Mekong Delta: The Rice Bowl of Vietnam

- A Secret Retreats journey -
7 Days / 6 Nights
from 1,550 USD /person

 

ITINERARY BOOK
 


This journey has been personally designed by Francoise and Michel Scour,
owners of The Island Lodge on the Unicorn Island – the heart of the Mekong Delta

All our itineraries have generally been constructed on the basis of the rooms that have the most charm or best view, and not necessarily the first prices, nor the most expensive suites.
We can of course adjust according to your request.

Highlights of the Journey:

  • Saigon, its Cathedral and the Cu Chi Tunnels
  • a dinner in the Secret Table – The Hue House
  • life on the Mekong with the Unicorn Island, a cruise on Bassac and the floating markets of Can Tho
  • option to relax on the beach of Phu Quoc Island (flight included in the extension price)

This one-week trip in Southern Vietnam will enable you to uncover this area from Saigon - a dynamic and hectic city to one of the most magnificent scenery and vibrant life in all of the world – Mekong delta. Take in one of the most exhilarating nightlife experience in Saigon by riding on the back of a vintage Vespa scooter the way locals do. Get inside the ingenious Cu Chi tunnels of the Viet Cong to witness the Vietnam’s War remains and understand more about this sad episode of the history. Spend two nights at the charming Island Lodge on a quiet river island, far from the crowd traffic and the noises of the city. An impressive close with a memorable overnight cruise to discover the immense Mekong Delta. Board a charming river and cruise through the channels of this vibrant waterway to discover vibrant and colorful markets, gorgeous landscapes and meet local people.


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Your Journey Day by Day

from 1,550 USD /person for 7 Days / 6 Nights

based on 2 person sharing

 

 
Day 1 : Ho Chi Minh City (arrival-/-/D)
Welcome by your guide upon arrival at the airport and transfer by private car to your hotel in the city center.
Free time.
In the evening, enjoy a delightful dinner at The Secret Table - The Hue House, located in lively District 1.
HOTEL: Villa Song 4*+ (Sanctuary Room)
Day 2 : Ho Chi Minh City (B/-/D)
Our full day tour of Ho Chi Minh City:
- Cholon district to admire the active Thien Hau Temple, built in the early 19th century by its Cantonese congregation.
- Binh Tay Market to witness the biggest market in Cholon in full swing, and check out the many goods, including fresh produce, on offer in this busy place.
- War Remnants Museum, housing a history of the local perspective of the Vietnam War.
- The old Presidential Palace, where victory was declared after years of fighting, and preserved as it was found, including vehicles in the garages.
- Notre Dame Cathedral and Old Saigon Post Office, both magnificent displays of architecture of bygone days

In the evening: street food adventure and night excursion of Saigon. Experience Saigon nightlife the way locals do, all from the back of a vintage Vespa scooter. To start off this Saigon night tour, enjoy drinks at our Vespa-themed café, Café Zoom, to watch “as the world goes by” (as said in the Lonely Planet guide book). Throughout the night, try a variety of food and drinks at 2 local restaurants and samplings of Saigon’s best authentic local food. Zoom past the famous must-see sights of Ho Chi Minh City while in the bustling traffic. We’ll also go to a Vietnamese-style coffee shop with special live music, and then wrap up the evening at an exciting music bar where the new generation of Vietnamese unwind and flaunt their unique styles. Free flowing drinks and all you can eat, so come with an appetite!
HOTEL: Villa Song 4*+ (Sanctuary Room)
Day 3 : Ho Chi Minh City – Cu Chi Tunnels (B/-/-)
In the morning, enjoy free time at your leisure. In the afternoon, we visit the famous Cu Chi Tunnels, part of an unbelievably complex system of tunnels built by the Vietnamese resistance fighters which help their efforts to repel the Americans during the war. Some tunnels were 2 or 3 stories deep, with hospitals, sleeping quarters and storerooms underground and have been enlarged to allow tourists to enter them.
Back to HCM City late in the afternoon, evening at leisure.
HOTEL: Villa Song 4*+ (Sanctuary Room)
Day 4 : My Tho (B /L/-)
Leaving Ho Chi Minh City behind us as, we head for the rich, fertile lands of the Mekong River Delta region and its extraordinarily busy inhabitants. The area is criss-crossed by a series of narrow, winding waterways, has many cottage industries, orchards, productive rice fields and historical ancient buildings. Arrive in My Tho and embark a boat trip through the islands planted with tropical orchards. Then discover some villages on a carriage. Visit a bee farm where you can have chance to enjoy a tasteful cup of authentic honey tea. Continue on the boat to Turtle Island. Here, visit some of the many cottage industries of the area, and see their products including rice paper, coconut candy and rice popcorn, and taste some local specialties.
A lunch of local specialties will be served in one of the ancient houses of the area.
Return by boat to My Tho and then transfer to the Island Lodge.
HOTEL: The Island Lodge (River view room)
Day 5 : Unicorn Island - The Island Lodge (B/-/-)
Free time day – to enjoy the lodge and their activities.
HOTEL: The Island Lodge (River view room)
Day 6 : Can Tho and Bassac Cruise (B/L/D)
Departure after breakfast, we drive to Can Tho, and board the Bassac at noon. The Bassac is a wonderful boat cruise: a traditional rice barge transformed, with nicely furnished private cabins, with bathrooms, air-conditioning and tastefully decorated by Vietnamese artisans, 2 decks with an open restaurant on the upper one serving traditional Vietnamese dishes. After boarding, meet the crew for a presentation of the boat and be assigned your cabin. A “welcome aboard” drink will then be offered. Departure downstream of the Hau River. Lunch on board while en route. Turning into Nicolai canal, towards the Mang Thit river, you can view a scenery of rice fields, sugar cane, woods on the near banks. By mid-afternoon, the Bassac casts anchor for a visit on shore: past the first tree line, quiet discovery of the peaceful life in the delta's countryside, of rice fields, fruit trees and the welcoming inhabitants, or, at your option, short cycling tour of the surrounding area.
Back on board, you can rest on the deck or around the bar enjoying the sunset. . The Bassac then sets anchor for the night downstream from Tra On.
HOTEL: Bassac Cruise (Cabin)
Day 7 : Can Tho – Ho Chi Minh City Airport for departure (B/-/-)
Breakfast is served at 7.00 am as the boat passes through Trà ôn, then towards Cần Thơ. Arrival at Cần Thơ, transfer on a lighter boat to visit the floating market of Cái Răng, then a noodle factory and return to the pier Ninh Kiều. After landing at the pier in Ninh Kieu, transfer directly to the airport in HCM City for your departure flight. End of service

Option
If you prefer to extend a bit more your time in the South, we propose to fly to Pu Quoc Island and spend 3 more nights by the beach
Day 7-10 : Can Tho- Phu Quoc Island (B/-/-)
After landing at the pier in Ninh Kieu, transfer directly to the airport of Cant Tho for a flight to Phu Quoc. Upon arrival, met and welcome by our driver and then transferred to Salinda Resort – one of the best 5* resort in Phu Quoc (flight and transfers included in price).

3 nights at Salinda Resort. Free time to enjoy the beach.

End of service.
HOTEL: Salinda Resort (Deluxe Sea View)

Your Accommodation on this Asia Travel Itinerary


Mekong Delta: The Rice Bowl of Vietnam

7 Days / 6 Nights
from 1,550 USD /person

based on 2 person sharing

 



The total price includes:
6-night accommodation on a bed & breakfast basis in the hotels detailed in the itinerary.
All meals as mentioned in the program
All transfers by private, spacious, air conditioned car, with provision of water and refreshing towels, and a professional driver
All other transportation used for travel: sampan, small boat, etc.
Local English-speaking guide for all visits mentioned in the program .
All entry fees for places you visit, all program activities (cycling, bike, kayak, or others...) and shows mentioned in the program
Cruise on board of Bassac
Government taxes currently in force (VAT, etc.)

The total price does not include:
Visa if needed (Please make sure your passport is valid for 6 months beyond your departure date).
Other meals that are not included in the program.
Drinks, personal expenses, tips and gratuities.
Travel insurance
Extension 3 night on Phu Quoc Island.


This Secret Journey was designed in cooperation with Francoise & Michel and Hanoi Voyage (License N° 01-022/2009/TCDL-GP LHQT).

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