02 -Days: Experience Mekong Delta Countryside By Bike & Boat.

Posted By : Q5379GKmarkb
Hi - if you wish to get off the tourist track and experience local Vietnamese culture in the Mekong then this is the trip for you.
We started on a local bus for 2 hours to the Mekong - an experience in itself. Then picked up our bikes - fab time cycling amongst the locals stopping to sample fruit from their garden and other local cuisine. On the afternoon we were on our own boat travelling up the Mekong followed by kayaking amongst the mangrove swamps.
We stayed at a local homestead complete with a cooking lesson in the families kitchen.
Day 2 started with 5am start to kayak on the Delta to watch the sunrise before heading back for breakfast via the local market - magical. Then off again cycling and catching the local ferry before catching the bus back to Saigon.
K’Vien our guide was amazing - very friendly and keen to check we were enjoying ourselves and getting the most from the trip. We could not fault him at all and would happily travel with him again. Thank you K’Vien for a most memorable trip.

Ps to note on day 2 you wear your rucksack on the bike so do not over pack!
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Posted On : 2023-11-22 00:58:59

Posted By : 1982tiger
There are at least two parts to this review. The first is about how much we enjoyed being led by Le and his organisation. My wife and I spent two days cycling with him and did an overnight homestay. He lived up to his stated goal of taking us to places out of the way so we could have experiences not normally accessible to tourists. We traveled on the back roads. We visited a market at 5am (Not a typo!) so we could see how a small community came together in their daily routine of buying and selling. He was clearly welcome by the locals and that friendliness extended to us. Our homestay was terrific. There happened to be another group there at the same time. They seemed like paying customers while the hosts treated us like family because we were with Le. The bikes were extraordinarily well-maintained and they were able to provide one that fit me (6’-4”). We had plenty to drink and eat along the way—again stopping at places where Le’s charm won over the owners which made our experience all that much richer. And the riding was fun. Nearly 100% of it was on back roads and paths that gave us a close up view of the homes and businesses of the people in the Delta. Two tiny ferry rides for island hopping and a third boat ride on the Delta waterway added to the fun. Plus we had door to door pickup at our hotel in HCMC. It was a great experience and we recommend the company highly.

The second part of the review is what I would have done differently. I would have trained more to get in shape. Our trip was approximately 80k over two days but it was hot (95 degrees F and 60% humidity. ) Being in better shape would have made it a little bit more enjoyable. That’s my mistake and doesn’t reflect on the company. My wife was in better shape and didn’t have the same issues as I did. I would also suggest that you bring mountain biking shorts and gloves for the cushioning. (NOT lycra road shorts!) We choose not to bring ours to cut down on our packs but they would have been nice!
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Posted On : 2023-04-14 10:53:33

Posted By : Miranda E
This experience was, by far, the low point of our three week trip in SE Asia. Five days before the excursion, we were contacted and told that not enough people had booked the same trip so we would either need to change the date or pay $70 extra for a private tour. Since we had already booked hotels and flights around the previously booked date, we chose the private option. Then, the day before the trip we were told that more people had booked, but just as a day trip (we had booked an overnight trip) so we would still have to pay extra but a lesser amount. Also, we would be transported with the group via private van for the way there but would take public bus back to Ho Chi Minh City (the package was supposed to include private transport both ways.) Finally, the night before the trip, we were informed that because the other guests had booked the Bike, Boat and Kayak experience, we would be doing that as well, even though we were the first to book and had chosen Boat and Bike. The tour operator claimed this was an upgrade but if we had wanted to do that, we would have booked it in the first place.
The tour itself was fine, the guide was very nice. However, after all the back and forth beforehand and unexpected changes, we felt uncomfortable about spending the night and relying on public bus, as we had a flight the next day.
A warning on the biking portion; we were given very little information or instruction on the terrain we’d be on. It was often quite narrow, there were very many extremely narrow bridges with no railing and the ground was very muddy and slippery. Several members of the group fell down while riding in the mud but I don’t think the group leader noticed because he had ridden quite far ahead. I definitely recommend that you have a high comfort level with mountain/off road cycling if you choose this tour.
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Posted On : 2022-12-20 03:41:36

Posted By : StephanH1378
We enjoyed every bit of this two days tour with our guide Joe. The biking, the boat tour, the kayaking and the local food to name just a few highlights. If you like to dive into the lush nature and the local culture of Mekong don't miss out on this great tour. It was one of our top highlights in Vietnam.
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Posted On : 2022-07-07 16:12:06

Posted By : morrilamc19
It was an amazing Mekong Two Days by Bike and Boat. Our family had a great Experience with Countryside Adventures Team. Highly recommended this company to anyone would love to see the real Mekong Delta.
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Posted On : 2020-01-18 20:34:16

Posted By : firafarhan38
The combination of Bike and Boat was a great experience! We had a great time exploring Mekong off the beaten path. Highly recommend Countryside Adventures.
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Posted On : 2020-01-17 12:35:53

Posted By : marylinn85
We found this Trip was a unique and great experience during our 03 weeks in Vietnam. All our activities were in hidden places.
Our guide Lee was very friendly and professional. He told as many things about Vietnam. The cycling and kayaking was one of the best ways to experience the daily life of the local in this region. We highly recommend this Mekong Experience.
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Posted On : 2020-01-17 12:27:06

Posted By : Seaside775004
I can’t recommend this trip highly enough. We had the opportunity to see many places that were off the beaten path. Our tour guide Chao was very enthusiastic and fun to be with. The trip was action packed - we were kayaking, biking, etc nonstop. In advance we were a bit concerned about the homestay portion. I would characterize it as more like a b&b than a stay in someone’s home. The woman who owned the place cooked for us and even let us participate in the cooking.

In addition to biking and kayaking CHAO also took us to many local markets - including a woman who sold fruit out of her houseboat (a floating market)

One thing to note - this is for people that want to be active. My 16 year old daughter and I are both in reasonably good shape and loved it. I would discourage people that are not at least somewhat athletic
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Posted On : 2019-07-13 02:37:05

Posted By : LauraSoKC
Put it into your to do list in Ho Chi Minh! This is tons of fun. I can't tell how I enjoy the trip even though its a bite tough to me. Just go and explore by yourself.
一個字，正！真心推介但需要一定體能
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Posted On : 2019-07-12 11:29:22

Posted By : Jake H
This trip was excellent for getting out and seeing the country side. My best experience in Vietnam so far. Quang and Joe were excellent hosts/guides and made us feel right at home. They were extremely patient answering all of our questions and took every opportunity to make the most of each moment. I would recommend this trip to couples, friends, and family.
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Posted On : 2019-05-19 21:07:38