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Mekong Delta Virtual Tour
Come on a Virtual Tour of the Mekong Delta in Vietnam with me as together we take a day trip on a Mekong River Cruise to see the Mekong delta floating market, view the surrounding delta area and observe life in the Mekong Delta as we float by on our Mekong Delta Cruise.
If you prefer to read about the Mekong Delta and pick up some travel tips to help you plan your Mekong Delta visit then read on below the video.
Where is the Mekong Delta?
The Mekong Delta is located mostly in southern Vietnam. The Mekong River is one of the longest rivers in the world originating in the Tibetan Plateau and flows nearly 3000 km in south eastern direction through Cambodia ind into Vietnam where it feathers out forming the Mekong Delta to the southwest of Ho Chi Minh City (a city in Vietnam better known by many as Saigon) and finally flows into the South China Sea.
Mekong Delta Facts
Covering an area of 40,576km (15,667 sq mi) the Mekong Delta dominates life in the southern part of Vietnam to the west of Saigon providing food and livelihoods for thousands of Vietnamese people. The Mekong Delta is a fertile area producing food which is transported in small canoes along small rivers and tributaries to the Mekong River where it is transferred to larger boats and taken further downriver to even bigger boats. All this wonderful Vietnamese produce is transferred by hand each time!
Mekong Delta River Cruises and Boat Trips
By far the best way to explore and experience the amazing Mekong River Delta area is to take a boat trip, and the best town to organise a boat trip on the Mekong in Vietnam is in Can Tho.
There are large river cruise boats available, but I recommend that you take a small boat then you can explore the small tributaries as well as the main Mekong river.
In the open Mekong river section you will see the large boats loading up fresh produce, but as you explore deeper down the small rivers you will see how the people of Vietnam living in this area coexist with the Mekong river using its resources to grow, produce and enjoy the food that grows abundantly in the Mekong Delta.
Make sure you book a day trip that starts early, most of the action on the Mekong River Delta starts before dawn and is all over by lunchtime.
Prices for a Mekong Delta Cruise are priced per boat and cost between US$ 70 and US$ 150
Mekong Delta Floating Markets
There are several floating markets in various areas of the Mekong Delta. The biggest floating market on the Mekong is near the town of Can Tho where the big boats load up. The larger floating markets such as the market at Can Tho are interesting to see but the smaller markets down the Mekong Delta tributaries are more fun to explore. A good boatman should know where to go.
Some Mekong Delta Travel Tips for your Boat Trip
- Most boats on the Mekong rivers are quite small and do not offer shade (from sun or rain) so make sure you take sunscreen and a hat.
- You can also get splashed while you are in the boat so look after your cellphone/cameras etc.
- Take cash in small notes as you will have opportunities to buy souvenirs, drinks, snacks and meals along the way.
Thank you for joining me on this short trip to the Mekong Delta in southern Vietnam.
© 2021 Travel With Simon. All rights reserved.
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