Departure: on even days

Day 2: Life on the water and floating markets

Day 3: An exotic world of its own

In the morning we pick you up at your hotel in Saigon and take you to Cai Be. You board your wooden river cruiser around noon. After a refreshing welcome drink we show you our on-board facilities and your cosy cabin. As lunch is served, the boat starts cruising. Sit back and watch the fantastic scenery and the daily life of the Mekong people.

 

In the afternoon you can disembark for a guided leisurely stroll through the village and the surrounding fruit orchards or rice fields. Meet the friendly locals and taste the local produce and fruits.

 

Get back on board and enjoy a drink at the bar or relax on deck as the sun sets over the magnificent water landscape. The boat will anchor for the night. The day ends with a delicious on-board dinner.

 

Wake up well rested to the sound of the River and get ready for another exciting day of sightseeing. At 6.30h the river cruiser sets off for a sunrise cruise. Watch the locals go about their daily work drying exotic fruits and building ships on the wooden yards while enjoying an early breakfast.

 

After breakfast, we will board a sampan boat to Cai Rang floating market, the region’s busiest and most lively markets. Marvel at the sheer abundance of exotic fruits, vegetables and skilfully handcrafted regional products. We will pull up to the boats for talking and bargaining with the merchants. We will also visit some of the local candy and cake making factories or boat through the green water landscape to see local houses, verdant orchards and ship-building yards.

 

Later in the morning your can boat through the green water landscape on a little rowing sampan to see local houses, verdant orchards and ship-building yards. Alternatively you can discover the nearby town on foot or on explore the small side canals on a bicycle.

 

The boat now resumes its journey as lunch is served. In the afternoon there will be another side trip to one of the exotic villages along the way.

 

After breakfast and an early start through the glorious morning atmosphere on the river we will visit another floating market. Be sure not to miss the great photo opportunities for authentic snapshots of the Mekong people and their life.

 

Take another sampan side trip right into the lush rural landscape, the fertile fields, the exuberant green. Then it’s time to pack up and return to the pier from which we started.

 

The boat trip ends at around 11.00 - 11.30h on the pier. After lunch, we will take you back to your hotel in Saigon.

Inclusion: Road transfer from / to Saigon Accommodation in cosy double or twin bedded cabins 7 savoury meals Mineral water placed in your cabin Side trips on sampans as mentioned in the itineraries Exclusion: Drinks (except the mineral water in your cabin) Airfares & airport taxes Pre/post trip arrangement Visa and visa arrangement Travel insurance

The Dragon Eyes is a vacation paradise for couples, families or friends and cruising on the vast waters and the small canals is a great way to discover the Mekong Delta. Why not spend your romantic honeymoon on board? You can even charter the vessel and explore the Mekong River in exclusive privacy.

 

The two sister boats Dragon Eyes I and Dragon Eyes II were build in the traditional style of the Mekong Delta river boats of An Giang Province. Their elegant, slender and shallow hulls enable the Dragon Eyes to cruise also the secondary side canals which are too small for the larger cruisers to explore. There we find serene river front life that makes the Mekong Delta so unique.

At the same time the boats are big enough to provide you with ample space for relaxation and privacy. Each of the Dragon Eyes provides around 100 m2 for its guests:

Two spacy private cabins (14 - 16 m2), providing a nicely designed bath room, a French balcony, sitting area, individual air conditioning, fans and fantastic river views through the panorama windows.

In the indoor panorama lounge you can watch the hustle and bustle of the Mekong Delta sitting in the cool and cosy front salon with air condition and large panorama windows and 270° views on the river.

On the sun deck on the top deck you can enjoy a sun bath while watching the scenery passing by. Indulge in the culinary specialities of Vietnam in the roofed outdoor restaurant or enjoy a sun-downer in your private bar on the top deck - all with fantastic river views.

Our crew of five will do their utmost to provide you with all the services and comfort you need. Your captain and his deck hand are in charge of the technical details and the routing. An experienced chef and the service staff will take you on a culinary journey through Vietnam. Your personal guide and cruise director show you all the sights you need to see and will explain life and culture of the Mekong Delta. Our staff get regular safety trainings. They will do their best to fulfill the special requests of our customers.

The boats were built by local ship builders from following traditional designs. The cabins and the interior were build by Vietnamese master craftsmen. Most interiors and furnitures are built from exclusive tropical woods, where available with certification for sustainable forest plantation. All critical technical equipment like engine, navigation, rudder, air-conditioning, water purification or fire protection system are imported from Japan or Europe.

 

 

 

Bicycle tours: The Dragon Eyes carry bicycles for our customers on board. You can stop on the way to explore small paths along the canals or on the river islands of the Mekong. A great way to discover the fascinating Mekong Delta life far away from the tourism track. Our sampan will pick you up at the end of the tour to bring you back to the Dragon Eyes. This is a perfect combination: a relaxing river cruise as well as active exploring of the Mekong Delta by bike.

 

Sampan rides: During your Mekong Delta river cruise, you can do side trips with our sampan to explore the small side canals - a unique perspective on life on the water and the scenery.

 

Cooking classes on board the cruise vessel: To learn the secrets of real Vietnamese cuisine, we give you the possibility to take cooking classes from our chef. You will also have the option to buy the fresh ingredients for your own meal direclty at the local floating markets. Tai Chi, Yoga and Massage services: