Fellow travelers welcome to the glorious Mekong River! The river flows through six countries; China, Myanmar, Thailand, Laos Cambodia and Vietnam. So why such popularity with tours on the Mekong River? Here are 5 reasons why the Mekong River is famous for tours according to Impress Travel
Immersive Cultural Experiences
House along the river
Riverside Villages and Local Interactions
A key feature of the Mekong River is a chance to witness river village life. Picture waking up to the gentle sound of the river and emerging into a world where time moves slower. Here the villagers are intertwined in riverside life, their routines and rituals molded around its churns.
While walking through these villages you will be welcomed with warm smiles and true hospitality. Interact with the locals and learn how to make traditional crafts like weaving or pottery. The villagers recount stories that give an in-depth idea of their lives, making each encounter seem unforgettable. Experience this first-hand to understand why the Mekong River is one of the most popular places on tours. — because it provides us with a small peek of an unseen world.
Floating Markets
Next, let us float in the boisterous floating markets which redound to represent Mekong Tours. Imagine small boats filled up with colorful fruits, veggies & flowers floating softly on the water. The air hums with the echo of bargaining and mirth, all combined in a mishmash that is as chaotic as it is pleasant to experience.
The very definition of where markets represent not only market values but places of commerce. They have been an integral part of life along the Mekong for centuries. There is something almost hypnotic about the way vendors navigate their boats and conduct trade negotiations. The floating markets represent the particular way of trade in Mekong which overwhelms that even a river becomes an open market. That symbiosis between commerce & culture is one of the primary reasons why Mekong River tourists flock to this part of Vietnam.
Homestays and Community-Based Tourism
If you are more interested in experiencing the local life Mekong is home to a lot of homestays and community-based tourism. Living with a typical family gives you a chance to experience their daily life and why they live in that way. Whether it is cooking up a family meal or going and getting involved in the local activities, creating those small memories that make your holiday all more authentic.
Benefits of Homestays and Community-Based Tourism:
Cultural Immersion: Take part in daily life and craft activities.
Support Local Economy: Help local families earn their bread and butter.
Preserve Heritage: aid in the conservation of cultural heritage.
Sustainable Travel: Commit towards tourism that is accountable and sustainable.
Community-based tourism will enhance your experience and contribute to the local economy as well. It is the most responsible way how a traveler can repay the hosting community. Staying in a homestay that is choosing helps to enhance and preserve the culture as well as empower local people. The attraction of the clinics themselves further adds to the tourist appeal of destinations like along both sides on things at riverbanks.
Natural Beauty and Scenic Wonders
Luxury yacht
The Mekong River flows through a treasure of landscapes and it is truly beautiful. why the Mekong River is famous for tours? Let’s dive in and find out!
Diverse Landscapes
The water looks like a ribbon threading its way through the tapestry of stunning landscapes. We pass serene rice paddies and lush forests, occasional water buffalo cheekily dipping their snout in a ditch by the side of the road: yes there are jagged towering mountains, but every corner indeed turned brings about another vista.
Mekong Delta: Mekong Delta The southernmost part of Vietnam is the stunning river region of the endless flowing body of water known as Mekong. The Mekong Delta is a lush area with palm trees, fruit gardens, and houses on stilts. A jewel for photography and nature enthusiasts alike as the vegetation changes colors with each season.
Luang Prabang: Luang Prabang, is a UNESCO World Heritage site in Laos; this small valley town surrounded by mountains is just beautiful and probably one of the best towns on earth. With golden temples, colonial houses, and the timeless flow of Mekong side by fully-side it is no surprise that tourists have proven to be so enamored with Luang Prabang.
Luang Prabang
The Golden Triangle: Located at the point where three countries meet – Thailand, Laos, and Myanmar make up this region much history is rooted here as well as natural beauty. Then, imagine yourself from one viewpoint where 3 countries are side by side and below is the sparkling Mekong River. And an image that almost instantly lights up the answer to why are Mekong River tours so popular, isn’t it?
Biodiversity and Wildlife
It’s more than scenic landscapes-the Mekong River is a life-filled biodiversity hotspot. The river and its basin contain some of the highest biological diversity on Earth, with many species endemic to that region.
Rich Biodiversity: It circulates multiple habitats; wetlands, right up to the woodlands – All of them host and carry animals and plants unique in their ways. The river is also the habitat of endangered species like Irrawaddy dolphins, giant catfishes, and bird different families.
Conservation Areas: There are many conservation areas along the Mekong where eco-tours allow you to get up close with wildlife while also supporting conservation efforts. One interesting example is the Tram Chim National Park, in Vietnam’s Mekong Delta.
Culinary Adventures
Get ready for a culinary rollercoaster! This, alongside Mekong Tours not merely delights your eyes but fulfills one as being a cook. The river passes through areas with centuries of culinary culture which makes it a paradise for gourmets.
Regional Dishes and Flavors
Every country along the Mekong River enriches their cuisine.
Vietnamese Pho: A Vietnamese staple, this savory noodle soup would no doubt be awarded the title of National Comfort Food by citizens of that Southeast Asian country. Picture yourself eating pho in some riverside café, as the Mekong River gently flows beside you.
Cambodian Fish Amok: A fragrant curry made with coconut milk and freshwater fish, Fish Amok is a must-try dish that embodies the flavors of Cambodia.
Lao Laap: The national dish of Laos is a spicy minced meat salad. It is all about fresh, vivid flavors and a reminder of authentic Lao cuisine.
Thai Green Curry: Rich and fragrant, this is an especially velvety curry enjoyed throughout Thailand. This ginger soup with spice and coconut cream tastes good!
Food Tours and Cooking Classes
Cambodian Fish Amok
Is there any better way to get involved in another culture than through their food? There are countless possibilities to discover different sides of the local cuisine during Mekong Tours.
Market Visits: Explore thriving yards, taste exotic fruits, and learn of the products that connect to local kitchens
Cooking Classes: Local chefs will teach you how to cook with cooking classes featuring traditional spices. Think of preparing a Cambodian curry or Vietnamese spring rolls with the Mekong glowing golden in sunset light, following it by enjoying your fare.
Luxurious and Convenient Travel
Journeying along the Mekong River can be more about your travels than you reach. Oh! What a luxurious ride it can be.
Luxury River Cruises
All aboard a Mekong River cruise for some stylish comfort. Such cruises are imagined to be a harmonious fusion of pleasure and thrill.
Services: The vessel has restaurants, spas and health centers. They even have a dining area, swimming pool and other facilities for you to enjoy your journey luxuriously.
Accommodation: Depending on the size of the boat you desire, there are small boutique riverboats to larger luxury liners.
Hassle-Free Travel Experience
Another great thing about going on a Mekong River cruise is that it makes everything super easy.
Easy Logistics: Traveling is just easy when everything including transportation, lodging and meals is taken care of on your behalf. It includes guided tours and entertainment on board, which makes it hassle-free.
Custom Itinerary: The customized itinerary on the cruise will enable you to see a few countries at ease. From cosmopolitan cities to off-the-beaten-track towns, a Mekong River cruise has it all covered.
Unique Attractions and Activities
The Mekong River is one of the few arteries for access to an amazing collection of attractions and activities, ensuring that there will never be a dull moment during your journey.
Historical Sites and Cultural Landmarks
Delve into the history and culture along The Mekong River.
Angkor Wat: An undeniable sightseeing wonder that is home to some of the most classic ancient eras of architecture in Cambodia.
Royal Palace: Learn more about Cambodia’s royal history and marvel at the grandeur
Adventure and Leisure Activities
The Mekong also offers a wide range of options, from adrenaline-fueled adventures to lazy floats.
Cycling: Personal cycling through the scenic rural land of Mysuru and visit a few quaint villages
Kayaking: Paddle through calm waters and visit deserted coves as well as some wonderful views of the lake.
Local Markets: Get lost in local markets that sell a variety of unique souvenirs and take you through the lifestyle.
Conclusion
So why the Mekong River is famous for tours? There’s a good reason for this: nowhere else do you get the mix of culture, scenery, food and luxurious comfort in one majestic river. The Rhine has something to suit everyone! Regional cuisine or luxury cruising, the Mekong tours will take you on a discovery of experience. Come and find out for yourself, the power of the Mekong River! Don’t forget to regularly follow our Fanpage for more interesting information about traveling Mekong to and to book Mekong Tours at the best prices.
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
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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