Mekong River Retreat

In the morning, head to the pick-up point in Saigon, before driving to My Thuan Bridge. Here, board your Song Xanh sampan boat and set off on a leisurely cruise down the river while enjoying a welcome drink.

Later, arrive in Sa Dec and disembark for a visit to the Buddhist Nuns Monastery of Phuoc Hue. Take a stroll around this peaceful provincial monastery where young girls learn the ancient teachings of Buddhism. Next, wander around one of Sa Dec’s famous flower nurseries before heading back to the boat for a Vietnamese lunch.

In the afternoon, lap up views of unspoiled riverside landscapes as you sail down a quiet canal off the main river. Stop half-way to visit a quiet, local village and chat with the villagers as you get an intimate glimpse of life near the Mekong Delta.

Disembark at Vam Cong Jetty in Long Xuyen, before heading on a 1.5 hour drive through the countryside to the rural town of Chau Doc. 

Spend today exploring the fabled Mekong Delta: a land of winding waterways, lush paddy fields and floating markets where life is governed by the ebb and flow of Southeast Asia’s most iconic river.

Today wake early and cruise aboard a small boat to Chau Doc’s famous floating market. Drawing traders and farmers from the surrounding countryside, watch as fruits, vegetables and fish are bought and sold en mass in this floating commercial hub.

Continue past the floating fish farms on your way to a local Cham Village, where you will hear the story of one of Vietnam’s most fascinating patrons. Afterwards, make your way back to your boat and head towards the iconic Sam Mountain, along the Vinh Te Canal built during the Nguyen Dynasty.

Arrive at the base of Sam Mountain and visit two of the iconic temples that draw pilgrims from miles around. Finish with a lunch at the beautiful Nui Sam Lodge, with spectacular panoramic views of the countryside below.

Close to the Cambodian border, the Chau Doc countryside is a melting pot of many cultures, creeds and religions. In the morning, drive through the quiet paddy fields, passing between mountain outcrops en-route to a traditional Khmer village. Home to amber-robed monks, learn about the distinctive form of Buddhism that is practiced here and spend some time meditating at one of the quiet pagodas.

Afterwards, continue on to one of Vietnam’s most iconic war sites, the mountain of Tuc Dup. Known as “$2 Million Hill”, the mountain’s title recalls the supposed sum spent by the US Army to destroy the Viet Cong army base deep within its centre.  Meet a local war veteran, before exploring the maze of tunnels built within the mountain’s natural cave system and getting a fascinating insight into the dark years of the war.

In the afternoon, disappear into the wild on a visit to the Tra Su nature reserve, which houses more than 80 different kinds of birds. Back on the river; take a small paddle-powered boat to your next location for a riverside picnic.

After lunch, finish the day with a climb to the breathtaking look-out overlooking the mangrove forests below. Return to your hotel to spend the night.

In the morning, transfer back to Ho Chi Minh City