With Guide
Our Tip
Saigon City Explorer
Discover the vibrant energy of Ho Chi Minh City with historic sites and Mekong Delta day trip.
4 days
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$599
Two hours from Saigon, the river takes over.
Trip duration: 9 hours
My Tho and Ben Tre: Classic Mekong Delta Day Tour from Saigon
Trip duration: 9 hours
Two hours south of Saigon, the Mekong splits into channels and the city gives way to islands, coconut palms, and working river life.
The day starts at Vinh Trang Pagoda in My Tho, then moves to the river: a boat out to the islands, a coconut candy workshop where the sugar is still pulled by hand, a bee farm with honey tea, tropical fruit from the trees, and a sampan threading through narrow canals where the palms close overhead.
Small group. AC minivan from your hotel, guide, boat, fruit, lunch, all entrance fees: all in.
Guided tour southern-vietnam mekong-delta day-trip cultural my-tho ben-tre sampan river
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What you'll experience
🏯
Vinh Trang Pagoda
A 19th-century pagoda in My Tho: one of the most elaborate temple complexes in the delta, combining Vietnamese, Chinese, and Khmer architectural styles.
⛵
Mekong River cruise
A boat out onto the main Mekong channel and across to the island chain, past river traffic, fishing boats, and the wide brown water of the delta.
🍬
Coconut candy workshop
A family workshop in Ben Tre where hot sugar rope is pulled over a wooden frame until it sets — the same technique, the same families, for generations.
🐝
Bee farm and honey tea
A working delta bee farm, with a short introduction to how the hives are kept and honey tea served at the source.
🍍
Tropical fruit tasting
Seasonal fruit straight from the island orchards: whatever is ripe, with a short introduction to what grows here and when.
🛶
Sampan through the palm canals
Hand-rowed through narrow waterways where the coconut palms close overhead — the quietest and most photographed stretch of the day.
What to expect
-
Pick-up in Ho Chi Minh City, two-hour drive to My Tho
Your guide and driver collect you from your hotel. The drive south crosses the flat delta countryside before arriving in My Tho on the banks of the Mekong.
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Vinh Trang Pagoda: 19th-century temple complex in My Tho
One of the delta's most elaborate pagodas, built in 1849 and combining Vietnamese, Chinese, and Khmer elements across its courtyard and main hall. Your guide provides context on the temple's history and the monks who maintain it.
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Boat out onto the Mekong to the island chain
Board a river boat and cross to the islands: Dragon Island, Unicorn Island, and the smaller orchard islands where the workshops and farms are based.
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Coconut candy workshop, bee farm, and tropical fruit tasting
Three stops on the islands: watch coconut candy being made by hand at a family workshop; try honey tea at a working bee farm; eat seasonal fruit straight from the orchard trees.
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Sampan through the narrow canals under the coconut palms
A hand-rowed sampan threads through the narrowest waterways of the delta, palms closing overhead. About 30 minutes on the water before returning to the main boat.
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Lunch at a local riverside restaurant
A Vietnamese lunch at a local restaurant on the riverbank — river fish, rice, and fresh vegetables. Included in the tour.
-
Drive back to Ho Chi Minh City, arriving mid-afternoon
The drive back reaches your hotel by around 17:00, traffic depending.
What's included
All essential services for a comfortable and memorable trip.
- AC minivan — hotel pick-up and drop-off in Ho Chi Minh City
- English-speaking guide for the full day
- Boat cruise on the Mekong River
- Hand-rowed sampan ride through the palm canals
- Coconut candy workshop visit
- Bee farm visit with honey tea
- Tropical fruit tasting
- Lunch at a local restaurant
- All entrance fees
- 1 bottle of water per person
Not included
Items and services that are not part of the package price.
- Personal drinks and alcohol
- Tips (appreciated)
- Travel insurance (strongly recommended)
- Any services not listed above
Pick-up runs between 07:30 and 08:00 from hotels in central Ho Chi Minh City. Your exact time is confirmed the day before.
“<p>Minh grew up in the delta south of Saigon and has been guiding day trips on these waterways for years. He knows which family at the coconut candy workshop will let you try pulling the sugar yourself, which bend in the sampan canal is worth slowing down for, and how to time the fruit tasting to whatever is ripest that morning. His English is clear and his pace is unhurried.</p>”
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Why travel with Banh Mi Escape Travel
Trips with English-speaking guide
Our experienced guides speak fluent English and know Vietnam inside out. They share local insights and ensure you have an authentic experience.
Group or individual travel
Choose between small group tours with like-minded travelers or customize a private journey just for you and your companions.
Vietnam specialists for 8+ years
With nearly a decade of experience in Vietnam, we've built trusted relationships and deep local knowledge.
We've tried everything ourselves
Every hotel, restaurant, and activity we recommend has been personally tested by our team. We only offer what we love.
We plan your ideal trip A to Z
From the moment you land to your departure, every detail is arranged. Just relax and enjoy the journey.
Guaranteed customer satisfaction
Our 4.9 rating speaks for itself. We go above and beyond to ensure every traveler returns home with amazing memories.
Weather
Best months to visit this destination
Best
Good
Off-peak
Weather in Ho Chi Minh City in July
Vietnam can be visited year-round. The north is cooler in winter (January, February), sometimes with snow in the mountains. Autumn (September, October) in central Vietnam can be rainy. The south is warm year-round, with minimal rainfall from March to the end of September except for some islands. Best time to visit: February-June and September-December.
Air temperature
30 °C
Water temperature
27 °C
Frequently asked questions about this trip
From your hotel in central Ho Chi Minh City. Your guide confirms the exact time and address the evening before. Hotels outside the central area may require a short walk to the nearest collection point.
About two hours each way from central Saigon, depending on traffic. The tour departs in the morning to make the most of the cooler part of the day and to reach the islands before the afternoon heat.
Groups run 8 to 12. The minivan and boat stay comfortable at this size, and your guide has time for everyone. If you prefer a private day, ask about our private option.
Yes. The sampan is stable and moves slowly through calm, narrow canals. Life jackets are available. The ride is suitable for all ages.
Yes. The boat rides, fruit tasting, and candy workshop work well for children. Let us know ages at booking and your guide will adapt the pace.
The Mekong Delta runs year-round. The dry season (December to April) is more comfortable on the water. The wet season (May to November) brings afternoon showers but the river and orchards are at their most vivid.
This is the classic small-group format: Vinh Trang Pagoda, the island stops, the sampan, and lunch. The Mekong Life tour is a private, more immersive day that adds a rice mill, a cooking class, and a deeper focus on local family life in Ben Tre.
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