Mekong Delta Day Tour
From My Tho to Ben Tre, spend a day among broad rivers, small boats and orchards.
Leave Ho Chi Minh City's traffic behind and let the river set the pace. The Tien River opens wide at My Tho, then coconut fronds frame the view as you enter the smaller waterways around Ben Tre. Ride a riverboat, switch to a hand-rowed sampan, visit orchards and a coconut candy workshop, then sit down for a Vietnamese lunch. It is a day for travelers who want to add southern Vietnam's waterside life to their city stay.
- Tour area
- My Tho and Ben Tre area
- Tour pace
- Full day; morning departure and early-evening return
- Main experiences
- Riverboat + hand-rowed sampan
- Included services
- Guide, transfers within the specified areas, lunch and itinerary admission fees
Start on the broad river, then enter palm-lined waterways
The Mekong Delta is vast. This day tour focuses on riverbanks, islands and smaller waterways near My Tho and Ben Tre. Road travel from Ho Chi Minh City takes up part of the day. Once you arrive, changing to a boat lets you see how coconut groves, riverside homes and local industries have grown along the water. An introduction to the delta from Vietnam's official tourism website ↗
Riverboat | River views and life along the banks
The riverboat covers the wider stretches of water. Look beyond the bow toward the banks to spot waterside homes, moorings and passing boats. You will not spend the whole trip in the same type of small boat.
Hand-rowed sampan | Closer to the tributaries and coconut fronds
Switch to a hand-rowed sampan for the narrower waterways. Getting in and out of this small boat differs from boarding the riverboat. If traveling with young children or older adults, confirm in advance whether this is manageable and follow the boat operator's instructions.
Coconut candy, honey tea and fruit bring everyday delta life into focus
The Ben Tre area is closely linked to the coconut industry, and the itinerary includes a coconut candy workshop, honey tea and fruit experiences. Rather than seeing each stop simply as a place to shop, ask your guide how ingredients are processed, how coconuts are used locally, and how orchards and river transport work together.
The trip also introduces southern Vietnamese folk music performed by local people. Sitting down to listen and taste seasonal fruit offers a pause between longer journeys. The fruit served and the order of experiences vary with the season and the day's arrangements. Souvenirs, extra drinks and personal purchases are not included in the tour price.
My Tho, Vinh Trang Pagoda and Ben Tre: how does the day unfold?
For planning, use a departure around 7:30–8:00 in the morning and a return to Ho Chi Minh City around 17:00–17:30 in the early evening as a guide. These are reference times, not guaranteed departure times. Your private tour's meeting time and route order must be confirmed in advance; city traffic and river conditions can extend the day.
- 01
Depart Ho Chi Minh City and visit Vinh Trang Pagoda
After pickup at your confirmed hotel, travel to My Tho. Vinh Trang Pagoda (Vĩnh Tràng) is the temple stop on this route. Walk through the gardens to see the Buddha statues and temple buildings, wearing clothing that is comfortable for walking and respectful of a religious site.
- 02
From the Tien River to islands and tributaries
A riverboat takes you through the waterways around My Tho, followed by island stops and a hand-rowed sampan ride according to the route. Turtle Island (Cồn Quy) and the area around Ben Tre fall within the tour's stated experience area; the actual stops depend on your confirmed arrangements.
- 03
Lunch, orchards, coconut candy and local crafts
One Vietnamese lunch is included. Orchards, honey tea, a coconut candy workshop and southern Vietnamese folk music connect the day's experiences, offering a look at local farming and riverside life. The restaurant and menu are confirmed when arrangements are made.
- 04
Return to the pier and drive back to Ho Chi Minh City
Begin the return journey after the boat rides. Keep dinner and evening plans flexible, especially if rain, waits to board or disembark, or city traffic cause delays. Avoid leaving too little time between activities.
Check mobility needs when traveling with children or older adults
Switching between land and water is part of this route's appeal. It also means getting in and out of vehicles and boats several times, plus short walks. Please mention strollers, knee discomfort, assistance needs or wheelchair use in advance. Boats, piers and paths at the sites need to be checked individually; this is not a fully accessible journey.
Bring these essentials instead of bulky luggage
- Comfortable shoes with good grip; follow staff instructions when boarding and leaving boats.
- Sun protection, insect repellent and light rain gear, plus waterproof storage for your phone.
- Your everyday personal essentials and a reasonable amount of backup drinking water. Drinking water during the tour is included; extra drinks are paid separately.
- If you are allergic to honey, nuts or other foods, let us know in advance and avoid tastings with unconfirmed ingredients.
Before boarding, check life jackets and equipment suitable for children. Sit securely as instructed by the boat operator and do not stand up suddenly while the boat is moving. If weather or river conditions affect activities, discuss feasible adjustments for the day with your guide.
What is included, and what do you pay for separately?
Included
- Hotel pickup and drop-off within Bến Thành and Bến Nghé.
- A Chinese- or English-speaking guide, according to your selected package.
- 1 Vietnamese lunch, with the restaurant and menu confirmed according to arrangements.
- First-entry admission to the attractions on the itinerary.
- Riverboat and hand-rowed sampan fares for the listed itinerary.
- Drinking water and cold towels during the tour.
- Taxes and card processing fees.
Pay separately / confirm in advance
- Souvenirs, gifts and personal expenses.
- Meals and drinks beyond the included meal.
- Tips for guides, drivers and other service staff.
- Activities not listed in the itinerary and additional requests.
- For addresses outside the transfer areas or special vehicle requirements, confirm arrangements and fees in advance.
“All-inclusive” refers to the guide, transfers, meal, admission and taxes and fees listed above. Check prices before buying gifts or ordering extra drinks.
Choose by group size and guide language
All prices below are in VND per person, including taxes and card processing fees, and are shown as whole numbers. Chinese- and English-speaking guide options have separate prices. If you choose the Chinese-language package, no additional Chinese-speaking guide fee is required.
| Group size | Chinese-speaking guide | English-speaking guide |
|---|---|---|
| 1 person | 4,343,750 | 3,822,917 |
| 2–3 people | 2,208,333 | 2,104,167 |
| 4–5 people | 1,687,500 | 1,531,250 |
| 6–12 people | 1,270,833 | 1,218,750 |
| 13–17 people | 1,166,667 | 1,062,500 |
| 18–27 people | 1,062,500 | 1,010,417 |
If the full table is not visible on your phone, swipe horizontally to compare both guide language options.
Prices compiled on November 5, 2026. Availability must be confirmed for your departure date. Surcharges apply on the dates listed below; bookings are arranged after a quote has been provided.
From small parties to groups of friends, see the vehicle interiors
The vehicles below are examples shown by group size. They do not represent a guaranteed brand, a fixed vehicle model or a company-owned fleet. Your vehicle will be confirmed according to group size, route and availability. Please mention large luggage, a stroller or child car seat requirements before requesting a quote.
1–3 people | SUV example
4–12 people | Van example
13–17 people | Mid-size bus example
18–27 people | Bus example
Child rates, specified dates and cancellation terms
Child rates by age
- Ages 0 to under 3: free.
- Ages 3 to under 5: 50% of the adult tour price.
- Ages 5 to under 11: 75% of the adult tour price.
- Ages 11 and over: 100% of the adult tour price.
Please provide each child's age on the departure date. Children's seats, meals, child car seats and how children count toward group-size price bands must be confirmed separately before booking.
Surcharges for two specified date ranges
- December 31, 2026 to January 1, 2027: 20% surcharge.
- February 5 to February 10, 2027: 30% surcharge.
These are the specified surcharge dates for this package. If children are traveling, request a full quote for your date and group size to confirm the applicable amount.
Cancellation fees depend on the number of days before departure
- At least 7 days before departureFree cancellation
- 3–6 days before departure50% of the total tour fee charged
- Within 2 days before departure100% of the total tour fee charged
Please check the cancellation cutoff time when confirming your itinerary. If your requested time cannot be arranged, an alternative time will be discussed first. If you cannot accept the alternative, a full refund is available.
Hotel pickup and drop-off are limited to Bến Thành and Bến Nghé
Provide your hotel's name and full address when booking so the pickup point can be confirmed. For hotels outside these two areas, airport transfers or drop-off in another area, request arrangements in advance and confirm availability and any additional fees. Staying “in the city center” alone does not mean transfers are included.
Before departure, check the date, group size, guide language, pickup and drop-off addresses, meeting time and total price on your tour confirmation. Traffic, weather and river conditions may affect the order of activities and return time. Any adjustments will be discussed based on what is feasible that day and your confirmed arrangements.
You may also be wondering
Will this day tour visit every famous city in the Mekong Delta?
No. The itinerary focuses on the My Tho and Ben Tre area. It is not a tour of the entire Mekong Delta and does not include Can Tho or the early-morning Cai Rang Floating Market.
Do I need to pay extra for the boats, hand-rowed sampan and lunch?
Riverboat and hand-rowed sampan fares for the listed itinerary and one Vietnamese lunch are included in the package. Extra drinks, shopping, unlisted activities and tips are not included.
Can I skip the small boat and just take the riverboat?
Please ask before booking. Whether changes are possible, where you could wait and any alternative arrangements depend on that day's route. Do not wait until you reach the pier and assume the activities can be swapped.
Can I find out the restaurant and dishes in advance?
Mention your restaurant preferences, vegetarian needs or allergies when inquiring, then confirm the actual arrangements. This article does not promise a fixed restaurant or a particular fish dish. Restaurant photos from another itinerary are not a dining guarantee for this package.
Ask ChungTa Travel about a private Mekong Delta day tour
Tell us your departure date, the number of adults and children and their ages, hotel address, and whether you need a Chinese- or English-speaking guide. Please also mention large luggage, a stroller, or anyone who has difficulty crouching or getting on and off boats, so a suitable vehicle and way to visit can be confirmed.
Ask about a private Mekong Delta day tourThe button opens the contact page on ChungTa Travel's official website. Your package and availability still need to be confirmed after you send an inquiry.