Mekong Delta Day Tour from Ho Chi Minh City: My Tho & Ben Tre
Traveler rating
3.4/5
Based on 5 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Mekong Delta Day Tour from Ho Chi Minh City: My Tho & Ben Tre worth booking?
Mekong Delta Day Tour from Ho Chi Minh City: My Tho & Ben Tre is a 8.5-hour experience in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, from $39 per person. It scores 57 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Worth a Look”, based on a 3.4/5 rating across 5 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 57 / 100
- Rating
- 3.4/5 (5)
- Duration
- 8.5 hours
- From
- $39 per person
The Mekong Delta is where Vietnam feeds itself: fruit orchards, coconut villages and a maze of canals you can only reach by boat. We pick you up in Ho Chi Minh City and drive two hours south to My Tho, where your private boat is waiting. On Unicorn Island you walk through a tropical orchard, taste the fruit in season and hear don ca tai tu, the folk music of the delta, played live. You visit a family coconut candy workshop, try honey tea at a bee farm, and see how bamboo and coconut wood become everything from mats to furniture. Then the part everyone remembers: a small sampan, rowed by hand, down a narrow canal under the water coconut palms, conical hat on your head and the water inches away. Lunch is a Vietnamese meal at a riverside restaurant. On the way back we stop at Vinh Trang Pagoda, where Asian and European architecture meet in one facade. Private tour, your group only, in an air-conditioned car or minivan with an English-speaking guide.
What you get
About this experience
The Mekong Delta is where Vietnam feeds itself: fruit orchards, coconut villages and a maze of canals you can only reach by boat. We pick you up in Ho Chi Minh City and drive two hours south to My Tho, where your private boat is waiting. On Unicorn Island you walk through a tropical orchard, taste the fruit in season and hear don ca tai tu, the folk music of the delta, played live. You visit a family coconut candy workshop, try honey tea at a bee farm, and see how bamboo and coconut wood become everything from mats to furniture. Then the part everyone remembers: a small sampan, rowed by hand, down a narrow canal under the water coconut palms, conical hat on your head and the water inches away. Lunch is a Vietnamese meal at a riverside restaurant. On the way back we stop at Vinh Trang Pagoda, where Asian and European architecture meet in one facade. Private tour, your group only, in an air-conditioned car or minivan with an English-speaking guide.
What's included
Included
- Entrance fees & Bottled water
- Private boat cruise on the Mekong River
- Seasonal fruit tasting and live folk music
- Lunch at a local riverside restaurant
- Private air-conditioned car or minivan
- Pick up/ Drop off at hotels within district 1, Ho Chi Minh City
- English Speaking local guide
- Honey tea at a bee farm
Not included
- Tipping/ Gratuities or personal expenses
What you'll see and do
We board your private boat for a cruise on the Mekong River. Our first stop is at a bee farm, to gain an insight into one of the cottage industries in the region. We will also visit an island with lush tropical gardens where we have a chance to sample tropical fruit. You can visit a factory and be explained the process of making the sweet. As we meander down the Mekong, we will have a chance to visit local villages in the area and learn more about the traditional lifestyles, culture, and customs of people who call the Delta their home. We will travel by tricycles motorbike to discover local life in incredible alleys hidden insight covered tropical fruit orchards, from where we will transfer to a smaller rowing boat to help us get deeper into the smaller canals of the Delta. For lunch, we will hit up local restaurant, where your local guide will provide you with some advice on the finer points of local cuisine and assist with ordering some of these delicacies.
30 minutes here · Admission included
Unicorn Island is a long sandbank in the middle of the Mekong, reached only by boat. Your guide walks you through a working village rather than a show: a bee farm where you drink honey tea with pollen and kumquat, a family workshop puffing rice over hot sand into com gao, another rolling coconut chocolate and candy by hand, and a stall making fresh rice paper rolls you eat on the spot. An electric cart then takes you along the narrow lanes, past houses, gardens and canals, so you see how people here actually live. In a tropical orchard you sit down to a plate of whatever fruit is ripe that month while local musicians play don ca tai tu, the folk music of the delta. You finish in a wooden sampan, rowed by hand down a canal so narrow the water coconut palms close over your head. It is quiet, shaded, and the part our guests photograph most.
120 minutes here · Admission included
You swap the boat for a cyclo and roll slowly through the lanes of the coconut country: houses half hidden behind palms, hammocks strung between trunks, children on bicycles, coconut fibre drying by the road, water on both sides. There is almost no traffic out here - just your driver pedalling behind you and the sound of the leaves. The ride ends at a riverside restaurant built on stilts over the water and open on every side. Lunch is a Vietnamese meal cooked to order and shared at the table: elephant ear fish with rice paper and herbs, clay pot fish, morning glory with garlic, soup, rice and fresh fruit. Tell us when you book if anyone is vegetarian and we will arrange it. You eat looking straight out at the river, with boats passing a few metres away. Take your time here - there is nowhere else to be.
60 minutes here · Admission included
Ben Tre is Vietnam's coconut province, and this is where the fruit becomes everything. In a family workshop open to the road you watch the whole chain: husks split with a blade, the white flesh grated, the milk pressed out by hand, then boiled with malt and cane sugar in a shallow pan over a wood fire until it thickens and darkens. The mixture is poured onto a cool table, cut into strips while still warm and wrapped one by one in edible rice paper by women who have done it for years and barely look down. You taste it straight off the table, still soft, in plain, pandan, peanut or durian. Your guide explains why nothing here is wasted: the husk becomes rope and doormats, the shell becomes charcoal and bowls, the water becomes vinegar. It costs nothing to watch, and the smell of hot coconut sugar stays with you all day.
20 minutes here · Admission included
Vinh Trang Temple
The extremely beautiful structures in the pagoda are two triumphal arches bearing an art of inserting bottle and porcelain fragments which create harmonious pictures illustrating the Buddha’s legendaries. Inside the pagoda, there is a set of pictures “eight angels riding on animals” another set of statues of the Amitabha Holy Trinity carved in bronze, as big as a man, and more particularly, the set of the eighteen Arhants, wood carving work, is the only one, not two, in the west of South Vietnam, made by a snumber of artists in 1907. Graves of Buddhist priests who took care of the pagoda are scattered around. These graves are decorated with carefully engraved flagstones. There are three entrances to the pagoda. The central iron gate is always closed, while the two side gates, which are designed in the co lau style are open. The side gates are adorned with colorful porcelain mosaics featuring Buddhist folktales and natural scenery.
30 minutes here · Admission included
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Ho Chi Minh City
We will pick you up at front of Saigon Opea House in case we could not contact you via whatsapp or we do not have your hotel pick up information.
Hotel pickup
Pickup is available for selected locations.
Ends at
We will pick you up at front of Saigon Opea House in case we could not contact you via whatsapp or we do not have your hotel pick up information.
Options you can book
Small Group Max 12
Standard Van Pickup included
Shared Bus Group Max 25
Duration: 10 hours Lunch at local restaurant Air-conditioned Bus Max 25 Pickup included
Private Tour - All Inclusive
Duration: 9 hours Lunch at local restaurant Air-conditioned car Pickup included
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- en
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 15 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Luc's Saigon Jeep Tours
Know before you go
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Photos
What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 5 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
The guide
3 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Food and drink
3 mentionsThe tastings and food stops are a highlight for most reviewers.
Knowledge and storytelling
2 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Good for families
2 mentionsReviewers traveling with kids report it landed well with their group.
Small groups
2 mentionsThe group size is repeatedly described as intimate rather than packed.
Traveler reviews
5 verified traveler reviews for Mekong Delta Day Tour from Ho Chi Minh City: My Tho & Ben Tre. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Avoid like the plague unless you like to be herded like cheap cattle
This trip was dismal and amongst the worst we ever experienced in any country. First, the car was small and uncomfortable for our family of 5. We were cramped and uncomfortable for the long car ride. We expected better transportation for a private tour. At the outset, we told Luc we didn't want to go to any factories. The very first stop was to a bamboo/silk factory store where they locked my family in a room to listen to sales pitches from underwear to household supplies. It was horrible and there was nothing cultural or production-related about the tour. The other stops including at the Mekong area was similarly touristy, where our guide Luc advised us on the amount of compulsory tip. Would have been better if he just paid these amounts and charged more for the tour. It was annoying and it felt scammy. The restaurant was rated a 4.1 on Google Reviews, we had a set menu lunch which gave my son diarrhea. We didn't do the temple part of the tour since we just wanted to return to our hotel. It was disappointing and depressing to be herded around like cattle. I don't think Luc controls the initially but for a private tour, it was extremely underwhelming and lacking.
Response from the operator: Dear Marissa, (Note: This is a duplicate review submitted for the exact same booking already reviewed on July 4th) Thank you for taking the time to share your review. We take all guest feedback seriously, though we are deeply saddened by your account of the day. Our guide, Luc, put his heart into caring for your family—especially ensuring your son with special needs was patiently supported, comfortable, and well-accommodated throughout the trip. We would like to clarify a few key facts for future travelers reading this review: Vehicle & Transportation: For your family group of 5, we provided a brand-new 2025 Toyota Innova MPV, a modern, spacious, and fully air-conditioned 8-seater vehicle. We regret if this did not meet your personal space expectations for a private tour. Cultural Activities Offered vs. Refused: Our itinerary is designed to showcase authentic local life. We arranged local electric car rides through Thoi Son Island as well as a traditional motorized rickshaw (Xe Lam / Tuk-tuk) ride in Ben Tre to explore rural villages. However, your family explicitly declined to participate in the Xe Lam ride. Local Cultural Workshops: As clearly stated in our official tour description, visits to traditional craft workshops (coconut candy, popped rice—which you mentioned you had never seen before—honey farming, bamboo, silk, a sampan boat ride, folk music performance, and seasonal tropical fruit tasting) are meant to demonstrate authentic local livelihoods. There is never any forced pressure to purchase items at any of these stops. Clarification on Tipping: Luc explicitly explained that tipping in Vietnam is 100% voluntary and only if you appreciate the service. The suggested gratuity of 20,000 VND (less than $0.85 USD) per person was intended directly for the local sampan rowers, motorboat captains, and traditional folk musicians (Đàn Ca Tài Tử) who performed for your family. This was purely a suggestion regarding local customs, not a fee charged by us. Skipped Vinh Trang Pagoda: Luc was eager to show you the historic Vinh Trang Pagoda as scheduled. However, we strictly respected your family’s explicit request to end the tour early and return to your hotel. Restaurant & Food Hygiene: Our partner restaurant, with whom we have proudly collaborated for over 15 years, serves freshly prepared local meals adhering strictly to food hygiene standards. We are truly sorry to hear your son felt unwell later that evening and hope he made a full recovery. Luc spent the entire day dedicated to providing patient and personalized care to your family. While we are disappointed that we could not satisfy your expectations, we wish your family all the best. Best regards, Saigon Foody Tour Team
via Viator
AVOID like plague
This private tour was the worst one we have ever booked on Viator. The car was small and uncomfortable for our family of 5. Expected better transportation for a private tour. The places they took us to were tourist traps, starting with a factory where you are forced to watch a sales presentation on bamboo fibers. You are literally in a room with harsh fluorescent lighting where you are forced to listen to the benefits of 15 products. We were taken here despite me telling Luc at the beginning of the tour that I did not want to go to any factories/tourist shopping locations. The other places they took us too were similarly scammy. Luc advised us on the amount of various "compulsory tips" we had to provide the various local people. Would have been better if they just took care of these fees/tips and charged more for the excursion because it is annoying to feel like you are constantly being nickeled and dimed. My son had diarrhea after eating at the local tourist trap restaurant (Nhà hàng Sông Nước Miền Tây) that got a 4.1 on Google for ripping off tourists. We skipped the temple and came back early. If you enjoy being on a touristy hamster wheel, this tour is for you. On a positive note, Luc spoke good English and was warm. I don't think he controls the itinerary so no blame to him. He tried his best given what he was working with.
Response from the operator: Dear Marissa, Thank you for taking the time to share your review. While we appreciate your kind words regarding Luc’s warm hospitality, good English, and dedication, we are deeply saddened by your account of the day. Our guide, Luc, put his heart into caring for your family—especially ensuring your son with special needs was patiently supported, comfortable, and well-accommodated throughout the trip. We would like to clarify a few key facts for future travelers reading this review: Vehicle & Transportation: For your family group of 5, we provided a brand-new 2025 Toyota Innova MPV, a modern, spacious, and fully air-conditioned 8-seater vehicle. We regret if this did not meet your personal space expectations for a private tour. Cultural Activities Offered vs. Refused: Our itinerary is designed to showcase authentic local life, including traditional sampan boat rides through small canals, listening to Southern folk music while tasting seasonal tropical fruits, and witnessing handmade popped rice and rice paper crafting (which you admitted you had never seen before). We also arranged electric car rides through Thoi Son Island and a traditional motorized rickshaw (Xe Lam / Tuk-tuk) ride in Ben Tre to explore rural villages. However, your family explicitly declined to participate in the Xe Lam ride. Local Cultural Workshops: As clearly stated in our official tour description, visits to family-run craft workshops (coconut candy, popped rice, honey farming, bamboo, and silk) are meant to demonstrate authentic local livelihoods. There is never any forced pressure to purchase items at any of these stops. Clarification on Tipping: Luc explicitly explained that tipping in Vietnam is 100% voluntary and only if you appreciate the service. The suggested gratuity of 20,000 VND (less than $0.85 USD) per person was intended directly for the local sampan rowers, motorboat captains, and traditional folk musicians (Đàn Ca Tài Tử) who performed for your family. This was purely a suggestion regarding local customs, not a fee charged by us. Skipped Vinh Trang Pagoda: Luc was eager to show you the historic Vinh Trang Pagoda as scheduled. However, we strictly respected your family’s explicit request to end the tour early and return to your hotel. Restaurant & Food Hygiene: Nhà hàng Sông Nước Miền Tây, with whom we have proudly collaborated for over 15 years, serves freshly prepared local meals adhering strictly to food hygiene standards. We are truly sorry to hear your son felt unwell later that evening and hope he made a full recovery. Luc spent the entire day dedicated to providing patient and personalized care to your family and your special son. While we are disappointed that we could not satisfy your expectations, we wish your family all the best. Best regards, Saigon Foody Tour Team
via Tripadvisor
Amazing day
We had an amazing experience with Luc, nothing was too much trouble. He made us feel very welcome and his English was fantastic. We were out for about 8 hours in total (3 hours of the day driving to/from Ho Chi Minh). We got taxi boats to the most beautiful restaurant with amazing food. Saw local folk music, ate local fruits, drank local tea, saw the workshops and honey bee farm. It was a day we will never forget - and we have booked for Luc to take us on a different trip tomorrow!
via Tripadvisor
What a great day!
What a great day. Luc out guide was great and very knowledgeable. The day consisted of many different activities, all of which were good. Lunch was fabulous too. Highly recommend.
via Viator
A great day trip
What a great day. Luc was a great guide and very knowledgeable. The trip was excellent and covered lots of different activities, all of which were good. Thanks to Luc for everything!
via Tripadvisor
Good to know
- Duration
- 8.5 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Price range
- $39 to $119
- Hotel pickup
- Available for selected locations
- Booked in 30 days
- 2
- Verdict
- Worth a Look
Who runs this experience
Operated by Saigon Foody Tour, who run 13 experiences we rank across 1 city, with an average Outty Ranking of 54.1.
See everything Saigon Foody Tour runsWhy this scores 57
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Mekong Delta Day Tour from Ho Chi Minh City: My Tho & Ben Tre: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Ho Chi Minh City.
How much does Mekong Delta Day Tour from Ho Chi Minh City: My Tho & Ben Tre cost?
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Prices start at $39 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Ho Chi Minh City usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does Mekong Delta Day Tour from Ho Chi Minh City: My Tho & Ben Tre take?
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Plan for about 8.5 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Ho Chi Minh City is not rushed.
Is Mekong Delta Day Tour from Ho Chi Minh City: My Tho & Ben Tre worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 57 out of 100, which we label "Worth a Look". That score blends traveler sentiment (3.4/5 across 5 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Ho Chi Minh City, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Mekong Delta Day Tour from Ho Chi Minh City: My Tho & Ben Tre?
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Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is Mekong Delta Day Tour from Ho Chi Minh City: My Tho & Ben Tre suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 8.5-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Mekong Delta Day Tour from Ho Chi Minh City: My Tho & Ben Tre?
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Around 2 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Ho Chi Minh City can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Ho Chi Minh City and add a light layer if any part of the 8.5-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Mekong Delta Day Tour from Ho Chi Minh City: My Tho & Ben Tre start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Ho Chi Minh City within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in Ho Chi Minh City?
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On Outty we rank every Ho Chi Minh City experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Cai Be Mekong Delta Tour: Cooking Class, Cycling & Craft Villages, Adventure Cu Chi Tunnels and Mekong Delta Tour From HCM, Cu Chi Tunnels and Mekong Delta 1 Day Tour With Small Group. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit Ho Chi Minh City?
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Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in Ho Chi Minh City?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
What is included in Mekong Delta Day Tour from Ho Chi Minh City: My Tho & Ben Tre?
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Included: Entrance fees & Bottled water; Private boat cruise on the Mekong River; Seasonal fruit tasting and live folk music; Lunch at a local riverside restaurant; and Private air-conditioned car or minivan. Not included: Tipping/ Gratuities or personal expenses. Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.
Does Mekong Delta Day Tour from Ho Chi Minh City: My Tho & Ben Tre include hotel pickup?
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Yes, pickup is offered, or you can meet at the start point instead from 412 listed pickup locations in and around Ho Chi Minh City. You can also enter a custom pickup address when booking.
What languages is Mekong Delta Day Tour from Ho Chi Minh City: My Tho & Ben Tre offered in?
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It runs in English. Pick your language when choosing a date and time, as not every departure runs in every language.
Will I get instant confirmation and a mobile ticket for Mekong Delta Day Tour from Ho Chi Minh City: My Tho & Ben Tre?
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Confirmation is sent by the operator after booking, usually within 48 hours; if it is not confirmed you are not charged. Mobile tickets are accepted, so you can show the voucher on your phone.
Is Mekong Delta Day Tour from Ho Chi Minh City: My Tho & Ben Tre wheelchair or stroller accessible?
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The operator notes: Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap. If accessibility is critical, contact the operator after booking to confirm arrangements for your date.
What happens to Mekong Delta Day Tour from Ho Chi Minh City: My Tho & Ben Tre if the weather is bad?
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It generally runs rain or shine, so dress for the forecast in Ho Chi Minh City. Standard cancellation terms apply: free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start.
What do travelers say about Mekong Delta Day Tour from Ho Chi Minh City: My Tho & Ben Tre?
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Across 5 reviews averaging 3.4 out of 5, recurring themes include the guide, food and drink, knowledge and storytelling. Travelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
What booking options are available for Mekong Delta Day Tour from Ho Chi Minh City: My Tho & Ben Tre?
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There are 3 options to choose from, including Small Group Max 12, Shared Bus Group Max 25, Private Tour - All Inclusive. Prices and start times differ by option, so compare them on the booking screen.
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