Mekong Delta Day Trip: River Cruise & Sampan Ride
Cruise the Mekong, then drift through narrow canals by hand-rowed sampan
A full-day Mekong Delta tour from Ho Chi Minh City combines a river cruise to Unicorn Island with a hand-rowed sampan ride through small canals, stops at a bee farm and coconut candy factory, and a visit to Vinh Tràng Pagoda. Hotel pickup from Districts 1, 3 and 4, English-speaking guide, Vietnamese lunch, and all entrance fees are included.
Options for this experience
3 optionsStep-by-step itinerary
Mekong Delta river cruise and village visit
- Hotel pickup in Ho Chi Minh City
- Travel to My Tho
- Visit Vinh Trang Pagoda
- Check in cruise on Mekong River
- Boat ride to Unicorn Island
- Enjoy traditional Vietnamese music
- Hand-rowed sampan ride in canals
- Visit bee farm and taste honey tea
- Visit coconut candy factory
- Return boat and bus to Ho Chi Minh City
What’s included
- Bottled drinking water and seasonal tropical fruits.
- air-conditioned transportation from and back to your hotel in Districts 1, 3 or 4.
- English-speaking tour guide.
- boat trip on the Mekong River.
- hand-rowed sampan ride through small canals.
- Vietnamese lunch at a local restaurant.
- visits to a bee farm with honey tea tasting and the coconut candy factory.
- entry to Vinh Tràng Pagoda.
Times
- Every day 07:30 08:00 08:30 09:00 09:30 10:00
Before you book
Operated by Viet Kolors Tour
Prices and times updated 9 days ago
Traveler reviews
The experience
The day starts with hotel pickup between 7:40 and 8:20am and a drive to My Tho, where you board a boat for the Mekong River cruise toward Unicorn Island. Along the way, you'll pass the peaceful life of local people on the water and hear Vietnamese traditional music: Đàn Ca Tài Tử, a UNESCO-recognized folk art form from Southern Vietnam. The boat ride is built around watching the river itself, not rushing through it.
After the cruise, you transfer to a hand-rowed sampan for a leisurely drift through small canals, where the pace slows even further. A stop at a bee farm includes honey tea tasting, and then you visit the largest coconut candy factory in the Mekong Delta to see how the sweets are made. Vinh Tràng Pagoda, the biggest pagoda in the delta and built in the first half of the 19th century, gives you time to step into the religious and cultural space before lunch at a local restaurant. The tour ends around 5:30pm when the bus returns you to Ho Chi Minh City.
Bottled water and seasonal tropical fruits are provided throughout the day. The itinerary is designed to feel unhurried: the operator notes that remaining hours account for travel time between stops rather than rushing from one to the next. Dietary needs like vegetarian, vegan, or gluten-free can be accommodated if you note them at booking.
Is this one for you?Choose the small group van option if you prefer a quieter pace with fewer people, or the private tour if you're traveling with family or friends and want the flexibility to linger at any stop. The regular group bus works well if you're comfortable with a larger group and want to meet other travelers. All three options follow the same itinerary and include the same stops.
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Top questions
Can children come?
Yes. Ticket types: Child (3 to 11 years); Infant (under 3): free.
What happens if it rains?
It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.
What is Vinh Tràng Pagoda and why is it on this tour?
Vinh Tràng Pagoda is the largest pagoda in the Mekong Delta, built during the first half of the 19th century. It's included as a stop to give you time to experience the religious and cultural space of the region, not as a quick photo point.
What does the hand-rowed sampan ride through small canals involve?
The sampan is a traditional narrow boat propelled by hand, taking you through small canals at a relaxed pace. It's one of the slower, quieter parts of the day and lets you see how locals live along the waterways.
Is Vietnamese lunch included, and can I request dietary changes?
Yes, Vietnamese lunch at a local restaurant is included in the tour price. The operator can accommodate vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and other dietary needs if you note them when you book.
How much time do I spend traveling versus at the attractions?
The tour runs 8 to 9 hours total from pickup to drop-off. The operator allocates the remaining hours for travel time between Ho Chi Minh City and the delta, and between stops, so the pace is built around getting there rather than rushing through each site.
What is Đàn Ca Tài Tử, the music you'll hear on the boat?
Đàn Ca Tài Tử is a traditional Vietnamese folk art form from Southern Vietnam that was recognized by UNESCO in 2013. You'll hear it performed during the Mekong River cruise as part of experiencing local culture.
What happens at the coconut candy factory?
You visit the largest coconut candy factory in the Mekong Delta to see how the sweets are made. It's a working workshop where you can watch the process and understand a local craft.
Mekong Delta Day Trip: River Cruise & Sampan Ride
8h–9h · EN
from US$ 19 per person
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