Deep Mekong: Can Tho – Chau Doc – Tra Su – Nui Sam
4-day journey exploring the Mekong Delta: Cai Rang floating market, Tra Su cajuput forest, Sam Mountain, and Cham culture
Ho Chi Minh City → Can Tho → Cai Rang Floating Market → Chau Doc → Tra Su Cajuput Forest → Sam Mountain → Ho Chi Minh City
Overview
4-day 3-night tour exploring the Mekong Delta: Cai Rang floating market, Tra Su cajuput forest, Sam Mountain in Chau Doc, Cham village, and local specialties. Private car, English-speaking guide.
Introduction
The Mekong Delta is a land of gentle rivers, bustling floating markets, and vast cajuput forests. The Deep Mekong journey takes you from Ho Chi Minh City to Can Tho – the capital of the Mekong Delta, home to the vibrant Cai Rang floating market. Continue to Chau Doc – a border region rich in Cham and Khmer culture, with Tra Su cajuput forest – a stunning flooded nature reserve, and Sam Mountain – a famous pilgrimage site.
Highlights
You will wake up early to take a boat to Cai Rang floating market, where hundreds of boats gather to trade on the river. Next, you will paddle a small boat through the Tra Su cajuput forest, watching flocks of white storks flying in the peaceful surroundings. In Chau Doc, you will climb Sam Mountain to visit Ba Chua Xu Temple, explore the Cham village, and enjoy local specialties: Chau Doc fish noodle soup, palm sugar cake, and fermented fish hotpot.
Why choose this tour
This is an ideal tour for those who want to explore the Mekong Delta in depth, going beyond just Cai Rang floating market. With a private car, English-speaking guide, and flexible itinerary, you will have a complete and comfortable journey.
Highlights
Cai Rang Floating Market – the busiest floating market in the Mekong Delta on the Can Tho River
Paddle through Tra Su Cajuput Forest – a flooded nature reserve
Climb Sam Mountain to visit Ba Chua Xu Temple and enjoy panoramic views of the border
Explore the Cham village, brocade weaving, and Islamic culture in Chau Doc
Savor Mekong Delta specialties: Chau Doc fish noodle soup, fermented fish hotpot, palm sugar cake
Watch storks, pelicans, and diverse ecosystems at Tra Su Cajuput Forest
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1
Ho Chi Minh City – Can Tho – Cai Rang Floating Market
Pick up from your hotel in central Ho Chi Minh City or Tan Son Nhat Airport. Depart for Can Tho (approx. 3 hours). Upon arrival, check in to the hotel. Afternoon: visit Cai Rang Floating Market – the busiest floating market in the Mekong Delta, where hundreds of boats gather to trade on the river. Enjoy fresh fruit and morning coffee on the river. Visit a rice paper and coconut candy making village. Evening: enjoy dinner with Can Tho specialties. Overnight in Can Tho.
Day 2
Can Tho – Chau Doc – Tra Su Cajuput Forest
After breakfast, depart for Chau Doc (approx. 2.5 hours). En route, stop to visit a fruit garden or traditional craft village. Arrive in Chau Doc, check in to the hotel. Afternoon: explore Tra Su Cajuput Forest – paddle a small boat through canals shaded by cajuput trees, watching storks, pelicans, and the flooded ecosystem. Evening: enjoy Chau Doc fish noodle soup. Overnight in Chau Doc.
Day 3
Sam Mountain – Cham Village – Border Culture
After breakfast, depart to visit Sam Mountain – climb to the top to visit Ba Chua Xu Temple, Thoai Ngoc Hau Mausoleum, and enjoy panoramic views of the Vietnam-Cambodia border. Continue to visit the Cham village – learn about Islamic culture, brocade weaving, and the life of the Cham people. Lunch at a local restaurant. Afternoon: visit a palm sugar cake production facility, shop for local specialties. Evening: enjoy fermented fish hotpot – a Chau Doc specialty. Overnight in Chau Doc.
Day 4
Chau Doc – Ho Chi Minh City
After breakfast, free time to shop for Chau Doc specialties: palm sugar cake, Chau Doc fish sauce, dried snakehead fish. Check out of the hotel. Depart for Ho Chi Minh City (approx. 5 hours). Stop for a break and lunch at a local restaurant. Arrive in Ho Chi Minh City, drop off at your central hotel or Tan Son Nhat Airport. End of program.
Included / Not Included
Included
- 03 nights accommodation: 01 night in Can Tho, 02 nights in Chau Doc
- Private air-conditioned vehicle throughout the journey
- English-speaking guide
- Meals as per program
- Entrance fees: Cai Rang floating market, Tra Su cajuput forest, Sam Mountain, Cham village
- Boat for floating market and Tra Su cajuput forest
- Bottled water on the vehicle
Not included
- Airfare, visa
- Airport transfers unless specified
- Drinks, personal expenses
- Tips
- Single supplement, holiday surcharge
- Travel insurance