Day 1
Depart from Saigon around 8am and head south to Ben Tre province, famous for its coconut production and quiet, peaceful waterways.
On arrival, take a xe loi ride through the local village of Huu Dinh to enjoy the green fields and gardens. Continue with a short walk to Huu Phuoc Bridge where you will board your boat and begin your trip through small canals with beautiful tropical scenery. On board the boat, enjoy a welcome drink (mango cocktail) and tropical fruits while cruising.
The cruise will stop first at a brick making shop, where the locals still use centuries-old traditional methods to make the bricks by hand. Then go back to your boat to cross the An Hoa River, where you will take a sampan trip through narrow canals and enjoy the peacefulness of the region. The sampan will take you to visit one of our friends, Mrs Huong, who lives with her 3 children and grandson – they live on fishing, shrimp and fruit orchards. Enjoy fresh fruits and tea before heading to visit a rice noodles factory which produces Hu Tieu noodles, one of most popular breakfast dishes in the region.
Then switch to bicycle and ride on village roads past green gardens and local houses, and stop at another local house where they live on their traditional family business, sampan boat building. Then continue your cycling trip to My Long to visit Mr Sau Tuong, a former Vietcong soldier who survived two years fighting the Khmer Rouge in Phnom Penh. Now he and his wife live on making rice paper, which is the most famous specialty of My Long village. Have a chat with him and enjoy the crispy rice paper made by his wife, and observe the process of how it is made.
Then return to the village road to carry on the bike ride to a local restaurant by the river side. It is time for you to relax and enjoy a 5-course lunch of local specialties. Relax and walk around the garden after lunch, and then visit the nearby house of Mr Hung, who is a famous sticky rice maker in the village. You can also feed his stock of catfish and walk through his fruit garden.
Walk back the local house to catch fish in the pond & pick your own vegetables, and then in the early evening prepare to join the cooking demonstration with the family.
Overnight will be spent in the family homestay.
Day 2
Breakfast will be served at the homestay and take the boat trip to Tai
Phu cannals and stop for a visit at the coconut processing house before taking
the bycicle to local market of My Long one of the biggest and busiest market of the town. After that cycle to Cau
Hoa to visit the local temple Phuoc Long Tu and war memorials.
Cycle to Phong Nam village and your boat will take you to Ben tre city where your drive will drive you to Can Tho. Lunch enroute and you will get to Can Tho by 3:30 pm. Check in at the hotel in Can Tho and have a free evening to explore the lively riverine town.
Day 3
Breakfast at the hotel and take a boat trip to Cai Rang floating market.
The typical Mekong’s floating commercial center will widen your eyes. A bustling
and corlorful floating boat full with mainly tropical vegs and fruits and
farmers.
You can buy anything here you want such as taste some fruits or even has a cold beer from a floating bar.The cruise will take you to Ninh Kieu Quay around 10 am.
Get back to the car and lunch at local restaurant. Stop at My tho town to visit Vinh Trang pagoda before heading back to Sai Gon.
PRICE:
$ 341 / adult for deluxe homestay (low season price based on 2 people travelling)
INCLUDES:
Private car/driver throughout as mentioned
English speaking guide
Boat trip and activities as mentioned
Accomodation: 1 ninght at Luxury Homestay in Ben Tre
1 night at Kim Tho Hotel in Can Tho ( Superior )
Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner as mentioned
Admission fee to indicated sights
2 bottles of water per day per person in the car
Gov’t tax
EXCLUDES:
personal expenses
Drinks during meals (soda, beer, juice, etc)
Services not specified in program
Tipping /gratuity
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