Uniworld Timeless Wonders of Vietnam & Cambodia Cruise: Cai Be

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Sampan in Cai Be, Vietnam

Uniworld Timeless Wonders of Vietnam & Cambodia Cruise: Cai Be

DAY 4: CAI BE, VIETNAM

Wanting to take advantage of our first morning aboard Uniworld River Orchid before most other passengers rose, we were on the sun deck just after 6 AM and enjoyed coffee and pastries as the sun came up. The Dining Room opened at 7 AM with a wonderful breakfast buffet offering a wide selection of both Vietnamese and Western dishes.

Breakfast – Fruit and Yogurt

Eggs to Order at Breakfast

Pho for Breakfast – Vietnamese Noodle Soup

Our first included excursion of the day was to Cai Be. Our group departed River Orchid with our knowledgeable guide, Phoung, at 8:30 AM on a sampan and we cruised along the river and into the small canals where we saw locals going about their day at the floating markets and doing chores at their stilted houses. (Note: The crew always offered passengers a water pouch holder with chilled bottled water to take on each excursion)

Water Pouch for Excursions

CRUISING CAI BE’S CANALS

Cai Be Fisherman

Cai Be – Locals Going to Floating Markets

Stilted Houses in Cai Be, Vietnam

Tamarind in Cai Be

CAI BE TRADITIONAL VIETNAMESE HOUSE AND GARDEN

The first stop on the excursion was to visit a traditional Vietnamese house and garden. The house was very elaborate, with expensive wooden furniture and a large garden with colorful tropical flowers.

Vietnamese Home in Cai Be

Water Lilies in Cai Be, Vietnam

RICE FACTORY VISIT

After our guided visit to the Vietnamese house we cruised on the sampan along the small canals to a rice factory. Here we witnessed a variety of products being made by the locals – pop rice candy, rice paper (used for spring rolls), coconut candy and snake whiskey – and it was even possible to hold a python (no thanks!). For those wanting souvenirs, there were plenty of local-made products for sale.

Making Rice Paper in Cai Be, Vietnam

Making Coconut Candy in Cai Be, Vietnam

Python in Cai Be, Vietnam

Boarding the sampan once again, we relaxed and enjoyed bottled water and fresh coconuts during the short cruise back to River Orchid.

Refreshments on the Sampan

As soon as our 2.5 hour excursion was finished and both groups were back on board, River Orchid started to cruise towards our next destination – Sa Dec.

Next… Sa Dec, Vietnam

Day 1: Ho Chi Minh City | Day 2: Cu Chi Tunnels | Day 3: Saigon City Tour | Day 3: Embarkation |

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