We depart Ho Chi Minh City for the city of My Tho (approximately 2 ½ hours). A former naval base, My Tho is now a bustling port city in the Mekong Delta. The area is the final destination of the mighty Mekong River which winds it’s way from Tibet, through China, Burma, Laos, Cambodia and finally Vietnam. An incredibly fertile region it’s prime industry is food production, producing approximately half of Vietnam’s total agricultural output.
Life for villages in the area revolves around the rivers and canals that make up the delta, people are more likely to transport by river than road. Upon arrival into My Tho we board our private boat for a cruise on the Mekong River. Our first stop is at a fish farm to gain an insight into one of the cottage industries in the region.
On our boat ride our local guide will take us to visit an island with lush tropical gardens where we have a chance to sample tropical fruit. Continuing to another island in the Mekong Delta we learn more about another cottage industry, coconut candy. Our local guide will take us to a factory and explain the process of making the sweet.
We have a chance to visit local villages in the area and learn more about the traditional lifestyles, culture and customs of people who call the Delta their home. We continue our visit by Xe Loi (motorized cart), visiting a bee farm where we transfer to smaller rowing boat allowing us to get deeper into the smaller canals of the Delta. Our lunch destination is Diem Phuong restaurant where our local guide will provide us with some advice on the finer points of local cuisine and assist us with ordering some of these delicacies. After lunch we return to My Tho for the journey back to Ho Chi Minh City where you will be dropped off at your hotel.
Meeting/ Pick up point: Pick up at Front entrance of the Saigon Opera House – Dong Khoi St, District 1 (intersection of Le Loi St) at 8.00am.
Duration: Between seven and eight hours.
Languages: English.
Others: Please dress up to standard with shoulders & Knee covered.