Where to go on weekend
Update: Jul 15, 2009
Ben Thanh Tourist in HCMC is offering an exciting tour called “Homestay Weekend” to the Mekong Delta provinces of Vinh Long, Tien Giang and Ben Tre to enjoy the region’s peaceful waterways and clean country air.

The two-day tour hits typical tourist points of the three provinces and offers a chance to cycle on village paths, help catch fish and make banh tet, a traditional cake.

Public relations executive Cao Ngoc Minh says that the tour targets foreigners in HCMC, especially foreigners in foreign representative office.

“We start the tours on the 2nd and 4th weekends of the month so the traveler can have time to relax after hard working days,” she said.

The next tours depart on the mornings of July 25, August 8 and August 22 from HCMC to Vinh Long Province. On the way, the tour stops at the Cao Dai Temple before reaching Vinh Long’s An Binh Village where a cycling tour is arranged. On bicycle, visitors can see some of the villages’ lifestyle and visit ancient Tien Chau Pagoda.

The tour operator arranges a homestay on an island for foreigners to stay with local people. For those who do not like to let their hands become idle, the tour operator will also gladly arrange to let them help haul in a net full of fish to be grilled in the garden.

The second day is for boating on rivers to visit the floating fish villages of Tan Long Islet of Ben Tre Province. The guests also take a boating tour to Vam Xep Canal to walk village paths and visit a coconut handicraft workshop and get on a horse cart to discover more villages.

“We think foreigners will have an interesting weekend,” Minh said, adding that the company was offering 30% off for the season.

Group bookings are US$61 per person for groups of 10 or more, US$55 per person for groups of 15 or more and US$49 per person for groups of 20 or more. Groups of five or more can choose the departure date.

Ben Thanh Tourist
Add: 86 Ly Tu Trong St, Dist 1
Tel: (84-8) 3520 2020, ext: 303
SGT