With only one day in the Mekong Delta, your best bet is a day trip that covers the highlights and lets you skip the hassle of arranging boat and vehicle transfers. Typical itineraries include a visit to a honey farm or fruit plantation and a rowboat ride through the Mekong’s narrow canals, which offers a glimpse of locals going about their daily life, as well as convenient round-trip transfers from your accommodation in Ho Chi Minh City. Some tours also feature a visit to Cai Rang Floating Market, the largest of its kind in the area. 

Most Mekong day trips give you free time to spend the afternoon as you please, so relish the flexibility to customize your own itinerary. Opt to bike around the island of Tan Phong—where edible snails are a speciality—or shop for souvenirs on Con Phung Island, famous for its handicrafts. If you want to learn more about Vietnamese food, take a cooking class and create dishes such as pho and steamed Mekong river fish.  

Round off your day on the Mekong Delta with a sunset cruise; some include unlimited beer, soft drinks, and fresh fruit from the region. If you’re looking for something a little more lively, head to the city of Can Tho and explore the bustling waterfront of the central Ninh Kieu district. Dine on Vietnamese dishes at a floating restaurant before taking an evening boat ride to see the waterways and floating villages illuminated by night.