Life along the Mekong - Absolute Asia Tours

In the morning, meet with our friendly driver and make your way to My Thuan Bridge in Ho Chi Minh City. Here, board your Song Xanh sampan and set off down the river whilst enjoying a re-freshing welcoming drink.

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 teachings of Bud-dhism. Then, take a stroll around one of Sa Dec’s famous flower nurseries before heading back to the boat for a tasty Vietnamese lunch. Feast on a delicious selection of Vietnamese special-ties as you drift passed unspoiled landscapes and children playing by riverbank.

Stop half-way down the canal for a visit to a small local village. Here, get a glimpse of local life as you meet with friendly villagers and learn about their daily rituals.

Back on the boat; continue sailing down the river before disembarking at Vam Cong Jetty in Long Xuyen. From here, embark on a short car ride through the countryside to the country town of Chau Doc. Here, have the option to stop at either Victoria Chau Doc Hotel on the Bassac River or at Victoria Nui Sam Lodge, a charming retreat nestled on nearby Sam Mountain.

Rise early and board a smaller boat to head to the famous Chau Doc floating market in the Mekong Delta. Located at the intersection of winding waterways, lush paddy fields, life here is governed by the ebb and flow of Vietnam’s most iconic river. As you cruise through the floating market, see traders and farmers arriving from the surrounding countryside to sell their fruit, vegetables and fish en mass.

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 ethnic groups. Afterwards, head back to your boat and continue cruising up the Vinh Te Canal towards the iconic Sam Mountain, built during the Nguyen Dynasty.

Arrive at the base of Sam Mountain and visit two of the iconic temples that draw pilgrims from around the region. Finish with lunch at the beautiful Nui Sam Lodge, savouring spectacular pan-oramic views of the countryside.

Disembark at the pier and board a speedboat to Phnom Penh.