My Tho, Vietnam, Top 11 Best Things To Do

My Tho, once part of French Cochinchina, was the namesake for the future Armorique schoolship, My Tho's primary attraction is the Mekong River, which offers opportunities for boat trips to explore nearby islands. The surrounding countryside boasts lush greenery, including coconut, banana, and mango trees. Visitors will also be captivated by the expansive rice paddies and vast orchards.

Cai Be and Ben Tre, both upstream from My Tho, serve as starting points for various boat excursions. To experience the floating market, it's advisable to embark early in the morning and then leisurely navigate the Mekong's tributaries to reach Vinh Long.

1. Sampan and boat trips in My Tho

Sampan and boat trips in My Tho

In southern Vietnam, the Mekong Delta is divided into two major tributaries known as "Tien Giang" (the anterior river) and "Hau Giang" (the posterior river). These two arms of the river end their journey by flowing into the East Sea through nine mouths, hence their Vietnamese name of "song Cuu Long" (the river of nine dragons). So it's only natural to explore the "Mother of all rivers" by boat or sampan.

A complex network of rivers and canals winds through the region, connecting local communities. It's this unique way of life that you can discover by sampan, cruising along the small canals and wading through the mangroves. Most of these small, shady canals, stemming from the main branches of the river, are often hidden beneath lush vegetation, making them difficult for visitors to spot. They often require the expertise of a local rower to navigate them safely. If you prefer to stay on dry land, you can also swap your sampan for a bicycle to explore the region.

2. Cycling Tours

Cycling Tours in Mekong Delta

It's one of the most popular activities in the Mekong Delta region. While cycling or driving a scooter can be stressful and panic-inducing in Vietnam's big cities, the cycling experience is truly enjoyable in the country's smaller towns. Be sure to mark the location of your hotel or accommodation on your map when you set out on a cycling tour, as many roads in the countryside look the same, and you could easily get lost. However, spending time cycling around the Mekong Delta is a truly unforgettable journey.

3. Listen to Southern Folk Songs (Đờn ca Tài Tử)

Southern Folk Songs in Mekong Delta

After a long boat trip along the Mekong, where you can sample fruit, fish and visit floating markets, you'll then be enchanted and soothed by traditional songs and folk performances from the South. Also known as "Đờn ca Tài Tử" in Vietnamese, southern folk songs represent a unique musical genre that reflects the way of life of southerners, who work and live off the land and the banks of the Mekong.

4. Spend a night with a local in the Mekong Delta

Night with Locals

If you're looking for an authentic and memorable travel experience, we highly recommend a homestay in Vietnam's Mekong Delta. As well as enjoying the legendary hospitality of the locals, you'll be immersed in their daily lives and have the opportunity to join in their local activities. Imagine preparing dinner with them and sharing a convivial meal while discovering the delights of traditional Vietnamese cuisine. This cultural immersion represents a unique opportunity to enjoy an enriching travel experience that will leave an indelible imprint on your travel memories.

Besides these interesting activities, here are some tourist attractions not to be missed:

5. Cai Be floating market

Address: Cai Be District, Tien Giang

Opening hours: 5:00 AM - 18:00 PM

Entrance ticket price: Free

Google map: https://goo.gl/maps/jvuVTZZ4tGGdhKqE7

Cai Be Floating Market

On board each boat, a long pole stands out, with a fruit or vegetable at the end to serve as a sign. The products on offer here are of great diversity and abundance, especially fruit. Nowadays, to meet growing demand, Cai Be's floating market not only sells fruit and agricultural produce but also a variety of regional dishes.

Some small boats specialize in the sale of drinks and breakfasts, offering a multitude of specialties such as fine steamed rice pancakes, noodles, porridge, rice noodles, coffee, iced tea, and many more. During your Mekong Delta excursions, taking the time to relax and enjoy a cup of coffee aboard the Cai Be floating market boat will be an unforgettable experience.

The perfect time to come to this place is early in the morning, when the floating market begins to operate, you will be able to observe all the trading activities taking place most vividly and will enjoy the the freshest food at the beginning of a new day.

6. Cai Be Fruit Garden

Address: Trung Nu Vuong Street, Cai Be, Tien Giang (Note: On the North bank of Tien River and about 5km from Cai Be district, about 130km from Saigon center).

Cai Be Fruit Garden

Cai Be enjoys a privileged geographical location, being situated along the banks of the Tien River and close to National Road 1A. As a result, the orchards of Cai Be, in Tien Giang province, have long been a popular tourist destination.

Cai Be is reputed to be the largest fruit reservoir in the Mekong Delta, home to renowned fruits such as Hoa Loc mangoes, Coco grapefruits, longans, mandarins and top-quality oranges. During your visit to Cai Be, you'll not only have the opportunity to explore the fruit orchards, but also to pick your own fruit. What's more, you'll discover the lively floating market and meet some extremely friendly local farmers.

7. Visit the handicraft factories

Handicraft Factory in Mekong Delta

The Mekong Delta is rich in fascinating discoveries, and among them, a visit to handicraft workshops is an unmissable experience of the region.

Renowned for its traditional crafts such as mat-making, conical hats and pottery, the Mekong Delta is home to local artisans who use age-old techniques to create beautiful objects that reflect their culture and history. The region's lush natural environment offers a wealth of materials for these flourishing crafts. Handicraft factories, often family-run, preserve these ancestral skills by making the most of these natural resources. An outstanding example is the processing of coconuts, which find a multitude of uses in the region. It is transformed into furniture, unique souvenirs, everyday utensils, oil, cosmetics and even delicious sweets.

During your stay in the Mekong Delta, you'll have the opportunity to discover these artisan workshops and watch the craftsmen at work. You'll also be able to try your hand at certain techniques and create your own work of art, all the while acquiring unique souvenirs for yourself and your loved ones.

8. Vinh Trang Pagoda

Address: My An Hamlet, My Phong, My Tho, Tien Giang

Opening hours: 6:30 AM - 18:30 PM

Entrance ticket price: Free

Tel: +84 273 3873 427

Google map: https://goo.gl/maps/fFd8woKazowHPp5cA

Vinh Trang Pagoda

It is the largest pagoda in southern Vietnam. What's immediately striking is its exterior architecture, which blends elements of Khmer, Chinese and French styles, creating a rather complex result. Some ten monks live here permanently. Built in 1948, this pagoda is considered the epicenter of Buddhism in the province and is referred to as a "Great Vehicle" pagoda.

The monks who live here wear three different types of robe. The first, saffron yellow, is reserved for major ceremonies, the second, gray, is worn when they leave the pagoda, and finally, the third, brown, is used for their daily activities.

9. Dong Tam Snake Farm

Address: Tan Thuan B Hamlet, Binh Duc Commune, Chau Thanh, Tien Giang

Entrance ticket price: 40.000 VND - 60.000 VND

Tel: +84 273 3853 204

Web: https://trairandongtam.com.vn/

Google map: https://goo.gl/maps/SJwPYrFp7hbRAEdcA

Dong Tam Snake Farm

Dong Tam Snake Farm stands as one of Vietnam's largest serpent facilities, providing a lush, undisturbed environment for its snakes, shielded from human interference. The origins of Dong Tam Snake Farm trace back to October 27, 1979, when it was established in an area still marked by remnants of mines and barbed wire left behind by the US military.

Functioning as one of the nation's premier snake breeding centers, Dong Tam Snake Farm specializes in venom production for both local consumption and export, boasting a diverse collection of over 50 snake species. This sprawling 12-hectare farm was initially managed by a retired Vietnamese soldier and snake expert, Tran Van Duoc (also known as Tu Duoc). Today, the farm is under military administration and houses not only snakes but also various other animals, including crocodiles, bears, turtles, sheep, and ostriches. Some of these animals display mutations, serving as poignant evidence of the Agent Orange herbicide's devastating effects during the wartime era in the Mekong Delta. Over time, Dong Tam Snake Farm has evolved into a captivating tourist destination, drawing both domestic and international visitors.

10. Buu Lam pagoda

Address: 162B Nguyen Van Giac, Ward 3, My Tho, Tien Giang

Opening hours: 6:00 PM - 18:00 PM

Entrance ticket price: Free

Tel: +84 908 228 427

Web: https://www.phatgiaotiengiang.org/tp-my-tho-lich-su-chua-buu-lam.html

Google map: https://goo.gl/maps/vdvfG2emTvARBrDr8

Buu Lam Pagoda

Another pagoda to include in your itinerary in My Tho is the Buu Lam pagoda, which played a significant role in the 19th century in representing the Delta's Vietnamese community. This pagoda is the venue for various provincial festivities, including the Ap Bac victory festival, and the Nam Ky uprising, in honor of national heroes such as Truong Dinh and Thu Khoa Huân, as well as other traditional celebrations specific to the Vietnamese, Khmer, and Cham communities.

11. My Tho Museum

Address: 2A Truong Vinh Ky, Ward 7, My Tho, Tien Giang

Opening hours: 7:30 AM - 11:00 AM and 13:30 PM - 16:00 PM

Entrance ticket price: 30.000 VND - 60.000 VND

Tel: +84 273 3872 235

Web: https://tiengiang.gov.vn/chi-tiet-tin?/bao-tang-tinh-tien-giang-gop-phan-giao-duc-truyen-thong-the-he-tre/19667566

Google map: https://goo.gl/maps/hjrpwBRdKuiFkRu88

My Tho Museum

Officially known as the Museum of Tien Giang Province, this museum is located right in the heart of the city, which also earns it the nickname of My Tho Museum. Founded in 1980, the museum's mission is to research, collect and showcase mainly local heritage, while also covering national aspects. Its location near the banks of the Bao Dinh River makes it a pleasant destination for a stroll, while offering an instructive experience. The museum is organized into several thematic sections covering ancient cultures, independence struggles against the French and Americans, garden civilization and cultural heritage. In just two hours, visitors can gain a comprehensive overview of the Tien Giang region, its people and their way of life.

In a nutshell, a visit to My Tho offers a wonderful opportunity to discover the unique river culture of the Mekong Delta. Exploring this region, visitors can discover picturesque pagodas, observe local life on the water, explore the majestic Mekong, and enjoy delicious local cuisine.

Auasia Travel hopes the tips and information above will help you plan an exceptional adventure in My Tho, Mekong Delta, Vietnam. Enjoy your trip!

Local Life in My Tho

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