Things to Do and See in the Mekong Delta

The Mekong Delta – known in Vietnamese as the "Nine Dragons River Delta" – is the lush, watery southwest of Vietnam, where the Mekong River splits into countless branches and canals before reaching the sea. It's a fertile world of rice paddies, fruit orchards, coconut groves and floating markets, moving to the rhythm of the river. For many travellers it's the most authentic, slow-paced side of Vietnam. Here's what to do and see in the Mekong Delta.

Boat trips and floating markets

The classic Mekong experience is a boat ride – gliding down the main river and then into narrow, palm-shaded side canals by small sampan. The delta's famous floating markets are the highlight: Cai Rang near Can Tho is the largest and best known, busiest at dawn when boats loaded with fruit and vegetables trade on the water. Cai Be and Phong Dien are smaller and more local. Along the way you'll pass fishing villages, lotus ponds and riverside workshops.

My Tho and Ben Tre – the delta closest to Saigon

My Tho and neighbouring Ben Tre are the easiest gateway to the delta, just a couple of hours from Ho Chi Minh City, which makes them a popular day trip. This is coconut country: you can visit a coconut-candy workshop, ride a rowing boat through the narrow canals of the "four islands", sample tropical fruit and honey tea, and see the impressive Vinh Trang Pagoda, a striking blend of Vietnamese, Chinese, Khmer and French styles.

Can Tho – the heart of the delta

Can Tho is the largest city in the Mekong Delta and the best base for exploring it in depth. Stay overnight to catch the Cai Rang floating market at sunrise, wander the riverside promenade, and take a boat into the surrounding orchards and canals. It's the natural centre for a one- or two-night delta trip rather than a rushed day tour.

Chau Doc and the Cambodian border

The far western delta around Chau Doc feels different – a mix of Vietnamese, Khmer and Cham cultures near the Cambodian border. Climb Sam Mountain for sweeping views over the rice plains, visit floating fish farms and Cham villages, and explore the beautiful Tra Su cajuput forest, a flooded mangrove sanctuary alive with birds. Chau Doc is also a scenic crossing point for boat journeys onward to Cambodia and Phnom Penh.

Cycling, villages and local life

The flat delta is perfect for cycling or a scooter ride through the villages and fields. You'll see how locals turn coconut, rice, sugar cane and bamboo into everyday products, and you can join in – picking fruit, fishing, or trying your hand at cooking. This slow, hands-on contact with rural life is what makes the delta special.

Culture, pagodas and history

Beyond Vinh Trang, the delta is dotted with Khmer temples (especially around Soc Trang and Tra Vinh), colourful pagodas and colonial-era buildings. The pretty town of Sa Dec – setting of Marguerite Duras's novel "The Lover" – is known for its flower gardens and old French houses. It's a region where several cultures and centuries meet.

Food and fruit of the Mekong

The delta is Vietnam's fruit basket and its food is superb: fresh river fish, elephant-ear fish, coconut-based sweets, honey tea, and mountains of tropical fruit straight from the orchard. Eating your way through a floating market or a family garden is half the reason to come.

Best time to visit the Mekong Delta

The delta is warm and green year-round. The dry season (roughly December to April) is the most comfortable for boat trips and cycling. The wetter months bring higher water and, from around September, the "floating season" in the far west near Chau Doc, when the flooded landscape and birdlife are at their most dramatic.

How to visit – and plan it into your trip

You can see the delta on a quick day trip from Saigon, but an overnight stay – or a relaxed Mekong River cruise – lets you reach the best markets and canals before the crowds. For more ideas, see our guide to 5 unique towns in the Mekong Delta. As a local agency based in Vietnam, we'll build the delta into your route at the right pace – tell us what you'd like to experience.