The Mekong river reminds me of my 7th-grade Geography teacher, who influenced me early in life to realize my passion for traveling. Since then, I have fallen in love with discovering exciting places like Vietnam and continue going. So, here I am after 30 years since the first lesson on the mighty Mekong River. Finally, I will see Asia’s longest river, where it meets the ocean after a long journey through six different countries. I am sharing my trip story to Mekong Delta from Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon).
A day trip to Mekong Delta was the perfect way to start my southern Vietnam adventure and experience the countryside. That is where the great river splits into trails of canals, waterways, and leading through islands, one of the most beautiful places to visit while in Vietnam. Besides its rich culture and natural beauty, I enjoyed visiting floating markets, local cuisines, and locally produced delicious tropical fruits.
How to Get There
By Bus from Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) to Can Tho (Mekong Delta)
A bus is the most popular way to get to Mekong Delta. Futa (Phuong Trang) Bus Line is one of the well-known bus operators that is highly recommended. My Tho is only 72 km, about 2 hours drive from Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon), which makes it one of the most popular destinations for day-trippers. My Tho is also the traditional gateway to the Mekong Delta region.
Trip Activities in Mekong Delta
The tour bus was pretty full of mostly foreign tourists. After dealing with the city traffic jam, our bus finally saw some daylight and started cruising at a decent speed. In about 2 hours, we arrived at the My Tho Pier, then transferred to a motorboat and headed towards the delta.
Boat Trip Through The Canals
Our boat cruised through the winding canals between lines of coconut trees, palm trees, and mangrove forests and had to duck occasionally to avoid being hit by the tree branches. I was trying to enjoy the moment, knowing that not all parts of the tour would be as enjoyable as it is. I hate to waste time going to outlet centers for coconut candies, wine, or tea, but what can I do? It was part of the package tour, and I don’t blame them, as they also need to make some extra bucks.
We were Dropped off at an island and had to walk a while until we reached the location where we would have our lunch. The set menu was not so impressive, but there was an option for a special order to cook, such as wild chicken, fish out of the pond, etc. But I skipped all those fun parts and instead explored the island for better experiences.
Boat Trip Through The Narrow Canal
Another exciting part was when we went for a canoe ride through beautiful waterways and narrow canals and experienced the same Mekong I saw and read about in my 7th-grade classroom. I also enjoyed the Vietnamese music show and a variety of colorful local fruits.
Day trips such as this are definitely going to feel ‘touristy,’ but when you think about the peaceful narrow canals, coconut trees, beautiful green Nipa palm trees, Canoeing through the mangrove forest, colorful boats, moos flowing over water will undoubtedly fall in love with this area.
If you are heading to Vietnam and considering going to Mekong Delta, I highly recommend an organized guided trip or plan a self-guided tour for those with plenty of time and no restrictions.
Best Time To Visit Mekong Delta
The dry season is an excellent time to visit the Mekong Delta area, usually between October – December and April – May. However, the rains should not prevent you from visiting this area. In contrast, rain may bring you an unusual experience of your lifetime.
Where To Stay In Can Tho
Boutique Lodge Can Tho Homestay, Đường 61C, Can Tho
This homestay is located in a great location in Can Tho. People love to stay here to discover village life, fishing, and other exciting activities.
Bamboo Eco Village, Phong Dien District, Can Tho
Bamboo Eco Village is about 3.1 miles from Cai Rang Floating Market by a beautiful canal. It is a great place to stay on your Mekong delta trip.
My Opinion and Tips
Have you been to Mekong Delta? Any additional tips to share?
Please leave a comment below! I’d love to hear from you to improve my knowledge.
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