Not so far from Saigon, the provinces in the Mekong Delta are often the chosen destinations for a weekend escape. Being a waterway area with fertile paddy fields and orchards enriched by the Mekong River, the Delta can be enjoyed most by boat and a cruise on the Mekong River can be a relaxing way to enjoy the weekend, away from the busy city.
Vietnam-based travel company Terraverde (Italian for Green Earth) is offering a weekend cruise departing every Saturday from Saigon to the Mekong Delta with the first cruise on June 13. The two-day cruise costs only US$89 per person and includes one night in a twin-share cabin, four on-board meals, sunset cocktails on the sundeck, sightseeing and biking excursions with an English-speaking guide, air-con bus transfer from My Tho to Saigon and a complimentary cruise for children under 12 who share a family cabin with parents.
Conveniently embarking at Saigon’s Bach Dang Pier and cruising towards the lush Mekong Delta via Cho Gao canal, guests can enjoy the natural beauty and serenity of the mighty Mekong River onboard a 12-cabin boat. After exploring the Delta’s bustling floating market near Cai Be, cycling through fruit orchards and cruising the countless canals splintering around Ben Tre by rowing sampans, guests will be transferred back from My Tho to Saigon by bus on Sunday afternoon.
This unique city escape promotion is valid until September 30 and can also be chartered for private groups, company outings or family excursions with departure dates up to the travelers.
Terraverde Cruises Collection includes several wood cruise vessels operating on formerly inaccessible stretches of the Mekong River in Laos and in the Lower Mekong between Cambodia and Vietnam. Vu Minh Anh, managing director of Terraverde, told the Daily that the travel company offered off-the-beaten track destinations, authentic Vietnamese cultural tours, private or small group journeys and tailor-made itineraries throughout Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos. He said that the company emphasizes comfort with carefully picked accommodations in deluxe hotels and resorts.
Terraverde recently opened tours on Vespa motorcycles around HCMC, the Mekong Delta and along the coast of Mui Ne, Phan Thiet and Nha Trang, he added.