Itinerary
NOTICE
The tour includes a short cycling trip that suits children from 12 years or above. For safety reasons, we do not provide small bikes for young children who are under 12 years of age, as local traffic behavior is quite different from the West or developed countries. Children under 12 are REQUIRED to sit on the back of the bike. In some exceptional cases, Western children (ages from 9-12) are taller the average Asian children, she/he can ride a bike her/ himself.
Day 1: Saigon – Ben Tre – Vinh Long (_, Lunch, Dinner)
7:00: We will pick you up from your hotel and begin our trip with a 2,5 hours drive to the picturesque and friendly Ben Tre Province where you’ll be one of the rare foreigners who make it here.
We will take a break to enjoy the fresh air and variety of tropical fresh fruits from Mekong Delta on a boat trip and begin touring a region known as Vietnam’s rice bowl. After putting your footprints on the coconut kingdom, the Xe Loi (a motorized cart, a form of local transportation) will give you a short trip to see around the peaceful island and visit some local workshop.
Then get boarded to a hand-rowing sampan to wind through some green, lush, picturesque canals between lines of nipa palm.
Continue your journey by car to an untouched area of Vinh Long. Be greeted by the host family and then you will be served home-prepared dishes of delicious Vietnamese food for lunch.
After lunch, we will have a stunning bicycle ride as your guide will take you weaving through the canal trails, orchard paths into the charming villages with friendly, welcoming people.
Finish the bike trip, we will get ready to cook dinner with the host then enjoy home-prepared dishes as well as share stories about life on the Mekong Delta.
Day 2: Vinh Long – Can Tho - Cai Rang Floating Market - Sai Gon (Breakfast, Lunch, _)
06:00: Start your day early to enjoy peaceful fresh air in Mekong Delta. We say goodbye to our friendly hosts before heading to Can Tho. Upon arrival at Ninh Kieu Wharf, we will transfer to a local boat to visit Cai Rang - the worthwhile floating market in the Mekong Delta. You will be able to observe authentic trading customs on boats and see daily life on rivers.
Then let’s stop by a colorful land market for a different view of trading customs as well as watching the friendly market goers buying their food for the incoming meal. At our next destination, your guide will drive you to visit an ancient Khmer temple to learn more about the local belief as well as discover the multi-culture of community in Mekong Delta.
On the way back to Ho Chi Minh City, you will stop to visit a beautiful island which is known as the heaven of fruits such as durian, rambutan, guava, and jack fruit...and fill your stomach with delicious seafood from Mekong river at our lovely restaurant.
This tour ends upon arrival in Ho Chi Minh City at your hotel around 4:00 PM or Can Tho city at around 10:00 AM where you can continue to Rach Gia /Chau Doc on your own by bus/ private car and then taking an express boat to Phu Quoc/ Phnom Penh. In addition, you can also take a flight from Can Tho to Phu Quoc.
Note: some activities can be rearranged due to unexpected situations (weather, tidal systems, etc.)
Important Notes
CONFIRMATION OF BOOKING
When you submit your booking, it does NOT mean your tour is booked. You will receive a confirmation email from our booking staff shortly.
If you do not hear back from us within 24 hours of your booking request, please check your SPAM or JUNK mail folder or contact us again via [email protected] or call us at (+84) 834391331. Thank you!
ESSENTIAL TRIP INFORMATION
1. We only offer free hotel pickup and drop off as long as your hotel is located in District 1 (some exclusions apply). We kindly request guests staying outside of our pickup areas to either meet us at the suggested meeting points in District 1 for the start of the tour.
2. Although children under five are free of charge. 50% of the adult price will be charged for the second child (if there are more than 1).
3. There will be quite a bit of driving on this tour as we have to cover a vast region.
ITINERARY DISCLAIMER
Please note that while we operate successful trips in this region throughout the year, some changes may occur in our itineraries due to inclement weather and common seasonal changes to timetables and transport routes. This can happen with little notice so please be prepared for modifications to the route.
Occasionally our itineraries are updated during the year to incorporate improvements stemming from past travellers' comments and our own research.
The order and timing of included activities in each location may also vary from time to time.
TOUR FAQs
What to prepare for the trip?
Passports
Sun cream
A small backpack
Sandals or similar
Mosquito repellent
Toiletries (toothbrush, toothpaste, towel, soap, shampoo etc)
Luggage?
You can either ask to leave those at your hotel (if possible) and carry a small bag/ backpack for your trip OR you can carry them on the tour. Those can be left on the car/ at the homestay.
Wear?
We do not have a dress code for our tours however, dress standards are conservative throughout Asia, especially outside major cities. To respect this and for your own comfort, we recommend modest clothing. This means clothing that covers your shoulders and knees. Loose, lightweight, long clothing is both respectful and cool in the predominantly hot Asian climate.
What is the homestay like?
Feel like home is what we can describe. Simple, basic but is sure to be a lasting memory of your tour. Our homestays are real local homes where you will stay with locals and see how the locals live, work and eat.
The room type is private OR or multi-share dormitory-style. However, the private rooms are limited so they will be offered on a first-come/first-serve basis. So if other guests book out your desired room, before you request us this type of room, we will only be able to arrange you the multi-share dormitory-style room.
Each room at the homestay is provided Vietnamese mattress, bed sheet, blanket, mosquito net and fan. The bathrooms and toilets (western style) are shared.
Homestay alternative?
Not so keen on staying in a homestay? No problem! Let’s stay in a Hotel instead.
However, this is a pre-designed tour which specializes in homestay and cycling. If you join a group tour we cannot change the activities out of consideration for our other guests. Thus, we have to make this tour private OR customize this tour base on your requests.
If you are still interested in the cycling, cooking and have dinner at a homestay, you still can take the "Mekong Trails & Tales" PRIVATE tour, we will just change the overnight at homestay to a 3-star hotel option. We will travel to Can Tho (takes 30 minutes) after dinner time (8 or 9 PM) to check-in to the hotel.
Otherwise, you can take a CUSTOM tour.
Is cycling safe and children-friendly?
Yes! Our tour is kid friendly. We design the tour to be entertained and suitable for guests from 4 years and older. Family with the child is under 4 is NOT recommended for this tour.
However, for safety reasons, we do not provide small bikes for young children who are under 12 years of age, as local traffics behavior is quite different from that from the West or developed countries. Children are under 12 are REQUIRED to sit on the back of the bike, baby seat for the bicycle is provided for children from 4-5 years.
In some exceptional cases, the Western children (ages from 9-12) are taller the average Asian children, she/he can ride a bike her/himself.
What is the riding like?
The cycling is approximately 10 - 12 km long and we cycle mostly on flat concrete paths and small paved, rural roads. We will make a few stops during the trip to visit local sights such as local workshop, temple, rice fields and also a water break. Thus, anyone who can reasonably ride a bike can do this ride.
Please note that our tour includes a 2 - 2,5 hours cycling as a sightseeing activity, it is NOT a cycling type of tour. Therefore, the bikes which are provided on the tour are typical Vietnamese student bikes.
Cycling alternative?
Can not/ do not like riding a bicycle? No problem. We will provide an alternative.
However, if you join a small group tour we CANNOT change the activities out of consideration for our other guests. Therefore, you will have to take a CUSTOM tour. Please send us your requests and we design your own special tour!
Continue to Phu Quoc / Phnom Penh after the tour?
Yep! This tour is for you.
The tour ends either in Ho Chi Minh City at around 4 pm (default) or Can Tho at around 10 am where you can take a bus to Rach Gia (3 hours) OR Chau Doc (3,5 hours) and then continue your way to Phu Quoc / Phnom Penh.
Please note that boat to Phu Quoc only starts TWICE per day at around 8:00 AM and 1:00 PM, AND the express boat to Phnom Penh only start ONCE per day at around 7:30 AM. This means you have to stay overnight in Rach Gia / Chau Doc on the date of your tour finish.
Is there any malaria or dengue fever in the Mekong Delta?
Malaria is now under control in Vietnam so the risk of malaria is very low but dengue should be more of a concern which is common in Vietnam.
Although Mekong Delta is NOT a malaria area and mosquitoes are only active at dusk and dawn, you should consider using insect repellent if you intend to take on the trip.
Is tipping customary in Vietnam?
Although our trips are inclusive of all costs and we ensure our guides and local staff are paid fairly, if you’re happy with the services provided a tip – though NOT compulsory – is appropriate. While it may not be customary to you, it’s of great significance to the people who will take care of you during your travels and inspires excellent service. Although can be difficult to source we advise you to carry small notes of local currency each day to make tipping easier.
The following amounts are per person suggestions based on local considerations and feedback from our past travelers:
- Restaurants: Local markets and basic restaurants – round your bill up to the nearest US$1. More up-market restaurants we suggest 10% to 15% of your bill.
- Drivers: You may have a range of drivers on your trip. Some may be with you for a short journey while others may be with you for a few days. We would suggest a higher tip for those more involved with the group, however, we suggest US$2-US$3 per day for drivers.
- Your Tour Guide: We suggest US$4-US$6 per day for your tour guide for outstanding service throughout your trip
Of course, you are free to tip more or less as you see fit, depending on your perception of service quality and the length of your trip. Remember, a tip is NOT compulsory and should only be given when you receive excellent service. However, please DO NOT tip with coins, very small denomination notes, or dirty and ripped notes. This is regarded as culturally as an insult.
James
21:05, 19/05/2024
Excellent Mekong Delta Tour We had a great trip and homestay in the Mekong Delta, including floating market, bike and boat rides. Highly recommended.