GROUP TOURS

Take the time to read this section if you’re planning to take a group tour of the Mekong. It’s easy to arrange these after arriving in Saigon. Also see DIY Trips if you’re thinking of going on your own.

The token, typical trip — and a very rewarding one — takes in a swipe of Mekong ‘hits’ on either two-day/one-night or three-day/two-night trips. These stop in the first town My Tho for a look at the Mekong and a trip to a snake farm, on to villages reached by canals outside Vinh Long, a night in Can Tho – and a morning look at one of the many floating markets in the area. An extra day includes Chau Doc, near the Cambodian border, where the unlikely rise in the flatlands – Sam Mountain – looks over Vietnam’s neighbor.

Prices and options vary wildly. A two-day trip with Sinh Café – the long-running king of the cheapies – costs $18, while high-end Exotissimo’s two-day Mekong trip is $165 per person (if four go total). Somewhere in the middle are Sinh Balo’s excellent active trips – like bike-riding across delta islands – for $100 per person (if four go).

Options abound from all Saigon travel agencies; some are described below.

ONE-DAY TOURS

Considering that it’s two hours by road to the first Mekong town (and not necessarily the finest) MY THO, it’s really worth trying to overnight in the Mekong to access more rewarding canals, floating markets and villages farther ‘into’ the delta region. If you only have a single day to spare, try to get a day trip to the sites near VINH LONG rather than My Tho, which sees the bulk of daytrippers from Saigon; plus, other than the lovely Ben Tre canals, half of the My Tho trip visits worn-out, often-visited islands in the main river across from My Tho.

A few options from Saigon to consider:
(Agency contact details are listed in Saigon’s Travel Agencies section.)

SINHBALO’s one-day cycling trip around Ben Tre island, including meals, bike and guide. It’s $70 per person if two or three go, $60 per person if four to seven go; trip runs from 7.30am to 6.30pm

EXOTISSIMO’s one-day trip goes to Cai Be floating market and canal rides/walks on the island off Vinh Long; it’s $157/178/240 for one/two/four people (including guide, transport, lunch); 8am to 6pm

SINH CAFÉ is one of the few backpacker cafes that offer a one-day trip to Cai Be and Vinh Long (in addition to My Tho and Ben Tre). A boat around the Cai Be floating market, canal rides near Vinh Long, lunch and transport is $8; 8am to 7.30pm

INNOVIET’s one-day bike-and-boat trip to an island off My Tho; they go by local bus, so it’s less smooth than even Sinh Café; it’s $20 (including bike, boat and guide); 6.30am to 6pm

SAIGONTOURISTS’s day trip is $40 per person

TWO-DAY TOURS

Unless you bike, most two-day trips hop around some of the following: My Tho, Ben Tre, Cai Be floating market, canals off Vinh Long, a night in Can Tho, and Cai Rang floating market.

Options from Saigon include:

TNK TRAVEL’s backpacker-oriented two-day trip to My Tho and Cai Rang with an overnight in Can Tho, $18 per person (including hotel, guide, boat, one lunch, transport)

SINH CAFÉ’s two-day, on the other hand, trades in My Tho for Cai Be; it’s also $18

SINH BALO’s excellent bike trip follows the usual circuit, but rarely sees another tourist (I can attest to it – I took the trip in October 2006); van handy for drop-off/pick-up at either end of rice-field rides – greeting you with a cold towel, cold water and fresh fruit. It’s $100 per person if four go (including all transport, bike, guide, hotel), but the Can Tho hotel was a little disappointing

INNOVIET’s tries to trumpet the alternative with its two-day ‘Untouched Land,’ goes on Saturdays from Saigon to Vinh Long, where you boat to Tra On and stay with a family in a wooden home. It’s $40 per person, $60 if solo.

EXOTISSIMO has two great options for those with the money; most tempting is the two-day private cruise on the Bassac with stops at Cai Be, Cai Rang and Can Tho; it’s $374/458 for single/double occupancy (including a cabin and meals on day one). Another more traditional trip (overnighting in Can Tho’s luxurious Victoria Can Tho resort) is $402/448/660 for one/two/four people.

THREE-DAY TOURS

If you have the time, this is the way to go, as most make it to CHAU DOC, one of the Mekong’s top towns to visit. Trips usually spend a night here and in Can Tho, combing the two-day itinerary with Chau Doc.

Sample prices follow:

TNK TRAVEL & SINH CAFÉ’s three-day trips are both $28

EXOTISSIMO’s standard Mekong trips is $654/698/1084 for one/two/four people (staying at the riverside Victoria resorts in Can Tho and Chau Doc); the three-day Bassac cruise is $551/642/1088 for one/two/four people

SINH BALO’s three-day cycling tours are from $165/215 per person if four/two people go

ON TO CAMBODIA

Some agencies offer the useful package trip that includes a day or two in the Mekong and drops you off in Phnom Penh, if you’re heading that way. For example, TNK TRAVEL charges $8/15 as an add-on to their Mekong trips to take the slow/fast boat to Phnom Penh.