Highlight

• Experience the tremendously lush beauty of the Greater Mekong
• Embark on a boat, visit Cai Be inland and floating market
• Cruise the Mekong River and see what life is like on the Delta
• Visit Cao Dai temple, Cai Be cathedral, the ancient house, traditional handicraft workshops and Mekong Rustic homestay on Tan Phong isles
• Savour 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

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 and floating market and traditional villages where they produce candies, bánh tráng (rice paper) 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 the conversation with them.
• Leaving the market, continue aboard to head to Mekong Rustic homestay on Tan Phong isles surrounded by lush tropical fruit gardens. There you check in, enjoy tea and welcome fruits and a Southern style Vietnamese lunch prepared by the host family.
• In the afternoon, 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 the vegetable garden and pick veggies for your own dinner.
• After that we all prepare and cook a family meal with the help of 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, there your 2nd day tour in Mekong starts.
• Breakfast will be ready in the meantime. After breakfast, you will cycle to visit local kindergarten if it is a school day (optional). 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 the orchards.
• After making a loop around the isles on the bicycle, we return homestay, have 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.

Inclusion:

• Local English speaking guide
• Boat transfer from Cai Be wharf
• Boat, sampan
• Accommodation
• Meals (L/D/B)
• Welcome drinks & fruits
• Bicycle
• Attraction entrance fees

Exclusion:

• Hotel pick up & drop off from/to Ho Chi Minh city
• Personal expenses
• Gratuities
• Insurance
• Other services not mentioned in the itinerary

Special notes:

• Total length of boat trip: 2 hours
• Total length of cycling: 30-45 minutes
• Road conditions: Rural trails