Mekong Delta: Cai Be & Vinh Long Day Trip with Cooking Class

Summary

Rowing narrow canals, tasting Mekong chocolate, cooking lunch in Cai Be village

You’ll ride boats through shaded canals near Cai Be, sample fresh chocolate at a family workshop, join locals for a hands-on cooking class (and lunch), then kayak or bike around peaceful villages—all with hotel pickup included. Expect laughter over language slips, sticky mango juice on your fingers, and moments of surprising calm along the Mekong Delta’s quieter routes.

What’s the experience like?

I nearly missed our van in Ho Chi Minh City because I was fussing over coffee strength—turns out you don’t need much caffeine for a day trip to the Mekong Delta. The drive out was this slow reveal: city noise fading, then green fields and banana trees everywhere. Our guide, Thanh, pointed out water buffaloes grazing by the road and laughed when I tried to say “Cai Be” properly (I still can’t). It’s about two hours but somehow felt shorter—maybe because I kept staring at all those flat rice paddies sliding past.

The first stop was a tiny chocolate workshop. The air smelled like roasted cocoa beans—richer than any café back home. We watched these women pour thick chocolate into molds with hands that moved so fast it looked choreographed. I tried a piece straight from the tray; it melted almost instantly, bittersweet and grainy in a way that felt honest. Thanh explained how farmers here started making chocolate only recently—before that, it was mostly coconut candy and rice snacks.

After that we hopped on a sampan boat—a real one, not just for tourists—and drifted through these skinny canals under tangled branches. At one point I ducked too late and got smacked by a low-hanging leaf (Thanh grinned but pretended not to notice). There were kids fishing off rickety docks and an old man singing something soft as we floated by. We stopped for fruit—mango slices so juicy they dripped down my wrist—and listened to folk music played live right there. It was… quieter than I expected? Not staged at all.

I’m not much of a cook but somehow ended up flipping pancakes next to a woman named Mai who showed me how to wrap herbs without tearing them (I failed twice). Lunch was giant elephant ear fish—crispy skin, eaten with fingers—and spring rolls we made ourselves. After eating way too much, some people napped in hammocks but I tried kayaking along the river instead. The water smelled earthy and warm; there were dragonflies everywhere. Cycling through the village after that felt almost dreamlike—just sun on my arms and the sound of someone chopping wood nearby. Heading back to Saigon in the evening, I kept thinking about that quiet canal and the taste of fresh honey tea.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Mekong Delta cultural and nature tour

• Pick up from hotel in Ho Chi Minh City
• Travel to Mekong Delta via scenic route
• Visit local chocolate factory
• Explore traditional handicraft workshops in Cai Be
• Take sampan boat ride through waterways
• Taste tropical fruits and enjoy folk music
• Visit bee farm and taste honey tea
• Participate in cooking class and have lunch
• Relax in hammock, kayak, or cycle village
• Depart for Ho Chi Minh City
• Drop off at hotel

Top questions

How long is the day trip from Ho Chi Minh City to Mekong Delta?

The tour lasts about 11 hours including travel time—pickup is around 7:30-8:00 AM and drop-off is about 6:30 PM.

Is lunch included on this Mekong Delta day trip?

Yes, a traditional lunch is included as part of a hands-on cooking class in Cai Be village.

Are boat rides part of this Cai Be & Vinh Long tour?

Yes, you’ll take both a sampan boat ride through small canals and have kayaking options after lunch.

What activities are included besides sightseeing?

You’ll visit a chocolate factory, try local candies, join a cooking class, listen to folk music, kayak or bike in the village.

Is hotel pickup included for this Mekong Delta tour?

Yes, round-trip hotel pickup and drop-off from Ho Chi Minh City are included.

Can vegetarians join this day trip?

Yes, vegetarian options are available if requested in advance.

How many people are on each tour group?

The group size is capped at 10 people for a more personal experience.

Is this tour suitable for all fitness levels?

Yes—it’s designed for all physical fitness levels; activities like biking or kayaking are optional.

What’s included

Your day includes hotel pickup and drop-off from Ho Chi Minh City, all boat rides (including sampan rowing), cycling or kayaking in Cai Be village, drinking water throughout the trip, entry to workshops where you’ll taste local chocolate and candies, plus a hands-on cooking class with lunch (vegetarian options available if you ask ahead).