What is Unicorn Island (Thoi Son Island)
Unicorn Island, locally called Thới Sơn or Con Lân, is the largest of the four islets in this stretch of the Tiền River, covering about 1,200 hectares. The land is fertile, with interlaced canals, shady orchards, and small villages connected by narrow paths. Its scale and location right across from My Tho make it the easiest and most developed islet to visit.
Historically, the island was shaped by the river’s alluvial build-up, later becoming home to fishing families and fruit growers. Over time, locals added sideline activities—beekeeping, coconut candy, rice paper making, and handicrafts—which today serve both daily life and the tourism market. The island also carries some historic notes, such as its association with resistance battles during the 18th and 20th centuries, though these aren’t the focus of a modern visit.
In practice, Unicorn Island is now one of the mainstays of classic day trips from Ho Chi Minh City. Its canals, gardens, and performances give visitors a quick sampler of Delta life. But it’s important to know that much of what you’ll see is set up for tour groups. The scenery and fruit trees are real, but the way they’re presented—honey tea, music shows, sampan rides—follows a fixed routine, and the island is often crowded at peak hours. For some travelers, that makes it feel convenient and easy; for others, it feels a bit too curated.
The Four Islands of the Mekong
Unicorn Island is part of the “Four Sacred Islets” (Tứ Linh), named after four mythical animals: Dragon (Tân Long), Unicorn (Thới Sơn), Turtle (Quy), and Phoenix (Phụng). Dragon and Unicorn lie on the Tiền Giang side of the river, while Turtle and Phoenix sit on the Bến Tre side.
These islets are clustered around My Tho and are the backbone of the classic one-day Mekong Delta tours from Ho Chi Minh City. Each has its own flavor:
- Dragon Island (Tân Long): the quietest and most residential, with little organized tourism but a calm, local feel.
- Turtle Island (Quy): the smallest, still semi-wild, known for fruit orchards like grapefruit and a slower pace.
- Phoenix Island (Phụng): the opposite extreme, filled with tourist attractions linked to the “Coconut Monk” and various staged activities.
Within this set, Unicorn Island is the largest and most built-out for visitors, with canals, orchards, and activities that most tour groups include in their circuit. It’s often the busiest of the four, but also the easiest to experience in a short amount of time.
What to See and Do on Unicorn Island
Before diving into the list, it’s good to set expectations: Unicorn Island is geared toward day tours. The scenery—lush canals, fruit trees, village lanes—is real, but much of the experience follows a curated circuit designed for groups. If you go in knowing this, you can still enjoy it without being disappointed.
1. Sampan ride through Nipa Canals
The short sampan ride is the island’s signature activity. You sit in a small rowboat, usually paddled by two locals, and drift through narrow canals shaded by nipa palms. It’s picturesque but also brief—often just 10–15 minutes—and when multiple groups line up, it can feel a bit conveyor-belt. Early morning or late afternoon is calmer.
2. Fruit tasting & Honey tea stops
Tour groups are often brought to a garden where seasonal fruits such as rambutan, longan, or dragon fruit are served alongside honey tea flavored with longan blossoms. It’s pleasant enough, though the setup tends to lean toward sales, with honey and snacks offered afterward.
3. Coconut candy & Small crafts
Coconut candy is a specialty of the region, and you’ll usually see a quick demonstration of the cooking, cutting, and wrapping process. Rice paper, puffed rice cakes, jams, and small handicrafts made from coconut shells are also displayed. It’s interesting for a glance, but again mostly aimed at selling souvenirs.
4. Đon Ca Tài Tu (Southern Folk Music)
Recognized by UNESCO, this form of traditional southern music is performed at small pavilions while you nibble fruit plates. The music itself is unique, but in practice the performances can feel rushed, especially with multiple groups rotating through. Tipping baskets are commonly passed around.
5. Ancient-Style Houses & Garden Paths
Some stops include old-style southern houses with yin–yang tiled roofs and wooden interiors. These are nice for a peek, though they’re often part of a set tour route rather than open for deeper exploration. The surrounding garden paths, shaded by fruit trees, make for a pleasant stroll.
6. Fun & “Folk Games”
Several tour centers offer games like ditch fishing, balancing on a rope bridge, or catching ducks in a pond. They’re lighthearted and entertaining for groups but are clearly set up as tourist amusements rather than genuine local pastimes.
7. Cycling the Island
If you step away from the organized stops, the island is large enough for a relaxed bike ride. The flat lanes make it easy, and once you leave the busy cluster of attractions, it’s much quieter. This can be the best way to see a more natural side of Thới Sơn.
8. Animal & Ethics Note
Some tours include activities that many visitors find uncomfortable: horse-drawn carriages on narrow lanes, photo opportunities with pythons, or crocodile enclosures. Conditions can be poor, and plenty of travelers choose to skip these parts. It’s worth making your preferences clear to your guide.
9. Eating on the Island
Lunch is often included in day tours, usually at a large garden restaurant. Expect Mekong-style dishes such as elephant ear fish, steamed snakehead, or goby hotpot. The food is adequate but not remarkable—it’s geared toward feeding many people quickly. If you’re staying overnight, homestays or the Island Lodge offer more personal meals.
Location & How to get there
Where is Unicorn Island (Thoi Son Island)?
Unicorn Island lies in the Tiền River, directly opposite My Tho City (Tiền Giang Province). It’s connected both by local boats and by road via the Rạch Miễu Bridge, making it one of the easiest islets to reach in the area.
Day Trip from Ho Chi Minh City
Most visitors see Unicorn Island as part of a 1-day Mekong Delta tour. Travel time is about 1.5–2 hours by road from Ho Chi Minh City to My Tho. Group tours are the cheapest and most common—efficient, but busy and on a fixed schedule. Private tours cost more but give you flexibility on timing and stops.
Typical itineraries include: a motorboat to the cluster of islets, a short sampan ride, fruit and honey tea tasting, a coconut candy demonstration, folk music performance, and a garden-style lunch.
Travel by yourself
It’s also possible to visit independently:
- Option A: HCMC → My Tho (bus, van, or private car) → head to My Tho Tourist Wharf (April 30 Park) → hire a small boat across to Unicorn Island.
- Option B: Drive across the Rạch Miễu Bridge and take the local road straight into Thới Sơn by car or motorbike (expect tolls or small fees).
Once on the island, you can easily walk or rent a bicycle to explore. Sampan rides and short boat circuits can also be arranged on the spot through locals or homestays. Navigation is simple with offline maps, though asking directions is often quicker.
Staying on Thoi Son Island
Spending the night on Unicorn Island is possible but limited. Most travelers just visit on a day trip, yet there are a handful of simple homestays and one more upscale choice, The Island Lodge – Mekong Delta, which feels more like a countryside resort with a pool and restaurant. The rest are basic family-run stays that focus on meals, a bed, and local hospitality.
The benefit of staying here is timing: once the tour boats leave, the island is far calmer. You’ll catch sunset and sunrise by the river, cycle empty lanes, and enjoy canal scenery without the rush. This can make the experience feel more authentic than the day-trip version.
That said, there are trade-offs. Dining options outside your stay are almost nonexistent, and some routes around the island still pass through sales-driven stops aimed at tour groups. The easiest fix is to coordinate with your host, who can guide you toward quieter paths and arrange more relaxed boat rides.
Tips for visiting Unicorn Island
- Crowds & timing: The island is busiest in late morning and early afternoon when the bulk of day tours arrive. Go early or late in the day, and avoid weekends or holidays if you want a quieter sampan ride.
- Cash & connectivity: Bring cash for snacks or souvenirs—ATMs are not guaranteed on the island. Mobile data usually works fine.
- What to bring: Essentials include mosquito repellent, sunscreen, a hat, light clothing, a reusable water bottle, and a rain layer in wet season.
- Ethics & comfort: Not all activities appeal to everyone. You can politely opt out of animal shows, horse carts, or staged games—just let your guide know in advance.
- Luggage: If you’re staying overnight, leave larger bags in Ho Chi Minh City or My Tho and travel with a daypack. Ferries, boats, and small paths are easier this way.
- DIY vs. tour: Private tours or homestays can take you to quieter canals and reduce sales pressure compared to big group itineraries.
- Safety: Wear life jackets on motorboats, keep your hands inside sampans, and be mindful of river currents if you’re near the banks.
Is Unicorn Island worth visiting?
Unicorn Island is good if you want a quick, convenient sampler of the Mekong Delta. The leafy canals, short sampan ride, fruit tastings, and music performances give a snapshot of southern culture, all within easy reach of Ho Chi Minh City. For many first-time visitors with only one day, it ticks the boxes.
It’s less appealing if you’re looking for authenticity or depth. Much of what you experience is curated for tour groups, and performances can feel rushed or overly focused on selling. The scenery is real, but the way it’s packaged doesn’t leave much room for spontaneity.
For something more genuine, consider staying overnight on a quieter islet like Dragon or Turtle, or planning a multi-day Delta trip that takes you beyond the standard circuit. That way, you’ll see more of the Mekong’s daily rhythms without the crowds.
