Travel overland from Saigon to the holiday island Phu Quoc with one night on our cosy river cruisers and explore the beautiful Mekong Delta on the way.
This tour is available on our private cruisers Gecko Eyes (1 cabin) and Dragon Eyes (2 cabins).
Details of the routes and tour activities are for reference only. Final confirmation will be sent upon booking. If you book through an agent, please contact your agent for the final confirmation of tour routes and activities.
Price
per person in a double or twin cabin- Dragon Eyes
- PQ-3-DE
Low season
(April – September)
US$ 579
Peak season
(October – March 480)
US$ 732
- Gecko Eyes
- PQ-3-DE
Low season
(April – September)
US$ 862
Peak season
(October – March)
US$ 1017
Tour details
Day 1: Panorama cruise and land excursion
In the morning we pick you up at your hotel (district 1 and parts of district 3) in Saigon and take you to Cai Be or Can Tho. You board the wooden cruise boat around noon. After a refreshing welcome drink we show you our on-board facilities and your cosy cabin. As lunch is served, the boat starts cruising. Sit back and watch the fantastic scenery and the daily life of the Mekong people.
In the afternoon you can disembark for a guided tour to Xeo Quyt. In the province of Dong Thap lays the forest of Xeo Quit. Here, in the middle of the dense forest area was a former headquarters of the Provincial Party Committee during the Vietnam war. The South Vietnamese troops as well as the American knew about the existence of this camp and attacked it on a regular basis from the air or with ground forces. Through ingenious hiding strategies in the jungle-like forest and with the help of the local population, the Communist leaders succeeded in escaping the attacks, and from here on participate in the assault on Saigon.
Nowadays the area is an open-air museum and park. You can explore the area with small sampans, gliding through the tiny channels, or by foot, exploring the command center, caves and hiding places surrounded by nature. The entire attraction is a much calmer and more relaxed alternative to a trip to the famous Cu Chi tunnels, which are now completely overrun.
After Xeo Quyt you will explore Sa Dec, a small, sleepy town in the Dong Thap province and it was the original setting of the autobiographical novel “The Lover” by Marguerite Duras. This romantic and charming little town still isn’t very touristy and a true hidden gem in the Mekong delta.
There is a very busy, authentic market near the river and a lot of architecture from the colonial period, such as the old market, as well as numerous old mansions and merchant homes. One of these houses belonged to the protagonist in Marguerite Duras’ novel and has been lovingly and traditionally restored. The riverside road Nguyen Hue invites for a stroll with its cafés, market stalls and the old French church in the background.
Meals: lunch, dinner
Day 2: Life on the Water
Wake up well rested to the sound of the River and get ready for another exciting day of sightseeing. At 6.30h the boat sets off for a sunrise cruise. Watch the locals go about their daily work drying exotic fruits and building ships on the wooden yards while enjoying an early breakfast.
After breakfast visit the market in Sa Dec. If you like you can go shopping with the chef and take part in a cooking lesson on board. Once the boat resumes its journey, you travel through small channels towards Can Tho (or Cai Be). In the afternoon there is the option of a land excursion either by bicycle or on foot and visit of a small village, a stroll through orchards, or a cooking class.
Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 3: Cai Rang Floating Market and Transfer to Phu Quoc
After morning tea and an early start through the glorious morning atmosphere on the river we will visit the famos floating market of Cai Rang. Marvel at the sheer abundance of exotic fruits and vegetables. We will pull up to the boats for talking and bargaining with the merchants.
Directly after visiting the floating market our shuttle takes you to the waterfront town of Rach Gia and to the pier for the ferry to the holiday paradise of Phu Quoc (lunch box on the way).
The tour ends here. We will be happy to help you book a resort on the island and organize your trip back to Saigon.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
The floating markets in the Mekong Delta are no tourist markets but wholesale markets where produce of the Mekong Delta like fruits and vegetables are traded. For this reason the number of boats on the market fluctuates depending on harvesting seasons and market demand. Furthermore, modern wholesale markets are becoming more popular in Vietnam. This can result in decreasing numbers of boats being present on the markets.
Still not sure yet?
Contact us any time – we are happy to help you
Call us
+84 (0) 270 3753586
or send us an email
info@mekongeyes.com
Overview
The tour includes
- Road transfer from and to Saigon (Gecko Eyes tours include private transfer)
- Accommodation in cosy double or twin bedded cabins
- English speaking guide aboard the cruise boat and on side trips
- Meals as mentioned in the itinerary
- Mineral water placed in your cabin
- Tea and coffee
- Side trips as mentioned in the itinerary
- Transfer to Rach Gia and ferry from Rach Gia to Phu Quoc
Drinks and tips are not included in the price (except the mineral water in your cabin and tea/coffee).
Route and excursions may be subjects to changes without prior notice.