SAIGON – MYTHO – CANTHO – LONG XUYEN – CHAU DOC – RACH GIA –
PHUQUOC
Day 1: Arrive Saigon (Lunch)
Your private guide pick you up at Tan Son Nhat airport &
transfer to your hotel for your check – in. After lunch at local restaurant,
start your visit at The Reunification Palace, War museum, Municipal Theatre,
Notre Dame Cathedral, The General Post Office. And enrich your day at Cho Lon,
Saigon’s Chinatown , is one of the oldest, mysterious and most interesting
parts of Saigon. Cho Lon literally means ‘big market’ and the vast Binh Tay
Market lives up to that reputation, stop at Thien Hau Pagoda. Overnight in
Saigon.
Breakfast at the hotel.
In the morning at 9h00AM, we drive to Tay Ninh to observe
the midday service. Tay Ninh, near the Cambodian border, is home to the unique
Cao Dai sect. The religion is a hybrid of Buddhism, Taoism, Confucianism and
Christianity. The Cao Dai Temple at Tay Ninh has been described as a Walt
Disney fantasia of the East. The temple's exterior is decorated with
multi-colored dragons of all shapes and sizes. Above the main entrance is the
all-seeing holy eye, the symbol of the Cao Dai sect. The interior is just as
engaging as statues of Jesus Christ, Buddha and the Hindu god, Brahma, stand
side by side.
Following lunch we will drive to the Cu Chi Tunnels. At its
height the tunnel system stretched over 250km. from Saigon to the Cambodian
border and was three levels deep. The network included innumerable trap doors,
specially constructed living areas, storage facilities, weapons factories,
field hospitals, command centers and kitchens. Today the remaining tunnels have
become a major tourist attraction giving the visitor a unique experience and a
feel of what underground life in the American/Vietnam war must have been like.
The tunnels have been widened for our benefit (otherwise we would not be able
to enter them!) For those interested there's even the opportunity to fire off
rounds from an AK47 or MK16 at the nearby rifle range. Allegedly the old wooden
targets were made to resemble US Marines! You will then return to Ho Chi Minh
City around 18h00PM.
Overnight in Saigon.
Day 3: Saigon – Cai Be – Dong Hoa Hiep – Vinh Long – Sa Dec,
overnight on board of Song Xanh sampan (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Breakfast at your hotel.
08h00AM: The guide pick you up at the hotel and journey to
Cai Be, the drive takes around 2,5 hours. Upon arrival, embark on your sampan,
welcomed by your crew. After your installation the cruise will begin with the
visit of Cai Be floating market, cruising among local barges full of fruits and
vegetables. We will proceed to Phu An hamlet, an untouched beautiful area
reflecting some of the Mekong delta best sights. On the way, stop will be made
at some local home factories to observe how rice paste, coconut candies and
other regional specialties are made. A delicious lunch will await you at
"Le Longanier" restaurant, a superb Indochinese house 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 have a very interesting visit at a beautiful ancient
house or “Nha Co” dating from the early 19th century, home of Ong Huyh Thuy Le,
former “lover” of famous French novelist Marguerite Duras…. Back on board your
sampan, you will be served a delicious dinner. First night on the Mekong river…
Day 4: Sa Dec – Can Tho, overnight on board of Song Xanh
sampan (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
The breakfast will be served on board at 07.30am. You will
then go on land for the visit of Sa Dec local market, one of the most exotic
and authentic in Vietnam. Back on board your sampan, cruising down to Can Tho
along a beautiful narrow canal, passing under several wooden “monkey bridges”
and by tiny typical villages. Your lunch will be served on board.
Some stops on the banks will be arranged for you to
establish contacts with the local population or discover some interesting
villages on the way. A visit will be done at a Cao Daist temple, overlooking
the river… A bicycle ride will also be organized in the country side. Before
sunset, we will have our last stop on the banks arranged at a splendid ancient
house or “Nha Co” dating from the early 19th century. After being greeted by
the owners, we will cater a candlelight dinner for you, an unforgettable
experience in a unique atmosphere. 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 second night on the Mekong river.
Day 5: Can Tho – Cai Rang floating market – Rach Gia –
Phuquoc (Breakfast)
At around 06h00AM, your sampan will slowly start cruising.
Your breakfast will be served on board at 07h00AM 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 10AM at Ninh Kieu pier after a visit at Can Tho local market.
Your van is waiting for the drive to Rach Gia town for your speed boat to
Phuquoc island. The speed boat depart from Rach Gia at 13h30PM & arrive at
Phuquoc around at 16h30PM.
Pick – up at the pier in Phuquoc & transfer to your
hotel. Overnight in Phuquoc.
Day 6: Scuba diving day at the island (Breakfast)
Breakfast at the hotel
Phu Quoc is about the same size as Singapore, 600 sq. kms
and is the largest of all Vietnamese islands. There are 99 mountains and hills
covered in green primitive forests with majestic waterfalls and babbling
streams. The fresh sea breezes and stunning sandy beaches touching crystal
clear blue waters make this a true paradise.
Overnight in Phuquoc.
Day 7: Scuba diving day at the island (Breakfast)
Breakfast at the hotel
Phu Quoc is about the same size as Singapore, 600 sq. kms
and is the largest of all Vietnamese islands. There are 99 mountains and hills
covered in green primitive forests with majestic waterfalls and babbling
streams. The fresh sea breezes and stunning sandy beaches touching crystal
clear blue waters make this a true paradise.
Overnight in Phuquoc.
Day 8: Phuquoc island, the peaceful tropical paradise
(Breakfast)
Breakfast at your hotel.
In this day, you can experience the culture of Vietnam at
the local market in the morning, relax on a remote and stunning beach in the
afternoon, enjoy a delicious dinner and drinks at one of the restaurants and
enjoy accommodation at the variety of hotels and resorts on this superb island
getaway.
Overnight in Phuquoc.
Day 9: Phuquoc island – Saigon (Breakfast)
Breakfast at your hotel.
Free time until transfer to the airport for your flight back
to Saigon.
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