1. Route/Checkpoints:

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

2. Intro:

The Two-day Mekong Rusic Tour (RUS02) package is just an ideal combination of leisure and learning in which you can enjoy the rustic natural beauty. Get in touch with local people and explore the cultural values of the Mekong region.

3. Highlights:

∙ Experience the tremendously lush beauty of the Greater Mekong
∙ Embark on a boat, visit Cai Be inland and market
∙ 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

∙ Get your hands and…body dirty (Yes! We mean it!) with ‘ditch fishing hook’
∙ Stay overnight at peaceful Mekong Rustic bungalows surrounded by many lush orchards on Tan Phong isles and join in their daily activities: taking care of the orchards, picking fruits, preparing and cooking 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 early in the morning at around 11:00 AM, you will be visiting the first stop-over Cao Dai Temple in Cai Be which symbolizes the local unique religion.

After that, you will embark on a boat to visit Cai Be inland and 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.

Back to the Cai Be wharf, the ferry takes you 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.

After break time, get yourself active by joining us catching the ditch fish on the canals for your dinner. You will wear the traditional Southern custom – Áo bà ba which we already prepared for you to join this activity. Our local guide will guide you how to catch the fish manually with the local tools. After getting some fish and having a lot of fun, you can prepare and cook a family meal with the host in the late afternoon. Then enjoy your dinner.

Have a chill relaxing night in the Mekong Rustic garden while you have your own free time. Sleep overnight at Mekong Rustic private bungalow surrounded by tropical orchards in the host family garden.

Day 2: Mekong Rustic – HCMC (B)
After breakfast, we cycle around the peaceful Tan Phong Isles. Stop at a local farmer’s house to savor a cup of tea and local banana candies specialties. Enjoy yourself-picked fruits at one of the most abundant orchards on the Mekong river while listening to Don Ca Tai Tu – an Intangible Cultural Heritage recognized by UNESCO. Keep cycling to the handicraft workshop – Đan lục bình (optional) and maybe bring home some products made from dried water hyacinth as a souvenir.

Have a short rest before saying goodbye to the friendly host, we check out at 11:30 and leave Tan Phong Isles. The ferry will take you back to the wharf to depart to HCMC. End of tour.