Can Tho
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From $160
3990000/person
Overview
Travel to Chau Doc during the floating season and join local farmers for an early-morning water lily harvest.
This private 2-day Water Lily Harvesting Tour combines one of An Giang's seasonal activities with experiences along the Hau River. Cruise past floating fish farms, visit a Cham community to learn about traditional weaving, travel by sampan to the water lily harvesting area, prepare lunch with a local host family, and visit a Khmer pagoda and weaving village.
The highlight comes early on Day 2, when farmers are already at work gathering water lilies for the day's market. Guests join the activity in its real outdoor setting, where water, mud and changing seasonal conditions are part of the experience.
Highlights
- Join local farmers for an early-morning water lily harvest during Chau Doc’s floating season.
- Travel by sampan through the water lily harvesting area and see how the flowers are gathered and arranged on the boat.
- Cruise along the Hau River and learn about floating fish farming and river-based livelihoods in Chau Doc.
- Visit a Cham community to discover traditional weaving and the use of natural materials such as bark, leaves and roots for dyeing threads.
- Prepare lunch with a local host family using freshly gathered ingredients from the water.
- Explore Khmer cultural traditions through a visit to a Khmer pagoda and a traditional weaving village.
Itinerary
Day 1: Ho Chi Minh City / Can Tho - Chau Doc
Meal: Lunch
8:00 AM - Depart for Chau Doc
At 8:00 AM, your tour guide will pick you up from your hotel in central Ho Chi Minh City or Can Tho.
Travel by private A/C vehicle to Chau Doc, An Giang. Travel time varies depending on your departure point, traffic and road conditions.
Local Lunch and Hotel Check-in
Upon arrival in Chau Doc, enjoy a local lunch before checking in at a 4-star-standard hotel.
Afterward, begin exploring the river and the communities that live and work along its banks.
Floating Fish Farms on the Hau River
Board a boat for a short cruise along the Hau River to visit local floating fish farms.
See how freshwater fish are raised beneath floating structures and learn about the methods used by households whose livelihoods have long been connected with the river.
The visit offers a closer look at an important part of everyday life along the waterways of Chau Doc.
Visit a Cham Community
Continue to a local Cham community and learn about traditional weaving.
Meet local weavers and discover how threads are prepared and dyed using natural materials such as tree bark, leaves and roots, creating different colors before being woven into textiles.
The experience introduces the process behind the finished fabric as well as a craft maintained within the community across generations.
Evening at Leisure
Return to Chau Doc and spend the evening at your own pace.
Explore the town independently or rest at the hotel before the early start the following morning.
Overnight in Chau Doc.
Day 2: Chau Doc - Water Lily Harvesting - Khmer Cultural Experience
Meal: Lunch
6:00 AM - Water Lily Harvesting with Local Farmers
At 6:00 AM, your guide will pick you up from the hotel and take you to join local farmers during the water lily harvest.
Board a sampan and move into the harvesting area, where farmers collect water lilies from the water and arrange the stems carefully on their boats.
As the morning work continues around you, learn how the harvest fits into the seasonal routine of local life during the floating season.
Please Note
This is a real seasonal harvesting activity, not a separate performance arranged only for visitors.Local farmers may begin working while it is still dark so the harvested lilies can be prepared for the day's market. Conditions can therefore be wet and muddy, and the exact experience depends on water levels, weather and local operations.Guests should wear suitable clothing and follow the instructions of the guide and local farmers throughout the activity.Note: Mekong Smile’s Water Lily Harvesting Tour is available for booking from early September through late November only.
Prepare Lunch with a Local Host Family
After the harvest, visit a local home and join your host in preparing lunch using freshly collected ingredients from the water.
Learn how the ingredients are prepared in simple local dishes before enjoying the meal together at the family home.
Khmer Cultural Experience
After lunch, say goodbye to your host and continue to a local Khmer community.
Khmer Pagoda
Visit a Khmer pagoda and learn about the role of Buddhism and religious practice in community life.
As the pagoda is an active religious space, guests are asked to dress and behave respectfully and follow the guide's instructions during the visit.
Khmer Weaving Village
Continue to a Khmer weaving village and learn about a traditional craft that has been passed down through generations.
See how weaving remains part of the community's cultural heritage before completing the final visit of the tour.
Return to Ho Chi Minh City or Can Tho
After the afternoon visits, meet your driver and begin the journey back to Ho Chi Minh City or Can Tho.
The tour ends with drop-off at your hotel.
Things to Know
Includes
Tour Included
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Pickup and drop-off from Ho Chi Minh City or Can Tho
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Local English-speaking tour guide
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Transportation by A/C car, motorboat and sampan
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2 lunches
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1-night accommodation
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Travel insurance
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Entrance fees and local activities
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VAT
Tour Excluded
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Personal expenses
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Surcharges, if applicable
Additional Info
Important Information
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Season: The tour operates during the floating season from September to November. Actual harvesting conditions depend on water levels, weather and local operations.
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Physical conditions: The itinerary includes boats, sampans, outdoor activities around water, wet or muddy surfaces and an early 6:00 AM start on Day 2.
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Mobility: The tour is not suitable for travelers with limited mobility.
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What to wear: Comfortable clothing and footwear suitable for wet or muddy outdoor conditions are recommended.
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Dietary requests: Vegetarian meals and other dietary requirements should be submitted before departure.
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Itinerary changes: The program may change due to weather, transportation, water levels or operational conditions.
The latest program specifically notes muddy conditions, mobility limitations, dietary requests and possible operational changes.
Note
- All prices are quoted per person in Vietnamese Dong (VND).
- The itinerary may be adjusted without prior notice due to weather, tide levels, or other operational factors.
- This is a certified ESG, please follow our guides’ instructions for the best experiences.
- Standard refund terms and conditions apply to all bookings.
- Special requests (diet or vegetarian…) must be submitted before your departure date.
Child Regulations
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One child under 5 years old is free of charge when traveling with two paying adults. Parents or guardians are responsible for any additional expenses incurred for the child.
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Only one free child is allowed per two paying adults. A second accompanying child will be charged at the applicable Child rate.
Cancellation Policy
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Cancellation due to weather conditions: A full refund will be provided.
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Customer cancellation without written notice: No refund will be provided.
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If a customer cancels for personal reasons and notifies Mekong Smile in writing, the following cancellation charges apply:
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30 days or more before departure: 30% of the deposit
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15-30 days before departure: 50% of the deposit
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8-15 days before departure: 80% of the tour cost
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1-7 days before departure: 100% of the tour cost
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Cancellation dates are calculated based on working days only, excluding Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays.
Pricing & Packages
| Private Group Size | 1 Guest | 2 Guests | 3 Guests | 4 Guests | 5+ Guests |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price per Person (VND) | 11,590,000 VND | 6,599,000 VND | 5,090,000 VND | 4,590,000 VND | 3,990,000 VND |
| Approx. Price per Person (USD) | 464 USD | 264 USD | 204 USD | 184 USD | 160 USD |
| Last Update: 08/09/2026. USD prices are for reference only, based on an estimated exchange rate of 1 USD = 25,000 VND. The final payable amount will be confirmed before payment. | |||||
| Note: Mekong Smile’s Water Lily Harvesting Tour is available for booking from early September through late November only. | |||||
Meeting & Pickup
Start time: 08:00 AM
Pickup point: Hotels in Ho Chi Minh City/Can Tho City Center
8:00 AM: Your tour guide will pick you up directly from your hotel (available in Ho Chi Minh City/Can Tho City Center).
FAQ
When does the Water Lily Harvesting Tour operate?
+The tour operates during the floating season from September to November. Actual harvesting conditions depend on water levels, weather and local operations.
What happens during the water lily harvesting experience?
+Guests travel by sampan to join local farmers during their early-morning work. You can observe how water lilies are collected from the water and arranged on the boat as part of the seasonal harvest.
Will I get wet or muddy during the tour?
+Possibly. The water lily harvest takes place in an outdoor environment around water, so wet or muddy conditions can be part of the experience. Wear comfortable clothing and footwear that you do not mind getting wet or dirty.
Is the tour suitable for travelers with limited mobility?
+No. The itinerary involves boarding boats and sampans, outdoor activities around water and walking during local visits, so it is not suitable for travelers with limited mobility.
Are meals and accommodation included?
+Yes. The tour includes two lunches and one night of accommodation in Chau Doc. Day 2 also includes preparing lunch with a local host family using freshly collected ingredients from the water.
Where does the tour start?
+Pickup is available from hotels in central Ho Chi Minh City or central Can Tho at 8:00 AM on Day 1.
What language is the tour conducted in?
+The tour includes a local English-speaking guide.
Oliver Grant (verified owner) –
Exploring a Cham village felt like stepping into a different rhythm of life, slow and welcoming.
Henry Wallace (verified owner) –
Harvesting water lilies at dawn felt like stepping into a peaceful painting, everything was so quiet and beautiful.
Samuel Blake (verified owner) –
Drifting through the lily fields on a sampan boat felt incredibly relaxing.
xavier.long_09 (verified owner) –
This trip showed me a side of the Mekong Delta that felt honest, raw, and incredibly beautiful.
Zoe Matthews (verified owner) –
The water lily harvest was surprisingly hands-on, and I loved feeling a part of real local life.
adeline_cross_15 (verified owner) –
The cooking session with the local family was fun and simple, but so memorable.
Mason Doyle (verified owner) –
Waking up early for the water lily harvest was absolutely worth it, the colors at sunrise were unreal.
tessa.harding_02 (verified owner) –
The home-cooked lunch tasted like something straight from my grandma’s kitchensimple and comforting
Julian Hayes (verified owner) –
The floating village was such a unique sight, seeing whole houses sitting right on the river blew my mind.
keegan.brooks_14 (verified owner) –
The whole tour felt intimate and genuine, not staged or commercial at all
ivy_patterson_06 (verified owner) –
The contrast between Vietnamese, Cham, and Khmer culture made the whole trip richer.
damian.frost_10 (verified owner) –
Walking through the Khmer community was peaceful, everyone was so friendly and welcoming
harper.owens_16 (verified owner) –
The two day itinerary felt perfectly balanced, enough to explore without feeling rushed.
elodie.meyer_03 (verified owner) –
The scheule was smooth from start to finish, with plenty of time to enjoy each stop.
Vivian Turner (verified owner) –
I really liked the overnight stay in Chau Doc, the riverside atmosphere was calm and refreshing.
nova_richardson_13 (verified owner) –
Seeing the floating season firsthand made me understand how deeply people here depend on the river.
Lily Warren (verified owner) –
The floting season scenery along the border felt completely different from other Mekong spots I’ve been to.
Chloe Hamilton (verified owner) –
The Khmer pagoda was stunning, especially the delicate carvings and golden details.
Ethan Barrett (verified owner) –
I loved how the tour combined nature, culture, and everyday life in such a natural way.
scarlett.mason_07 (verified owner) –
The views during the early morning boat ride were breathtaking, totally worth getting up at 6 AM.
Carter Sullivan (verified owner) –
Watching farmers skillfully gather lilies gave me so much respect for their work
piper.hughes_12 (verified owner) –
I really enjoyed watching the local families work with natural dyes, the whole process was calming to watch.
Lucas Reed (verified owner) –
The Cham weaving village had such a peaceful vibe, and the patterns they make are so detailed.
sienna_preston_11 (verified owner) –
Cruising down the quiet waterways felt like a moment to breathe and slow down.
aria_cole_05 (verified owner) –
The weaving workshop in the Khmer village was surprisingly interesting, I could’ve watched them for hours.