Mekong Delta 3 days tour and exit to Phnom Penh

Take a gentle paddle ride along the narrow canals under the water coconut palm trees in the heart of the Mekong Delta. Wander through lush fruit orchards and taste tropical seasonal fruits fresh from the trees. Visit the lively Cai Rang floating market in Can Tho, where boats loaded with produce gather and trade on the river. Experience the rustic charm of the “Monkey Bridge,” a narrow bamboo bridge built by locals to cross the waterways. Spend the night in a peaceful village with local farmers, enjoying the authentic countryside life. Then take a boat trip into Tra Su Cajuput Forest, where you will feel completely in harmony with nature, surrounded by green water and bird songs. Finally, cruise up the Tonle Sap River to Phnom Penh, connecting two beautiful cultures of Vietnam and Cambodia in one unforgettable journey.

Summary itinerary

Group tour itinerary:

Day 1: Ho Chi Minh City – My Tho – Ben Tre – Can Tho

(Meals: Lunch, Dinner)

Depart from Ho Chi Minh City at 7:30 AM for a scenic 1.5-hour drive to My Tho City. Along the way, enjoy views of lush green rice fields, the tranquil Vam Co Dong River, and the bustling Long An Town. Stop at the Mekong Rest Stop to relax and admire the beautiful bonsai garden.

Upon arrival in My Tho, visit Vinh Trang Pagoda — one of the oldest and largest pagodas in Southern Vietnam. Its unique architecture blends Vietnamese, Khmer, and European styles, creating a truly special landmark in the Mekong Delta.

Continue to the pier for a motorboat trip on the Tien River. Enjoy the refreshing breeze as you pass by stilt houses, floating fish farms, and the four famous islets — Dragon, Phoenix, Tortoise, and Unicorn Islands.

Disembark at Thoi Son Islet (Phoenix Island) for a leisurely walk through village paths. Visit local homes and fruit orchards, where you’ll taste seasonal fruits and enjoy traditional Southern folk music (Đờn ca tài tử).

Stop by a honey bee farm to sample natural honey tea with lemon, and if you’re feeling adventurous, take a photo with a friendly python. Then, enjoy a hand-rowed sampan ride through peaceful canals lined with water coconut palms — a symbol of the Delta’s charm.

Return to the motorboat and cruise to Ben Tre Province to visit a coconut candy workshop, learning how these delicious sweets are handmade. Continue to Unicorn Island to visit a crocodile farm and the Coconut Religion relics.

Enjoy lunch in an orchard garden — don’t miss trying the deep-fried Elephant Ear Fish, a signature Mekong dish. After lunch, take a short walk through the village to enjoy the fresh countryside air before heading to Can Tho City.

Arrive in Can Tho, check in at a comfortable hotel (air conditioning, hot shower, minibar, TV, Wi-Fi included). Spend the evening exploring Tay Do Night Market, Ninh Kieu Wharf, or sampling local street food.

Day 2: Can Tho – Cai Rang Floating Market – Tra Su Forest – Chau Doc

(Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

After breakfast, take a morning walk to Ninh Kieu Wharf and observe the lively local market where vendors sell fresh fruits, vegetables, and handmade goods.

Board a boat to visit the bustling Cai Rang Floating Market, one of the largest and most famous in Southern Vietnam. Witness the unique trading culture as merchants sell produce directly from their boats — a truly vibrant experience!

Next, visit a local rice vermicelli workshop to see how the traditional noodles are made. Then, transfer to a local restaurant for lunch.

In the afternoon, continue to Chau Doc and explore the beautiful Tra Su Cajuput Forest, a sanctuary of natural beauty and wildlife. Take a peaceful boat trip through the flooded forest, surrounded by towering cajuput trees and the sounds of birds and insects. From the observation tower, enjoy panoramic views of nearly 900 hectares of lush greenery — home to many species of birds, some of them rare.

Overnight at a homestay in Chau Doc, where you can experience the warmth and hospitality of the local people.

Day 3: Chau Doc – Phnom Penh

(Meal: Breakfast)

After breakfast, board the express boat to Phnom Penh at 7:00 AM.
Enjoy the scenic cruise up the Tonle Sap River, marking the end of your unforgettable Mekong Delta journey.

– End of Services –

Tour price includes: 

• Air conditioned transport for picking up, transferring & sightseeing as per program
• Mineral water on bus (1 bottle/person/ day)
• Express boat ticket: Chau Doc – Phnom Penh
• English speaking tour guide for sightseeing
• Boat trips in the Mekong Delta
• Hand –rowed sampan
• All entrance fees
• Seasonal fruits, honey tea
• Southern folk music show
• Lunch on Day 1 &  Day 2
• Dinner on Day 1 & Day 2
• Breakfast at hotel on Day 2 & Day 3
• Nice and clean hotel base on two people share a double or twin room in Can Tho (Three stars hotel)
• Homestay arrangement in Chau Doc

Tour price excludes:

• Travel insurance
• Personal expenses
• Single supplement
• Cambodian visa (US$36/person)
• Drinks & other meals not mentioned in the program.

Private tour itinerary:

Day 1: Ho Chi Minh city – Mekong Delta – Can Tho city (Meals: lunch)

At 8:00 AM, your tour guide and driver will meet you at your hotel and depart from Ho Chi Minh City for My Tho. The drive takes about 1 hour 30 minutes, offering scenic views of lush rice fields, the tranquil Vam Co Dong River, and the lively Long An Town along the way. Stop at the Mekong Rest Stop to relax and admire the beautiful bonsai garden.

Upon arrival in My Tho, visit Vinh Trang Pagoda, one of the oldest and most remarkable pagodas in Southern Vietnam. It is famous for its impressive blend of Vietnamese, Khmer, and European architectural styles, representing the rich cultural harmony of the Mekong Delta.

After the visit, transfer to the pier and board a motorboat on the Tien River. Enjoy the refreshing air and peaceful scenery as you pass by stilt houses, floating fish farms, and the four mythical islands — Dragon, Phoenix, Tortoise, and Unicorn.

Disembark at Thoi Son Islet (Phoenix Island) for a relaxing walk through village paths. Visit local homes and fruit orchards, where you’ll taste seasonal fruits while enjoying Southern folk music (Đờn ca tài tử).

Stop by a honey bee farm to try natural honey tea with lemon, known for its health benefits. For the adventurous, you can take photos with a python at a local farm.

Continue your exploration with a peaceful hand-rowed sampan ride through the narrow creeks shaded by water coconut palms, a distinctive symbol of the Mekong Delta.

Return to the motorboat and cruise to Ben Tre Province to visit a coconut candy workshop, where you’ll learn how these traditional sweets are handmade.

Enjoy lunch at Mien Tay Riverside Restaurant, featuring authentic Mekong specialties. After lunch, take a short horse-cart ride through quiet village paths and enjoy the rustic countryside scenery.

Then, cruise to Unicorn Island to visit a crocodile farm and the remains of the Coconut Religion, a unique local belief system.

Afterward, return by boat to the pier and continue the drive to Can Tho City — the capital of the Mekong Delta. On the way, your guide will introduce the city’s cultural highlights, culinary spots, and evening attractions.

Arrive in Can Tho, check in at your hotel, and spend the evening at leisure exploring Tay Do Night Market, Ninh Kieu Wharf, or tasting local dishes along the riverfront.
Dinner is on your own. Overnight in Can Tho.

Optional:
Stay overnight at a local homestay in Can Tho (Dinner included).
Meet your friendly host family, enjoy a home-cooked dinner featuring regional specialties, and experience authentic Delta hospitality.

Day 2: Cai Rang floating market – Tra Su sanctuary bird – Chau Doc (Meals: Breakfast, lunch)

After breakfast at the hotel, depart at 6:00 AM for an early morning boat trip to the Cai Rang Floating Market — the largest and most famous floating market in the Mekong Delta.

As you cruise along the Can Tho River, you’ll witness the vibrant daily life of the locals — fishermen casting their nets, families transporting goods, and small boats carrying passengers and produce.

Upon approaching the market, you’ll see a lively scene of boats selling fruits, vegetables, and local specialties. Traders advertise their goods using long bamboo poles, a traditional method that has been used for generations. It’s a fascinating glimpse into the Mekong’s floating commerce of the past and present.

Next, visit a local rice noodle workshop to learn how traditional rice noodles are made — an essential part of Vietnamese cuisine. Continue cruising through smaller canals, where you can experience the calm, refreshing atmosphere of the countryside and observe the simple lifestyle of local residents.

Stop at Ba Lang Garden, where you’ll enjoy tasting seasonal tropical fruits fresh from the orchard.

At around 9:45 AM, cruise back to Ninh Kieu Wharf. Then, visit Can Tho Market and the Binh Thuy Ancient House, a beautiful example of traditional architecture that reflects the elegance of Southern culture.

Afterward, continue your journey to Chau Doc, and visit the breathtaking Tra Su Cajuput Forest — a protected wetland famous for its untouched natural beauty and rich biodiversity. Enjoy a boat trip through the forest, where you’ll feel completely at one with nature — surrounded by cajuput trees, the scent of flowers, and the tranquil sounds of birds and insects. From the observation tower, admire panoramic views of nearly 900 hectares of forest, home to a variety of birds and wildlife, including rare species.

Dinner is on your own. Overnight in Chau Doc.

Day 3: Chau Doc – Phnom Penh (Meal: Breakfast)

After breakfast, transfer to the pier at 6:30 AM to board the express boat to Phnom Penh.
Enjoy a scenic cruise along the river and cross the Vietnam–Cambodia border.

Arrive at Sisowath Tourist Dock, Phnom Penh around 1:30 PM.
– End of Services –

Tour price includes: 

• Private air conditioned transport for pick up, transfer & sightseeing as per program
• Express boat ticket Chau Doc – Phnom Penh
• Hotel picking up and drop off service
• Mineral water on transport (1 bottle/ person/ day)
• English speaking tour guide
• Private boat trips in the Mekong Delta
• Private hand –rowed sampan
• All entrance fees, seasonal fruits, honey tea
• Southern folk music show
• Meals as per indicated in the tour program
• Clean and nice hotel base on two people share a double or twin room
• Clean and safe accommodation for homestay option
• Daily breakfast at hotel
• Lunch on Day 1 and Day 2

Tour price excludes:

• Travel insurance
• Personal expenses
• Cambodia visa on arrival (US$36/person)
• Drinks & other meals not mentioned in the program