Mekong Delta 2-Day Tour: Floating Markets, Cooking & Homestay

Summary

Cooking with locals, floating markets at dawn, cycling Mekong canals

You’ll glide by boat through Mekong Delta canals, sample warm coconut candy in Cai Be, cycle between green fields with a local guide, and wake early for Cai Rang floating market’s noisy sunrise bustle. Share stories over home-cooked dinner at your Can Tho homestay—this trip leaves you with more than photos.

What’s the experience like?

We got picked up right in Ho Chi Minh City — early, but not painfully so. The van rolled out of the city and into Ben Tre before I’d finished my first bottle of water. Our guide, Huy, kept pointing out things I’d never have noticed: the shape of the brick kilns (like beehives), a woman balancing a stack of mats on her scooter. The air smelled faintly sweet near the coconut workshop; I tried the candy and it stuck to my teeth for ages. We switched from motor-boat to hand-rowed sampan — honestly, I was nervous about tipping over, but the canal was so calm and shaded it felt almost secret.

Lunch was this big spread at a riverside place — five courses, lots of herbs I couldn’t name. They made sure to check if anyone had allergies or needed veggie options (someone did). Later we cycled through tiny lanes past vegetable gardens; a kid waved at us and then hid behind his grandma’s skirt. By late afternoon we reached Can Tho and checked into our homestay. The family had chickens wandering around and there was this soft hum of crickets as we helped chop veggies for dinner. My attempt at rolling spring rolls got some laughs — apparently mine were “creative.”

The next morning started before sunrise (I’m not usually a morning person) but seeing Cai Rang floating market come alive is something else. Boats everywhere, people shouting prices over the motor noise, pineapples stacked higher than me. We tasted fruit straight from one boat — sticky mango juice running down my wrist. After that we visited a noodle factory (the smell is intense but kind of comforting?) and wandered through another village before heading back toward Saigon. It’s strange how quickly you get used to river life rhythms — I still think about that quiet moment on the sampan when everything just slowed down.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Sai Gon to Can Tho via Ben Tre

• Pick up from District 1 hotels
• Board motor-boat on Mekong canals
• Visit brick kiln and observe workers
• Stop at coconut candy workshop
• Row sampan along shady canal
• Cycle or motor cart through villages
• Visit local family making mats
• Lunch at riverside restaurant
• Drive to Can Tho and check in homestay
• Join cooking class and dinner

Day 2 — Can Tho Floating Market and Return

• Breakfast at homestay
• Motor-boat to Cai Rang floating market
• Walk country road and visit flea market
• Visit noodle factory and fruit gardens
• Farewell host and drive to Cai Be village
• Lunch at local family house
• Drive back to Ho Chi Minh City
• End of tour and drop off

Top questions

Is hotel pickup included in this Mekong Delta tour?

Yes, hotel pickup and drop-off are included for Districts 1, 3 & 4 in Ho Chi Minh City.

Do we visit Cai Rang floating market on this tour?

Yes, you’ll visit Cai Rang floating market by boat early on the second day.

Is there a cooking class during the tour?

Yes, you’ll join your homestay hosts in Can Tho for a Vietnamese cooking class and dinner.

Are meals provided?

The tour includes lunch both days plus dinner at the homestay and breakfast on day two.

How many people are in each group?

This is a small-group tour with about 10 guests per group.

Is cycling part of the itinerary?

Yes, there’s an easy bicycle ride through village roads included on day one.

Can vegetarians or those with food allergies be accommodated?

Yes—just let them know your dietary needs when booking.

Where do we stay overnight?

You’ll stay at a local villager’s house (homestay) in Can Tho.

What’s included

Your two-day trip covers hotel pickup and drop-off from central Ho Chi Minh City districts, all entry fees, guided boat rides (both motor-boat and hand-rowed sampan), bicycle rental for exploring village roads, English-speaking local guide throughout, overnight accommodation at a Can Tho homestay with home-cooked dinner and breakfast included, plus snacks like tropical fruits and coconut candy along the way—bottled water too. Transport is by air-conditioned minivan between stops.