Day 1: Arrive in Saigon
Transfer (no guide) from Saigon airport to hotel to The Palace Hotel – superior signature room
Day 2: Saigon
Day at leisure in Saigon
Day 3: Saigon to Cai Be
Transfer (with guide) from Saigon hotel (at 6.30am) to the Cai Be pier and board the Song Xanh Sampan
Cai Be- Phu An – Dong Hoa Hiep – Vinh Long – Sa Dec
The excursion starts from Cai Be town pier at 10am. Upon embarkation on your sampan you will be welcomed by your crew. After your arrival the cruise will begin with a visit to Cai Be floating market, cruising among local barges full of fruits and vegetables. Proceed to Phu An hamlet, an untouched beautiful area reflecting some of the Mekong delta best sights. On the way a stop will be made at some local home factories to observe how rice paste, coconut candies and other regional specialties are made. A delicious lunch will await you at "Le Longanier" restaurant, a superb Indochinese house located by the river, in a lush tropical garden surrounded by fruit plantations. After lunch, your sampan will proceed to Sa Dec cruising the Tien Giang river, one of the two large arms of the Mekong. The evergreen islands among the Mekong River bring about large networks of meandering rivers. Continue to cruise on a small beautiful canal through water jacinth plantations… Take a small rowing boat for a cruise along a narrow canal passing by a local tiny village and fruit plantations.
Sa Dec town will appear like a little “Venice” with numerous narrow canals. Disembark at the local market place. Before sunset, you will have a very interesting visit at a splendid ancient house or “Nha Co” dating from the early 19th century. After being greeted by the owners, a candlelight dinner will be catered for you, an unforgettable experience in a very unique atmosphere…First night on the Mekong river… Overnight on board sampan
Day 4: Sa Dec – Long Xuyen – Ong Ho Island
The day will begin with a guided visit of Sa Dec, a charming and peaceful town, walking along its narrow streets where beautiful French old houses and Chinese temples dating from the last century are numerous…
You will also visit the local market and the Trung Vuong primary school where well known writer Marguerite Duras spent her childhood…(see her famous novel “The Lover”). Back on board your private sampan for your second day cruise in the delta. While you continue upstream on the sampan on the Mekong river to Long Xuyen, a delicious lunch will be served on board… Long Xuyen is a peaceful typical provincial town lying on the Mekong’s banks, dotted with an attractive floating market… In the afternoon, excursion to “Ong Ho” island to visit the museum of Ton Duc Thang, second president of Vietnam… At the end of the day, enjoy an exciting evening with your dinner arranged at a local ancient house. You will be able to share experiences with family members and learn about traditional southern lifestyle, a highlight of your journey to be kept for long time in your memory… Back on board your private sampan for your second night on the river. The cruise will slowly continue during the night to Rach Gia. Overnight on board sampan
Day 5: Long Xuyen - Rach Gia
Arrival at Rach Gia, a port town located at the southern end of Vietnam in the Gulf of Thailand. Its main industries are fishing and agriculture.
Rach Gia – Phu Quoc
Transfer from Sampan port to Rach Gia airport. Flight VN485 departs Rach Gia at 7.50am arrives Phu Quoc at 8.30am. Transfer from the airport to the Mango Bay Resort – superior seaview “Verandah”
Day 6: Phu Quoc
Day at leisure
Day 7: Phu Quoc
Day at leisure
Day 8: Phu Quoc
Transfer to Phu Quoc airport. Flight Phu Quoc to Saigon Or perhaps travel by hydrofoil to Ha Tien with transfer to the Cambodian border crossing at Xa Xia
