Mekong Delta Day Tour with Sampan Ride and Lunch Ho Chi Minh City
Overview
This Mekong Delta day tour takes you from Ho Chi Minh City into the green heart of southern Vietnam. You visit Vinh Trang Pagoda, cruise the Mekong River by motorboat, glide along coconut-lined canals by sampan and enjoy a local lunch, then explore a Ben Tre village by tuk-tuk and bicycle. Hotel pickup, boat trips, fruit, water and lunch are included on all options, in a shared group, a small group or a limousine. Ideal for a relaxed, scenic day.
Highlights
- Cruise the Mekong River by motorboat and travel canals by traditional sampan
- Visit Vinh Trang Pagoda, a colourful temple with large Buddha statues
- Stop at Unicorn Islet for tropical fruit, honey tea and folk music
- Discover Ben Tre, the coconut land of the delta, with a tuk-tuk ride and village cycling
- Vietnamese lunch included, with vegan options available
- Pickup and drop-off from central hotels in District 1
- Choose a shared group, a small group of up to 12 or a limousine of up to 9 guests
Full Description
The Mekong Delta and the Mekong River
The Mekong Delta is southern Vietnam's watery lowland, where the great river splits into branches before reaching the sea. It feeds the country with rice, fruit and fish, and life here still moves along rivers and canals. A Mekong Delta day tour is the easiest way to see it from Ho Chi Minh City.
You leave the city in the morning and reach the delta after a comfortable drive, then board a motorboat for a cruise on the mighty Mekong River. Expect wide brown water, floating fish farms, working boats and low green islands. The best time to visit the Mekong Delta is the drier months, but the tour runs all year.
Vinh Trang Pagoda in My Tho
Vinh Trang Pagoda is one of the best-known temples in the delta, dating from the nineteenth century and blending Vietnamese, Khmer and European architectural touches. Its garden is dotted with large Buddha statues, including a reclining Buddha and a laughing Buddha, and the halls are peaceful early in the day.
Guests who search for the pagoda's opening hours will find they change with the season, so our guide plans a short visit to fit the day. Dress modestly with shoulders and knees covered, and take off your shoes where signs ask.
Sampan ride, Unicorn Islet and the canals
Next comes what many call the highlight of a Mekong Delta boat trip: a sampan ride along narrow canals shaded by nipa palms, with local boatwomen rowing the small wooden boats. It is quiet, slow and a good moment to watch riverside life pass by.
At Unicorn Islet you sit down for tropical fruit, honey tea and traditional folk music, followed by a local lunch with vegan options available. The stop is relaxed and gives you time to chat with your guide about food, farming and daily life in the delta.
Ben Tre, the coconut kingdom, by tuk-tuk and bicycle
In the afternoon you continue to Ben Tre, known as the coconut kingdom of the Mekong Delta. You see how coconuts are processed into traditional products, and learn how families here have relied on the palms for generations.
The village is best explored slowly. A tuk-tuk ride and an easy cycle along quiet lanes take you past gardens, canals and small houses. If you have wondered what a Mekong Delta day trip with cycling is like, expect flat paths and a gentle pace. You return to Ho Chi Minh City around 4:30 to 5:00 PM.
Itinerary
- Hotel pickupPickup from central hotels in District 1 between 7:30 and 8:00 AM.
- Drive to the deltaA comfortable drive south with commentary from your English-speaking guide.
- Vinh Trang PagodaA short visit to the temple gardens and halls.
- Motorboat on the MekongCruise the river towards the islands.
- Sampan rideGlide along narrow canals under nipa palms.
- Unicorn Islet and lunchTropical fruit, honey tea and folk music, followed by a Vietnamese lunch.
- Ben Tre villageCoconut-making demonstration, tuk-tuk ride and easy cycling.
- Return to Ho Chi Minh CityArrive back around 4:30 to 5:00 PM.
What's included
- Transport by air-conditioned vehicle
- English-speaking tour guide
- Boat trips and travel insurance
- Tropical fruit and bottled water
- Vietnamese lunch (vegan options available)
- Tuk-tuk ride and cycling through the local village
- Pickup and drop-off from central hotels in District 1
Not included
- Tips and gratuities
- Personal expenses
Not suitable for
- Travellers who cannot manage a few hours of gentle walking and cycling
- Wheelchair users, because boarding boats and village paths are uneven
- Guests who prefer a fast-moving day, as the pace is deliberately relaxed
Meeting point
Pickup and drop-off are included from central hotels in District 1, at about 7:30 to 8:00 AM, with the exact time confirmed after booking. If your hotel is outside the pickup area, meet at the tour office at 123 Ly Tu Trong Street, Ben Thanh Ward, District 1.
Important information
- Wear light, comfortable clothes and closed shoes suitable for cycling
- Bring sunscreen, a hat, insect repellent and a small amount of cash for souvenirs
- Dress modestly at the pagoda, with shoulders and knees covered
- Tell us about vegan or dietary needs at booking so lunch can be arranged
- Confirmation with your pickup time is sent within a few hours of booking
- Boats, tuk-tuk and cycling are included; tips and personal expenses are not
Good to know
Frequently Asked Questions
Straight answers to what travellers ask us most, before they book.
How much does the Mekong Delta day tour cost?
The price depends on the option you choose. The booking panel on this page shows the current price for each option, for adults and children.
Is hotel pickup included?
Yes, pickup and drop-off from central hotels in District 1 are included on every option. If your hotel is outside the pickup area, you meet at our tour office.
How long is the Mekong Delta tour?
About 9 hours in total, with pickup around 7:30 AM and return to Ho Chi Minh City by roughly 4:30 to 5:00 PM.
Is the tour suitable for children?
Yes, children join with a child rate for ages 10 and under. The boat rides are gentle and cycling is easy, though smaller children can share a bike or ride in the tuk-tuk.
What should I wear and bring?
Light clothes, comfortable closed shoes, sunscreen, a hat and insect repellent. Cover shoulders and knees when visiting the pagoda.
Is lunch included?
Yes, a Vietnamese lunch is included on every option, with vegan options available. Tropical fruit, honey tea and a bottle of water are included too.
Can I book for today or tomorrow?
Availability depends on the date and option. The booking panel shows which days are open, so choose the earliest one and we will email your pickup time after booking.
What is the difference between the options?
The itinerary is the same. The standard option is a shared group of up to 25 guests, the small-group option is limited to 12 and the limousine option carries up to 9 guests with a slightly later start.
What is a sampan?
A sampan is a small traditional wooden boat rowed along narrow canals. On this tour you ride one through peaceful waterways lined with palms.
Are the boat trips and travel insurance included?
Yes, all boat trips and travel insurance are included, together with the tuk-tuk ride and village cycling.
