Life on the river - Private Song Xanh Sampan Cruise 2 days Starting either from Cai Be or Can Tho, our two-day cruises provide deeper insight into life in the Mekong Delta. Stop in Sa Dec, a quaint town at the crossroads of several cultures - Vietnamese, Chinese, Khmer and French. Discover homes featuring turn-of-the-century architecture, a reminder of the Indochina of yesteryear as you explore this town which was the setting of Marguerite Duras’ novel and subsequent film, “The Lover”.
Day 1 : HCMC - Cai Be - Sa Dec - Can Tho
Be picked up at your hotel at 8:00 am and transfer to Cai Be by road. Begin cruising from Phu An Jetty at 10:00 am. From the sampan, observe life as it plays out on shore - people going about their daily activities against picturesque landscapes - while your attentive crew serves tea and seasonal fruit. Before arriving at Sa Dec, stop at various points along the river for a look into some of the cottage industries of the region including a brick factory where everything is made by hand, pass monkey bridges and tiny villages to visit a Cao Dai temple.Arrive in Sa Dec and stroll to the outdoor market. Visit one of the highlights of the charming town, the ancient house of Huynh Thuy Le, a real-life character in the celebrated novel and film “The Lover” by Marguerite Duras. Lunch is served on board while cruising towards Can Tho along a narrow canal teeming with life. Explore the countryside surroundings by local rowboat.Your last stopover before sunset is at an ancient house (a “Nha Co” in Vietnamese), dating back to the 19th century. The owner will welcome you and a candlelit dinner is served in this authentic countryside setting.After dinner return on board while the Song Xanh continues its cruise towards the Hau River. Overnight on board.
Day 2 : Can Tho - HCMC
Wake up early at 6:00 am for a visit to the famous Cai Rang Floating Market which operates daily starting from 5:00 am.Breakfast is served on board while the Song Xanh navigates towards the market among local barges loaded down with fruits and vegetables from the Delta, making for some stunning photos. Continue cruising towards Victoria Can Tho and disembark at the hotel’s private jetty. Car transfer back to Ho Chi Minh City
