Mekong Delta Homestay – 2 days 1 night

Can Tho The central Mekong Delta is Vietnam’s richest, most prolific agricultural region. Covering some 41,632 square miles, it is one of the country’s most densely populated areas. Can Tho, in the heart of the Delta, is a bustling market community. Lectures discuss Mekong River commerce, rice production in the Delta, and Khmer influences on Buddhism in Vietnam. We take a field trip to a local fish farming community and enjoy a boating excursion to the floating markets.
[slide]

[/slide]

Day 1: Ho Chi minh city – Cai Be – Vinh Long – Can Tho (L)

6:00 am Pick up at your hotel in HCMC ( to be advised ). Depart for Cai Be by car/van, stopping to take photos in Tan An town overlooking the picturesque flat rice fields. On arrival in Cai Be, set off by motor boat to visit the Cai Be floating market and watch the locals trading fruit and many other commodities on board their vessels. Then wander into the small villages to visit the orchard and fruit plantation. Keep cruising to Vinh Long through a series of small canals to experience the charms of the Upper Mekong Delta. Visit a small family business to see how coconut candy and crispy rice popcorn are made. Arrive in Binh Hoa Phuoc village, the green pearl of Vinh Long town, where you can immerse yourself in nature. Enjoy a lunch of fresh river food served in the heart of the garden accompanied by traditional southern Vietnamese folk music. Take a delightful walk through the bonsai garden. Meet the car/van in Vinh Long. Proceed to Cantho.
Option 1 : Stay in a hotel in Can Tho
Check into your hotel on arrival at Can Tho. Free to explore the city on your own in the afternoon. You can also visit a village, meet the local people, have dinner with them and enjoy their music.
Overnight at hotel in Cantho.
Option 2 : Homestay (D)
Transfer by motor boat to a small village in Cai Rang district. Check into your riverside cottage. In the afternoon, go cycling or trekking around the village to experience the rural lifestyle of the Mekong Delta people. Join a family as they prepare dinner, then share the meal with them. Enjoy an evening of traditional folk music with your neighbors.
Overnight in riverside cottage.

Day 2: Phong Dien – Cai Rang (B,L)

7:00 After breakfast, take the morning boat trip to visit the Phong Dien floating market which is at its busiest at this time of day. Keep cruising through the small channels system and visit a rice noodle making village. Experience the “Monkey Bridge” in the Delta. Visit a second floating market (Cai Rang). Break for lunch. Return to Ho Chi Minh City.