Mekong Delta Day Trip: Rowing Boat, Biking & Vinh Trang Pagoda

Summary

From Ho Chi Minh to the Mekong’s slow rivers and coconut air

You’ll swap city rush for slow river life on this Mekong Delta day trip from Ho Chi Minh City. Expect hotel pickup, a visit to Vinh Trang Pagoda, rowing shaded canals by boat, cycling quiet village paths, tasting honey tea and fresh fruit with locals — plus lunch in a garden where time feels slower than anywhere else.

What’s the experience like?

I’ll admit, I didn’t expect the air to smell so green when we left Ho Chi Minh City. The van windows fogged a little as we passed those endless rice fields — I tried counting water buffalo but lost track. Our guide, Hien, kept tossing in stories about his childhood here. He pointed out Vinh Trang Pagoda before we even stopped, saying the Buddha statues were “smiling at us already.” I’m not sure if that was true but it made me smile too.

We hopped onto this wooden boat at My Tho — honestly, it creaked more than I thought boats should but no one else seemed worried. The river looked brown but somehow clean? It’s hard to explain. There were kids waving from stilt houses and old men fixing nets on the banks. We drifted under these low coconut trees, and you could hear nothing except paddles slapping water and the weird buzz of cicadas. When we reached Unicorn Island (Hien said it’s called that because of some old legend), they handed us honey tea and slices of jackfruit. The tea was sweet in a way that stuck to my teeth.

I nearly fell off the tuk tuk laughing when my friend tried to say “xin chào” to a fruit vendor — she just grinned and handed us more mango anyway. We biked through tiny lanes where chickens darted out and everything felt slower, like time stretched out with the heat. Lunch came in a breezy garden; tofu for me (vegan option exists!), fish for others, all with rice that tasted faintly smoky. Someone played a song on a battered radio nearby — I still think about that sound sometimes.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Mekong Delta boat tour and pagoda visit

• Hotel pickup in Ho Chi Minh City
• Travel to My Tho City by minivan
• Visit Vinh Trang Pagoda
• Boat trip along the Tien River to Tortoise Islet
• Cruise Bao Dinh Canal to Ben Tre Province
• Learn about Garden-Pond-Cage agriculture
• Taste local coconut candy and honey tea
• Relax on wooden river boat through shaded canals

Top questions

Is hotel pickup included for the Mekong Delta day trip?

Yes, hotel pickup and drop-off are included in Ho Chi Minh City.

What food is served during the tour?

A traditional Vietnamese lunch is included; vegan options are available.

How long does it take to reach the Mekong Delta from Ho Chi Minh?

The drive takes about 1.5 hours each way by minivan or bus.

Do you visit Vinh Trang Pagoda on this tour?

Yes, there is a stop at Vinh Trang Pagoda before heading to the river.

Are bikes provided during the tour?

Yes, bicycles are provided for riding through local villages.

Is this Mekong Delta tour suitable for all fitness levels?

Yes, it’s suitable for most fitness levels; specialized infant seats are available too.

What local treats can you try on Unicorn Island?

You’ll taste honey tea, coconut candy, jackfruit and other seasonal fruits.

Are entrance fees included in the price?

All entry fees and taxes are covered by your booking.

What’s included

Your day includes hotel pickup in Ho Chi Minh City, entry fees at Vinh Trang Pagoda and other sites, all boat rides (including rowing through shaded canals), bicycle rental for village paths, bottled water throughout the trip, tropical fruits and honey tea tastings on Unicorn Island, plus a traditional Vietnamese lunch with vegan options before returning by air-conditioned vehicle in the afternoon.