Backpacking in Vietnam (Part 3): Vietnamese Countryside Experience at the Mekong River


On our second day in Vietnam, we took a whole day tour of the Mekong Delta which gave us a glimpse into Vietnamese rural life. 

Before reaching the Mekong, we had a quick stopover at this super chill cafe where you can enjoy a glass of iced Vietnamese coffee, fresh fruit shakes or coconut juice while relaxing on a hammock.


After a 3-hour bus ride, we found ourselves in a small boat cruising down the Mekong River.


In a short while, we arrived at a wooden shelter and were immediately served a sampler of various local fruits. We had dragon fruit, banana, pineapple, papaya and rambutan. Most foreigners were intrigued by the fruits, and Eliel and I seemed like experts because we knew all of them.haha We had to explain that all these were available in the Philippines as well.

Just like in Philippine tourist destinations, they had a band singing traditional songs to entertain the guests.


After devouring the fruit platter, we got to taste their local tea with honey.


We also checked out the souvenirs for sale.


Most interesting were these bottles of cobra wine in different sizes. There were bottles of scorpion wine as well.



We were then taken to an area where we got to watch coconut candy being made.


Before we knew it, it was lunch time. We were served simple food and offered various local drinks.


This is us with our very enthusiastic tour guide.


After our meal, we headed back to the Mekong River.





Before heading back to the city, we had a final stop at the Vinh Trang Temple where we saw the giant laughing Buddha. :)





And that ends our two days in Vietnam. That night, we packed our bags and prepared to leave for Cambodia in the morning. 

Follow the links below to see more of our Vietnam adventures:

Vietnam Part 1: Backpacking in Vietnam

Vietnam Part 2: Ho Chi Minh City | Cu Chi Tunnels | Eating Pho

Vietnam Part 3: Vietnamese Country Side Experience | Mekong River

For more on our 16-day Indochina backpacking trip (full itinerary + expenses), click on the photo below.


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