Weekend cruising in the Mekong Delta By Thuy Nguyen in HCMC Not so far from Saigon, the provinces in the Mekong Delta are often the chosen destinations for a weekend escape. Being a waterway area with fertile paddy fields and orchards enriched by the Mekong River, the Delta can be enjoyed most by boat and a cruise on the Mekong River can be a relaxing way to enjoy the weekend, away from the busy city. Vietnam-based travel company Terraverde (Italian for Green Earth) is offering a weekend cruise departing every Saturday from Saigon to the Mekong Delta with the first cruise on June 13. The two-day cruise costs only US$ 89 per person and includes one night in a twin-share cabin, four on-board meals, sunset cocktails on the sundeck, sightseeing and biking excursions with an English-speaking guide, air-con bus transfer from My Tho to Saigon and a complimentary cruise for children under 12 who share a family cabin with parents. Conveniently embarking at Saigon's Bach Dang Pier and cruising … [Read more...] about Weekend cruising in the Mekong Delta
Mekong delta cruise
Exploring water lifestyle of Mekong Delta
Exploring water lifestyle of Mekong Delta By Huy Nguyen in HCMC When the conversation is about the Mekong Delta, people immediately think of tropical rivers, interlacing canals, immense rice fields and the floating homes of some of the residents. Once stepping into An Giang Province's Chau Doc Town, tourists can not only visit famous sites such as Sam Mountain, Chua Xu Lady Pagoda or Thoai Ngoc Hau Temple but can take a cruise to the village to learn more about the floating life of the locals. Upon reaching the raft village, tourists are introduced to the structure of the rafts which are designed as homes and as floating fish farms. Tourists can catch a view of farmers feeding fish and can be served indigenous dishes made from local fish. Tourists should not miss a visit to a weaving village of the Cham people. Here, tourists can witness the dexterity and talents of Cham ladies who painstakingly weave on looms by the riverside. On the way back, tourists should not miss the floating … [Read more...] about Exploring water lifestyle of Mekong Delta
Experience the island life of the Mekong Delta
VietNamNet Bridge – On my trip to Kien Giang Province, in the far south of Vietnam, I traveled to Kien Luong coastal district to see what is reputedly the most beautiful island in the Mekong Delta. To get to Hon Nghe Islet I took National Road 80 to Nga Ba Hon wharf and caught a boat. The cruise departed early in the afternoon and we seemed to get lost in a wonderland, a small Ha Long Bay in the south. The cruise glided past many islands. The famous mountainous Phu Tu Islet was to the north surrounded by many smaller islands. The little islands have weird shapes - a stone castle, a whale and there’s the coconut tree covered Ba Lua Island. After two hours we arrived at Hon Nghe Islet and went ashore in a small wooden boat. The first thing I saw, halfway up Lau Chuong Mountain, was a 20-meter-high statue of the Sakyamuni Buddha. The limestone mountain has many stalactite caves. We decided to go to the old Lien … [Read more...] about Experience the island life of the Mekong Delta
Mekong Delta in flooding season
Although the flooding season this year is later than in previous years, it remains a source of livelihood for local people in the Mekong Delta and marks the start of a unique tourist season in this region. Saigontourist Travel Service Co. continues offering “Experiencing the Flooding Season” tours, including a two-day trip to Chau Doc, Tra Su cajuput forest and floating fish-cage village at VND1.879 million, departing on October 29 and November 19; a two-day trip to Sa Dec, Long Xuyen, Ong Ho Islet and Long Xuyen floating market at VND1.979 million, departing on October 22 and November 12; and a two-day trip to Cao Lanh, Tam Nong bird sanctuary and Dong Sen Tourist Area at VND1.779 million, departing on November 5 and 26. With departures on Saturdays, these tours are suitable for those looking for weekend trips. Tourists will visit natural landscapes such as Tra Su cajuput forest covered by green duckweeds, Tram Chim … [Read more...] about Mekong Delta in flooding season
Saigontourist expands tours to Mekong Delta
Saigontourist expands tours to Mekong Delta By Thoa Nguyen in Hanoi On the occasion of inaugurating the Can Tho Bridge, South East Asia’s longest cable-stayed bridge, Saigontourist has launched a new cluster of tours to explore the Mekong Delta. A four-day tour to Cai Be-Vinh Long-Can Tho-Bac Lieu-Ca Mau takes in river cruises to floating markets such as Cai Be, Cai Rang and Ca Mau to know more about the daily life of the locals and to purchase river specialties. Tourists can also visit other destinations and craft villages. A two-day tour to Cai Be-Vinh Long-Can Tho will also reveal the daily life of the locals, allow time for strolling through the orchards and present a music show of traditional southern drama. The company also offers a tour to Chau Doc-Rach Gia-Phu Quoc departing on April 30 to admire the tropical scenery, enjoy delta specialties and relax on Phu Quoc Island. Joining one of the new tours is a chance to discover the Mekong Delta in a more attractive way with … [Read more...] about Saigontourist expands tours to Mekong Delta