Mekong Delta Explorer, 8 days

On arrival at Ho Chi Minh Airport, you are met by our guide and taken to your hotel by private transfer. You may have some time free to relax or discover at your own leisure. The bustling city of Ho Chi Minh, still called Saigon by many locals, was originally a fishing village built up on a vast swampland, but it has developed into Saigon under the French domination. The effervescent development has bought Ho Chi Minh some cosmic changes from a war-torn city to a thriving metropolis. However, the architecture, local culture and lifestyle in Ho Chi Minh are still a reconciliation among French, American and Chinese influences. This fast growing city is now punctuated with elegant international hotels and exclusive restaurants, crowded with motorbikes, cars and vociferous cyclo drivers, and excited by numerous shopping areas, sidewalk cafés and noodle stalls. They have formed a dynamic urban area in very special sense and make for an endless exploration in this  south Vietnamese gem.

Today, we enjoy a full day guided tour of Ho Chi Minh City, starting from  the vibrant and beautiful Nguyen Hue Boulevard. This broad walking promenade is fringed with many  shopping malls, eating spots and French colonial structures. We pay a quick look at the ornate City Hall and the old Opera House before we head towards the striking European style­ landmarks of  Notre Dame Cathedral and  Old Sai Gon Post Office. The tree lined boulevards lead us until the Independence  Palace, a former residence of the southern Vietnam President until a dramatic end on April 1975. The president palace was built on base of the French governor-general mansion and had all for the president life, plus shelter, helipad, and command bunker. We visit this sight before going to the War Remnant Exhibit, which contains a wealth of images and real objects reflecting the notorious Vietnam- American War and the first Indochina War involving the French colonialists. They make your visit like taking a step back into the war time. We continue seeing the Jade Emperor Temple  and the crowded Saigon Chinatown, locally named Cho Lon. This bustling area is crammed with various sacred temples and mysterious and narrow market lanes. The major attractions in place are the Binh Tay Market and  the Thien Hau Pagoda. They will give us some interesting views of the local culture and traditions.  We round of our city tour with a walk around the retail  Ben Thanh Market, where vendors display a vast array of goods and handicrafts appealing to every taste!.

The bustling commerce of Ho Chi Minh contrasts sharply with the languid, almost-soporific pace of life in the Mekong Delta. Today we depart early for Cai Be Town and  spend  two days joining many activities in this plain region, and  apprehending a true taste of rural life. On arrival in Cai Be,  we embark on a private boat to visit  the Cai Be Floating Market. The traffic usually flusters at dawn while many big boats converge from nearby regions to make for a bustling  trade hub on the water. We continue venturing into the Mekong Delta and have stops at local industry cottages. They will give us some information on how local villagers make the rice paste, rice popcorn, handicrafts, and coconut candy. The boat excursion will deliver us at An Binh Island, which rises up between the Tien and Co Chien Rivers. This large island has been warped by both rivers in hundreds of years and offers an authentic experience of the Mekong Delta. We have  time to explore  An Binh Island, one of the fascinating ecotourism sites  in this watery region. The intricate narrow canals, fruit gardens and rural lifestyle make for an endless exploration.  We spend this night as the guests of a family, prepare some foods for  our dinner and learn  about  the local culture. The accommodation is very simple, no western facilities, but the experience is definitely unique.

Upon leaving the village of our previous night,  we cycle along  meandering paths of An Binh Island and pass  through lush greenery and waving children. We see many local villagers going on their daily business,  who call the Mekong Delta their home. The local life of villagers in this area revolves around the rivers and canals  so they  are more likely to transport by river than road. Along the way, we also visit a rice husking mill, bonsai garden and ceramic  kiln. The ceramic wares from tiny spoon to giant jars are widely sold throughout the Mekong Delta. You may get a chance to make some objects at your skill.  The river excursion comes to an end  in  Vinh Long Town by late morning.  We have time to stroll around  the vibrant market of Vinh Long before we set off on our  journey to Can Tho, the largest city in this delta region. The winding riverbanks are fringed with coconut trees, towering brick kilns and evergreen paddy fields, making for an iconic view along our way. We check in our hotel and visit Binh Thuy Ancient House, one of the famous sights in Can Tho. This  outstanding structure  features a beautiful combination of French, Chinese, Vietnamese  architecture and was one the Lover movie scene. We follow it with a walk to the lively central market crammed with local treasures. The riverside area is always a pleasant place to enjoy your drink and admire a fantastic scene of the countless boats racing themselves under the silhouette of Can Tho Bridge, a new cable-stayed structure spanning over the Mekong River.  

The floating markets are truly a highlight of this watery world region. We visit one of them on a boat trip along the mighty Mekong River. This floating market is locally named Cai Rang which still keeps its traditional trading way; each boat usually  sells one particular item, whether it be pumpkins, pineapples, sugar canes,…. To help customer know where to shop, they usually hang that item from the highest part of the boat. We have time to catch some wonderful photos of the vibrant trade scene close up before we cruise back to Ninh Kieu Pork.  Today we continue exploring the Mekong Delta  with the next stop being  Soc Trang Town. We have a quick look at the Clay Pagoda famous for hundreds of statutes  made from clay before heading to the storied Khmer Doi Pagoda. This sacred  monastery in Khmer style has a large compound and garden housing thousands of fruit bats, some of which weigh about 1 kg and have wingspan if about 1.5 m. They usually  swoop out of the trees to forage in orchards all over the Mekong Delta around dusk. We walk around the garden to seek  this huge bat  and  pay a visit to the Doi Pagoda. The main structure decorated with gilt Buddhas and murals  houses a life-size statue of the monk who was the former head of the complex. We  keep on our journey to Rach Gia and pass by Nga Nam Town, the convergence point of 5 canals,  where a lively  floating market is held every morning. The scenic drive delivers us in Rach Gia Town for our overnight stop.

Today, we hug the coastline to Ha Tien, a popular destination in southern tip of Vietnam.. This peaceful town faces the Gulf of Thailand and was once astride of  the trade route between India and China. Along the way,  we have a look at the Rock Formation at Ha Tien  Beach and  visit the sacred mausoleum of Han Mac Cuu, who was founder of Ha Tien Town in late 17 century. We continue to the Tra Su Forest, one of the lesser-known attractions of the Mekong Delta. This lush swampland forest is now a wildlife reserve housing a large variety of wildlife.  We take a boat trip venturing into the small canals and explore the jungle a vast swamp beneath a beautiful thick canopy of tall trees and vines. This boundless cajeput forests are dissevered by numerous narrow canals surrounded by aquatic grass and plants, tall trees and vines. The cool and humid air mixing with the fragrance of  flowers plus the beautiful song of bird in the quiet environment, make for an unforgettable excursion. Upon leaving this sight, we drive to the beautiful Chau Doc Town. This riverside outpost  is less affected by the flash and glitz of Ho Chi Minh City’s fashionable young people although it is a major hub of trade along the Mekong River. We visit  the sacred and ancient sites of  Ba Chua Temple and Tay An Pagoda. They are laid back the Nui Sam Mountain and  frequented by local pilgrims. The optional walk up to the Nui Sam Mountain is also available for anyone who want to catch a sunset view from Vietnam to Cambodia land in the far distance.

The intriguing waterfront provides fine backdrops of Chau Doc Town. We board a local boat for our trip  along the mighty Hau River,  catching a panoramic  view from the townscape to  riverine local life  and fish breeding farms. We make stop at a floating house to see how locals feed their fishes and learn more about the local life. The boat excursion reaches a Cham Muslim Village where locals practice a rustic form of Sunni Islam. These villagers were originally influenced by the Hinduism, but have converted their religion to the Islam down centuries. Today we drive back to Ho Chi Minh City, passing by green rice fields bordered with sugar palm trees and canals crammed with boats and rice barges. They make for striking features of our countryside sketch.  En route we make stop in Sa Dec Town, a river port and agricultural trading center. This peaceful town is dotted with fading colonial villas and fringed with orchards and flower gardens. We stroll around to see the famous Huynh Thuy Le Old House built on the riverfront. The typical architecture of this striking residence features the Sino-French elements with intricate interior woodwork, mother of pearl inlaid doors, heavy wooden furniture and original floor tiles made in France.  There are photos of the Le family and  Marguerite Duras in  the entrance hall. She immortalized the romance in the semi-autobiographical novel “ The Lover”, which was eventually made into a film. We keep on our drive through the scenic countryside and arrive in Ho Chi Minh City by late afternoon.

There are no activities planned on  this final day. You may have free time to continue your exploration of Hanoi City, do your last shopping or simply look back upon your trip images. The holiday comes to an end with a transfer to Hanoi Airport for your departure.