My Tho, on the Mekong's northern branch, is the standard gateway for a delta day trip, combining a motorized river boat ride, a rowboat passage through coconut-palm canals, a coconut candy workshop stop, and tropical fruit tasting with live folk music. The pace is slow and scenic, offering a striking contrast to Saigon's density less than two hours away, and many tours extend into neighboring Ben Tre province for a longer, less crowded version of the same delta landscape.
| Distance | 70 km / 43 mi from central Ho Chi Minh City |
|---|---|
| Travel time | 1.5-2 hours by road each way |
| Getting there | Organized bus-and-boat day tour from District 1 |
| Difficulty | Easy |
| Address | My Tho City, Tien Giang Province |
How to get there
- Full-day group tour with boat rides and lunch, ~₫700,000-1,200,000 (~$27-46) per person
- Private car and boat combo, ~₫2,500,000-3,500,000 (~$96-135) for a small group
Suggested itinerary
- 7:30am depart District 1; 9:30am arrive My Tho, board boat; 10:00am-12:30pm river cruise, canal rowboat, workshop stop; 1:00pm lunch; 2:30pm depart; 4:30pm return to District 1
Location
My Tho City, Tien Giang Province
10.3600, 106.3600 View on map
Highlights
- Motorized boat cruise past floating river life
- Rowboat passage through coconut-palm canals
- Coconut candy and rice paper workshop
- Tropical fruit tasting with folk music
Tips for visiting
- Book a smaller-group tour to avoid large bus-tour crowds at the docks
- Bring sun protection; much of the day is spent outdoors on the water
- Wear sandals that can get wet during boat transfers
When to visit
Morning departure
Accessibility
Not wheelchair accessible; involves boat boarding and uneven riverbank paths.
Frequently asked questions
Is this suitable for a half-day trip?
Shorter half-day versions exist, but most operators run this as a full-day trip given the drive time to and from My Tho.