Mekong Delta: Small Group Cruise, Bike & Cooking Class Day Trip

Summary

Cycle village lanes, cook spring rolls and cruise Mekong canals with locals

You’ll pedal quiet village roads in the Mekong Delta, join a hands-on Vietnamese cooking class, cruise peaceful canals by sampan with your local guide, sip honey tea at a bee farm, and visit Vinh Tràng Pagoda—all with pickup included. Expect small moments: laughter over spring rolls, music drifting through palm trees, and time to just watch river life drift by.

What’s the experience like?

We were barely out of Ho Chi Minh City when our guide, Hien, handed me a tiny cold bottle of water and grinned like he knew what was coming. The drive to My Tho felt shorter than I expected—maybe because I kept staring at the rice fields flashing past. At Family Tiny Garden, we hopped on these slightly wobbly bikes (mine squeaked but made it) and pedaled through the village. Kids waved from doorways; someone was grilling something smoky-sweet nearby—couldn’t tell what, but it made me hungry. Dragon fruit hung heavy on the branches. I tried to ask about the farming in my best Vietnamese. Hien laughed and gently corrected me. I still think about that moment.

I didn’t realize we’d get to actually cook lunch ourselves—spring rolls and pancakes, with Hien showing us how not to overstuff them (I failed). The kitchen was open-air, so you could hear chickens somewhere behind us and smell lemongrass everywhere. Lunch turned into a bit of a feast—BBQ pork for most people, but they’d remembered my veggie request without me even reminding them. Afterward, we wandered through Vinh Tràng Pagoda’s mosaic dragons and gold Buddhas; it was quieter than I thought it would be for such a big place.

The river part started slow—a wide boat gliding past houses on stilts—and then we switched to hand-rowed sampans in these narrow canals lined with water palms. It got almost silent except for birds and the paddle dipping in the water. We stopped for honey tea at a bee farm (tasted way better than I expected), listened to Đàn Ca Tài Tử music—two old men playing stringed instruments under a tin roof—and watched coconut candy being stretched by hand at this sticky-sweet factory that smelled like caramel. On the way back, everyone just sort of dozed or stared out the window; no one said much until we hit city traffic again.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Mekong Delta village and river tour

• Pick up at hotel
• Travel to Ben Lức - My Tho
• Check in Family Tiny Garden farm
• Cycle village and visit orchards
• Join cooking class for spring rolls
• Enjoy BBQ Vietnamese lunch
• Visit Vinh Trang Pagoda
• Check in cruise on Mekong river
• Boat ride on Tien river
• Listen to traditional Vietnamese music
• Relax on hand-rowed sampan in canals
• Visit bee farm and enjoy honey tea
• Visit largest coconut candy factory
• Return to boat and bus to Ho Chi Minh City

Top questions

Is hotel pickup included for this Mekong Delta day trip?

Yes, pickup from your hotel in Ho Chi Minh City is included.

Do I need to know how to ride a bike for this tour?

Biking is part of the experience but you can choose fishing instead if you prefer not to cycle.

Are vegetarian or vegan meals available during lunch?

Yes, dietary requests like vegetarian or vegan are accommodated if you inform your guide before departure.

How long does the Mekong Delta day trip take?

The tour starts around 7:30–8:00 am and returns by about 5:30 pm.

What places do we visit on this day trip?

You’ll visit My Tho village areas, Family Tiny Garden farm, Vinh Tràng Pagoda, local orchards, bee farm, and a coconut candy factory.

Is this tour suitable for families with kids?

Yes; infants must sit on an adult’s lap but specialized seats are available if needed.

What’s included in the price?

The price covers transport by air-conditioned bus, all entrance fees, boat trips including sampan ride, lunch (with options), English-speaking guide, bikes or fishing activity at the farm.

What’s included

Your day includes hotel pickup from Ho Chi Minh City by air-conditioned vehicle; all entrance fees along the route; guided cycling or fishing at Family Tiny Garden farm; hands-on Vietnamese cooking class; BBQ lunch with vegetarian options available; leisurely boat cruise plus hand-rowed sampan ride through small canals; visits to Vinh Tràng Pagoda and local farms; honey tea tasting; plus return transport back to your hotel in late afternoon.