The Mekong Delta, a fertile region crisscrossed by canals, lush orchards, and home to hospitable people, is always an attractive destination for travelers. Instead of familiar motorbike or car trips, have you ever considered exploring the Mekong Delta by boat? A Mekong Delta boat tour will offer you a completely different experience, closer to nature, and allow you to fully appreciate the unique beauty of the Mekong Delta. Let’s plan a fascinating two-day, one-night Mekong Delta boat tour with “Du lịch khắp thế gian”!
Day 1: My Tho – Ben Tre – Can Tho, Embarking on the Tien River
Our Mekong Delta boat tour begins in My Tho, the gateway city of Tien Giang province, about 70km from Ho Chi Minh City. Just over an hour’s drive from Saigon, you can reach the fertile Mekong Delta. Along the way, the scenery of endless green rice paddies, gentle canals, and simple thatched houses will gradually appear before your eyes, signaling an exciting Mekong Delta exploration ahead. Don’t forget to stop by the poetic Vam Co Dong River to capture memorable moments before officially starting your Mekong Delta boat tour.
Serene Vam Co Dong River
Our first stop in My Tho is Vinh Trang Pagoda, an ancient and famous pagoda in the Mekong Delta. Vinh Trang Pagoda is not only a sacred spiritual site but also a unique architectural work, blending ancient Eastern beauty with modern Western style. After visiting Vinh Trang Pagoda and paying respects to Buddha, we will begin our Mekong Delta boat tour.
From My Tho pier, we will board a boat and start our cruise on the Tien River, one of the two major branches of the Mekong River. The boat gently glides on the water, taking you past lush green islands, peaceful riverside villages, and fruit-laden orchards. Sitting on the boat, you can admire the majestic beauty of the Tien River, see Rach Mieu Bridge – a symbol of Tien Giang province, and listen to the guide introduce the four sacred animals Long – Lan – Quy – Phung (Dragon, Unicorn, Turtle, Phoenix), which are associated with the culture and beliefs of the Mekong Delta people.
Beautiful and sacred Vinh Trang Pagoda
The next destination on our Mekong Delta boat tour is Thoi Son Island (Unicorn Island), one of the four sacred islands of the Mekong Delta. Stepping onto Thoi Son Island, you will immediately feel the difference from the bustling city atmosphere. Thoi Son Island offers a peaceful, fresh space with small, pretty village roads, green orchards, and simple thatched houses. Here, you can stroll along the village road, visit fruit orchards laden with fruit, enjoy fresh fruit picked right from the garden, and explore honey bee farms, enjoying sweet honey lemon tea. In particular, you will have the opportunity to listen to sweet “Don ca tai tu” melodies, a unique traditional art form of Southern Vietnam.
Famous Rach Mieu Bridge
After lunch and relaxation on Thoi Son Island, the Mekong Delta boat tour continues with a unique experience: paddling small composite boats through narrow canals. This is an incredibly interesting and unique experience, helping you explore the pristine, simple beauty of the Mekong Delta waterways. Sitting on a small boat, gently gliding between rows of green water coconut trees, you will feel the peace and tranquility of the river countryside and enjoy the fresh, cool air.
Thoi Son Island
Leaving Thoi Son Island, we will return to the large boat and continue our journey to Ben Tre, the land of green coconut trees. Ben Tre is famous for its vast coconut groves and coconut products. Here, you will have the opportunity to visit a traditional coconut candy factory, witness the coconut candy making process, and make your own delicious, sweet coconut candies. Don’t forget to buy Ben Tre coconut candy as gifts for your loved ones and friends after your Mekong Delta boat trip.
Visiting a famous coconut candy factory
Continuing our exploration of Ben Tre, you will experience a horse-cart ride on Tan Thach village road, a unique and interesting form of transportation. The horse-cart will take you through winding village roads, shaded by green trees, admiring lush fruit orchards and simple thatched houses, feeling the slow, peaceful rhythm of life of the Mekong Delta people.
After that, we will continue by boat to Phuong Island (Phoenix Island), another famous destination in Ben Tre. Phuong Island is not only famous for its pristine natural beauty but also the location of the unique Coconut Religion relic. Here, you can visit the Coconut Religion relic, explore the crocodile farm, and experience exciting crocodile fishing.
Phuong Island
In the afternoon, the boat will take us to Can Tho, the largest city in the Mekong Delta and also the final stop on the first day of our Mekong Delta boat tour. Arriving in Can Tho, you will check into your hotel and rest, preparing energy for exploring Cai Rang Floating Market early the next morning. In the evening, you are free to explore Can Tho at night, enjoy street food, and stroll along the romantic Ninh Kieu Wharf.
Day 2: Can Tho – Cai Rang Floating Market – Journey’s End
The second day of the Mekong Delta boat tour will start very early so you can experience Cai Rang Floating Market, one of the largest and most famous floating markets in the Mekong Delta. Cai Rang Floating Market is a unique cultural feature of the Mekong Delta waterways, where buying and selling activities have taken place on the water for generations.
Early in the morning, as dawn breaks, you will board a boat and start your journey to Cai Rang Floating Market. From afar, you can hear the engine noise of boats, the calls of vendors, and the cheerful laughter. Approaching the floating market, you will be amazed by the bustling scene of hundreds of boats of all sizes loaded with goods, from fruits and vegetables to consumer goods, food, and drinks.
Bustling scene at Cai Rang Floating Market
You will experience the feeling of floating on the water, immersing yourself in the vibrant atmosphere of the floating market, admiring the unique “treo bẹo” boats – a form of product advertising by the Mekong Delta people. Don’t forget to enjoy breakfast on the boat with Mekong Delta specialties such as “hu tieu,” “bun rieu,” “banh canh,” and sip fragrant coffee in the middle of the floating market.
After exploring Cai Rang Floating Market, we will continue to visit a “hu tieu” noodle and rice paper factory, learning about the processing of these specialties. In particular, you will have the opportunity to experience walking on a monkey bridge, a rustic and unique cultural feature of the Mekong Delta.
At noon, after lunch and rest, we will travel back to Can Tho city and end our 2-day, 1-night Mekong Delta boat tour full of memories. Surely, the Mekong Delta boat tour will bring you unforgettable experiences, helping you better understand the natural beauty, culture, and people of the Mekong Delta.
A Mekong Delta boat tour is not just a trip but also a journey to discover culture, experience life, and immerse yourself in nature. Try experiencing a Mekong Delta boat tour once to fully appreciate the unique and captivating beauty of this land of nine dragons!