Chez l'habitant à Cai Be

This was a real surprise. I was sent here by my travel agent, Nguyen Hoai at VivuTravel in Ha Noi. This is REALLY out in the countryside. The roads kept getting smaller and smaller until the car wouldn't fit any more and we had to shift over to a golf cart. Eventually, we worked our way through jungle trails until we came to this lovely pond with small individual huts on its banks. Each hut is a separate accommodation with its own deck. You can fish for fish or shrimp off your deck. Since this is Vietnam, you use rice for bait. I thought it was going to be a quiet evening alongside the water listening to the crickets until the karaoke started blasting me from somewhere off in the jungle. I don't know what it is about Viet Nam, but they seem to have these wonderful, peaceful, idyllic jungle or seaside settings that are perfect for reading, writing, or just sitting and enjoying the sunset. Then they destroy them by blasting them with loud, thumping drum synthesizers and off-key singing at volumes that could knock down a small building. Fortunately, the noise pollution didn't last too long and it didn't disrupt my sleep. I've had worse. Karaoke is the Japanese's revenge for losing World War II. It has been the bane of my travels throughout Southeast Asia. Anyway, it is a lovely location and definitely worth a visit. Bring ear plugs because you might get some bozo sharing his idea of thumping noise with you from several kilometres away. And it is HOT. Wow. Penguins are never going to migrate to the Mekong Delta. If your wife or girlfriend is always complaining about how cold it is, bring her here. No sane person could complain about being cold at the southern end of Vietnam. There is where Hell sends requests for more heat when it gets too cold down there. They have plenty to spare, believe me. But still worth a visit. You can get away from civilization and into the deep jungle. At night you can listen to the thumping drum synthesizers of the natives and pretend you are in a Tarzan movie. I have to commend VivuTravel and my travel agent, Hoai. I've been traveling in Southeast Asia for four months and every place I've been has been a unique experience. This is a relatively new facility but one which is worth a visit before it gets discovered and is swarming with tourists. That's the trouble with the world -- too many foreigners out there. See it now while you still can.

Located in Cai Be, Thu Huynh Homestay - Hostel is within a 5-minute drive of Phu Chau Pagoda and Cai Be Floating Market. This hostel is 1.4 mi (2.3 km) from Cai Be Catholic Cathedral and 16.9 mi (27.1 km) from Mekong.Take in the views from a garden and make use of amenities such as complimentary wireless internet access and tour/ticket assistance.Featured amenities include luggage storage, laundry facilities, and lockers. Free self parking is available onsite.Make yourself at home in one of the 6 air-conditioned rooms featuring flat-screen televisions. Complimentary wireless internet access keeps you connected, and cable programming is available for your entertainment. Private bathrooms with showers feature complimentary toiletries and slippers. Conveniences include complimentary bottled water, housekeeping is provided daily, and irons/ironing boards can be requested.

Located in Cai Be, The Durian Lodge at Mekong is in a rural location, within a 15-minute drive of Phu Chau Pagoda and Cai Be Floating Market. This hotel is 20.6 mi (33.2 km) from Van Thanh Mieu Temple and 27 mi (43.5 km) from Huynh Thuy Le Old House.Pamper yourself with onsite massages or enjoy recreation amenities such as a seasonal outdoor pool. Additional amenities at this hotel include concierge services, wedding services, and a picnic area. Guests can catch a ride to nearby destinations on the area shuttle (surcharge).Enjoy Asian cuisine at Chez Loan, a restaurant where you can take in the garden view and dine alfresco. Or stay in and take advantage of the room service (during limited hours).Featured amenities include complimentary wired internet access, express check-in, and dry cleaning/laundry services. A roundtrip airport shuttle is provided for a surcharge (available 24 hours).Make yourself at home in one of the 7 air-conditioned rooms featuring minibars. Your pillowtop bed comes with Egyptian cotton sheets. Complimentary wired internet access is available to keep you connected. Private bathrooms with showers feature complimentary toiletries and hair dryers.