Mekong Delta Rural Retreat (2 days)

One of the must-do’s when you visit Vietnam is to experience the Mekong Delta. This amazing region really revolves around the rivers and the floating markets, beautiful islands and cottage industries have become world famous.There are some lovely hotels in the Delta, but to truly experience and appreciate the culture and way of life we feel that a homestay is often the best way! This two day package trip offers a glimpse into the agrarian life of the vibrant Southern Delta region as you wind your way through the tributaries of the Mekong Delta. From your boat, you will be able to closely observe the daily rituals of river life and participate in the bustling commercial activities as you buy fruits from the floating market. Along the way, you will visit an orchard, handicraft village, and a land market with an abundance of colourful fresh fruits and vegetables. Best of all, you will stay overnight in the traditional style house of a local family.

Name	Mekong Delta Rural Retreat
Duration	2 days / 1 night
Price from	180 USD / pax (based on 2 pax)
Itinerary in short	Day 1 : Saigon / Ben Tre / Can Tho Day 2 : Can Tho / Saigon

TRAVEL NOTES
• We’d rather call this package “rural retreat” than “homestay”. This is because the accommodation is run by a local family but you won’t stay together and share the meals with them. So don’t expect to stay as part of the family. You’ll stay in an independent bungalow with private toilet and shower
• You are completely immersed in the Mekong Delta’s authentic life. So expect to get the channel traffic start at 4-5 and the roosters at about the same time. So that will be your alarm clock.
• Don't expect the comfort but expect to enjoy a new experience of spending overnight in rural Mekong. Life in the Mekong Delta is about rural atmosphere with natural setting of accommodation, so please expect to experience early noise in the morning and the heat of 30 degrees year round (the accommodation doesn’t have air-conditioning system)

DAY 1 : SAIGON / MEKONG DELTA HOMESTAY (-/L/D)
This morning you will be picked up at your hotel by your local guide at 08:00. Then, set off for the Mekong Delta, visiting the unexplored Ben Tre town on the way. The fertile Mekong Delta is famous for its abundant harvests of tropical fruits and flowers as well as boating along the canals. On arrival, we board our private boat and cruise along the maze of waterways to visit some local cottage industries. We hop on motor-cart to an out of the way village where you might have a chance to peek inside local homes for an insight into rural life seldom seen by the outside world and try some regional specialties for lunch at a local restaurant.

After lunch we continue our journey by boat on narrow water creek along Mekong River's most beautiful Phoenix Islet to see fish farming. Towards the end of the day, we arrive at the home of a local family whose house is built on stilts over the water. These welcoming people will be your hosts for the evening and can tell you more about life in the Delta.

DAY 2 : MEKONG DELTA HOMESTAY/ SAIGON (B/L/-)
Start early morning and take the boat trip to visit the Cai Rang floating market which is at its busiest at this time of day. The market in Can Tho is a wholesaler's market - farmers from all over the Mekong Delta load their boats with local produce - everything from pineapple, mangoes, potatoes, onions, local herbs - and they stay until their produce is sold. Buyers come from hours away and buy what they need to resell at markets on land. Keep cruising through the small channels system and visit a rice noodle making village where you can see how rice is made, followed by a tour of rice fields and a rice factory (teaching us how all the different types of rice are made). Some farmers still harvest rice manually, woman still make rice paper by hand, one round at a time.

Our mini-van picks us up and heads back to Can Tho city for lunch. Then we say goodbye to our hosts and return to Saigon

This is a sample itinerary so the cost really depends on the number of people in your group and time of travel. Please send us your enquiry for availabilities & the most up dated price.

INCLUSION
• Transportation in private air-con vehicle, including pick-up and drop-off at your hotel in Saigon
• Homestay in Mekong Delta, on double/twin sharing basis
• Meals as indicated in above itinerary (B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner)
• Sightseeing and entrance fee as per the mentioned itinerary
• All boat trips
• English- speaking guide
• ½ liter of mineral water per person per day
• Fresh napskins
• 24/24h assistance from our company
• Service charges and government tax

EXCLUSION
• Travel insurance
• Visa
• Drink and beverage
• Personal expenses
• Camera fees (if any)
• Tips for guide & driver
• Surcharge in peak season (Christmas, New Year, local public holidays)
• Other items than mentioned in the program
• Any additional expenses caused by reasons beyond our control such as natural calamities (typhoon, floods), flight delays, rescheduling or cancellations, any accidents, medical evacuations, riots, strikes etc.

ACCOMMODATION
Hung’s homestay is 8km from Can Tho town. Hung homestay has a system of riverside bamboo cottages built according to local tradition under tropical fruit orchards with pure and cool atmosphere as well as poetic and quiet beauty. Located close to the river banks of a delta island, this ‘home stay’ experience actually sits somewhere between a guest house and home stay. The facilities at the homestay are basic but comfortable, with bedding and mosquito nets provided. There is an outdoor communal eating area in a courtyard which provides a wonderful opportunity to meet fellow travellers. Enjoy experiencing life in a genuine 'delta home' with typical local architecture and surrounded by exotic fruit orchards. The house has a warm and friendly, family atmosphere and your charming hosts will be on hand throughout your stay…they’ll also prepare some delicious, uniquely delta-style meals

Each bungalow has its own toilet and shower. There isn’t hot water but with warm climate in the Mekong Detla (30 degrees all year round), you don’t really need it