Located in the southwestern of Vietnam, the Mekong delta region encompasses a large portion of over 40,500 square kilometres. The size of the area criss-crossed by a dense network of canals. The area is home to large numbers of rice fields, fruit orchards, wild animal species which create the most impressive views for those who interested in ecological tourism. The region comprises 13 provinces which a lot of tourist attractions. Therefore, on this post, Viet Dream Travel would like to show you some of the Mekong Delta tours and places that you should visit to this lovely land.

Which season is most ideal to explore Mekong Delta River?

Choosing the right time to travel will help your experience be the most complete and unique. Unlike other provinces and cities, the right time of traveling will determine your exploration experiences.

If you want to visit orchards when they are ripe, summer is the “golden time” for you to make your trip. You can immerse yourself in the fragrant scent of the lush orchard in season, enjoy ripe fruit right at the garden, as well as buy it as gifts for friends and relatives at extremely reasonable prices.

orchards in Mekong

If you want to experience the feeling of traveling by boat, Vietdream suggests that the floating season from September to November will be an extremely favorable time. During this season, the water level of the Mekong River rises quite high in the southwestern provinces, but is not as intense as flood waters in the mountainous provinces.

mekong delta

Traveling to the Mekong Delta River this season, you will not be able to visit places on land, but in return, you will enjoy the poetic and tranquil scenery of mangrove forests, fishing villages, floating markets – these are “special products” that can only be found here during the flood season.

Enjoy the beautiful scenery of the Mekong Delta region

The Mekong Delta attracts tourists not only because of its lyrical river scenery but also because of the simple and kind character of its people. Travel anywhere in the 13 provinces of the region, you will feel the hospitality of the people here. Let’s explore Mekong Delta tours with us now! 

Floating markets in Mekong Delta

Floating markets have existed in Vietnam for hundreds of years and have become crucial part of daily life in the Mekong Delta. Everyday, there are a hundred boats filled with fruits, vegetables, agricultural products, soft drinks, breakfast, and other products along the banks of the river from 4am. 

Cai Rang floating market

Unlike markets on the mainland, trading goods are placed on boats, creating a unique and colorful scene. Not only trading activities take place on boats but also, with some people, it’s their house. 

Cai Rang floating market in Can Tho

Cai Rang floating market in Can Tho

Each boat has a bamboo tree, hanging on it the typical items that the owner will sell to help customers easily recognize from afar. 

floating market in Mekong delta

Here are some of the most famous floating markets that you should visit:

Tourist gardens

With a network of canals and rivers, a series of local orchards have appeared on every land and water route in the Mekong delta. Visiting the orchards, visitors have the opportunity to promenade of star apple, mango, purple mangosteen, durian, jackfruit, banana, longan, orange, tangerine ect., go fishing and taste Southern fresh fruits and specialties.

In any season, especially in the summer, you will be taken around the gardens by dinghy, pick up fresh fruite and enjoy them right in the garden.

Some of the tourist gardens that you should not forget:

  • Phong Dien, Chin Hong, Rach Ke and My Khanh garden in Can Tho
  • Cai Mon orchards in Ben Tre
  • Vinh Kim, Cai Be orchards in Tien Giang
  • An Binh islet in Vinh Long
  • …

Explore islets and islands in Mekong Delta

There are many islets that became tourist attraction in the delta. These areas feature traditional houses inhabited by many generations, gardens with fruit trees. By visiting these islet, visitors have many exciting experiences such as row in a sampan along small canals under the green canopy of water coconut trees, observing daily activities of local people, admiring facilities producing handicraft products or cycling around the islets…

Here are some of the islets that attracting many visitors: 

Besides these islets/islands, there is another one located in the Gulf of Thai Lan, considered as a “Pearl of the Southern sea area”. It is Phu Quoc island. This island is the largest one in Vietnam. It endowed with splendid landscapes and surrounded by the coastline. The island is a fantastic destination for tourists as it offers a wide range of activities such as relaxing, camping and trekking. 

Phu Quoc Island

Eco-tourism parks and tourist areas

Coming heres, visitors have opportunities to join many recreation and entertainment activities. Also most of them are decorated with charming scenery, luxuriant orchards, variety of bonsai and flowers, birds and animals, fresh lakes and diversifying entertainment services such as fishing, saunter, enjoy traditional southern music, bird watching 

Xeo Quyt tourist area in Dong Thap.

Here are some of the most famous tourist areas in Mekong delta:

  • Gao Giong Eco-toirism site in Dong Thap
  • Binh An tourist area in Soc Trang
  • My Khanh tourist area in Can Tho
  • Xeo Quyt in Dong Thap

Sanctuaries and national parks

Mekong Delta is a home to thousands of storks, herons, bats, many other types of birds, plant species, reptiles, mammals ect… Some of them are considered rare and endangered species. It would be wonderful to get a view of thousand bird flying off to the sky in search of food at dawn and their returning to the nests as the sun is descending behind the forest.

You may also find yourselves get lost in the world of birds with various shapes and sounds. Such an admiring visit could be combined with a trip by motorized boats to go through a network of canals to learn the customs and habit of local residents.

vam ho birds

Some sanctuaries and national parks you should visit:

  • Vam Ho bird Sanctuary in Ben Tre
  • Tram Chim national park in Dong Thap
  • Tan Long Stork Sanctuary in Soc Trang
  • U Minh Thuong National park in Kien Giang
  • Bac Lieu bird Sanctuary in Bac Lieu
  • Ngoc Hien bird Sanctuary and Mui Ca Mau national park in Ca Mau
  • Tra Su cajuput forest

Tram Chim

Visit and admire the most spiritual temples and pagodas

The Southwest not only has vast rice fields, rich fruit gardens, bustling floating markets, etc., but also has many ancient and sacred temples. Temples in the West have long been a spiritual tourist destination that attracts a large number of Buddhists and tourists to visit and worship.

Vam Ray pagoda

Vam Ray pagoda

Tourists come here with the wish for a lucky, successful, happy new year, to find peace and relaxation in their souls and get rid of worries and sadness from the hustle and bustle of life. The poetic and peaceful pagoda scene with ancient features and valuable historical artifacts will certainly bring you interesting experiences. If you are planning to travel to the Mekong Delta, quickly save the famous temples and Pagoda below.

Truc Lam Phuong Nam Monastery

Truc Lam Phuong Nam Monastery

Mekong Delta specialties

Besides fruits,, it quite easy for you to try many specialties are provided, such as snakes, crocodiles, turtles, turtles, shrimp, fish, crabs, shackles … and all kinds of birds.

Coconut worm.

Mekong Delta tour is not only for discovering the beauty of nature and culture of local people, but also for enjoying the unique cuisine of this region. Some must-try dishes are:

  • Coconut worm
  • Grilled snakehead fish
  • Tortoise grilled on salt
  • Tortoise steam with citronella
  • Snakehead fish soup
  • Crab fried with tamarind
  • Hotpot sauce
  • Fish paste hotpot
  • Grilled rat
  • Pancake
  • Fish soup cooked with dien dien flower
  • Braise anabas
  • Crab rice noodles or soup
  • Fish cooked with fishsauce bowl
  • Shrimp cooked with caramel

Grilled rat

Some recommend daily Mekong Delta tours

Mekong Delta river has a lot of interesting things to do so if you have the opportunity, don’t hesitate to visit this place once. Viet Dream Travel is organizing daily group tours, package tours and car/bus rental service to visit any part of Mekong Delta. Here are some popular tour routine:

 You can book for scheduled tours or we will design them according to your needs and preferences. If you have any specific requirement on traveling tours to Mekong Delta or any other tourist destination in Vietnam, you can contact Viet Dream Travel at (+84)2838388322 or info@vietdreamtravel.vn. Our enthusiastic and professional tourist consultants are always ready to answer all of your questions.