Mekong Delta

Ready to experience the famous Mekong Delta River? Known as the city’s lifeline, this river holds a lot importance to the people of Vietnam, and draws in a lot of attention from people looking to take some unforgettable tours in Ho Chi Minh City. Rich with culture that you won't find anywhere else in the area, it's definitely worth going out the way to see the Mekong River Delta if you're traversing this amazing city! 

The River Mekong unravels into nine rivers, creating the fertile Delta as nowadays. Daily life in the delta flows with the ever-changing waters, rice fields are dug as the waters recede and fisheries thrive throughout the annual flood. Considered as the “Rice bowl” of Vietnam, Mekong Delta River brings the magic inside that appeals to all those who have come to this immense land.

The Mekong Delta is completely focused around the water, which explains why the only way to navigate this region is by boat. You will see rice paddies, fruit orchards, and floating markets, Buddhist temples and family houses clinging to the river’s banks.

If you want to experience more of the ‘real’ Vietnam, this is undoubtedly one of the best things to do in Ho Chi Minh City. Take a trip down the river in a traditional paddle boat and pass local villages, beautiful scenery, mangroves and many other highlights.

History of the Mekong Delta

The rich history of the Mekong Delta is as winding as its rivers. For centuries, this land has been the home to a myriad of cultures, including the Khmer, Cham, Vietnamese, and Chinese, contributing to the region's diversity. It has been a crucial area for rice cultivation, even during the times of the Khmer Empire, which dominated the region until the 17th century. In the 18th century, the Nguyen Lords—a powerful Vietnamese family—expanded their territory into the delta, laying the groundwork for what would become the "rice bowl" of Vietnam.

French colonial times brought significant change—including the introduction of a canal system to improve navigation and irrigation, transforming the delta into a more fertile and economically important region. Post-independence, during the turbulent times of the Vietnam War, the Mekong Delta was a strategic region due to its waterways and density of agricultural produce. Today, it carries the marks of history but leans heavily into its role as an agricultural powerhouse and a unique ecological region teeming with biodiversity.

Best time to visit the Mekong Delta

The best time to travel to the Mekong Delta is from October to March, when the river water level is highest, ideal for boat markets and sailing trips. This is also when life on the river becomes the busiest. January to March offers the best weather in the whole of Vietnam, despite prices being quite high at this time due to the recent Lunar New Year and shops and restaurants closed for a few days.

How to get to the Mekong River

It can be said that booking a tour is probably the best way for you to travel from Ho Chi Minh City to Mekong Delta. You do not need to spend time looking for vehicles, finding places to pick up and drop off. Most Mekong Delta tours offer free pick up and drop off from/to Ho Chi Minh City. Depending on your time budget, you can book a 1-day, 2-day tour or a long-term tour to Mekong Delta.

Roughly it will take between 3 and 4 hours by car.