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Vietnam Travel Guide
Mekong Delta Tours
Mekong Delta tours take you deep into Vietnam’s southern waterways. Cruise by boat through floating markets, cycle to orchards to pick fresh fruit, and stay overnight in a peaceful local homestay.
View tours >>The Best Mekong Delta Tours & Local Experiences
Not sure what Mekong Delta tour to choose?
Whether you’re looking for the best group tour, private experience, a custom made tour or just a private driver to bring you around, we’re here to help. Our local team knows Mekong Delta inside out and can give you honest, expert advice—no pressure, just good suggestions.
About Mekong Delta
The Mekong Delta is a vast network of rivers, canals, and lush farmland in southern Vietnam. Known as the country’s “rice bowl,” this region offers a peaceful contrast to the cities, with slow-moving boats, floating markets, and quiet villages. Life here revolves around the water, and it’s common to see locals commuting or transporting goods by boat. Mekong Delta tours often include boat trips through canals, visits to floating markets like Cai Rang, cycling through fruit orchards, sampling local snacks, and staying in simple but welcoming homestays. You can explore the area on a day trip from Ho Chi Minh City, but a 2-day trip gives you more time to experience the relaxed atmosphere and rural charm.
Frequently Asked Questions About Sapa tours
Is the Mekong Delta worth visiting on a day trip from Ho Chi Minh City?
A day trip to the Mekong Delta is possible, especially to areas like My Tho or Ben Tre. It’s a good introduction but tends to be more touristy. You won’t have time to reach the floating markets or experience rural life in depth. For a more authentic trip, consider staying overnight.
Is a 2-day Mekong Delta tour enough?
Yes, 2 days is enough to explore quieter areas like Ben Tre or visit the Cai Rang floating market near Can Tho. An overnight trip gives you a better feel for local life, allows for early morning activities, and avoids the rushed pace of day tours from Ho Chi Minh City.
When is the best time to do a Mekong Delta tour?
The best time to visit the Mekong Delta is from November to April, during the dry season. The weather is more pleasant, and boat travel is smoother. May to October is the rainy season — still possible to visit, but expect heavy afternoon showers and muddy conditions in rural areas.
What’s the best area to visit in the Mekong Delta?
It depends on what you’re looking for. Ben Tre is quiet and scenic, ideal for boat rides and cycling. Can Tho is the place to go for floating markets. An Giang is the most off-the-beaten-track but requires more travel time. My Tho is easiest for a quick visit, but often crowded.
What’s the best Mekong Delta day tour?
A day tour to Ben Tre is one of the best options. It’s less touristy than My Tho and offers quiet canals, coconut workshops, and peaceful cycling paths. You’ll get a more relaxed and authentic experience without traveling too far from Ho Chi Minh City.
What happens during a Mekong Delta tour if it rains?
Tours usually still operate, especially boat trips, as the rain is often short and tropical. Just bring a rain jacket and waterproof your belongings. Rural paths can get muddy, so be prepared with good footwear. If the weather is extreme, some outdoor parts of the itinerary may be shortened.
10 Highlights in Mekong Delta Tours
1. Boat Trips
Cruise through quiet canals and rivers, shaded by coconut trees and lined with orchards. Ideal for visiting floating markets, fruit farms, and riverside villages.
2. Floating Markets
Watch local trade happen entirely on boats at Cai Rang or Cai Be. A unique early-morning experience of life on the water.
3. Cycling Local Villages
Explore peaceful rural paths by bike, passing rice fields, fruit farms, and friendly villages. Flat terrain and low traffic make it perfect for cycling.
4. Stay in a Homestay
Sleep in a traditional riverside home, enjoy home-cooked meals, and experience daily life with a local family. Some offer great comfort and quiet surroundings.
5. Picking Fresh Fruit
Stop at an orchard to pick and taste seasonal tropical fruits like jackfruit, longan, and mangosteen—often included in boat or cycling tours.
6. Tra Su Forest
Glide through a flooded forest filled with birds and lush indigo trees. Great for nature lovers and photographers, especially near Chau Doc.
7. Tram Chim National Park
Spot rare birds while boating through wetlands. This ecological gem in Dong Thap is peaceful, scenic, and especially vibrant during the dry season.
8. Sam Mountain
Climb past temples and pagodas to a hilltop viewpoint overlooking rice fields and Cambodian border landscapes—great near Chau Doc.
9. Bang Lang Stork Garden
See thousands of storks nesting in treetops above quiet canals. Visit by boat or walkway, especially in the late afternoon when birds return.
10. Vinh Trang Pagoda
Visit one of the Mekong’s most beautiful temples, known for its giant Buddha statues and mix of Vietnamese, Khmer, and European architecture.