Skip the crowded group buses to My Tho and Cai Be — this private day trip takes you to Ben Tre, the quieter side of the Mekong Delta, still shaped by coconut groves, brick kilns, and river life that hasn’t changed much in decades. About 1.5 hours from Ho Chi Minh City, Ben Tre offers a more authentic, less touristy alternative to the delta’s more-visited routes.
You’ll glide through narrow canals by sampan, watch local families weave coconut mats and make traditional candy by hand, and stop at a working brick kiln — one of the few still operating in the region. With a private guide and driver, the pace is entirely yours: linger where it’s interesting, skip what isn’t. Best suited for travelers who want a genuine look at rural delta life rather than a checklist of tourist stops.
Tour Options
AUTHENTIC MEKONG DELTA
Pickup included
Itinerary
Ben Tre
300 min
Depart from Saigon and head straight to Ben Tre. Board a private boat to enjoy the most spectacular view and relaxing boat trip on the Mekong River.
Your first stop is a local brick kiln where we’ll learn how clay bricks are made. Continuing to other villages, you’ll learn about Coconut charcoal, coconut fiber processing, coconut candy workshop and freshly picked fruits from a local orchard gardern.
You’ll spend more time meandering down the river and cruising a long beautiful creek covered with shady Coconut, Nipa palms then stop to visit local mat-weaving village to learn more about the localsleeping mats, traditional lifestyles, culture, and customs before hopping on a xe-lôi (motorized rickshaw) or enjoying a bicycle ride to reach a nice riverside restaurant for a delicious lunch with local delicacies.
After lunch, you’ll experience the rowing boat trip along the picturesque canals. Come back to the car and continue to visit Ben Tre Local Market before heading back to Saigon.
What's included
Included
English speaking guide
Lunch
2 bottled waters & wet tissues per person
Private air-conditioned vehicle
Local travel insurance
Boat and bike tours
Not included
Beverages
Personal expense
Tipping & Gratuities
Traveller Ratings
5.0
44 reviews
5
43
4
1
3
0
2
0
1
0
Important Information
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Child rate applies only when sharing with 2 paying adults
Cancellation
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
1+ days before100% refund
0–1 days before0% refund
Frequently asked questions
How long does Authentic Mekong Delta Ben Tre Full-day Tour take?
Authentic Mekong Delta Ben Tre Full-day Tour lasts about 9 hours. The itinerary has 1 stop.
How much does Authentic Mekong Delta Ben Tre Full-day Tour cost?
Prices start at $169 per person for this Ho Chi Minh City experience, booked through Viator with the price shown before checkout. There is 1 booking option, so the final price depends on the option you choose.
Can I cancel Authentic Mekong Delta Ben Tre Full-day Tour for free?
Yes. Cancel at least 1 day before the start for a full refund. Later cancellations are non-refundable.
Is hotel pickup included?
Yes, pickup is offered. Pickup points include Signature by M Village Hai Ba Trung, a brand of Modern Village Lifestyle, Vi An Hotel.
What languages is Authentic Mekong Delta Ben Tre Full-day Tour offered in?
The experience is available in EN.
Is this a private or a group tour?
It is a private experience: only your party takes part. Up to 10 travellers can book together.
Is the tour suitable for children?
Child rate applies only when sharing with 2 paying adults
Will my booking be confirmed immediately?
Yes, bookings are confirmed instantly.
Reviews(44)
A
A2889GWsandram
April 16, 2026
A Mekong adventure to remember
We closed out our trip to vibrant Vietnam with a day trip to the Mekong Delta led by the memorable, both of name and character, Jason Superstar. From the day’s beginning to its end, we enjoyed wonderful insights into even more of the culture, history and lives of the people of Vietnam. The itinerary was full of variety but also very calm and relaxing. It was the perfect way to end our adventure and we are very grateful to Jason and the team of drivers and rowers for making it such a terrific day out. Highly recommended for a trip to Saigon-HCMC.
Operator response
Dear Sandra,
Thank you for your detailed review!
We're glad that you had a great time in Ben Tre with us. Hope to see you again for another journey!!
J
j0nmarc0c
March 15, 2026
Peace, Laughs, and Authenticity in the Mekong Delta
Highly recommend the Mekong Delta Day tour. While the travel to/from HCMC can be a little long (2 hrs) once you arrive in the Delta the experience is amazing. Peaceful, local, and culturally genuine. We enjoyed all of our stops along the tour, especially the coconut candy shop and our Elephant Ear fish lunch in a quiet village. The hospitality of all the local peoples involved made our experience a great one.
A special shout out to our tour guide Jason Super Star who brought an infectious energy and spirit to the tour. We were laughing, singing, and learning the whole time and it made the experience unforgettable. “Is it me you’re looking for!? Mango, pineapple, banana Watermellllloooon!!” IYKYK.
1 people found this helpful
Operator response
Dear j0nmarc0c,
Thank you for highly recommending us. We are delighted that you had a wonderful experience in the Mekong with our enthusiastic guide, Jason. We look forward to seeing you again on future trips to other parts of Vietnam.
S
Sightsee56876792179
March 12, 2026
A wonderful, relaxing trip!
I recommend the experience in Ben Tre, it's very peaceful and authentic. It's quite far from Ho Chi Minh City, but the transportation was comfortable, so we were all very satisfied. Thank you to our guide for giving us such a wonderful day exploring the countryside. The guide told us many stories, and we learned a lot.
Operator response
Thank you for sharing your experience. We’re glad you enjoyed the peaceful atmosphere in Ben Tre and felt comfortable throughout the journey. We truly appreciate the recommendation.
A
Alexi_ME_1
February 9, 2026
A Relaxing Countryside Getaway for Two
My husband and I have read and watched a lot about Vietnam, but this was our first time visiting the country.
It was exactly what we expected for a relaxing trip in the Vietnamese countryside.
The scenery in Ben Tre offers a slow and peaceful vibe, rowing a boat under the coconut trees was truly chill and refreshing.
We also had the opportunity to explore traditional craft villages and enjoy local food and fresh fruits.
Thank you very much for your thoughtful arrangement. :)
Operator response
Dear Alexi,
Thank you so much for your thoughtful review. We're glad to hear your family had a nice trip, we hope to welcome you back to explore more about Vietnam.
R
Relax04083829017
January 26, 2026
1-day tour from Saigon to the Mekong, by car, boat, tuk-tuk and sampan
Had a wonderful one-day-tour from busy Ho Chi Minh to the Mekong and its sidearms, visiting artisans in a truly wonderful nature - thank you Son (our driver) and Typhoon Honey (our tour guide) for such an impressive experience!
Operator response
Dear Relax04083829017,
Thank you for sharing your experience. We’re glad you enjoyed the contrast between busy Ho Chi Minh City and the peaceful Mekong, and that Son and Typhoon Honey helped make the day memorable. We really appreciate your kind words and hope to welcome you again.
R
richardm19622012
January 23, 2026
Great trip, brilliant driver and guide
From the outset Jimmy our guide was so helpful and friendly. With Mr Dung at the wheel we felt very safe on what was a long day. The Mekong delta tour was tailor made to our liking and, including the tour s and travelling was 9 hours. Of course probably 2 hours in the Saigon traffic!
We stopped at Vinh Trang Pegoda, then onto the Mekong delta, brick making kilns, coconut manufacturing, next coconut sweet making via long tail boats I believe, then lunch via bicycle rides at a small family restaurant followed with a long bike ride to the small hand rowed boats, possibly sampan, then back to our hotel. So much to see. So much to take in. Jimmy was so informative throughout and his English was excellent. Every time we stopped Mr Dung seemed to be waiting straight away for us. His presence on the road was excellent and we felt so safe. As you probably know Saigon roads can be an eye opener but not once did we feel any unease.
Every part of the trip was relaxed, no pushy sales people, no begging or feeling we had to buy anything. What a great day. If you book with Gingko please try to get this couple of guys. Enjoy
Operator response
Dear Richard M,
Thank you for taking the time to share such a detailed review. We’re really glad to hear you enjoyed a relaxed and well-paced Mekong Delta day with Jimmy and Mr Dung, and that you felt safe and comfortable throughout the journey. It’s great to know the flexibility, local experiences, and calm atmosphere made the long day feel rewarding. We truly appreciate the recommendation and hope to welcome you again on another trip with Ginkgo Voyage.
3
311phanc
August 30, 2025
Good experience
Recommend if you want a quiet day.
We joined the Ben Tre full day tour and really enjoyed it. The ride to bentre was a bit longer than I expected due to traffic but the van was clean and comfortable so it was fine. Our guide kept us entertained the whole time. The boat rides through the small canals were calm and gave us a real look at daily life by the river. We got to try fresh fruits and see how coconut candy is made. Lunch was simple but very good and filling. The whole trip felt easy and well arranged, nothing rushed.
Operator response
Dear Phan C,
Thank you for your thoughtful review! We’re happy to hear you enjoyed the Ben Tre day tour and found it relaxing and well-arranged. The peaceful canals, fresh fruits, and local experiences are exactly what make the Mekong Delta so special. We appreciate your kind words about our guide too — they’ll be delighted to know.
R
racheet2025
July 31, 2025
Will comeback for more experiences
I have read and watched a lot about Vietnam but this is the first time I have been there. It is exactly what I expected for a relaxing trip in the Vietnamese countryside. The scenery in Bentre brings a slow relaxing vibe, rowing a boat under the coconut trees is very chill and cool. I also had the opportunity to explore traditional craft villages and enjoy local food. What I love most is the Vietnamese people, the guide is definitely fun and extremely dynamic, in addition, the people I met along the way were very open and welcoming, making me feel that when people say Vietnamese people are very sincere, it is not an exaggeration.
Operator response
Dear Rachee,
Thank you for sharing such a heartfelt review! We're so happy your first trip to Vietnam lived up to your expectations — and even more so that you felt the warmth and sincerity of the people. Ben Tre is indeed a peaceful gem, and we're glad you enjoyed the boat ride, local crafts, and food. Your words truly capture the essence of the Mekong Delta. We can’t wait to welcome you back for more authentic experiences!
C
chiq422
July 1, 2025
excellent
The authentic Ben Tre experience
I went to the Mekong Delta for the first time. Ben Tre is a very quiet and laid back place. It felt good to ride a small boat and go slowly along the river. It was fun to watch coconut candy making. Lunch was also delicious with Vietnamese home cooking. I'd like to come with my family again.
Operator response
Dear Chiq422,
Thank you for your lovely review, we’re happy to hear that you enjoyed your first visit to the Mekong Delta and that Ben Tre’s peaceful atmosphere made your day relaxing. It’s great that you liked the boat ride, coconut candy workshop, and local lunch. We hope to welcome you and your family again for another memorable trip in the future.
K
kimberlycL8667QW
June 19, 2025
Great day in Ben Tre!
We spent a wonderful day in the Mekong Delta, around Ben Tre. The organization was perfect and our guide spoke very good French, which allowed us to understand everything easily. He was very kind and always smiling, he knew how to make the visit lively and interesting. We loved the boat ride and the local lunch. We highly recommend this excursion to discover the authentic life of the area
Operator response
Dear kimberlycL8667QW,
Merci beaucoup pour ce bel avis ! Nous sommes ravis que vous ayez apprécié votre journée dans le Delta du Mékong et que tout se soit déroulé comme vous l’espériez. C’est un plaisir de savoir que la balade en bateau et le déjeuner local vous ont plu, et que notre guide francophone a su rendre la visite agréable et vivante. Nous espérons vous revoir bientôt pour d’autres découvertes authentiques au Vietnam !
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