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Paddling The Small Bamboo Boat For Mekong Tours

The Mekong Delta is an amazing destination in Vietnam, famous for its vast network of rivers, picturesque landscapes, and rich culture. Perhaps, the most fascinating way to travel around this beautiful place is to get on a small bamboo boat for Mekong tours. The idea of this activity is not only to enjoy the experience but also to get closer to the heart of the delta and observe its topography and culture. That is where tradition is wrapped in beautiful nature. This fascinating activity is available for the following reasons.

The Unique Appeal of Small Bamboo Boat for Mekong Tours

Small bamboo boat for Mekong

Small bamboo boat for Mekong

The small bamboo boat for Mekong tours is really attractive because of its simplicity and authenticity. These boats made of bamboo have been an element of the delta’s culture. It is one of the most peaceful ways to experience the small bamboo boat is far from the chaos of the city and modern civilization in general.

  • Traditional Significance: People in the delta area have been using small bamboo boats for many hundreds of years. These boats are specifically designed for narrow and shallow places everywhere around the delta.
  • Modern Appeal: These days, small bamboo boats for Mekong tours have become some kind of a specific tradition that tour managers use to provide tourists with a chance to admire the most spectacular natural places and visit fishing districts in the area.
  • Highlighting the Keyword: Small bamboo boat for Mekong tours is not just a way to see the places, but it is the only possible way to experience the nature and culture of the Mekong Delta.

Best Times to Embark on Small Bamboo Boat Tours

Tourists are extremely excited

Tourists are extremely excited

The best times to visit are during the dry season and the peak tourist season.

  • Dry Season (November to April): The dry season lasts from November to April when there would be less rain. Up to April, the weather will be more pleasant and one will not have to worry about traveling between both the floating markets and the Bamboo tour Mekong.
  • Peak Tourist Season: December to February has the maximum tourists come to Vietnam. This is because that the weather will be cool and dry, perfect to experience the festive season of the region.
  • Seasonal Highlights: he seasons will also greatly affect the level of the waters. The best time to visit the floating markets are in the early mornings before the sun heats up above the heads of people and the markets are generally flooded with Suzie’s boats. In the Tra Su Cajuput Forest, the best time to watch birds is when the forest is dry and it is during the dry season that migratory birds come over in thousands.

Popular Destinations for Small Bamboo Boat for Mekong Tours

Tra Su Cajuput Forest, An Giang

Tra Su Cajuput Forest

Tra Su Cajuput Forest

The Tra Su Cajuput Forest is a place of extraordinary beauty located in An Giang province

  • Description and History: The forest covers over 850 hectares, providing a natural habitat for hundreds of bird species. The site was created to preserve the woods and benefit eco-tourism.
  • Key Attractions: Undoubtedly, the major attraction of the site for the visitors is bird watching. It is really magnificent to see myriads of storks, egrets, cormorants, and other species living in the swamp. There are also many tiny water ferns covering the waterways and old trees hanging over them.
  • Visitor Experience and Tips:  The best way to visit Tra Su is to do it with a small boat made of bamboo. Thus, one can carefully go through the waters since the vessels make very little noise. The visitors are also recommended to go to the Tra Su at dawn or in the evening when there is a higher possibility of watching the birds.

Chau Doc Floating Village, An Giang

Chau Doc Floating Village is a unique place where you can see how river people have made their lifestyle.

  • Overview and Cultural Significance: It is a cluster of many homes and fish farms on the water. It is surrounded by a particular kind of atmosphere and style of living.
  • Unique Sights: The floating fish farms are the first thing to view; you should see how catfish and basa fish is grown. The stilt houses are very colorful, they creak and feel their movement. 
  • Accessibility and Visitor Tips: Be sure to take a little boat and go along the channels. It is a perfect way to travel as the appliances are minimal and the boat is small.

Cai Rang Floating Market, Can Tho

Cai Rang Floating Market

Cai Rang Floating Market

The Cai Rang Floating Market is known as one of the most popular attractions in the Mekong Delta, and rightly so. It is a chaotic, lush, and colorful riot of local commerce. 

  • Features and Attractions: The main charm of the place is its vibrant and dense atmosphere, as traders deal mostly in fruits, vegetables, and other colorful food produce lined up on their boats. Of course, this means there is no end of opportunities for photogenic ripe fruits, all piled high on solid wooden boats. 
  • Best Visiting Times and What to Expect: The market is overcrowded early in the morning, at about 5-7 AM, so this is the best time to observe it and have a floating breakfast. 
  • Local Cuisine and Cultural Activities: As many of the vendors spend a lot of time on their boats, a few of them can afford cooking utensils. A lucky part of the tourists can find traditional Vietnamese meals from pho to bun rieu here.

Thoi Son Islet, Tien Giang

Thoi Son Islet or the so-called Unicorn Islet is one of the most relaxing and beautiful spots one can visit in the Tien Giang province.

  • Unique Aspects and Highlights: One of the distinctive traits of the islet is its rich orchards and the spirit of countryside. Indeed, tourists are welcome to see and taste the fruit gardens, as well as to listen to traditional music.
  • Activities and Local Produce: Beside fruit tasting, one can taste honey in local farms and observe the production of coconut candies.
  • Visitor Information and Recommendations: My advice would be to take a rather condensed tour in a small bamboo boat to float down the islet’s rivers. It is just magical when you are float past the botanical gardens and listening to the tropical birds.

Cultural and Culinary Experiences

Poetic nature

Poetic nature

A small bamboo boat for Mekong tours is not complete without indulging in the rich cultural and culinary experiences of the region.

  • Traditional Mekong Delta Cuisine: Sample local delicacies such as bánh xèo (savory pancake), cá lóc nướng trui (grilled snakehead fish), and lẩu mắm (fermented fish hotpot). These dishes are often prepared with fresh, locally sourced ingredients, offering a true taste of the Mekong Delta.
  • Cultural Activities: Participate in traditional activities like fishing, which can be a fun and educational experience. Enjoy performances of đờn ca tài tử, a traditional form of Vietnamese folk music recognized by UNESCO.
  • Integration of Local Culture: Many tours include visits to local homes and workshops, where visitors can learn about traditional crafts and way of life. This immersion in local culture is an essential part of the Mekong Tours experience.
grilled snakehead fish

grilled snakehead fish

Travel Tips and Practical Information

Without a doubt, a small bamboo boat for Mekong tours can be incomplete without exploring all the cultural and culinary delights of the destination – a list of vivid experiences includes, but not limited to, the following highlights:

  • How to Get There: Savour typical local dishes including different variations of bánh xèo , cá lóc nướng trui , and lẩu mắm – a fermented fish hotpot. On top of that, the propensity of the local cuisine to use fresh, locally harvested ingredients ensures that you will have a genuine experience of the Mekong Delta’s culinary traditions.
  • Recommended Tour Operators and Packages: You can partake in such traditional activities as fishing and explore the lifestyle of the local community. Furthermore, for the visitors’ entertainment, the musical form of đờn ca tài tử, a traditional type of Vietnamese folk music, is performed on many occasions since it was recognised by UNESCO as Intangible Cultural Heritage.
  • Essential Tips for Travelers: Most tours also involve the visiting of different families and workshops, where you will be able to witness the traditional crafts and everyday life of the local community. Undoubtedly, such an immersion in the local culture will guarantee you an authentic experience of a lifetime you will be eager to share with the others.

Conclusion

Summing up, the Small Bamboo Boat For Mekong Tours is an original and distinctive idea of exploring the Mekong Delta. The sight of the Tra Su Cajuput Forest becomes even more peaceful, while the images of the Cai Rang Floating Market stick in my mind, being a bright example of local culture and business. The taste of tropical fruits on Thoi Son Islet and the smell of traditional crafts on Chau Doc market also resonate with the promise to discuss this experience with my friends. The impressions are truly worth being shared, so do not hesitate to book your tour today, as all these attractions are closer than it may seem! For more details and to book your small bamboo boat of Mekong tours, see IMPRESS TRAVEL.

Mekong Tours 2 days 1 night with IMPRESS TRAVEL

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Mekong Floating Market

The Mekong River, the ‘Mother of Waters’, is the heart and soul of mainland South-East Asia. Millions of people depend on its waters. It’s a way of life, a home for the spirits, the defining element in the everlasting battle for survival, and the foundation and boundaries of cultures and kingdoms across eons. The river speaks of the past and the future, of the eternally recurring cycles of nature, of the people living upstream and downstream, of survival, beauty and danger.

Foreigners can’t appreciate the role of the river in the lives of those who live in the Mekong basin. It influences every aspect of their daily existence, shaping not only the land, but also the people themselves.

The Mekong Basin extends over 795,000km2. More than 70 million people, 55 million of which inhabit the watershed area lying within Laos, Thailand, Cambodia and Viet Nam, depend on the river and its tributaries for food, water and transport. At 4,350km, the Mekong is the longest river in Southeast Asia and the 12th longest in the world.

The river runs from its source deep in China’s Tsinghai Province through the eastern part of Tibet. From Yunnan province, it becomes the border between Myanmar and Laos, and between Laos and Thailand. From there it surges across Cambodia to Phnom Penh, where the Bassac River branches off. The two rivers continue to divide into nine outlets, the Cuu Long (Nine Dragons) of Vietnam’s Mekong Delta, and finally discharge into the East Sea. The river is navigable from the delta to Southern Laos, where massive waterfalls near the Cambodian border prevent boats from travelling further.

About nine-tenths of the people in the Lower Mekong Basin are engaged in agriculture, mostly rice production on a massive scale, for which irrigation from the Mekong River is essential. A substantial proportion is exported, thus providing the staple diet of a far greater number than just those living in the area.

The Mekong River is also very rich in fish, the single most important source of animal protein in the diet of people living in the Lower Mekong Basin.

Tours Itinerary

Day 01

HO CHI MINH CITY TO CAN THO HOTEL (L)

  • Impress Travel’s Mekong Tours Team will pick you up at the hotel, then leaving Ho Chi Minh City at 8.00 AM
  • We need 2 hour driving to Cai Be, We emerge the beautiful scenery of the countryside in the Mekong river delta of Vietnam.
    Visit Cai Be floating market by Sampan that is the well-known floating market in Mekong delta ( Note: the market today is not as busy as in past times)
  • To enjoy the traditional music & performance show – Dai Ca Tai Tu that was recognized by UNESCO as an intangible cultural heritage of the world, we enjoy the Mekong’s fresh fruits while watching the show.
  • Ride a rowing boat via the water coconut canals.
  • Do a biking tour through the rural villages to Mr. Sau Ca Family’s orchard
  • Enjoy local lunch with Mr. Sau Ca family
    Relax before getting on a Sampan to Vinh Long the car/ van will pick you up to drive to Can Tho city ( One hour driving to Can Tho)
  • Arrival in Can Tho then checks in the hotel, free time to explore Can Tho city at night.
  • The tour guide will recommend you the best place for dinner in Can Tho city.

What is included: Transfer, tour guide, hotel in Can Tho, lunch, entrance fee(s), boat trip in Cai Be

Day 02

Cai Rang floating market – Khmer Pagoda – Lunch – Ho Chi Minh City (B,L)

  • Good morning Mekong Delta with quiet and fresh air,
  • Enjoy buffet breakfast at hotel and morning tea break before leaving by Sampan to visit Cai Rang Floating market.
  • Ride a bicycle through the countryside to Khmer Pagoda & local farms.
  • Have a lunch and tea break
  • Mekong Tours – Impress Travel Team will bring you back to Ho Chi Minh City (3.5-hour driving)

What is included: Transfer, tour guide, hotel breakfast, lunch, entrance fee(s), boat trip in Can Tho

What’s included in this trip:

  • Accommodation based on Twin/Double sharing room, ( notice: a single room is surcharged following single supplement policy/ all room night including daily hotel breakfast.
  • All the meals as mentioned in the detailed itinerary
  • Entrance Fee to visit attractive places are mentioned as itinerary
  • Private Car/Van/Bus with air-conditioned and good experienced driver.
  • Boat trip in My Tho, Cai Be
  • Experienced English speaking tour guides as specified ( French-speaking guide/ Chinese speaking guide are available on request )
  • Complimentary drink water and Tissue on Van/Bus/Van as mentioned on itinerary


  • What’s excluded in this trip:

  • International Ticket Fare with insurance surcharge and Fuel surcharge
  • Arport tax.
  • Visa Fees & Travels insurance
  • Porter Charges & Camera Fees.
  • Meals (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner) do not mentioned as in this itinerary
  • Tipping for Tour guides, Bus driver, Crew
  • Other personal expenses such as beverages, telephone calls, laundry services, Minibar, etc….
  • Other services are not specifically mentioned in the tour Itinerary and the above Inclusion

 
Hotels in Can Tho
Star Hotel Room Type
3-Star hotel in Can Tho Hau Giang Hotel Superior
4-Star hotel in Can Tho Muong Thanh Hotel Superior
5-Star hotel in Can Tho Victoria Hotel Superior

Mekong Delta Travel Map

Ranana

You feel like organized tour, but you are in a privet tour. Impress Travel make the different.

We went on a private trip to Vietnam and Cambodia, the whole trip plan was organized for us by the Impress Travel Company from Vietnam, the company did an amazing job, the whole trip was organized in a wonderful way with an amazing match between the various parties, their choices were correct and the quality of the hotels chosen were very high quality and it is important to note that the price was low in comparison To other agencies, thanks to Impress Travel and especially to Daniel who was tolerant and open to changes and organized the route for us.

Ebrahim

Tour of Vietnam

Impress travel were amazing. Did my bookings with Daniel for our tour of Vietnam and I must say Daniel was very professional and prompt with his services. All the arrangement, plans, pick-up & drop-off services, hotels, vehicles, sightseeing tours and guides were spot on and excellent. Did 4 nights Hanoi, 1 night Hà Long Bay cruise, 3 nights Hoian, 4 nights Saigon and 1 night in Can Tho. It was totally awesome. Every part of the journey was superbly arranged and planned. I will highly recommend Impress Travel for anyone interested in visiting Vietnam. Very organized and reliable!

Solly Pochee

The tour was fantastic

I booked with Impress Travel in July. My contact person was Tommy Thang. He is an amazing person. He was very helpful. He changed my program twice for me. Very accommodating!
We started our holiday in the north (Sapa)of Vietnam and travelled down to HCMC.
The tour was fantastic, Tommy's arrangements were to the"T".
I will always use them if I have to visit the area again and recommend them to one and all.
Thank you once again Mr.Tommy and the Impress Team.
Sulaiman Pochee

Bernard Lim

Great value for money with 4 stars hotel

Great value for money with 4 stars hotel accommodation for 4 couples. The tour guide has been very helpful and brought us to amazing places in Sapa. We want to thanks Thuy the tour guide and especially Mark from Impress Travel for his great service and assurance throughout our trip. We’ll definitely use his service for other tour packages in other parts of Vietnam.

Derek.Schooling

We enjoyed our holiday with Impress travel

This is the second time we travel to Vietnam with IMPRESS Travel. First time, we booked our holiday to Hanoi, Halong Bay & Sapa during Dec 2018 with Impress.
Second time, we travel to Hoi An, Hue & Danang (Central Vietnam) during Jan 2019.

My friends & I are very glad & happy with all the hotels stay in Central Vietnam, the meals provided are delicious. We are greatly appreciated with all the tour arrangement by Tommy & his team (tour guide).
Especially, Mr. NHAT C.V. He is helpful, cheerful, knowledgeable and very professional. He always volunteer to take a nice pictures for six of us (group) .

We enjoyed our holiday with Impress travel. We will definitely come back to Vietnam again with Impress

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