Mekong Delta tour

Mekong Delta tour: This enchanting four day trip Mekong Delta tour takes you deep into the watery world of the Mekong Delta from Can Tho to Phnom Penh via the charming border town of Chau Doc. Amazing tributaries hidden amongst vibrant tropical fruit gardens, bustling floating markets that offer a cornucopia of items, and acres of emerald rice fields are what makes the Mekong Delta so unforgettable.

Journey from Ho Chi Minh City to Cai Be and admire the floating market, rice fields and scenic waterways before heading onwards to Can Tho. Take a boat to visit the colourful Cai Rang floating market. Here, during the early morning market hours, larger sized boats anchor and create lanes that smaller boats weave in and out of. The main items sold here are fruit and vegetables and every boat has a long upright pole at its bow from which samples of the goods for sale are hung. The waterway becomes a maze of hundreds of boats packed with mango, bananas, papaya, pineapple, and even floating pho vendors. Spend time cycling around the quiet lanes and dirt paths of Can Tho, the perfect way to explore the countryside and its offerings of rice fields and temples.

Before heading into Cambodia and its capital Phnom Penh, spend a night in the town of Chau Doc. The pace here is slower than the rest of the Mekong and the town boats a strong cultural presence. The local Khmer population rubs shoulders with local fisherman, whilst the Cham minority still weave colourful traditional textiles.

Mekong Delta tour: Day 1 – Ho Chi Minh City – Cai Be – Can Tho (L)
The local traditional wooden boats, vast emerald rice fields and lush back waterways; these are the things that make Cai Be such a desired destination. This morning, leave bustling Ho Chi Minh for the 2 hour drive to the delta town of Cai Be.

The tour begins with a boat trip, discovering local trading boats. Traders work the river and some have been living on these waters for generations. Produce at the market are hung on a pole in front of boats to attract customers and make it easier for people to see from afar what is on offer. After visiting the market continue to a cottage factory where ‘pop-rice’, rice paper and coconut candies are made. Return to the boat for the cruise to Dong Hoa Hiep Island, along the way admire the scenery and the daily life of the local villagers. Lunch will be local Mekong style serving specialties of the area. Following your cruise drive in the late afternoon continue by vehicle to Can Tho where you will spend the night.

Overnight in Can Tho City.

Mekong Delta tour: – Day 2 – Con Tho – Chau Doc (B)
Wake up early for a breakfast cruise to the colourful Cai Rang floating market which bustles with wholesalers on big boats. Here, during the early morning market hours, larger sized boats anchor and create lanes that smaller boats weave in and out of. The main items sold here are fruit and vegetables and every boat has a long upright pole at its bow from which samples of the goods for sale are hung. The waterway becomes a maze of hundreds of boats packed with mango, bananas, papaya, pineapple, and even floating pho vendors.

Following your visit to Cai Rang and Can Tho depart for the 3-hour drive to Chau Doc. En route you’ll have a chance to stop at the bamboo basket-making hamlet of Long Thanh. The rest of the evening at leisure.

Overnight in Chau Doc.

Mekong Delta tour: Day 3 – Chau Doc (B)
After breakfast visit Chau Doc’s local market which overlooks the confluence of three rivers, and later take a boat to Chau Giang District where a tiny mosque serves the local Cham community. The Cham minority who dominated coastal Vietnam from the 2nd to the 9th centuries were originally Hindu, but became Muslim as a result of contact with Arab seafarers and merchants in the Middle Ages. In Southeast Asia Islam was disseminated primarily by merchants who, following the monsoon winds, lived in various coastal towns for months at a time. The Chams also practice silk weaving and you may have the opportunity to see them at work. The architecture here is rather distinctive.

You’ll visit a beautiful Khmer temple, and later visit the floating houses that double as catfish farms, now a huge industry for the country.
Late this afternoon visit Sam Mountain, an important pilgrimage site that is frequently visited by pilgrims from all over the Mekong Delta. There are dozens of pagodas and temples around Sam Mountain and reaching the peak is the highlight of the visit. The views from the top are spectacular (weather permitting) and you can easily look out over Cambodia.

Overnight in Chau Doc.

Mekong Delta tour: Day 4 – Chau Doc – Phnom Penh (B)
It’s an early departure for the 4-hour boat ride to Phnom Penh. It’s an hour to the border where you will clear visa formalities (visas must be obtained in advance) before continuing into Cambodia and your final destination.
If hotel and travel arrangements are required in Cambodia, please contact us.