Cruising the Mekong Delta

This year I was incredibly fortunate to go on a cruise down the Mekong Delta. The occasion was my Mother In Law’s 70th Birthday and she had gathered 20 of her closest friends and family for this wonderful trip.

The boat we travelled in was called the Bassac III and is built in the tradition of the rice barges of the Mekong Delta. There are three of these Bassac boats to choose from depending on your group size. Ours was the largest and comfortably fit our group of 20 with a mix of double and single rooms, all air conditioned (which you need in the Vietnamese heat) and had their own ensuite. The rooms were tiny of course but that just added to the charm of them!

There was a front deck which was perfect for lounging, watching the sun set and afternoon happy hours which my family is oh so fond of! The boat also has sweeping decks surrounding it so you never miss a moment on the life on the Mekong.

Getting onboard the Bassac III

The boat is boarded from Can Tho which is 3 hours south of Ho Chi Minh city in our tour we chose 4 nights travel down the Mekong Delta and back.

One of the many things that I loved about the trip was the food. It was exceptional,  every single meal was a masterpiece of traditional Vietnamese cuisine mixed with the luxury of french breads and desserts. The boat is owned and operated by a french chef and this influence really comes through.

Our dining room with a view.

Another fab thing about cruising down the Mekong Delta was to watch the villages come to life throughout the day. From the glorious sunrises to the exchange of foods in the floating markets of the morning, to watching the people starting the busy work day, tending their rice fields, fish farms and watching the elegance of barges and ferries put gently down the river was an experience that I will never forget.

What a way to wake up! My view each morning from my cabin, a sunrise on the Mekong Delta.

Morning floating markets where all kinds of fruits, vegetables and crops are exchanged.

Mekong Delta life. All families were all so friendly and we received so many waves hello as we cruised by.

But it wasn’t just about cruising and eating… each day we stopped in at a different village and saw how the Vietnamese people live along the Mekong Delta.

We stopped into a rice farms where we were shown how the people grow, harvest and use rice in so many different ways. Right down to the husks of the rice which they use as kindling for their fires.

We stopped into a rug manufacturer where they handmade rugs with impeccable detail, a fish farm run by a small family that distributes to the entire country and remote communities along the river whose were so intrigued with us as we were with them.

Dying the yarn to make the rugs.

The entry point to a remote farming community.

My husband, trying to lift just one bag… these guys move hundreds each day

Gorgeous happy Vietnamese kids who ran up to greet us. 

The thing that I loved about this trip was that it was not only such a special family event, but had a mix of excellent food, spectacular scenery and education. In each village our tour guide (who was amazing) really took the time to explain to us the whys and hows of the culture.

The frenetic activity throughout the day in the heat, exploring these communities was really balanced sereneness of the Mekong Delta at sunset and night. At the end of each day our tour guide briefed us on what we had seen, how far we had travelled and what tomorrow had in store.

Then of course we were treated to some magnificent food that was significant to the region we were in.

Cruising up and down the river had such a romance to it. It is a place which will remain special to me always and I hope to travel back to some time again soon.

I’m keen to hear, have you visited the Mekong Delta or Vietnam?