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The Mekong Delta in Vietnam is known for its delectable cuisine, bustling floating markets, and as one of the world's premier destinations for exploration. The travel page of The Sydney Morning Herald has designated the Mekong Delta as a top global destination for 2023.
Considering the increasing popularity of Vietnam as a tourist hotspot, it is advisable to prioritize an expedition to this untamed area. Engage with Incredible Asia Journeys to thoroughly uncover the treasures of this land in preparation for your upcoming Mekong Delta Tours & Excursions.
The Mekong Delta is an amazing network of rivers, swamps, and islands nestled in the beautiful southwestern region of Vietnam. Covering over 39,000 square kilometers, it's one of the most fertile regions in the country, producing the largest amount of rice in Vietnam. The delta is formed by the Mekong River, which starts in the Tibetan Plateau and winds through 6 countries before flowing into the East Vietnam Sea. This area is famous for its lush landscapes, vibrant culture, and unique way of life centered around the waterways.
Now, the Mekong Delta is home to over 17 million people including 1 city and 12 provinces of Vietnam, and is a significant contributor to Vietnam's agricultural output, particularly in rice, fruit, and fish farming. So, is Mekong Delta worth visiting? Of course, read the below info to boost your interest in this region!
Mekong Delta weather features a tropical climate with 2 main seasons that is dry season and rainy season. Here’s a detailed look at the best time to visit the Mekong Delta!
The dry season (November to April) in the Mekong Delta sees average temperatures ranging from 25°C to 30°C. The weather is generally warm and pleasant, with cooler temperatures in the early mornings and evenings making it ideal for exploring the region’s attractions without the discomfort of excessive heat or rain.
Also, this season coincides with several important festivals, such as the Lunar New Year (Tet) in January or February, which is a vibrant time to experience local culture and traditions.
During the rainy season (May to October), temperatures in the Mekong Delta remain relatively stable, ranging from 25°C to 33° with high humidity levels, which can make the weather feel warmer. Despite the regular downpours, rains are often short-lived and followed by periods of sunshine.
This period is prime for fruit harvesting in the Mekong Delta. Visitors can enjoy a variety of tropical fruits at their freshest, such as mangoes, rambutans, and durians. Many orchards open their doors for tours and tastings.
The travel experience in the Mekong Delta is closely linked with the serene and picturesque Mekong River, which gives rise to a sprawling delta teeming with numerous fruit orchards. Let's discover the top Mekong Delta attractions!
Can Tho is the largest city in the Mekong Delta and is often referred to as the "Western Capital" (Tay Do). Let's start with the vibrant Cai Rang Floating Market in Can Tho. It's one of the most famous floating markets in the Mekong Delta and is always buzzing with activity in the early morning. You can find vendors selling fresh produce, seafood, and local goods directly from their boats.
Next, we have the enchanting Binh Thuy Ancient House. This beautifully preserved French colonial house is a window to the architectural style of the late 19th and early 20th centuries in the region.
Lastly, let's not forget the Ninh Kieu Wharf. Nestled in the heart of Can Tho, this bustling waterfront area is perfect for a leisurely walk. The promenade is lined with charming cafes, fantastic restaurants, and lovely shops. Plus, the sunset views over the Hau River are simply breathtaking.
Ben Tre, or Vietnam Coconut Kingdom, is famous for its lush coconut groves and serene waterways. First, you've got to check out the coconut candy in Ben Tre! Visiting a local factory is a great way to see how it's made and even try some fresh candy and other coconut treats in Ben Tre.
Then, you can take a relaxing boat ride through the beautiful canals and rivers, passing by coconut groves and charming stilt houses. Also, If you're into bird watching and nature, you've got to visit the Vam Ho Bird Sanctuary. It's home to lots of different bird species, and the best time to go is in the early morning or late afternoon when the birds are most active.
My Tho in Tien Giang Province is a gateway to the Mekong Delta and is often the starting point for many tours. Coming here, you can visit Vinh Trang Pagoda, an impressive Buddhist temple that is a blend of Vietnamese, Khmer, and Chinese architectural styles.
After that you can take a short boat ride from My Tho, Unicorn Island is known for its fruit orchards, bee farms, and traditional music performances. Visitors can enjoy fresh fruit, honey tea, and traditional folk songs performed by local musicians.
Don’t forget Con Phung (Phoenix Island), this is a popular spot for eco-tours. You can explore fruit orchards, take a sampan ride through narrow canals, and enjoy local delicacies.
Chau Doc, a cultural melting pot located near the Cambodian border, is a land of ethnic diversity and natural beauty. One of the best places to explore Chau Doc is Tra Su Cajuput Forest. This vast wetland area is a bird watcher’s paradise, home to a variety of water birds and other wildlife. A Mekong Delta day tour through the flooded forest offers an enchanting experience, especially during the high water season.
If you’re looking for a pilgrimage site for Buddhists, head to Sam Mountain which is dotted with temples and pagodas. The view from the top offers a panoramic vista of the surrounding countryside and across the border into Cambodia.
Sa Dec is famous for its Sa Dec Flower Village's vibrant flower fields, this village is especially stunning during the Lunar New Year when flowers are in full bloom. It’s a great place for photography and to buy fresh flowers.
Coming to Sa Dec, you can also set your food to Huynh Thuy Le Old House. This well-preserved French colonial house was the home of Huynh Thuy Le, the lover of the French writer Marguerite Duras. The house is now a museum and welcomes tourists to visit daily.
Dong Thap is truly deserving of the title "Vietnam land of the lotus" .The region is renowned for its natural beauty, especially during the flood season when the entire landscape is transformed into a mesmerizing watery wonderland.
One of the highlights is Tram Chim National Park, famous for its wide variety of bird species, including the elusive red-crowned crane. This park is a paradise for wildlife enthusiasts, and the best way to experience it is by taking a boat tour, allowing you to immerse yourself in the wetlands and appreciate the natural beauty up close.
Making your way openly to the Mekong Delta with some best ways to see Mekong Delta!
One of the quintessential experiences in the Mekong Delta is a boat ride through its intricate network of rivers, canals, and waterways. These Mekong Delta boat trips offer an intimate look at the daily life of the locals who depend on these waterways for transportation, fishing, and commerce.
Plus, you can hop on smaller sampan boats to explore the narrow canals with their beautiful water coconut trees. It's such a peaceful Mekong Delta cruise in contrast to the busy floating markets - you'll love it!
For a more immersive Mekong Delta experience, consider an overnight cruise on the Mekong River. These cruises allow you to explore the delta's waterways at a leisurely pace, with stops at various villages and attractions along the way from Sai Gon to My Tho, Can Tho, and Vinh Long. Enjoy the sunset over the river, indulge in delicious local cuisine on board, and wake up to the tranquil sounds of the delta.
In Can Tho, you can visit traditional rice noodle factories to learn about the process of making Hu Tieu noodles, a popular dish in the region. Watch as locals skillfully create these delicate noodles from rice flour, and even try your hand at making them yourself. These Mekong Delta activities provide a deeper understanding of the local culinary traditions and offer a tasty reward at the end.
When you're in the Mekong Delta, exploring the local villages is a fantastic way to immerse yourself in the region's one-of-a-kind culture and traditions. In Vinh Long, you can drop by traditional brick kilns to see how local artisans make bricks using time-honored techniques.
The quality of Vinh Long bricks was so renowned that traders from as far away as Thailand, Cambodia, and Malaysia would come to purchase them. These sought-after bricks were then used to construct beautiful religious structures, featuring original enchanting red rustic bricks.
The Cai Rang Floating Market near Can Tho is the largest in the area. It starts early at 5 a.m. and is filled with vendors selling their goods from boats. It's a great spot to try delicious local breakfast dishes like Hu Tieu (noodle soup) and Banh Xeo (Vietnamese pancakes).
For a more authentic experience, you should check out the Phong Dien Floating Market. It's smaller and less touristy than Cai Rang, making it a great place to observe local traders in action, especially in the early morning.
When you hop on a bike and explore the Mekong Delta, you're in for a treat! Ben Tre is the perfect spot for a relaxed cycling tour Mekong Delta, with its flat land and stunning views. Pedal through coconut groves, fruit orchards, and little villages, and don't forget to chat with the locals and try some fresh fruit along the way.
Vinh Long and An Binh Island have some awesome cycling paths that take you through beautiful gardens and peaceful backwaters. An Binh Island is famous for its fruit orchards, and if you go on a bike tour here, you might get to taste some unique fruits like durian, mangosteen, and rambutan.
The Mekong Delta is packed with history and culture, offering many amazing sites to explore. You can find Vinh Trang Pagoda, an impressive Buddhist temple in My Tho that showcases a beautiful mix of Vietnamese, Chinese, and Khmer architecture.
And there are many other places such as Kien An Cung Temple, Binh Thuy Temple, and Ba Chua Xu Temple that you shouldn’t miss out on the serene gardens and the majestic Buddha statues when you visit!
One of the highlights of visiting the Mekong Delta is the opportunity to indulge in its rich and diverse local cuisine in Mekong Delta and floating market tour. The region’s fertile soil and abundant waterways produce an array of fresh ingredients that make their way into delicious and unique dishes. As you explore the floating markets, don't miss the chance to sample fresh tropical fruits like durian, rambutan, mangosteen, and longan, which are often sold directly from boats.
In Dong Thap, enjoy a cup of lotus tea, or savor lotus seeds and lotus root salad, which highlight the versatility and cultural significance of the lotus plant in Vietnamese cuisine.
How to get to the Mekong Delta from major cities in Vietnam? Follow our Mekong Delta travel guide to find your best way!
One of the most iconic ways to explore the Mekong Delta is by taking a boat cruise. These cruises can range from a few hours to several days and offer a unique perspective of the delta's intricate network of rivers, canals, and waterways. You can visit floating markets, and local villages, and even stay overnight on a traditional wooden boat.
A popular option is the Mekong Eyes Cruise, which provides a comfortable and immersive experience. Don’t hesitate to contact Incredible Asia Journeys to book the Mekong Delta day trip at the best prices and good deals!
Tourists often take buses to the Mekong Delta departing from Ho Chi Minh City. The journey from Ho Chi Minh City to Can Tho takes about 3-4 hours and costs around 100,000 to 200,000 VND ($4.50 to $9). Meanwhile, travel from Da Nang to Ho Chi Minh City by train or bus and then continue to the Mekong Delta.
The quickest way to reach the Mekong Delta from Hanoi is by flying to Can Tho. Direct flights are available, taking around 2 hours. Prices vary, but tickets can be found for as low as 2,500,000 VND ($100) if booked in advance.
Also, direct flights from Da Nang to Can Tho are available and take about 1.5 hours, with tickets starting from 2,000,000 VND ($90).
Driving from Ho Chi Minh City to Can Tho takes approximately 3 hours via the QL1A highway. Renting a private car offers flexibility and allows for stops along the way.
For a more scenic route, take a train from Da Nang to Ho Chi Minh City (a 20-hour journey) followed by a bus from Ho Chi Minh to Mekong Delta. This option is time-consuming but offers a chance to see more of Vietnam.
The Mekong Delta is a vibrant blend of culture, nature, and cuisine. Whether it's exploring floating markets, cycling through lush landscapes, or tasting local dishes, there's something for everyone. Ready for an unforgettable Vietnam journey? Contact Incredible Asia Journeys for the best Mekong Delta tours and tips!
