The Mekong Delta region of Vietnam is well-known for stunning water landscapes, rich cultural heritage, and vibrant local life. Coming to this river area, you will be attracted by its rich nature, unique cultural imprints, and diverse tourism activities. Let’s explore the top 07 amazing things to do in the Mekong Delta region of Vietnam with Handspan Travel Indochina!

Through this blog post, you will find detailed information about these experiences below. 

Joining a cruise trip

Joining a cruise trip is one of the most amazing things to do in the Mekong Delta region of Vietnam. This activity allows you to explore the area’s picturesque landscapes, vibrant culture, and unique way of life. Cruise trips typically navigate through the intricate network of waterways, including narrow canals and larger rivers, allowing you to witness the daily activities of residents along the riverbanks. For a unique experience, consider joining a sunset or night cruise. You can admire the mesmerizing colors of the setting sun or the enchanting glow of lanterns along the riverbanks. There is no other enjoyable experience than waking up on a floating river and getting ready for another exciting day of sightseeing in the Mekong Delta.

Mekong Eyes Cruise

Various cruise options are available, from day trips to multi-day excursions. You can choose based on your preferences for duration, budget, and level of comfort. Mekong Eyes Cruise is among the favorite cruises in the region. Serving as a luxurious floating hotel, our Mekong Eyes cruise offers an elegant way to explore the Mekong Delta in style. Every cabin showcases either expansive windows or private balconies, providing scenic views of the surroundings. Furthermore, the ship boasts a finely appointed restaurant and an expansive sun deck, allowing you to unwind as the peaceful landscape and vibrant local culture unfurl right before your very eyes.

Admiring sunset at the Mekong Eyes Cruise

Visiting outstanding floating markets

The Mekong Delta region of Vietnam is famous for its floating markets, which symbolize the long-standing culture of the region. Therefore, visiting outstanding floating markets is indeed one of the awesome things to do in the Mekong Delta region of Vietnam. Cai Rang Floating Market is among the most well-known floating markets in the region. It is at the junction between the Cai Rang and Hau River branches near the Cai Rang bridge.

Cai Rang Floating Market

The market is not only a vibrant trading place for local people but also an appealing attraction for tourists. In 2016, it was recognized as a national intangible cultural heritage, becoming the pride of local people. Previously, the Cai Rang Floating Market sold mainly agricultural products. Each boat only specialized in selling a certain type of product selling in large quantities. However, thanks to the development of trading and tourism, the market is now a retail market with diverse products like food, daily items, houseware, essential goods for life, souvenirs for locals and tourists, etc. 

Cai Rang Floating Market

Besides Cai Rang Floating Market, is also a must-visit floating market in the Mekong Delta. The market is located in the Long Xuyen City of An Giang Province, serving as a local trading hub where boats gather to exchange goods. For other floating markets in the region, please visit our blog post here: Exploring vibrant floating markets in the Mekong Delta of Vietnam. 

Long Xuyen Floating Market

Taking a sampan ride

Taking a sampan ride is also among the fascinating things to do in the Mekong Delta region of Vietnam. A sampan is a small, flat-bottomed wooden boat commonly used for transportation along the waterways of the Mekong Delta. These boats are typically rowed or propelled by a motor, offering a leisurely and intimate way to explore the region's intricate network of canals and rivers.

Boating in Cai Be

The sampan ride will take you through narrow canals, verdant mangrove forests, and picturesque villages, providing a glimpse into the daily life of residents who rely on the waterways for transportation, fishing, and agriculture. You might see farmers tending to their crops, children playing by the water's edge, or fishermen casting their nets. Staying on the boat, don’t miss the opportunity to capture stunning photos of palm trees in the water, the vibrant colors of floating markets, or the serene atmosphere of rural life. 

Savoring the Mekong Delta local specialties

Undoubtedly, trying local dishes is one of the most wonderful things to do in the Mekong Delta region of Vietnam. Here are some must-try dishes and delicacies.

Hu Tieu (Rice Noodle Soup)

Hu Tieu is a popular food in the Mekong Delta region of Vietnam. It features rice noodles served in a flavorful broth, often accompanied by various toppings such as pork, shrimp, squid, and herbs. 

Bun Mam (Fermented Fish Soup with Rice Vermicelli)

Bun mam is a savory and flavorful soup made from fermented fish broth, shrimp, pork, and various vegetables, served with rice vermicelli noodles. It's a beloved dish in the Mekong Delta region known for its rich and complex flavors.

Banh Xeo (Vietnamese Pancake)

Banh xeo is a crispy, savory pancake made from rice flour, turmeric, and coconut milk, and filled with shrimp, pork, bean sprouts, and herbs. It is usually served with fresh lettuce leaves and dipped in a tangy fish sauce.

Banh Xeo

Lau Mam (fermented fish hotpot)

Lau Mam (fermented fish hotpot) is also a specialty you should try in the Mekong Delta region of Vietnam. The hotpot’s broth is made from mixed fish sauce and different types of fish. The dish is then served with giant tiger prawns, pork belly, sliced squid, snail, fish cakes, and diverse kinds of vegetables, such as water spinach, sesbania, water lily, mung bean sprouts, etc. 

Lau Mam

Overall, exploring the unique culinary delights is among the amazing things to do in the Mekong Delta region of Vietnam. Be adventurous, try new dishes, and savor the diverse tastes of this enchanting destination.

Cycling through the villages

Cycling is undeniably one of the incredible things to do in the Mekong Delta region of Vietnam. By pedaling through the villages, you will have a closer look at this stunning countryside region. You will have the most unique and up-close view and stop en route whenever you want to take photos or just to soak in the peace. Here's how you can enjoy a memorable cycling experience.

Planning your route

Depending on your time of visit, itinerary, interests, and fitness level, you may want to choose a suitable cycling route. Consider visiting nearby villages, attractions, markets, fruit orchards, and scenic spots along the way. You can determine whether to cycle throughout different provinces of the region or just cycle around your accommodation. 

Cycling in Ben Tre

Interacting with locals

Cycling allows you to interact with friendly local people and learn about their daily lives. Their livelihoods depend on rain cycles, river flows, alluvial deposits, etc. Be open to spontaneous conversations or invitations to share a meal or cup of tea.

Experiencing cottage industries

While riding a bike, you may want to stop en route to visit workshops and family-run businesses to witness traditional crafts and cottages. You may observe artisans making coconut candy, rice paper, handicrafts, or weaving mats using age-old techniques passed down through generations.

Joining a workshop in Cai Be

Cycling through the villages of the Mekong Delta offers a rewarding blend of adventure, cultural immersion, and scenic beauty, allowing you to experience the region's charm at your own pace. Enjoy the ride and embrace the serenity of rural life in this enchanting corner of Vietnam.

Dropping in Mekong Delta Orchards

Dropping in fruit orchards is also among the best things to do in the Mekong Delta region of Vietnam. This region is not only famous for floating markets and interlaced rivers and canals but also for vast green fruit gardens with different types of fruits, such as mango, grapefruit, star apple, longan, rambutan, etc. Although fruits are available all year round, you may want to plan your visit during the fruit season (typically from May to August) to enjoy the freshest and most abundant harvest. Visiting a fruit garden, you will have a chance to admire the fruit trees, learn about different varieties, and participate in fruit-picking activities, where you can handpick ripe fruits straight from the trees. After picking fruits, you can try them directly in the garden. Below are some orchards in the Mekong Delta region you may not want to miss.

Phong Dien fruit gardens - Can Tho

Phong Dien District, located in Can Tho Province, is famous for lush fruit gardens and winding canals, making it an attractive ecotourism place. The orchards are concentrated mainly in My Khanh, Nhon Ai, and Nhon Nghia Communes of the Phong Dien district. Rach Ke Ecological Fruit Garden, 9 Hong, Vam Xang, and Muoi Cuong are some outstanding fruit gardens in Phong Dien. Visiting these gardens, you can admire and savor strawberries, star apples, durian, mangosteen, longan, etc. 

Phong Dien fruit garden

Fruit gardens in Ben Tre

Like other regions in the Mekong River, the hick-fruit garden features attractive characteristics in Ben Tre. Coming to the fruit gardens, you can enjoy delicious fruits in the garden. You will have a chance to try custard apple, mangosteen, star apple, longan, etc. You can refer to some popular fruit gardens below.

• Cai Mon fruit garden: located in Vinh Thanh commune, Cho Lach district, Ben Tre province
• Bao Thach rambutan garden: located in Tan Bac hamlet, Tan Phu commune, Chau Thanh district, Ben Tre province
• Ba Ngoi fruit garden: located in Phu Hiep Hamlet, Vinh Binh commune, Cho Lach district, Ben Tre province
• Hung fruit garden: located in Tan Quy hamlet, Chau Thanh commune, Ben Tre province
• Que Ta fruit garden: located in 126C Tan Quy hamlet, Tan Phu commune, Ben Tre province

A rambutan garden in Ben Tre

Thoi Son Island Fruit Garden

Thoi Son Island Fruit Garden is located in Thoi Son Commune, My Tho City, Tien Giang Province. Visiting the fruit, you can enjoy pineapple, dragon fruit, papaya, jackfruit, etc.

Besides, you will have a chance to immerse yourself in the sounds of Southern amateur music (Don ca tai tu).

Overall, visiting the fruit gardens is undoubtedly one of the fantastic things to do in the Mekong Delta region of Vietnam. This experience offers a delightful blend of agricultural education, culinary exploration, and natural beauty. Let’s come to the Mekong Delta region and drop in the outstanding orchards here!

Exploring the tranquil beauty of Tra Su Melaleuca Forest

Among the things to do in the Mekong Delta region of Vietnam, visiting the Tra Su Melaleuca forest is also a wonderful experience. The forest is located in Van Giao Commune, Tinh Bien District, An Giang Province. It has an important effect on the water environment and climate regulation for the entire Bay Nui region, home to many precious animals and plant species in Vietnam's special-use forest system. 

Tra Su Melaleuca Forest

With a total area of 850 hectares, most of the plants living here are Melaleuca, about ten years old, with an average height of 5 - 8 meters. Besides Melaleuca, the forest also possesses 140 species of plants, including 22 species of trees, 25 species of shrubs, 10 species of vines, 70 species of grass, 13 species of aquatic plants, 78 species of medicinal plants, etc. In addition to a diverse flora system, Tra Su Melaleuca Forest is also the habitat of 70 species of birds, among which Mycteria leucocephala and Anhinga melanogaster are two precious birds recorded in the Vietnam Red Book; 11 species of mammals, 25 species of reptiles and frogs, 10 species of fish, etc.

Tra Su Melaleuca Forest

Heron in the Tra Su Melaleuca Forest

In general, Tra Su Melaleuca Forest offers you a chance to immerse yourself in the tranquil and pristine nature. Here are sightseeing fees and service prices in the forest you can refer to.

• Sightseeing ticket: VND 100,000/ person
• Motorboat ride: VND 50,000/ person (optional)
• Dinghy rowing service into the Melaleuca forest: VND 50,000/ person (optional)
• Telescopic observation service: VND 5,000/ person (optional)
• Renting a bicycle: VND 50,000 (optional)
• On-site tour guide: VND 250,000 for about three hours (optional)

Motorboat in the Tra Su Melaleuca Forest

For more detailed information about the forest, please refer to our blog post here: Exploring the tranquil beauty of Tra Su Melaleuca Forest. 

In conclusion, you have just known detailed information about the top 07 most fantastic things to do in the Mekong Delta region of Vietnam. If you want to have any assistance or book a tour package in the region, please do not hesitate to contact our team.