1. Route/Checkpoints:

Cai Be (Tien Giang) – Cao Dai Temple – Cai Be market –Tan Phong Isles

2. Intro:

Our two day Mekong Rustic homestay tour (RUS03) package is customized for those who wish to leave
behind the hustle and bustle of Ho Chi Minh City and come to stay the way our local hosts stay in Mekong;
“May all who come as guests leave as friends!”

3. Highlights:

● Experience the tremendously lush beauty of the Greater Mekong
● Embark on a boat, visit Cai Be inland and daily life of local people.
● Cruise the Mekong River and see what life is like on the Delta
● Visit Cao Dai temple, the ancient house, traditional handicraft workshops and Mekong Rustic homestay on Tan Phong isles
● Savor your self-picked tropical fruits at one of the most abundant orchards on Mekong river while listen to Don Ca Tai Tu
● Row in a sampan along the canals under the green canopy of water coconuts trees
● Homestay overnight with local families and join in their daily activities: taking care of the orchards, picking fruits, prepare and cook a family meal
● Make your own “Jack-fruit leaf cake” in local garden who has her three generation ancestors making traditional cakes;

4. Full Itinerary

Day 1: HCMC – Mekong Rustic (L/D)
Arriving at Cai Be in the morning at around 11:00 AM, you will be welcomed by the hospitable smile of the local guide and invited some fresh fruit or drink before embarking on a boat to visit Cai Be inland. We will be heading head to a traditional local house where they produce coconut candies, bánh tráng (rice paper), cốm nổ (pop-rice cake) etc. There you can observe the daily life of local people who live mostly based on the river sources. We may buy some fresh tropical fruits on the local seller’s boats and engage in conversation with them.

After that, we continue aboard to head to Mekong Rustic homestay on Tan Phong isles surrounded by lush tropical fruit gardens. There you check in, enjoy a cup of tea and welcome fruits and a Southern style Vietnamese lunch prepared by the host family.

In the afternoon, the local host will show you to his orchards where he shares his experience on how to take care of the garden and pick fruits as it is his daily work. Let’s listen to Don Ca Tai Tu while enjoying your self-picked fruits from his garden.

In the late afternoon, we go to the vegetable garden and pick veggies for your own dinner. After that we
all prepare and cook a family meal with the help of the local host.

Homestay overnight in the host family surrounded by tropical garden.

Day 2: Mekong Rustic – HCMC (B)

Wake up in the early morning to enjoy the fresh air of Mekong Delta and then take a stroll around the home- stay, where your 2nd day tour in Mekong starts.

Breakfast will be ready in the meantime. After breakfast, you will cycle to visit Tan Phong isles. On route, stop at a local farmer’s house and learn how to make Jackfruit leaf cake. Continue to cycle and stop at a bonsai garden and meet the host. He will introduce the way they plant the bonsai and take care of the orchards.

After making a loop around the isles on the bicycle, we return to our homestay, take a short rest before saying goodbye to the friendly host. We check out at 11:00 – 11:30 and leave Tan Phong Isles. The ferry will take you back the wharf to depart to HCMC. End of tour.