Song Xanh Sampan Cruise 3 Days 2 Nights is an excellent choice for tourists who want to explore the beauty of the Upper Mekong Delta River and its incredible system of canals. This tour also offers a wonderful experience of the rich culture of Southwestern Vietnam, as well as the opportunity to savor delicious local dishes and a variety of tropical fruits. Let’s Luxury Cruise Mekong introduce you to a perfect itinerary to explore the ‘rice bowl’ of Vietnam for 3 days 2 nights with our insider’s guide.
Day 1: Sai Gon – Cai Be – Phu An – Dong Hoa Hiep – Vinh Long – Sa Dec
The excursion starts from Cai Be town pier at 10:00. Upon embarkation on your sampan hotel, you will be welcomed with fresh cotton towels. After your installation, the cruise will begin with a visit to Cai Be, a colorful floating market cruising among local barges full of fruits and vegetables.
You will be made at an ancient Mandarin house dating from 1890. Further, another stop at some local home factories will allow you to observe how rice paste, coconut candies, and other specialties are traditionally made.
You will proceed to Phu An hamlet, an untouched, beautiful area reflecting some of the best sights the Mekong Delta can offer. A delicious lunch will await you at “Le Longanier”, a superb Indochinese villa located by the river, in a lush tropical garden surrounded by fruit plantations.
After lunch, your sampan will proceed to Sa Dec, cruising the Tien Giang River. These evergreen islands among the Mekong River bring about large networks of meandering rivers, crisscrossed with countless arroyos and remaining unknown to many people. You will then cruise on a small, beautiful canal through a water Jacinth plantation and take a small rowing boat for a cruise along a narrow canal, passing by a local tiny village and fruit plantations.
Further, on the banks, some dark smoke in the sky will lead us to one of the largest artisanal brick and tile factories where you will have an interesting visit. Sa Dec town will appear like a little “Venice” with numerous narrow canals. You will disembark for a guided visit to this charming and peaceful town, walking along its narrow streets where beautiful French old houses, Chinese temples, and Vietnamese.
Day 2: Sa Dec – Can Tho
The breakfast will be served on board at 7:30. You will then go on land for a visit to the Sa Dec local market, one of the most exotic and authentic in Vietnam.
Then you will be back on board your sampan, cruising down to Can Tho along a beautiful narrow canal, passing under several wooden “monkey bridges” and by tiny typical villages. Your lunch will be served on board.
Some stops on the banks will be arranged for you to establish contacts with the local population or discover some interesting villages on the way, such as Cao Dai Temple, a splendid ancient house or “Nha Co” dating from the early 19th century, etc.
After dinner, we will proceed on the cruise for approximately one hour until Can Tho. We will moor for the night in a quiet place. Your bed will be ready for your second night on the Mekong River.
Day 3: Cai Rang – Can Tho and Sai Gon
At around 06:00, your sampan will slowly start cruising. Your breakfast will be served on board at 07:00 while you are approaching Cai Rang Floating Market – the largest floating market in the whole Mekong Delta. We will pass by countless sampan boats carrying sand, rice, fruits and vegetables, fish, flowers, etc, showing an intense activity on the river.
Your cruise journey will end at around 10:00 at Ninh Kieu Pier after a visit to the Can Tho local market. During the cruise, fresh cotton towels, exotic seasonal fruits, hot green tea, and two bottles of mineral water will be served daily free of charge.
When traveling in Vietnam, after enjoying Cai Be Can Tho Tour, you should spend some days visiting other destinations in the Mekong Delta, such as Tram Chim National Park, Bang Lang Stork Garden, Tra Su Cajuput Forest, etc. Surely, you will have wonderful experiences in Vietnam in general and the Mekong Delta in particular.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Cai Be worth visiting?
Cai Be is certainly worth a visit for travelers to the Mekong Delta. This hidden gem is home to a bustling floating market, where you can observe the daily life and trade of local farmers, merchants, and boat people. Beyond the market, Cai Be also offers opportunities to visit family-run workshops producing traditional handicrafts and sample local Mekong cuisine.
How many days are needed in Can Tho?
It’s advisable to spend 2-3 days in Can Tho to fully experience the highlights of this major city in the Mekong Delta. This allows time to visit the famous Cai Rang Floating Market, explore the network of canals by boat, and see other landmarks like the Ong Temple and Ninh Kieu Riverside.
What are Can Tho typical dishes?
Can Tho is known for its diverse and delicious local cuisine. Typical dishes include freshwater fish and seafood like elephant ear fish, river shrimp, and snakehead fish, often prepared in sour soups or served with rice noodles. Other regional specialties include hu tieu (rice noodle soup), banh mi (Vietnamese baguette sandwiches), and dishes made with tropical fruits like star apples and rambutan.
How to get to Cai Be?
There are a few options for reaching Cai Be from other parts of the Mekong Delta. You can start in nearby Can Tho and take a boat or ferry down the Tien River to Cai Be, which takes around 1-2 hours.
Cai Be can also be reached by bus from cities like Ho Chi Minh City, with the journey taking approximately 2–3 hours. For those already in the delta region, a private car or motorbike are other convenient ways to reach Cai Be and its famous floating market.
From Luxury Cruise Mekong Travel Specialist!
