How to Board a Mekong River Cruise from Phu Quoc
The Mekong Delta is home to breathtaking natural vistas and different ecosystems that are exclusive to the region. It provides an insight into local life, with the opportunity to see floating markets, traditional villages, and sample authentic food. For those having a breach break on Phu Quoc Island and then desiring to travel back to the mainland to discover unique experiences in the Mekong Delta, this comprehensive guidance will showcase the possible routes and means of transportation.
There are basically two ways to get from Phu Quoc to the Mekong Delta, including traveling independently and booking a Mekong River cruise tour. Here are the details for your reference:
1. Travel Independently from Phu Quoc to the Mekong Delta
By Flight
To travel from Phu Quoc to the Mekong Delta, you can take a direct flight from Phu Quoc International Airport to Tan Son Nhat International Airport (Ho Chi Minh City, also known as Saigon) that lasts 1 hour and 10 minutes. Vietnam Airlines and Vietjet Air operate daily flights between the two locations. Once you arrive in Saigon, you can hire a cab or take a bus to tour the Mekong Delta.
Pros
- Quick and convenient.
- Comfortable and large seats.
- Enjoy an aerial view of the region.
Cons
- More costly than other ways of transferring.
- Some flights have a limited baggage allowance.
- Flights may be delayed or cancelled due to weather conditions.
By Ferry
Another way to travel from Phu Quoc to the Mekong is by taking a fast ferry from Phu Quoc to Rach Gia, then taking a bus, taxi, or private car to your destination in the Mekong Delta, such as Can Tho or Ben Tre. The journey can take 3-5 hours, depending on your final stop in the Delta. Please note that there are no direct ferries from Phu Quoc to the Mekong Delta; thus, this is not the most efficient route.
You can check out the fast ferry schedules and prices here: Superdong Ferry (https://superdong.com.vn/en/departure-schedule/)
Pros
- More affordable if traveling by bus.
- Possibility to enjoy a scenic ferry or bus ride.
- Opportunity to interact with locals throughout the journey.
Cons
- Longer travel time.
- Possibility of seasickness.
- Bus trips can be uncomfortable and packed at times.
- More expensive if traveling by private car.
- Ferry schedules may not always coincide with bus or private vehicle availability.
2. Book a Mekong River cruise tour from Phu Quoc to the Mekong Delta
By Flight
You can easily take a direct flight from Phu Quoc to Ho Chi Minh City, then get picked up by the cruise’s shuttle bus and transferred to the Delta to enjoy the tour.
If your time is short and you want to fly from Phu Quoc and join the Mekong tour on the same day, our flight recommendation is VN 7840 – 2:00 AM to 3:10 AM – from Phu Quoc to Ho Chi Minh City – Operated by Vietnam Airlines. The schedule is as below:
- Fly from Phu Quoc Airport to Tan Son Nhat International Airport (1 hour 10 minutes)
- Transfer to the Ho Chi Minh City center
- Wait until the shuttle bus picks you up at:
· 7:00–7 :30 AM for tour transfer to Can Tho
· 8:00–8:30 AM for tour transfer to Cai Be
- Enjoy the Mekong Delta tour (2–3 days)
- Transfer back to the Ho Chi Minh City center
Important notes:
- The cruise bus will pick up at hotels ONLY in District 1 and part of District 3.
- There are possibilities of flight delay on your traveling date and you may be late for the cruise, thus we highly recommend that you should fly one day prior your cruise trip to avoid any risks. You can spend a day relaxing at your hotel or participating in a day tour around the highlights of Ho Chi Minh City.
By Ferry
For those choosing a Mekong tour with ferry transfer from Phu Quoc, the program is as follows:
- Pick up at a Phu Quoc hotel at 6:00-6:30 AM
- Travel by ferry from Phu Quoc to Rach Gia at 8:00-10:30 AM
- Transfer by shuttle bus from Rach Gia to Tra On (3 hours of driving)
- Embark on the cruise at Tra On
- Enjoy the Mekong Delta tour (2–3 days)
- Transfer back to the Ho Chi Minh City center
Important note:
- This itinerary is only applicable on odd dates for 2- and 3-day tours starting from Phu Quoc and ending in Saigon.
3. Recommended Mekong River Cruises to travel from Phu Quoc to the Mekong Delta
Best Cruises and Routes
At the moment, the best suggested river cruises offering tours from Phu Quoc to the Mekong Delta are Mekong Eyes Classic, Mekong Eyes Explorer Cruise, and Dragon Eyes Cruise.
Recommend routes:
By flight:
Phu Quoc – Saigon – Cai Be – Can Tho – Saigon 2 or 3 days departing on even dates
Phu Quoc – Saigon – Can Tho – Cai Be – Saigon 2 or 3 days departing on odd dates
By ferry:
Phu Quoc – Rach Gia – Can Tho – Cai Be – Saigon 2 or 3 days
Sample Itineraries
For a 2-day tour in the Mekong Delta, passengers will have a chance to wander through a rural village or along the lush orchards and rice paddies, go on a rowing sampan excursion, explore the small canals of Tan Phong islet, visit a family's home-made handicrafts, and ride a bicycle on the back roads of the countryside.
On a three-day tour of the Mekong Delta, visitors will stroll through rice paddies and orchards, walk to a rural village, take a rowing sampan to explore small canals, enjoy "Đờn ca tài tử" (folk music), and visit a family that makes handicrafts on Tan Phong islet. They will also take a bicycle ride on back roads, visit a local workshop for making noodles, and experience a floating market in Cai Rang.
Price References
Tour prices may vary depending on the traveling season and availability, as follows:
Low season:
2-day tour – 310 USD per person
3-day tour – 345 USD per person
High season:
2-day tour – 440 USD per person
3-day tour – 510 USD per person
While traveling independently offers the freedom to set the trip at your own pace, joining a cruise tour will let you enjoy the journey smoothly and stress-free. If you’re into a Mekong Delta tour after relaxing in Phu Quoc, feel free to contact our Mekong River Cruise Experts for detailed information and great deals.
