Mekong Delta Day Trip: My Tho, Ben Tre & Sampan Boat Ride

Summary

Rural Mekong Delta life, pagodas, coconut groves & river boats

You’ll feel Vietnam’s Mekong Delta come alive on this small-group day trip from Ho Chi Minh City—with temple visits, river cruises by motorboat and sampan, honey tea tasting with locals, plus a fresh Vietnamese lunch before heading back home.

What’s the experience like?

“You ever tried honey tea straight from the source?” That’s what our guide, Tuan, asked as we sat on these low wooden stools in Ben Tre. I’d already lost track of how many times I’d grinned at strangers that morning—first in Ho Chi Minh City’s traffic (pickup was right on time), then again when we rolled into My Tho and the air shifted. It smelled like wet earth and something sweet I couldn’t place. At Vinh Trang Pagoda, Tuan pointed out the mix of Khmer and Chinese details—he said even locals get surprised by how old it is. The Buddha statues looked serene but also kind of amused, which made sense because a rooster kept crowing somewhere behind us.

The motor boat ride along the Mekong River was louder than I expected—kids waved from the banks and there was this steady slap-slap of water against wood. We passed Turtle Islet and Dragon Islet (Tuan joked about which one he’d live on if he had to pick), then switched to a tiny sampan for the canals. The palms brushed my shoulders and it felt almost too quiet after all that engine noise. There was a moment where you could just hear paddles dipping in water and someone’s radio drifting over from a house half-hidden by trees. I didn’t expect to like that silence so much.

I’ll admit: I butchered “cám ơn” when thanking our hosts at the bee farm—Li laughed and tried to coach me but honestly, my accent is hopeless. The honey tea was warm and floral, not sticky-sweet like I thought it would be. We tried jackfruit and dragonfruit while some local musicians played; their voices were softer than I imagined, almost blending into the breeze. Lunch came next (vegan options too), simple rice dishes but somehow just right after all that humidity.

After lunch we biked through Ben Tre’s coconut groves—my handlebars wobbled more than once but nobody seemed to mind. You see people working or just sitting outside their homes, waving or nodding as you pass by. It’s not flashy or dramatic; it just feels real. On the drive back to Ho Chi Minh City, I kept thinking about those little moments—the rooster at the pagoda, that sudden hush on the canal—and yeah, I still think about them now.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Mekong Delta tour from Ho Chi Minh City

• Pick up from Ho Chi Minh City hotel
• Drive 1.5 hours to My Tho
• Visit Vinh Trang pagoda
• Boat cruise on Mekong River
• Ride sampan through narrow waterways
• Visit bee farm, taste honey tea and fruits
• Enjoy traditional music and local lunch
• Boat trip to Ben Tre
• Bike ride through countryside
• Learn about coconut product making
• Return to Ho Chi Minh City

Top questions

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

The tour lasts around 9 hours including travel time—pickup is at 7:45am with return around 4:50pm.

Is hotel pickup included for this Mekong Delta tour?

Yes, pickup is included for central hotels in District 1 except TanDinh & Dakao wards unless you book VIP/Private options.

What are the main stops on this Mekong Delta day trip?

The tour visits Vinh Trang Pagoda in My Tho, cruises past river islets, stops at a bee farm for honey tea and fruit tasting, includes lunch, then heads to Ben Tre for biking among coconut groves.

Is lunch provided during the tour?

Yes, a Vietnamese lunch is included with vegan options available.

Are there boat rides included in this Mekong Delta tour?

Yes—you’ll cruise by motorboat along the main river and paddle by sampan through smaller canals lined with coconut palms.

Can infants join this Mekong Delta day trip?

Infants can join but must sit on an adult’s lap during transport; public transportation options are nearby if needed.

What should I watch out for when boarding boats?

The boat surfaces may be uneven or slippery—watch your step carefully when getting on or off.

What’s included

Your day includes hotel pickup from central District 1 (except TanDinh & Dakao), all transportation by air-conditioned vehicle and boats, entry to Vinh Trang Pagoda, a bottle of water plus tropical fruits along the way, honey tea tasting at a local bee farm with traditional music performance, a Vietnamese lunch (vegan food available), bike ride through Ben Tre’s countryside—and travel insurance too before drop-off back in Ho Chi Minh City.