The Mekong Delta, with its simple, bountiful beauty, has always been an attractive destination for tourists with its sweet fruit gardens, intricate canal systems, and honest, hospitable people. In recent years, backpacking by motorbike has become increasingly popular, especially for those who want to explore the Mekong Delta fully and freely. Are you ready for an exciting and memorable motorbike backpacking trip across the Mekong Delta? Let’s explore helpful experiences and tips to make your trip even more perfect.
Mekong Delta – The Land of Nine Dragons with Endless Wonders
The Mekong Delta, also known as the Mekong River Delta, is not only Vietnam’s largest rice granary but also a treasure trove of unique culture and tourism. This area is nourished by the nine branches of the Mekong River, creating a dense system of rivers and canals, bringing a distinctive riverine landscape and a unique riverine culture.
Coming to the Mekong Delta, you will immerse yourself in the green space of lush fruit gardens, freely enjoying fresh fruits such as Hoa Loc mango, Lo Ren star apple, Ri6 durian, rambutan, longan… You will also have the opportunity to explore unique floating markets, where bustling trading activities take place on the water, experience the simple life of the locals, and enjoy attractive Mekong Delta specialties.
The Mekong Delta is also a place that preserves long-standing historical and cultural values, with ancient relics, unique traditional festivals, and traditional craft villages. You can visit ancient Khmer pagodas with unique architecture, learn about the art of “Don ca tai tu” (Southern Vietnamese folk music), visit villages making rice paper, weaving mats, making pottery… All of these create a colorful and captivating picture of the Mekong Delta.
Introduction to the Mekong Delta region of Vietnam
Why Choose a Motorbike for Your Mekong Delta Backpacking Trip?
Motorbikes have long been a familiar and ideal means of transportation for backpacking trips, especially when exploring the Mekong Delta. So what makes motorbikes so popular?
Advantages of Motorbiking in the Mekong Delta
- Freedom and Flexibility: Motorbikes offer absolute freedom in terms of time and itinerary. You can actively explore every corner of the Mekong Delta, stop anywhere to admire the scenery, take photos, or simply enjoy the fresh air. Not being bound by the schedule of tours, you are completely in control of your journey.
- Cost-Effective: Compared to traveling by car or plane, motorbikes are a much more cost-effective means of transportation. The cost of gasoline, motorbike maintenance, and food along the way is usually lower, helping you minimize the financial burden of your trip.
- Close Experience with Nature and Local Culture: When traveling by motorbike, you will immerse yourself in the beautiful nature of the Mekong Delta, feel the cool breeze, admire the green rice paddies, and the gentle rivers. You can also easily interact and chat with locals, learn about their culture, customs, and daily life.
- Explore Unique Roads: The Mekong Delta has many beautiful and interesting roads, especially small riverside roads, winding country roads, and roads through melaleuca forests. Traveling by motorbike will help you fully explore these roads and enjoy memorable driving experiences.
Challenges of Motorbiking in the Mekong Delta and How to Overcome Them
Besides the advantages, motorbiking in the Mekong Delta also has certain challenges. However, with careful preparation, you can completely overcome them and enjoy your trip safely and excitingly.
- Weather: The Mekong Delta has a tropical monsoon climate, with hot sun and heavy rain. You need to prepare raincoats, sun jackets, sunscreen, and items to protect your skin from the effects of the weather. You should follow the weather forecast before your trip and choose a suitable time.
- Traffic: The traffic network in the Mekong Delta is quite diverse, from national highways, provincial roads to rural roads, and dirt roads. You need to get used to traveling on many different types of roads, pay attention to observation, and comply with traffic laws. In some rural areas, roads can be narrow and bumpy, requiring careful driving and reduced speed.
- Health: A motorbike backpacking trip can be long and tiring, especially when traveling in hot weather. You need to ensure good health before the trip, get enough sleep, eat fully, and bring necessary medicines. You should break down the travel distance to avoid overexertion and have reasonable rest time.
- Motorbike Safety: The motorbike is your main means of transport throughout the journey, so it is necessary to ensure that the motorbike is always in good working condition. Check the motorbike thoroughly before the trip, perform regular maintenance, bring a basic motorbike repair kit, and know how to handle minor incidents on the road.
Should you go motorbike backpacking in the Mekong Delta?
“Golden” Tips For a Perfect Mekong Delta Motorbike Backpacking Trip
To have a memorable and smooth motorbike backpacking trip across the Mekong Delta, you need to equip yourself with the following experiences and tips:
Prepare Light and Sufficient Luggage
- Personal and Vehicle Documents: ID card/Citizen ID, driver’s license, vehicle registration certificate are indispensable documents.
- Clothes: Choose comfortable, sweat-absorbent, quick-drying clothes. Bring a jacket and raincoat to cope with erratic weather.
- Personal Items: Sunscreen, sunglasses, hat, mask, personal hygiene items, basic medicines (cold medicine, stomachache medicine, motion sickness medicine…).
- Repair Tools: Mini motorbike repair kit, tire pump, spare inner tube (if possible).
- Map or Navigation App: Even with Google Maps, a paper map is still useful in case there is no internet connection.
- Cash: You should bring enough cash to spend on food, gasoline, entrance tickets, and other arising costs.
Choose the Ideal Time to Motorbike in the Mekong Delta
The Mekong Delta is beautiful in any season, but each season has its own beauty. Depending on your preferences and desired experiences, you can choose a suitable time:
- Dry Season (December – April of the following year): Dry weather, little rain, favorable for traveling and sightseeing. This is also the fruit season, you can visit fruit gardens and enjoy fresh fruits.
- Summer (May – August): Summer is the peak fruit ripening season, you will be able to freely enjoy Mekong Delta specialty fruits. However, the weather is quite hot, requiring careful preparation to protect your health.
- Flooding Season (September – November): The flooding season brings a unique and distinctive beauty to the Mekong Delta. You can experience boating on flooded fields, visit Tra Su Melaleuca Forest, and enjoy seasonal specialties.
Suggested Attractive Mekong Delta Motorbike Backpacking Routes
There are many routes for you to choose for your Mekong Delta motorbike backpacking journey. Here are some popular and favorite suggestions from many backpackers:
- Route along National Highway 1A: This is the main route, easy to travel and convenient, suitable for those who are new to Mekong Delta motorbiking. You can go along National Highway 1A and visit Tien Giang, Vinh Long, Can Tho, Hau Giang, Soc Trang, Bac Lieu, Ca Mau provinces.
- Coastal Route: If you love the sea, choose the Mekong Delta coastal route. You can go from Go Cong (Tien Giang) down to Tra Vinh, Soc Trang, Bac Lieu, Ca Mau and explore pristine beaches, coastal fishing villages, and enjoy fresh seafood.
- Dong Thap Muoi Exploration Route: For those who love nature and want to explore the Dong Thap Muoi wetland. You can go from Cao Lanh (Dong Thap) to Tram Chim, Gao Giong and explore the pristine beauty of this land.
What to prepare for a Mekong Delta backpacking trip?
Discover Mekong Delta Cuisine on Your Motorbike Trip
Mekong Delta cuisine is an indispensable part of the journey to explore this land. Don’t miss the opportunity to enjoy famous specialties such as:
- Lẩu mắm (Fermented Fish Hotpot): A typical hotpot with the rich flavor of fermented linh fish sauce, combined with seafood, meat, and raw vegetables.
- Lẩu cá kèo (Kèo Fish Hotpot): A refreshing sweet and sour hotpot with fresh kèo fish and country vegetables.
- Bánh xèo (Crispy Pancake): Crispy pancakes with shrimp, meat, bean sprouts filling, served with raw vegetables and sweet and sour fish sauce.
- Hủ tiếu Mỹ Tho (My Tho Noodle Soup): Chewy noodles with rich broth and a variety of toppings.
- Chuột đồng nướng (Grilled Field Mouse): A rustic but unique and attractive dish, especially in the flooding season.
- Dishes made from cá lóc (Snakehead Fish): Grilled snakehead fish, steamed snakehead fish in gourd, braised snakehead fish in clay pot…
Must-Visit Destinations on Your Mekong Delta Motorbike Backpacking Trip
The Mekong Delta has countless attractive destinations, from bustling cities to peaceful countryside. Here are some suggested destinations that you should not miss on your motorbike backpacking trip across the Mekong Delta:
Dong Thap – The Land of Pink Lotus
Dong Thap is famous for its vast lotus fields, lush national parks, and unique historical and cultural relics.
- Tram Chim National Park: Explore the diverse ecosystem of the wetland, see rare birds, and enjoy the pristine natural space.
- Sa Dec Flower Village: Admire the brilliant beauty of thousands of flowers blooming, especially during Tet Nguyen Dan (Lunar New Year).
- Go Thap Relic Area: Learn about the ancient Oc Eo culture and explore valuable archaeological relics.
- My Khanh Tourist Area: Experience the life in a garden, participate in recreational activities, and enjoy specialty cuisine.
Dong ThapDong Thap
Can Tho – The Waterfront City
Can Tho is the economic and cultural center of the Mekong Delta, with the bustling Cai Rang Floating Market, the romantic Ninh Kieu Wharf, and lush fruit gardens.
- Cai Rang Floating Market: Experience the bustling buying and selling atmosphere on the water, enjoy specialties, and watch the sunrise on the floating market.
- Ninh Kieu Wharf: Stroll along Ninh Kieu Wharf, admire the shimmering Can Tho Bridge at night, and enjoy street food.
- Truc Lam Phuong Nam Zen Monastery: Visit the largest Zen monastery in the Mekong Delta with unique architecture and peaceful space.
- Tay Do Night Market: Explore the bustling night market with a variety of goods, cuisine, and entertainment activities.
Can ThoCan Tho
Soc Trang – The Land of Pagodas
Soc Trang is famous for its ancient Khmer pagodas, unique architecture, and distinctive traditional festivals.
- Bat Pagoda (Mahatup Pagoda): Admire the unique architecture and discover the giant bat colony living in the pagoda.
- Chen Kieu Pagoda (Sa Lon Pagoda): Be amazed by the magnificent beauty of the pagoda decorated with bowls and porcelain plates.
- Kh’leang Pagoda: Visit the ancient Khmer pagoda with typical Khmer architecture and peaceful space.
Soc TrangSoc Trang
Ca Mau – The Country’s Southernmost Tip
Ca Mau is the southernmost point of Vietnam, with the mysterious U Minh Ha forest, the sacred Ca Mau Cape, and attractive eco-tourism areas.
- Ca Mau Cape: Check in at the national coordinate landmark, watch the sunrise and sunset on the East Sea and the West Sea.
- U Minh Ha National Park: Explore the mangrove melaleuca forest ecosystem, take a boat trip on canals, and enjoy U Minh forest specialties.
- Hon Da Bac Island: Visit the beautiful island with many pristine beaches, unique natural stacked rocks, and historical relics.
Ca Mau
Other Attractive Destinations
In addition, the Mekong Delta has many other interesting destinations waiting for you to explore:
- Tra Su Melaleuca Forest (An Giang): Take a boat weaving through the green melaleuca forest, watch birds, and enjoy the peaceful space.
- Cai Be Floating Market (Tien Giang): Explore one of the largest floating markets in the Mekong Delta, shop for fruits and local specialties.
- Thoi Son, Tan Phong Islets (Tien Giang): Visit fruit gardens, experience horse-drawn carriage rides on village roads, and enjoy “Don ca tai tu” music.
- Tan Lap Floating Village (Long An): Walk on the path through the melaleuca forest, admire lotuses and water lilies, and enjoy the fresh air.
Other destinationsOther destinations
Suggested 3 Days 2 Nights Mekong Delta Motorbike Backpacking Itinerary
To help you easily plan your trip, here is a suggested 3 days 2 nights motorbike backpacking trip across the Mekong Delta:
Day 1: Ho Chi Minh City – My Tho – Can Tho
- Morning: Depart from Ho Chi Minh City to My Tho (Tien Giang).
- Noon: Arrive in My Tho, have lunch, and visit Vinh Trang Pagoda, Dong Tam Snake Farm.
- Afternoon: Move to Can Tho, check into a hotel and rest.
- Evening: Explore Ninh Kieu Wharf, Tay Do Night Market, and enjoy Can Tho cuisine.
Day 2: Can Tho – Cai Rang Floating Market – Chau Doc
- Morning: Wake up early to visit Cai Rang Floating Market, have breakfast on the boat, and shop for specialties.
- Noon: Return to the hotel, check out, and move to Chau Doc (An Giang). Have lunch on the way.
- Afternoon: Arrive in Chau Doc, check into a hotel, and visit Ba Chua Xu Temple, Thoai Ngoc Hau Tomb.
- Evening: Explore Chau Doc night market and enjoy fermented fish hotpot.
Day 3: Chau Doc – Tra Su Melaleuca Forest – Ho Chi Minh City
- Morning: Visit Tra Su Melaleuca Forest, take a boat to explore the melaleuca forest and watch birds.
- Noon: Have lunch at a restaurant near Tra Su Melaleuca Forest.
- Afternoon: Depart back to Ho Chi Minh City, ending the exciting motorbike backpacking trip across the Mekong Delta.
Suggested itinerary for a complete Mekong Delta motorbike trip
Conclusion
A motorbike backpacking trip across the Mekong Delta is a wonderful journey to explore the natural beauty, culture, and unique cuisine of the Land of Nine Dragons. With careful preparation and an adventurous spirit, you will have a memorable and fulfilling trip. Hope the above experiences and suggestions will help you feel more confident on your journey to explore the Mekong Delta by motorbike. Wishing you a safe and joyful trip!