The Mekong Delta begins less than two hours' drive from Ho Chi Minh City. Waterways, fruit orchards and a slower pace of life are a world away from the city, which is why this is the most popular day trip for first-time visitors to Vietnam.
Which route?
| My Tho – Ben Tre | Can Tho – Cai Rang floating market | |
|---|---|---|
| From Ho Chi Minh City | About 70–90 km, roughly 2 hours | About 170 km, 3.5–4 hours |
| As a day trip | Comfortable | Possible but tiring — better to stay a night |
| Highlights | Boat rides on the river, coconut canals, fruit orchards | The early-morning floating market, Ninh Kieu riverside |
My Tho – Ben Tre in a day
The classic route: leave around 7–8 am and be back in the city by 5–6 pm.
- A motorboat ride on the Tien River, stopping at river islands.
- A rowing-boat ride through narrow canals shaded by water coconut palms.
- Watch coconut candy being made, sip honey tea and eat fruit straight from the orchard.
- Listen to don ca tai tu, the traditional folk music of southern Vietnam.
Can Tho and the Cai Rang floating market
Cai Rang floating market is busiest early in the morning, around 5–8 am, when boats loaded with fruit and vegetables fill the river. By the time you could drive there from Ho Chi Minh City it is winding down, so the best plan is to travel to Can Tho the afternoon before, stroll Ninh Kieu riverside in the evening and head to the market at dawn.
Can Tho has an airport with domestic flights, so you can fly on instead of going back to Ho Chi Minh City. See onward flights within Vietnam.
Group tour or private car?
Group tours are cheap and hassle-free, but run to a fixed schedule with a crowd. A private car suits families with young children or older parents, or groups who want to choose their own stops and return time. For a private car to the Mekong Delta, contact Newway SAS for a quote based on your plans.
When to go and what to bring
- Dry season (roughly December to April): pleasant weather, easy travel.
- Fruit season peaks around May to August.
- September to November is the flood season upstream — beautiful waterscapes, but expect some rain.
- Bring a hat, sunscreen, insect repellent, shoes that can get wet and some small notes in cash.
Stay connected: on the river and the islands, maps and your phone help you find your way and call your driver. Pre-book a Vietnam travel SIM or eSIM and collect it at the counter by baggage carousel 8 in Tan Son Nhat International Terminal 2.
Read next: Ho Chi Minh City in 3 days for first-timers.