Mekong Delta: My Tho & Ben Tre Day Tour with Boat Rides

Summary

Winding rivers, coconut groves, folk music and honey in Ben Tre

You’ll drift along winding waterways in Ben Tre by row boat, sample honey tea on Unicorn Island, cycle through coconut groves, and share lunch in a shady village spot—all guided by locals who make each stop feel personal. Expect laughter, new tastes, maybe muddy shoes—and memories that linger long after you’re back in Saigon.

What’s the experience like?

I’ll admit, I was half-awake when our bus left Saigon for the Mekong Delta—three hours is longer than it sounds at 6am. But something about the way the city faded into green fields and then into these tangled palm creeks made me perk up. Our guide, Hanh, kept pointing out things I’d never have noticed: water buffalo grazing in the mist, kids waving from behind banana trees. It’s funny how quickly city noise gets replaced by birds and the low hum of boats here.

We stopped at Vinh Trang Pagoda first. The air smelled like incense and wet stone—kind of calming, even though I’m not really a temple person. Hanh told us about the giant Buddha statues; I tried to listen but got distracted by a cat sleeping on a monk’s sandal. After that we piled into a motorboat for Ben Tre. The river was wider than I expected, brownish but alive with little boats hauling everything from coconuts to crates of ducks (no joke). I got splashed once—river water is warmer than you’d think.

Unicorn Island (yes, that’s really what it’s called) was next. We tasted honey tea at a family-run bee place—sticky sweet—and tried tropical fruit while some locals played folk songs on old instruments. There was this moment when one woman sang and everyone just went quiet; even the fruit seller paused mid-peel. Then came the row boat ride under water palms. Our rower didn’t speak much English but grinned every time we bumped into another boat (which happened a lot). The creek is so narrow you can touch both banks if you stretch your arms.

I nearly crashed my bike during the village ride—turns out sand and flip-flops don’t mix—but nobody seemed to care. We watched coconut candy being made (I bought too many), rode in a tuk-tuk past kids playing marbles, and ate lunch somewhere shady with rice and fish soup that tasted like lemongrass and river air. By late afternoon I was sticky with sweat but weirdly happy. The Mekong Delta day trip isn’t fancy or perfect, but it sticks with you—I still think about those quiet stretches between villages.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Mekong Delta boat rides and village tour

• Travel 3 hours by bus to Mekong Delta
• Visit Vinh Trang pagoda
• Boat trip to Unicorn and Coconut Island
• Enjoy traditional Vietnamese folk music
• Taste tropical fruit salad
• Ride sampan row boat on palm creek
• Ride motorboat on palm creek
• Take buggy or tuk-tuk in coconut village
• Bicycle ride on village beaten track
• Visit local family honey bee keeping
• Attend coconut candy workshop
• Return 3 hours by bus to Sai Gon

Top questions

How long does the Mekong Delta day trip take from Saigon?

The tour takes about 3 hours each way by bus plus activities throughout the day.

Is lunch included on this Mekong Delta tour?

Yes, lunch is included as part of the tour experience.

What activities are part of the My Tho & Ben Tre tour?

The tour includes Vinh Trang Pagoda visit, boat rides to Unicorn & Coconut Island, folk music performance with tropical fruit tasting, row boat ride under water palms, motorboat cruise, tuk-tuk or buggy ride in coconut village, bicycle ride in the village, honey bee farm visit, and coconut candy workshop.

Is hotel pickup included for this day trip?

The tour includes pickup from Saigon for your convenience.

Do I need to be physically fit for this Mekong Delta day trip?

A moderate level of physical fitness is recommended due to cycling and walking involved.

Are infants allowed on this Mekong Delta tour?

Infants can join but must sit on an adult’s lap during transport.

Can I try local food during this day trip?

Yes—you’ll enjoy lunch as well as tastings of tropical fruits and honey tea along the way.

What’s included

Your day includes pickup from Saigon by bus, all entry fees for stops like Vinh Trang Pagoda and Unicorn Island, guided boat rides (motorboat and row boat), tuk-tuk or buggy transfers within villages, bicycle use for exploring local paths, hands-on visits to honey bee farms and coconut candy workshops—and a traditional lunch before heading back in the afternoon.