My Tho is located in the Mekong Delta and only a two-hour drive from Ho Chi Minh City – very popular for day tours for that reason. Here you can make beautiful boat trips on the Mekong River, visit small islands and taste the local life.
Things to do in My Tho
1. Boat trips in My Tho
As with most destinations in the Mekong Delta, a boat trip is the best things to do in My Tho. My Tho is located on the mighty Mekong River, which has several branches with smaller rivers, which are then connected to each other by different channels. With a motorized boat you can travel great distances on the rivers and see a lot of the local river life, such as fishermen and boats that carry enormous amounts of fruit. Small traditional sampan boats row you through the smaller side channels through the palm forests.
When you sail from place to place you will see many fishermen along the way. The Mekong is known for large catfish, but there is also Tai Tuong (Elephant fish). This fish is actually farmed in huge tanks and is also found in the waters of the Delta.
2. Experience local life
Discovering local life can be perfectly combined with a boat trip. There are many small islands around My Tho that you can visit by boat. You can stop and walk around to meet the locals and learn about their daily life. Unicorn Island, for example, is a popular stop and there are more like Phoenix and Dragon island. On the islands you will find many fruit plantations for which the Mekong Delta is known. Here you can watch how the fruit is grown and you can try delicious seasonal fruit.
There are also many local factories and shops that produce their own products, such as the production of coconut candy. Turtle Island is a place where you can see this. Another local product is snake wine! The base is rice wine that is poured over a snake and left to ferment. Locals believe it has medicinal properties. There is a bee farm on Thoi Son, where you can buy local honey.
3. Cycling
Another great way to explore My Tho is by bicycle. Cycling in the Mekong Delta is very popular, because the roads between the villages are very quiet with traffic and the land in the delta is very flat. Trees and plants along the road provide cooling shade and there are plenty of places to stop along the way. You can cycle to fruit orchards to try delicious fruit, local factories to see how they work and visit local villages to experience local life.
4. Vinh Trang Pagoda
Vinh Trang Pagoda is the largest temple in Tien Giang province, only 5 km from My Tho and built in 1849. The pagoda brings together Chinese, Vietnamese, Khmer and European architecture and features various Buddha statues. Vinh Trang has some impressive features, such as the ornate gate, built by Hue craftsmen, and detailed woodwork inside. It is especially impressive if you can arrive when the monks are singing around 10:00 am, followed by drumming and a ceremony to the dining room.
5. My tho market
By the time most travelers are still asleep, the vendors in My Tho’s central market (Cho My Tho) are already in full swing. An engaging walk through the market is a great way to fill the time in a city. Fish of all shapes and sizes splash around in large tubs, before meeting their executioners one by one who expertly prepare them to order. Seafood is plentiful in the Mekong Delta and it takes a lot of work to prepare.
6. Tan Thanh beach
For those who would like to go to the beach, this can be a great option. Tan Thanh beach is about 50 km from My Tho. It is a popular weekend getaway spot for Ho Chi Minh City youth.
7. Dong Tam snake farm
The Dong Tam snake farm is one of the largest suppliers of anti-poison in Vietnam. Run by the military, the medicinal, breeding and research center is set up like a small zoo and is open to the public for fundraising and awareness. Cobras, green snakes and large pythons can be seen up close, as well as a number of monkeys, bears, ostriches and a giant albino turtle. The animals are well cared for, but it is highly debatable whether the living conditions are not too limited, especially with our Western standards.
8. Cai Be floating market
As the name suggests, the Cai Be floating market is not located in My Tho but in Cai Be. But because this place is only 40 km from My Tho, these sights are often combined. This is the floating market in the Mekong Delta closest to Ho Chi Minh City. It is much smaller than the Cai Rang floating market near Can Tho, and has lost much of its size and charm due to the improved roads around the area. Surely it is nice to drop by early in the morning to see this wholesale market on the water.
How to get to My Tho
Tours to My Tho
Like most other destinations in the Mekong Delta, My Tho is most often visited by tour from Ho Chi Minh City. A day trip is the most popular as My Tho is the nearest city in the Mekong Delta from Ho Chi Minh City.
Visit My Tho with Local Vietnam
Local Vietnam has two interesting My Tho day tours (Authentic My Tho and Discover the Mekong Delta) starting from Ho Chi Minh City. Also make sure to compare them with our other tours in the Mekong Delta
From Ho Chi Minh City to My Tho
By bus
Buses and limousine vans run from Ho Chi Minh City to My Tho. Most include hotel drop-off in My Tho, but no pick-up from your accommodation in Saigon. The journey takes 2 hours and costs between 2.5 EUR and 6 EUR depending on which transfer quality you choose.
Private car
Instead of by bus, you can also rent a car with a driver who will pick you up directly from the hotel in Ho Chi Minh City and take you to My Tho. The advantage is also that you can arrange with a driver to visit some of the sights along the way.
From other parts of the Mekong Delta
There are direct buses between other destinations in the Mekong Delta to My Tho:
- From Ben Tre – 1 hour
- From Can Tho – 2 hours
- From Ha Tien – 6/7 hours
Accommodation in My Tho
Due to the increasing number of tourists, there are many motels, hotels and resorts to choose from. Here are some well-reviewed accommodations:
- Happy Farm Tien Giang Homestay: The Farmstay is run by a very friendly family together with the many animals (horses, dogs, kittens, chicks, chickens…) they make it a cozy place. Beautiful quiet large garden.
- The World Hotel: Clean and modern rooms with soft beds.
- The Island Lodge – Boutique lodge located on an island of Thoi Son (Unicorn). Shrouded in a manicured tropical garden with palm trees, the property features an elegant open-air reception / restaurant / bar pavilion, a spa and just 12 rooms.
Getting around My Tho
Taxi – The most reliable taxi service in this city is Mai Linh Taxi.
Scooters / Motorbike – A motorbike is the most convenient means of transportation for traveling between attractions in My Tho. However, scooter rental in My Tho is not really popular. You can ask the hotel where you are staying to rent a scooter for 150,000 VND – 200,000 VND per day (8 – 12 USD).
Boat – If you want to visit the islands around the city, it is best to do this by boat. Many hotels and travel agencies offer a half day or day tour. You can also walk to the per yourself to rent a boat.
Best time to visit
The dry season starts from the beginning of November to the end of April. The rainy season starts from May to the end of October. June and July in particular have the highest rainfall of the year, but fortunately the rains are short and often come in mid-afternoon.
Alternatives to My Tho
My Tho is a good introduction to the Mekong Delta, but also the most visited place due to its proximity to Ho Chi Minh City. If you don’t mind traveling a little further in a day trip, it is recommended to visit the less touristy Ben Tre (also a nice place to stay overnight). For two days or more, you can also go to Can Tho, where you have, among other things, the Cai Rang floating market, the largest floating market in the Mekong Delta. If you want more of the beaten track, choose the province of An Giang.
