Cruising the backwaters of the Mekong Delta
Bite-sized trip
Day 1 – Ho Chi Minh City to Can Tho
This morning, you will be transferred from Ho Chi Minh City to Can Tho, on the Mekong Delta. There, you will board a traditional Vietnamese riverboat, made entirely of wood, which will be your home for the next 24 hours. The friendly local staff will welcome you on board with a drink, and an introduction to the boat and crew before you head to your private cabin (with en suite) and settle into your surroundings.
As you cruise downstream along the Hau River, enjoying the scenic countryside views, lunch will be served. Spend the afternoon relaxing on the boat’s sun deck and watching local life pass you by before going ashore to explore the villages and meet the locals. When you return to the boat, a delicious traditional dinner will be prepared for you to enjoy. Sit back and soak up the serenity which is a striking contrast to the buzz of the city.
Day 2 – Can Tho to Ho Chi Minh City
After a relaxing night’s sleep on the water, you will enjoy breakfast served on board, as you cruise towards Cai Be. You will enter a small canal lined with local fruit drying in the sun, passing sand and rice barges and traditional wooden ship-building yards. On arrival in Cai Be, you will board a smaller rowing boat which allows you to explore some of the smaller canals, before going ashore and visiting a local village displaying their handicrafts. You’ll then disembark your floating home as you are transferred back to Ho Chi Minh City.
Accommodation
For this bite-sized trip we offer the following options
Upgrade to a Private Sampan riverboat
If you’d prefer to travel on your very own private riverboat, then we can arrange this for you. You’ll board the traditional sampan and be shown to your bedroom for the night. You’ll have a spacious private cabin, decorated with natural bamboo and rattan furniture. Staying on a private sampan is a wonderfully authentic experience that takes you down even the smallest canals due to its compact size, meaning you will get to see the hidden parts of the Mekong Delta most boats are unable to visit.
As you cruise down the river you’ll encounter local industries such as coconut candy making and puffed rice and you’ll visit an ancient house in a local village. Enjoy all of your fresh, tasty meals on board, while taking in the tranquil river views and observing the bustling activity along the river banks. During your cruise, you will be taken ashore to gain insights into the local lives of the people who live here and visit a Cao Dai temple.
