Floating market in the Mekong Delta

Double tropical Travel along the Mekong Delta to Phu Quoc Island

This is a doubly relaxing trip, combining the exotic Mekong Delta with the tropical island of Phu Quoc. This is easily done due to the proximity of the two. The Makong Delta is one of the most breathtaking and important areas in the south of Vietnam - a traveller must -see. During this module, you'll sail lazily through the emerald Mekong Delta before rounding off your journey with a few days on idyllic Phu Quoc Island in a hammock on the beach.

The locals will give you a friendly wave as you drift through the narrow waterways of the Mekong Delta on your way to the sun bleached beaches of Phu Quoc. You'll visit lively floating markets with huge assortments of colourful produce, and visit various family businesses that cultivate rice. This module offers a versatile way to visit the island by land and also offers an efficient way of visiting the Mekong Delta in combination with a beach holiday.

Duration	4 days/ 3 nights Monday, Wednesday & Saturday from Ho Chi Minh City	Accommodation	1 night in a simple but comfortable hotel on the Mekong Delta (Comfort Level 2-3) and 2 nights in a wooden bungalow on Phu Quoc Island (Comfort Level 3). See accommodation for comfort levels
Price	£220 per person - based on 2 people	Includes	Transport, accommodation with breakfast, guided excursions as described in text
Transport	Air-conditioned minibus and boat	Excludes	All other meals and drinks, breakfast in the Mekong Delta, internal flight back to HCMC (although this can be added)

Day 1: Ho Chi Minh - Mekong Delta - Cantho

Your laid back journey along the Mekong Delta to Phu Quoc island will begin in Ho Chi Minh City. You'll be collected from your hotel by comfortable coach, and soon you'll leave the city behind, seeing quickly the pace of life beginning to slow down and you'll get your first glimpses of the magical Mekong Delta. You'll pass women washing clothes on the banks, men fishing for their lunch, and cheerful children splashing about in the water. You'll travel over the river in boats in small groups.

Daily life will pass you by while you sail along the Mekong Delta through small villages, past rice paddies and when you visit family businesses that refine rice or make candy from coconuts. You'll visit the floating market bursting with colourful sights, dizzying aromas, and raucous cries from salesmen. Boats fully laden with all kinds of exotic fruit lie closely toegether at the market. While sailing through the Mekong Delta's maze of canals you'll visit one of the many islands in the Mekong, Vinh Long Island. After a lunch made up of Mekong Delta specialities, you'll have an opportunity to explore the island by bicycle. During the afternoon you'll sail to Can Tho in approximately 3 hours, arriving at sunset. In the event of unforeseen circumstances, such as low water levels, this portion of the trip will be conducted by mini bus.

The boat will then take you to a modern, comfortable hotel. In Can Tho you'll be able to enjoy a drink on the riverbank with wonderful views of the dazzling Mekong delta.

Sailing along the Mekong Delta

Fruits of the Mekong Delta

Day 2: Cantho - Cai Rang - Rach Gia - Phu Quoc Island

Today you'll leave your hotel in the Mekong Delta at 7.30 sharp! The local boat will take you to the floating market of Cai Rang, which is the largest, most important, and probably the noisiest floating market in the Mekong Delta. In order to get close to the activities, you'll transfer onto a bamboo rowboat. You'll sail amidst all of the boats peddling their wares. Each boat features the goods sold on the boat on a long pole on which each type of fruit and vegetable is speared. Boats sail criss-cross through the market in search of the products they need at the most affordable price. You'll enjoy docking along side these floating market stalls and doing some haggling of your own.

After the market, you'll visit a small rice noodle factory (if it's open on that day!). Rice is one of the most important products in the Mekong Delta. Here, you can watch the workers making, quite literally, oodles of noodles. You'll see how rice is roasted and you'll be able to purchase the delicious traditional cookies. Eventually an air-conditioned bus will then take you on to Rach Gia, where you'll take the 3hr ferry journey across to Phu Quoc Island, nicknamed the Emerald Island for its tropical green treasures.

Day 3: Phu Quoc Island

Phu Quoc Island has magnificent beaches, some of the very best in Vietnam. Whilst on the island, you'll stay in a beach resort on peaceful Ong Lang Beach. This is a spectacular stretch of ivory beach on the west side of the island, fringed by palm trees providing some welcome shade.

During the dry season, from December to June, the temperatures can soar, so be sure to bring plenty of suntan lotion. You'll especially need extra protection from the sun in the months of January and February. With clear blue skies and calm seas, this is a fantastic place to get away from it all. Feel the sun on your skin and the sand between your toes as you sip on a cold beer. Perfect. Duirng the summer months July and August, the island can receive quite a bit of rainfall, so it may not be possible to dive during these months.

During your stay on Phu Quoc Island you'll spend the night in tastefully decorated cabins full of atmospheric charm. The owners of the resort are very friendly, and you can certainly expect a very warm welcome. There is an excellent restaurant with a magical seaview for romantic sunset meals and tasty fresh fish is regularly on the menu.

Along the Mekong Delta to Phu Quoc Island

During your stay, you can just stretch out on the white sandy beach or rock gently in a hammock under the palm trees with your nose in a book. If you're feeling lively, you can swim in the azure waters, snorkel, or even take a dive to explore the underwater world. There is a diving school on the island, and it's very easy to arrange lessons. If you'd like to try diving on Phu Quoc, just let us know and we'll organise everything for you.

More restless travellers can explore the tropical wilderness of interior Phu Quoc Island. In 2001, almost 70% of the island was declared to be a national park, so the ecosystems on the island have been completely preserved. It is also mountainous and almost completely covered in rainforest, with a number of natural springs for a quick refreshing dip. The best known and most accessible spring is called the Suoi Da Ban (also called Stony Surface Stream).

Naturally you can also decide to spend time in a hammock with a good book.

Day 4: Departure from Phu Quoc Island

Today marks your last day on Phu Quoc Island as well as the last day of this module. It's easy to extend your stay on the island by a few more days if you wish, just let us know and our experienced travel specialists will make the arrangements.

If you are leaving the island, you'll check out of your resort and make your own way back to Ho Chi Minh. We can arrange a flight back to the mainland for you. Prices begin at around around £55.

If this is the end of your Vietnam trip, we would strongly recommend that you spend a final night in Ho Chi Minh City before catching your international flight home. This will eliminate any chance of missing your flight. Alternatively, if you're planning to head north, we would suggest that you spend a few days in the classic town of Hoi An, with its eager tailors and charming streets.

WARNING: You must not dive within 24 hours of flying.

Along the Mekong Delta to Phu Quoc Island

A peek at your accommodation on Phu Quoc Island

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