Mekong Delta Tour — My Tho & Ben Tre, Mekong River
Paddle a sampan, listen to don ca tai tu, and soak in the Mekong river life
Saigon – My Tho – Vinh Trang Pagoda – Tien River – Ben Tre – Coconut Canal – Coconut Candy Village – Saigon
Overview
1-day Mekong tour from Saigon: motorboat on Tien River, rowing boat through Ben Tre coconut palm, enjoy fruits, honey tea, coconut candy. Experience the real Mekong Delta.
Mekong Delta — The Soul of the Mekong River
Just 70km from Saigon, the Mekong Delta opens up a completely different world — where life happens on the water, where lush green coconut palm groves reflect on the canals, where bustling floating markets are busy with boats from early morning, and where locals greet you with warm smiles and sweet fruits.
The 1-day Mekong Delta tour My Tho – Ben Tre is the shortest but most complete journey to experience the Mekong: take a motorboat on the Tien River — the majestic branch of the Mekong, switch to a small rowing boat weaving through coconut palm canals, visit the coconut candy village, enjoy tropical fruits and honey tea, and have lunch with rustic Mekong dishes. This is the best-selling day trip from Saigon — ideal for first-time visitors to the South.
My Tho & Ben Tre — The Coconut Kingdom of the Mekong
The journey starts in My Tho (Tien Giang) — the gateway to the Mekong Delta. You will visit Vinh Trang Pagoda — the largest Buddhist pagoda in Tien Giang with unique Asian-European architecture, then head to the pier to board a boat on the Tien River. From here, you begin to feel the rhythm of river life: boats loaded with fruits, stilt houses along the river, and children waving from afar.
Then to Ben Tre — the "coconut land" of the Mekong. You switch to a small rowing boat weaving through narrow canals lined with lush coconut palms, enjoying the peaceful and fresh atmosphere. After that, visit a coconut candy workshop, taste the freshly made coconut candy still warm, and see how locals make handicrafts from coconut. You will also enjoy seasonal fruits (rambutan, mangosteen, durian, mango...), drink honey tea, and listen to don ca tai tu — a UNESCO intangible cultural heritage.
Highlights
Sampan through coconut palm canal
Paddle a sampan under the lush coconut palm canopy, feeling the peaceful rhythm of the Mekong Delta.
Visit coconut candy workshop
Watch the traditional coconut candy making process and taste the freshly made chewy candies right at the workshop.
Visit honey bee farm – refreshing honey tea
Visit the bee farm, learn about the life of bees, and enjoy a cup of fragrant honey tea.
Bicycle or horse cart in the countryside
Choose to cycle through the village or sit on a horse cart, watching the simple life of Ben Tre locals.
Tropical fruits & don ca tai tu music
Enjoy fresh fruits cut in the garden, and immerse yourself in the sweet melodies of don ca tai tu.
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1
Saigon – My Tho – Ben Tre – Saigon
Car and guide pick you up at your hotel in central District 1 or a meeting point. Depart for My Tho, Tien Giang province. Travel time is about 1.5 – 2 hours through vast green rice fields and the outskirts of Saigon. On the way, the guide introduces the culture of the Mekong Delta, the Mekong River, and the history of the southern region.
First stop: Vinh Trang Pagoda — the largest Buddhist pagoda in Tien Giang. Its special feature is the blend of Vietnamese, Chinese, and Western architecture — giant Buddha statues among lush gardens, and intricately carved gates. You have time to take photos and learn about Buddhism in the South.
At My Tho pier, you board a motorboat and start your journey on the Tien River — one of the main branches of the Mekong. The guide points out the four famous islets: Long, Lan, Quy, Phung — each with its own shape and story. Along the banks are stilt houses, lush fruit orchards, and boats loaded with goods.
The boat docks at a green islet. You walk into the fruit garden and are invited to enjoy seasonal fruits: red rambutan, purple mangosteen, durian (in summer), and sweet Hoa Loc mango. Sitting under the trees, you sip pure honey tea and listen to don ca tai tu — a UNESCO intangible cultural heritage. Local artists perform rustic melodies telling stories of love and life on the river.
Lunch at a local restaurant or eco-tourism area. The menu features Mekong specialties: crispy fried elephant ear fish — the whole fish fried golden, served with rice paper, noodles, fresh herbs, and sweet and sour fish sauce; sour fish soup with mint, bean sprouts, and pineapple; green mango salad with dried shrimp; steamed rice; and fresh fruit for dessert. A simple but flavorful meal typical of the Mekong.
Cross to Ben Tre — the "coconut land" of the Mekong. You switch to a small rowing boat (3-4 people per boat) rowed by locals. The boat weaves through small canals lined with coconut palms — sunlight filters through the leaves, creating shimmering patterns on the water. The atmosphere is surprisingly peaceful, with only the sound of oars, birds, and the rustling of coconut leaves. Many guests say this is the most memorable part of the tour.
The boat docks, and you visit a coconut candy production facility — the most famous specialty of Ben Tre. Watch the traditional process: from grated coconut, cooked with sugar, cut into pieces, and wrapped in thin rice paper. You can taste the freshly made coconut candy still warm — a sweet, creamy flavor different from the packaged ones in supermarkets. You can also buy coconut candy, coconut oil, coconut cosmetics, and handicrafts as souvenirs.
Free time: stroll around the village, drink fresh coconut water, or take a local horse cart or electric car (depending on the spot). Then the boat takes you back to the main pier.
The car picks you up at the pier and departs back to Saigon. On the way, you can take a nap or look back at the beautiful photos of the day.
The car drops you off at your hotel or a central point. A full day with the Mekong Delta — you have memories of a peaceful, rustic, and warm-hearted southern land.
Included / Not Included
Included
- Pick-up and drop-off from Saigon (hotels in central District 1, 3, 4)
- Boat trip on the Tien River and canals
- Sampan ride through coconut palm canals
- Lunch with Mekong specialties (grilled snakehead fish, sour soup, fried shrimp...)
- Fresh tropical fruits and honey tea at the garden
- Vietnamese-speaking guide (English can be added on request)
- Entrance fees and boat, sampan, horse cart/bicycle fees
Not included
- Drinks other than honey tea (beer, soft drinks, etc.)
- Tips for guide and driver
- Personal expenses and souvenir shopping