Mekong Delta: Cai Rang Floating Market & My Tho Tour VIP

Summary

Explore Cai Rang’s floating market then cruise My Tho canals

You’ll wake up early for Cai Rang Floating Market’s bustle, taste fresh pineapple from a boat vendor, drift through My Tho’s lush canals by sampan with your local guide, and share lunch with new friends before heading back to Ho Chi Minh City—expect moments that linger long after you return.

What’s the experience like?

“You want pineapple?” the woman on the boat called out, her voice carrying over the engine noise and morning chatter. I was still half-awake from our 5am pickup in Ho Chi Minh City, but the smell of river water mixed with fresh fruit snapped me into the moment. Our guide, Minh, grinned and handed me a chunk of pineapple straight from her knife — sticky sweet, nothing like what I get at home. The Cai Rang Floating Market was already alive when we arrived; boats everywhere, people shouting prices or just laughing with neighbors. It’s busy but not chaotic — more like organized chaos, if that makes sense.

I didn’t expect breakfast to be served from a boat, but there I was slurping noodle soup while watching vendors toss produce between boats like it was no big deal. Minh explained how families live on these boats for generations — he pointed out one where kids were doing homework right next to sacks of mangoes. After drifting through the market, we stopped at a small village nearby. The air smelled like wet earth and something floral I couldn’t quite place. We tried picking fruit in a garden (I dropped mine — slippery!) and then hopped back in the van toward My Tho.

The second part felt slower somehow. In My Tho we boarded another boat, this time gliding past islets named after animals — Turtle, Dragon, Phoenix — which Minh said are lucky symbols here. There was a moment on Unicorn Islet when everything got quiet except for birds and the soft splash of our sampan paddles under coconut palms. At some point we stopped for honey tea and local music; I probably clapped off-beat but nobody seemed to mind. Lunch was simple but good — tofu with lemongrass for me (vegan option!), fish for others — and by then I’d lost track of time completely.

The drive back to Ho Chi Minh City felt longer than in the morning, maybe because my brain was full or maybe just tired in that good way you get after seeing something real. I keep thinking about those early hours on the river — how everyone just gets on with their day while visitors like me float by trying to take it all in.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Mekong Delta Market & Cruise

• Drive from Ho Chi Minh City to Can Tho
• Explore Cai Rang Floating Market by boat
• Visit Fruit Garden and taste fresh fruits
• Travel to My Tho and scenic Mekong River cruise
• Sampan boat ride through narrow waterways
• Visit bee farm, enjoy honey tea and local music
• Vietnamese lunch with vegan options
• Relaxing return to Ho Chi Minh City

Top questions

How early does the Cai Rang Floating Market tour start?

The tour departs from Ho Chi Minh City at 5:00 AM.

Is breakfast included during the Mekong Delta day trip?

Yes, breakfast is provided either at a local restaurant or directly at Cai Rang Floating Market.

What activities are included in the private Mekong Delta tour?

You’ll visit Cai Rang Floating Market by boat, explore a village, pick fruit in a garden, cruise My Tho’s river and canals by traditional boats, stop at a bee farm for honey tea and music, and enjoy lunch.

Does this tour include hotel pickup in Ho Chi Minh City?

Yes, hotel pickup and drop-off are included for Districts 1, 3, 4, 5 and 7.

Are vegan or vegetarian options available for lunch?

Yes, vegan food is available upon request during lunch.

How long does this day trip to Cai Rang & My Tho last?

The tour lasts approximately from 5:00 AM until around 4:00 PM.

Is an English-speaking guide provided on this Mekong Delta tour?

Yes, an experienced English-speaking guide accompanies you throughout the day.

What’s included

Your day includes hotel pickup and drop-off in central districts of Ho Chi Minh City by private vehicle; entrance fees; all boat rides including motorboat and sampan; breakfast (sometimes right on the floating market); tropical fruit tasting; honey tea stop; Vietnamese lunch with vegan options; plus your local English-speaking guide looking out for you along every step before returning late afternoon.