The Mekong delta is the beating heart of Vietnam’s agricultural south and rich in sugarcane groves, fruit orchards, coconut palms and rice paddy fields. The incredibly fertile Mekong River passes through six countries from Tibet to Vietnam and helps to produce over 50% of Vietnam's total agricultural output
A trip to this part of the country on the Vietnam holiday is certain to become one of the highlights and best experienced with a relaxing 1-2 day itinerary. The friendly locals and rural communities in this part of the country make a visit to the Mekong delta a memorable trip for meeting the local people, as well as its fascinating landscape.
Top features of the Mekong delta
Enjoy the lush-green beauty of the Mekong
See first hand how local coconut candy is made
Cruise the river and witness the lifestyle on the Delta
Visit a honey farm or savour tropical fruit on an island
Explore a tourist city like My Tho
Taste Mekong specialities at local restaurants
A popular way to visit the Mekong Delta on the tour of Vietnam is to take a full-day tour from Ho Chi Minh City. The journey time to reach the busy market town of My Tho is about 2.5 hours on an air-conditioned coach.
My Tho’s close proximity to Ho Chi Minh City makes it a popular tourist destination to get a real taste of the local river life. However, for travellers that wish to explore the famous floating markets, it is necessary to continue the journey on to Can Tho.
The best way to explore My Tho is on a cruise along the Mekong. Trips on a long-tail boat are best experienced with a local English-speaking guide who is able to not only steer you in the right direction to visit islands with lush-green tropical gardens, but also to delve into the history of the region.
While on one of the islands, stop to sample the local tropical fruits before continuing the cruise along the river. A great experience in the region is visiting a coconut candy factory where is it possible to watch and learn the manufacturing process of this confection.
A river cruise with an experienced local guide gives the opportunity to stop at one or more of the local villages to see first-hand the traditional customs, culture and lifestyles of the residents. There are usually plenty of places to purchase handcrafted souvenirs and enjoy the more relaxed pace of life that is completely different to the congested streets of Ho Chi Minh City.
After exploring the region by boat, a tour itinerary can include fascinating land excursions such as visiting a nearby bee farm. This is easily reached by travelling on local transport like a Xe Loi (motorized cart). For the most intimate experience on the Delta it is possible to transfer to a small rowing boat and delve deep into the maze of narrow canals. Also, the Mekong has a variety of specialty dishes that are worth a taste while in the region on the Vietnam travel packages.