Things to do in  Mekong Delta

No place gives better insight into life on the Mekong Delta than the Cai Rang Floating Market (Chợ Noi Cái Rang), where hundreds of wooden rowboats showcase everything from rice and clothing to exotic fruits and vegetables. Located just 4 miles (6 kilometers) from the city of Can Tho, the market can be admired from dry land or during a boat ride.

As the capital of the province, My Tho serves as the gateway to the coffee-colored canals and floating markets of the Mekong Delta. One of the market town’s main attractions is the Vinh Trang Pagoda, where three huge Buddhas sit among tropical gardens.

The Vinh Trang Temple near My Tho in the Mekong Delta is quite different from many other temples found in Vietnam. The building was inspired by European architecture, and is a blend of East Asian and European styles. It’s one of the most important Buddhist temples in southern Vietnam, and well worth a visit when in the Mekong Delta area.

Nestled among the rice paddies of the Mekong Delta, Cái Bè is a riverfront village that is most famous for its floating market. All week long, vendors crowd into the harbor to sell fruit and vegetables from ramshackle boats. Visiting the market offers travelers a glimpse into local life in southern Vietnam.

This family-owned cocoa farm turns learning about chocolate—and tasting it—into a hands-on, personal experience. The owner leads all farm tours, welcomes every visitor like a VIP, and demystifies the process from cocoa bean to chocolate treat, offering samples along the way. (Be sure to bring home a chocolate souvenir.)

Once serving as a 19th-century port, Can Tho’s Ninh Kieu Wharf is now a waterfront destination for travelers and locals alike. Located on the gentle Hau River, it’s a place to stroll the well-tended paths along the riverbank, admire the colorful boats, check out the vendors selling local goods, and stay long enough to see the waterfront glow by nightfall.

In a part of Vietnam more renowned for its landscape and natural wonders, Can Tho’s Binh Thuy Ancient House is a fascinating cultural attraction. Despite its name, the property dates from the 1870s rather than antiquity, but it is nevertheless architecturally significant, as a rare remaining example of a French-style house in the Mekong Delta.

If there’s one spot in Can Tho that’s a truly tranquil escape, it’s Truc Lam Phuong Nam Zen Monastery. This free-entry monastery is surrounded by serene courtyards, peaceful ponds, walking paths, and traditional Buddhist statues watching over it all. Inside, visitors can explore the meditation hall and soak in the calming atmosphere, breaking from the city's sleepless buzz.

If you’re looking for a place to kick back with a drink at the end of a busy day sightseeing in the Mekong Delta, Can Tho Beach (Bien Can Tho) might be just what you’re looking for. The artificial beach on the banks of the Hau River offers shady seating, plenty of local eateries, and nice sunset views.

If you’ve been in Vietnam long enough to have eaten one meal, you’ve probably eaten rice noodles. At Can Tho’s Sau Hoai Rice Noodle Factory, you can see how this Vietnamese favorite is made by hand, then dried in the sun on straw mats. It’s a popular fixture on many Mekong Delta tours that visit Can Tho, and provides a fun and educational experience.

In the heart of the Mekong Delta, Can Tho’s Munirangsyaram Pagoda stands out with its Khmer architectural style, more resembling the Angkor temples of Thailand than the pagodas of Vietnam. Built in the 1940s, it mainly serves the city's Khmer community, though visitors are welcome to explore the grounds and intricately designed main hall.

Can Tho’s Ong Temple is a must-visit attraction while touring the Mekong Delta city. The Chinese-style Buddhist temple was built in the late 19th century and is adorned with enormous coils of incense, an elaborate engraved screen, and other colorful statues and carvings. Conveniently located beside the Can Tho River, it’s in a prime sightseeing spot.

To learn more about the people and culture of the Mekong Delta, head to the Can Tho Museum. The displays are a little old school, but there’s some English-language signage to help visitors interpret the artifacts. Enjoy finding out more about local clothing and furniture, the rice grown in the Mekong Delta, the Vietnam War, and more.

Can Tho’s Ong Temple is a must-visit attraction while touring the Mekong Delta city. The Chinese-style Buddhist temple was built in the late 19th century and is adorned with enormous coils of incense, an elaborate engraved screen, and other colorful statues and carvings. Conveniently located beside the Can Tho River, it’s in a prime sightseeing spot.

Travel in the Mekong Delta was simplified with the construction of the Can Tho Bridge in 2010, which stretches over the Hau River, connecting Can Tho and Vinh Long provinces. Prior to the major engineering project, much of Southern Vietnam’s Mekong Delta—a watery network of rivers and islands—relied heavily on ferries for connection.