Kayaking and Cooking in Cai Be from Ho Chi Minh City

Cook traditional dishes, then paddle kayaks through the Mekong's quiet canals

A one-day excursion from Ho Chi Minh City to Cai Be combines a cooking class, kayaking and boat trips through the Mekong Delta's fruit orchards and rice paddies. The day runs nine hours with hotel pickup and drop-off, an English-speaking guide, all boat transport, and lunch of Vietnamese cuisine. Children from age 3 are welcome. Pregnant travelers should check with the operator first.

The experience

You leave Ho Chi Minh City at 7:45am in an air-conditioned van for a two-and-a-half-hour drive to Cai Be. By 10am you're on foot exploring the town, then boarding a motorized boat to cruise the Mekong River before switching to a small sampan to paddle through narrow canals where locals go about their day. The boat takes you into the region's fruit orchards, where you taste fresh fruit and listen to local music performed by villagers.

At noon you attend a cooking class to prepare traditional Vietnamese dishes, then sit down to eat what you've made. After lunch and a rest, it's time to get into a kayak for a leisurely paddle down the river, or you can choose to bike instead and explore the countryside on two wheels to see rural life up close. Either way, you head back to Ho Chi Minh City around 3pm and arrive by 5pm.

The guide speaks English throughout the day and handles all logistics: transport, boat trips, the cooking instruction and the meal. Hotel pickup and drop-off in Ho Chi Minh City are included, so you don't arrange your own way to the delta. Vegan meals are available at lunch if you need them.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and drop-off in Ho Chi Minh City.
• all boat trips on the Mekong and through the canals.
• kayaking or biking in the afternoon (your choice).
• a cooking class and Vietnamese lunch.
• an English-speaking guide.
• vegan meals available on request.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 07:30, 08:00 and 08:30

Book up to4h before

AgesAdult (12 and older) · Child (3 to 11 years) · Under 3: can't be booked

GroupUp to 25

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 3 days ago

Good to know

Public transport nearbyNot recommended during pregnancyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Viet Nam Adventure Tours JSC

Is this one for you?Hotel pickup from Ho Chi Minh City means you don't need a car or arrange your own transport to the delta. The van collects you in the morning and returns you by evening, so the day works whether you're staying in the city or arriving that morning.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (3 to 11 years). Children under 3 can't be included in the booking.

What's the drive time from Ho Chi Minh City to Cai Be?

The van journey takes approximately two and a half hours, departing at 7:45am and arriving around 10am.

Do I paddle a kayak myself, or is it a guided tour in a boat?

You paddle your own kayak for a leisurely stretch down the river in the afternoon. Earlier in the day you ride in motorized and sampan boats to see the orchards and canals, but the kayaking portion is when you're in control of the paddle.

Is the kayaking suitable for beginners?

The kayak paddle is described as leisurely, suggesting a relaxed pace. The operator does not list fitness requirements, but if you have concerns about paddling or balance, contact them before booking.

Can I bike instead of kayaking?

Yes, after lunch you can choose to bike through the countryside to explore rural life up close instead of paddling a kayak.