Mekong Delta Tour — My Tho & Ben Tre, Mekong River

07:30 – 08:00 | Pick up at Saigon
Our vehicle 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 Southern Vietnam.

09:30 | Vinh Trang Pagoda — unique Asian-European architecture
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 amidst lush gardens, intricately carved gates. You have time to take photos and learn about Southern Buddhism.

10:00 | Board motorboat on Tien River
Arrive at My Tho boat pier, board a motorboat to start the 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.

10:30 | Islet experience — fruits & honey tea
The boat docks at a lush islet. Walk into the fruit orchard and enjoy seasonal fruits: red rambutan, purple mangosteen, fragrant durian (summer), sweet Hoa Loc mango. Sit under the trees, sip pure honey tea, and listen to don ca tai tu — UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage. Local artists perform rustic folk music, telling stories of love and life on the river.

12:00 | Mekong Delta lunch
Lunch at a local restaurant or eco-tourism area. Typical Mekong Delta menu: crispy fried elephant ear fish — whole fish fried golden, served with rice paper rolls, vermicelli, fresh herbs, and sweet-sour fish sauce; sour fish soup with taro stems, bean sprouts, and pineapple; mango salad with dried shrimp; steamed rice; fresh fruit for dessert. A rustic but flavorful meal, very characteristic of the Mekong Delta.

13:00 | Rowboat through Ben Tre coconut canals
Cross to Ben Tre — the "coconut land" of the Mekong Delta. Transfer to a small rowboat (3-4 people per boat) rowed by locals. The boat weaves through narrow canals lined with lush green coconut palms — sunlight filters through the fronds, creating shimmering patterns on the water. The atmosphere is incredibly peaceful, with only the sound of oars, birdsong, and wind rustling through the leaves. Many guests say this is their favorite part of the tour.

14:00 | Coconut candy workshop
The boat docks, and you visit a coconut candy production facility — the most famous specialty of Ben Tre. See the handmade process: from grated coconut, cooked with sugar, cut into pieces, wrapped in thin rice paper. You taste warm fresh coconut candy straight from the oven — sweet, creamy, and fragrant, completely different from packaged coconut candy sold in supermarkets. You can also buy coconut candy, coconut oil, coconut cosmetics, and handicrafts as souvenirs.

15:00 | Free time to explore & relax
Free time: stroll around the village, drink fresh coconut water, take a horse cart or electric car ride (depending on location). Then the boat takes you back to the main pier.

15:30 | Depart for Saigon
The vehicle picks you up at the pier and departs for Saigon. On the way back, you can nap or look through the beautiful photos of the day.

17:00 – 17:30 | Arrive in Saigon — tour ends
The vehicle drops you at your hotel or a central point. A full day with the Mekong Delta — you now have memories of a gentle, rustic land full of Southern Vietnamese hospitality.