This morning, a two-hour drive from Ho Chi Minh City brings us to My Tho, the gateway to the Mekong Delta. From here, we will board a motorized wooden sampan to start our journey along the mighty Mekong River, cruising around Tan My and Thoi Son Islands, where floating fish farms and houseboats have been anchored for decades.

Arrive at My Tho, disembark at one of the floating farms, interact with fishermen at work and learn about the fishing industry in this beautiful area. Switch to a rowing boat for a slow ride along the small canals shaded by water coconut trees. Then hop on bicycles to explore the green-lush island covered by hectares of gardens specialized in growing grapefruits, coconuts, bananas, durian, jack fruits, longans. Stop at a family to learn about the process of nourishing mushrooms.

Enjoy lunch with Mekong delicacies at a family’s garden where you could also see the hostess making “banh khot” (Vietnamese savory mini pancakes) – a popular but delicious local dish. Further our exploration by bicycle to see more cottage industries in the backstreets of this tranquil island: home-made moonshine locally branded over 3 generations; a bee farm with collection of farming, gardening, and fishing tools used over generations and meet a professional craft weaver to see her artistic craftworks such as straw hat, water hyacinth basket and bracelet.

We then re-boarded our motorized boat for the cruise to return to the mainland. Bid farewell to our boat captain and take the drive back to Ho Chi Minh, arriving in the late afternoon.