03-17-2026 Walk

Very early start to this day. We got up at 4:30 and packed up stuff for the river tour. I didn't know what to expect on this adventure. Got to the meeting spot around 5:25 and met our guide Sophia (actual name Anh). There were three other tourists on a small sampan boat that we got into in the dark. Lots of other boats, large and small, heading for the floating markets, which was also our first destination. It took about 45 minutes to get there, and the sun rose while we were on our way. The markets are a series of boats that people load with produce (fruits and vegetables) and come down the delta to sell in bulk at wholesale prices. They typically stay for a week or more until they sell their load, then return. It was interesting to hear about, but this trade is dying off with the increasing availability of other means of transporting goods than by boat. The wholesalers aren't interested in tourists, since they aren't buying. We stopped for a drink, both of us had fresh coconut juice, which was good and plentiful. Later on we stopped at another boat and had a traditional Vietnamese breakfast of rice noodles, which was actually quite tasty. Day want too hot yet, so that worked as well. From there we headed up the river and eventually turned off into a smaller tributary, following it until the water hyacinth plants completely blocked the way. Turned around there and headed back to an ecological reserve area along an offshoot of the main river. We got out of the boat there and walked for a while, with Anh pouting out various plants and fruit trees. We stopped for a break at a local BnB-like place, where we had some fruit (very tasty) and then made traditional Vietnamese pancakes. They turned out well, delicious and not too filling. Our fellow tourists were Swiss (young lady) and French (older couple, it was his birthday). Back to the boat after that, which met us nearby. We headed down the river (a little bumper but manageable) back to the floating market area, which was much more quiet after the morning rush. Stopped and boarded one of the family boats to see a little more what it was like. Pretty small but functional, other that the toilets, which dropped directly into the river. Had some more fruit (delicious lightly sweet pineapple), I was really glad this tour didn't include any interactions with hawkers. Some of the bigger tour boats stopped at larger floating cafes, not as authentic. Then it was back to the launching point, where we said our goodbyes and walked (very slowly) back to the room. This was a very good tour, so much better than the Hà Long Bay experience, much less crowded and at least approaching some authenticity. I needed a little nap, was tired from the early start, felt better afterwards. We walked to a Thai food restaurant for a late lunch/early dinner. Food was very inexpensive, okay but not great. Stopped at the supermarket on the way back, where I had to find a restroom (successful, had to use the spray nozzle, which was useful). There were some shops in this mall by the market, and the salesperson was apologetic when I asked whether they had running shoes in my size (I think her immediate reaction was, "No way" 😂). Walked back from there and had a very quiet evening.