Uniquely MEKONG DELTA river barge cruise 2 days/1 night

DAY 1: CAI BE - PHU AN - DONG HOA HIEP - AN B
You will be picked up at your hotel in HCMC and set off for a drive through the Mekong Delta to the town of Cai Be. You will be welcomed on board the "Cai Be Princess" at 10:30 am. Your first stop today is the colorful Cai Be floating market, followed by a trip to Phu An, an untouched hamlet, with some of the best sights the Mekong Delta has to offer. There will be stops at 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", a superb Indochinese villa located by the river and set in a lush tropical garden surrounded by fruit plantations.

After lunch, your sampan will cruise deeper into the countryside via smaller canals. Stops can be made during the cruise to visit some fruit markets and plantations on the banks, and you will see that along the river, local houses are still traditionally made of wood and palm tree leaves. On the river banks, you will observe some very large rice fields while cruising between numerous suspended fishing nets, a traditional way of fishing in the Mekong Delta. You will disembark at an ancient Mandarin house dating back to the late 19th century and located on the river banks. After being greeted by the owners, you will proceed to check-in, then later have dinner and an overnight stay in this charming home.

DAY 2: AN BINH - VINH LONG - SA DEC(B/L/-)
After breakfast, you will get back on board your private sampan for your second day of cruising in the delta.

You will discover Dong Hoa Hiep Island, a peaceful escape where you will be able to observe the rural lifestyle and daily activities of the delta inhabitants, such as roof making with palm tree leaves, brick and tile artisanal work, and net fishing. Your sampan will proceed upstream on the Tien Giang River (another large arm of the Mekong) to Sa Dec, which is like a little "Venice", with numerous narrow canals. Your lunch will be served at the house depicted in Marguerite Duras' "The Lover", the house itself dating back to 1880.

In the afternoon, you will visit Sa Dec, walking along its narrow streets and beautiful old houses dating from the last century. You will be among old Chinese temples and ancient Dinh, including the primary school of Marguerite Duras. You will then rejoin your car for transfer back to HCMC and the end of services.