Would you like to discover the Mekong Delta and fully immerse yourself in its charm, culture and unique people? Our Mekong Delta in 4 days or 5 days tour has been carefully put together to show you the best of this fascinating region.
Why visit the Mekong Delta in 4 days to 5 days?
The Mekong Delta, criss-crossed by an inextricable network of canals and rivers, is home to verdant islands teeming with lush vegetation. Its favourable climate and topography have given rise to a fertile and generous land. In the heart of this vast region, similarities emerge as you travel from one province to the next, creating a unique picture of life along the water. Yet each place has its own special charm. We have selected and combined places and activities that will allow you to discover the beauty of the delta in all its splendour, whether on foot, by bike or by rowing boat.
In addition to the lively floating markets, unique in their kind, and the sumptuous orchards that will delight your taste buds, you will enjoy unforgettable moments of change. You’ll visit emblematic traditional temples, meet craftsmen in their workshops and board boats to explore the rich biodiversity of the aquatic and bird sanctuary… To take full advantage of so much that the Mekong Delta has to offer, we recommend you spend 4 to 5 days here. Follow us to make sure you don’t miss a thing, with an itinerary that can be customised to suit your time and expectations!
5 days Mekong Delta exploration itinerary
Day 1: Saigon – Ben Tre – Vung Liem
Morning:
From Ho Chi Minh City, you arrive in Ben Tre after around 2 hours’ drive. The typical landscape of the Mekong delta is gradually revealed, charming in its simplicity and freshness, with rows of lush green coconut palms everywhere. The rowing boat is the essential means of transport for exploring Ben Tre, and will accompany you on most of your excursions in the delta provinces. It’s so relaxing to glide along in a boat amid the thousands of coconut trees that line the canals and islets! All you hear is the lapping of the oars and the rustle of the palm trees.
One of the must-do activities at Ben Tre is a visit to the fruit orchards. Nicknamed the ‘land of coconut palms’, Ben Tre is home to some of the largest orchards in the delta, notably in Cho Lach and Tan Phu. Thanks to a dense network of canals, rivers and a constant supply of fertile silt, the fruit trees here are lush and bursting with tasty fruit. Take advantage of this peaceful setting to pick your own tropical fruit: clementines, rambutans, grapefruits, longans, guavas, oranges, mangoes, plums, etc.
Afterwards, delve into the heart of local craftsmanship by visiting one of the many family-run factories. Don’t miss the unique experience of handcrafted coconut sweets, a Ben Tre speciality. Other craft villages are also worth a visit to learn more about making rice cakes in My Long or basketry in Phuoc Tuy.
Alternatively, a stop at an old brickworks is a great way to satisfy your curiosity about local know-how. Between two visits, sample some seasonal fruit and savour a honey tea as the locals do. To save time, you can sometimes take a rustic motorised vehicle to get around the small surrounding villages.
Lunch in a local restaurant is an opportunity to savour local specialities, including the unmissable crispy elephant ear fish. The fried fish is served with vermicelli, rice cakes and aromatic vegetables, creating a unique and tasty roll.
Afternoon:
Embark on a sampan to explore the canals and discover the hidden charms of the region. Bamboo footbridges, or ‘monkey bridges’ as they are called by the locals, are everywhere and provide a fun challenge for visitors. Afterwards, stop off to visit an old house with traditional southern Vietnamese architecture.
In the late afternoon, drive to Vung Liem, about 1 hour’s drive from Ben Tre, known for its coconut and sedge plantations, the largest in Vinh Long province. This peaceful region is surrounded by two rivers, the Co Chien and the Mang Thit. For total immersion in local life, opt for a homestay in a small hamlet in Vung Liem. Prepare dinner with your host and enjoy simple, authentic dishes – an unforgettable experience, especially for a family trip.
Day 2: Vung Liem – Sa Dec – Long Xuyen
Morning:
Start with a 5km bike ride to an area not yet frequented by tourists, Quoi Thien Island. Located on the Co Chien River, this peaceful island in Vung Liem commune, near Tra Vinh, retains its rustic beauty with countless lush orchards. Pedal along the village’s shady paths, visit a local house to see how traditional pancakes (‘banh xeo’) are made and have lunch with the locals. Take the opportunity to chat with your host and rest before getting back on the road.
Afternoon drive:
Departure for Sa Dec (Dong Thap) for over 3 hours by car. This town offers a colourful landscape with fields of multicoloured flowers, ornamental trees and centuries-old traditional crafts. Immerse yourself in the heart of a farm and let yourself be transported by a symphony of colours and scents. Sa Dec, the flower capital of the South, will reveal its horticultural treasures.
Following in the footsteps of Marguerite Duras, you will discover her primary school, a reminder of her Indochinese childhood. Then push open the doors of her lover’s house, a place steeped in romance and nostalgia.
To round off the day in style, visit the Kien An Cung pagoda, a century-old architectural gem established by the Chinese community. Before continuing on to Long Xuyen, let the serenity of this sacred site, recognised as a national historic site, soak you in.
Day 3: Long Xuyen – Chau Doc
Morning:
Embark early in the morning on a boat and navigate the peaceful waters to discover the floating market of Long Xuyen, a small authentic market that takes place very early in the morning. Admire the colourful boats loaded with fresh fruit, local produce and other goods. Continue the morning with a bike ride along the village roads towards Ong Ho Island, around 7 km from Long Xuyen town. On the way, visit a traditional craft village where you can watch local artisans practise their trade, whether it be carpentry, blacksmithing, mat weaving or brick making.
Afternoon:
Take the road to Chau Doc for approximately 1.5 hours. On the way, stop off at the Tra Su forest, a nature reserve with a wealth of flora and fauna. Take a boat trip through the mangrove forest, home to over a hundred plant species and dozens of animal species. At the end of the day, settle into Chau Doc for the night and enjoy the peaceful atmosphere of this border town.
Day 4: Chau Doc – Can Tho
Morning:
Start your day exploring the peaceful and fertile Chau Doc region, a living canvas of many colours. Drive along the vast fields cultivated using Khmer techniques, against a backdrop of Sam Mountain and the idyllic Bung Binh Thien lake.
Embark on a cruise to the floating fish-farming village of Chau Doc, made up of tightly-packed houseboats forming a floating village 10 km long. Visit these rustic houseboats and immerse yourself in the culture of life on the water. Learn from the locals about fish farming techniques and feed them directly from the houseboats.
Afternoon:
Immerse yourself in the culture of the Cham people in Chau Doc by exploring one of their villages. Admire the hand-made silk weavings and discover the stilt houses of the Chams in the village of Chau Giang, finely designed to offer a wide, airy space in harmony with nature.
An Giang is also full of shrines and chapels. Don’t miss the Mubarak Mosque, a national heritage site not far from the village of Chau Giang. Admire the splendour of this building on a short walk. Continue your afternoon with a visit to a unique religious building, such as the Tay An pagoda, which combines southern Vietnamese architecture with distinctive Indian influences. If time permits, visit the Ba Chua Xu temple, a popular pilgrimage site dedicated to the patron goddess of the Vietnamese people.
Then take the 2-hour drive to Can Tho, the Mekong Delta’s most dynamic city.
Day 5: Can Tho
Morning:
Rise early to begin a float trip to the Cai Rang floating market and immerse yourself in the hustle and bustle of the Mekong Delta’s icon. It’s a sight to behold every day, but the impressions are always captivating.
Continue with a bike ride through the villages and orchards, punctuated by fun stops at a craft workshop specialising in making rice cakes, conical hats, basketry and net weaving. This is also an opportunity to take a gourmet break in one of the tropical fruit orchards at My Khanh, Phung Hiep, O Mon or Thot Not.
Afternoon:
Would you like to observe the daily life of the typical colourful market places? Visit one of the markets that come alive day and night on the shores of Can Tho, Tay An, An Lac, An Binh or Xuan Khanh, which are a delight for locals and visitors alike. For bird lovers, take the time to visit the Bang Lang ornithological reserve, home to around twenty species of heron and other rare birds such as herons, pelicans, cuckoos, egrets, etc.
Round off your 5 days in the Mekong Delta by enjoying the fresh air along Ninh Kieu quay, a lively symbol of the riverside city, strolling along the river and enjoying dinner on a boat before immersing yourself in the vibrant atmosphere of the night market.
Where to stay in the Mekong Delta?
Below are a few good places to spend the night during your 4 or 5-day trip through the Mekong Delta:
Hotel in Ben Tre
Affordable hotels: Diamond Star hotel, Mango Home Riverside, Ben Tre Riverside Resort…
>> Budget: from 46 to 49 USD
Homestay in Vinh Long
Mekong Pottery Homestay, Ut Trinh Homestay, Miss Hai Homestay and Homestay Hai Cuong in Vung Liêm
>> Budget: around 45 USD
Hotel in Chau Doc, An Giang
Affordable hotels: Yen Chau, Chau Pho, Chau Khuong…
>> Budget: from 39 to 49 USD
Victoria Nui Sam lodge: around 80 USD
Hotel in Can Tho
> Budget: from 48 to 198 USD
+ 5 stars: Sheraton, Muong Thanh, Azerai…
+ 4 stars: Iris Nam Bo Boutique, Con Khuong Resort, Victoria Can Tho Resort, Can Tho Ecolodge…
Often included as an extension to a trip to Ho Chi Minh City, a stay in the Mekong Delta can be extended to discover the treasures of neighbouring Laos and Cambodia. An adventure rich in discovery and emotion lasting 2 to 3 weeks or more is strongly recommended by our experts. Get inspired by our most beautiful tours for your next trip.
Happy reading and see you soon!
