3-Day Mekong Delta Tour Packages

Insider tips: Recommended 3-day Mekong Delta tour itineraries

Compiled by

MelissaMekong Delta travel expert at TourRadar

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

  The route spans 7 cities across Vietnam and Cambodia. First day connects My Tho to Can Tho via Ben Tre. Second day covers Cai Rang floating market to Chau Doc. Final day includes 5-hour speedboat journey to Phnom Penh via Song Tien Border.

  

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  • Day 1

    Ho Chi Minh City to Can Tho

    Leave your Ho Chi Minh City hotel at 8 AM for a 2-hour drive to My Tho. Start at Vinh Trang Pagoda before taking a boat to see stilt houses and fruit plantations. Stop for lunch at Tortoise Islet. Next up is Ben Tre's An Khanh area where you'll take a sampan ride under water coconut trees. You'll want mosquito repellent and light clothing since the delta gets hot and humid. Once in Can Tho check into your hotel and visit the night market if you're up for it.

    
  • Day 2

    Can Tho to Chau Doc

    Get an early start to see Cai Rang floating market before 7 AM when it's most active. You'll see local vendors calling out and selling their goods between boats. As one visitor mentioned: "Getting in and out of the boats was often difficult but we always had help." After the market watch how Vietnamese vermicelli soup is made and try walking across a "monkey bridge" made from bamboo. In the afternoon take a small boat through Tra Su Sanctuary near Chau Doc to spot water birds. If time permits go up Sam Mountain to catch the sunset before heading to your Chau Doc hotel.

    
  • Day 3

    Chau Doc to Phnom Penh

    Start at 7 AM for your border crossing into Cambodia. The express boat takes about 5 hours and gets to Phnom Penh around 12:30-1:00 PM. Remember you'll need to get your Cambodia visa at the border since e-visas don't work for water entry. Bring USD cash for the visa and extra for border costs. The boat seats are basic wooden benches so bringing a cushion is a good idea as suggested by previous travelers.

    

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• 3 Days in Mekong Delta, incl. Can Tho and Chau Doc

  Mekong Delta highlights include Cai Be, Can Tho, and Chau Doc. Visitors explore 6 major sites including Tra Su Forest and Go Thap archaeological area. Package includes 2 nights' accommodation and all meals for around $200.

  

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  • Day 1

    Ho Chi Minh City to Can Tho via Cai Be

    Your hotel pickup starts at 7:30 AM to avoid Ho Chi Minh City's morning traffic. You'll drive about 2.5 hours to Cai Be. Take a small boat on the Tien River to explore the waterways. Visit the fruit orchards in the morning when it's cooler and vendors are busy. Make sure to bring a hat and sunscreen since the delta sun is strong even in winter. Money tip: Bring small Vietnamese dong bills when visiting the family coconut candy workshops. The prices are better than city shops and you'll be helping local families directly.

    
  • Day 2

    Can Tho to Chau Doc

    Wake up at 5:30 AM to reach Cai Rang Floating Market by 6:00 AM. This is when the market is busiest - it usually finishes around 9 AM as temperatures rise. Visit Munir Ansay Pagoda next but remember to dress modestly with shoulders and knees covered. The trip to Tra Su Forest takes about 2 hours. Plan to arrive around 4 PM for good lighting and fewer mosquitos. Bring insect repellent anyway. The mangrove boat ride is relaxing but you might get splashed so protect your camera with a waterproof bag.

    
  • Day 3

    Chau Doc to Ho Chi Minh City

    Get up early to see the floating villages before it gets hot. Include a stop at the Cham Village - as one visitor said: "Watching the traditional silk weaving techniques and learning about the Muslim Cham community was a highlight of our delta experience." For Hang Temple on Sam Mountain wear good shoes. The path can be slippery especially during rainy season from May to October. The return drive to Ho Chi Minh City is about 6 hours. Leave in the morning to avoid evening traffic from 4-7 PM. Pack some snacks and water for the journey.

    

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• 3 Day Vietnam's Mekong Delta Itinerary, incl. Ho Chi Minh City and Can Tho

  This 3-day Mekong Delta adventure includes Ben Tre's waterways, Cai Thia's villages, and Can Tho's floating markets. Features sampan cruises, pottery village cycling, and traditional cooking demonstrations with G Adventures for $429 USD.

  

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  • Day 1

    Ho Chi Minh City to Ben Tre

    Leave Ho Chi Minh City at 7 AM to beat the traffic on your 2.5-hour drive south. Pack light, breathable clothes because the Delta gets very humid. Once in Ben Tre, take a traditional sampan boat through the narrow canals. From 10 AM to 2 PM the water creates beautiful reflections of the jungle canopy, perfect for photos. In the afternoon, hop on a bike to explore the village paths. The bikes are basic but work fine on the flat roads. Your day ends with a cooking lesson at your homestay, where you will learn to make Banh Xeo (crispy pancakes) with your host family.

    
  • Day 2

    Mekong Delta Exploration

    Visit the riverside market first thing after breakfast. Most vendors pack up around 9 AM when it gets hot, so get there early. Bring small Vietnamese dong bills to make buying easier. Next, bike through the Pottery Brick Village, also known as the Red Kingdom. The clay landscapes look especially beautiful in the morning light. Later, drive to Can Tho through scenic rice fields and fruit orchards. You will have free time to walk along the river promenade, but remember to rest up for an early start tomorrow.

    
  • Day 3

    Cai Rang Floating Market to Ho Chi Minh City

    Wake up at 5 AM to see Cai Rang Floating Market at its busiest. Look for vendors displaying their goods on tall poles above their boats. If you like photography, a telephoto lens will come in handy. The market starts winding down at 9 AM, so arriving early is important. The drive back to Ho Chi Minh City takes 2-3 hours. Plan for evening flights after 5 PM to avoid rushing your market visit.

    

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