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Best things to do in the Mekong Delta

  Feb 14, 2023

  By Mia

The Mekong Delta is one of Vietnam’s most mysterious and fascinating destinations to visit during your Vietnam tours. The Mekong Delta is a unique area with numerous canals, rivers, and streams intersecting on the landscape. For those who find the Mekong Delta an ideal destination, the best things to do in the Mekong Delta are to take boat trips along Mekong’s tributaries, trade in the floating markets, visit temples and traditional villages, plus join the friendly folks to feel comfortable and relaxed.

Best time to visit Mekong Delta

The weather in the Mekong Delta is pleasant all year round. Even when it rains, tourists still have a chance to see interesting aspects of local life. There are two seasons in this area, rainy season and dry season.

Summer, which is the season of a wide range of tropical fruits, is from May to August. September to November is the rainy season with many floods in the Mekong Delta. However, this is still a pleasant time to visit since it is the floating season, offering tourists some best things to do in the Mekong Delta such as enjoying the local area or fishing by canals. If tourists want to enjoy the holiday atmosphere in the Mekong Delta, it is advised to come to this area from December to April.


Best things to do in Mekong Delta

Enjoy a sampan boat trip

One of the best things to do in the Mekong Delta is water activities like taking a sampan boat excursion as rivers make up most of the area. Once visitors have a seat, locals will navigate the sampan boat as they go through mangrove woods to certain tourist destinations.

The main distinction between a sampan excursion and a cruise is that the trip's locations or activities are not what set it apart from other vacations; rather, it is the tranquility that has become the signature of Mekong boat tours. Tourists may view everything from both sides while seated on the boat, or simply enjoy the fresh water and the surrounding scenery.

Additionally, travelers may be served lunch aboard some sampans, which typically comprise regional delicacies and provide them with yet another fascinating experience.

Visitors may start their sampan trip in the delta to explore a variety of destinations, including Thi Tuong Lagoon, Tra Su Cajuput forest, and Thoi Son Islet in Ben Tre (Ca Mau). A small boat with seating for three to four people will cost around $3.36. Tourists may begin this kind of vacation from the province of Ben Tre when traveling with Vietnam Escape Tours and enjoy the Ben Tre Mekong Full day group tour.


Shopping at the floating markets

Floating markets in the Mekong are regular markets but take place on boats and sampans. Before becoming a top tourist attraction and one of the best things to do in the Mekong Delta, the floating markets played a signature role in local life and culture.

Cai Rang floating market, Cai Be floating market, Phong Dien floating market, Nga Nam floating market, and Long Xuyen floating market are the current five floating marketplaces in the area. The first two marketplaces are the most well-liked because Cai Rang floating market is the largest and busiest and Cai Be floating market is the only easily accessible floating market via a day tour from Ho Chi Minh City.

The floating market is a collection of tiny sampans where there are many individuals selling goods, noodles, and morning coffee. The majority of the products sold here consist of tropical fruits and regional specialties that the farmers have grown themselves. Occasionally, various customary celebrations are staged on the water at the market, including boat racing competitions, distinctive displays of tropical fruits, and other outdoor activities.

Visits to these floating marketplaces can be made in one of two ways. Visitors who arrive by themselves or with one or two buddies can share a large boat with other passengers. For parties of 10 to 12 persons, travelers may also rent a private boat. Depending on how many people there are, the cost per boat ranges from $15.21 to $39.11.


Cycling around the Mekong Delta

Even when most of the area is surrounded by rivers, there are still numerous roads connecting all the villages, factories, rice fields, and fruit orchards, as well as there is no traffic on these rural roads, making cycling one of the best things to do in the Mekong Delta.

Cycling around the nearby towns early in the morning while the air is still cold and fresh is a fantastic opportunity for travelers. Tourists are recommended to ride off into the gorgeous countryside on paved country roads, past innumerable rice fields and vegetable farms, to appreciate the lovely vistas, nice people, and calm roads. When compared to riding in Ninh Binh, Mekong biking offers a more quiet and rejuvenating experience rather than an up-the-mountain adventure.

Travelers can pause wherever along the route to get food, tea, or coffee to fill their empty stomachs in the morning and get ready for another day of exploring.


Visit the temples in Mekong Delta

The Mekong Delta is home to several spectacular pagodas and regional orchards in addition to its well-known floating market. The local tourist bureau packages the majority of the tourism in this area. One of the must-see temples in the Mekong Delta is the Vinh Trang Pagoda.

The most significant pagoda in the Southwest of Vietnam is located in Tien Giang province and is called Vinh Trang Pagoda. It combines sophisticated European and Asian architectural influences in its construction. The pagoda was designated a historical, cultural, and national monument in 1984. The well-known site of worship is Vinh Trang, visiting these temples is among the best things to do in the Mekong Delta.

Vinh Trang Pagoda, My Tho

Visit traditional villages

Vietnamese traditional handicraft villages have steadfastly maintained the country's traditions despite the rapid advancement of industrialization. Tourists have the opportunity to visit a variety of traditional villages, including those that make conical hats in the Chau Thanh area and sedge mats in Kien Giang,…

Sedge mats, Kien Giang

The region is well known for its mouthwatering cuisine and picturesque surroundings, including the floating boat markets, as well as for its traditional handicraft villages and historic temples. Plan your trip with Vietnam Escape Tours or choose one of our packaged tours to experience all the best things to do in the Mekong Delta and learn about the culture.