Vietnam - Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos and Northern Thailand - page 312

MEKONG DELTA
The 'rice bowl' of Vietnam, the Mekong Delta is a landscape carpeted in a dizzying variety
of greens and slashed with mighty waterways. It's a water world where boats, houses, res-
taurants and even markets float upon the innumerable rivers, canals and streams that flow
through the region like arteries. At times you can quite simply lose sight of land.
The area is both riparian and deeply rural, but it's also one of Vietnam's most densely
populated regions, with nearly every hectare intensively farmed. Visitors can dwell on
southern charm in little-visited riverside cities, sample fruits traded in the colourful floating
markets, or feast on home-cooked delicacies before overnighting as a homestay guest.
Mangrove forests, sacred Khmer pagodas and off-the-beaten-track attractions round out the
picture.
Those seeking tropical hideaways can come ashore on Phu Quoc, a divine forested island
fringed with white-sand beaches and crisscrossed with empty dirt roads that simply beg for
DIY motorbike exploration.
A NIGHT ON THE MEKONG
Spending the night on board a boat on the Mekong River is a good way to explore more of the water-
ways that make up this incredible region and helps bring you closer to life on the river. The more inter-
esting options for overnighting on the Mekong include the following:
Bassac ( 0710-382 9540; www.transmekong.com ; overnight US$232) Offers a range of beautiful
wooden boats for small groups. The standard itinerary is an overnight between Cai Be and Can Tho, but
custom routes are possible.
Exotissimo ( 08-3827 2911; www.exotissimo.com ; overnight 4,123,000-12,659,000d) Upmarket
single- or multiday tours of the delta by boat.
Le Cochinchine ( 08-3993 4552; www.lecochinchine.com ; price on application) Cruises on a lux-
urious converted rice barge and a traditional sampan that are akin to floating hotels.
Mekong Eyes ( 0710-246 0786; www.mekongeyes.com ; price on application) A stunningly conver-
ted traditional rice barge that travels between Can Tho and Cai Be. It's also available for charter.
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