From Ho Chi Minh: My Tho Ben Tre Mekong with Lunch

The best part of this Mekong day is getting off the main river and into the narrow canals, where a sampan slips beneath coconut palms and the busy city feels far away. You’ll also cruise past the river islands near My Tho before heading toward Ben Tre.

I like the mix of moving through the countryside by road and water, and the chance to meet local families over fruit, honey tea and traditional music. The hand-made coconut candy workshop gives you a look at a familiar local product before you taste it.

The trade-off is that the day includes several stops where you may be invited to browse or buy local goods. If you want quiet time on the water and no commercial visits, this may not be your ideal outing.

What makes this Mekong day worthwhile

• Sampan ride through palm-lined canals: The small boat takes you into waterways that a larger river boat cannot enter.
• A change of pace from Ho Chi Minh City: The drive to My Tho passes rice fields, pineapple plantations, orchards and hamlets.
• Fruit and honey tea with local families: You’ll sample local produce and tea, with traditional music performed by villagers.
• A close-up look at coconut candy: At a workshop in Ben Tre, you can see how the sweet is made by hand.
• Lunch and orchard fruit are included: The day includes a Vietnamese meal at a local restaurant and another fruit tasting at an orchard garden.

Leaving Ho Chi Minh City for My Tho

The tour starts with pickup at 7:30 AM, either at the office at 177 De Tham in District 1 or at your hotel in District 1. From there, you’ll ride an air-conditioned bus toward My Tho, a drive of about two hours through the southern countryside.

The road journey is part of the day, not just a transfer. You’ll pass paddy fields, pineapple plantations, orchards and small hamlets, giving you a look at the rural setting before the river stops begin. It is a useful contrast with central Ho Chi Minh City, though you should be ready for several hours of travel in each direction.

Bring sunglasses, a sun hat, an umbrella and biodegradable sunscreen. These are practical items for a day split between bus, boat and outdoor stops, where shade may vary.

Cruising past My Tho’s river islands

At My Tho, the tour continues by motor boat on the Mekong River. The route passes Tortoise Islet, as well as Dragon and Phoenix islands, before reaching Unicorn Islet. These names help mark the route, but the appeal is the shift from road travel to open water and a closer look at life along the river.

The larger boat gives you time to take in the river scenery as you travel toward the delta’s smaller waterways. You’ll pass local communities and orchard areas, with stops for sightseeing and sampling. The program is active, so don’t expect a long, quiet river cruise with no interruptions.

The itinerary also includes a visit to Unicorn Island and a later orchard stop there. Because the day covers several places, expect a series of brief experiences rather than an in-depth visit to any one island.

Taking a sampan into the canals

The small sampan ride is the day’s most distinctive change of scale. Instead of looking at the delta from a larger boat, you’ll glide through narrow canals lined with coconut trees, close to the water and greenery.

This is the part to savor if you’re drawn to the quieter side of the delta. The route’s small waterways offer a different view from the broad Mekong, and the slower ride gives you time to notice the canal banks and nearby village life. The tour also includes time to disembark and explore a village on foot.

The boat outings are a strong reason to choose this trip. The day includes both a river cruise and travel through the canals, including a small motor boat in Ben Tre. If water travel is your priority, this itinerary gives you more than a quick photo stop beside the river.

Meeting local families over fruit and honey tea

At a local family visit, you’ll sample fruit, honey tea and wine while listening to traditional music performed by villagers. This stop gives the day a personal element, rather than making it only a sequence of boat rides and scenic views.

The tasting is part of the visit, so you can expect a hosted experience rather than a formal meal. You’ll have a chance to try local flavors and listen to music in a village setting. If you prefer to observe rather than buy, you can enjoy the hospitality without treating every stop as a shopping opportunity.

A second fruit tasting takes place at an orchard garden on Unicorn Island, accompanied by Southern traditional music. Having two fruit-focused stops may feel repetitive if you are not especially interested in local produce, but it gives you more than one chance to sample what grows in the region.

Seeing coconut candy made in Ben Tre

The tour continues to Ben Tre province, where you visit a coconut candy workshop. You’ll see the candy being made by hand, then have the chance to try it. It’s a practical stop: rather than only seeing packaged sweets, you get a look at the making process.

After the workshop, the route includes a transfer to a small motor boat and travel through lush canals. This shifts the focus back to the water and helps break up the day’s stops. The workshop is also one of the places where shopping can become part of the experience, so keep in mind that personal purchases are not included in the tour price.

One visitor’s main criticism of the day was feeling taken from one commercial stop to another. That is worth weighing before booking. The workshop and local tastings are part of the planned experience, but if you dislike sales-oriented stops, you may find parts of the day less relaxing.

Lunch and the day’s pace

Lunch is served at a local restaurant and is included in the price. Drinks during lunch are not included, so bring money if you want something beyond the tour’s included refreshments, such as mineral water, honey tea and fruit.

The day is scheduled for about 10 hours, with the early pickup and a roughly two-hour drive to My Tho. You’ll then move between boat trips, village stops, tastings, the workshop and lunch before returning to District 1. It is a full day, and the variety helps the hours pass, but it is not a slow, unstructured outing.

The tour is conducted in English, and the guide matters because the day has many transitions. Ha and Dan are guide names associated with particularly well-received departures. Assignments can change, so don’t assume either will lead your trip; a strong guide can make the transfers and stops feel connected rather than scattered.

What the $30 price covers

At $30 per person, this is a low-cost way to arrange transport from Ho Chi Minh City, river and canal boat rides, entrance fees, lunch, a guide, mineral water and several tastings. If you tried to arrange the bus journey and boat stops independently, you would need to coordinate multiple parts of the day yourself.

The price includes fruit, honey tea and candy, as well as the traditional music performance and orchard visit. It does not cover personal expenses or drinks with lunch, so keep a little extra for purchases and any meal drinks you want.

Value depends on what you want from the delta. If your priority is seeing a range of places in one day without planning transport, the package offers a lot for the cost. If you want an unhurried visit focused on one village or one boat ride, the packed schedule and commercial stops may feel like a compromise.

Who should book this tour

This outing suits you if you have one free day in Ho Chi Minh City and want a broad introduction to the Mekong Delta. You get road scenery, the main river, canals, village visits, local food and a workshop in one organized trip.

It is also a good fit if you enjoy having transport and activities arranged, and don’t mind a full schedule. The English-speaking guide, air-conditioned bus and included lunch make the day straightforward, especially if you are short on time.

I would think twice if you have mobility impairments or use a wheelchair, as the tour is not suitable for wheelchair users or people with mobility impairments. The itinerary involves getting on and off boats and walking during village visits, so consider your comfort with those transitions before booking.

Practical details before you go

Pickup is at 7:30 AM from the tour office at 177 De Tham or from a hotel in District 1. The listed drop-off options are District 1 and the De Tham office. Confirm your pickup point when arranging the trip, and be ready for a full day away from the city.

Bring sun protection, including a hat and biodegradable sunscreen, and consider carrying an umbrella. Alcohol and drugs are not allowed. The tour has free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance, and the reserve-now, pay-later option can help if you want to keep plans flexible.

Should you book it?

Book this trip if you want a practical, affordable introduction to the Mekong Delta, especially if your time in southern Vietnam is limited. The strongest part is the combination of river cruising and the sampan ride through coconut-lined canals, with village tastings and lunch adding local flavor.

Skip it if you want a quiet, highly focused outing or would rather avoid workshop and shopping stops. At $30, it offers good value for a packed day, but the value rests on enjoying variety and accepting a brisk pace. If that sounds right, bring sun protection, a little spending money and an appetite for fruit.

FAQ

How long is the tour?

The tour lasts about 10 hours, including the journey from Ho Chi Minh City and the activities in My Tho and Ben Tre.

What time does pickup start?

Pickup starts at 7:30 AM from the office at 177 De Tham in District 1 or from a hotel in District 1.

What language does the guide speak?

The live tour guide speaks English.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A Vietnamese lunch at a local restaurant is included. Drinks during lunch are not included.

What food and drinks are included?

The tour includes fruit, honey tea, candy and mineral water, as well as lunch. Drinks ordered with lunch are extra.

What boat rides are part of the tour?

You’ll take a boat cruise on the Mekong River, ride a sampan through coconut-lined canals and travel by small motor boat through canals in Ben Tre.

Which places does the tour visit?

The tour travels to My Tho and Ben Tre, passes Tortoise, Dragon and Phoenix islands, and visits Unicorn Island.

What should I bring?

Bring sunglasses, a sun hat, an umbrella and biodegradable sunscreen.

Is the tour suitable for wheelchair users?

No. It is not suitable for wheelchair users or people with mobility impairments.