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Off-Grid Vietnam: Saigon to the Mekong
Float down the Mekong, from the buzz of Saigon to the calm of the Delta
Overview
The lowdown
This is for the first-timers, the curious, the ones who want to feel the pulse of Vietnam rather than just see it. The Mekong is your guide, winding through chaos and calm, from Saigon’s neon buzz to riverside towns that seem to drift in slow motion. Float through markets before the sun hits the water, steam rising from noodle pots as vendors call out from boat to boat, the scent of fresh herbs and grilled skewers filling the air. Sip coffee on verandas as boats slip by, roll noodles by hand and taste recipes handed down through generations – all with a small crew by your side, keeping it affordable, immersive and untamed, just like the river itself.
Highlights
The best bits
Cai Rang Floating Market
Vietnam’s most famed floating market, best seen at sunrise. Vendors trade fruit, noodles and household goods from boat to boat, with steam rising from every bowl. Noisy, chaotic and unforgettable.
Itinerary
The day to day
Day 1
Land in Saigon, Dive Right In
Day 2
Out of the City, Into the Delta
Day 3
Chau Doc, Your Way
Day 4
Roll Into Can Tho
Day 5
Cai Rang Floating Market
Day 6
Can Tho, Your Way
Day 7
Cruise the Mekong
Day 8
Say Goodbye from Saigon
Host
The experts
Authentic Adventures
Authentic Adventures is a group of local guides – AKA your gateway to the good stuff. They’ll unlock family kitchens, backstreet haunts and cultural connection with the ease of a friend and the heart of someone who truly belongs.
Accommodation
The quarters
A bright, playful spot in central Saigon with retro-modern flair and all the comforts you want after a long-haul flight or Mekong adventure. Think rooftop drinks, colourful rooms and a quiet escape just minutes from the action.
EMM Saigon Hotel (or similar)
Ho Chi Minh City, Quận 3,...
This riverside retreat wraps you in quiet. Wooden floors, wide verandas, and views that drift into Cambodia. It’s where you slow down, watch the water move and feel like a traveller, not a tourist.
Victoria Chau Doc Hotel (or similar)
Đường Lê Lợi, Thành phố C...
Tucked along the riverbanks, this French-inspired retreat mixes colonial charm with tropical ease. Palm-shaded gardens, cool tiles underfoot and a pool made for lazy afternoons. The perfect base for floating markets and slow mornings.
Victoria Can Tho Resort (or similar)
Ninh Kiều, VN
Activities
The fun stuff
Begin your trip with a bird’s-eye view of Saigon from the Bitexco Tower Sky Deck. From 178 metres up, the city sprawls beneath you – a buzz of bikes, buildings and endless energy. A perfect intro to the chaos that awaits below.
Bitexco Tower Sky Deck
Ho Chi Minh City, Quận 3,...
Hit the ground walking in Saigon’s Cholon district – a sensory overload of incense, motorbikes, sizzling street food and Taoist temples. Explore Binh Tay Market and duck down alleyways where daily life hums with colour, culture and centuries of Chinese-Vietnamese heritage.
Cholon Market Walk
Ho Chi Minh City, Quận 3,...
Take a slow wander through Sa Dec – a peaceful riverside town where time lingers. Browse vibrant flower markets, spot colonial mansions and enjoy the kind of quiet beauty that feels worlds away from Saigon’s bustle.
Sa Dec Stopover
Sa Đéc, VN
Rise before the sun and boat into the Mekong’s most iconic market. Cai Rang floats to life with vendors trading breakfast soups, fruit and household goods boat-to-boat. It’s noisy, chaotic and unforgettable – a real slice of river life in motion.
Cai Rang Floating Market
Ho Chi Minh City, Quận 3,...
Step into a riverside village and learn the art of making Hu Tieu noodles from scratch. Roll, slice, steam – and then slurp. This hands-on workshop connects you to the flavours and rhythms of the Mekong, one humble bowl at a time.
Noodle Workshop
Trần Chiên, Cái Răng, VN
Hit the backstreets of Can Tho with a local who knows every hidden noodle shack and sizzling grill. This evening tour dives deep into the city’s snack scene – think bánh xèo, grilled skewers and bites you’ve never heard of but won’t forget. Come hungry. Extra costs apply.
Can Tho Street Food Tour (Optional)
Cần Thơ, Vietnam
Pedal past emerald rice paddies, brick kilns and quiet canals on two wheels. It’s the friendly waves, dusty trails and a glimpse of daily Mekong life that make this one special. Extra costs apply.
Cycling Through the Delta (Optional)
Mekong River Delta, Vietn...
Get behind the wok with a hotel chef and dive into the secrets of Vietnamese home cooking. Learn the balance of sweet, salty, sour and spice – then eat what you make. Think hands-on, not high-brow. No experience needed, just appetite. Extra costs apply.
Vietnamese Cooking Class (Optional)
Cái Răng, VN
Board the elegant Cai Be Princess and drift through Mekong backwaters. Stop at stilted homes, visit village workshops, and feast at Le Longanier – a colonial-era villa tucked into the jungle. It’s slow travel, elevated.
Cai Be Princess Cruise
Mekong River Delta, Vietn...
Fine Print
The small stuff
Cancel 65+ days out for a 70% refund. Within 64 days, we’ve locked in logistics, so no refund can be offered. Thanks for understanding – it keeps things running smooth for everyone.