What is a day trip in the Mekong Delta like?
When it comes to Vietnam travel, the Mekong Delta, with its natural landscapes and cultural charm, should be at the top of your bucket list. The Delta's riverfront towns, verdant islands, and lazy waterways, which are only a short drive from Ho Chi Minh City, will immediately put you at ease. You might easily spend weeks exploring this rural region, but if you only have a day, take a trip to the Mekong Delta's picturesque countryside. Here's what to expect.
1. What is the Mekong Delta?
The Mekong Delta, also known as the “Nine Dragon River Delta” or “Miền Tây” in Vietnamese, is a vast and fertile floodplain of the Mekong River in southwest Vietnam with a maze of waterways emptying into the sea. The Delta covers more than 40,500 kilometers (15,600 square miles) of the country’s south-western region, consisting of 12 provinces (Long An, Dong Thap, Tien Giang, An Giang, Ben Tre, Vinh Long, Tra Vinh, Hau Giang, Kien Giang, Soc Trang, Bac Lieu, and Ca Mau) and the province-level municipality of Can Tho.
The flat region of fertile alluvial soil and coastal saline soil in the Mekong Delta is created by alluvial deposition and sea-level variations. The average elevation there is between 0.5 and 1.2 meters above sea level. The abundance of river sediments makes the delta perfect for agriculture, particularly rice cultivation, and aquaculture. It produces more than half of the rice and seafood in Vietnam, demonstrating its importance to the country’s economy, diet, and culture. Water is fundamental to life in the Mekong Delta, from vibrant floating markets to immense rice paddies; the area is a center of a variety of fruits, flowers, and livestock.
The Mekong Delta's weather is tropical; therefore, humidity is prevalent all year. The climate has two distinct seasons: rainy and dry. The rainy season lasts from May to October, whereas the dry season runs from November to April. During the rainy season, storms and typhoons frequently strike the region, causing considerable damage and flooding.
2. Is a day trip to the Mekong Delta worth it?
Yes, absolutely! If your Vietnam trip is short, a day trip to the Mekong Delta will offer a taste of the gorgeous Vietnamese countryside, which is significantly different from what is in the north. Though the longer you stay, the more highlights you will see, a day excursion still offers enough time to experience a slice of local life. You will have the chance to meet friendly and hospitable residents, explore their culture and life revolving around the water, and taste a wide variety of dishes.
3. What you can expect on a day trip in the Mekong Delta
A day trip from Ho Chi Minh City to the Mekong Delta is popular and offers visits to different parts of the region, such as Cai Be, Can Tho, or Dong Thap. In this article, we will introduce to you fascinating experiences of a day tour to the serene backwaters of Ben Tre, the “kingdom of coconut.”
Scenic boat rides
It takes around two hours to drive from Ho Chi Minh City to the town of Ben Tre, where you'll get your first taste of Delta life. Board a boat for a relaxing cruise along the river. On the shores, you'll witness exquisite colonial buildings, vibrant marketplaces, and local homes perched on stilts above the water.
The view is more lush and tropical as the boat travels farther into the Delta. Tall fronds line the canal banks, where boats loaded with coconuts and fruits go through caramel-colored waters to the sea or inland. It's always a delightful experience to boat along the Delta’s waterways; just relax and enjoy the river breezes and scenery.
Family-run workshops and factories
The abundant natural resources and fertile soil of the Mekong Delta make it an incredibly productive region in Vietnam. Family-run workshops abound in villages, ranging from fish farms to brick manufacturers to fruit orchards.
The province of Ben Tre is renowned for its sun-ripened coconuts. On the trip, you'll get the opportunity to visit a coconut candy factory and see how this sticky, irresistible treat is traditionally made and wrapped up by hand. Along the riverbanks, you’ll find locals converting the Delta's rich clay into bricks, tiles, and potteries and burning them in massive brick kilns fueled by rice husk.
Bike rides in the countryside
The Mekong Delta's meandering lanes and paths on islets with hamlets and orchards alongside are perfect for cycling. Cross small bridges over canals, pass by rustic houses, and ride beneath coconut palms and flowering shrubs. Don't be surprised if you see children rushing out to wave and smile, or if you meet a flock of ducks crossing the way. Pedaling along the countryside is a great way to see local life and experience the tropical beauty of southern Vietnam.
Authentic dining experience
The Delta's cuisine is always fresh and tasty, thanks to the abundance of vegetable farms, waterways, rice fields, and fruit orchards. Like other parts of the country, Vietnamese in this region dine family-style, with several dishes put in the center of the table for everyone to enjoy.
Your lunch in Ben Tre will most certainly include a classic plate of dried elephant-ear fish. The crispy fish flesh is wrapped in rice paper, together with pineapple, cucumber, lettuce, and herbs, and then dipped in tamarind sauce, or mắm nêm (Vietnamese fermented anchovy sauce). There are also delicious braised meats in claypots and lemongrass curries, delectable soups, stir-fried vegetables with garlic, and hot steamed rice. Fill up your bowl and satisfy your taste buds!
Visits to local homes
Vietnamese are recognized for their friendliness, and the inhabitants of the Mekong Delta are well-known throughout the nation for their warmth and hospitality. Don't go without making some new friends. If possible, ask your tour guide and locals for a visit to an ancestral house where you can find out the owner's life and family lineage.
Delta residents like spending time with others, relaxing outside, sipping green tea, and snacking on fresh fruit. Often, they would sing folk songs or perform music for each other. If you have a chance, take a seat and enjoy this local tradition.
Though there may be limitations to exploring the delta's vast diversity, a Mekong Delta day trip from Ho Chi Minh City is a popular option for travelers with short travel time in southern Vietnam. If you’re planning a Vietnam wish list with a spot for the Mekong Delta, feel free to contact our Mekong River Cruise travel consultants, who are always willing to help you create exciting itineraries and offer great deals.
