Coming to Vietnam, you cannot miss the Mekong Delta – a poetic land with unique natural landscapes. Did you know that just a short distance away is Phu Quoc Island, a tropical paradise with endless opportunities for adventure? In addition to spending a week on the mainland, you can opt for a Mekong Delta to Phu Quoc tour to experience more of this beautiful S-shaped country.
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Means of transport for the Mekong Delta to Phu Quoc tour
The road to Phu Quoc is quite convenient because it has long been a famous tourist destination.
By Air
Phu Quoc International Airport offers a convenient air route from Can Tho International Airport, providing a direct flight option for travelers. The flight lasts approximately 1 hour, and prices start at around 2,500,000 VND. This route is a quick and easy way to reach Phu Quoc Island, making it ideal for those traveling from the Mekong Delta region.
To find the flight that best suits you, consider the following tips:
- Only buy tickets from reputable agents or official airline websites such as Vietnam Airlines, Vietjet Air, and Vietravel Airlines.
- Arrange your schedule and book tickets 5 – 10 days before departure for the best deal.
- Compare prices between OTA channels such as Booking, Agoda, and Traveloka before booking tickets.
By Sea
For tourists interested in exploring the sea, taking a ferry from the Mekong Delta to Phu Quoc is also an option.
Discover the ferry options for your journey from Rach Gia to Phu Quoc:
Operator | Departure time | Arrival time | Duration | Price |
Thanh Thoi Ferry | 8:30 | 11:15 | 3 hours 15 minutes | Adults: 290,000 VND/ticket
Children and Elders: 260,000 VND/ticket VIP seat: 400,000/ticket |
12:30 | 15:45 |
Ferry from Ha Tien to Phu Quoc: This route, covering a distance of 45 km, is the most popular option. Visitors can choose from two operators: Thanh Thoi and Binh An Ha Tien:
Operator | Departure time | Arrival time | Duration | Price |
Thanh Thoi Ferry | 3:30 | 5:30 | 2 hours | Adult: 185,000 VND/ticket
Children: 130,000 VND/ticket Elders: 145,000 VND/ticket VIP seat: 300,000/ticket |
4:30 | 6:30 | |||
5:30 | 7:30 | |||
7:30 | 9:30 | |||
9:30 | 11:30 | |||
12:30 | 14:30 | |||
13:30 | 15:30 | |||
14:20 | 16:20 | |||
18:00 | 20:00 | |||
Binh An Ha Tien Ferry | 4:20 | 6:20 | Adult: 185,000 VND/ticket
Children: 130,000 VND/ticket Elders: 145,000 VND/ticket VIP seat: 220.000 VND/ticket |
|
7:00 | 9:00 | |||
9:30 | 11:30 | |||
13:20 | 15:20 | |||
17:35 | 19:35 |
You will save more time by taking a speedboat, but the boat cannot carry cars. The speedboat service from Ha Tien to Phu Quoc operates within the time frames shown in the following table:
Operators | Departure time | Arrival time | Duration | Price |
Phu Quoc Express | 7:25 | 8:40 | 1 hour 15 minutes | Adults: 250.000 VND/ticket
Children and Elders: 200.000 VND/ticket VIP seat: 350.000 VND/ticket |
8:55 | 10:10 | |||
11:45 | 13:00 | |||
13:30 | 14:45 | |||
Superdong | 9:50 | 11:15 | Adults: 225.818 VND/ticket
Elders: 191.455 VND/ticket Children: 157.091 VND/ticket |
Information about the Rach Gia – Phu Quoc speedboat:
Operators | Departure time | Arrival time | Duration | Price |
Phu Quoc Express | 7:00 | 9:20 | 2 hours 20 minutes | Adults: 340.000 VND/ticket
VIP seat: 540.000 VND/ticket Children and Elders: 270.000 VND/ticket |
7:40 | 10:00 | |||
10:20 | 12:40 | |||
12:10 | 14:30 | |||
13:00 | 15:20 | |||
Superdong | 7:10 | 9:30 | Adults: 324.000 VND/ticket
Elders (over 60 years old): 274.909 VND/ticket Children: 235.637 VND/ticket |
When selecting a ferry or boat for your journey, keep in mind the following:
- To ensure a smooth journey, book your tickets online or contact the ferry or boat operator to secure your seats.
- A ferry is the most convenient option if you are traveling by car.
- For those prone to seasickness, a boat may be a more comfortable choice, as it generally offers a smoother ride than a ferry.
- Remember, high-speed boats and ferries depart promptly, so be sure to arrive at the boarding point on time.
By Land and Sea
If you are traveling from Ho Chi Minh City to Phu Quoc and want to experience the ferry, you can take a bus from Saigon through the Mekong Delta to Rach Gia or Ha Tien, then take the ferry to Phu Quoc.
You can buy tickets at Mien Tay Bus Station or book online on reputable apps like Vexere, VNPay, and FUTA bus.
However, this journey can be quite tiring, as it involves sitting on the bus for 4 to 6.5 hours, followed by a 2-hour ferry ride. Be sure to consider your health condition and travel time when planning your Mekong Delta to Phu Quoc trip to choose the most suitable means of transport.
Planning Mekong Delta to Phu Quoc tour
Planning is an important step in ensuring an unforgettable journey experience.
Recommended duration
The combination of the two locations, the Mekong Delta and Phu Quoc, will offer you the most unique experiences. To explore both areas, you should plan to spend 5-7 days on this vacation.
However, depending on your interests, the Mekong Delta to Phu Quoc travel time can be adjusted. If you enjoy experiencing diverse cultures, consider extending your stay in the Mekong Delta to about 3-4 days. You can spend several weeks in Phu Quoc if you love sea sports and activities like swimming, diving, or surfing.
Must-See Attractions
- Cai Rang Floating Market: People bring their boats and canoes to anchor here, forming a vibrant market. You can immerse yourself in the daily life of the locals and enjoy the diverse cuisine right on the boat. This market has been recognized as a National Intangible Cultural Heritage since 2016.
- Vinh Trang Pagoda: Built with a blend of European and traditional Vietnamese-Khmer architecture, this pagoda symbolizes the harmony between ethnic groups in the Mekong Delta.
- Traditional handicraft villages: The Mekong Delta has about 210 small handicraft villages. An Giang features brocade weaving, palm sugar, and fish sauce villages; Vinh Long has pottery and weaving villages; Soc Trang offers pia cakes and Chinese sausages; Ben Tre is famous for coconut candy and handicrafts made from coconut trees.
- VinWonders Phu Quoc: This is well-known as the largest theme park in Vietnam, covering an area of 50 hectares. You can enjoy adventure games, take photos in the fairy tale village, and visit the Hai Vuong Palace.
- Hon Thom: Experience the world’s longest 3-wire sea cable car, which spans a total length of 7,899.9 m, and have fun at Sun World Hon Thom Nature Park.
Balancing relaxation and adventure
You can make your vacation in the Mekong Delta and Phu Quoc more memorable by combining relaxation and adventure.
- Add more outdoor activities such as cycling through the paddy fields, participating in festivals, and visiting Tram Tra Su National Park.
- Find peace on the bustling island by sunbathing on the seashore or visiting Ham Ninh fishing village.
Essential travel tips for the Mekong Delta to Phu Quoc tour
Best time for the Mekong Delta to Phu Quoc tour
- The best time for your vacation is from November to April because this period offers the most beautiful weather in the Mekong Delta and Phu Quoc Island. The weather is pleasant during this time, with temperatures around 27 degrees Celsius. The sea is calm, making it ideal for recreational activities.
- November is the rice harvest season in the Mekong Delta, and the scenery becomes picturesque. This is also the time for festivals in the Southwest of Vietnam, so visitors can participate in various cultural activities.
Packing essentials
Before you leave, pack your luggage carefully to avoid unnecessary disruptions. Here are some essential items:
- Sunscreen, hats, and sun protection: Both the Mekong Delta and Phu Quoc experience intense sunlight and high UV levels, so protecting your skin from sunburn is very important.
- Toiletries, hand sanitizer, face masks, and other personal items: Bring these with you, as they may not be easily available during your journey.
- Motion sickness pills and bowel medicine: Changing foods can sometimes lead to digestive issues, so bringing these medications may be helpful. Additionally, since you will spend a lot of time on cars, trains, and planes, motion sickness pills can help reduce discomfort and fatigue.
Accommodation options
Depending on your budget for the trip, you can choose the suitable accommodation:
- Ecolodges: With an environmentally friendly design, ecolodges are suitable for tourists who prioritize a truly relaxing vacation and want to enjoy natural beauty in an eco-friendly setting.
- Resorts: In tourist areas, resorts with high-class services are easily found. This accommodation type is ideal for those seeking a private and luxurious place to relax.
- Hotels: At affordable prices, hotels are familiar to tourists. Hotels and small motels suit those who prioritize outdoor activities and need a comfortable resting place.
- Homestays: Ideal for those who want to experience local life and culture.
Local specialties at affordable prices
- ‘Banh Xeo’ in the Southwest: The Mekong Delta is a tourist area with affordable costs, and its specialties are also very reasonably priced. Don’t miss the opportunity to enjoy ‘banh xeo’ with its crispy crust, shrimp filling, and mung bean sprouts.
- Tropical Fruits: This region boasts many famous native fruit varieties, such as Hoa Loc mango, Cao Lanh cat chu mango, Lo Ren star apple, and Chin durian. Research in advance about the best time to visit and enjoy these fruits.
- Seafood: As an island, Phu Quoc boasts an abundant and fresh supply of seafood. When visiting the market on the island, don’t forget to try dishes made from shrimp, crab, and snails at very reasonable prices.
Sample Mekong Delta to Phu Quoc itinerary
In addition to booking available tours, you can also refer to the Mekong Delta to Phu Quoc tour 5 days 4 nights schedule below:
Day 1-2: Mekong Delta exploration
- Depart from Ho Chi Minh City to Tien Giang.
- Visit Vinh Trang Pagoda, the largest in the province, and marvel at its unique architecture, which beautifully combines diverse design elements from different cultural traditions.
- Take a boat on the Tien River to Ben Tre.
- Visit a coconut candy factory and enjoy the area’s specialty candy. You can also buy this snack as a gift for friends and relatives.
- Take a boat to Phung Islet, enjoy the fruits, and listen to ‘don ca tai tu.’
- Travel to Can Tho.
- Spend the second day exploring the Cai Rang Floating Market.
- Enjoy a meal with DIY dishes.
Day 3: Transfer to Phu Quoc
- Travel to Rach Gia and take a ferry to Phu Quoc. To save time, you can fly from Can Tho Airport to Phu Quoc. However, if you choose to transfer by plane, the Mekong Delta to Phu Quoc cost will be much more expensive.
- Check in and have lunch at the hotel.
- Visit one of the most beautiful beaches in Phu Quoc, Sao Beach, where you can also take photos at Kiss Bridge.
Day 4-5: Phu Quoc island paradise
Depending on your interests, you can choose from the following activities:
- Visit VinWonders Phu Quoc and participate in entertainment games.
- Explore Vinpearl Safari Phu Quoc, the largest semi-wild animal reserve in Vietnam.
- Take the cable car to Hon Thom and see the whole island from above.
- Go surfing and diving to see coral, which are activities for tourists who love adventure travel.
Conclusion
A combined holiday in the Mekong Delta and Phu Quoc offers more experiences than you might expect. There is no need to choose between just one or two vibes—this trip perfectly balances peace, relaxation, and adventure. Pack your backpack and let Joy Journeys guide you on this unforgettable vacation!
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