Mekong Delta Tours and Tickets

There are plenty of ways to experience the Mekong Delta. Looking at ratings and reviews previously given by customers, these are the best tours available right now:

• Upper Mekong River Day Trip from Ho Chi Minh City
• Largest Floating Market, Wild Small Canal System & Organic Cocoa
• Mekong Delta in One Day Guided Sightseeing Tour
• The Hidden Fabulous Floating Market and Small Canal
• Cai Rang Floating Market, Cacao & Hidden Small Canal

While it’s free to visit the Mekong Delta independently, full-day group tours from nearby Ho Chi Minh City currently start from US$25. Tours typically include transport, a meal, and activities such as boat rides and visits to floating markets. Private tours usually cost at least US$70 but often include more luxurious transport and meals.

November to April is the best time of year to visit the Mekong Delta, which is southern Vietnam’s dry season, so you’re unlikely to experience much, or any, rain. This is especially important in this watery area that floods at other times of year. Daytime temperatures can still get quite hot but humidity is low, making for more comfortable conditions.

The Mekong Delta is south of Ho Chi Minh City and the best way to get there is either on a guided tour or by bus. Can Tho, one of several cities in the delta, is about 97 miles (157 kilometers) from Ho Chi Minh City. Express buses depart regularly and take about three hours; they’re a good option if you plan to stay overnight in the delta.

There are various must-see natural and cultural attractions in the Mekong Delta, including the Cai Rang Floating Market (Cho Noi Cai Rang), the Can Tho Market, the Vinh Trang Pagoda, and the Bang Lang Stork Sanctuary. Many people visit the Mekong Delta simply to enjoy the watery landscape of rivers and canals and for boat rides.

While it’s certainly possible to explore the Mekong Delta on your own, this can be challenging—you’ll need to negotiate public transport, which can be hard if you don’t speak Vietnamese. Taking a tour saves time and allows you to see and do a lot in a day, especially if you’re staying in nearby Ho Chi Minh City.