Dragon Eyes: 3-day Mekong Delta River Tour

Cruise Boat Design
The two sister boats Dragon Eyes I and Dragon Eyes II were built in the traditional style of the Mekong Delta river boats. Their elegant, slender and shallow hulls enable the Dragon Eyes to cruise also the secondary side canals of the Mekong river which are too small for the larger cruisers to explore. There we find serene river front life that makes the Mekong Delta so unique.
At the same time the river cruise boats are big enough to provide you with ample space for relaxation and privacy. Each of the Dragon Eyes provides around 100 m2 for its guests. It’s like a floating hotel:
– Two spacy private cabins (14 – 16 m2), providing a nicely designed bath room, a French balcony, sitting area, individual air conditioning, fans and fantastic Mekong river views through the panorama windows.
– In the indoor panorama lounge you can watch the hustle and bustle of the Mekong Delta sitting in the cool and cosy front salon with air condition and large panorama windows and 270° views on the river.
– On the sun deck on the top deck you can enjoy a sun bath while watching the scenery passing by. Indulge in the culinary specialities of Vietnam in the roofed outdoor restaurant or enjoy a sun-downer in your private bar on the top deck – all with fantastic river views.
– Our crew of five will do their utmost to provide you with all the services and comfort you need during your Mekong Delta river cruise. Your captain and his deck hand are in charge of the technical details and the routing. An experienced chef and the service staff will take you on a culinary journey through Vietnam. Your personal guide and cruise director show you all the sights you need to see and will explain life and culture of the Mekong Delta. Our staff get regular safety trainings. They will do their best to fulfill the special requests of our customers to make their luxurious cruise unique.The boats were built by local ship builders from following traditional designs. The cabins and the interior were build by Vietnamese master craftsmen. Most interiors and furnitures are built from exclusive tropical woods, where available with certification for sustainable forest plantation. All critical technical equipment like engine, navigation, rudder, air-conditioning, water purification or fire protection system are imported from Japan or Europe.

Technical Specifications Dragon Eyes
– Lenght: 25 m
– Max beam: 4.5 m
– Two cabins (14 – 16 m2), 1 indoor-lounge, sun deck, roofed outdoor restaurant and bar
– Guest area: around 100 m2
– Crew: 5 (captain, sailor, chef, service staff, guide and cruise director)
– 2 electric generators
– Modern safety equipment, heat and smoke detectors.

Itinerary:
Details of the routes and tour activities are for reference only. Final confirmation will be sent upon booking. All itineraries are subject to change, due to weather and other conditions.

 

On this tour you have more time to discover the sights of the Mekong Delta and enjoy the river life. You can visit the famous floating markets of Cai Rang. On several land excursions you have the chance to see local handicraft production, colorful brick kilns, opulent orchards and peaceful villages. Take an excursion with a small rowing Sampan or a short bike trip to explore the small side canals of the mighty Mekong River.

Day 1: Panorama River Cruise
In the morning we pick you up at your hotel in Saigon and take you to Can Tho or Cai Be. You board your wooden river cruise vessel around noon. After a refreshing welcome drink we show you our on-board facilities and your cosy cabin. As lunch is served, the boat starts cruising.  Sit back and watch the fantastic scenery and the daily life of the Mekong people.
In the afternoon you can disembark for a guided leisurely stroll through a village and the surrounding fruit orchards or rice fields. Meet the friendly locals and taste the local produce and fruits.
Get back on board and enjoy a drink at the bar or relax on deck as the sun sets over the magnificent water landscape of the Mekong river. The cruise boat will anchor for the night. The day ends with a delicious on-board dinner. You stay overnight on board your floating hotel in the Mekong Delta.
If you book this tour on our Gecko Eyes house boat, you will visit the forest of Xeo Quyt on the first day. During the Vietnam war this jungle was the headquarters of the local partisans. During rainy season when the water levels are high enough you can explore the labyrinth by rowing sampan. In the afternoon you will visit the small and charming town of Sa Dec.
Meals: Lunch, Dinner.

Day 2: Life on the water or floating markets
Wake up well rested to the sound of the river and get ready for another exciting day of sightseeing in the Mekong Delta. At 6.30h the cruise vessel sets off for a sunrise cruise. Watch the locals go about their daily work drying exotic fruits and building ships on the wooden yards while enjoying an early breakfast.
Dragon Eyes boat on odd days: After breakfast, we will board a sampan boat to Cai Rang floating market, the region’s busiest and most lively markets. On even dates, you will explore the small channels of the mekong delta around Cai Be with a small sampan or by foot. Marvel at the sheer abundance of exotic fruits and vegetables. We will pull up to the boats for talking and bargaining with the merchants. We will also visit some of the local candy and cake making factories or boat through the green water landscape to see local houses, verdant orchards and ship-building yards.
Later in the morning your can boat through the green water landscape on a little rowing sampan to see local houses, verdant orchards and ship-building yards. Alternatively you can discover the nearby town by foot or explore the small side canals of the Mekong river on a bicycle.
The cruise boat then resumes its journey as lunch is served. In the afternoon there will be another side trip to one of the exotic villages along the way.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

Day 3: An exotic world of its own
After breakfast and an early start through the glorious morning atmosphere on the Mekong river. In Can Tho we will visit the floating market of Cai Rang. In Cai Be will will explore the delta by foot or with a small sampan. Be sure not to miss the great photo opportunities for authentic snapshots of the Mekong people and their life.
Take another sampan side trip right into the lush rural landscape, the fertile fields, the exuberant green. Then it’s time to pack up and return to the pier from which we started.
The Mekong Delta cruise boat tour ends at around 11.00 – 11.30h on the pier. On your transfer back to Ho Chi Minh City we stop at a restaurant in Vinh Long.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch.