Mekong Zigzag Full Day tour: Scooter, Sailboat, Food (HCM-BenTre)
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September 2026
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Adults
Age 13 and over
Children
Age 12 and under
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Free cancellation up to 24 hours before. Same price on Viator, Outty earns a commission.
Traveler rating
5.0/5
Based on 124 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Mekong Zigzag Full Day tour: Scooter, Sailboat, Food (HCM-BenTre) worth booking?
Mekong Zigzag Full Day tour: Scooter, Sailboat, Food (HCM-BenTre) is a 11-hour experience in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, from $89 per person. It scores 78 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Strongly Recommended”, based on a 5/5 rating across 124 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 78 / 100
- Rating
- 5/5 (124)
- Duration
- 11 hours
- From
- $89 per person
Honest feelings about this tour: Fun, Intimate, Relax, Local, Easy-going, Flexible, never rushed, just genuine Mekong experiences. Pick up made easy. Exciting yet relaxing diverse local activities, vehicles like motorb
What you get
About this experience
Honest feelings about this tour: Fun, Intimate, Relax, Local, Easy-going, Flexible, never rushed, just genuine Mekong experiences. Pick up made easy. Exciting yet relaxing diverse local activities, vehicles like motorbike or tuktuk and quiet sailboat. Explore the countryside on the road, on the Mekong river, then on a quiet small canals shaded by coconut leaves. Relax on comfortable beanbag chairs while watching everyday river life. Taste authentic Mekong cuisine: You'll savor delicious, fresh food. The food is made with fresh, local ingredients, and all dietary preferences are welcomed. Food is cooked by a local family, the host is passionate in cooking and sharing. Non-touristic, local, intimate: This tour takes you off the beaten path and into the real Mekong Delta, in Ben Tre. You'll experience the region like a local, away from the crowds of tourists. Travel with our local guides feel intimate, just like hanging out with a friend, you can ask anything, even recommendations.
What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 124 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
The guide
9 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Food and drink
7 mentionsThe tastings and food stops are a highlight for most reviewers.
Small groups
4 mentionsThe group size is repeatedly described as intimate rather than packed.
Knowledge and storytelling
3 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Organization
3 mentionsPickup, timing, and logistics are described as running smoothly.
Good for families
2 mentionsReviewers traveling with kids report it landed well with their group.
Traveler reviews
124 verified traveler reviews for Mekong Zigzag Full Day tour: Scooter, Sailboat, Food (HCM-BenTre). Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
I got to harvest a coconut and drink it!
This tour was so much fun, and had a really great balance between cultural education and relaxing bits. You visit several different stops throughout the morning that demonstrate how people in Ben Tre farm, process and use coconuts. There are a lot of interactive elements, like trying reed weaving, picking coconuts using a massive scythe, and using a local ferry to get around. The second half of the day was a relaxing cruise along the smaller canals of Ben Tre, while the guide explained what the many fisherman we saw were doing. The canals around Ben Tre are really quiet and clean, far fewer diesal motors than in other parts of the Delta, and lots more fisherman on canoes. Our guide Lam was great, and he was particularly awesome during the cruise, we asked him lots of questions and he was open and insightful with us. We finished the day with banh xeo at a local restaurant, which was excellent. The most fun thing about this tour though is that you spend the whole day getting around on the back of a motorbike. There is nothing more fun than cruising around coconut and banana plantations in tiny backstreets with a skilled local driver!
via Tripadvisor
Beautifully serene and genuine local tour- NOT TO BE MISSED!
I asked ChatGPT to help find a Mekong Delta tour that was authentic, peaceful, and free from large tourist crowds, and this experience exceeded every expectation. We met our driver near the Saigon Opera House in District 1. The car was comfortable, and the driver was warm, professional, and hospitable. We made one convenient rest stop along the way for drinks and a bathroom break before arriving in the Mekong Delta. Our guide, Lam, grew up in the area and still lives there with his wife and family. His deep connection to the region was evident throughout the day and made the experience feel incredibly genuine. We arrived at and first visited a local home where women were weaving traditional floor mats. This was the only stop where there were a few souvenirs available, and it felt like a real part of everyday local life rather than a directed tourist trap. My mother and I were the only guests on the tour, which made the day feel very personal and relaxed. The tour accommodates up to 8 people. Lam invited me to harvest a young coconut, showed me how to open it, and we drank the fresh coconut water while he explained the history and importance of the local coconut economy. It was fascinating to learn how coconuts are used for almost everything in the region. Next, we rode on motorbikes through narrow village paths, shaded by lush tropical vegetation. Lam was especially considerate of my 66-year-old mother, driving carefully and making sure she felt comfortable throughout the ride. At each stop, Lam shared stories about local history, culture, and daily life with passion and clarity. His English was excellent, and he was engaging, knowledgeable, and genuinely fun to spend time with. Lunch was served at a beautiful riverside homestay. The meal was incredibly generous and beautifully presented. Vegan and other dietary requirements were accommodated without any difficulty, and the food was outstanding. After lunch, we boarded a small wooden boat fitted with beanbags and drifted quietly through palm-lined waterways. Aside from Lam, the boat driver, my mother, and me, there was virtually no one else around. It felt serene and magical. As we floated through the water coconut groves, Lam spoke about the tides, the seasons, and the close relationship local people have with the river. His pride in his home and community was deeply moving. At the end of the day, our original driver returned to collect us. I had forgotten to bring cash, and Lam kindly stopped at an ATM so we could pay before heading back. This tour was worth every dollar and was certainly the highlight of our trip to Vietnam. If you have extra time, I would strongly recommend staying overnight at the homestay. It is incredibly peaceful and offers a wonderful contrast to the energy of Ho Chi Minh City. Actually disappointed I didnt know about it before arriving as I would rather stay there than in the city! Highly recommended for anyone seeking a slower-paced, crowd-free experience that offers an authentic glimpse into life in the Mekong Delta. 11/10. We will absolutely return and will recommend this experience to everyone. Thank you, Lam, for such a beautiful and memorable day. We are eternally grateful for such an informative and genuine experience of your home. 😊
via Tripadvisor
Relaxing raft ride, then...
Relaxing raft ride, then travelling through local villages stopping at a number of places to watch demonstrations of how they produce their wares. No other tourists other than our group, were around. Lunch was very fresh and tasty, especially the pork ribs. Our guide Yung spoke very good english. No pressure from any of the locals. It is a long day out from Ho Chi Minh.
via Viator
As authentic as it can get - real people, real villages, real day to day lives
“Authentic” is really overused these days so i’m generally wary when i see “authentic” being banded around. I texted zigzag on a saturday asking for if there was a small group going on the following day. I shared what i was looking for - that is a very authentic local type experience with real people living their real everyday lives instead of an “authentic tourist experience” visiting souvenir shops, seeing performances et. the team at zigzag (I was in contact with Dzung and An) was really prompt in their responses and recommendations. The team was also really accommodating as i’d wanted to be in a group with less than 6 total visitors like myself, and i was recommended to head over on Monday instead as there were usually more bookings on weekends. As i was heading down from HCM, Zigzag Dzung/An helped to arrange for a private transport from our hotel to Ben Tre, and confirmed all details including the vehicle to be used the night before. The assigned driver arrived and waited for us before the scheduled pick up time in the morning. We met An at Mrs Het’s house where we were introduced to traditional mat weaving, harvested and consumed our own coconuts (i’ll leave you to discover the details yourselves but it involves sharp objects), before proceeding on the rest of the day on motorbikes with An and the adorable Chu Tam. A shared with us the coconut economy of Ben Tre and and was very patient with the many different questions we asked (including why she decided to come back and embark on this entirely different career path). A then brought us for a refreshing drink at a local village stall before we had lunch at a home stay. A slow peaceful boat ride followed lunch where An and Chu Tam went to great lengths to find a ripe nipa palm fruit (they call it a sea coconut) for us to try whilst on the boat ride. As we had to head back to HCM, we weren’t able to visit the markets and rest of the village which would have taken place after the boat ride. I would highly recommend anyone who goes for the tour with zigzag to stay the night at Ben Tre (Zigzag also has a home stay which is beautiful - I heard their longest “tenant” stayed for over a month!) to allow for more time for the team to show more of the town. I told myself i’d only visit the mékong once prior to the experience crafted by zigzag, but after the great time with An and the team, i can’t wait to be back to take in the other zigzag experiences! As a note - every guide operates differently and there is no “script” per se to follow so share your preferred style with the team and they will be able to recommend a guide that suits your preferred style!
via Tripadvisor
Skip the Tourist Traps — Book This Instead
My partner and I were hoping for a truly local experience, and after seeing so many reviews about how authentic this tour was, we decided to give it a try — and we’re so glad we did. From the very start, everything was smooth. The driver who picked us up from our hotel was punctual and got us to Bến Tre comfortably without unnecessary stops. Once we arrived, our guide An really made the experience special. She thoughtfully planned a route that avoided the typical tourist spots, so everywhere we went felt peaceful and genuinely local — it was just us and the community. One of the highlights was exploring the village on motorcycles with An and her colleague, Cu Tam (whom is also one of the captains of the boat that sails for the Mekong river tour). It made the whole experience feel so immersive and personal. (They also mentioned they can arrange a tuktuk for families or elderly guests, which is a really nice touch.) What stood out most was how warm and genuine An was. She shared so much about local life and patiently answered all our questions, making us feel less like tourists and more like friends visiting. We left with such great memories and truly appreciated how thoughtfully everything was put together. We’d absolutely love to come back, stay at their beautiful homestay by the founder , and try more experiences with the ZigZag team.
via Tripadvisor
Good to know
- Duration
- 11 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Booked in 30 days
- 43
- Verdict
- Strongly Recommended
Why this scores 78
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Mekong Zigzag Full Day tour: Scooter, Sailboat, Food (HCM-BenTre): questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Ho Chi Minh City.
How much does Mekong Zigzag Full Day tour: Scooter, Sailboat, Food (HCM-BenTre) cost?
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Prices start at $89 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 Zigzag Full Day tour: Scooter, Sailboat, Food (HCM-BenTre) take?
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Plan for about 11 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 Zigzag Full Day tour: Scooter, Sailboat, Food (HCM-BenTre) worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 78 out of 100, which we label "Strongly Recommended". That score blends traveler sentiment (5/5 across 124 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 Zigzag Full Day tour: Scooter, Sailboat, Food (HCM-BenTre)?
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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 Zigzag Full Day tour: Scooter, Sailboat, Food (HCM-BenTre) suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 11-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Mekong Zigzag Full Day tour: Scooter, Sailboat, Food (HCM-BenTre)?
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Around 43 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 11-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Mekong Zigzag Full Day tour: Scooter, Sailboat, Food (HCM-BenTre) 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 Adventure Cu Chi Tunnels and Mekong Delta Tour From HCM, Cu Chi Tunnels Small-Group Tour: Vietnam War Underground Network, Cu Chi underground tour - Learn Vietnam war with others. 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.
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