Comprised of dense green rice paddies and lazy, winding rivers, the Mekong Delta is like no other region in Vietnam. Whether firmly on land or floating with the river current, this region is flush with wildlife, historical sights, and incredible landscapes. The River of Nine Dragons, as locals know the area, is where the Mekong splinters into nine separate branches, crisscrossing low landscapes before reaching the sea. Life moves much more slowly here and is often surrounded by water. You’ll find even homes, farms, and markets take on an aquatic adaptation in the Mekong Delta.

TOP THINGS TO DO IN THE MEKONG DELTA:

Visit on-the-water villages

From the quiet towns of Mỹ Tho and Bến Tre to the floating markets of Cần Thơ, the flower farms of Sa Đéc to the stunning, waterlogged landscapes of Châu Đốc, there is plenty to keep you occupied in the Delta. Head to Mỹ Tho or Bến Tre for verdant islands containing everything from fruit orchards to coconut candy factories. Veer west toward Vinh Long instead and you’ll pass Cái Bè, where a French colonial cathedral stands in view of the town’s famed floating market.

See floating markets and ancient houses

Cần Thơ is the region’s largest city. Fast developing into a proper hub, this laid-back riverside town boasts its own collection of cultural sights, such as Cái Răng floating market, the most famous of its kind in the Mekong. Other attractions include the Bình Thuỷ Ancient House, a prime example of French colonial architecture.

Step inside the house of The Lover

Sa Đéc houses the former residence of Huỳnh Thủy Lê, a wealthy Chinese businessman with whom Saigon-born French novelist Marguerite Duras had an affair. Their relationship later served as the inspiration for Duras’ novel L’Amant (The Lover) and its 1992 film adaptation.

Go bird-watching

Nature lovers will appreciate the Delta’s collection of wildlife sanctuaries, particularly the beautifully green Tràm Chim National Park, home to a quarter of all bird species found in Vietnam, including the sarus crane, the world’s tallest flying bird. Just a stone’s throw from the Cambodian border, Tra Su Bird Sanctuary holds plenty of winged wildlife in its flooded forests.

Mekong Delta Itineraries

24 hours in the Mekong Delta

If you can only stay one night in the Mekong Delta, visit Cần Thơ, the region’s hub. Take some time to explore the town, stopping by the charming riverfront Ong Pagoda and taking a wander around Ninh Kieu Pier before paying a visit to the Cần Thơ Museum as well as the local Wat Pitukhosarangsay, Cần Thơ’s local Khmer pagoda. Book an early morning boat for the following day so you can see the floating market. In the evening, see the night market and unwind by the riverside.

48 hours in the Mekong Delta

In the early morning, hop on a boat to Cái Răng Floating Market, where you can see firsthand the bustle of an on-the-water trading post. You can spend as little as a couple of hours or as long as a full day exploring the many nearby tributaries. If you arrive back to the pier in time, pay a visit to the Binh Thuy Ancient House before returning to the city in the late afternoon.

Mekong Delta Weather

The best time to travel through the Mekong Delta is during the dry season from October to November and in April or May.

Transport to Mekong Delta

While there is an airport in Cần Thơ and a handful of small hangars in various Delta towns, the primary mode of transportation in this region is bus. In some cases, boats are available. A few tour operators offer Mekong river cruises from HCMC to Cambodia. Whether you’re using over-land or water transport, you’ll need to set aside extra travel time here.