Top 3 Family-Friendly Mekong Delta Overnight Tours For 2024

The Southwest of Vietnam is known for its stunning natural beauty, diverse culture, and amiable people. With its rich natural offerings, it is an ideal destination for tourists of all ages. The Mekong Delta overnight tour, in particular, is a must-have experience on your family’s vacation to-do list in Vietnam.

Floating market and village life – Mekong Delta overnight tour

The Mekong Delta tour from Ho Chi Minh City is popular among tourists, because the region is famous for its floating markets and craft villages.

Overview

A two-day, one-night tour through the Mekong Delta offers an unforgettable glimpse into the heart of Vietnam’s vibrant culture and stunning landscapes. From floating markets to peaceful river cruises, this journey immerses you in local life, with moments to savor fresh fruits, explore charming villages, and enjoy traditional meals. 

Whether you’re rowing through tranquil mangrove forests or cycling through picturesque towns, the experience leaves you with a deep connection to the Mekong’s beauty and warmth.

Highlights

• Cai Rang/Phong Dien Floating Market: 
  • These markets are typically located at river junctions and along main waterways. From these floating markets, goods such as fruits, vegetables, and seafood are traded to neighboring provinces. 
  • A unique feature of these markets is that sellers use a 3-5 meter long pole, locally known as a ‘cay beo,’ to display the products they want to sell. Buyers can look at the tree to see what is available on the boat, making the shopping experience distinct from traditional land markets.

• Traditional Handicrafts: As of the end of 2009, the Southwest region had about 164 craft villages, including brocade weaving villages, mat weaving villages, and more. Visitors can try their hand at making handicrafts with guidance from local artisans during visits to these villages.
• Rural Activities: To better understand the daily life of the people in the Mekong Delta, visitors can engage in activities such as cycling around villages, crossing monkey bridges, or shopping at the floating market.

Accommodation

Can Tho City and nearby provinces like Ben Tre and Tien Giang, known for their numerous tourist attractions, offer many accommodation options:

• Resort/Ecolodge: This option offers a serene retreat ideal for travelers seeking privacy and relaxation. In the reference schedule, Joy Journeys includes overnight stays at Bamboo Eco Village or Mekong Silt Eco Lodge, allowing you to immerse yourself in the natural landscape while enjoying tranquility and comfort.

• Hotel: For independent travelers interested in participating in outdoor activities, hotels provide a convenient and reasonably priced option with reliable service.
• Homestay: If you are interested in cultural immersion, staying in a homestay allows you to experience local life firsthand. This type of accommodation allows you to stay in houses similar to those of residents and engage in their daily activities.

Mekong Delta cultural experience tour

Culture is one of the exciting factors, and many tourists choose it as their primary point of interest when visiting the Mekong Delta.

Overview

If you enjoy exploring culture and history, the Mekong Delta is a destination that can exceed your expectations. The region boasts more than 200 craft villages, many of which are renowned for their traditional crafts, often using materials sourced from nature.

The best time to visit is from December to February, when the festival season is in full swing, featuring celebrations like the Lunar New Year and Lady of the Land’s Festival. The Mekong Delta is also home to ‘Don Ca Tai Tu’, a unique musical art form that has been recognized as a national heritage.

Highlights

• Rice Paper Making: Thuan Hung rice paper-making village is a National Intangible Cultural Heritage. Currently, it is home to over 100 rice paper-making households, with traditions passed down through generations for more than two centuries. When visiting, you can observe the process of making delicious rice paper specialties and even participate in some of the manual stages.
• Coconut Candy Production: Coconut candy, a famous specialty of Ben Tre, is rarely found elsewhere. To learn about traditional candy-making, visitors can head to Mo Cay, the coconut candy-making village in Ward 7, or eco-tourism areas in Chau Thanh. Here, you can watch locals craft these sweet and fragrant treats.
• Traditional Music: ‘Don Ca Tai Tu’ is a distinctive art form of the Southwest region. Visitors will be captivated by the soulful singing and instrumental performances of local artists.
• Temple Visits: Phuong Nam Truc Lam Zen Monastery, Munir Ansay Pagoda, and Ong Pagoda are all prominent spiritual destinations for locals. Each temple features unique architectural styles, reflecting various aspects of the spiritual life of the ethnic communities in this region.

Accommodation

While the Mekong Delta offers a range of accommodation options, such as hotels, resorts, and ecolodges, homestays provide the best opportunity for tourists to immerse themselves in local culture.

Staying in a local house or homestay allows you to experience life as the locals do. These accommodations often feature traditional decor with simple rooms. 

They also offer authentic meals, including dishes like braised meat, braised fish, and boiled vegetables. Additionally, you can appreciate the warmth and friendliness of the service staff, which adds to the overall experience.

Mekong Delta River cruise and resort tour

One interesting way to explore the Mekong Delta is to book a cruise and resort tour. This will help tourists have the most relaxing vacation.

Overview

Mekong Delta tourism experiences are often arranged on luxury cruises featuring amenities such as restaurants, entertainment areas, spas, and libraries. The spacious deck allows visitors to enjoy the lush scenery of the region. 

In addition to visiting famous destinations, these cruises offer unique activities like cooking classes and traditional music performances. Guests can also enjoy a sunrise breakfast and a sunset dinner on the deck.

Highlights

• Embark on a River Cruise: Mekong Delta tours from Ho Chi Minh City typically use 3-star to 4-star cruise ships, ensuring a high-quality experience.
• Scenic Stops: This isn’t just a cruise where you sit back and relax. You can visit various stops, such as islets and the Tra Su Melaleuca forest, depending on the tour provider’s itinerary.
• Lunch and Dinner Onboard: Meals are served on the deck, which offers beautiful views that enhance the dining experience and create memorable times with loved ones.
• Relaxation: The astonishing natural scenery and tranquil waters provide a refreshing escape from the crowded city, allowing you to enjoy the peaceful countryside.

Accommodation

Cruise tours typically offer high-standard accommodation on board. However, if you prefer an experience focused on relaxation and refreshment, resorts are an excellent choice. They provide an ideal environment for unwinding and rejuvenating during your trip.

FAQs about Mekong Delta tour from Ho Chi Minh

Why do people visit the Mekong Delta?

• Explore the Stunning Landscape: The Mekong River is surrounded by some of the most beautiful landscapes in the world, including lush green forests, towering mountains, and serene rice fields.
• Explore the Diverse Culture: Home to over 40 ethnic groups, the Mekong Delta boasts a rich and unique culture, evident in:
  • Cuisine: The region’s culinary diversity reflects the tastes of various ethnic groups, featuring dishes such as Khmer noodles, sour soup, purple-leaf salted egg sticky rice cake, and Chinese pia cake.
  • Festivals: The Mekong Delta hosts a variety of festivals throughout the year, including significant celebrations like the Ba Chua Xu Nui Sam Festival, Nghinh Ong Festival, and Om Bok.
• UNESCO Heritage: Beyond its stunning natural beauty, the art of Don Ca Tai Tu in the Mekong Delta has been recognized by UNESCO as a representative intangible cultural heritage of humanity.

Is the Mekong Delta worth seeing?

The Mekong Delta, with its beautiful landscapes and friendly atmosphere, is a must-visit destination for tourists on their Vietnam tour. It offers majestic rivers, lush scenery, the warmth of local farmers, and excellent cuisine.

Is the Mekong Delta safe?

Overall, the Mekong Delta is safe to visit both alone or in a group, provided you book the right trip with reputable tour operators. For those traveling by motorbike, exercise caution while driving and learn about driving regulations to ensure a smooth and fantastic trip to the Mekong Delta.

How much time to spend in the Mekong Delta?

To fully experience life in the Mekong Delta, you should spend at least two days and one night. The longer you stay, the more of its unique beauty you will discover. A four-day trip allows you to explore numerous attractions in Can Tho and the surrounding eco-tourism areas, such as Dong Tam Snake Farm, Vam Ho Bird Sanctuary, and Cai Rang Floating Market.

How to get around the Mekong Delta?

1. By Bus

Similar to other regions in Vietnam, the Mekong Delta offers a convenient bus network. Numerous bus routes connect Can Tho with other provinces in the region, providing flexibility in travel times and costs depending on your destination.

2. By Bicycle and Motorbike

This is the option for adventurers. Rent a motorbike or bicycle and cycle around the area, passing by charming landscapes, vast rice fields, plantations, and mangroves. You will find yourself lost in the truly peaceful landscape of rural Vietnam.

3. By boat

With its vast maze of winding waterways, the Mekong Delta tour by boat is the best for visitors. Gliding along the narrow and winding canals and tributaries that connect the area, you may feel like you have stepped back in time or been transported to another world.

Conclusion

For an unforgettable vacation or family trip, Joy Journeys‘ Mekong Delta overnight tour offers the perfect opportunity to experience the region’s unique charm. 

From bustling floating markets to the soulful sounds of ‘don ca tai tu’, and the intricate beauty of traditional handicraft villages, this tour immerses you in the heart of Mekong’s culture. 

The tranquil pace of life and stunning scenery provide the ideal setting for relaxation, making this journey a genuinely delightful escape for anyone looking to explore the wonders of the Mekong Delta.