Spring is the perfect time to discover the beauty of a country, and there’s no place more wonderful than the Mekong Delta during Tet Nguyen Dan. Join “Travel Around The World” website on a special journey to explore famous destinations, immerse yourself in the vibrant festival atmosphere, and savor the unique cuisine of Southern Vietnam on this Mekong Delta Tet Holiday Tour 2024.
3-Day Mekong Delta Tet Tour: From Saigon to Ca Mau Cape
The Mekong Delta Tet Tour 2024 is specially designed to bring you the most memorable experiences during the traditional Lunar New Year. With a 3-day, 2-night itinerary, you will have the opportunity to explore the highlights of the Mekong Delta, from Soc Trang with its unique pagoda architecture, Ca Mau – the southernmost land of the country, to bustling Can Tho and peaceful My Tho.
Day 1: Saigon – Soc Trang – Ca Mau: A Journey of Culture and Spirituality
The first morning of the Mekong Delta Tet tour begins in Saigon. A car and professional guide from “Travel Around The World” will pick you up at familiar meeting points and start the journey to the Mekong Delta. After a drive, the group will stop in Tien Giang for breakfast, enjoying rustic dishes imbued with the Mekong Delta flavor.
The first destination of the day is Soc Trang, famous for its unique Khmer pagodas. Among them, Som Rong Pagoda is a must-visit. The pagoda impresses visitors with its distinctive traditional Khmer architecture, most notably the massive statue of Buddha Shakyamuni entering Nirvana, approximately 73m in length. In the solemn atmosphere of the New Year, visiting Som Rong Pagoda is not only an opportunity to admire the architectural beauty but also a chance to find inner peace, praying for a new year of peace and happiness. The pagoda’s tranquil space and the echoing pagoda bells will help you feel the traditional Tet atmosphere more clearly, distinct from the hustle and bustle of the city.
Som Rong Pagoda in Soc Trang, Vietnam
After visiting Som Rong Pagoda, the group will have lunch and continue the journey to Ca Mau. On the way, the group will stop in Bac Lieu to visit the Memorial Area of Southern Folk Music and Musician Cao Van Lau. This is a unique architectural work, built to commemorate and honor musician Cao Van Lau, the composer of the immortal “Da Co Hoai Lang,” one of the classic works of Southern folk music. In the solemn space of the memorial area, visitors will learn more about the history and cultural value of Southern folk music, a unique art form of the Mekong Delta region recognized by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. Especially during Tet, the melodies of Southern folk music become even more meaningful, evoking traditional values and love for the homeland.
Continuing the journey, the group will arrive at Tac Say Church, one of the largest and most famous Catholic churches in the Mekong Delta. This place attracts visitors not only by its unique architecture but also by its sacredness associated with Father Phanxico Xavie Truong Buu Diep. In the early days of the new year, many tourists and locals come to Tac Say Church to pray, wishing for a new year of peace and luck. Visiting Father Diep’s tomb, you will feel the solemn, tranquil, and sacred atmosphere of this place, a special spiritual experience on your Mekong Delta Tet tour.
Arriving in Ca Mau in the late afternoon, the group will check into a hotel and rest. In the evening, you are free to explore Ca Mau cuisine, enjoying famous specialties such as U Minh hotpot, grilled snakehead fish, and tamarind-fried three-spot crabs. Ca Mau night market during Tet also becomes more bustling and vibrant than ever, with many stalls selling souvenirs, local specialties, and attractive street food.
Day 2: Ca Mau Cape – U Minh Ha Forest – Can Tho: Conquering the Southernmost Point of the Fatherland
The second day of the Mekong Delta Tet tour is a journey to conquer Ca Mau Cape, the southernmost point of the Fatherland. After breakfast at the hotel, the car takes the group to Ca Mau Cape, a sacred and meaningful landmark. Here, visitors will visit the National Coordinate Landmark GPS 0001, a symbol affirming Vietnam’s territorial sovereignty. Standing at Ca Mau Cape, you will feel proud and touched to set foot on the southernmost point of the country, where the mainland meets the sea. Don’t forget to take souvenir photos with the miniature windy ship, a characteristic symbol of Ca Mau Cape, expressing the aspiration to reach out to the sea and expand the territory of the Vietnamese nation.
KM 2436 marker, the end point of Ho Chi Minh Road in Ca Mau, Vietnam
In addition, visitors also have the opportunity to check-in at two new and meaningful attractions in Ca Mau Cape, which are marker KM 2436 – the end point of the Ho Chi Minh Road and Hanoi flagpole, 33m high. These structures are not only tourist attractions but also symbols of national unity and North-South solidarity. In the joyful atmosphere of spring, setting foot in these places becomes even more meaningful, expressing patriotism and national pride.
Next, the group will experience a very interesting and characteristic activity of the Mekong Delta, which is riding a “tac rang” (motorized canoe) through the mangrove forest. Sitting on a small “tac rang,” weaving through the winding canals amidst the vast mangrove forest of U Minh Ha National Park, you will immerse yourself in the wild nature, feel the simplicity, and explore the unique mangrove ecosystem. The “tac rang” trip is not just a tourist experience but also an opportunity to learn about the lives of local people associated with melaleuca and mangrove forests. Especially during Tet, the fresh air, the chirping of birds, and the beautiful natural scenery will bring you wonderful relaxing moments. The group will stop at a rest stop in the middle of the forest to rest, take photos, and experience monkey bridges, a unique and interesting form of transportation for Mekong Delta residents.
At noon, the group will have lunch at a restaurant in Ca Mau Cape, enjoying fresh seafood and local specialties. After lunch, the group departs for Can Tho, the central city of the Mekong Delta. Arriving in Can Tho, you will check into a hotel and relax. In the evening, you are free to explore Can Tho at night, stroll along the romantic Ninh Kieu Wharf, enjoy street food at Cai Khe night market, or experience a cruise on the Hau River, admiring the Can Tho Bridge sparkling at night. During Tet, Can Tho becomes more vibrant and bustling with many cultural and artistic activities and spring flower markets, bringing a joyful and exciting atmosphere to visitors.
Day 3: Can Tho – Cai Rang Floating Market – My Tho – Saigon: Returning to Floating Market Culture and Gardens
The last day of the Mekong Delta Tet tour begins with experiencing Cai Rang Floating Market, one of the largest and most famous floating markets in the Mekong Delta. Early in the morning, the group will board a boat and immerse themselves in the bustling and lively atmosphere of the floating market, where hundreds of boats of all sizes gather to trade all kinds of goods, from vegetables, fruits to food and drinks, and handicrafts. Cai Rang Floating Market is not only a place for buying and selling but also a unique cultural feature of the Mekong Delta, reflecting the adaptability and creativity of local people in the riverine environment. Especially during Tet, the floating market becomes even more vibrant and bustling, with many boats carrying fresh fruits, Tet cakes, and items for Tet. Visitors can enjoy breakfast on the boat with specialties such as “hu tieu,” “bun rieu,” “banh canh,” and feel the unique Tet atmosphere on the Mekong Delta waterways.
Cai Rang Floating Market in Can Tho, Vietnam
After visiting the floating market, the group returns to the hotel for breakfast and check-out. Next, the group departs for My Tho and visits Vinh Trang Pagoda, an ancient pagoda famous for its unique architecture combining Asian and European styles. Vinh Trang Pagoda is not only a beautiful architectural work but also an important historical and cultural relic, reflecting the cultural exchange between East and West. In the tranquil space of the pagoda, visitors will feel peace and relaxation, praying for a new year of peace and happiness.
Leaving Vinh Trang Pagoda, the group arrives at My Tho Wharf and boards a tourist boat on the Tien River, starting the journey to explore Four Islands: Dragon, Unicorn, Turtle, Phoenix. The boat will take visitors along the Tien River, admiring the picturesque river scenery and learning about the lives of local people along the river. Visitors will visit Thoi Son islet (Unicorn Island), stroll along village roads, visit fruit orchards, especially green-skinned pomelo orchards laden with fruit. Arriving at a honey bee farm, visitors will learn about the beekeeping process and enjoy delicious and nutritious honey lemon tea.
At Thoi Son islet, visitors will enjoy “Don Ca Tai Tu Xu Dua” melodies, a unique folk art form of the Mekong Delta. After that, the group will experience rowing in a small boat weaving into small canals, admiring the green coconut palms and feeling the simple beauty of the gardens. This is an interesting and romantic experience, helping visitors relax and immerse themselves in nature.
At noon, the group will have lunch at a garden restaurant, enjoying Mekong Delta specialties. After lunch, the group will visit a coconut candy factory, a famous specialty of Ben Tre, and shop for souvenirs for relatives and friends. Coconut candy is a meaningful gift imbued with the flavor of the homeland, especially suitable as a Tet gift.
Finally, the group departs for Saigon, ending the 3-day, 2-night Mekong Delta Tet tour full of meaning and experiences. “Travel Around The World” wishes you a prosperous and peaceful New Year and looks forward to seeing you again on other exciting discovery journeys!
Mekong Delta Tet Holiday Tour 2024 – Detailed Information
Tour price includes:
- New, air-conditioned tourist car for transportation as per itinerary.
- Standard 2-3 star hotels (2-3 guests/room).
- Meals as per itinerary (breakfast, lunch).
- Entrance fees to tourist attractions as per itinerary.
- Enthusiastic, attentive, and experienced tour guide.
- Domestic travel insurance.
- Bottled water and cold towels served on the car.
Tour price does not include:
- VAT tax.
- Single room surcharge (VND 1,000,000/guest).
- Personal expenses, meals outside the program.
- Tips for tour guides and drivers (optional).
Note:
- The itinerary may change depending on the actual situation but still ensures full sightseeing points.
- Tour prices may change depending on the booking time and number of guests.
- Please contact “Travel Around The World” for advice and early booking to get preferential prices and ensure availability during Tet Nguyen Dan.
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