Cái Bè, Vietnam

Sa Ðéc & Mekong Delta by Sampan

From Floating Markets to Romantic Dalliances Take a sampan tour through the canals of the Mekong Delta for an up-close view of life in its colorful backwaters. You will board your small boat with a local guide, who will navigate the scenic waters to best advantage. Be on the lookout for local children playing in the water or fishermen casting their nets. Return to Sa Ðéc to explore the busy open air markets. You will also see the romantic home of Mr. Huynh Thuy Le, the titular character in Marguerite Duras’s beloved autobiographical novel The Lover . Born in 1914, Duras grew up here in Sa Ðéc and carried on a fated affair with him while she was a teenage girl in French colonial Vietnam. During your visit, you will admire the unique mix of French and Chinese architecture and see the beautifully preserved courtyard of this treasured national relic site. Afterward, you will return to your ship. * Moderate - Walking portions may be long and somewhat challenging with occasional step-ups, stairs and inclines. Total time walking or standing normally ranges from 1.5 to 3 hours.