We have mixed feelings about our stay at the Mekong Lodge. The hotel and grounds are quaint, and we got to extensively relax at the bar and by the pool, which was nice after being in loud and busy HCMC. However, the hotel is undergoing renovations, and the sounds of construction filled the air from 730am to 730pm -> not so nice if you intend to take a nap in your room, or eat lunch in the restaurant by the water. If the construction wasn't enough, then the cacaphony of roosters at 4am will remind you that you are in rural Vietnam. The food in the accompany restaurant was average - some dishes were tasty while others were much less appealing. In contrast to lunch and dinner options, the breakfast was great - small bowls of pho, tasty crepes and omelettes, and fresh fruit and juices. We took the boat tour without guide which allowed flexibility to spend as much or as little time at the "artisanal market" and the traditional land market. There were only a few boats in the floating market, which we didn't stop at or board so that was really disappointing (one of the reasons we wanted to come down to the Mekong!). While I enjoyed the row boat through the canals, I was dismayed by the vast amount of plastic garbage that littered it - it's really quite sad (BTW I would happily pay extra to contribute to a fund that cleans up the local waterways - I'm sure many visitors would too!). In summary, mixed experience, but I don't think I would return.
