3 Days Mekong Delta
Escape into a sanctuary of the senses – an oasis of calm amid the vibrant energy of Ho Chi Minh City. Our wellness journey begins with a therapeutic massage where touch, scent and sound combine in a serene, minimalist space. This is thoughtfully designed to eradicate stress and restore inner balance. After this gentle awakening of the senses, we take our feeling of calm even deeper with a guided meditation session in a peaceful wooden hall. This age-old practice offers numerous benefits for both mental and physical health, including stress reduction, improved focus, better sleep and enhanced emotional balance. It can also help lower blood pressure and reduce pain. We conclude our day of indulgence with a thoughtfully prepared vegetarian meal.
Day-to-Day Itinerary
Our day trip to Ben Tre will transform you from a tourist to a true resident as we take you on a sensory voyage of discovery across an amazing landscape. After an early pick-up from the hotel, we set off on a two-hour journey to Ben Tre, a small town hidden within the Mekong Delta. This peaceful destination offers lush vegetation, snaking canals and the enchanting smiles of the locals.
You will see how bricks and grass mats are made through age-old traditional practices. Then we view stunning panoramic countryside pictures made from green coconut palms and other local products. We will get to taste delicious local cuisine, followed by exotic fruits grown in fertile plantations. Lunch is included in Ben Tre.
Dinner is at the hotel. Overnight is in a Mekong homestay.
After breakfast in the hotel, we enjoy a short biking tour around Oc Islet and visit some local handicraft workshops and explore more of the idyllic Mekong lifestyle. The Delta was once part of the Khmer empire and today it is one of the most important areas of Vietnam. There is enough rice grown in the Delta region to feed the entire population of the country. During today’s excursion, you will get a fascinating insight into the flora and fauna and the unique way of life of this region. The itinerary will include a stop at a local house for a refreshing cold drink and locally grown tropical fruits. Mid-morning, we head back to our Mekong homestay, check-out and transfer to Can Tho (approximately three-hour drive), with an expected arrival in Can Tho at around 3 pm.
After check-in at the hotel, there is free time for leisure.
Lunch and dinner are to guests’ own account. Overnight is in Can Tho.
Breakfast is at the hotel.
We get up bright and early for a boat trip to lively Cai Rang Floating Market, one of the largest markets on the Mekong. We head to this attraction before the crowds arrive. At about 9 pm, we check-out of the hotel and return to Ho Chi Minh City, via Sa Dec province. We stop off to view Binh Thuy Ancient House, an ideal place to get an insight into the region’s history. This French style home was built in 1870 by the Duong family on an area of nearly 6,000 sq-m. The property has featured in many films. After our arrival in Sa Dec, we take a stroll to the outdoor market and then visit another prominent property, the ancient house of Huynh Thuy Le, a real-life character featured in the novel and film The Lover by Marguerite Duras. We conclude the tour with our arrival back in Ho Chi Minh City in the late afternoon.
Lunch and dinner are to your own arrangement.
Route
- Voluntary Carbon Offset Compensation: USD1.50 per person per day;
- Water on tour – We stop using single use plastic bottles on our tours and instead use reusable 5 & 19 litter bottles to refill the client’s bottles. We hope we can encourage clients to bring their bottles;
- Check-in and check-out times may vary depending on the hotel. Typically, official hotel check-in is between 14.00 and 15.00; and check-out time is before 12.00 noon. Early check-in or late check-out may be available upon request is subject to an additional charge;
- We will do all possible to comply with any dietary requirements during this tour; it may not always be possible to confirm your wishes in advance based on the choice of local restaurant;
- We reserve the right to make necessary changes to the tour in case of unfavourable weather conditions or situations where we are forced to make alterations to guarantee the safety of our guests;
- Guests traveling over and during local holidays may experience longer waiting times than normal, may see certain sites being closed down, and this program may be subject to supplementary charges;
- Please ensure that you bring sunglasses, a hat /cap and sunblock with a high SPF factor when traveling with us. Even when it is cloudy, the sun still has an immense power;
- All mentioned times, durations and stops are based on approximations and may change due to unforeseen circumstances, weather and traffic conditions beyond our control;
- The protection of the country’s flora, fauna and its historical and cultural treasures is of immense importance for us. We will not pursue any activities that are not in line with our animal, wildlife and environment protection principles;
- Asian Trails Co., Ltd. reserves the right to change contracted ground service rates in case fuel prices and/or surcharges of any other kind increase beyond the control of Asian Trails Co., Ltd. and affect the contracted selling prices. Asian Trails Co., Ltd. reserves the right to change such prices without prior notice and to reassess the amount and duration at any time.
- Tours and transfers with licenced English-speaking guiding services/ assistance. Other languages are on request and are subject to availability;
- Accommodation in sharing twin/ double;
- Transportation for tour and transfers by air-conditioned vehicle, unless otherwise stated;
- All entrance fees for visits as mentioned in the programme;
- All applicable taxes and service charges;
- All meals as indicated in the programme (food only).
- Vietnamese visa approval letter and Visa stamping fee;
- Any domestic / international airline tickets, airport taxes, specific camera / video fees, additional transportation cost from and to the general pick-up / drop-off regions (such as airports, out-of-town resorts, ports, harbours and accommodation in surrounding towns);
- Personal expenses such as other meals, drinks, tips and gratuities, shopping, portage fees and optional tours/ visits, unless otherwise stated;
- Any accommodation expenses of a personal nature. This includes (compulsory festive) meals and drinks, mini-bar consumption, laundry, room service, any telephone or other communication cost not mentioned in the programme;
- International travel and medical insurance coverage for customers.
