Mekong Delta Tour 3 Days from Saigon | Ideal Travel Asia
HO CHI MINH CITY - CU CHI - MEKONG DELTA
Time: 3 Days – 2 NightsVehicle: Car
Tour code: VN04
A compact cultural journey through Saigon and the Mekong Delta.
This 3-day tour is ideal if you have limited time, or want to add the south to a trip that starts elsewhere in Vietnam. On Day 1, explore Ho Chi Minh City’s main sights: the Reunification Palace, Notre Dame Cathedral, the Central Post Office and the War Remnants Museum. In the afternoon, drive to the Cu Chi Tunnels to explore the underground passages used during the war and taste cassava with tea.
On Day 2, head south to the Mekong Delta. Cruise the Tien River past the islets of My Tho, then continue to Ben Tre, the “Kingdom of Coconuts”, to see coconut candy being made, drink honey tea and listen to traditional Southern folk music. In the late afternoon, transfer to Can Tho for the night.
On Day 3, board a private boat at dawn to the Cai Rang floating market, visit a rice noodle factory and walk through a local wet market. After a city tour with the Can Tho Museum and the 1870 Binh Thuy Ancient House, return to Ho Chi Minh City.
Your English-speaking private guide, private air-conditioned car, boat trips, entrance fees, travel insurance and daily breakfast are all included.
DAY 1: HO CHI MINH CITY - CU CHI
Explore the highlights of Ho Chi Minh City and discover its rich history. Visit the Reunification Palace, the former residence of the President of South Vietnam, followed by the iconic Notre Dame Cathedral and the historic Central Post Office. Continue to the War Remnants Museum, which offers insight into Vietnam’s wartime history.
Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant before departing for the Cu Chi Tunnels, located approximately 70 km northwest of the city. Upon arrival, watch a brief introductory video and learn about the tunnel network used during the war. Explore the underground passages, living quarters, storage areas, field hospitals, and command centers. Conclude your visit with traditional tea and cassava, once a staple food of the guerrilla fighters. Guests may also have the opportunity to try shooting activities at the firing range (optional, at own expense).
Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.
DAY 2: MEKONG - CAN THO
EXPLORE MEKONG DELTA & TRANSFER TO CAN THO (B/L/-)
Depart Ho Chi Minh City in the morning and travel south to the Mekong Delta, a region renowned for its vast network of rivers, canals, and fertile orchards. Upon arrival in My Tho, board a boat cruise along the Tien River, passing local villages and the famous Dragon, Unicorn, Phoenix, and Tortoise Islets.
Continue to Ben Tre, often referred to as the “Kingdom of Coconuts,” where you will visit a traditional coconut candy workshop and enjoy honey tea made from locally harvested honey. Explore the peaceful countryside, sample seasonal tropical fruits, and enjoy a performance of traditional Southern Vietnamese folk music. A local lunch featuring regional specialties will be served during the excursion.
In the late afternoon, transfer to Can Tho, the largest city in the Mekong Delta. Check in to your hotel and enjoy the evening at leisure.
Overnight in Can Tho
DAY 3: CAN THO - MEKONG DELTA - HO CHI MINH CITY
tart your day early to catch the most vibrant hours of the famous Cai Rang Floating Market. Board a private boat to witness the fascinating hustle and bustle of river commerce, where hundreds of boats display their fruits and vegetables on long bamboo poles. During the cruise, pull up alongside a local vendor boat to sample a hot bowl of traditional noodle soup or sip a morning coffee right on the water.Continue your boat journey to a traditional Rice Noodle Factory to see the fascinating step-by-step process of making noodles by hand. Before heading back, take a stroll through a bustling mainland wet market filled with colorful stalls of fresh produce and spices.
Return to your hotel to freshen up, enjoy a relaxed breakfast, and complete your check-out. Before bidding farewell to the Mekong Delta, embark on a curated city tour of Can Tho. Begin with a visit to the Can Tho Museum, which beautifully showcases the rich agriculture and vibrant river life of the region, as well as the historic, peaceful co-existence of the Vietnamese, Chinese, and Khmer ethnic groups.
Next, head to the iconic Binh Thuy Ancient House. Originally built in 1870 as a sacred place of worship for the family ancestors, this beautifully preserved mansion features a stunning blend of French-colonial architecture and traditional Vietnamese design. Take a peaceful stroll through its historic rooms and lush gardens before boarding your private vehicle for a comfortable transfer back to Ho Chi Minh City.
