DAY 18: Southeast Asia: Wonders of Cambodia, Vietnam & the Mekong
We woke up in Can Tho feeling well-rested and ready for the day and enjoyed breakfast at the hotel before heading out on a local adventure thoughtfully arranged by Nhi. Today’s tour included Hanna as well, and our guide Tony met us at the hotel at 9:30 a.m., along with Nhi’s driver, Vinh. From there, we drove to the pier and boarded a small ferry for a short 5–7-minute ride to Son Dune Islet, a lively island known for its fruit orchards, fisheries and community-based tourism.
We spent most of the day on the island, moving through a series of seven mini-tours that offered a wonderful glimpse into local life. Our first stop was a fishery and hatchery connected to the Mekong River. We saw Knife fish swarming in roped-off waters, along with Snakehead fish, Koi and other local species. The Koi are purely ornamental, while most of the others are used for food, though Snakehead fish, named for their aggressive, snake-like appearance, aren’t commonly eaten. We dangled our feet into the Koi pool and laughed as they gently nibbled our toes, tickling us. We fed other fish and sampled fish patties made from Chitala chitala, served with cucumber. They were excellent.
Next, we wandered through fruit gardens, learning about local varieties and sampling pomelos. Then came the ducks, one of the most unexpected and hilarious moments of the day. We were asked to remove our shoes and sit on a bench beside a local woman next to a large duck pen. Without much warning, she opened the gate and the ducks came rushing out. She tossed feed between our feet, which we were told to place sole-to-sole to form a bowl. The ducks swarmed in, pecking gently at the feed and tickling our feet. I couldn’t stop laughing. Tony captured the whole thing on video, and it’s pure joy.
From there, we visited more orchards and enjoyed fruit and tea, fed additional fish, and saw a small homestay built on a boat where guests can stay for about $25 a night. Here, we even learned how young fish are bottle-fed. Chris said they were clearly very thirsty. Then came the frog circus. Trained frogs leapt into the air trying to grab colorful ribbons spun above them. Chris and I both tried our hand at it, noting some frogs were impressively determined and airborne!
We sampled sticky rice wrapped in banana leaves, a traditional wedding food. The hosts showed us how the leaves are folded into small boxes before filling them with rice, coconut milk, and green beans. Simple and delicious. Nearby, we met two bison—an unusual sight on the island since there are no rice paddies. Birds perched on them, eating insects in a mutually beneficial relationship.
A walk through more fields brought us to a small home where we were served a vibrant blue sweet pea tea and an apple-like fruit which was juicy and refreshing. Hammocks hung from nearly every porch, often occupied by people resting or scrolling on their phones. We also visited Victoria lily pads, originally imported from the Amazon. These massive pads can span over a yard and are strong enough to support a child. Their pink flowers were beautiful, reminiscent of water hyacinths.
We tried a rice paste spread thin on banana leaves, one of the original fruit snacks. It had little flavor on its own but was delicious when dipped in sauce. At the rice-popping house, we watched rice poured into an extremely hot spinning device. Chris was selected to use a tire iron to knock open the rice popper, and it exploded like a shotgun as popped rice shot out of the barrel into a net. Chris’s ears rang for several hours after that. We sampled puffed rice treats and tasted banana wine in several strengths, which was surprisingly good.
After a short sampan ride, we enjoyed lettuce-wrapped pancakes filled with shrimp, pork and vegetables, enjoying both small and giant versions. I helped cook the smaller ones, and we all agreed they were delicious. We returned to the mainland by ferry, tired, happy and full of gratitude for the experience.
Back at the hotel, we quickly changed and prepared for Nhi and Duc’s rehearsal dinner. We were picked up by Vinh and rode to the celebration with Duc and his aunt and uncle. This was our first time seeing Duc on this visit, which made it especially meaningful.
Nhi’s parents’ home is about fifteen minutes from our hotel, located on a beautiful property that includes their house, business offices, warehouse, pond, bamboo trees and outdoor gathering spaces. Around 50–70 guests were there, seated at tables of eight. The meal was abundant and delicious, featuring many Vietnamese dishes and ending with a hot pot stew and a sweet gelatin drink. Favorites included crunchy fried rice, a beef and vegetable dish, and the hot pot soup Nhi made herself.
We were honored to sit with Nhi and Duc, her mom, aunts, Hanna, and other family members as people rotated in and out. Karaoke followed and many guests bravely took the mic, including Duc’s dad, who is very talented! Later, the evening shifted indoors for a more intimate gathering with close friends and relatives. Each person offered congratulations and gifts, mostly envelopes, but Nhi’s mother presented her with a beautiful gold ring. We were deeply honored to share our gift and say a few words to Nhi as well.
We ended the night making plans to return the next day for the traditional tea ceremony prior to the wedding. The evening also helped us better understand the significance of the traditional Vietnamese tea ceremony that precedes the wedding. Known as Lễ Đính Hôn (Đám Hỏi), and often connected with later rites such as Lễ Vu Quy or Lễ Thành Hôn, this ceremony centers on family, respect and unity. During the ritual, the groom’s family formally visits the bride’s home bearing symbolic gifts called mâm quả. Both families come together to honor ancestors, exchange blessings and publicly acknowledge the couple’s union. It is a deeply meaningful tradition, rich with symbolism, marking not just the joining of two people, but the coming together of two families.
Throughout the day, we continued to marvel at daily life on motorbikes: an extension ladder folded three times, babies in papooses, toddlers in wicker seats and entire families riding together. Many women wear gloves, long sleeves, sweatshirts, hats and masks while riding as light skin is highly valued here and seen as a sign of beauty.
A full, unforgettable day, one that blended laughter, learning, friendship and celebration in the most beautiful way.