Mekong stories from Vietnam

Saigon, arrival – Sightseeing (D)

Arrival in Saigon, welcome by our team (English-speaking guide and driver) and transfer to the hotel.

Depending on your arrival time, discover the colonial quarter with the central post office built in pure French style by Gustave Eiffel, Notre-Dame Cathedral, the Grand Theatre, and the City Hall with its original French architecture.

Welcome dinner in a local restaurant and overnight in Saigon.

Ho Chi Minh City (formerly Saigon) is often compared to Hanoi, the traditional city, as this economic capital embodies Vietnamese modernity and the hope of catching up economically after various wars. Located in the heart of Cochinchina, in the Mekong Delta, it's also the largest city with a population of over 14 million inhabitants.

Saigon – Cu Chi Tunnels – Saigon/Visits (B, L, D)

In the morning, departure for the Cu Chi tunnels. Known as the "Iron Triangle" and later the "Free Fire Zone," these tunnels allowed Viet Cong-controlled areas to communicate with each other, even when isolated in American or South Vietnamese zones. They also served as shelters for the population during air raids. Viet Cong soldiers lived there in extremely difficult conditions and are living witnesses to the patriotism of the Vietnamese.

Lunch in a local restaurant, then return to Saigon.

Arrival in Saigon, visit the Chinese quarter (Cho Lon): Thien Hau Pagoda, Binh Tay wholesale market, medicinal herb streets. Dinner in town and overnight at the hotel in Saigon.

Saigon – Mekong (Ben Tre) (B, L, D)

Meet at 8:00 am with everyone in the hotel lobby for departure to the Mekong Delta, in the Ben Tre region, the land of coconuts.

Walks and photos in the endless rice fields. Photos and local activities.

Ride in a small sampan through the small arroyos to take photos, in the shade of water palms. Meal and overnight homestay.

You will do many activities in this region to discover local life, and that night, you will sleep in a typical Southern house. You will all be together in a room with single or double beds separated in the Vietnamese style.

The Mekong splits into nine major rivers in the far south of Vietnam, forming a delta of over 100 kilometers. The lands, wet and flooded each year, produce lush and varied vegetation. The delta is vast and can be discovered by visiting several sites, cruising on rivers and canals, visiting islands, discovering local life, and especially... passing through floating markets.

Ben Tre – Mekong – Sadec – Long Xuyen (B, L, D)

In the morning, after breakfast at the homestay, departure for walks and discovery of this region with activities at the local market to meet people.

Drive to Cai Be, visit the Cao Dai temple. Walk and take photos on the islands, then visit Cai Be floating market. Continue the walk to Vinh Long town where you'll take the car to go to Sadec, a beautiful town known thanks to Marguerite Duras's life.

Lunch in Sadec. Visits and photos in Sadec: local market, "The Lover's" house, flower garden. Continue the journey to Long Xuyen. Dinner in a local restaurant and overnight in Long Xuyen.

Long Xuyen – Floating Market – Chau Doc (B, L, D)

In the morning, you'll take a boat to visit the typical Long Xuyen floating market on the Mekong. Visit this magnificent floating market (the most authentic in the Mekong, less touristy than others).

Lunch in a local restaurant in Long Xuyen town before continuing the journey to Chau Doc along the Mekong, with planned photo stops.

At the end of the day, arrival in Chau Doc to visit Ba Chua Xu Pagoda and Sam Mountain for photos. Dinner and overnight in Chau Doc.

Chau Doc – Ha Tien/Visits (B, L, D)

In the morning, sampan ride to visit a floating village on the Mekong to better discover life on the water and the activities of Mekong fishermen.

Lunch in a local restaurant, then drive to Ha Tien.

Arrival in Ha Tien, visit Thach Dong Cave, Chau Hang Pagoda, and Da Dung Mountain. Free time at the beach for sunset.

Dinner and overnight stay in Ha Tien.

Ha Tien/Walks – Rach Gia (B, L, D)

In the morning, departure for a cruise in Ha Tien Bay on a traditional sampan boat to see the small bay of Hon Chong and Hon Phu Tu Bay (photo stops). The boat will take you to Pirate Island (??o H?i T?c in Vietnamese).

Return to Ha Tien town, then drive to Rach Gia, an important province in the Mekong.

Dinner and overnight in Rach Gia.

Rach Gia/Visits – Soc Trang – Can Tho (B, L, D)

In the morning, discover Rach Gia market in the city center before taking the road to Can Tho with visits to beautiful Khmer pagodas along the way.

Visit the Bat Pagoda in Soc Trang.

Arrival in Can Tho, you'll enjoy the area to take photos in exotic gardens and admire the sunset. Direct transfer to the homestay for rest.

Lunch in a local restaurant. Dinner and overnight in a bungalow in the suburbs of the city.

You will sleep and eat at a homestay in bungalows by the riverside, in the suburbs of Can Tho, to better enjoy nature and take photos.

Can Tho – Floating Market – Saigon (B, L, D)

In the morning, after breakfast, departure by sampan to visit and discover Cai Rang floating market, one of the most authentic markets in Mekong for its liveliness and local commercial exchanges.

Walk and discover of the old Huynh Thuy Le house, then visit Mr. Bay Cong's ecological garden. Lunch in a local restaurant.

Return to Saigon by road. Arrival in Saigon, direct transfer to the hotel for rest.

Farewell dinner at the restaurant to say goodbye to the guide and driver. Overnight in Saigon.

Saigon/Free Time – Departure (B)

Breakfast at the hotel, then free day. Check-out around noon. Meet the driver for transfer to the airport for your return flight.