Mekong Delta day trips from Ho Chi Minh City
The Mekong Delta starts south-west of the city, and the usual way to see it in one day is a trip to Mỹ Tho and the islands in the Tiền (Mekong) River. A typical program combines a temple, a motor boat, small rowing boats in narrow canals, fruit and music, lunch and a coconut candy workshop. This is a day out from Ho Chi Minh City, not a replacement for a stay in the delta.
Mỹ Tho is about 86 km from the city. A typical day leaves around 08:30, starts the way back from Mỹ Tho at about 15:00 and ends around 17:00. The return leg takes roughly 2 hours. Every tour sets its own timetable and traffic changes the drive, so confirm the times when you book.
Our picks: Mekong Delta tours from Saigon
The small-group My Tho and Ben Tre trip is the most compact option, and the combined Cu Chi day runs longer. The Ben Tre trip with bicycles suits people who like to move.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide and Viator. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Ben Tre in a day by boat and bicycle
- All boat rides
- Bicycle use
- Five-course southern lunch
Fruit, coconut juice, two bottles of water per guest and an air-conditioned vehicle are included. Vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free lunches are available on request.
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Cu Chi and the Mekong Delta in one day
- Cu Chi and a Mekong coconut village
- All entry fees and boat trips
- Vietnamese lunch
One day that combines the Cu Chi Tunnels with boat rides and a coconut village in the Mekong Delta, travel insurance included. The vehicle drops you at Ben Thanh Market or the operator's office.
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My Tho and the Ben Tre coconut village
- Motorboat and sampan rides
- Cycling through coconut gardens
- Vietnamese lunch
A day trip to My Tho and Ben Tre with the listed attractions and a traditional music performance. The drop-off is in District 1 only.
Check availability →Mekong Delta day trips from Ho Chi Minh City
Mỹ Tho and Bến Tre by boat, with transfer from the city, live prices and availability.
What a one-day Mỹ Tho and Bến Tre trip includes
A typical program. Others differ in order and stops.
Vĩnh Tràng Temple
The day often begins at this temple in Mỹ Tho, a short stop before you go to the river.
Motor boat on the Tiền River
A motor boat takes the group across the main river to the islands. Cồn Thới Sơn is one of the usual stops.
Small rowing boats in the canals
On the island you change to small rowing boats that move through narrow canals under palms.
Fruit, music and honey tea
You sit down for local fruit, folk music and honey tea. This is a hosted tasting stop, not a market.
Lunch and the coconut candy workshop
Lunch is part of the program, followed by a visit to a workshop where coconut candy is made.
The usual price covers transfer, a guide, lunch and the boat rides. Check this list for the trip you pick, because a lower price often means fewer inclusions.
Floating markets, Cái Bè and Cần Thơ
A boat ride in the delta is not the same as a floating market. Cái Bè has a floating market, but active trade on your day cannot be promised, so do not choose a trip only for it. Cái Răng near Cần Thơ is a floating market whose trading role has shrunk as roads took over, so expect a smaller scene than old photos suggest.
Cần Thơ is a destination of its own, and a day trip from Ho Chi Minh City does not reach it comfortably. If you want the floating markets, plan the stay there and read how to get from Ho Chi Minh City to Cần Thơ. Their Mekong Delta guide covers the wider region.
Which Mekong trip to choose
Matching the trip to the time you have.
| Option | Time | What it suits |
|---|---|---|
| Mỹ Tho and Bến Tre | One day, back around 17:00 | First visit with a fixed schedule |
| Cần Thơ with floating markets | Overnight stay | Early starts and the Cái Răng scene |
| Cu Chi in the morning, Mekong another day | Two separate days | Visitors who dislike long days on the road |
For most visitors with a single free day, the Mỹ Tho and Bến Tre trip is the practical choice. If the floating markets matter most, stay in Cần Thơ.
Plan the rest of your days
Other trips from the city.
Cu Chi Tunnels
The tunnel sites north-west of the city and how to reach them.
More day trips from the city
Cu Chi, Tay Ninh, Vung Tau and Can Gio side by side.
Ho Chi Minh City tours
City, food and motorbike tours compared.
Weather and best time
Which months suit a day on the water.
Mekong Delta day trips: frequently asked questions
How far is the Mekong Delta from Ho Chi Minh City?
Mỹ Tho is about 86 km from the city. On a typical trip the return drive takes roughly 2 hours, but traffic can lengthen it. Other delta towns are farther away.
Is one day enough for the Mekong Delta?
One day is enough for a first look at Mỹ Tho and Bến Tre by boat. It does not cover Cần Thơ and its floating markets, which suit an overnight stay.
How much does a Mekong Delta day trip cost?
A typical full-day program costs about VND 499,000 per adult in 2026, with children aged 2 to under 6 paying about 75 percent. It includes transfer, a guide, lunch and boat rides. Other trips differ, so compare the inclusions.
Will I see a floating market on a one-day trip?
Do not expect one. A boat ride in the delta does not mean a floating market, and Cái Bè may not trade on your day. Cần Thơ is the better base for floating markets.
Which months suit a day on the water?
The rainy season runs from May to November and the dry season from December to April. The dry months are easier for a day on the boats. See the weather page.