Randonnee Vietnam

07h30: Pick up at your hotel in Saigon City and drive to Vinh Long. The excursion starts at around 10h00 from our pier in Phu An hamlet located next to Cai Be town, approximately 2 hours drive south from Saigon.
Upon embarkation on your sampan you will be welcomed by our crew. After your installation, the cruise will begin with the visit of some local home factories where you will be able to observe how rice paste, coconut candies and other specialties are traditionally made.  We will then proceed to Cai Be colorful floating market, cruising among local barges full of fruits and vegetables.
Your sampan will take direction of Vinh Long and Sa Dec, cruising upstream on the Tien Giang River, one of the two large arms of the Mekong. These evergreen islands among the Mekong River bring about large networks of meandering rivers, criss-crossed with countless arroyos, and remain unknown to many people.
We will then cruise on a small beautiful canal through water jacinth plantations… You will disembark to take a small rowing boat for a cruise along a narrow canal passing by a local tiny village and fruit plantations.
Further on the banks, some dark smokes in the sky will lead us to one of the largest artisanal bricks and tiles factory where you will have an interesting visit.
Sa Dec town will appear like a little “Venice” with numerous narrow canals. You will disembark at the local market place for a guided visit of this charming town, walking along its narrow streets where beautiful French old houses and Chinese temples dating from the last century are numerous.
Your lunch will await you at an ancient house dating from 1890, home of Mr. Huyen Thuy Le, the “Lover” of Marguerite Duras famous writer. (see her novel and adapted movie “The Lover”)
Back on board your sampan, you will enjoy cruising down to Can Tho along a beautiful narrow canal, passing under several wooden “monkey bridges” and by tiny typical villages.
Some stops on the banks will be possible to establish contacts with the local population. A visit will be done at a Cao Daist temple.
After dinner, we will proceed the cruise for approximately one hour until Can Tho. We will moor for the night in a quiet place. Your bed will be ready for your night on the Mekong river.

Day 2: Cai Rang floating market – Can Tho – Sai Gon
At around 06h00, your sampan will slowly start cruising.
Your breakfast will be served on board at 07am while approaching Cai Rang floating market actually still the largest in the whole Mekong delta.
We will pass by countless sampan boats carrying sand, rice, fruits and vegetables, fish, flowers… showing an intense activity on the river.
Your cruise journey will end at around 10h00 at Ninh Kieu pier after a visit at Can Tho local market. End of the cruise and services. Driving back to Saigon City.
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Day 1: Sai Gon – Cai Be-Phu An – Dong Hoa Hiep – Vinh Long – Sa Dec
(Overnight on board “Song Xanh” sampan)
07h30. Pick up at your hotel in Saigon and drive to Vinh Long. The excursion starts from Cai Be town pier at around 10h00.
Upon embarkation on your sampan-hotel, you will be welcomed with fresh cotton towels.
After your installation, the cruise will begin with the visit of Cai Be colorful floating market cruising among local barges full of fruits and vegetables.
Visits will be made at an ancient mandarin house dating from 1890 where you will we welcomed by the owner. Further, another stop at some local home factories will allow you to observe how rice paste, coconut candies and other specialties are traditionally made.
We will proceed to Phu An hamlet, an untouched beautiful area reflecting some of the best sights the Mekong Delta can offer.
A delicious lunch will await you at "Le Longanier", a superb Indochinese villa 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.
These evergreen islands among the Mekong River bring about large networks of meandering rivers, criss-crossed with countless arroyos, and remaining unknown to many people.
We will then cruise on a small beautiful canal through water jacinth plantations… You will take a small rowing boat for a cruise along a narrow canal passing by a local tiny village and fruit plantations.
Further on the banks, some dark smokes in the sky will lead us to one of the largest artisanal bricks and tiles factory where you will have an interesting visit.
Sa Dec town will appear like a little “Venice” with numerous narrow canals.
You will disembark for a guided visit of this charming and peaceful town, walking along its narrow streets where beautiful French old houses, Chinese temples and Vietnamese Dinh are dating from the last century…
You will visit the local market and the Trung Vuong primary school where well known writer Marguerite Duras spent her childhood (see her famous novel turned into the movie “The Lover”). Before sunset, we will have our last stop on the banks arranged at a splendid ancient house or “Nha Co” dating from the early 19^th century. After being greeted by the owners, we will cater a delicious dinner for you, an unforgettable experience in a unique atmosphere.
First night on the Mekong river…

Day 2: Sa Dec – Long Xuyen – Cho Moi
(Overnight on board “Song Xanh” sampan)
The breakfast will be served on board at 07h00. Your Sampan will slowly leave Sa Dec and proceed the cruise upstream the river to Long Xuyen, a peaceful provincial town located on the Mekong’s banks. We will pass by several luxuriant islands, crossing countless sampan boats carrying sand, rice, fruits and vegetables, fishes, showing an intense activity on the river. Approaching Long Xuyen, your lunch will be served on board.
Later, you will have a quick tour of Long Xuyen  typical center before cruising further to “Cu Lao Ong Ho” (The Tiger Island) for a visit at Ton Duc Thang museum, second president of Vietnam… We will proceed upstream on the Mekong river to Chau Doc. Some stops on the banks will be possible for cycling tours to discover deeper the inhabitants life style.
In the evening, we will organize for you an exciting experience at an ancient house located by the river in the suburbs of Cho Moi, where your dinner will be arranged.
You will be able to share experiences with family members and learn about traditional Southern Vietnam lifestyle, one of the highlights of your journey on the Mekong which should not be forgotten!
Back on board your private sampan for your second night on the river.

Day 3: Cho Moi – Chau Doc
Early morning, your breakfast will be served on board while we will be cruising to Chau Doc. We will cruise on a little arm of the Mekong where several traditional activities can be observed on the banks (artisanal boat factories, bamboo baskets making, palm leaves cutting, net fishing), as well as old Vietnamese temples dating from late 19^th century.  We will reach Chau Doc late in the morning. Located on the upper Mekong Delta, the town is 280 km south-west of Saigon on to the Cambodian border. With such proximity the local population is an eclectic mix of Cham, Khmer, Chinese and Vietnamese sharing different cultures and historical richness. At around 11h00, you will disembark at Chau Doc main city pier.  
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Note:

•      During the cruise, fresh cotton towels, exotic seasonal fruits, hot green tea and two bottles of mineral water will be served daily free of charge.