducing some of the world’s friendliest people along the way (Lonely Planet guide book).Day 1: HO CHI MINH – MY THO – CAI BE (L-D)
Drive from Ho Chi Minh City to the boat dock at Can Duoc. Take a boat cruise to
Cho Gao enjoying lunch on board. After arriving at Cho Gao, take a short walk to
visit a local market before continuing to My Tho. Take a 5km walk through Thoi
Son Island, visiting local villages and an orchard where guests can try local
fruits. Take a brief sampan ride through palm-shaded creeks then return to boat.
Enjoy aperitifs and dinner during the sunset cruise to Cai Be. Overnight on
board at Cai Be.
Day 2: CAI BE
– SA DEC – LONG XUYEN (B-L-D)
After having breakfast on board, take a small boat to visit the floating
market of Cai Be. Disembark to visit the town market, a fruit wholesale market
and a French-influenced Catholic church. Visit family-run businesses producing
rice paper - a key ingredient in Vietnamese cuisine - and a local version of
popcorn. Take a 5km walk to visit a local school, a fruit processing farm, a
forging mill and a crocodile farm. Return to boat for cruise to Sa Dec. Stop in
Sa Dec for a short visit to a local market and the Kien An Cung pagoda. Continue
cruising to Long Xuyen. Dinner and overnight on board.
Day 3: LONG
XUYEN – THOT NOT – CAN THO (B)
Breakfast on board. Transfer to small boat to visit the Long Xuyen floating
market. Disembark at Long Xuyen dock and transfer to car for trip to Thot Not.
Stop at the Bang Lang stork sanctuary then continue to Can Tho. Check into hotel
then evening free. Overnight in Can Tho.
Day 4: CAN THO – HO CHI MINH CITY (B)
Take a boat cruise to visit Cai Rang floating market. The market is filled
with small boats darting through the water as vendors buy and sell their wares.
Cruise through small canals and stop at a fruit orchard to taste some of the
succulent fruits of the Mekong Delta. From here take a “xe loi” - a pedicab
drawn by a bicycle or motorbike - to visit the Binh Thuy old house, a local
market and a temple. Return to Ho Chi Minh City.
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