Top 5 river cruises in Vietnam

Vietnam is a country of immense natural beauty and contrasting cultures. For those wanting to experience the real Vietnam and see Vietnamese daily life outside of the cities, a river cruise offers a pleasant sight seeing alternative. Whether it’s a luxurious cruise through the Mekong Delta, a foodie cruise on the Saigon River or a more peaceful journey meandering through one of the provinces, Vietnam’s rivers offer travellers a different cultural perspective and the chance for quiet contemplation.

Here are our top five river cruises in Vietnam.

Vietnam’s Mekong River
Huong River
Vietnam’s “Perfume River”, Huong River leads silently, gently, to Hue City, the capital of the Thua Thien-Hue province on the central coast of Vietnam. Travel the 22-kilometre river in a traditional dragon boat to see Vietnamese houses, gardens, pagodas and mausoleums. Along the way, visit Thien Mu Pagoda, Hon Chen Temple, Tu Duc Tomb, Minh Mang Tomb and Khai Dinh Tomb. Book a night cruise and enjoy dinner and live local Vietnamese music on board.

Top 5 river cruises in Vietnam

Ngo Dong River
A river with a different view, the 100-kilometre long Ngo Dong River in Vietnam’s Hoa Lu District, boasts three magnificent limestone caves. The first cave, Hang Ca, known as “the fish cave” is 127 metres in length, offering challenging climbing opportunities as well as hidden lagoons, accessible only by boat. As you emerge from the third cave, purchase a refreshing drink and a souvenir from a local seller in a sampan.

• AMA LOTUS CRUISE
• SONG XANH CRUISE

My Tho
Just two hours from Ho Chi Minh City, in the Mekong Delta in Thien Giang province sits the ancient port of My Tho. The traditional gateway to the Mekong Delta, My Tho’s bustling waterfront is a fascinating insight into the region’s rich agricultural industry. As you cruise by My Tho you’ll see lush green rice fields and orchards. Take a smaller boat to Phoenix Island, Thoi Son Island and be sure to visit My Tho’s most popular attractions, Vinh Trang Pagoda and Dong Tan Snake Farm.

Vinh Long – Cai Be
Vietnam’s “Majestic Dragon”, Vinh Long is located between two arms of the grand Mekong, the Tien and Hau Rivers. Stop here on your way to Sa Dec to find one of the busiest floating markets in Vietnam, Cai Be, with its hundreds of hawkers in sampans, selling fresh produce, grown locally. Surrounded by silt-rich soil, the area features abundant rice fields orchards that can be seen via the smaller arroyos, or man-made canals. The local people’s daily lives here are built around the water and houses on stilts line the banks of the river.

Hau River
Vietnam’s Hau River is one of the great Mekong Delta’s tributaries. Experience the sights and sounds of Cai Rang, one of the largest and prettiest floating markets in Vietnam, which features sellers in sampans who offer fresh seasonal produce, agricultural goods and breakfast. The best of this river is to be discovered at sunrise. To get there, you’ll cruise just five kilometres from Ninh Kieu Quay in Can Tho.

Mekong Delta Travel Tips

1. Time does matter

Life in Mekong Delta is woven by water and season. It is most vibrant in spring (flower season or Tet Holiday: late January - February) and early summer (fruit season: April - May). The flood season (September - November), however, sweeps everything away and brings a new face to the delta with its rich brown alluvial water. This is also the income season for local people with abundant fish source and water vegetables. The waterfront life is most fascinating in this season.

2. You must do this!

The must see in Mekong Delta is of course its floating market. Again timing is very important if you do not want to be disheartened. The most incredible moments on the water of Mekong Delta are sunrise and sunset. The Mekong Delta floating markets reveal their best in very early morning. “To get the best view of the places, there is no other way but getting up EARLY and start the trip at 5.30 (usually recommended) or 5am (I do suggest this since you will be able to see the sparkle stars above the sky quickly transferring to pinkish sunrise and shining yellowish daylight afterwards.”
The must eat in Mekong Delta is deep fried elephant-ear fish (“Ca tai tuong chien xu”) rolled with herbs in rice sheet and served with dipping sauce.

Mekong Delta Travel Tips

The must do in Mekong Delta is getting in a small rowing sampan to explore its complicated canal system, cycling through tranquil villages and lush rice fields, and visiting a local market in the mainland.

• AUTHENTIC MEKONG
• AMA LOTUS CRUISE
• SONG XANH CRUISE

3. A good tour guide makes your trip worthwhile

A self-guided tour sounds tempting, but not everyone is aimed with strong discovery spirit. A proficient guide will bring you a chance to study about the delta and local life. Also, as the distance from one floating market to another, as well as to other destinations in Mekong Delta is pretty far, there would be nothing boring than sitting on board for a long time. A great guide will fill the gap with fun: chatting with you and teaching you to weave jewelry and flowers from coconut leaves.

4. Set your expectations right!

Many customers were disappointed with their trip in Mekong Delta: the floating market is not colorful, the crowded boat trip, dull scenery, etc. You must know that “fruits and vegetables sold here are seasonable. Therefore, there are times you can find tens of tropical kinds (From Jan to April, usually) which can give your cameras amazing shots, so is time of lacking types due to seasons and crops. Cai Rang and Phung Hiep are big, noisy produce wholesale markets. Phong Dien, Cai Be, Nga Nam, Ca Mau or Tra On floating markets are small and quieter. Neither are romantic, beautiful little markets that you might see on tourist brochures, unless you come in right moments. Also as the floating markets in Mekong Delta are just local way of life and not a planned tourist site as in Thailand, you go to them for authenticity.

5. Be clear with what you get, bargaining hard yet you pay for the quality

You must enquire for what is included and destinations of the tour. Mekong Delta is very big comprising 12 provinces and 1 central town. Can Tho, My Tho and Chau Doc are touristy yet vibrant (in high season). Ben Tre, Long Xuyen and Dong Thap are less visited and more typical of Mekong Delta.

It is up to you whether to book a Mekong Delta tour with big agencies or a small local tour seller or independent operator for a private tour. Just remember "Pay nuts, get monkey". There are big travel agencies offering you really cheap tours in big - noisy - crowded boats comparing to private, king/queen-feel, warm service, friendly guides and impressive keepsakes on small boats with a bit high but reasonable price. In short, you pay for quality. So, don't get upset hearing someone else having a lower-price trip than you. Also, during the trip, buying stuff in markets, coffee shops or in restaurants, do not forget to ask the price first for no "surprise" later.
With small tour sellers, you will sometimes felt obligated to pay lunch for the guide and boat/ car drivers. Some even ask you to tell other tourists about your Mekong Delta tour with them. Do not agree to talk to any other customers about your experience, you can offer to write a review and that's probably best.

Cách phân biệt nhung hươu thật giả

Hàng quý tộc khó kiểm định

Đặc tính của hươu nai giong là chỉ con đực mới mọc sừng. Khi mới mọc, sừng non (thường gọi lộc nhung) có chiều dài khoảng từ 5-20cm, mềm, mặt ngoài phủ đầy lông tơ màu nâu nhạt, phía trong sừng có nhiều mạch máu. Theo ông Lê Tá, một chủ trang trại từng nuôi hươu nai khai thác lộc tại quận 12 (TPHCM) nay đã giải nghệ, nhung hươu đẹp nhất nặng từ 5-6 lạng (500-600gram). Một đời hươu đực trải qua 16-18 lần cắt nhung, mỗi năm cho nhung một lần.

Ông Tá tâm tình: Khi đi mua nhung huou nguyen chat, vì sợ lầm hàng, người sành điệu chỉ mua lộc khi họ được tận mắt chứng kiến cảnh cưa cắt mà thôi. Nhưng không phải ai cũng có kinh nghiệm, thời gian, tiền bạc, sức khỏe để lặn lội hàng chục, thậm chí hàng trăm kilômet đến các trang trại đặng chứng kiến tận mắt cảnh cắt cưa ấy. Điều này đồng nghĩa với việc nhiều người phải mua lộc nhung qua các mối trung gian. Tận dụng cơ hội đó, dân buôn lộc trời ơi thường gả những cặp lộc quá lứa cho khách với giá hàng xịn.

Theo các chuyên gia, lộc nhung tốt là loại mềm, chưa phân yên, nghĩa là khi dùng dao cắt sẽ thái được toàn bộ chứ không đụng xương tảng, không đứt (dấu hiệu chuyển sang sừng).

Cách phân biệt nhung hươu thật giả

Lương y Đỗ Mạch, ở phố thuốc Hải Thượng Lãn Ông (Q.5, TPHCM) chỉ rõ cách nhận biết giá trị thực tế của lộc nhung hươu, nai. Hươu có lông đen mịn, có đốm, còn nai thì to hơn hươu, lông cứng hơn, có màu xám hoặc nâu. Mùa thu hoạch nhung hươu thường vào tháng 2-3 âm lịch, mùa nhung nai chậm hơn 1-2 tháng sau đó. Nhung nai có màu sẫm, lông nâu, to, nặng và rẻ hơn nhung hươu. Nếu như lộc nhung nai có giá khoảng 5 triệu đồng một kilôgam thì lộc nhung hươu có giá trị hơn, khoảng từ 6-7 triệu đồng. Vấn đề ở chỗ nếu không biết cách nhận biết đâu là nhung hươu, nai thì khách rất dễ bị luộc.

Lương y Mạch tiết lộ xảo thuật làm giả lộc nhung huou tuoi nai của phường gian thương: Bọn gian tạo hình lộc nhung bằng cách nhét tiết lợn cùng xương thỏ băm nhỏ vào da chó, da dê con rồi dùng một loại keo đặc biệt dán chặt. Để chắc ăn, tiếp đó họ sẽ bôi thêm phẩm đỏ hoặc phẩm có màu nâu nhạt đặng xóa vết dán. Thấy cặp nhung đỏ màu tươi rói, nhiều người lao vào mua và… dính đạn.

Lương y Mạch khẳng định: Đây chính là cội nguồn của hiện tượng nhiều con buôn không nuôi hươu nai nhưng nếu khách có nhu cầu bao nhiêu cặp lộc nhung thì họ sẵn sàng đáp ứng trong thời gian ngắn nhất. Do vậy nếu không trực tiếp thấy chủ trang trại cắt lộc thì đừng… xông trận.

Cẩn trọng kẻo mất mạng!

Qua nghiên cứu, cả Đông lẫn Tây y đều đi đến kết luận, lộc nhung có tác dụng giúp người bệnh ngủ ngon, giảm mệt mỏi, tăng sức đề kháng cho cơ thể, giúp vết thương chóng lành và nhất là có tác dụng tốt với các chứng bệnh như tim, nhược năng, bệnh thần kinh thực vật…

Để bán được hàng và bán được với giá cao, nhiều ông bà chủ trang trại hươu nai nhân kết luận đó mạnh miệng tuyên bố thêm, nam-phụ-lão-ấu ai dùng lộc nhung cũng tốt. Người có bệnh thì dùng chữa bệnh, không bệnh thì giúp bồi bổ sức khỏe, ngăn ngừa bệnh tật.

Lại có vị chủ trại cam đoan ai dùng lộc nhung do trang trại mình cung cấp sẽ có nước da láng mịn, mái tóc mượt mà, đàn bà sung mãn, đàn ông thăng hoa. Các chứng bệnh như vô sinh, lao phổ, viêm gan, xơ gan… cũng bị dược tính của lộc nhung đẩy lùi mà dứt tiệt.

Nói đến đây, lương y Mạch lắc đầu: Không chỉ đồn uống rượu ngâm lộc nhung không lo chưa đến chợ đã hết tiền, nhiều ông bà chủ còn tuyên bố chắc nịch uống rượu lộc nhung có sức bắn phá lung tung, bắn chỗ nào là dính con trai chỗ nấy. Một đồn mười, mười đồn trăm, vậy là hình thành trào lưu… nguy hại.

Như lương y Mạch, lương y Hoàng Linh ở nhà thuốc Vạn Xuân cho rằng, lộc nhung có vị ngọt, mặn, có công năng bổ tủy, trợ thận âm…, biết dùng rất tốt cho sức khỏe nhưng nếu lạm dụng sẽ phản tác dụng bởi không phải ai dùng cũng tốt, càng không phải là thuốc tiên chữa bách bệnh.

Lương y Linh cảnh báo: Nhung hươu là chất bổ âm, chỉ dùng tốt với người thận dương không đủ. Những người bị cao huyết áp, có hội chứng âm hư với biểu hiện người gầy, hay có cảm giác sốt về chiều, môi khô, miệng khát, đại tiện táo, tiểu tiện sẻn đỏ… tuyệt đối không được dùng lộc nhung. Người còn trẻ hoặc có sức khỏe bình thường khi dùng lộc nhung phải tiến hành theo dõi tình trạng sức khỏe. Nói chung mọi người không được tùy tiện dùng lộc nhung khi chưa có chỉ định hoặc tham khảo ý kiến của các lương y, bác sĩ. Đã có nhiều trường hợp tự ý sử dụng lộc nhung và sử dụng vô tội vạ dẫn đến hậu quả thương tâm: Toàn thân bị co giật, động huyết, ngực phát nóng, liên tục đổ mồ hôi trộm… để rồi khỏe đâu không thấy, chỉ thấy bệnh tình càng nặng thêm.

Squid fishing on Halong Bay

Night Squid fishing in Halong Bay at night is an interesting activity at which tourists can experience the feeling of being a fisherman. Tourists will have the instruction from local fishermen about how to fish a squid in the sea.

Night Squid fishing is the most interesting activity and wonderful pleasure of the night journey on Halong Bay. Tourists are provided with fishing rods and racquets so that they can actively use them to catch squids. Tourists must be excited to clearly see light-drunken shoals of squids lazily hovering around; and, step by step each squid is enticed and picked up, remaining totally fresh and striving convulsively. Especially, during the squid season, it would be common to see large shoals of squids surrounding the cruiser and each tourist may catch an average of 30 squids for each squid fishing night. Read more: Map Halong bay

The squids caught will be used to make dishes for tourists. This is also an ideal time to gaze Halong bay by night. The sea water surface is sparkling with reflected light from cruises anchored on the bay. Foreign tourists are extremely fond of boiled whole squids because when eating, they can enjoy the interesting feeling of ink line breaking out pitch-black in the mouth, splashing all over the face and taking pictures. The tourists eat while singing Karaoke and dancing. In alcohol yeast, everyone becomes enthusiasm and excited singers and dancers. visit North Vietnam tours

Traveling to Can Tho visiting Tay Do night market

Tay Do market is located about 1 kilometer from the center of Can Tho city to the west of Hau River, situated in the Can Tho International Exhibition, this market is a great trading center of the southern provinces of Vietnam as well as the entertainment, tourist attractions.

Traveling to Can Tho visiting Tay Do night market

Traveling to Can Tho visiting Tay Do night market

Although it has operated in recent years, Tay Do night market is considered to be a characteristic of cultural tourism in Can Tho. It has attracted many foreign tourists. Previously, Tay Do market is trading market between regions and countries.
In additon to function of commodity exchange, there are many services:food, entertainment and so on. Due to the scale of operation and the importance so Tay Do is a major trading center of the southern provinces of Vietnam. Visit Tay Do Market with Mekong Eyes cruise

Tay Do night market has architecture in harmony with the surrounding landscape and environment, imbued the southern Vietnam style. Stalls are divided by very scientific, clear, neat. Road of the market is asphalted and wide.

Traveling to Can Tho and visiting Tay Do night market

The products of Tay Do night market is very rich and diverse to meet the needs of residents and visitors in the product selection. In addition to serving the purpose of purchasing goods, Tay Do night market also has new and modern entertainment services such as: video games, outdoor music scene and other entertainment shows. Visit South Vietnam packages

Traveling to Tay Do night market, you will have an enjoyable trip. This aggregate picture portrayed real life, activities of residents in the downstream of the famous MeKong River.

Kayak in Halong Bay

Halong Bay attracts thousands of passengers every month. Nearly five hundred cruises run every day and hundreds of passengers stay on board every night.

Halong Bay is famous for its natural beauty and thousands of limestone islands and islets.When you are on board, you admire the majestic beauty of the Bay but when you GET closer to the limestone islands, discover the beauty yourself, you admire its nature. But… how to get closer? The best way is joining kayaking activity. Halong bay tours

Kayak in Halong Bay?

• This is a small, relatively narrow, human-powered boat primarily designed to be manually propelled by means of a double blade paddle.

How to use a kayak?

• Kayaking is generally assumed to be very safe in these calm waters of Halong Bay but there is still some areas and warning that you should avoid and listen to the tour guide. Kayaking is not difficult; however, to enjoy it completely, you need some tip: 

• Paradise Cruise

• Jasmine Cruise

Preparation do not skip this stage

• Suitable clothes: T-shirt and short, swimming suit in the summer; warm clothes in the winter; wet shoes, hat, sunglasses
• Necessary things: Water, sun cream, dry bag, camera, insect repellent
• Life vests

Medical box and food (for the long duration)

• Follow your tour guide: it is very important
• Listen to the route, time and rules
• Learn how to use the kayak even it is not your first time kayaking, wear the life vest and use the dry bag
• Strictly follow the leader (tour guide) about the moving rules
• Check with your tour guide the weather, tide and wind strength to have the best and safest route.
• Keep a suitable distance with the others, not too far, keep in sight with the others
• Keep away from the places which have strong flow, against the wind; take advantage of the wind strength and flow.

What about the children?

• Follow the tour guide and their parents
• Sit still in the kayak, do not move in front of or behind
• Wear the life vest
• Wear the hat and sun cream

Handle unexpected situations:

• Adjust the speed of the whole group if any of the member is out of sight
• In case the kayak capsizes, passengers need to swim a bit, and then take the water out of the kayak with the help of the tour guide. He will catch thekayak; take the water out by putting your kayak on his in the T- shape. After that, he will put the kayak back into the water; keep it still so that passengers can be on the kayak again.
• If there is an expected storm, find the safest place in the sheltered areas, beaches… to avoid the storm. In case passengers are in the middle of the sea and cannot find a safe place, passengers need to be gathered to make a raft
• If you are not sure about the route you are going, you should keep in touch with the others and paddle around the mountain, you will not be lost. Passengers should know for sure the route, search on the map.
• It is better if passengers have mobile phone, radio or any means of communication (often for professional kayakers)

Halong Weather

Halong weather is typical for tropical coastal climate, which has two main seasons all year around. From April to September, it is often hot and humid; from October to March the weather is dry with some cold months.

The average temperature of Halong Bay tours is 23.7 degree Celsius. In the summer, the average temperature is 34.9oC while the maximum temperature recorded is 38oC. The heat may be reduced thanks to its location amid the mountains and grottos. On the other hand, during winter, it might get as low as 13.7oC on the average, and the lowest could be as low as 5oC. Some may find it hard to travel in January when the weather can be biting cold. Read more: V'spirit cruise

The city has a relatively high average annual rainfall of 1,832mm, which is unevenly distributed depending on the two main seasons. During the rain season, and also summer, from May to end of August, the rainfall amounts for 80-85% of the total rainfall of the year, with the maximum of 350mm in July and August. Winter, and also dry season (from November to April of the next year) witnesses little raining of around 15-20% of the total rainfall, with the minimum amount varying in between 4 and 40mm during December and January.

Halong Weather

Halong is one of the most humid cities in Vietnam with the average annual humidity at 84%, which fluctuate from a minimum of 68% to a maximum of 90% in a year. Travel Vietnam

Due to the unique geological and topographic characteristic, Halong has two kinds of monsoon, which are Northeast monsoon in the winter, and Southwest monsoon in the summer. The average wind speed is 2.8m/s, and Southwest monsoon is the strongest one with its speed reaches 45m/s.

Thanks to the nature of a closed-sea area, Halong is lucky not to be much affected by heavy storms. The strongest storms on the bay normally are at level 9 and 10, hardly anytime reaching level 11.