From Ho Chi Minh: 2-Day Mekong Tour & Phnom Penh Speedboat

IMPORTANT NOTE: For travelers wishing to continue the adventure into Cambodia, an optional Speedboat transfer to Phnom Penh is available. Guests will cross the border after breakfast (approx. 6:45 AM) and arrive in Phnom Penh by afternoon (around 1:30 PM). Please note this option replaces the return transfer to Ho Chi Minh City and means guests will NOT participate in Day 2's cultural visits (Temples, Flower Village, Ancient House).
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Day 1: Mekong Magic – Floating Market, Fruit Gardens & Tra Su Forest

5:00 AM – Your adventure begins with a scenic 2.5-hour drive out of bustling Ho Chi Minh City. Watch the landscape shift into endless rice paddies and lush fruit orchards — a taste of Vietnam's green heart.

8:00 AM – Arrive at the vibrant Cai Rang Floating Market, where breakfast is served the local way — right on the boat! Sip Vietnamese coffee as the sun rises over a maze of colorful boats bustling with trade, laughter, and life.

Continue your journey with a stop to witness traditional rice vermicelli being handmade. Slippery, chewy, and iconic — you'll never look at noodles the same way again! Don't miss your chance to snack on juicy, fresh pineapple served straight from the boat.

10:00 AM – Hop off at Son Islet, a hidden gem nestled in the middle of the Hau River. Visit a floating fish farm, try the quirky and relaxing Koi fish foot massage, and immerse yourself in rural life among the 80 friendly households.

Get hands-on:
Pick tropical fruits right from the garden
Make traditional rice cakes & try your hand at popping rice!

12:00 PM – Enjoy a delicious Mekong-style lunch made from fresh local ingredients.

4:30 PM – Arrive at the tranquil Tra Su Cajuput Forest, a true natural sanctuary. Glide through 845 hectares of flooded forest by motorboat and paddleboat. Home to over 70 bird species, the quiet green canopy offers a dreamy escape into nature.

Evening: Transfer to Chau Doc City for an overnight stay.

Day 2: Temples, Flower Village & Ancient House – Phnom Penh Option

7:30 AM – After breakfast at the hotel, begin your morning with a visit to the Thoai Ngoc Hau Mausoleum, honoring the mandarin who helped pioneer this fertile region.

Just a short walk away lies the Xu Lady Temple, a sacred site loved by locals for its spiritual blessings. Nearby, explore Tay An Pagoda, where Vietnamese, Chinese, Cham, and Indian influences meet in stunning harmony.

12:00 PM – Indulge in a tasty local lunch before heading to:

The flower village – a burst of color and scent
Then, step into the past at the Huynh Thuy Le Ancient House, the real-life setting of The Lover, the passionate novel by Marguerite Duras. Wander through its French-Chinese architecture and romantic nostalgia.

End the day with a stop at Kien An Cung Pagoda, a peaceful Chinese temple rich in history and craftsmanship.

6:00 PM – Return to Ho Chi Minh City with a heart full of memories.