Mekong River Delta, home to more than 25 million people. Considered one of the great rivers of the world, the Mekong flows 2,790 miles to the South China Sea. In Vietnam, the rich river delta is a patchwork of brilliant green rice paddies, fields of sugarcane, and orchards of bananas, coconuts and mangos. Belows are our prefered destinations for your dream journeys.
BEN TRE
Sandwiched between two major branches of the Tien Giang River, Ben Tre is situated on a small island in the Mekong Delta known among other things for its fruit production, its tranquil atmosphere, and as the site of the first Viet Cong victory at the start of the Vietnam war. Once infamous as the village that had to be “destroyed in order to be saved” by American forces, the small town is now a wonderful place to experience the charms of the Mekong Delta. Today, Ben Tre is a tranquil, serene town, whose highlights include old villas, beautiful countryside, and a fascinating, teeming wet market.
CAN THO
Situated on the banks of the Hau River, Can Tho is the capital of the Mekong Delta, a region known as the “rice basket of Vietnam”, where over 50 percent of the country’s rice is produced. Home to over a million people, Can Tho boasts excellent cuisine, fresh fruits, Buddhist pagodas, and floating markets. Can Tho is also historically significant, as it was the last city to succumb to the North Vietnamese Army, a day after the fall of Saigon, on May 1, 1975 – the date that has come to represent the absolute reunification of the country.
CHAU DOC
Located in the west of the Mekong Delta, near the border with Cambodia, Chau Doc lies 174 miles (280 miles) southwest of Saigon. A recent addition to Vietnamese territory, Chau Doc was given as a gift from the Cambodian monarch in return for Vietnamese aid in putting down an insurrection. Centuries of trade along the river have created a unique culture, a fusion of Khmer, Chinese, and Vietnamese influences.
Region
Mekong Delta
language
Vietnamese
capital
Ha Noi
population
21,490,000
area
40,577 km²
currency
Vietnam Dong
FIND YOUR
Inspiration
Locally based with in-country expertise means our Destination Experience Designers can curate exceptional activities and experiences for you that are beyond the reach of the average traveller. We piece these together as a framework for your own bespoke adventure, you can find it in our featured journeys or speak to our travel advisors.
Inspiration
Locally based with in-country expertise means our Destination Experience Designers can curate exceptional activities and experiences for you that are beyond the reach of the average traveller. We piece these together as a framework for your own bespoke adventure, you can find it in our featured journeys or speak to our travel advisors.
BEN TRE & MO CAY CRUISING + BIKING
EXPLORE the non-touristic and lesser known areas in the Mekong with handcrafted cruise + bike programs designed for small groups. Bike the countryside at your pace, interact with the local people and cook yourself a Vietnamese lunch with local recipes. Cruise alongside the mighty Mekong river, enjoy the natural breeze with fresh coconuts just picked from the tree.
MEKONG DELTA IN DEPTH: CAIBE/VINH LONG
IMMERSE into the local culture & daily life of Mekong people, sightsee the famous floating market. Visit the ancient village with a stop at Mr. Kiet’s house for an authentic Mekong lunch, walk around the home grown fruit garden. Bike along the river on a small island, hop on a rowing boat to cruise through small canals with water-coconut trees alongside.
OFF THE BEATEN TRACKS: MEKONG EXPLORER BY BIKE
EXPERIENCE the countryside of Mekong Delta at your pace with an insider. The route of biking journey is personalized custom dessigned “like no other” that helps our clients see more, dig deeper and travel better that you’ve never thought possible. Book with confidence and stress free, just be prepared and enjoy this amazing lifetime journey.
DISCOVER THE LOCAL CULTURE BEAUTY: CAI RANG FLOATING MARKET
SEE the authentic Vietnam through the lens of an insider. Cruise alongside of Hau river, a main branch of mighty Mekong river. Experience the life of local people at the biggest wholesale floating market, Cai Rang, in Can Tho city. Taste the freshness of pineapple just got harvested from the farm, and a local “Cafe Sua Da” from a vendor on waterway.
FROM SAIGON TO SIEM REAP
PREPARED to plunge deep into the Vietnamese countryside for an aquatic adventure up the mighty Mekong, stopping off in riverside towns and villages, finally to dock in the Cambodian ancient city of Siem Reap. Traveling deep in the Mekong territory, touring through Caibe, Vinh Long, Cantho and Chau Doc to Cambodia. Our personalized custom designed journeys go beyond and above explorer’s expectations.
PRIVATE CRUISE & OVERNIGHT ON THE MIGHTY MEKONG
DEEP in the region, explore the local’s culture and life of people living alongside of Mekong river. This exclusive experience curated for travelers who like to have “experience like no other”. Make the most of the journey relaxing on private cruise for 2/4/6, choosing shore excursions to attend and dining on board with a private local Chef. Enjoy the flexibility of the journey, end the trips with memories that make traveler a great story teller afterwards.
ONE RIVER, TWO COUNTRIES: VIETNAM/CAMBODIA BY BIKE
DISCOVER the natural beauty of S-shaped country & ancient Khmer kingdom with your own bike at your own pace. Our custom designed biking journeys are curated to go beyond the expectation and the ordinary. Each trip is led by an experienced tour escort, we want you to immerse into the local culture, country history and see the two country through the lens of an insider.
UP/DOWN STREAM THE MIGHTY MEKONG BY LUXURY CRUISES
CRUISE the mighty river Mekong with selective shore excursions and handpicked authentic cuisines by Master Chef on your dream floating hotel from Saigon to Siem Reap/Siem Reap to Saigon. Experience the in-depth life of local people living alongside of the river, enjoy the breathtaking view from the sundeck with a coctails with a professional lecturer. Immerse in the local culture, learn history lessons in a way that go beyond the ordinary.
SEE THE BEST OF MEKONG DELTA BY PRIVATE YATCH
UNCOVER the amazing waterway on your private yatch journey to the mighty Mekong river. Explore the daily life of fishermen living along the river, see the authentic Vietnam through the lens of an insider. Experience the natural canals with twistings & turnings with a local rowing boat. Visit a multi-gen family handicraft business, bike through fruit gardens and rural unpaved path. Lunch by the riverside with local delicacies.
When to go
Vietnam has a tropical climate with average annual temperatures ranging from 22°C to 34°C. Although temperatures are consistent year round, various parts of the country, at certain times of the year, can be affected by unpredictable storms which may cause flooding. From May to November, most of the country is affected by south-western monsoons. The rains, which tend to be concentrated in the late afternoons, provide welcome relief from the heat. The heaviest rainfall tends to occur between July and August in the north; June to October in the south; and October to December in Central Vietnam.
December to March is a pleasant time to visit the southern city of Ho Chi Minh City and the Mekong Delta, although temperatures in Hanoi and northern regions tend to be cooler during those months. In the mountainous regions in the far north such as Sapa, the temperature can at times drop below zero. The best time to visit the north is between September and December when there’s a good chance of clear skies and low humidity, while March to September is an ideal time to enjoy the beaches and attractions of Central Vietnam. Beach destinations in the south such as Nha Trang, Phu Quoc and Con Dao Island are warm and sunny most of the year. However, the rainy season varies for each destination: Nha Trang (October to December); Phu Quoc (June to September) and Con Dao (November to January).
Destination Indochina DMC has been delivering rare opportunities to engage with beautiful Vietnam and her people. Our dedicated team of travel professionals have their finger on the pulse of what is new and trending in the region and our transformational journeys inspire travellers of all walks of life. Connect with specialists in culture, food, art, religion and history and get the best advice on where to eat, shop and unwind.