Your Guide to One Week in the Mekong Delta

Your Guide to One Week in the Mekong Delta

Are you wondering if the Mekong Delta is worth a visit? Let me tell you, it absolutely is! In this post, I’m excited to share our 7-day itinerary from our incredible trip, complete with recommended accommodations and some thrilling activities to dive into in this stunning region.

After our first quick trip, where we were pleasantly surprised by the beauty of the Mekong Delta, we couldn’t wait to return and dig deeper. This enchanting area covers the entire southern part of Vietnam, yet it often gets overlooked by travelers who consider it underwhelming. I’m here to change that perception! The Mekong Delta is way more diverse and beautiful than what you’ll find in guidebooks, and it definitely deserves a spot on your travel list.

In this itinerary, I’ll take you off the beaten path to uncover a side of the Mekong Delta that few tourists get to see. Think ancient pottery factories, vibrant floating markets, lush nature reserves, and hidden paradise islands just waiting to be explored!

So buckle up, and let’s dive into our adventures in the Mekong Delta!

Day 1: Arrival in Ho Chi Minh City

Arrive in Ho Chi Minh City and transfer to your hotel.
Spend the afternoon exploring local attractions like Ben Thanh Market or the War Remnants Museum.
Enjoy a delicious Vietnamese dinner at a local restaurant.

Day 2: Ho Chi Minh City to My Tho

Travel to My Tho, the gateway to the Mekong Delta (about 1.5 hours by car).
Visit the famous Vinh Trang Pagoda and take a boat ride on the Mekong River.
Enjoy lunch at a riverside restaurant and continue exploring nearby islands.
Overnight stay in My Tho.

Day 3: My Tho to Ben Tre

Take a short boat ride to Ben Tre, known for its coconut plantations.
Visit a local workshop to see how coconut candy is made.
Explore the canals by motorboat or kayak and enjoy traditional folk music performances.
Spend the night in Ben Tre.

Day 4: Ben Tre to Can Tho

Head to Can Tho, the largest city in the Mekong Delta (about 2 hours drive).
Visit the famous Cai Rang Floating Market early in the morning.
Explore the nearby fruit orchards and enjoy fresh tropical fruits.
Spend the night in Can Tho.

Day 5: Can Tho to Phong Dien

Take a boat trip to Phong Dien Floating Market for a more local experience.
Visit traditional villages and learn about local lifestyles.
Return to Can Tho in the afternoon and enjoy some leisure time.
Overnight stay in Can Tho.

Day 6: Can Tho to Chau Doc

Travel to Chau Doc, close to the Cambodian border (about 2.5 hours drive).
Visit the Cham Village and learn about the local culture.
Explore the Tra Su Cajuput Forest and take a boat tour through the mangroves.
Spend the night in Chau Doc.

Day 7: Chau Doc to Ho Chi Minh City

Visit Sam Mountain for beautiful views of the Delta and Cambodia.
After sightseeing, return to Ho Chi Minh City (about 6 hours drive).
Enjoy a farewell dinner and reflect on your week in the Mekong Delta.

This itinerary lets you experience the unique beauty and culture of the Mekong Delta, allowing you to immerse yourself in its vibrant life and stunning landscapes.

When to visit the Mekong Delta

The delta can be visited all year. The dry season, from about December to April, brings sunny days and easy travel. From about August to November, the water is high: fields flood, the canals are full, and places such as the Tra Su cajuput forest are at their most beautiful, with storks and herons nesting. The rainy months bring short, heavy afternoon showers rather than all-day rain.

Getting around

New expressways have shortened the drive from Ho Chi Minh City to My Tho and Can Tho, but the most memorable moments are on the water: small boats through the canals, sampans at the floating markets and ferries between the islands. A private car with a driver and a local guide makes the long road stretches between towns comfortable. From Chau Doc, you can also continue to Phnom Penh in Cambodia by boat on the Mekong instead of returning to Ho Chi Minh City.

A note on names: since Vietnam's 2025 reorganization of provinces, several delta provinces have been merged. For example, Ben Tre is now part of Vinh Long province, and Chau Doc is in An Giang. The towns and attractions keep their familiar names.

What to eat in the delta

• Hu tieu My Tho: a clear noodle soup with pork and seafood, the specialty of My Tho.
• Ca loc nuong trui: snakehead fish grilled in straw and wrapped in rice paper with herbs.
• Banh xeo: the delta's crispy pancakes are large and filled with shrimp, pork and bean sprouts.
• Tropical fruit: rambutan, longan, mangosteen and durian from the orchards, best in the summer months.
• Coconut candy: from the workshops of Ben Tre.

Where to stay

Choose a mix: a riverside hotel in Can Tho, where you can be on the water at dawn for Cai Rang market, and at least one night in a homestay among the orchards or by a canal, where families cook dinner and you see daily life up close. In Chau Doc, hotels near the river look out over the floating houses and fish farms.

Planning more of the trip? Read our guides to Unique Exploration from Ho Chi Minh City to the Mekong Delta and An unbelievable trip to Cai Rang Floating Market in Can Tho.

Frequently asked questions

Is the Mekong Delta worth visiting?

Yes. Its rivers, floating markets, orchards and villages make it one of Vietnam's most rewarding regions.

How many days do you need in the Mekong Delta?

A week lets you travel slowly through the region; shorter trips focus on Can Tho and the floating markets.

Where does a Mekong Delta trip start?

Most trips start in Ho Chi Minh City, a short drive from the delta.

What is there to see in Ho Chi Minh City before the delta?

Ben Thanh Market and the War Remnants Museum are good first-day sights.

When is the best time to visit the Mekong Delta?

December to April for dry, sunny weather, or August to November for high water, full canals and flooded fields.

Can I go from the Mekong Delta to Cambodia?

Yes. Boats run up the Mekong from Chau Doc to Phnom Penh, crossing the border on the river.