The Mekong Delta is a twisting maze of rivers and tributaries that cut through dense jungle and farm fields. Taking boat trips along these sodden waterways and around traditional markets, wooden houses, and family farms is often considered a highlight of traveling in the Delta region.
While on a boat, traveling as the locals do, you will feel truly immersed in Vietnam and the Delta culture. There are many types of boat and many otherwise impossible sights to see from the water, so boating offers countless possibilities of things to see and do.
Highlights
- Shop for fruit and flowers from boats in a floating market - on a boat!
- Take a river cruise past temples, villages, islands, and even a cathedral
- Take a ride to a river island, and watch how coconut candy and other local foods are produced
- Take a ride through the narrow and overgrown forests that surround the river
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Vietnam & UAE FANTASTIC tour! Thank you Albee Ning!
Albee was INCREDIBLE. She arranged a 9-day private tour of both North and South Vietnam. No stone was left unturned: a private cruise up the Mekong; excellent hotel reservations; personal, caring tour guides; More
Consumer, Jun 2020
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We traveled with Asia Highlights…
My husband and I had an absolutely wonderful 5 1/2 week trip that was organized by the exceptional Ruby Zhao. We have traveled a lot and Ruby is the VERY BEST AGENT we have ever had! More
Lurinda Smith Barton Barnwell, Mar 2020
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We were.very satisfied with Asia…Four Great Weeks in China and Viet Nam
Asia Highlights was very efficient at advising us on what to see and the best routes to take, but they were also very flexible in integrating our own ideas in regard of travel destinations and accommodations. More
Eva and Jim, Oct 2019
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Trip to Vietnam with Asia Highlights was well above expectations
My 12-day private trip to Vietnam was a very rewarding experience, and every day was fantastic, and well above expectations. My trip was perfectly well prepared and organized by Lissy Syoo from Asia Highlights, More
cdietp, May 2019
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Repeat Customer
We traveled with China Highlights in 2015 and were completely satisfied, so when they emailed that they now were arranging trips to SE Asia we didn't even consider looking at other tour companies. More
Terry, Feb 2019
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7-Day Vietnam Tour - Hanoi, Halong Bay, Hue, Danang/Hoi An
Asia Highlights did a great job planning and executing our family’s trip around Vietnam. We have two young girls and wanted to have a balance of sightseeing and activities so nobody got bored. More
Andrew, Jan 2019
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We would like to thank Asia Highlights
We would like to thank Asia Highlights for a wonderful trip. Lissy was a joy to work with, in planning a vacation that took into account all our interests and was able to give us so much more than we expected. More
Victor Cognato, Dec 2018
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Vietnam with Asia Highlights
Just returned from Vietnam trip arranged by Albee at Asia Highlights.She was very helpful with the arrangements even when I requested multiple changes in the itinerary. More
Tom, Oct 2017
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Just came back from Vietnam/Cambodia…
Just came back from Vietnam/Cambodia trip via Asia Highlights and had a wonderful experience. The hotels they chosed for us were all very food. the guides were all very professional and spoke good English More
Yumin Zheng, Feb 2017
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Starting Out
The majority of the Mekong Delta region can be accessed by a boat of some kind. However, you must first get to a city near the delta. To do this, you are recommended to take a private car from Ho Chi Minh City.
Asia Highlights can provide a private car service, along with a guide who will accompany you to Can Tho or Ben Tre. These are the two main points of entry into the Delta region. Each city has unique sights to see, but the real marvels lie ahead in the Delta.
Must-See Attractions by Boat
Below are a few of the stops we recommend, if you plan to tour the Mekong Delta by boat.
Cai Rang Floating Market
The Cai Rang floating market is not only famous in Vietnam, but all around the world, as one of the busiest markets of its kind. Local farmers and vendors come to the market early in the morning and jostle for the best parking spot from which to sell their fruit and flowers.
The market is an interesting cultural experience and an excellent place for grabbing a healthy breakfast. You are recommended to try to reach the market in the morning, to avoid the heat and see it at its busiest time.
Sampan Ride Through Narrow Canals
You will never feel as completely immersed in the local environment as you will on a wooden sampan, getting pushed through the narrow canals that locals use to travel on the periphery of the river. A personal favorite of the staff at Asia Highlights, the overgrown foliage around these narrow canals gives this type of boat ride a very different feel from riding a motor boat on the main river.
Visit a Local Orchard
When you explore a floating market, you might find yourself admiring the wealth of fresh produce. Visiting a local orchard gives you the opportunity to see how this produce is grown, as well as a chance to see how local farmers live and work.
The orchards are beautiful, well maintained groves of often delicious-smelling trees. Stopping in an orchard can be both relaxing and educational.
Stop at the Home of a Local and See a Traditional Wooden House
After a long day on a boat, it can be important to get off and stretch your legs. Walking around one of the many islands sprinkled throughout the area is an excellent way to do just this. At some, you will even be able to rent a bike, if that is more your speed.
If possible, enter the home of a local. Most houses in the area are built well away from the river and its hostile tides, but many are built on stilts right above the water. Sharing a meal with a local in one of these traditional houses can be a truly memorable experience.
If you travel with Asia Highlights, this stop and many others can be arranged for you.
Float by the Cao Dai Temple and Cai Be Cathedral
Vietnam is a predominately Buddhist country and the Mekong River is lined with towering temples. One of the most famous and conveniently located is the Cao Dai temple. You can admire its impressive architecture from a boat, or make a stop and walk around inside. (Most choose to experience the views from the water.)
Another popular landmark along the water is the Cai Be cathedral. At almost 100 years old, the building is impressive, and creates a marked contrast with the landscape and architecture around it. This stop is particularly pleasant in the evening, when the setting sun provides excellent photo opportunities of the cathedral next to the water.
Experience the Thua Thua Irrigation Canals
Much of the water that flows through the Mekong River Delta is used for farming. In the Thua Thua area you can ride a sampan or small motor boat up some of the irrigation canals cut by farmers to move water inland to their crops. The Mekong Delta area is a famous regional producer of agriculture and a tour of these canals highlights how extensive and important farming is in the region.
In addition to being educational, the canals feel like a natural extension of the river, and the sprawling farms and orchards create a beautiful landscape.
Tips for boat trips
- Bring an outer layer of clothing, as wind on the boats can create a chill.
- Sun exposure on the water can become intense, so bring lots of sunscreen.
- When docking, make sure when the boat is leaving again, so you are not left behind.
- Loop your purse or backpack around your arm or leg at all times, to prevent your belongings from ending up in the river.
- Whenever possible, book tours and hire guides to prevent getting lost or missing connecting boat rides.
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It was a whirlwind across a number of cities, but a very comprehensive experience across the many sides and cultures of China. Most days had sufficient activities, but weren’t overwhelming, which was great.Across cities, we had excellent tour guides, like Kitty (Beijing), Jenny (Xian), William (Guilin/Yangshuo), Kris (Shanghai), and Tony (Yellow Mountains.)
moreFrom the time we landed in Beijing until we left, we were well taken care of. My wife and I had Lily Liu as our guide and she was amazing. From arranging visits to all the different sights, to teaching us the history, it was fantastic.
moreThe tour was excellent. Selinda was very knowledgeable about all the aspects of our tour. Selinda was very interesting and knew so much Chinese history
moreWe made a private tour through South China in January 2024. Altogether Chengdu was the highlight. We had an incredible day at Emeishan. In Chengdu our guidewas Helen. She was the diamond of all. Speaking fluently English, full of interesting stories, laughing and talking all the time. We missed her the rest of our tour. We highly recommend to go to Chengdu for 3 days when visiting China, especially with Helen.
moreOther highlights are too many to mention but here are a few Ken taking us to the Terracotta Warriors and our food tour in Xian was amazing,
moreOur day volunteering at the Panda Base was truly unforgettable. Helen, our guide, provided us with invaluable insights about Chengdu and the pandas, enriching our tour with her knowledge and expertise. We're grateful to Helen for accompanying us throughout the day and showcasing the highlights of China.
moreWe had a booking with China Highlights through Silvia Ye who guarenteed a perfect organisation. In Chengdu our guide was Helen. She was the diamond of all. Speaking fluently English, full of interesting stories, laughing and talking all the time. We missed her the rest of our tour. We highly recommend to go to Chengdu for 3 days when visiting China, especially with Helen.
moreWe traveled to China during the Chinese new year and we had Kris as our guide and he is simply knowledgeable,helpful and great.
moreWe visited Guilin for 2 days and stayed in the Guilin Waterfall hotel. Guilin was absolutely beautiful! Our guide, William, was very knowledgeable and kind! He taught us so much about Guilin and the surrounding area! We really enjoyed trying the specialty rice noodles of Guilin. Our highlight was the Li river cruise.
moreAmazing tour and the guide Mr. 贺霄 was very accommodating with our needs and request as we have bought our 2 years old with us. Well explained for all the place we visited. Any additional cost were informed well ahead and didn't felt any pressure if we opt not to go for additional detour. The trip was relaxing/ laid back/no rushing with zero shopping!
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