Phu Quoc Island

Phu Quoc is the largest island of Vietnam. The island is part of Kien Giang province. The district of Phu Quoc includes the island proper and 21 smaller islets.  Moreover, it is also the largest town on this island, whose total area is 574 km².

Situated in the Gulf of Thailand 45 km west of Ha Tien on the Vietnamese mainland and 15 km south of the coast of Cambodia, Phu Quoc is ringed with some of most beautiful beaches in Vietnam, and offers the best seafood in the country. Phu Quoc island and its beaches was voted to be "The Most Cleanest and Beautiful Beach of World" by ABC News as from the end of February, 2008. Bai Sao is located on a private gulf so that there is always small rippling emerging on the coast. Sand has a spotlessly white color and sea is pure as crystal. This is one of seaside resort still reserves its natural beauty. Tourists are free to enjoy sea and go fishing. After that, restaurant will prepare a hearty, harmonious meal from fishes that customers have caught.

Mekong & Phu Quoc island (5 days, 4 nights)

Duong Dong town is known by its dried seafood and native dogs. They are wild animal but have been trained as hunting dogs by local people. Incredible ability in catching fishes or snakes makes this type of dog become well-known in the world. You should take a chance to participate a night fishing- squid journey. It is one of the most attractive activities here. Phu Quoc, however, home to the best fish sauce (nuoc mam), fermented fish sauce in the world, also reputedly known to produce high quality pepper.  Pepper cultivation is located inland in the center of the island. It brings a specific aroma, hot, strong taste that is deeper than other places. Phu Quoc has a monumentally impressive pearl reservation. Local people established separately a village to rear as well as collect pearls.
With a poetic scenery, fresh air and uncommonly special seafood, Phu Quoc not only is a peaceful convalescence paradise but also satisfied almost fastidious tourists with its produce.

• 2 days Mekong with transfer to Phu Quoc Island

Phu Quoc Island 

One of the typical specialties in Phu Quoc Island is herring salad which is a nutritious dish. It is not very difficult for fishermen to catch this kind of fish as herrings are abundant in Phu Quoc Sea. The dish is processed quite simply. After being scaled, cleaned and sliced, herrings are mixed with the lemon juice, sliced chilies and onions to clean all fishy smell and keep raw meat color. The dish is served with vegetable, coconuts and girdle cakes. Herring salad is more delicious when being dipped with the fish sauce made of chili, garlic and fried peanuts. Phu Quoc fish sauce is well known nationwide for its flavor and quality, which much enhances the good taste of the dish.

• 3 days to the Floating Markets

Herring salad rich in protein is a favorite dish for locals and tourists alike.

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.

What you will see on a cruise trip?

Most guests who visit Halong will spend either 1 or 2 night on a cruise or junk - this is without doubt the best way to enjoy the scenic landscape of the Bay. Each cruise tailor-makes their own itinerary but in general, you will get to see the major caves and most important grottos of the Bay. 2 day trip is rather cramped as you get only 1 day to spend on board and the rest of the time is spent on traveling back and forth from Hanoi. 3 day trip gives you a better opportunity to see more of the Bay and worth considering if you have time.

2 days 1 night tour

On the first day, your cruise will start at noon and as the cruise sets sail, lunch will be served.

In the afternoon, you may have a chance to stop at several famous sites, such as Luon Cave, Đầu Người Island (Human Head Island), Con Rùa Island (Turtle Island), and Cổng Trời Island (Heaven Gate Island). At one of the stopping points, tourists may also take part in exciting kayaking or swimming activity. However, there might be a small additional fee depending on the tour package you register for.

Coming back to the ship after a long day, tourists would be welcomed by more relaxing activities like massage, Jacuzzi (for luxury cruise), and a delicious dinner on board. Many cruises also organize cooking demonstration where you will learn to make Vietnamese food. Some cruises offer tourists outdoor BBQ party on the sundeck, which is a great way to spend time with friends and families. After that, you may choose to stay at the bar with lots of qualified wines, playing cards with friends, watching TV, or trying your luck with squid fishing.

When you wake up the next morning, your breakfast is ready to serve with an early morning Tai Chi class on the sundeck to get yourself into the flow of the nature. On the second day, you are scheduled to visit more famous tourist attraction, such as Titop Island or Sung Sot Grotto (Surprise Cave). The whole trip ends by a tour back to the harbor after that, so don’t forget to take some nice pictures of the bay on the way.

3 days 2 nights tour

Much similar to the previous itinerary, your cruise trip starts with a brief session about the itinerary and safety instructions on boat. The tour usually starts from 11:00am – 12:00am, so that you can have a tasty lunch while observing the stunning landscape of Halong Bay travel.

The cruise continues going around the bay until you reach a tourist spot, usually a famous beach or limestone cave such as Titop Island, Con Rùa Island (Turtle Island), or Cổng Trời Island (Heaven Gate Island), then anchors for the night there. You will get enough time to enjoy water sports and activities like snorkeling, swimming, and kayaking in the green water of the bay. Depending on your cruise, you might enjoy BBQ party on beach, sundeck, or in the on-board restaurant. Paradise cruise Halong Bay

What you will see on a cruise trip?

On the next day, the journey starts with Tai Chi class in the early morning and breakfast. You have the whole morning to visit other attractions of the bay, and most cruises will transfer you to a smaller day boat so that you can go down the more narrow path of the Bay. You can spend the rest of the day with your friends and family exploring the sea. A delicious dinner is ready anytime when you come back. In Travel to Vietnam

For the thirday, you will often get to see Surprise Cave after breakfast. Brunch will be served as the cruise slowly heads back to the harbour.