Things to know before coming to Mekong Delta

Overview

Southern Vietnam's Mekong Delta is a breathtaking network of waterways, islands, and small villages with fruit orchards and rice paddies. You can see how important the delta region is to the Vietnamese economy and cuisine because more than half of the country's rice and seafood are produced there.

Visiting Mekong Delta, you can realize that the area's way of life is centered around the water and the local people here are also kind and hospitable in their own way. Famous for the activities that take place along the river, especially the floating markets, the Mekong Delta attracts flocks of tourists every year.

Mekong Delta rice fields and mountains

There are plenty more attractions in the Mekong Delta than just a pagoda and a floating market, but far too many visitors believe they can see them all in a single-day journey from Ho Chi Minh City. This region is home to unique ecosystems that deserve more than an afternoon in your itinerary, and the culture is different from any other region in Vietnam. For you to not be so surprised and enjoy the land in the most complete way, read our guide about what to know before coming to Mekong Delta, and you can start to plan your best Mekong Delta trip!

Culture of the Mekong people

They rely on water transportation

The Mekong Delta residents travel between communities mostly in small kayaks or motorboats since they live in a region that is made up of thousands of canals, distributaries, and large rivers. Additionally, because of this unique geographic condition, the first Vietnamese immigrants from the North chose to decide to build their homes close to a confluence or a dock in an attempt to live conveniently and comfortably.

Traveling by boat on Mekong Delta

They appreciate floating marketplaces

The Mekong Delta is an area with a complicated network of distributaries, making floating marketplaces one of its distinctive cultural characteristics. It is obvious that because people want to live near waterways and rely significantly on them for transportation, therefore the Mekong Delta also has a flourishing floating market activity. Cai Rang is one of Southeast Asia's biggest floating marketplaces, and it is located on the Can Tho river's surface. Locals in the Mekong Delta still take great pride in their distinctive floating marketplaces, which are unique across all of Vietnam.

Try pineapple on a floating boat

Festivals are an important element of their society

The festivals in this area were brought by waves of immigration, including Northern Vietnamese, Chinese, Cham, and Khmer. The most significant Vietnamese holiday for those living in the Mekong Delta is the Ky Yen festival, which takes place every year between the 15th of January and the 15th of March of the lunar year.

Mekong Delta People's Hospitality

The residents of the Mekong Delta are famous for their kindness, friendliness, and sincerity. This is a feature shared by the majority of Vietnamese, not only the locals. However, locals in the Mekong Delta are outstanding for these characteristics. If you get the chance to ride a bicycle through the countryside of the Mekong Delta, you'll realize that locals frequently wave and smile when they meet you.

Transit from Ho Chi Minh City to Mekong Delta

There are several means of transportation to get to the Mekong Delta from Ho Chi Minh City. You can choose the vehicle which is suitable for you.

Private car: If you wish to tour the Mekong Delta with friends or family, the best method of transport is a private car. Because it is convenient and comfortable, this is regarded as the best choice. Using a private car will enable you to be more proactive with your schedule and routes, even though it is more expensive than other forms of transportation.

You may be confused about choosing which car to use, so you can consider Vietnam Airport Car Service. When you choose Vietnam Airport Car Service, you can be picked up immediately from the Tan Son Nhat airport. In addition, a tour guide will be available to you when you reserve Vietnam Airport Car Service. There are no hidden fees with Vietnam Airport Car, so you will enjoy a clear and comfortable journey. 

Vietnam Airport Car is ready to take you to any place in Vietnam

Bus

You may take a public bus from Ho Chi Minh City to Can Tho if you want to go by yourselves. Can Tho is the biggest city in the Mekong Delta, it is famous for its stunning Buddhist pagodas, stunning scenery, and vibrant floating marketplaces. Buses depart frequently from Ho Chi Minh City's Mien Tay Bus Station (also known as Western Bus Station).

Cruise or Boat

You may visit the large and well-known Mekong Delta from Ho Chi Minh City by using the Saigon River's waterway. The Mekong River Cruise is a fantastic option since it provides an interesting experience. You may also travel to the Mekong Delta by boat and observe the captivating activity of little communities along the way. This is a very unique opportunity in a distinct rural region of Vietnam.

Mekong Delta Cruise offers the most fascinating trip

Mekong foods

The cuisine of the Mekong Delta is well-known not only for its simple, delicious, appetizing, and authentic cuisine but also for its distinctive culinary styles that are rare to find anywhere else.

There are a variety of options for food and drink in the Mekong Delta. Aside from rice and fruit, the Mekong is endowed with an abundance of seafood in its rivers and canals, as well as much other food that only the tropical region has!

Some of the signature foods you shouldn’t miss when you travel the Mekong Delta are Bun Ca, Hu Tieu My Tho, Banh Xeo, Coconut Larvae, Bo Bia Ngot (sweet popiah), Banh Pia (Bakpia/Hokpia)...

Try Hu Tieu on Mekong Delta

Besides, when traveling Mekong Delta, you also should try many special drinks such as Smoothies, My Tho Sugar Cane, Vietnamese Coffee, Coconut water… These famous drinks also contribute to the reputation of the cuisine of the Mekong Delta.

Mekong by night

If you only take a Mekong Day Tour, you may miss this experience. Take the Mekong Delta tour 2 days 1 night or the Mekong Delta tour 4 days 3 nights if you want to know more about this land’s nightlife. The Mekong by night can be more appealing than you think!

You can have a chance to explore the night markets in Can Tho. The market comes vibrant at night, dazzling, and overflowing with charm. Visitors will be impressed by the captivating beauty that is comparable to the old village of Hoian. There are many famous night markets such as Can Tho night market, Ninh Kieu night market, Cai Khe night market…

Admire Mekong Delta before night falls

If you want to go a bit more excited, you can go to local bars & pubs, although the term "party" doesn't seem to fit well with the Mekong Delta because you probably link the region with tranquillity, the countryside, and coconuts rather than alcohol. However, there are many bars where you may have a good time and make new friends.

Mekong tours

With so many cultural and culinary attractions, you must be confused about where to begin and how to plan the greatest schedule for your trip down the Mekong. We recommend a few different Mekong tours that are common to tourists to assist you. Wish you have a pleasant and enjoyable vacation to Mekong Vietnam!

For travelers who go on a business trip or just don’t have much time, you can choose Mekong Delta 1-day tour. You not only save time but also have a chance to visit many famous places in one day. There are many interesting activities to do in one day such as enjoying the Mekong Delta Cruise, trying a sampan boat, cycling through local villages, tasting Mekong Delta cuisine…You will have a lot of memories of this unique place!

Experience fish catching with family on Mekong Delta

If you have more time to explore Mekong Delta, you can consider the Mekong Delta tour for 2 days 1 night or a Mekong Delta tour for 4 days 3 nights. You will have opportunities to enjoy Mekong nightlife, as well as travel to many interesting places. More travel time means more adventures and memories are created!

Contact us if you have any questions about Mekong tours; we would be happy to provide you with more information!

Mekong and vicinity tours

When you visit Mekong, you also can continue to explore many other famous places from the region.

Cu Chi Tunnel

The Cu Chi Tunnel is a great spot, especially for those who want to know more about the historical site of the region. When you visit, you may observe its unique design and construction and discover why they are important to the history of Vietnam. Incredibly, there were classrooms, hospitals, and kitchens in this amazing network of tunnels. The entrances to these tunnels were covered by a secret wooden door, and the shelter was provided by the trees above.

 Experience Cu Chi Tunnel Mekong Delta

Chau Doc

It is famous for the variety of its ethnic and religious communities, which include Khmer, Chinese, Cham, and Vietnamese people. The surrounding lands are beautiful with rice terraces and breathtaking rural landscapes.

Visiting Chau Doc in Mekong Delta

My Tho

My Tho river, also known as Tien river, is the intersection of Tien Giang, Vinh Long, and Ben Tre river tributaries. For those who are enthusiastic about discovering nature and the gorgeous Mekong river, this town offers a wide variety of local and international cruises. Excursions along the Mekong River can last all day, all night, or even travel from Vietnam to Cambodia and Laos.

Visiting My Tho in Mekong Delta

Ben Tre

Ben Tre is a famous place for people who enjoy exploring nature. Travelers may enjoy numerous well-known sights in Ben Tre such as orchard tourism, Tan Quy Islet, Phung Islet, and Vam Ho bird sanctuary.

Try drinking coconut water in Ben Tre Mekong Delta

There are other different tours to Vietnam's tourist spots that can depart from the Mekong. Hope that this information is useful and gives you everything you need to know before visiting the Mekong.