Tour snapshot
Overview
A world away from Vietnam’s cities and coastlines: a 135-hectare melaleuca wetland near the Cambodian border, where a Mekong tributary floods a forest of gnarled trees rising straight out of still, mirror-flat water. It’s the kind of otherworldly, photogenic landscape most visitors to Vietnam never see — walking the forest boardwalk for what locals call an “herbal forest bath,” gliding by traditional vỏ lãi boat and paddling a xuồng ba lá canoe through the flooded trees, and cooling off with a swim at Crescent Lake. As a private tour, the whole day moves at your pace, with nobody else’s itinerary to accommodate.
Highlights
– Boardwalk through the melaleuca forest — a raised wooden walkway winding beneath a canopy of melaleuca trees, locals call the fresh, medicinal-scented air an “herbal forest bath.”
– Traditional “vỏ lãi” boat cruise — glide through the flooded forest aboard a classic slender wooden motorboat, the everyday transport of the wetland.
– “Xuồng ba lá” canoe paddling — take the paddle yourself in a traditional three-plank canoe, gliding silently between the trees.
– Herbal tea & foot soak — a relaxed break with local herbal tea and a warm foot soak in wetland medicinal herbs.
– Electric shuttle cart — an open-air transfer between sights across the sprawling 135-hectare eco-park, so more of the day goes to the experiences and less to walking between them.
– Swimming at Crescent Lake (Hồ Bán Nguyệt) — cool off in the calm, crescent-shaped lake at the heart of the wetland, a rare chance to actually get into this landscape, not just look at it.
– A genuinely local lunch — a relaxed, home-style Vietnamese lunch on-site, vegetarian option available on request.
– Lotus ponds & wetland wildlife — seasonal lotus blooms, birdlife and the quiet ecosystem of the Đồng Tháp Mười wetland, largely undisturbed by mass tourism.
Related tours
- Mekong Delta Day Tour — My Tho & Ben Tre
- Cai Be Floating Market Tour
- Can Tho & Chau Doc Mekong Delta Tour
- Cu Chi Tunnels Half-Day Tour
Itinerary
Price & Bookings
By group size
| Grade tour | Price per person in US$ | Single supplement | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 pax | 3 - 5 pax | 6 - 9 pax | 10 pax + | ||
| Private tour — rate per person, decreasing with group size | $100 | $85 | $65 | $50 | |
(Seasonal prices apply and will be confirmed when booking! All rates are quoted in US$)
Things to know
Physical requirements
A moderately active day: walking the forest boardwalk, boat and canoe rides, swimming at Crescent Lake, and free time by the water. Comfortable for most fitness levels but not recommended for guests with limited mobility.
What to bring
Light, breathable clothing; comfortable shoes that can get a little wet or muddy; a swimsuit and towel for Crescent Lake; hat, sunglasses and sunscreen; insect repellent; a camera.
Weather
Best enjoyed in dry, sunny weather. The flooded forest is especially scenic in the wet season (roughly July–November) when water levels are higher, though paths can be muddier. Light rain gear is worth packing May–November.
Good to know
It’s a genuinely long day — Tân Lập sits close to the Cambodian border, roughly 3 hours’ drive each way — so an early pickup helps make the most of the time on-site. No experience is needed for the canoe or boat rides; your guide handles the paddling and navigation.
Other information
Included
- Private air-conditioned vehicle, round trip from Ho Chi Minh City
- Private English-speaking guide for the full day
- Entrance ticket, Tân Lập Floating Village
- Boardwalk ticket through the melaleuca forest
- Traditional vỏ lãi boat cruise
- Xuồng ba lá canoe paddling
- Herbal tea and foot soak
- Electric shuttle cart transfer
- Swimming at Crescent Lake (Hồ Bán Nguyệt)
- Vietnamese lunch on-site
- Bottled water throughout the day
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- All taxes and service charges
- Travel insurance
Not included
- Additional food and drinks beyond what’s specified
- Personal expenses
- Tips for guide and driver (optional, appreciated)
Pickup / drop-off
Pickup from a hotel in central Ho Chi Minh City (at the address the guest provides), departing 6:30 AM. Drop-off at the same location, approximately 6:30–7:00 PM. This is a long day (close to the Cambodian border, roughly 3 hours’ drive each way), so an early departure is needed.
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