In southern Vietnam, southwest of Ho Chi Minh City, the river ends its journey in a delta of branches, canals and rice fields opening onto the South China Sea. 5 stops, from the Cambodian border to the floating markets.
Photo by Alberto Capparelli on Pexels
The Mekong enters Vietnam in two branches, the Tien (the Mekong proper) and the Hau (the Bassac), which split again before reaching the sea. Ho Chi Minh City, away from the river, is the most common gateway.
A border town on the Bassac, where boats from Phnom Penh arrive. Floating villages and Sam Mountain, with rice fields spreading out below.
Our guide to Chau Doc →Next : Bus · 3 hours
The delta's big city, on the Bassac. The starting point for the floating markets, best seen at sunrise.
Our guide to Can Tho →Next : Bus · 1 hr, 34 km
On the main branch, facing islands covered in orchards. A place for homestays.
Next : Ferry and bus · about 2 hrs
The coconut province, crisscrossed by small canals you explore by rowboat.
Our guide to Ben Tre →Next : Rach Mieu Bridge · 10 km
The delta gateway closest to Ho Chi Minh City, on the main branch. Often visited on a day trip.
Five southern Vietnam must-sees away from the Mekong's branches, each from the nearest stop. Letters refer to the stops map.
Photo by Radek Kucharski on Wikimedia Commons · CC BY 2.0
The South's big city and the gateway to the delta: buses to My Tho, Ben Tre and Can Tho leave from Mien Tay bus station. 70 km northwest lie the Cu Chi tunnels, a wartime underground network; the Ben Duoc site keeps original sections, entry 85,000 dong.
From Ben Tre · bus, 1.5 to 2 hrs
Photo by Hieu nghia TRAN on Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 2.0
A border town on the Gulf of Thailand, next to Cambodia: the Thach Dong limestone rock, about 50 m high, Mui Nai beach 6 km away, and the port for boats to Phu Quoc.
From Chau Doc · bus, 2 to 3 hrs, along the border
Photo by Trantuonglam on Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0
Vietnam's largest island, 575 km², in the Gulf of Thailand. Boats from Ha Tien (1.5 hrs) or Rach Gia (2.5 to 3.5 hrs), and flights from Can Tho five or six times a week. Dry season December to March; in rough weather, crossings are canceled.
From Chau Doc · bus to Ha Tien, then boat, 1.5 hrs
Photo by Mai Lan on Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 2.0
Two Khmer pagodas: Chua Doi, founded in 1569, home to large fruit bats, fewer now because of hunting; and the Buu Son clay pagoda, with 1,991 Buddhas sculpted by Ngo Kim Tong.
From Can Tho · bus, 1 hr 20 to 1 hr 30
Photo by Colalumbu on Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0
The southern tip of mainland Vietnam, in Mui Ca Mau National Park: 41,862 ha of mangroves and mudflats, a Ramsar site since 2013. The Can Tho – Ca Mau expressway opened in 2026; best from December to April.
From Can Tho · expressway to Ca Mau, then 110 kmDecember to April: the dry season, the best time. May to November: the monsoon, with often short showers and floods late in the season, from September to November.
| J (current month) | F (current month) | M (current month) | A (current month) | M (current month) | J (current month) | J (current month) | A (current month) | S (current month) | O (current month) | N (current month) | D (current month) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Our takethe delta | Ideal | Ideal | Good | Fair | Fair | Fair | Fair | Fair | Fair | Difficult | Fair | Good |
| The Mekongat Can Tho | Falling | Falling | Falling | Low | Low | Low | Low | Rising | High | High | High | High |
| Festivalsmain ones | Tet | Mid-Autumn Festival |
| Month | Our take | River | Festivals |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan (current month) | Ideal | Falling | |
| Feb (current month) | Ideal | Falling | Tet |
| Mar (current month) | Good | Falling | |
| Apr (current month) | Fair | Low | |
| May (current month) | Fair | Low | |
| Jun (current month) | Fair | Low | |
| Jul (current month) | Fair | Low | |
| Aug (current month) | Fair | Rising | |
| Sep (current month) | Fair | High | Mid-Autumn Festival |
| Oct (current month) | Difficult | High | |
| Nov (current month) | Fair | High | |
| Dec (current month) | Good | High |
Festival dates follow the lunar calendar and change every year; Tet falls in late January or February. Mekong level: Mekong River Commission, median of 2020-2025.
Best time to visit the Mekong Delta, month by month →3 days · from Ho Chi Minh City
1 to 2 days · Cambodia and Vietnam
US travelers need a visa: the e-Visa is applied for online before departure, $25 for a single entry or $50 for multiple entries, for up to 90 days. It is accepted at the Vinh Xuong river crossing, for boats from Phnom Penh.
Official portal evisa.gov.vn, checked October 8, 2026.
The currency is the dong (VND). ATMs are common in delta towns; bring cash for markets and boats.
Buses and minibuses from Ho Chi Minh City to the delta towns; rowboats and ferries for the canals and islands.
Ho Chi Minh City to My Tho: 70 km, 1.5 to 2.5 hours by bus from Mien Tay station; 85 km to Ben Tre. Can Tho to Vinh Long: 34 km, about 1 hour.
$40 to $70 a day traveling simply, excluding flights. Lonely Planet doesn't publish a figure for a more comfortable trip.
Lonely Planet, October 2025
Budget for Vietnam →