Mekong Delta Trips & Tours

Cruise the undulating waterways and catch a glimpse of traditional life

There’s a large area in south-western Vietnam that extends from the border with Cambodia, all the way to the South China Sea. It’s a cornucopia of lush, fertile landscapes and gleaming rice fields, woven through by a fan of nine rivers, or nine dragons according to legend. This is the Mekong Delta, the ‘rice bowl’ of Vietnam, and a spectacular network of rivers and tributaries that is as popular with locals as a trading route as it is with visitors. Life is lived on the water and you’ll spot floating markets, jam-packed with wares, and sampans laden with coconuts, fresh fruit and fisherman moving down the tributaries. A rice barge cruise (naturally) is the best way to experience the Delta, but don’t forgo an exploration on land either. There are a multitude of hidden tracks and paths running alongside Buddhist temples and sugarcane plantations that are made for cycling and walking, and the cities are distinctive, atmospheric and surprising.

What to do in Mekong Delta

Vietnam's portion of the Mekong Delta extends all the way from its border with Cambodia to the South China Sea. Of course, the best way to experience this tapestry of rivers, channels, mangroves and rice fields is on a cruise. When you're not blissfully watching the scenery from on board (keep your eyes peeled for a pod of freshwater dolphins), hop in a sampan boat to visit floating villages and markets overflowing with fresh fruit, and stop to explore tiny islands. You could also do a little adventuring on land. Walk or cycle past Buddhist temples and sugarcane fields, and learn about traditional crafts from a local artisan.