Day 1: Saigon - My Tho - Sa Dec (L, D)
Pick up at hotelin Saigon. 11h00 boarding LE COCHINCHINE boat. Enjoy welcome drink Leisurely cruise down the Mekong River while enjoying the beautiful scenery Le Cochinchine cruise with lunch served on board. Arrive in Chogao, walking around the local market. Leisurely cruise down the Mekong River while enjoying the beautiful scenery In My Tho. Visit the Thoi Son island, walk through the island, sampling native fruits viewing local handicraft production and meeting the local people. Then take a brief sampan ride through the palm-shaded creeks.Then boat depart for Cai Be, the magnificent sunset on the river. Dinner and overnight on board.
Day 2: Cai Be - Vinh Long - Sa Dec (B, L, D)
Breakfast is available from 6:30 in the morning. Mid-morning, transfer to a local boat for an extensive visit of Cai Be: the floating market, local pop-rice and sweets production. Visit of old colonial time buildings onshore. Boarding back at noon, with a welcome-back drink. Departure from Cai Be to Binh Hoa Phuoc Island while lunch is served on board. Transfer onto a local boat for a visit of the gardens and orchards on the bank of the peninsula. Back on board, a refreshment awaits you. Dinner is served as the Le Cochinchine gets under way towards the My Thuan bridge then towards Sa Dec. Le Cochinchine drops anchor at the entry of Sa Dec for the night.
Day 3: Sa Dec - Mang Thit - Tra On (B)
Breakfast on boat. Transfer for a visit of the town of Sa Dec, following the tracks of French novelist Marguerite Duras. Boarding back about noon at Sa Dec. Welcome back drink. Lunch while en route. The Le Cochinchine goes down stream the Tiền Giang River towards Vinh Long. Rest on the deck, or enjoy the open bar. Visit bricks and tiles kilns and the manufacture of earthenware pots on a bank of river Co Chien Boarding back, complimentary drink as a welcome back on board. Open bar and rest on the deck enjoying the sunset. The crew will serve dinner while the Le Cochinchine is cruising Mang Thit river. Le Cochinchine sets anchor in front of Phuoc Hau pagoda, in Tra On, for the night.
Day 4: Tra On - Cai Rang - Rach Ngong - Can Tho - Saigon (B)
Breakfast is available from 06:30, while the ship is cruising the Tra On floating market. The ship then departs towards Can Tho. Arrival in Cai Rang floating market, check out and transfer onto a local boat to visit the floating market, the nearby arroyos and gardens and return to the Ninh Kieu pier. Arrival at Ninh Kieu, Can Tho, late morning. Drive back to Saigon.
Le Cochinchine is a modern and tastefully designed river barge. Built in traditional style Le Cochinchine measures around 30 meters long from bow to stern and has two 420 HP engines, one in back up, making Le Cochinchine a very powerful and safe river vessel. Le Cochinchine offers an elegant, relaxing and fulfilling ways to explore endless water way of Mekong River. The cruise brings us into contact with people in different corner of the Delta. With Le Cochinchine, you will have ample opportunity to see Vietnam in its authenticity and sample local culture and food, in a one unpacking, unforgettable vacation where your "floating hotel" get you insight into Mekong Delta and quaint villages. Aboard Le Cochinchine you will enjoy the continuous and ever-changing scenery as you encounter a lively world of legendary waterways and picturesque landscapes, floating markets, lush bonsais garden, rice fields, villages, pagodas and temples, fruit-filled orchards, boat laden bazaar and a host of smiling children.
Cabin
Each cabin has its own air-conditioning unit, which can be adjusted for your comfort. We recommend you do not over- cool your cabin as the sudden change from the outside temperature to a chilled cabin can bring on colds, respiratory illnesses and even stomach upsets. When you go out, we recommend you turn the setting to 'Lo Cool', set at about 4, and then when you return you can readjust the temperature to your preference without having to wait for cool air. At night you may prefer to use the fan only, and have the windows open. Insect netting covers the windows to enable you to do this. Please do not leave your air-conditioner on with the window open - this results in energy loss (the equivalent of switching on the heating and opening the windows in a cold country!
Dining
Meals on board Le Cochinchine are taken at one sitting. It is not necessary to sit at the same table each time and we have tables for individuals, couples right up to larger groups. We offer a mixture of local cuisine with richly flavor and taste and there are always vegetarian dishes offered. Passengers requiring special diets, such as vegetarian, low salt & low cholesterol meals, may make their requests to the chef when onboard. The chef will try to honor all requests. Exotic fruit, fresh organic vegetables, locally caught fish and prawns are the preference of most of our passengers.
The bar
The cruise bar is always open, it offers while selection of drinks including
famous wine French, Australian, Italian wine.
Kid Room
This play rooms will keep your baby busy with different games as chess, playing card, darts, dominos, toys, and reading, painting books.
Sun Desk
The sun deck is located on the top of our boat, It is spacious for your relaxation and suntans. For your enjoyment, there are plenty of deck chairs.
Optional activities
- Bicycles on board
- Row boat on board
- Sight-seeing excursions
Bicycles
Bicycles are carried onboard. Crew will be happy to help you with bike adjustments and getting it on and off the barge. Please remember to use caution when riding along towpaths or into villages. A decision to engage in cycling during the cruise constitute the travellers assumption of all risks associated and an agreement not to make a claim against the barge owners for any personal injury, death or property damage that arises out of such activity.
Kayaking
Exploring the Mekong Delta with kayak along the small canal and arrayos.
Cruise Manager
An experienced, English /French -speaking Passenger Service Manager accompanies every departure. They are there to ensure your comfort, answer questions and make your vacation the most memorable trip ever.