A Plan for 2 Days in Mekong Delta
- Mekong ZigZag
- Mar 12, 2025
- 7 min read
Updated: Jan 15
When we travel ourselves, we always look for the authenticity of a destination. The Mekong Delta is a beautiful region in many ways: nature, weather, food, culture, and people. After living here for four years, I’ve come to truly appreciate the beauty of a slow-paced life shaped by the Mekong’s nature and its people—and it is a beautiful thing to embrace.
You are planning your trip to Vietnam. You have 2 days and 1 night in the Mekong Delta. You will depart from Ho Chi Minh City. You did some research, and several destinations in the Mekong region are on your list: Can Tho, Vinh Long, Ben Tre, even Chau Doc. You've read a lot, and besides websites advertising tours, forums and blogs also have conflicting information. The touristic experience stands out. But some people also have truly local experiences. And the most difficult part is that you can't find complete information about transportation if you don't book a tour.
I want to make this clear. I live in the Mekong, I am a local. I create and run tours in Ben Tre. I'm writing this article because many people ask me questions related to this topic. There are 2 things I commit to in this article:
I will not try to convince you to buy my tours.
I am only sharing my personal perspective.
How to travel around in Mekong Delta? Bus, taxi, ferry, or flights? We wrote many articles on this in details, you can check it here: https://www.mekongzigzag.com/mekong-delta-public-bus
Where to stay in Mekong Delta? Homestay, hotel, resort? We wrote an article on this in details, you can check it here: https://www.mekongzigzag.com/homestay-mekong-delta-vietnam
Can you do the Mekong Delta on your own? Read our blog to see the answer:
Now, let’s take a look at different Mekong Delta towns to see which one best fits your taste—and where you might want to spend your short two-day trip.
CAN THO
→ 1 night + 1 day is enough
Can Tho is most famous for its floating market. There are 2 floating markets there. But almost everyone only knows about Cai Rang floating market. The other market, called Phong Dien, is far away and very very small, with only a few boats so it's not very impressive. Cai Rang floating market is very bustling in the early morning, people still conduct real trading there, not just set up for tourists as many people mistakenly believe. However, the truth is that a large number of tourists visit the market every day, especially during the peak season at the end of the year. Inevitably, you might feel the market is overwhelmed by tourists.
We made a detailed blog on ultimate guidance on traveling to Can Tho in the most non-touristy and clever way possible:
Blog included with: where to stay, how to explore, where to eat
In short, the market is still operating for real, it's very dynamic, and there are many tourists there. Can Tho is also a big city in the Mekong Delta, so you'll easily find standard hotels, homestays, restaurants... in the city and near the floating market. If you want to find non-touristic countryside experiences in Can Tho, you can do that by taking a bicycle or motorbike, finding green village areas around your homestay on Google Maps and wandering into them.
VINH LONG
→ 1 night + 1 day is enough
What about Vinh Long? Vinh Long is also known for its floating market. However, in recent years when the Mekong region's infrastructure has been upgraded with more bridges and highways, merchants choose trucks for transportation and trading instead of using boats as traditionally. So when you visit this floating market, you'll only see a few remaining boats with very little trading activity. Of course, if you cycle, ride a motorbike or take a boat into the villages around, the scenery is still beautiful, and the people are very friendly. You might encounter impressive canals densely lined with mangroves on both sides.
We made a detailed blog on ultimate guidance on traveling to Vinh Long in the most non-touristy and clever way possible:
Blog included with: where to stay, where to visit, where to eat
However, there’s a town in Vinh Long that’s well worth a visit: the brick kiln and pottery village. Unlike typical tourist spots, this place is authentic and still in full operation. The brick kilns and pottery factories are used for real production—not for show. You can explore the area from the outside, and if you’re lucky and polite enough to ask, some local owners might even let you take a peek inside.
BEN TRE
→ 2 days + 1 night (at least) is recommended, otherwise, opt for 3 days + 2 nights
How about Ben Tre? This is the closer point to Ho Chi Minh City, which southern people still like to call Saigon. If you choose to take a tour around the 4 islands area, it's crowded there (I'm talking about My Tho too - a very touristic spot that we personally suggest to skip). Because most day trips to Mekong from Saigon concentrate there. When it gets too crowded there, a smaller flow of tour tourists will go further to the Ben Tre city area. Again, as long as you separate yourself from these areas, you'll encounter beautiful nature, canals shaded by coconut trees on both sides, peaceful countryside, and no other tourists in sight.
We made a detailed blog on ultimate guidance on traveling to Ben Tre in the most non-touristy and clever way possible:
Blog included with: where to stay, how to explore, where to eat
CHAU DOC
→ 2 days + 2 nights is recommended
Chau Doc? Perhaps you've done quite a lot of research for this place to be in your mind. This is the farthest point from Saigon compared to the points mentioned above, it's right at the border with Cambodia. Actually, tourists know about it because there's a border gate there, people have to go through it when traveling from Vietnam to Cambodia and vice versa. This is an area rich in culture, especially the unique Cham culture. This region also has magnificent Palmyra palm fields, which you might encounter when visiting Angkor Wat in Cambodia. However, finding a good restaurant, a unique homestay with professional service here is quite difficult. And honestly, it's too far from Saigon for you to consider a 2-day-1-night trip there and back to Saigon.
We made a detailed blog on ultimate guidance on traveling to Ben Tre in the most non-touristy and clever way possible:
Blog included with: where to stay, where to visit, where to eat
What if you have more time in Mekong Delta?
Opt for the non-famous Sa Dec, Tra Vinh, and even Con Dao island (travel from Soc Trang province by ferry).
Sa Dec
→ 2 days + 1 night is recommended
Sa Dec is a charming town known for its flower villages, especially beautiful around Tet, but even outside the festival season, the area is pleasant to explore. Life here moves slowly, and tourism has not reshaped the town. You’ll find traditional markets, family-run eateries, and everyday Mekong life without crowds or performances created for visitors. It’s a great place if you enjoy observing daily routines rather than ticking off attractions.
We made a detailed blog on Sa Dec since we love the town so much: https://www.mekongzigzag.com/post/sa-dec-ultimate-travel-guide-flower-village-plants-paradise-romantic-mekong-rivers-and-homestays
Blog included with: where to stay, where to visit, where to eat
Tra Vinh
→ 1 day is recommended
Tra Vinh offers a very different side of the Mekong Delta. Is also a greenery and peaceful village, this province has a strong Khmer influence, with numerous Khmer pagodas scattered throughout the countryside. Scrolling through Tra Vinh, you’ll pass rice fields, markets and temples that feel deeply rooted in local culture rather than tourism. The atmosphere is calm and spacious, and it’s one of the best places in the Mekong to experience cultural diversity in an authentic way.
We made a detailed blog on Tra Vinh since we love the town so much:
Blog included with: where to stay, where to visit, where to eat
Con Dao Island
→ 3 days + 2 nights is recommended
Although technically not part of the river delta itself, Con Dao is closely connected to the Mekong region through Soc Trang, where ferries depart. Con Dao is very different from mainland Mekong destinations: it’s an island with clear water, forests, and a strong historical background. The island is known for its former prison complex, but it also offers quiet beaches, hiking, and a slower rhythm of life. It requires more time and planning, but if you want to combine Mekong culture with nature and the sea, Con Dao is worth considering.
We made a detailed blog on Con Dao since we love the island so much:
Blog included with: where to stay, where to visit, where to eat
TO SUM UP
So how should you use your 2 days and 1 night in the Mekong region if you're in Saigon?
In Ben Tre, If you want a relaxing trip, wandering in the countryside, eating good food and have very quiet boat trip, avoiding tourist traps, contact me by WhatsApp on this website (for this particular sentence, I allow myself to proudly introduce my services to you).
If you really want to visit a floating market once in your life, go to Can Tho, then wonder around yourself on a bike to find non-touristic experience.
Straight to Chau Doc, sense the rich Cham culture and scroll though the breathtaking palmyra & rice fields.
If you go to Vinh Long, consider the floating market as just a brief stop and spend more time wandering into the villages.
Actually, the Mekong is a vast region, and most of it hasn't been visited by tourists except for a few tiny spots on the map.
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