Mekong Delta: 4 Islands Day Tour with Cooking & Boat Ride

Summary

Cycle, row, and taste your way across the Mekong’s lush islands

You’ll float down quiet canals in the Mekong Delta, try honey wine on Unicorn Island, cycle past coconut groves and rice paddies, and cook Khot cake with a local chef. Expect laughter with your guide, open-air lunch with fresh fruit, and those little moments you can’t plan for—like sunlight flickering off muddy water or kids racing your bike.

What’s the experience like?

Ever wondered what the Mekong Delta actually smells like? Turns out, it’s a mix of river mud, cut grass, and something sweet I couldn’t place until our guide Linh handed me a piece of fresh coconut candy. We’d barely left Ho Chi Minh City when the scenery changed — suddenly it was all green fields and those skinny coconut palms everywhere. The minivan ride to My Tho took maybe two hours (I lost track chatting with a couple from Hanoi who’d never been here either), and then we swapped wheels for a tuk-tuk that rattled so much my teeth almost clicked together. Not complaining though — you see everything up close that way.

The real surprise was how quiet it got once we started rowing down one of those narrow canals. Just the sound of water slapping against the boat and some bird I couldn’t see. Linh pointed out Dragon Island on our left — apparently each island has its own legend, but honestly I was too distracted by the sunlight flickering off the water and that weirdly comforting smell of wet leaves. Later we stopped at a bee farm on Unicorn Island (yes, really), where they poured us tiny glasses of honey wine. It tasted like summer if that makes sense? Someone tried banana wine too — Li laughed when I tried to say “cheers” in Vietnamese. I probably butchered it.

We cycled past pineapple fields and rice paddies, waving at kids who shouted “hello!” like it was a competition. Lunch was at this open-air spot under a tin roof — sticky rice, fish soup, fried tofu for the vegetarians (me). The highlight for me was making Khot cake with a local chef; mine looked nothing like hers but she gave me an approving nod anyway. The motorboat back along those green canals felt slower than before — maybe because nobody wanted to leave just yet. I still think about that view from the boat: palms leaning over the water, someone singing softly in Vietnamese somewhere nearby…

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Mekong Delta islands and local experiences

• Pickup from Ho Chi Minh City hotel
• Transfer to My Tho by minivan
• Ride Tuk-tuk through village and coconut trees
• Row small boat down canal
• Cycle along provincial roads past fields and orchards
• Ride motorboat on Mekong River visiting 4 islands
• Visit Unicorn Island and local bee farm
• Taste honey, honey wine, rice wine, banana wine
• Walk through village and visit coconut candy workshop
• Learn and try making Khot cake with local chef
• Boat along canals to local restaurant for lunch
• Return to Ho Chi Minh City

Top questions

How far is My Tho from Ho Chi Minh City?

My Tho is about 86 km away from Ho Chi Minh City.

Is hotel pickup included in this Mekong Delta tour?

Yes, hotel pickup is included for centrally located hotels in Districts 1, 3, and 4.

What activities are part of this day trip to the Mekong Delta?

You’ll ride tuk-tuks or electric cars, row boats through canals, cycle around villages, visit four islands including Unicorn Island, taste honey wine and Khot cake with a local chef.

Are vegetarian or vegan options available for lunch?

Yes, vegetarian options are available—just let them know when booking.

Is this tour suitable for children?

Yes, children can join but must be accompanied by an adult; kids under 5 are free though parents handle any extra costs.

Does this tour include cycling?

Yes, there’s cycling around coconut gardens and village roads as part of the experience.

What’s special about Khot cake on this tour?

You get to cook Vietnamese mini savory pancakes (Khot cake) alongside a local chef during the tour.

Are drinks included during the tour?

You’ll get honey tea at the bee farm plus tastings of honey wine, rice wine, banana wine; mineral water is also provided.

What’s included

Your day includes hotel pickup from central Ho Chi Minh City districts by minivan or bus; all sightseeing tickets; rides by tuk-tuk or electric car through villages; rowing boat journey along narrow canals; cycling among coconut gardens; visits to four islands including stops at bee farms and coconut candy workshops; tastings of honey tea and several local wines; hands-on Khot cake cooking session with a local chef; tropical fruit tasting; traditional music performance; Vietnamese set lunch (with vegan options); plus drop-off back in District 1 before evening settles in.