Top Things To Do In Mekong Delta: A Complete Travel Guide To Vietnam’s River Life

Mekong Delta at a Glance

Before diving into the top things to do in the Mekong Delta, it helps to understand what makes this region so special.

Located in southern Vietnam, the Mekong Delta spans across 13 provinces and is often referred to as Vietnam’s “rice bowl” due to its fertile lands and vast agricultural output. Life here revolves around water canals, rivers, and floating villages form the backbone of local culture and transport.

From the bustling city of Can Tho to the tranquil coconut groves of Ben Tre, each destination in the Delta offers something unique. You’ll find floating markets, tropical fruit orchards, riverside temples, and traditional crafts still made by hand. This is where you can experience the rhythm of rural Vietnamese life - slow, warm, and deeply connected to the land.

Just 2 to 4 hours from Ho Chi Minh City, you can escape the Mekong Delta in a day or two. Whether you’re looking to cruise through palm-lined canals, try authentic Mekong cuisine, or stay in a local homestay, this region offers a rich blend of culture, nature, and tradition that’s unlike anywhere else in Vietnam.

Best Time to Visit the Mekong Delta

To enjoy the full range of things to do in the Mekong Delta, it’s important to pick the right time of year. With a tropical climate, the region stays warm throughout the year, but seasonal changes still affect travel conditions

• The dry season from December to April is widely considered the best time to visit. During these months, the weather is sunny, the rainfall is minimal, and the waterways are easy to navigate. It’s perfect for cycling through villages, cruising shaded canals, and enjoying open-air markets without worrying about sudden downpours.
• The rainy season from May to November brings afternoon showers and lush green scenery. It’s still possible to explore, but you’ll need to pack for unpredictable weather. Rivers may rise, and some areas could flood, especially in September and October. However, this season also brings fruit harvests and lower prices on tours and accommodation.

Tip: Visit in January or February if you want to catch the Tet (Lunar New Year) festivities, a colorful and festive time in the Mekong.

Top 7 Things to Do in the Mekong Delta

From floating markets and boat rides to home-cooked meals and riverside temples, there are countless things to do in the Mekong Delta that reveal the region’s rich cultural and natural charm. Here are 7 unmissable experiences that will help you truly connect with Vietnam’s most iconic water world.

Visit a Floating Market

No trip to the Delta is complete without experiencing a floating market - one of the most unique things to do in the Mekong Delta. Wake up early and head to Cai Rang Market in Can Tho, where boats packed with pineapples, melons, and rice noodles gather at sunrise. Sellers hang their goods on bamboo poles, and the buzz of trading echoes across the water. Don’t just watch. Try the fresh fruit or order a hot bowl of hủ tiếu (noodle soup) from a mobile kitchen right on the river.

For something quieter and more local, visit Phong Dien or Long Xuyen Market, where fewer tourists and smaller boats offer a more authentic feel.

Take a Boat Trip Through the Mekong Delta

Gliding through palm-shaded canals in a wooden sampan is one of the most iconic things to do in the Mekong Delta. As you pass stilt houses, coconut groves, and floating markets, you’ll witness the quiet rhythms of local life unfold.

Boat trips often start from Ben Tre, My Tho, or Can Tho, and may include stops at fruit farms, craft workshops, and riverside kitchens. Whether it’s a peaceful row through narrow backwaters or a ride along wide, busy rivers, the experience is slow, scenic, and deeply immersive.

Coconut Crafting in Ben Tre

A few things to do in the Mekong Delta are as hands-on and local as exploring coconut production in Ben Tre, a province famous for its endless palm-lined canals and coconut groves. Here, coconuts aren’t just harvested, they’re transformed.

In small riverside workshops, coconuts are cracked, shaved, and boiled into everything from sweet coconut candy to hand-pressed oil, charcoal, and kitchenware. The process is manual, traditional, and often passed down through generations.

Watching locals skillfully turn raw coconuts into finished products while sampling warm candy or sipping fresh coconut water makes for a simple yet memorable moment of Delta life.

Drift Through Tra Su Cajuput Forest

Tucked away in An Giang Province, Tra Su Cajuput Forest is a peaceful, otherworldly wetland that deserves a spot on any list of things to do in the Mekong Delta. The forest is not only a biodiversity hotspot but also a beautiful contrast to the busy markets and villages elsewhere in the Delta

You can take a small boat along narrow waterways, shaded by tree canopies and alive with birdsong. As you float deeper into the forest, local guides will often share stories about the ecosystem, the wildlife, and how the forest supports the surrounding communities.

Cycle Through Villages and Countryside Paths

For travelers who want to slow down and soak in the daily rhythm of rural life, cycling is one of the most rewarding things to do in this region. You can bike past endless rice paddies, bamboo bridges, lotus ponds, and sleepy riverside villages. Children wave from doorways, farmers tend to fruit orchards, and water buffalo graze nearby, all part of the region’s authentic charm.

Locals may greet you with a smile or invite you to stop for a glass of iced tea or fresh fruit from their garden. It’s not just a ride; it’s an immersive window into a slower, simpler way of life in southern Vietnam.

Stay at a Village Homestay and Dine Like a Local

Spending a night in a riverside homestay is one of the most authentic things to do in the Mekong Delta. You’ll sleep in a stilt house, wake to the sound of boats, and enjoy home-cooked meals straight from the garden.

Dinner might include bold local dishes like chuột đồng nướng (grilled field rat) or đuông dừa (coconut worm). While not for everyone, these specialties reflect the rich culinary culture of the Delta. You’ll also enjoy more familiar Mekong staples like cá kho tộ (caramelized fish), garden-fresh vegetables, and tropical fruits picked just steps from where you sleep.

Listen to Southern Folk Music

Among the most soulful things to do in the Mekong Delta is experiencing a live Đờn ca tài tử performance, which is a form of Southern Vietnamese folk music recognized by UNESCO. Performed with traditional string instruments and heartfelt vocals, this music blends poetry, emotion, and cultural pride.

You’ll often hear it during boat dinners, at local homestays, or in village festivals. The performers are usually farmers, teachers, or elders who keep the tradition alive. It’s simple, touching, and uniquely Mekong.

How to Get to the Mekong Delta

Reaching the Mekong Delta from Ho Chi Minh City is easy and convenient. Travel time depends on your destination, but most towns, such as My Tho, Ben Tre, or Can Tho, are within 2 to 4 hours by road.

• By Guided Tour: This is the easiest option. Tours include transportation, boat rides, meals, and a local guide. Perfect for day trips or short getaways.
• By Bus: Buses depart frequently from Mien Tay Bus Station in Ho Chi Minh City to major Delta towns like Can Tho, Chau Doc, and Vinh Long.
• By Private Car: It offers more comfort and flexibility. Ideal if traveling with family or on a custom itinerary.
• By Speedboat: For a scenic ride, take a speedboat from Saigon to Ben Tre or Can Tho is a slower but immersive way to see river life from the start.

From your arrival point, local ferries, boats, and xe ôm (motorbike taxis) will take you deeper into the canals and villages where the Mekong truly comes to life.

Suggested 2-Day Mekong Delta Itinerary

A 2-day trip to the Mekong Delta offers just the right mix of relaxation, culture, and exploration. From coconut-fringed canals to floating breakfasts on the river, this short getaway is packed with unforgettable things to do in the Mekong Delta.

Day 1: From Ho Chi Minh City to Ben Tre

Leave Ho Chi Minh City early and head to Ben Tre, a peaceful riverside town known for its coconut groves and quiet canals. One of the most relaxing things to do in the Mekong Delta is to cruise along palm-lined waterways by boat. You’ll stop at a local coconut candy workshop to see how traditional sweets are made.

Continue by bicycle through shady orchards and rice fields, soaking in the countryside charm. For lunch, enjoy a warm Mekong-style meal at a village home, cá kho tộ, stir-fried vegetables, and fresh fruit from the garden.

In the afternoon, try a hand-rowed sampan ride or explore a riverside garden before settling into a family-run homestay. After a hammock break and sunset views, join your hosts for a cozy dinner.

Day 2: Can Tho to Floating Market & Back to Ho Chi Minh City

Wake up early and head to Can Tho, the beating heart of the Mekong Delta. By sunrise, you’re on the river at the famous Cai Rang Floating Market, where wooden boats rock with pineapples, noodles, coffee, and loud, cheerful bargaining. It’s raw, real, and alive. Order a steaming bowl of hủ tiếu right from a floating kitchen and enjoy breakfast like a local.

After soaking in the market buzz, visit a fruit orchard for fresh seasonal tasting. Before the journey back, relax over a riverside lunch with Mekong classics like elephant ear fish or stir-fried water spinach.

By early afternoon, it’s time to head back to Ho Chi Minh City, arriving in the late afternoon.

>>> Combine the Mekong Delta with the dynamic energy of Ho Chi Minh City and the laid-back beaches of Mui Ne for a fuller experience of Southern Vietnam. Explore our curated 7-day family-friendly itinerary. And remember, custom itineraries are available upon request. Contact us at info@asiamystictravel.com or reach out via WhatsApp +84 963 623 907 to start planning.

Top Souvenirs from the Mekong Delta

Shopping for souvenirs is one of the most enjoyable things to do in the Mekong Delta, especially if you love items with local character and handmade charm.

• Coconut Products: From bowls and spoons to oil, soap, and candy, coconuts are everywhere in Ben Tre. They're eco-friendly, affordable, and easy to pack.
• Rice Paper & Noodles: Can Tho and Sa Dec are known for traditional noodle-making. Pick up dried hủ tiếu or bánh tráng to recreate your favorite Mekong dishes at home.
• Fruit Snacks & Local Tea: Try dried mango, jackfruit chips, or herbal teas made from pandan leaf, lotus, or bitter melon.
• Handwoven Mats & Baskets: Villages near Long An and Vinh Long produce beautiful rattan and water hyacinth goods.
• Instruments: For culture lovers, grab a mini đàn tranh (Vietnamese zither) as a reminder of the region’s musical soul.

Cost & Crowds

One of the best parts about exploring the Mekong is that most things to do in the Mekong Delta are affordable and accessible. Day tours from Ho Chi Minh City start from $25-$40, while 2-day packages with transport, meals, and homestay range from $80-$130, depending on the comfort level.

Local dishes cost just $1-$3, and shopping at floating markets or village shops won’t strain your budget. Boat trips, bike rentals, and entrance fees are all modestly priced.

As for crowds, popular spots like Cai Rang Floating Market and Ben Tre canals get busy in peak season (December-April), especially on weekends. But venture a bit off the tourist trail, like into smaller villages or Tra Su Forest, and you'll find plenty of peaceful, uncrowded corners.

>>> Drop a line HERE to let Asia Mystic Travel craft the perfect itinerary for you. We specialize in authentic things to do in the Mekong Delta with flexible, private, or small-group options that fit your pace.

FAQs

Q: How far is the Mekong Delta from Ho Chi Minh City?

A: Most destinations like Ben Tre or My Tho are about 2 hours by car. Can Tho is 3-4 hours away. Private car, minivan, or guided tour are the most convenient ways to get there.

Q: Do I need to join a tour, or can I go independently?

A: You can do both. However, joining a guided tour, such as from Asia Mystic Travel, makes travel smoother, especially for visiting floating markets, local workshops, and finding good homestays.

Q: Is the Mekong Delta worth visiting on a short trip?

A: Yes. Even a 2-day trip from Ho Chi Minh City offers rich culture, beautiful landscapes, and authentic local life. It’s one of the most rewarding escapes in Southern Vietnam.

From floating markets to coconut canals, the things to do in the Mekong Delta are rich in culture, flavor, and local life. Just a few days here offers a deep, authentic glimpse into Southern Vietnam’s heartland. Let Asia Mystic Travel design your perfect Delta journey, relaxed, immersive, and tailor-made to your pace.

• Email: info@asiamystictravel.com
• WhatsApp: +84 963 623 907