1

Well, the delta is more of a place for chilling, enjoying the scenery and seeing life on and around the water. That, rice paddies and red dirt paths more or less covers it. Everywhere is nice (well, apart from My Tho :-) and Ben Tre which also leaves me less than excited), but there are no real stand out 'must sees' (hate that phrase). If you only have two days, you're going to spend quite a lot of it travelling and looking out of a bus window. About 330km direct or a bit more if you go by Can Tho. Alternatively, do a mixture of bus/boat which will take a bit longer. Not sure that there are still passenger boats from Chau Doc to Long Xuyen or Can Tho, but you could maybe find a boat to take you. Or cross over from Cambodia at Chau Doc to shorten the trip (but you'd miss out on Ha Tien :-( )

Alternatively, jump on a ferry to Phu Quoc spend a day and a half chilling there and fly back to Saigon.

William.

2

Hi William, thank you. I am well aware of the fact that it is more a chill out place in general, however, it is also a question of what makes sense in terms of travelling.

The reason why I will be in Ha Tien (and I really want to see that) is that I will be in Kampot before - so actually it is the route Kampot - HCMC which needs to be covered. I would say I have 3 nights between Kampot and HCMC,

I was thinking about Phu Quoc, also because it would be convenient to fly to Saigon and I could jump on a boat from Ha Tien. On the other hand I have seen beaches then in Kampot, Kep and Ha Tien so more Delta live would be nice.

I guess I cannot rely that much on the travel distances of google maps? However, even on dusty roads 130 km to Long Xuyen should not be too bad. I could spend a night there, take a bus to Sa Dec the next day and from there maybe to HCMC. I am just a little concerned that I won´t be able to find appropiate bus service there?

3

Plenty of buses in the delta.... I wouldn't worry about that.

The distance from google maps are fine. I think the times are optimistic, although somebody on here suggested they were based on a bus driver texting with one hand and honking with the other. :-)

Plenty of river life in Long Xuyen. Sa Dec is a dusty wee place, but has a certain charm...

I guess it depends on what time you arrive in Ha Tien and whether there is a handy bus...but if you have 3 nights, you should have plenty of time to break up the travel...

William.

4

Oh no... all my text is gone :(

Ok again, yes - I doubt that the times are realistical. But 130 km should be doable in 3 hours... except we would have to wait for some cows crossing the road every 10 minutes.

I am so desperate to go there that I plan a lot, but maybe I should not plan and just leave enough time between Ha Tien and Saigon and see what happens.

Can you describe your impression of Sa Dec a little more?

5

A few pictures from the Delta in 2006 Ha Tien, Chau Doc, Long Xuyen, Tra Vinh
http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.2523744628590.67679.1702618813&type=1&l=ba234888e5

A few pictures from Sa Dec in 2000
http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.2551623365541.68210.1702618813&type=1&l=3e08b149fc

What to say about Sa Dec? It is just a small delta town going about its business a little left behind by the times. Not a stopping point on the tourist trail, so it's a hassle free place to chill. There's nothing really special there (unless you count the Marguerite Duras connection), but it's a pleasant enough place for a day or overnight stop....

William.

6

Hi, for me, from Hatien take the bus to Chau doc, stay 1 or 2 nights then bus to Can Tho or Sadec ,My tho or Ben tre then bus to Sai Gon if you have time, mekong Delta very beautiful.

7

Thank you! Yes, I have found out on some kind of page that getting to Chau Doc is not very difficult, I will have 3 or 4 nights plus the according days - travel less, enjoy more :)

8

First I would like to say we have visited Chau Doc and it was just wonderful. We stayed at the Hom trem resort which was just ok however the things to see and do around there were just wonderful with interesting villages and some incredible waterfront restaurants.

If you can find someone else to share a vehicle and driver it cuts down the cost and you can stop wherever you want.

9

thanks for your experience. I will pass Chau Doc on my way from Saigon to PP, however, only for a couple of hours and the night, therefore I really think it is a good option to spend some time there when returning to Saigon.

10

A correction to above statement. It was Ha Tien where we stayed. We did enjoy Chau Doc however it was much more touristy.
The Hom trem resort was very nice however they had lost part of the roof on the main building just before we were there which disrupted things a little I think. They had lovely cabins overlooking the sea however they were in need of a good cleaning and the breakfast (included) was very simple and not that great.
In Can Tho we had a great time - the morning market on the river is amazing and the restaurants are excellent.
Chau Doc was much quieter and we took a trip on the river to some fish farms and a village downstream a few miles all of which was very interesting.
We had a car and driver however it seemed there was very good bus service based on comment from others we talked to.