THE AMPHIBIOUS SOUL: A New Year Pilgrimage to the River

New Year's Eve in the city is a cacophony of forced celebration; New Year's Eve in the Mekong Delta is a rhythmic, tidal shift. We are leaving the asphalt of Saigon for the silt and the sanctuary of the deep south. This is not merely a tour; it is a migration.

We are embarking on a 3-day expedition that cuts through the vascular system of Vietnam. From the mystical, flooded forests of Chau Doc to the mercantile chaos of Can Tho, and finally to the fruit-laden islets of My Tho, this journey is a study in hydro-culture. It is a chance to start 2026 not with a bang, but with the dip of an oar.

The Forest, The Mountain, and The Market

DAY 1: The Green Cathedral | Saigon – Chau Doc

Points of Interest: Tra Su Cajuput Forest, Sam Mountain, The Seven Mountains (That Son).

The Experience: We depart the metropolis at dawn. The road west is a transition from grey to endless green. By afternoon, we reach Chau Doc, a border town that feels like the edge of the world. The Climax: We enter the Tra Su Cajuput Forest. We board small, motorized boats (tac rang) that slice through a carpet of green duckweed. The world turns emerald. The cajuput trees rise like pillars of a submerged cathedral. It is silent, save for the call of storks and the splash of fish. The Ascent: We head to Sam Mountain (Nui Sam), the spiritual roof of the delta. We stand 705 meters above sea level, looking out over the Seven Mountains, breathing air that smells of incense and damp earth. Evening: We sleep in Chau Doc, where the culture is a rich tapestry of Cham, Khmer, and Vietnamese influences.

Suggestions:

The Photo: In Tra Su, sit at the prow of the boat. The contrast between the neon-green duckweed and the dark water is surreal.

The Food: Dinner in Chau Doc must include Mam (fermented fish). It’s pungent, savory, and the defining flavor of the region.

DAY 2: The Lady and The River | Chau Doc – Can Tho

Points of Interest: Tay An Pagoda, Thoai Ngoc Hau Tomb, Lady of the Realm Temple (Ba Chua Xu), Truc Lam Phuong Nam Zen Monastery.

The Experience: Morning is for the spirits. We visit Tay An Pagoda, a bizarre and beautiful architectural mash-up of Indian and Vietnamese styles. We pay respects at the Tomb of Thoai Ngoc Hau, the general who dug the canals that define this region. The Pilgrimage: We stand before the Lady of the Realm (Ba Chua Xu). She is the most venerated figure in the south. The energy here is intense—thousands of pilgrims, clouds of smoke, and a palpable sense of hope for the New Year. The Shift: We drive to Can Tho, the capital of the west. We visit the Truc Lam Phuong Nam Zen Monastery, the largest in the delta. It is a place of massive timber pillars and profound silence. Evening: Can Tho at night. The Ninh Kieu Wharf is alive with lights.

Suggestions:

The Offering: If you visit the Lady of the Realm, bring a small offering of fruit. It’s about the gesture, not the value.

The Walk: Stroll the pedestrian bridge at Ninh Kieu. It’s touristy, but the breeze off the Hau River is undeniable.

DAY 3: The Floating Commerce | Can Tho – My Tho – Saigon

Points of Interest: Cai Rang Floating Market, Vinh Trang Pagoda, Four Sacred Islets (Dragon, Unicorn, Turtle, Phoenix).

The Experience: We wake before the sun. We boat out to Cai Rang Floating Market. This is not a show; it’s a wholesale engine. Boats are piled high with watermelons and pineapples. We eat breakfast on the river, balancing bowls of noodles while the boat rocks gently. The Return: We head back toward Saigon, stopping in My Tho. We visit Vinh Trang Pagoda, another architectural hybrid. The Finale: We board a boat to the Four Sacred Islets. We row sampans through narrow canals lined with nipa palms. We visit bee farms and coconut candy workshops on Ben Tre, tasting the sweetness of the land. The End: We return to Saigon, the river mud washed off our shoes, but the rhythm of the water still in our blood.

The Silence of Tra Su

It happens on Day 1. You transfer from the motorboat to a small rowing sampan in the heart of Tra Su Forest. The engine cuts out. Suddenly, the cacophony of the modern world vanishes. You are floating on a mirror of green. The cajuput trees tower above, filtering the sunlight into dappled patterns. A white stork takes flight, its wings whirring in the quiet air. It is a moment of pure, prehistoric stillness that resets your nervous system.

The Delta Secrets

The "Bong Dien Dien" Rule: If you see yellow flowers in your hotpot, eat them. They are Bong Dien Dien (Sesbania sesban), a flower that only blooms during the flood season. They have a crunch and a slight bitterness that pairs perfectly with fish.

The Floating Coffee: In Cai Rang, flag down a small boat selling coffee. The woman will hand you a plastic cup of Ca Phe Sua Da across the water. It will be the strongest, sweetest, most chaotic coffee you drink all year.

The Oar's Song

On Thoi Son Islet, I sat in a sampan rowed by an elderly woman. She didn't speak a word of English, but she hummed a tune under her breath—a fragment of Don Ca Tai Tu (Southern amateur music). The rhythm of her song matched the rhythm of the oar slicing the water. Splash, hum. Splash, hum. It was a reminder that in the Delta, culture isn't something stored in a museum; it is something you do, something you live, every single day.

The River is Calling

The New Year is the time to return to the source. The cajuput forest is green. The temples are filled with smoke. The water is waiting. You need to taste the river and bow to the Lady of the Realm. Pack your hat. The bus leaves at 05:45 AM.

Notes (Additional Information)

Children’s tour prices:

Children under 5 years old: Free of charge. Parents or accompanying adults are responsible for the child’s meals, accommodation, and entrance fees (if any). Each pair of adults may accompany one child under 5 for free; the second child and beyond must purchase 50% of the tour price.

Children from 5 to under 10 years old: 75% of the tour price. Includes meals, a seat on the bus, and shared accommodation with family. Each pair of adults may accompany one child aged 5 to under 12; for the second child, parents are advised to purchase an extra single bed.

Children 10 years old and above: 100% of the tour price and full adult services.

Payment and Cancellation Policy

After confirmation, guests must pay at least 50% deposit to secure the booking, and the full 100% tour cost must be paid no later than 10 days before departure.

If guests do not complete payment by the required full-payment deadline, they will be considered to have voluntarily canceled the tour and will forfeit all deposit(s).

Airplane / train / high-speed boat tickets are issued immediately after registration, payment, and submission of personal details (full name, date of birth, etc.). These tickets are non-changeable and non-refundable: no name changes, no refunds, no date changes, and no itinerary changes.

Cancellation penalties after registration:

After deposit or payment, or more than 15 days before departure: 30% of tour price

10 days before departure: 50% of tour price

7 days before departure: 70% of tour price

5 days before departure: 100% of tour price

All cancellations must be made directly with the Company or via fax, email, or text message and must be confirmed by the Company. Cancellations by phone are not accepted.

As this is a shared group tour, the company is responsible for gathering enough participants (minimum 20 adults). If fewer than 20 adults register, the company will notify guests at least 3 days before departure to arrange a new departure date or provide a full refund of the deposit.

Deposit dates, payment dates, cancellation dates, and tour change dates do not include Saturday and Sunday.

In force majeure cases (terrorism, riots, natural disasters, floods, etc.), depending on actual circumstances and guest safety, the company may cancel or adjust the itinerary to an alternative program of equivalent value. If the new program incurs additional costs, guests must pay the difference. Both sides must make every effort to minimize losses due to force majeure.

For changes in flight schedules or transportation delays caused by airlines, railways, or ferry operators, the company is not responsible for any additional expenses such as meals, accommodation, transport, or tour guide services.

Important Information for Tour Participants

On the departure date, guests must gather at .......... at ..........

The company is not responsible for late arrivals.

Some activity sequences and details (flight time, train time, boat schedule, etc.) may be adjusted depending on actual travel conditions (weather, traffic, etc.).

Hotel/resort check-in and check-out times: after 2:00 PM for check-in and before 12:00 PM for check-out.

The tour guide will inform guests of specific meeting times and locations on the afternoon before departure.

Please sit in the seat assigned at the time of tour registration.

Please bring light and compact luggage.

Personal documents, money, and valuables must be self-kept. The company will help search for lost items but is not responsible for compensation.

Guests are advised to bring a compact umbrella for sun and rain, and wear sports shoes or sandals with back straps for easier movement.

Please follow the tour guide’s timetable to avoid delays affecting the whole group.

For health and food safety reasons, please do not bring outside food into restaurants or hotels. Bringing beverages may require hotel/restaurant approval and may incur an additional fee.

Before leaving your seat or location (bus, restaurant, sightseeing spot, shop, hotel room, etc.), please check your belongings carefully—wallet, purse, bag, camera, camcorder, phone—to avoid loss or inconvenience during the trip.

Be cautious while walking at sightseeing areas; do not stand or climb in unsafe places. Be careful when moving on boats or ferries. When crossing the street, follow traffic laws. Families with children must supervise them closely at all times.