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Dong Thap Journeys

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Sa Dec – Lai Vung 1-Day — Flowers, Lotus & Cuisine

1 day Easy 4 stops
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05:00

Depart HCMC (Trung Luong expressway → QL80, ~2.5h to Sa Dec)

Bus/car — 150km, 2.5h

07:30

Breakfast: Hu Tieu Sa Dec at Sa Dec market — fresh noodles, clear broth

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08:30

Sa Dec Flower Village — 500ha, 2,000+ flower species, photography & garden stroll

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Motorbike/xe om — 2km, 5 min from market

10:30

Huynh Thuy Le Ancient House — French-Chinese architecture, Marguerite Duras' 'The Lover', tea

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Walk — 1km along Sa Dec riverfront

12:00

Lunch: Mekong hot pot (lẩu mắm) or cơm tấm — riverside restaurant in Sa Dec

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13:30

Head to Lai Vung — mandarin orchards, pick mandarins in the garden

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Motorbike/car — 15km, 25 min via ĐT852 (continuing south)

15:30

Buy Lai Vung specialties: fermented pork rolls, mandarins, shrimp crackers

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16:30

Return to HCMC via Trung Luong expressway (~2.5h, arrive HCMC ~19:00)

Bus/car — Lai Vung → Trung Luong expressway → HCMC, 150km, 2.5h

Lai Vung mandarins only available Nov–Jan. Outside mandarin season, visit fruit orchards instead (mango, longan, rambutan). Flower village is most vibrant near Lunar New Year.
Where to Eat
Hủ Tiếu Bà Sẩm (since 1968)25,000–40,000₫

188 Trần Hưng Đạo, P.1, Sa Đéc· 06:00–22:00

Noodle soup with chewy Sa Dec rice noodles, light sweet broth

Hủ Tiếu Chị Dậu20,000–35,000₫

92 Trần Hưng Đạo, P.1, Sa Đéc· 05:00–10:00, 15:00–21:00

Dry/soup noodles with minced pork, shrimp & liver toppings

Bà Ba Hot Pot (riverside)80,000–150,000₫/người

Bờ kè sông Sa Đéc· 10:00–21:00

Mekong fermented fish hot pot, snakehead fish, water lilies, field herbs

Dong Thap 2-Day — Nature, History & Craft Villages

2 days 1 night Medium 5 stops
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Ngày 1 — 06:00

Depart HCMC to Cao Lanh (Trung Luong expressway + QL30)

Bus/car — 170km, ~3.5h

Ngày 1 — 09:30

Xeo Quyt — sampan ride through cajuput forest, revolutionary base

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Motorbike/car — 20km from Cao Lanh, 30 min

Ngày 1 — 12:00

Lunch at Xeo Quyt: grilled snakehead fish, sour fish soup

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Ngày 1 — 14:00

Gao Giong — bird sanctuary, sampan through cajuput forest, observation tower

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Motorbike/car — 25km from Xeo Quyt, 40 min (continuing northwest)

Ngày 1 — 17:00

Return to Cao Lanh overnight — dinner: Banh xeo, lotus seed dessert. Stay in central Cao Lanh (many hotels and guesthouses)

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Motorbike/car — 30km from Gao Giong, 45 min

Ngày 2 — 05:30

Tram Chim — red-crowned crane watching at sunrise, boat through cajuput forest (buy tickets at park entrance)

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Motorbike/car — 37km from Cao Lanh, 45 min via QL30 (heading north)

Ngày 2 — 08:30

Thap Muoi Lotus Field — sampan through vast lotus fields, try lotus dishes

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Motorbike/car — 30km from Tram Chim, 45 min (heading southeast, same arc)

Ngày 2 — 10:30

Go Thap — 1,500-year Oc Eo archaeological site, Doc Binh Kieu tomb, ancient tower

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Motorbike/car — 15km from Dong Sen, 20 min (continuing south)

Ngày 2 — 12:30

Lunch: Hot pot + lotus specialties (seeds, pods, lotus tea) at roadside restaurant

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Ngày 2 — 14:00

Dinh Yen mat-weaving village — watch traditional mat-weaving, or visit Sa Dec Flower Village

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Motorbike/car — 35km from Go Thap, 50 min via ĐT844 (heading southwest toward Sa Dec)

Ngày 2 — 16:00

Buy Dong Thap OCOP specialties, then return to HCMC (arrive ~19:30)

Bus/car — Sa Dec → Trung Luong expressway → HCMC, 150km, 3h

Red-crowned cranes at Tram Chim only appear Dec–Mar (peak Jan–Feb). Lotus blooms May–Aug. Day 2 follows a north-to-south arc: Tram Chim → Dong Sen → Go Thap → Sa Dec, no backtracking.
Where to Eat
Cao Lanh Banh Xeo30,000–50,000₫

Trung tâm TP. Cao Lãnh

Crispy crepe with shrimp & pork, wrapped in fresh herbs, sweet fish sauce

Grilled Snakehead Fish at Xeo Quyt100,000–200,000₫/phần

Khu du lịch Xẻo Quýt

Mud-grilled snakehead fish wrapped in lotus leaf, sour fish soup with seasonal fish

Where to Stay
B.O.B Hotel Cao Lanh ⭐⭐⭐500,000–800,000₫/đêm

Phường 1, TP. Cao Lãnh

Art deco style, luxurious rooms, modern café

Huynh Duc 2 Hotel ⭐⭐350,000–500,000₫/đêm

Phường 1, TP. Cao Lãnh

Central, clean, good value

Pho Sen Homestay250,000–350,000₫/đêm

Gần trung tâm Cao Lãnh

Near Cao Lanh market, Nguyen Sinh Sac historical site

Tram Chim National Park — Entry: 20,000₫/person (~$0.80). Boat 12km (1.5h): 700,000₫/boat (~$28). Boat 21km (3h): 1,000,000₫/boat (~$40)
Xeo Quyt — Entry + sampan: 100,000₫/person (~$4, includes guide)
Estimated cost — Budget: ~$60/person (excl. transport). Economy: ~$36/person. Comfortable: ~$100/person

My Tho – Cai Be 1-Day — Rivers, Ancient Pagoda & Cuisine

1 day Easy 4 stops
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04:30

Depart HCMC (Trung Luong expressway, 1h) — arrive Cai Be before 06:00 to see the floating market at its busiest

Bus/car — HCMC → Cai Be 100km, 1.5h (expressway + QL1)

06:00

Cai Be Floating Market — boat tour of river trade, buy fruit from floating vendors

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08:30

Dong Hoa Hiep Ancient Village — 200-year houses, rice paper & coconut candy making

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Boat — 10 min from floating market (same riverbank)

10:30

Head to My Tho — lunch: authentic Hu Tieu My Tho at the market

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Motorbike/car — 30km from Cai Be, 40 min via QL1 (heading east to My Tho)

13:00

Vinh Trang Pagoda — 200-year pagoda, unique East-West architecture, 12m reclining Buddha

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Motorbike/car — 2km from My Tho market, 5 min

14:30

Thoi Son Islet — boat trip, fruit orchards, Don Ca Tai Tu music (UNESCO), honey

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Boat — 15 min from My Tho pier

17:00

Return to HCMC via Trung Luong expressway (arrive ~18:30)

Bus/car — 70km, 1.5h (expressway)

Cai Be floating market is busiest 05:00–07:00 — arrive early. Route goes west-to-east (Cai Be → My Tho → HCMC), no backtracking.
Where to Eat
Hủ Tiếu Hạnh (award-winning)20,000–35,000₫

Nguyễn An Ninh, P.8, Mỹ Tho· 05:00–11:00

Rice noodles from Co Cat grain, sweet bone & dried shrimp broth, pork & shrimp toppings

Squid Hu Tieu Restaurant 13925,000–35,000₫

139 Lê Thị Hồng Gấm, P.4, Mỹ Tho· 07:00–22:00

Hu tieu with fresh squid, shrimp, pork — rich broth

30/4 Night Market My Tho15,000–50,000₫

Đường 30/4, P.1, Mỹ Tho· 18:00–23:00

Hu tieu, banh xeo, desserts, fruit — vibrant street food scene

3-Day Dong Thap — Complete Lotus Land Experience

3 days 2 nights Medium 9 stops
View detailed schedule
Ngày 1 — 06:00

Depart HCMC to Cao Lanh (Trung Luong expressway + QL30)

Bus/car — 170km, ~3.5h

Ngày 1 — 09:30

Xeo Quyt — sampan through cajuput forest, revolutionary base, lunch on-site (grilled snakehead fish)

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Motorbike/car — 20km from Cao Lanh, 30 min

Ngày 1 — 14:00

Gao Giong — bird sanctuary, sampan ride, 18m observation tower, sunset views

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Motorbike/car — 25km from Xeo Quyt, 40 min (continuing northwest)

Ngày 1 — 17:00

Return to Cao Lanh, dinner: banh xeo + lotus seed dessert. Overnight in Cao Lanh city

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Motorbike/car — 30km from Gao Giong, 45 min

Ngày 2 — 05:30

Tram Chim — sunrise crane watching, boat through cajuput forest (2.5h tour)

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Motorbike/car — 37km from Cao Lanh, 45 min via QL30 (heading north)

Ngày 2 — 08:30

Thap Muoi Lotus Field — sampan through vast lotus fields, lotus tea and seeds

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Motorbike/car — 30km from Tram Chim, 45 min (heading southeast)

Ngày 2 — 10:30

Go Thap — 1,500-year Oc Eo archaeological site, ancient tower, Doc Binh Kieu tomb

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Motorbike/car — 15km from Dong Sen, 20 min (continuing south)

Ngày 2 — 12:30

Lunch: Mekong hot pot + lotus dishes at roadside restaurant

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Ngày 2 — 14:00

Sa Dec Flower Village — 500ha, 2,000+ species. Visit Huynh Thuy Le Ancient House

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Motorbike/car — 40km from Go Thap, 1h via ĐT844 (heading southwest to Sa Dec)

Ngày 2 — 17:00

Overnight Sa Dec — evening walk along Sa Dec riverfront, hu tieu noodle soup

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Ngày 3 — 06:00

Head to Cai Be — early morning floating market (busiest 05:00–07:00)

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Motorbike/car — 30km from Sa Dec, 40 min via QL80 (heading east)

Ngày 3 — 08:30

Dong Hoa Hiep Ancient Village — 200-year houses, rice paper & coconut candy

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Boat — 10 min from floating market

Ngày 3 — 10:30

Head to My Tho — Vinh Trang Pagoda, East-West architecture, 12m reclining Buddha

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Motorbike/car — 30km from Cai Be, 40 min via QL1 (continuing east)

Ngày 3 — 13:00

Lunch: Hu Tieu My Tho at the market, then boat to Thoi Son Islet

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Ngày 3 — 14:00

Thoi Son Islet — fruit orchards, Don Ca Tai Tu (UNESCO), honey tasting

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Boat — 15 min from My Tho pier

Ngày 3 — 16:30

Return to HCMC via Trung Luong expressway (arrive ~18:00)

Bus/car — 70km, 1.5h

Route follows a large arc: Day 1 West (Xeo Quyt, Gao Giong) → Day 2 North→South (Tram Chim → Dong Sen → Go Thap → Sa Dec) → Day 3 East (Cai Be → My Tho → HCMC). No backtracking.
Where to Eat
Hủ Tiếu Bà Sẩm Sa Đéc25,000–40,000₫

188 Trần Hưng Đạo, P.1, Sa Đéc

Iconic noodle soup since 1968

Hủ Tiếu Hạnh My Tho20,000–35,000₫

Nguyễn An Ninh, P.8, Mỹ Tho

Award-winning hu tieu, Co Cat rice noodles

Where to Stay
Night 1: B.O.B Hotel Cao Lanh ⭐⭐⭐500,000–800,000₫/đêm

Phường 1, TP. Cao Lãnh

Art deco, central, many eateries nearby

Night 2: Song Tien Hotel My Tho or Sa Dec Hotel ⭐⭐400,000–850,000₫/đêm

101 Trưng Trắc, P.1, Mỹ Tho / trung tâm Sa Đéc

River-view rooms, near pier

Estimated cost — Budget: ~$120/person (3 days, incl. food & stay). Comfortable: ~$200/person

Go Cong 1-Day — Western Beach, Heroes & Local Specialties

1 day Easy 4 stops
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05:30

Depart My Tho to Go Cong (QL50, heading southeast)

Motorbike/car — 50km, 1.5h via QL50

07:00

Truong Dinh Mausoleum — legendary anti-French resistance leader, peaceful morning visit

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08:30

Go Cong Market — breakfast: freshly fried Banh Gia, buy shrimp paste specialty

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Motorbike — 2km from Truong Dinh Mausoleum, 5 min (within town)

10:00

Tan Thanh Beach — rare wild beach in Mekong Delta, sea views, fresh seafood

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Motorbike/car — 15km from Go Cong town, 25 min (continuing east)

12:30

Seafood lunch at beachside restaurant: grilled oysters, blood cockles, tiger shrimp, steamed clams

14:00

Buy specialties: Go Cong shrimp paste, black sesame, tamarind candy, chili shrimp salt

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Return to Go Cong town — 15km, 25 min

15:30

Return to My Tho or HCMC (My Tho 50km/1.5h, HCMC add 70km/1h expressway)

Motorbike/car — QL50 to My Tho, then Trung Luong expressway to HCMC if needed

Route follows a west-to-east arc: My Tho → Go Cong town → Tan Thanh Beach → back to Go Cong for shopping → return. Tan Thanh Beach best in dry season (Nov–Apr). QL50 is good quality, suitable for motorbikes.
Where to Eat
Banh Gia at Go Cong Market (early morning)5,000–10,000₫/cái

Chợ Gò Công, TX. Gò Công· 05:00–09:00

Hot crispy fritters: rice flour + shrimp + bean sprouts + pork liver

Đài Trang Seafood — Tan Thanh Beach100,000–300,000₫/người

Ven biển Tân Thành, Gò Công Đông· 09:00–20:00

Steamed clams with lemongrass, grilled cheese oysters, salt-chili tiger shrimp, horseshoe crab (seasonal Oct–Feb lunar)

Chú Tư Cầu Seafood80,000–250,000₫/người

Ven biển Tân Thành, Gò Công Đông

Grilled blood cockles, butter garlic razor clams, pineapple fish congee

2-Day International Visitor — No Vietnamese Required

2 days 1 night EasyInternational 5 stops
View detailed schedule
Ngày 1 — 07:00

Pick-up from My Tho or HCMC — private car or tour van to Sa Dec. Book via hotel or tour operator.

Tour van/private car — My Tho → Sa Dec 60km, ~1.5h via QL80

Ngày 1 — 09:00

Sa Dec Flower Village — 500ha, 2,000+ flower species, stunning photography

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Ngày 1 — 10:30

Huynh Thuy Le Ancient House — the house from Marguerite Duras' 'The Lover' (L'Amant, 1984). English/French guides available.

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Walk — 1km along Sa Dec riverfront

Ngày 1 — 12:00

Lunch: Hu Tieu Sa Dec (local noodle soup) — just say 'hu tieu' and point at the menu

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Ngày 1 — 14:00

Transfer to My Tho by tour van or taxi

Tour van/taxi — Sa Dec → My Tho 60km, ~1.5h via QL80 (heading east)

Ngày 1 — 17:00

Check-in My Tho hotel — rest, evening walk along the Tien River embankment

Ngày 2 — 07:00

Vinh Trang Pagoda — peaceful morning, East-West architecture, 12m reclining Buddha

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Xe om/taxi — 2km from city center, 5 min

Ngày 2 — 09:00

Thoi Son Islet — boat trip, fruit orchards, honey tasting, traditional music (Don Ca Tai Tu, UNESCO)

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Boat — 15 min from My Tho pier

Ngày 2 — 13:00

Lunch: Hu Tieu My Tho at the market — different from Sa Dec version, richer broth

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Ngày 2 — 15:00

Return to HCMC via Trung Luong expressway (arrive ~16:30)

Taxi/tour van — 70km, 1.5h (expressway)

Route goes west to east: Sa Dec → My Tho → HCMC, no backtracking. Book English-speaking guide via your hotel. Google Translate camera mode works well for menus. Cash in VND is essential — most markets and eateries are cash-only.
Where to Eat
Hủ Tiếu Bà Sẩm Sa Đéc25,000–40,000₫ ($1–1.60)

188 Trần Hưng Đạo, P.1, Sa Đéc· 06:00–22:00

Iconic noodle soup since 1968 — chewy noodles, light sweet broth. Just say 'hủ tiếu'

Hủ Tiếu Hạnh My Tho20,000–35,000₫ ($0.80–1.40)

Nguyễn An Ninh, P.8, Mỹ Tho· 05:00–11:00

Award-winning — different from Sa Dec, richer broth. Compare both!

30/4 Night Market My Tho15,000–50,000₫ ($0.60–2)

30/4 Street, P.1, Mỹ Tho· 18:00–23:00

My Tho street food paradise — pho, crispy crepes, desserts. Point at what looks good!

Where to Stay
Song Tien Hotel — Tien River view ⭐⭐⭐550,000–850,000₫/đêm ($22–34)

101 Trưng Trắc, P.1, Mỹ Tho

Riverfront, near pier & My Tho market. Some rooms have river-view balcony.

Chuong Duong Hotel ⭐⭐⭐800,000–1,200,000₫/đêm ($32–48)

P.1, Mỹ Tho

Restaurant right on the river, rooms with Tien River views

Song Tien Annex (budget) ⭐⭐350,000–500,000₫/đêm ($14–20)

31 Thiên Hộ Dương, P.1, Mỹ Tho

Clean, central, great budget option

Estimated cost — Budget: ~$48/person. Comfortable: ~$100/person. Luxury: ~$160/person

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