Things to do in Cu Lao Thoi Son

After pick-up from your hotel at 07:30, depart Ho Chi Minh City and journey to Vinh Trang pagoda, one of the largest in the Mekong Delta. Admire its ornate facade and large Buddha statue. Then, cruise along the Tien River to experience life in the Mekong Delta up close. Pass by 4 small islands - Phoenix, Unicorn, Dragon and Tortoise Island - see lush tropical trees and the typical stilt houses of the fishing villages as you make your way through the narrow canals by rowing boat. Stop for lunch in an orchard garden and then learn how to make coconut candy. Sample sweet pieces of the candy and buy some of your favorites to take home. Savor a snack of fresh fruits and honey tea as locals entertain you with Vietnamese traditional folk music. Return to the minibus for the drive back to Ho Chi Minh City, where you will arrive at approximately 17:00.

Embark on an unforgettable 2-day adventure through the heart of the Mekong Delta, where you’ll immerse yourself in the region's rich culture, vibrant markets, scenic boat rides, and delicious local delicacies. This tour offers an authentic experience of Southern Vietnam, blending nature, tradition, and local life. Day 1: HCM City - My Tho & Ben Tre - Vinh Trang Pagoda ( Lunch ) 7:30 AM: Depart from Ho Chi Minh City, with a brief rest stop along the way. Visit the Vinh Trang Pagoda, a beautiful historical site showcasing the region’s unique architecture and spiritual heritage. Arrive at My Tho Port and board a boat to Unicorn Island (Thoi Son). Explore the lush island, and discover local crafts, including a Coconut Candy Workshop, where you can taste traditional coconut candy and coconut wine. Enjoy a tour of the tropical fruit gardens while listening to Southern Vietnamese folk music, a perfect introduction to the local culture. Take a serene rowboat ride along the small canals, visit a bee farm, and indulge in honey tea fresh from the farm. Savor a traditional Vietnamese lunch at a local restaurant. Depart for Can Tho, the cultural heart of the Mekong Delta. Arrive in Can Tho, check in to your hotel. Have a self-guided dinner and enjoy a free evening to explore the local nightlife. Day 2: Floating Market - HCM City ( Breakfast/Lunch ) 7:30 AM: Set out early for a boat trip to the iconic Floating Market, one of the largest and most vibrant in Vietnam. Immerse yourself in the lively atmosphere as vendors sell fresh fruits, vegetables, and local goods directly from their boats. Watch how traditional rice noodles are made. Afterward, return to the hotel for check-out and transfer to visit a historic house. Join a hands-on cooking class to learn how to make either Bánh Xèo or Bánh Khọt, two traditional dishes of the region. Enjoy the fruits of your labor for lunch. 2:00 PM: After lunch, cycle through the village to experience local life up close. Explore the charming village, interact with friendly locals, and enjoy the peaceful rural surroundings. Finally, return to Ho Chi Minh City, concluding your adventure.

Discover the Mekong Delta area on this guided day trip from Ho Chi Minh. See infamous sites like the Vinh Trang pagoda, the Tien River, and the Tan Thach canal before having lunch at a local restaurant. Start your excursion by taking a bus ride through the breathtaking rice field scenery along National Highway 1, which will then bring you to the beautiful rural district of Trung Luong. Upon arriving at My Tho, visit the sacred Vinh Trang pagoda. Then, take a leisurely cruise along the Tien River to view the four beautiful islands of Dragon, Unicorn, Phoenix, and Tortoise. Pass by the fish rafts along the Tien River, overlooking the Rach Mieu Bridge. Stroll along the village road, visit an orchard, and enjoy seasonal fruit and honey tea to the sound of Southern Vietnamese folk music performed by locals. Afterward, ride a hand-rowed sampan through the Tan Thach canal. Then, visit a coconut candy mill and continue your boat trip along the small canal under the shadow of the water coconut trees. End your experience by enjoying lunch at a local restaurant.

First, be picked up from your hotel and after about 1.5 hours, you will reach Cu Chi tunnels. On arrival, through a short video, you are given an introduction into how the Cu Chi Tunnels were made and how the Vietnamese people suffered the hardships during the period of war. Be taken to discover the remaining area and a part of the tunnel network which embraces special living areas – kitchens and bedrooms side by side, and martial facilities – weapon factories, storage, command centers, and field hospitals. Additionally, learn about dangerous traps and hidden trap doors inside the maze-like tunnels for the guerrillas’ security purpose during the wartime. Interestingly, taste special tea and cassava which was once the everyday food of the former Vietnamese guerrillas. Have lunch at a local restaurant and then visit My Tho city. Take a leisurely cruise along Tien River. After, pay a visit to a coconut candy mill, a family business, then be taken down the small canals by wooden sampans to soak up the pleasant atmosphere of the river region. Savor seasonal fruits, take a sip of honey tea and get a sense of Southern Vietnamese folk music through music performed by the locals. You will return to Ho Chi Minh City at approximately 7:00 PM.

Discover the Mekong Delta on a full-day private tour from Ho Chi Minh City. Visit My Tho (Tien Giang province) and Ben Tre province, and explore the waterways and fruit orchards of the region. Enjoy a traditional lunch and see a music performance. ITINERARY 08:00 AM, the car driver (no tour guide) will pick you up from your hotel in Ho Chi Minh City and transfer to Vinh Trang Pagoda, the most beautiful pagoda of the province with a mixed structure of many styles. Vinh Trang Temple (no tour guide) The rest stop on the way at the pagoda, the car driver will stop at Vinh Trang pagoda in My Tho which was built in 1849. It is the greatest pagoda of Tien Giang Province and was recognized as a national historical and cultural relic. My Tho Local guide (English speaking) will welcome you at My Tho port, you will ride on a local motor boat along Dragon Island, Unicorn Island (Cồn Thới Sơn), Phoenix Island, Turtle Island and stop at the famous Unicorn Island. While at the Unicorn Island, you will visit natural pure honey at a beekeeping farm, taste some honey wine, rice wine, banana wine; a performance site where Vietnamese traditional music (Đàn Ca Tài Tử - A folk art form from Southern Vietnam accredited by UNESCO in 2013 as Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity) can be heard and seasonal tropical fruits and honey tea can be tasted (included). Walking in the village and taking a rowing boat along the natural water coconut canal to see local’s daily life in Mekong Delta. Ben Tre Coco candy producing process Continuing the journey on the river until reaching the local hidden Tan Thach village (which is less touristy than Thoi Son island tourism a lot), you will get to know many things about coconut uses (coconut candy, wine, oil, mat, coco shell), the tour guide will explain about coco candy producing process at the local coconut workshop as well – very kid-friendly. Enjoying free samples of local specialties and discovering daily activities of local people. Horse cart Take a short walk to explore the village. You enjoy more Mekong countryside with the horse cart as a Landlord in the old days. Afterward, being on a hand-rowing sampan (small boat) in a small canal and slowly cruising through a small creek with beautiful overhanging coconut trees. Lives from both sides of the creek can be observed. Lunch with an elephant ear fish. Around noon, have an authentic set menu lunch with an elephant ear fish. Disembark at My Tho boat station where the car driver (no tour guide) waits for you there and picks you up and transfers straight to HCMC city. Arrive at HCMC around 15:00 - 16:00. TRANSPORTATION Vehicle type (private tour) 1 - 3 pax: Sedan car 4 - 5 pax: SUV car 6 - 11 pax: Van

07:30am the tour starts with a pick up from the hotel in the city center. Leave the buzz of Ho Chi Minh City behind and drive approximately 1.5 hours through the countryside for the tour to My Tho City-Mekong Delta. 9:00am, upon arrival in My Tho City, Tien Gang province. Pay a visit to Vinh Trang pagoda. Built in 1849. Once you step into the pagoda's campus you will admire its extremely beautiful architecture and more than 60 precious Buddha statues that are all made of wood, bronze or terracotta. After visiting the pagoda, embark on a motor boat to take a leisurely cruise on the Mekong River to Unicorn islet, one of four mythical animals in Southeast Asia: Dragon, Unicorn, Tortoise, and Phoenix. From here, sip a cup of delicious honey tea with kumquat from the bee farm where thousands of honey bees are taking nectar from longan flowers, pomelo flowers to turn into honey. Then take a walk around tropical fruit gardens before heading back to the boat. Next, enjoy the melody of “Don Ca Tai Tu” - a genre of traditional folk music which is an indispensable spiritual cultural activity in Mekong Delta people’s lives and officially recognized by UNESCO as Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity while tasting some tropical fruits. Meanwhile, you enjoy five types of fruits. Troll through the small orchard to get a closer look at delta life on hand – rowed boat, go through the hidden maze of small water palm trees draped canals. You will fall in love with nature, peaceful life, and the friendliness of the locals. Board the motorboat again, you will cross the river to Ben Tre province. Go on shore to visit a coconut candy workshop, learn how to make it and try sweet candies. This region is also famous for the production of coconut candies. Then, hop on a Lambro motor - tricycle for special lunch which was once the iconic vehicle and main means of transportation in South Vietnam (dating back to the 1960s) or ride on the horse cart as an option. Watch around peaceful villages and have a better understanding of the life of rustic people in Mekong Delta. 11:30am-12:00pm, enjoy lunch at a local restaurant with many specialties. After enjoying a delicious lunch, relax on hammocks or cycling around the village to see what local life is like. 3:00pm, back on board, the motorboat will cruise back to the pier before returning to Ho Chi Minh City. 5:00pm, drop off the hotel. Finish Mekong Delta 1 Day Tours Vietnam (My Tho - Ben Tre). Rest of the day is at leisure.

DAY 1: City. HO CHI MINH CITY - MY THO - BEN TRE Embark on a scenic journey through Ho Chi Minh City, My Tho, and Ben Tre, immersing yourself in the charm of the West. Experience the ancient Vinh Trang Pagoda and cruise along the Tien River, stopping at Thoi Son island to savor fragrant hot honey tea and explore traditional craft villages. Enjoy a restful break at a garden house, indulging in seasonal fruits and Southern amateur performances. Visit Phung island to learn about Dao Ong Dua's architectural works and discover coconut candy, rice paper, green rice, and wine factories in Que Dua Ben Tre. Conclude the day with a delightful lunch and sweet fragrant coconuts before heading to Can Tho. Check into your hotel and dine on Western specialties while listening to folk songs aboard a cruise at Ninh Kieu Wharf. Spend the evening at leisure exploring the night market and Ninh Kieu walking street. DAY 2: CAN THO – SOC TRANG – CA MAU CAPE Rise early to experience the bustling Cai Rang floating market, a renowned hub for trading goods on the river. After breakfast, depart for Ca Mau, stopping at Som Rong Pagoda in Soc Trang, showcasing stunning architecture dating back over 300 years. Enjoy lunch in Ca Mau before continuing to the Mui Ca Mau biosphere reserve, home to a diverse mangrove ecosystem. Indulge in Ca Mau's culinary delights for dinner before returning to the city to unwind and explore its nighttime culinary scene. DAY 3: CA MAU – BAC LIEU – CITY. HO CHI MINH After breakfast, depart for Bac Lieu to visit Father Diep - Gia Rai church and the house of Bac Lieu's prince, delving into the intriguing history of Uncle Huy. After exploring the Memorial area of musician Cao Van Lau and enjoying lunch at Nga Bay Hau Giang, head back to Ho Chi Minh City. En route, visit the popular Purple House film set for 45 minutes of free time to take photos. Rest at Cai Be Tien Giang rest stop before arriving in Ho Chi Minh City at 18:00, concluding the 3-day, 2-night Ca Mau tour. See you again in future programs!

Depart Ho Chi Minh City and make your way to the sacred Vinh Trang Pagoda in My Tho. Then, climb aboard a boat to explore the Mekong Delta from the water. Cruise amongst the typical stilt houses, fruit plantations and fishing villages. Enjoy a delicious lunch at a local restaurant on Tortoise Islet. Then, continue by boat to An Khanh, where you will paddle under the shade of the water coconut trees by sampan. Savor seasonal fruit and honey tea to the sound of folk music performed by the locals. Visit a family business and taste some delicious coconut candy before the return trip to Ho Chi Minh City for drop off at your hotel. 

What benefit if you travelling by Our Vip & Premium Speedboat Tour from Ho Chi Minh city to Authentic Real Mekong Delta: Faster Travel Time – Skip the traffic and reach your destination much quicker, especially compared to buses or cars. Scenic Views – Enjoy open-air views of the water, coastline, and nature along the way — it’s like a mini tour in itself! Unique Experience – Riding a speedboat adds a fun, adventurous vibe to your trip. It's an exciting way to travel! Access to Remote Areas – Speedboats can reach places that bigger boats or vehicles can’t as narrow rivers. Comfort and Privacy – Smaller group sizes mean more personal space and often a more peaceful, private journey. Cooler Breeze – On a hot day, that wind in your hair while cruising across the water is the best kind of natural air-conditioning! From 07:15 am - 07:45 am Pick-up at Hotel In District 1 or at Meeting Point - Saigon WaterBus Station. Get ready for an unforgettable adventure with our amazing and friendly tour guide! With a passion for storytelling, a deep knowledge of local history, and a heart full of enthusiasm, He/she brings every destination to life. Whether you're exploring hidden gems or iconic landmarks, you're in great hands. Always smiling and eager to help, he/she is here to make your journey fun, smooth, and full of memorable moments! ITINERARY FOR VIP & PREMIUM SPEEDBOAT TOUR THE AUTHENTIC AND REAL MEKONG DELTA 08:00 am Depart to The Authentic and Real Mekong Delta area by our premium luxury speedboat. When on board, enjoy a light breakfast of Sugar Town bakery with mineral water, enjoy the fresh air and understand the daily life of local citizens living along the river banks. 10:15 am Arrive to The Authentic Mekong Delta area: – Experience the peaceful atmosphere of water region by rowing a small boat through small canals with the conical hat – Taste special wines of Snake/ Scorpion (optional) – Hearing the story about the local plantations and their “friendly” bees – Enjoy a cup of honey tea from local family recipe – Listen to the Southern traditional folk music was handed down for over 100 years (listed by UNESCO as intangible cultural heritage of the world – Don Ca Tai Tu) – Get on the Vietnamese Lambro tuk-tuk (vehicle using for schools and works), and ride in the winding village road to see the local houses & gardens – Visit a small family business of coconut candies, hearing how they use every ounce coconuts for their life 12:45 pm Cruise to restaurant and enjoy your Vietnamese traditional lunch with delicious 7-courses: Elephant-Ear fish (one very special dish in Mekong Delta), rice-paper served with fish sauce and other dishes. 01:45 pm Finish lunch and head back to Ho Chi Minh city (Saigon City). 04:00 pm Arrive back to Ho Chi Minh city (Saigon City)