CON CHIM ISLAND TRA VINH 1-DAY TOUR: COMMUNITY-BASED TOURISM EXPERIENCE

TRA VINH 1-DAY ITINERARY:

Pickup Point:

1. 28/13 Bui Vien, Ben Thanh Ward, Ho Chi Minh City (meeting points within a 3 km radius of the office)
2. Pickup time: 5:00 AM

Drop-off Point:

1. 28/13 Bui Vien, Ben Thanh Ward, Ho Chi Minh City (original pickup point)
2. Drop-off time: 6:30 PM – 7:00 PM

MORNING

– 5:00 AM – Depart from Ho Chi Minh City: Vehicle and tour guide pick up guests at the office or central districts (D1, D3, D4). Begin the journey to Tra Vinh – a land where Vietnamese, Khmer, and Chinese cultures intertwine.

– 8:00 AM – Tra Vinh specialty breakfast: Enjoy Tra Vinh-style bun nuoc leo (Khmer noodle soup) or local dishes such as hu tieu, banh canh, or vegetarian options.

– 9:00–9:15 AM – Ferry crossing at Phuoc Vinh: Take a ~15-minute ferry ride to reach Con Chim, a peaceful little islet nestled in the river.

– 9:15 AM – Cycling around Con Chim Island: Hop on a bicycle and start your community-based tourism experience:

1. Visit Co Ba Sua's home, make traditional leaf cakes by hand, and enjoy them fresh, dipped in coconut water.
2. Discover the riverside water fern forest ecosystem and sip on kumquat tea sweetened with water fern honey.
3. Stop by Co Ba Van's experience house and try making pennywort jelly – a classic Mekong Delta cooling dessert.

MIDDAY

– 11:30 AM – Countryside lunch: Savor a home-style meal featuring fresh vegetables and fruits picked straight from the garden, grown naturally without chemicals. Finish with pennywort jelly that you made yourself!

LUNCH MENU – AT CON CHIM ISLAND

1. Water fern flower salad
2. Steamed shrimp
3. Steamed snakehead fish with bottle gourd
4. Sour catfish soup
5. Braised chicken
6. Salty caramel dip with boiled vegetables
7. Steamed white rice
8. Iced tea

Note: Menu applies for groups of 6 guests or more.

– 12:30 PM – Co Ri's House | Herbal foot soak & clay-baked egg making

Cycle to Co Ri's home and enjoy a relaxing traditional herbal foot soak. Then try making and tasting clay-baked eggs paired with hot tea.

– 1:15 PM – Co Nam Lien's House | Nipa palm sweet soup making: Stroll through Co Nam Lien's garden, snap photos among the bottle gourd trellis, and experience the nipa palm shade. Enjoy a refreshing bowl of nipa palm sweet soup on a boat drifting along the riverbank.

– 1:45 PM – Head back to the ferry dock: Cycle back to the pier, approximately 15 minutes.

– 2:00 PM – Ferry back via Phuoc Vinh: Wrap up the Con Chim Island exploration and continue to Tra Vinh city center.

AFTERNOON

– 2:15 PM – Sightseeing in Tra Vinh city center: Explore a cluster of iconic cultural landmarks including Ba Om Pond, the Museum of Southern Khmer Culture, and Ang Pagoda. Stroll under ancient trees, learn about Khmer history and culture, and admire the stunning Angkor-inspired temple architecture.

1. Ba Om Pond
2. One of Tra Vinh's most beloved scenic spots, featuring a serene pond surrounded by centuries-old trees. This place is tied to the legend of Ba Om – a cultural icon of the Khmer people. Wander at your own pace, sightsee, and take photos beneath the towering canopy.
3. Museum of Southern Khmer Culture
4. Home to a rich collection of artifacts, photographs, and documents on the daily life, beliefs, arts, and festivals of the Southern Khmer community – a wonderful window into local cultural identity.
5. Ang Pagoda
6. A celebrated ancient pagoda in Tra Vinh featuring architecture influenced by Angkor culture. The tranquil, timeless atmosphere is deeply rooted in the spiritual traditions of Theravada Buddhism.

– 3:15–3:30 PM – Depart back to Ho Chi Minh City: On the way back, don't miss the chance to pick up Tra Cuon sticky rice cake – one of Tra Vinh's most famous souvenirs.

– 7:30 PM – Arrive back in Ho Chi Minh City: Tour ends here. We say goodbye and look forward to welcoming you on your next adventure!