How to Travel Around the Mekong Delta - Best Ways to Get Around Mekong Delta

 Occupying pride of place in the south-western edge of Vietnam, the Mekong Delta is home to some of the country's most popular tourist attractions. As the original home of many of the country's best-loved dishes, this scenic region is a must-visit highlight for all visitors who are exploring Vietnam. Regardless of the duration of your visit, here are some practical tips on how to get around with ease during a getaway in this picturesque corner of Vietnam.

                                               Img via Wikimedia Commons

1. Getting There

Before we delve into the best transport options available to those holidaying in the Mekong Delta, it is important to consider the most convenient ways to enter this area. Most travellers head to the Mekong Delta by first reaching one of the port cities close to this region named Can Tho or Cai Be. Those who are travelling from the nation's capital in Ho Chi Minh City can hop on a cab or hire a private car to reach these ports and then board a motorboat or bamboo raft to reach the Mekong Delta. Travellers with the means to splurge can book a tour of the Mekong Delta beforehand to enjoy a sightseeing excursion on the way to this wet and wild corner of the country.

 2. Can Tho Pier Highlights

Tourists who are travelling to the Mekong Delta via the Can Tho Pier have the opportunity to shop and explore the famed Cai Rang floating market. As one of the most expansive and active thoroughfares not only in the region but also in Vietnam as a whole, no trip to this area would be complete without witnessing locals selling everything from fresh flowers to fruits from their boat-based shops. Other activities open to those who visit Can Tho Pier include boat rides to neighbouring orchards. A pit stop to sample local delicacies such as Canh cuai is also well worth the time.

3. Cai Be Pier

Alternatively, those who opt for the Cai Be Pier to reach the delta can also visit the area's own floating market, which is just an hour away from the capital of the region, Vinh Long. Tours of the Dong Hua Hiep Old House and other ancient and conventional homes in the area is another way to immerse yourself in the local culture on your way to the delta proper.

4. Water Bound Exploration

Once travellers have reached the Mekong Delta, the best way to get from point A to point B is via boat. In addition to luxury Mekong river cruise tours organised by Mekong Kingdoms, tourists will find plenty of customised boating excursions across the delta. Although it is possible to tour the delta on a charted speedboat, the absence of a guide to provide context and information to what one comes across on the journey can be a hollow experience. Tourists often feel as if they have stepped back into another realm or time period due to the misty and fog-laden atmosphere of the delta and its many tributaries. Some of the biggest highlights to explore via boat on the Mekong Delta include the Can Gio Mangrove Biosphere Reserve, which offers wildlife safaris while those with an interest in spiritual highlights may wish to drop by the Cao Dai Temple and the Cai Be Church. Both landmarks are stunning architectural marvels in their own right. Tourists can alternatively enjoy a day trip to Ben Tre, a local town on the delta where seafood cuisine and a relaxed pace of life are main draws. Those with an interest in local farming can explore the coconut and palm plantations on the border of the river where one can watch demonstrations of locals making wine, coconut candles, or extracting honey from beehives.