Anyone traveling to Vietnam must make a trip to the Mekong Delta. The Mekong Delta Tours from Ho Chi Minh offer visitors a rare glimpse of this region’s lush landscapes, winding waterways, and colorful local life. After having experienced those tours myself, I can confidently tell that taking the proper tour is crucial to a fantastic getaway.
The Mekong Delta (Nine Dragon Delta) is the region in southwestern Vietnam in which the Mekong River approaches and empties into the sea through a network of distributaries. There are also 12 provinces across the Mekong River delta, known for its rice paddies, fruit orchards, and fish farms. A paradise for nature lovers and culture enthusiasts alike.
Highlights of the area are the many floating markets where local people buy and sell, especially this time of year, fruits and vegetables fresh from their boats. The traditional music shows are another draw, affording a fine dose of culture. Visits to the nearby workshops to learn the process of making coconut candies and rice paper. On top of that, the region’s numerous ecosystems – from bird sanctuaries and flooded forests – offer jaw-dropping beauty.
Cai Be Floating Market
We left Ho Chi Minh City early in the morning. Traveling for just over 2 hours, it was not too long to enjoy the rural scenery in between the drive to Cai Be. Soon thereafter we made it to the busy Cai Be Floating Market, a wonderfully colorful chaos of goods and trade! While that market is no longer the hub it once was, it does serve as a fascinating window into the local culture.
Another unique experience we had during this tour was listening to traditional music while sampling fresh tropical fruits. The music, an intangible cultural heritage recognized by UNESCO, was mesmerizing We then had a quiet rowing boat excursion through the water coconut canals, both peaceful and beautiful.
For lunch, we were treated to the culinary delights of a local village and with authentic Vietnamese lunch. Off lunch, we stopped by the local work plant and observed how to make some of the traditional crafts like infancy & rice crackers. It made our tour slightly educational obviously because of the hands-on experience. After a long day, we hopped in the van for a nap on the way back to Ho Chi Minh City, arriving in the early evening.
Highlights and Unique Experiences:
Tien River
After from Saigon, we took another tour to Ben Tre and My Tho. We hopped on a boat at the Tien River and enjoyed views of the verdant surroundings and arrived at unique islands like Turtle Island, Phoenix Island, Dragon Island, and Unicorn Island along the way. All of them had some charm and top destinations across all of the islands.
Visiting local orchards to indulge in fresh fruit tasting, and ended the day with a music performance complemented with cultural ritual. Each day we visited local workshops like the coconut candy-making shop where we learned how to cut and make traditional coconut candies. The perfect balance of scenery and culture in the Mekong Delta.
Highlights and Unique Experiences:
Cai Rang Floating Market
This two-day tour to Can Tho and the Cai Rang Floating Market was a highlight of the trip. We left Ho Chi Minh City and stopped in Cai Be for a sight of the floating market, then had lunch at a family spot. The last stop for the day was Can Tho, a lovely riverside town famed for its lively markets and scrumptious food.
The following morning we went to the Cai Rang Floating Market, the biggest in the Mekong Delta. The place was busy with locals trading goods from boat to boat. We also visited farms in the area and ate fruit fresh from the trees. What better way to experience the everyday life and culture of the Mekong Delta than with this tour?
Highlights and Unique Experiences:
Tra su Cajuput forest
Our three-day getaway to Chau Doc and Tra Su Cajuput forest was a trip full of wilderness and cultural understanding. Our first visit took us to the Cai Be Floating Market and then on to an overnight stay in Can Tho. The following day we spent the entire day exploring the Cai Rang Floating Market (longer post on that next time) before we rode some more onto Chau Doc.
I would stop along the way, at such bird havens as the Tra Su Cajuput Forest near Chau Doc, containing a wealth of birdlife. Among the highlights was the boat trip through the canals of the forest where you could see some of the interesting species of tropical birds up close as if you were in a botanical garden. We visited local villages as well as fish farms which gave us a very good understanding of life in the Mekong Delta.
Highlights and Unique Experiences:
A common compliment among travelers is that Impress Travel is a small operator focusing much more on providing personal service. Mekong Delta Tours from Ho Chi Minh are customized for the greatest attention to detail and the most personalized adventure each time, ensuring that the tours remain as unique, engaging, and unforgettable as the next.
Lockie’s Mekong River Tour: “I joined Lockie’s tour with my friend, and it was fantastic. Lockie explained Vietnamese history and even sang some traditional songs. His explanations were easy to understand and added so much value to our experience. This tour made my day!"
Nice Day with Tommy: “Tommy was super nice, fun, and professional. Although it was a typical tourist tour, it was quite enjoyable and safe. The local food was delicious and affordable, and there were many stalls to buy souvenirs."
Family Trip with Mr. Lu: “We had a great experience with Mr. Lu as our guide. He was very kind, spoke good English, and was quite funny. We were offered food throughout the trip to taste, which added to the experience. Highly recommended!"
Favorite Day in Vietnam: “Such an amazing day, definitely recommend! We were kept busy and entertained the whole day with lots to see and do. Our tour guide was knowledgeable, and we learned a lot about Vietnam and its culture."
Selecting the best Mekong Delta Tours from Ho Chi Minh, and you could experience the best of the world. Each tour provides an essential aspect of the colorful culture and rich beauty of the Mekong Delta, whether you fancy a 1-day adventure or multi-day in-depth exploration. Times are enjoyed in a life time so I recommend spending time in this beautiful place which will remain within you life long. Don’t forget to regularly follow our Fanpage for more interesting information about traveling the Mekong and to book Mekong Tours at the best prices.
