3-Day South East Asia Tour Packages

Insider tips: Recommended 3-day South East Asia tour itineraries

Compiled by

NadineSouth East Asia travel expert at TourRadar

• 3 Days in Mekong Delta, incl. Ho Chi Minh City and Phnom Penh

  A rich tapestry of Mekong Delta life unfolds across 7 destinations in three days. The tour showcases floating markets, bird sanctuaries, and ancient temples, complemented by quality accommodations rated 4.2/5 from 50+ reviews.

  

  View itineraryCompare 3 days itineraries
  • Day 1

    Ho Chi Minh City to Can Tho

    Leave your Ho Chi Minh City hotel at 8 AM when traffic is lighter. Drive 2 hours to My Tho and visit Vinh Trang Pagoda before your first river boat ride. Take a traditional wooden sampan through Ben Tre's narrow canals under water coconut trees. Stop at local workshops making coconut candy and sample fresh treats. Arrive in Can Tho by evening to explore the night market. Book a hotel in central Can Tho since some properties are located far from the market area.

    
  • Day 2

    Can Tho to Chau Doc

    Get up at 5:30 AM to see Cai Rang floating market at its busiest. One visitor noted: "Watching local vendors exchange goods between boats gives you a real insight into river life here." Travel to Chau Doc afterward to visit Tra Su Sanctuary. Take a boat through flooded forest waterways to spot local birds. If time allows, head up Sam Mountain for sunset views. Stay at Victoria Chau Doc Hotel. While rated 4-star, it's the best option in the area.

    
  • Day 3

    Chau Doc to Phnom Penh

    Start at 7 AM for your Cambodia border crossing. The speedboat takes about 5 hours to reach Phnom Penh around 1 PM. Note that you can only get Cambodia visas on arrival at the water border. E-visas are not accepted. Bring motion sickness medication if needed since the boat ride can get rough. Many travelers mention uncomfortable wooden benches. A small cushion will help.

    

  View itinerary

• 3 Day Mekong Delta Itinerary, incl. Phnom Penh and Ho Chi Minh City

  A three-day Southeast Asian tour winds through Mekong Delta's highlights. The route takes you to Cai Rang floating market, Cham villages, and Tra Su Forest sanctuary. The package features speedboat transfer, Victoria hotel stays, and traditional sampan journeys for approx. $340.

  

  View itineraryCompare 3 days itineraries
  • Day 1

    Phnom Penh to Chau Doc

    Your trip starts with a speedboat leaving Phnom Penh at noon, reaching Chau Doc around 5 PM. A recent traveler explains: "The boat travels at about 30km/hr and makes two stops for border crossings - one to exit Cambodia and one to enter Vietnam." The basic speedboat offers minimal amenities, so bring your own snacks and water. Once you arrive, head to Ba Chua Xu Pagoda near Sam Mountain. Plan to visit around sunset for the best photos in the soft golden light.

    
  • Day 2

    Chau Doc to Can Tho

    Start your morning at the local market in Chau Doc to see daily life in action. Visit the traditional Cham Muslim village to learn about Vietnam's diverse ethnic groups and see their handwoven textiles, though some visitors note it feels a bit touristy now. In the afternoon, take a trip to Tra Su Cajuput Forest, located 20km from Chau Doc. This 850-hectare sanctuary is best seen by small boat, where you can spot unusual water-walking birds and local wildlife. You will spend the night in Can Tho, the biggest city in the delta region.

    
  • Day 3

    Can Tho to Ho Chi Minh City

    The morning starts with an early boat ride to Cai Rang Floating Market, the biggest in the region. One visitor shares: "The floating market was fascinating - arrive before 7 AM to see it at its bustling best." After the market, you will drive to Ho Chi Minh City, stopping at Vinh Trang Pagoda on the way. You should reach the city by 3 PM.

    

  View itinerary

• 3 Days Mekong Delta, incl. Ho Chi Minh City and Phnom Penh

  This vibrant Mekong Delta tour spans 5 cities over 3 days. Highlights include Vinh Trang pagoda, four mystical islands, and the bustling Cai Rang floating market. Guests stay at Ninh Kieu 2 Hotel and Chau Pho Hotel, rated 4.4/5 for accommodation.

  

  View itineraryCompare 3 days itineraries
  • Day 1

    Ho Chi Minh City to Can Tho

    Leave Ho Chi Minh City early around 7:30 AM for the 1.5-hour drive to My Tho. Morning traffic can get busy so starting early is important. Visit Vinh Trang pagoda first before taking a motorboat through Bao Dinh canal. "The bike ride through local villages was a highlight - totally flat terrain made it manageable even for non-cyclists, and we got to see real village life," one traveler noted. Bring light clothing layers for the day. You'll need sun protection on the boat but it gets cooler under the water coconut trees during the sampan ride. Your afternoon includes stops at local workshops and honey farms. Stay overnight in Can Tho near Ninh Kieu Quay so you can easily reach the floating market next morning.

    
  • Day 2

    Can Tho to Chau Doc

    Get up very early at 5:30 AM to see Cai Rang floating market at its liveliest. "Watching the wholesale fruit and vegetable trading between boats in the early morning mist was unforgettable," shared one reviewer. The market starts winding down by 9 AM so getting there early matters. After lunch head to Chau Doc and visit Tra Su Bird Sanctuary. Take a small boat through the flooded forest. Bring binoculars if you want to spot storks and cranes. Late afternoon is best when birds come back to roost.

    
  • Day 3

    Chau Doc to Phnom Penh

    Take the speedboat for the final stretch to Cambodia at 7:30 AM. The trip takes about 5 hours including immigration. One traveler suggested: "Border crossing was straightforward with a guide, but bring cash for the visa fee and small bills for various port charges." You'll arrive at Sisowath Quay in Phnom Penh around 2 PM.

    

  View itinerary