Mekong Delta Discovery
Culture
4 Days
Trip Overview
This 4-day itinerary explores the wonderful traditions and history of Vietnam’s vibrant Mekong River Delta. Navigate exotic canals in Ben Tre, learn how to cook regional cuisine at the Coco Riverside Lodge, and cycle through nature rarely seen by travelers in Vung Liem.
Highlights
- Interacting with locals over family meals and homestays
- Cycling through the Mekong Delta’s lush nature
- Exploring the Mekong’s canals by sampan in Ben Tre
This Tour is Perfect for
- Culture and relaxation
- Combining a stay in Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City with the vibrant nature of the Mekong Delta
- Families with children of all ages
Detailed Itinerary
Topas Travel creates tailor-made tours for our guests according to their specific requests. This itinerary has been designed to show you just one of many options
In Brief
Day 1: Ho Chi Minh City Arrival
Day 2: Ho Chi Minh – Ben Tre – Vung Liem
Day 3: Vung Liem
Day 4: Vung Liem – Ho Chi Minh City Departure
Day 1: Welcome to the land of the ascending dragon | Ho Chi Minh City Arrival
Xin Chao and welcome to Vietnam! Upon arrival to Ho Chi Minh City’s Tan Son Nhat International or Domestic Airport, a Topas representative will welcome you to the land of the ascending dragon before heading straight to your hotel in the heart of the city. The day is at leisure to discover Saigon on your own, wandering the pulsating streets of District 1 along the river.
Included meals: N/A
Transfer distance and activities:45’ drive
Day 2: Off to the Mekong Delta | Ho Chi Minh City - Ben Tre - Vung Liem
Leave the hustle and bustle of Ho Chi Minh City behind today, heading into the fertile rice bowl of Vietnam: the Mekong Delta. Watch the lush land of palm trees and great rivers pass you by on a 2-hour ride to Ben Tre, a picturesque little town known for its bird sanctuary, coconut plantations, and eco-tourism initiatives.
Stop by a coconut farm to see how locals use every part of the coconut to create coconut oil, brooms and artwork, and sample xu dua, a famous coconut candy made in the area. Then, board a traditional sampan and explore the palm-fringed water canals of the Mekong, keeping your eyes open to glimpse birds and other wildlife in the jungle.
After lunch, continue deeper into the Mekong to your accommodation for the next two nights, in Vung Liem. Relax with a refreshing drink upon arrival to Coco Riverside Lodge and take in the beautiful dramatic sunsets that the Mekong Delta is famous for.
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Distance and activities: 3h transfer – 2h sampan tour
Day 3: Traditions of the Mekong | Vung Liem
Wake up to a delicious breakfast and fill up on some Mekong specialties before exploring the remarkably flat area by bicycle. Cycle on flat paths through rice paddies and alongside small streams to a tropical orchard for a fruit and tea sampling. Then, visit a local family’s farm and house to learn how to make “pop rice”.
Return to Coco Riverside and join a traditional cooking class, mixing local ingredients with some popular local dishes. The afternoon is at leisure to enjoy the surrounding area until a traditional music show during dinner.
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Distance and activities: 2h cycling – 2h cooking class (lunch)
Day 4: Time to Say Good-Bye | Vung Liem - Ho Chi Minh City Departure
The morning is at leisure to explore Coco Riverside on your own until the departure to return you to Ho Chi Minh City, to either the airport for onward booked travel, or your next hotel.
Included meals: Breakfast
Distance and activities: 3h drive
Tour Inclusions
- 1-way private A/C airport transfer
- All accommodation indicated as twin-shared room
- All meals as indicated in the program
- All entrance tickets to local villages
- Refillable water in vans (Please check with your guide or driver)
- 1 x English speaking local tour guide on days with activities
- Government VAT
Important Notes
Tour Exclusions
- Drinks and alcohol
- Vietnam visa (On request with additional charge)
- Travel insurance (Compulsory with Topas Travel programs)
- Upgrades to higher standard rooms or single supplements
- Personal travel items (Please visit our Vietnam weather page for more information)
Essential Information
This program utilizes comfortable accommodation in the form of carefully curated hotels, lodges, and homestays. Hotels and lodges have been selected with the active traveler in mind, offering standard services and located as close to nature and local engagement as possible. Homestays are simple and equipped with western toilets and amenities such as fans and mattresses. If you have a specific property in mind you wish to stay at, please let your travel designer know so they can work it into your program.
