Mekong Delta Day Trip: Sampan Ride & Vinh Trang Pagoda

Summary

Float through My Tho’s canals taste fruit at orchards and pause at Vinh Trang Pagoda

You’ll float down Mekong Delta canals by sampan, wander Vinh Trang Pagoda’s mosaic halls, taste tropical fruits right where they grow in My Tho, and share lunch with new friends—all with pickup from Ho Chi Minh City and a local guide who brings every detail to life.

What’s the experience like?

We were already rumbling out of Ho Chi Minh City before I’d properly woken up—something about early morning in Vietnam just feels different. Our guide, Tuan, had this easy way of weaving little stories into the drive. He pointed out a woman balancing a mountain of rambutans on her bike and said she’d probably been up since before dawn. I half-listened, half-watched the city fade into rice paddies and palms, trying not to spill my coffee over every bump.

The first stop was Vinh Tràng Pagoda. I’m not sure what I expected—a quiet temple maybe—but it was so much brighter and busier than that. Gold everywhere, incense curling around us, monks in saffron robes moving quietly past tourists snapping photos (me included). There was this mosaic dragon winding along one wall; Tuan said it was made from broken teacups. The air smelled sweet and smoky at the same time. Someone handed me a lotus seed snack—I still can’t decide if I liked it.

By midday we reached My Tho for the Mekong Delta part of the tour. The water looked muddy but alive, with boats gliding past like they had somewhere important to be (even if they didn’t). We switched to a motor boat first—wind in our faces, bits of river spray hitting my arm—and then to a tiny sampan rowed by a woman who barely spoke but smiled every time we tried our Vietnamese. There was this moment when everything got quiet except for the sound of her paddle dipping in and out of the water. It felt oddly peaceful for such a busy place.

Lunch came after—a spread of local dishes under a thatched roof, with fruit I couldn’t name (Tuan laughed as I tried to pronounce “măng cụt”—I definitely butchered it). We listened to a few musicians play something soft and old-fashioned while we ate. Honestly, I didn’t expect to enjoy the music as much as I did. The whole day felt like slipping in and out of someone else’s routine—just for an afternoon—and now whenever I see dragonfruit back home, I think about that boat ride.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Mekong Delta tour from Ho Chi Minh City

• Pick up from Ho Chi Minh City
• Visit Vinh Trang Pagoda
• Take motor boat 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

Top questions

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

The tour starts around 8:00am and ends about 5:30pm.

Is hotel pickup included for this Mekong Delta guided tour?

Yes, pickup is included from central hotels in District 1 (except Dakao & TanDinh).

What sites do you visit on this Mekong Delta day trip?

You visit Vinh Trang Pagoda and take boat rides through My Tho and the Mekong Delta canals.

Is lunch provided during the tour?

Yes, lunch featuring Vietnamese cuisine is included (vegan options available).

Are there any activities besides boat rides?

You’ll also sample tropical fruits at orchards and enjoy live local music performances.

Is this tour suitable for children or families?

Yes, children are welcome but must be accompanied by an adult; infants sit on laps.

Do you need to be physically fit for this Mekong Delta tour?

The tour is suitable for all fitness levels.

Does the tour include an English-speaking guide?

Yes, an experienced English-speaking guide leads the group throughout the day.

What’s included

Your day includes pickup from your central District 1 hotel (except Dakao & TanDinh), all transfers by air-conditioned van or bus, entry to Vinh Trang Pagoda, both motor boat and sampan rides through My Tho’s waterways, bottled water plus fresh tropical fruits at an orchard stop, a Vietnamese lunch with vegan options if needed, live music performance along the way, and drop-off at VN Adventure Tours office after returning to Ho Chi Minh City.