PERFUMES OF MEKONG

Departure from the hotel at 8:00 am to Ben Tre province in the Mekong Delta. Arrive at Hung Vuong Pier, 90km far from SaiGon, where you’ll cruise along the Ben Tre River and visit an artisanal brick factory and its imposing ovens. Stop for tea time, a sweet break in a coconut candy manufacture, and discover how coconut flesh is used and processed. A short bike ride or a tuk-tuk drive (a motorcycle allowing to transport 6 passengers) will allow you to explore the countryside and to visit a family braiding mats. Lunch in a local restaurant offering typical dishes. Then, board a rowing boat to join the canal through a maze of arroyos and return to the landing stage. Transfer and overnight at the homestay in Tra Vinh.

In the morning, bike ride in a green and pure nature. Cross Khmer villages, ancient pagodas and rice fields as far as the eye can see. Around 10am, Transfer to Soc Trang to visit the Kh'Leang pagoda (the oldest pagoda in Soc Trang) and the Ma Tôc pagoda, also called "the bat pagoda" in reference to the surrounding garden which houses thousands of bats. Its architectural style is of great beauty. In the pagoda is an ancient Buddha statue and canonical accounts written on the leaves of the sugar palm. Road to Can Tho. Night at the hotel.

In the early morning, excursion to the floating market of Cai Rang, the largest in the region, where boats full of fruits and vegetables concentrate every day. Then, stretch your legs and take a walk in one of the orchards of Mr. Ba Cong, where you will be able to enjoy fresh tropical fruits and visit a vermicelli factory. Return to the mainland and drive back to Chau Doc.
On the way back, stop in the stork sanctuary of Can Tho (Bang Lang). The view from the platform overlooking the forest is breathtaking, with hundreds of storks and herons nesting there. One last stop before Chau Doc to discover the enchanted Tra Su forest. This mangrove is a pure ecosystem (70 bird species, 140 plant species, 20 reptile species...) composed of cajuputs. Experience the magic of the place sailing smoothly on a river covered by water lenses, lotus hearts and water lilies. If you wish to have a spectacular view of the forest and Cambodia, you can climb the 6 floors of the observation tower..
Arrived in Chau Doc, visit the Chua Hang pagoda located on Mount Sam but also dug into it. An exceptional pagoda combining the different cultural and religious influences of the region. The architecture and panorama are worthy of a cinematic setting. 

You will take the road towards Sai Gon. Stop at Mister Hai My in the village of Tam Binh. Visit his large vegetable garden and have lunch with this great farmer with traditional dishes from the South. Arrival in Sai Gon at the end of the afternoon. End of our services.
70-year-old Hai My is the oldest child in the family. This excellent cultivator has spent his life planting many varieties of fruit trees and bonsai in his garden: sapodos, rambutans, longaniers, mango trees ... Stop at home to meet his daughters and his wife, and savor the delicious local cuisine. Nothing better to understand the daily life of the South as well as the hospitality of its inhabitants !