Mekong Delta tour from Ho Chi Minh City: Sampan rides and pagoda

A sampan glides through the delta's canals while locals go about their day on the water.

A full-day guided tour of the Mekong Delta from Ho Chi Minh City takes you by air-conditioned van to Vinh Tràng Pagoda, then by motor boat and sampan through the waterways of My Tho, where you watch fruit orchards, listen to local music and eat Vietnamese lunch. Hotel pickup from central District 1 and an English-speaking guide are included. You choose between a regular group (up to 26 people), a small group (up to 12) or a private limousine option.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Vinh Tràng Pagoda1h
2. My Tho3h

Mekong Delta guided tour from Ho Chi Minh City

• Pick up from Ho Chi Minh City
• Visit Vinh Trang Pagoda
• Take motorboat ride in Mekong Delta
• Enjoy sampan ride through canals
• Visit tropical fruit orchards
• Watch local music performance
• Sample local food and drinks
• Return to Ho Chi Minh City

The experience

The day starts with pickup from your central Ho Chi Minh City hotel around 7:30am and a drive south to Vinh Tràng Pagoda in Tien Giang. The temple, built in the late 19th century, blends Vietnamese and Chinese architecture and sits as one of the largest pagodas in the country. After time to walk the grounds, you head to My Tho, where the water-based part of the tour begins.

In My Tho, you board a motor boat and then transfer to a sampan: a narrow wooden boat that moves quietly through the delta's canals. From the sampan, you pass tropical fruit orchards where you can see how locals live and work on the water. The guide points out the daily rhythms of delta life while you listen to traditional music and sample local food and drinks. This stretch is unhurried. The sampan's pace lets you take in the landscape and the people who depend on these waterways.

Lunch of Vietnamese cuisine is served during the tour (vegan options are available), along with bottled water and fresh tropical fruits. The full day runs until around 5:00pm, when you're dropped at the VN Adventure Tours office before heading back to your hotel. The tour suits all fitness levels and welcomes children from age 3 when accompanied by an adult.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup from central District 1.
• air-conditioned van transport.
• English-speaking guide.
• entry to Vinh Tràng Pagoda.
• motor boat and sampan rides through My Tho.
• visits to tropical fruit orchards.
• local music performance.
• Vietnamese lunch with vegan options.
• bottled water and fresh tropical fruits.
• drop-off at the tour office.

Options for this experience

3 options

Regular group with a maximum of 26 peopleGuide in English · 07:35Join a group of up to 26 people, traveling by air-conditioned bus. Hotel pickup and drop-off in central District 1 only. Pickup is included.

Small group, up to 12 peopleGuide in English · 08:00Join a small group of up to 12 people, with hotel pickup from central District 1 and 4. Pickup is included.

VIP group travelling by limousineGuide in English · 08:00Join a VIP group of up to 9 people, traveling by limousine. Hotel pickup and drop-off in Districts 1, 3 and 4. Pickup is included.

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 07:35 and 08:00

Book up to4h before

AgesAdult (12 and older) · Child (3 to 11 years) · Under 3: can't be booked

GroupUp to 25

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Low physical effortPublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Viet Nam Adventure Tours JSC

Is this one for you?Choose the small-group option if you want fewer than a dozen people and more time to ask questions; the regular group works well if you're traveling solo or with one other person and don't mind a larger tour; the limousine option suits families or friends who want privacy and flexibility during the day.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (3 to 11 years). Children under 3 can't be included in the booking.

What is Vinh Tràng Pagoda like?

Vinh Tràng Pagoda is a large Buddhist temple built in the late 19th century in Tien Giang, blending Vietnamese and Chinese architectural styles. It's one of the most beautiful pagodas in Vietnam and is the first stop after you leave Ho Chi Minh City.

Do I ride in a boat on this tour?

Yes. You take a motor boat first, then transfer to a sampan, a traditional narrow wooden boat, to travel through the canals of My Tho. The sampan ride lets you see fruit orchards and observe daily life on the delta's waterways.

Is lunch included in the Mekong Delta tour?

Lunch of Vietnamese cuisine is included, with vegan options available. You also get bottled water and fresh tropical fruits during the day.

What size group will I be in?

You choose at checkout: a regular group tour (up to 26 people), a small-group option (up to 12 people), or a private limousine tour for your party.

Does the tour include hotel pickup?

Yes, pickup is included from central hotels in District 1 (not from Dakao or Tan Dinh). The tour starts around 7:30am and ends around 5:00pm, with drop-off at the VN Adventure Tours office.