The Rooms
Our room was a corner suite tastefully decorated with lots of sunlight. Two small balconies in the living room and bedroom look out across the gardens to the river beyond. Fresh fruit awaited us on our coffee table where we comfortably sat to do work the next day. The entryway was sizeable with plenty of room for luggage and a large wardrobe.
The bedroom was just as large with a comfortable king bed. Large wooden columns shouldered the entrance and gave a warming palatial feel. The bathroom had a separate bath and large rain shower. His and hers sinks, nicely scented toiletries and soft bathrobes were all nice details. Everything about the room enhanced the comfort level. The sunlight streaming in the windows, the inviting but semi-formal furniture and soft yellow hues; we felt very at home and very relaxed.
The Grounds
The resort is tucked away along the river and is comfortably far from the noisy tourist sections. The rooms are oriented in a U shape around a colonial style courtyard with the pool in the center. The back of the resort near the river is full of lush gardens and paths for walking and taking in the scenery. An open bar with pool tables and a comfortable sitting area were great common spaces for guests.
The resort offers a complimentary water taxi (both ways) to the center of town and drops you off right in the middle of plenty of bars and restaurants. This service alone makes staying at Victoria Can Tho more convenient than other hotels in the area where you would have to walk into the town center.
The Cruise
Victoria Can Tho Resort offers a unique breakfast cruise along the river and up some of the smaller tributaries that lead to small local villages. We started our cruise early in the morning around 7 a.m. and were lucky to have the entire boat to ourselves for the day.
There was a chef onboard to prepare any egg creations or local Pho dishes that we wanted, and an extensive breakfast buffet. We were expecting a limited choice of dishes on the boat, but everything we could have wanted was there.
The tables are set along the sides of the boat with table cloths and flowers. It was nice to relax and sip on coffee for the first half hour as we passed other boats packed shoulder to shoulder with tourists. As we headed to the local floating market, we learned of its history.
We watched as merchants tossed heads of lettuce, watermelons and sweet potatoes to smaller boats who pulled up beside them. The merchants live on these boats for weeks at a time until their goods have been sold and they return home for another load.
Next we stopped in a local village to learn how to make rice noodles and even try it ourselves. We later toured a local fruit garden while our tour guide explained the history of the region.
The cruise was a wonderful experience and was easily one of the highlights of our journeys through Vietnam. It was truly a cultural immersion experience in a luxurious calm setting and one of the unique experiences that we so actively seek out.
Quick Tips
- Try to stay for more than two nights, there is so much to do and see in town and in the region.
- Take the breakfast cruise!
- In town, check out the brightly lit night market and street food stalls nearby
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Written by Eric & Evanna from Polar Travel
Poplar Travels is a smart travel blog full of useful information and stories of adventure. Evanne and Eric left jobs in Washington, D.C., headed for Chiang Mai, and look forward to exploring everywhere in between. |
