Mekong Delta: Private River Tour Phnom Penh to Saigon 3 Days

Summary

Private journey from Phnom Penh to Ho Chi Minh with local guide

You’ll travel by speedboat from Phnom Penh to Ho Chi Minh City with a local guide, crossing borders and drifting past villages along hidden canals. Expect lively markets, peaceful bird sanctuaries, and time spent with real people — plus hotel stays and meals included. It’s not always smooth or predictable but that’s what makes it memorable.

What’s the experience like?

Hands gripping the boat rail, I watched Phnom Penh’s colors blur into the river as we pulled away — a little nervous, honestly, about crossing into Vietnam by water. Our guide, Minh, handed out sweet iced tea and grinned at my clumsy attempt to say “xin chào” to the other passengers. The border stop was quick but felt oddly significant; I remember the smell of wet earth and engine oil while we waited for our passports. Once in Chau Doc, Minh pointed out Sam Mountain rising in the haze. We wandered through a quiet pagoda where incense drifted around us and a monk nodded hello — I tried not to stare at his saffron robe catching the afternoon light.

The next morning started with a walk through Chau Doc’s riverside market. It was loud and bright — women calling out prices over piles of mangosteen, kids darting between baskets of fish. Minh introduced us to a Cham woman weaving silk (her hands moved so fast) and explained how her community’s history stretched back centuries here. There was a moment in Tra Su Bird Sanctuary when everything went silent except for the sound of oars dipping into green water and birds calling overhead — I still think about that calm. The air smelled faintly of cajeput trees; it stuck to my skin.

We woke up early for Cai Rang floating market, which is something you have to see at least once if you’re doing any kind of Mekong Delta tour. Boats everywhere — some selling pineapples, others just coffee or noodles — and people shouting greetings across the water like it was no big deal. Minh bought us hot rice cakes from a vendor who laughed when I nearly dropped mine into the river (it was slippery). On our way toward Ho Chi Minh City, we stopped at Vinh Tràng Pagoda; its mosaic dragons were almost too much for my tired eyes but somehow perfect after days on the river.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Phnom Penh to Chau Doc by Speedboat

• Meet team at Phnom Penh Pier
• Passport and visa check
• Arrive Chau Doc Port
• Explore Thien Hau Pagoda or Sam Mountain

Day 2 — Chau Doc and Tra Su Forest Tour

• Visit local market and Cham mosque
• See Khmer temple and floating houses
• Eco-tour in Tra Su Cajuput Forest

Day 3 — Can Tho Floating Market and Ho Chi Minh

• Visit Cai Rang floating market by boat
• Transfer to Ho Chi Minh City
• Visit Vinh Trang Pagoda

Top questions

How do I travel from Phnom Penh to Ho Chi Minh City by river?

This private tour takes you by speedboat from Phnom Penh across the Cambodian-Vietnamese border to Chau Doc, then continues by boat through the Mekong Delta before ending in Ho Chi Minh City.

Is hotel accommodation included on this Mekong Delta tour?

Yes, two nights’ accommodation are included: one night in Chau Doc (3-star or 4-star option) and one night in Can Tho (3-star or 4-star option).

What do you see on a day trip Mekong Delta tour?

You visit local markets, Sam Mountain pagodas, Tra Su Bird Sanctuary, floating catfish farms, Cai Rang floating market, and Vinh Tràng Pagoda.

Is lunch provided during the tour?

Meals are included as per itinerary: breakfast each day plus some lunches depending on your booking details.

Do I need a visa for Vietnam if coming from Cambodia?

Yes, you must obtain your Vietnamese visa before starting this tour as there is no visa-on-arrival service at this border crossing.

What’s included

Your journey includes pickup at Phnom Penh Pier, private local guide throughout the route, all transport by speedboat and air-conditioned minivan between cities and attractions, two nights’ hotel accommodation with breakfast each day (plus some lunches), entry fees for pagodas and nature reserves like Tra Su Bird Sanctuary, and plenty of chances to try fresh food right from floating markets before finishing in Ho Chi Minh City.