The Mekong Delta starts about 2 hours from Ho Chi Minh City, so the length of your tour decides how deep you go. A one-day tour to My Tho and Ben Tre is a taster: a boat ride, coconut candy and a rowing sampan, but a lot of driving. Two days adds Can Tho and the famous Cai Rang floating market at dawn. Three days reaches Chau Doc, Tra Su forest and the Cambodian border, and is the most rewarding.
Snapshot
- Region
- Southern Vietnam
- Best for
- first-time, family, couples
- Best season
- Dec-Apr (dry)
- Average cost
- $20-120
- Updated
One day, two days or three?
The Mekong Delta starts about 2 hours from Ho Chi Minh City, so the length of your tour decides how deep you go. A one-day tour to My Tho and Ben Tre is a taster: a boat ride, coconut candy and a rowing sampan, but a lot of driving. Two days adds Can Tho and the famous Cai Rang floating market at dawn. Three days reaches Chau Doc, Tra Su forest and the Cambodian border, and is the most rewarding.
Which route
For a first taste, My Tho and Ben Tre are closest and easiest. Can Tho, on the two-day itinerary, is the delta’s biggest city and the base for the Cai Rang floating market, best seen at sunrise. Chau Doc and the Tra Su cajuput forest, on three-day trips, add quieter waterways, a bird sanctuary and Cham and Khmer culture.
What to expect
Tours involve a mix of minibus and boat, with stops at coconut, honey and rice-paper workshops that double as shops. Ask whether the tour is small-group and whether it is a “tourist” or local route. Overnight stays are usually in simple hotels in Can Tho or Chau Doc. Bring sun protection, a hat and cash for the floating market.
Quick facts
- One day: My Tho and Ben Tre taster, from about $20-40.
- Two days: adds Can Tho and the Cai Rang floating market, about $60-90.
- Three days: adds Chau Doc and Tra Su forest, about $90-120.
- Best time: December to April dry season; go early for the floating market.
Frequently asked questions
Is a one-day or two-day Mekong Delta tour better?
Two days, if you can: it adds Can Tho and the Cai Rang floating market at dawn, which is the delta’s highlight. A one-day My Tho and Ben Tre tour covers a boat ride and workshops but spends a lot of the day driving.
What is the best Mekong Delta tour from Ho Chi Minh City?
For a first visit, a two-day small-group tour to Ben Tre and Can Tho balances travel time and highlights, including the early Cai Rang floating market. Three days to Chau Doc and Tra Su forest suits travellers wanting quieter waterways and deeper culture.
How much does a Mekong Delta tour cost?
About $20-40 for a day trip, $60-90 for two days, and $90-120 for three days per person, including transport and most meals. Prices were checked October 2026; check whether the floating-market boat and hotel are included.
Should I do the Mekong Delta independently?
You can, by bus to Can Tho and hiring a boat, but the delta’s value is in the small canals and local stops that guided tours access easily. If you go alone, base in Can Tho and book the dawn floating-market boat directly.
When is the best time to visit the Mekong Delta?
December to April, the dry season, with lower water and easier travel. May to November is the wet season: the delta is green and the floating markets are lively, but afternoon downpours are common.