Mekong Crossroads (Upstream)

Highlights Include

• Visit Cai Rang floating market
• Discover how life is lived on and by the river
• Enjoy spectacular photo opportunities
• Visit a Cao Dai temple
• Visit local cottage industries

Valid from 1 October 2023 until 30 Sep 2024

Day 1

CAI BE – NHA MAN

Be picked up at your hotel at 8:00 am and transfer to Cai Be by road. Meet us at Phu An Jetty at 10:00 am and start with a bicycle ride around this picturesque rural area, ending up at Le Longanier Restaurant.

Lunch is served in this exquisite colonial-style villa set in a lush tropical garden by the river. After lunch, board the Song Xanh Sampan for a leisurely cruise on the busy waterways of the Mekong Delta, with stops along the way to visit an ancient house in Dong Hoa Hiep village and local cottage industries that utilize products from the Delta like rice and coconuts.

As we make our way down this famous river take in the local life as you pass by fisher folk checking their daily catch and floating houses imperceivably balanced on the mighty Mekong. Tonight, dinner is served on board the vessel.

Day 2

NHA MAN – CAI TAU HA – VINH LONG

After breakfast on board, cruise towards Vinh Long along a narrow river, passing several houses on stilts to arrive at Cai Tau Ha, a quaint village. Take a stroll along the riverbank to visit a temple which makes traditional medicine from herbs or walk further into the village to see how black-smiths make a variety of common farming tools and iron objects for everyday life.

Lunch is then served back on board before we make another foray into a clay pot factory in Vinh Long. We will then head back to our sampan to further explore the small tributaries of the river.

The last stopover before sunset is a charming outdoor market where you can see how people sell local materials such as agricultural products, farming tools and fishing tools. Observe the endless boat traffic and the quiet but constant activity along the banks. Enjoy shore excursions to gain insight into how the local people make a living, and stop for a visit to a Cao Dai temple.

Return on board for dinner while the Song Xanh continues its cruise towards the Hau River. Overnight on board.

Day 3

VINH LONG – CAI RANG – CAN THO

We set off early at about 6:30 am to visit the famous Cai Rang Floating Market. Breakfast is served on board while the Song Xanh navigates towards the market among local barges laden with fruit and vegetables. Be sure to have your camera ready for photos from this unique vantage point! Later on, cruise towards Victoria Can Tho and disembark at the hotel’s private jetty.

*Note: Actual itinerary may vary depending upon river tides arrival time or other conditions.