This 7-day tour from Saigon to the mesmerizing floating life on the floating market in Mekong Delta and the nature in Nam Cat Tien must be the highlight of this tour in South Vietnam. Nam Cat Tien is the unique location bringing the existence of 5 different forest types within the park, the various range of plants and animals. There stand many endemic species of plans as well as animals. The park is a refuge for species that used to be widespread but now seek shelter within the specially protected area. Take a visit to Nam Cat Tien National Park, where you can explore the nature and the culture and traditional work of hill tribe people here.
General information
Tour Route: Saigon – Cai Be – Sa Dec – Vinh Long – Can Tho – Saigon – Nam Cat Tien National Park – Saigon
Duration: 7 Days/ 6 Nights
Departure Date: Any Time You Wish
Start/ End: Saigon/ Saigon
Brief Itinerary
Day 1: Saigon Arrival (D)
Day 2: Saigon – Cai Be – Sa Dec (B, L, D)
Day 3: Sa Dec – Vinh Long (B, L, D)
Day 4: Vinh Long – Can Tho – Saigon (B, L, D)
Day 5: Saigon – Nam Cat Tien National Park (B, L, D)
Day 6: Nam Cat Tien Exploration (B, L, D)
Day 7: Nam Cat Tien National Park – Saigon (B)
Full Itinerary
Day 1: Saigon Arrival (D)
Upon arrival, your driver picks you up at the airport and then transfers you to the hotel for check-in. Free time to rest at the hotel and start your discovery around. Embark the culinary tour that helps you to taste and explore the interesting street food of Saigon. Moreover, walking around, meet, and see the life of the locals in Saigon. Overnight in a hotel in Ho Chi Minh city.
Day 2: Saigon – Cai Be – Sa Dec (B, L, D)
After breakfast at the hotel, jump in a scenic drive to Mekong Delta. Upon arriving here, board the boat for a warm welcome drink and check-in your accommodation. Enjoy drinks while the boat ahead to Cai Thia Island. Landing at the island of Cai Thia where exciting cycling or walking excursion through villages bordered by the green orchard and stunning rice fields is waiting for you.
After that, back to the boat for lunch while cruising toward Sa Dec, a charming and tranquil town situated on the bank of Tien River. On arrival, take a visit to a brickyard at the entrance of the village. Next, visit the lively market of Sa Dec followed by a visit to the Old house of Huynh Thuy Le, the lover of the French novelist Marguerite Duras, and also Trung Vuong primary school founded in the early 20th century by Marguerite Duras’s mother.
In the heart of the village of Sa Dec, don’t forget to visit Cao Dai Temple, the garden of bonsai and flowers. Return to the boat and enjoy the comfortable foot massage while watching the sunset over the Mekong River and sipping an aperitif. Dinner and overnight on board.
Day 3: Sa Dec – Vinh Long (B, L, D)
Get up early in the morning to contemplate the sunrise on the seductive river before savoring breakfast on board.
After breakfast, you will be transferred by junk to the famous Cai Be Floating Market, which is specific to the aquatic area. Take a visit to the sumptuous traditional residence, which is the former imperial residence where the descendants of the Kiet family. They open their doors to welcome tourists to discover the sublime interior. Walk through the garden strewn with fruit trees. Afterward, enjoy tea accompanied by a tasty selection of tropical fruits.
Next, the guide will take you to the artisanal villages where give you a chance to discover products made from rice and coconut as rice alcohol, puffed rice cake, rice paper, and tasty coconut candy. Back to the boat and enjoy lunch while the boat is heading for the Co Chien river. In the afternoon, join in a biking tour along the paths through the countryside and villages, witness the lush orchards, the river activities, and get in touch with the local people.
The boat continues in the direction of Tra On floating market. The aperitif is offered on the upper deck while sunset gradually covers the splendid landscape.
Join in a cooking class on the boat, which gives you a chance to learn how to make Pumpkin flowers stuffed with That Lat fish and cut vegetables for decorating dishes. Have dinner and overnight on the boat.
Day 4: Vinh Long – Can Tho – Saigon (B, L, D)
Breakfast on board. This morning bobbling commotion of Mekong river life comes to life for another lovely day. Our boat sets sails to Can Tho through tributaries, canals, and arroyos. Transfer by local boat to visit the market of Cai Rang, one of the most important floating markets of the region, crowded with small and big boats zigzagging on the animated waters.
Following along the coves shaded by fruit trees, palm trees… you will come to an orchard where you will find many kinds of fruits: mango, star apple, papaya, dragon fruit, and coconut. Disembark at the pier in Can Tho. End of nice cruise. Transfer to Saigon. Overnight at hotel in Saigon.
Day 5: Saigon – Nam Cat Tien National Park (B, L, D)
After breakfast at the hotel in Saigon, we hop on a scenic drive to get Nam Cat Tien National Park.
Have lunch at the Central Restaurant and check-in Green Cat Tien Hotel. Take a short trek (about 5-6km) with the local guide to discover Botanical Garden trails with giant trees and rapids as Ancient Giant Tung tree, Uncle Dong Tree, 5-topped Largerstroemia tree, Ben Cu rapids. Hop on a short jeep drive to Nui Tuong grassland to observe the nocturnal animals like sambar deers, muntjacs, civets, porcupines, wild boars, and even gaurs (if you’re lucky)
Drive back to the Central Restaurant to savor dinner, after that relish in the jungle at night with the wild sounds and tranquil atmosphere. Stay closer to nature. Overnight at the Green Cat Tien Hotel.
Day 6: Nam Cat Tien Exploration (B, L, D)
Get up early in the morning, trek into the jungle with your local guide and observe the wild yellow-cheeked gibbons. Get out of the forest then back to the headquarter and enjoy breakfast at the Central Restaurant.
After breakfast, take a short boat trip to Fairy Island (Dao Tien), then a 700m walk to visit the Endangered Primates Rescue Center. Later on, we get back to the Central Restaurant for lunch. Check out the rooms at the headquarter and prepare small luggage for a night at Crocodile Lake. After a 9-km drive on the jeep through the jungle trail and a 5-km walk with your local, we get to visit the Crocodile lake – the world’s Ramsar wetland.
Arrive at the lake, relax and relish in the spectacular scenery and peaceful atmosphere here. You can walk around the lake or join in rangers’ daily activities like picking the wild vegetables, catch the wild fish… Have dinner at Rangers’ station. After that, take part in the cultural and musical exchange with the ranger, sharing the difficulties in protecting the forest and jungle survival experiences.
Day 7: Nam Cat Tien National Park – Saigon (B)
Today morning, let’s enjoy the sunrise on the lake before savor breakfast at the Rangers’ station. Check out the Crocodile Lake’s lodging and embark trekking tour back to the trailhead (about 5km). The jeep’s waiting and ready to pick you up at the trailhead, then get more than 7km to visit the Hundred trunked ficus tree, you can also swim at the Ficus-tree lake with the natural source of water from streams nearby.
After that, back to the headquarter and have lunch at the Central Restaurant, then we leave Cat Tien. The driver will pick you off at the airport for the flight back to departure. Your memorable Saigon day trip – Nam Cat Tien National Park ends.
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