Mekong in depth with Sa Dec in bloom

Don’t miss one of Vietnam’s most beautiful windows of the year, when the Mekong turns festive and Sa Dec comes alive in bloom ahead of the Tet holidays!

Embark on a less-touristy itinerary where guests leave Ho Chi Minh City behind and follow the river into a quieter Mekong Delta, with small hamlets, family workshops and everyday rituals shaping the journey.

The day begins near Cai Be at Cai Thia, a peaceful corner that sits outside most standard routes. Upon arrival, guests explore Hoa Loc by bicycle along winding concrete paths, with time to pause at local homes, meet warm hosts, watch rice paper made by hand, and try a simple local cake in a family kitchen.

Back on the boat, lunch comes with river life drifting by. Floating houses and fish farms pass slowly, then the route continues to traditional brick kilns for a close look at craft that still runs on patience and skill.

Sa Dec brings a different atmosphere, especially in the weeks leading up to the Tet holidays in Vietnam. Homes refresh and decorate, families shop for offerings, and markets grow louder and brighter as people prepare for the most important celebration of the year. From late December through February, the town fills with color and fragrance at the Mekong Delta’s largest flower market. The visit also weaves in Sa Dec’s riverside market, the historic Huynh Thuy Le house linked to Marguerite Duras’ The Lover and Kien An Temple, which has watched over the town for generations.

The following morning keeps the pace gentle. My Tho adds energy with a wholesale fruit market and seasonal tastings, plus a stop at Vinh Trang Pagoda and a light lunch featuring My Tho hu tieu before returning to Ho Chi Minh City.

Reach out to ASIA DMC to plan this journey for your next Vietnam itinerary.

For more information, please contact us at asiadmc.com/contact