Escape from the hustle and bustle of Ho Chi Minh City exploring the Mekong Delta. The “Rice of bowl” of Vietnam is located few hours drive in the south of Saigon, depending on the town you depart from. It’s time to board on a sampan boat for a relaxing trip along narrow canals. The rowing boat will take you deeper into the countryside on smaller canals to enjoy a peaceful time. Here, the traditional houses are made of wood and palm tree leaves surrounded by a unique lush tropical landscape. Immerse yourself in the local culture by observing the local life and take this opportunity to meet the farmers and fishermen.


What to do?

- Boat and cruise

Being a vast maze of rivers the best way to discover the Mekong Delta is to embark on a boat. On a day trip, the boat will stop at quiet villages with workshops, floating markets, etc. You will be able to see the local life. If you don’t want to get of the boat, then you can choose to cruise a few days along the Mekong River.

- Floating markets

According to The Telegraph (UK newspaper), the floating markets of Mekong Delta are one of the 10 most photogenic places in Southeast Asia, particularly the one held in Cần Thơ city: Cái Răng market, the biggest in the area. Some smaller are nice to visit as well, Cai Be floating market for example.
The best time to go to the market is early in the morning. This is a great opportunity to see and taste different type of tropical fruits, vegetables and other local products.

- Local villages

From the boat, make the most of the sight-seeing lively activities along the river as fishing, water transferring, etc. To experience real Delta village life, walk around and taste some fruits from local orchards while listening to traditional Vietnamese music. Another thing to do is biking on village paths to observe the local farms, houses, real life and the ancestral ways to pick up fruits in Mekong Delta. Take a tuk tuk or ride on shady paths through green rice fields and vegetable plains to be able to touch on realy life and find out about tropical culture.

- Workshops
Mekong Delta is home to different kinds of local workshops. From Ben Tre, the boat sails along the Ham Luong river (a branch of the Mekong) and stops at various local workplaces to give you a picture of how the local economy works.
You will be able to observe how to make rice paper, coconut candy and pop-rice, pop-corn, etc. Meet the rice noodle maker; stop at the brick manufacture where bricks are still handmade; visit one of the many coconut processing workshops located along Cái sơn canal, where you can sample fresh coconut and see how every single part of this versatile nut is turned into food and other products; take a walk to a mat weaving house where straw mats are woven using a hand loom.

- Restaurants
There are numerous riverside restaurants featuring local specialties as elephant-ear fish and river shrimp where you can stop and satisfy your taste buds.

Where to start?
There are many departures towns to explore de Mekong Delta, for example Vinh Long, Can Tho and many more. Ben Tre, the “Capital of Coconut” is also a good place to start. On arrival in Hùng vương Pier (Bến Tre town) you will be able to embark on a boat on Bến Tre River , a tributary of the Mekong River.

When to go?
You can sail the Mekong Delta at anytime of the year, during both wet and dry season. However, the wet season (from May to October) is the best period because the water level will be higher allowing your boat to sail everywhere.