Pick up at the hotel in Ho Chi Minh City and transfer to Cai Be. Upon arrival, embark on the Song Xanh Sampan. The excursion starts at around 10:00 hrs from the pier in Phu An hamlet, located next to Cai Be town, approximately a 2 hour drive south of Saigon.

Tourist attractions included in the programme are an ancient mandarin house dating from 1890, some local home factories where rice paste, coconut candies and other specialties are traditionally made.  Proceed to Phu An hamlet, a beautiful and untouched area offering some of the best sights the Mekong Delta can offer. A delicious lunch will be served at "Le Longanier", a superb Indochinese villa located in a lush tropical garden by the river.

After lunch, the sampan will proceed to 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, criss-crossed with countless arroyos. Take small rowing boat for a cruise along a narrow canal passing by a local tiny village and fruit plantations. Disembark for excursion to one of the largest traditional bricks and tiles factory where bricks and tiles are produced in traditional way.

Cruise on and Sa Dec town will appear like a little “Venice” with numerous narrow canals. 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…The next stop will be at the Trung Vuong primary school where the famous novelist Marguerite Duras spent her childhood (turned into the movie “The Lover”), then go on to visit the beautiful ancient house of Mr. Huynh Thuy Le who was the former “lover” of M. Duras…

Have dinner and Accommodation aboard Song Xanh Sampan.

Breakfast will be served on board at 07.30 hrs. Disembark for a visit to Sa Dec  market, considered one of the most exotic and authentic in Vietnam. Back on board, cruise down to Can Tho along a beautiful narrow canal arched by several locally dub “monkey bridges” and passing by typical Mekong Delta villages.

Lunch will be served on board.

Some stops will be made for further discovery into the Mekong Delta’s daily life. A visit to the Cao Daist temple overlooking the river and a bicycle ride would also be arranged.

The last stop of the day will be made before sunset at a splendid ancient house or “Nha Co” dating from the early 19th century. After being greeted by the owners, an unforgettable candlelit dinner will be served in a unique atmosphere. After dinner, get back onboard for an approximately one hour cruise until Can Tho where Song Xanh will moor for the night in a quiet place.

Accommodation aboard Song Xanh Sampan.

At around 06:00 hrs, the sampan will slowly start cruising. Breakfast will be served on board at 07:00 hrs while approaching Cai Rang floating market – still the largest in the Mekong Delta.

Countless barges carrying rice, fruits, vegetables, fish, flowers and myriads of local produces would gather here from the early hours. Each would be touting their wares by a special pole locally called “beo”.

Disembark at Ninh Kieu pier in Can Tho after a visit to a local market.

Pick up and transfer back to Ho Chi Minh City. Upon arrival, drop off at your hotel or further transfer to Ho Chi Minh City / Tan Son Nhat International Airport for departure at surcharge (accommodation in Ho Chi Minh City is not included).

Our recommendation: Extend your trip in the Mekong Delta (visiting Chau Doc near the Cambodian border) or fly from Can Tho to the beautiful island of Phu Quoc for a beach extension.