Why this shape and not another
The delta is usually sold as a day trip from Ho Chi Minh City, which means four hours of bus for two hours of river. Two nights in Can Tho instead puts you on the water at first light, which is the only time the floating markets are what they claim to be.
Day by day
Day 1 — Arrive Ho Chi Minh City
Transfer into District 1. Evening free.
Day 2 — The city
Reunification Palace and the War Remnants Museum in the morning — the second is heavy going and worth it. Afternoon in Cholon, the Chinese quarter, and the covered markets.
Day 3 — Cu Chi and south to Can Tho
The tunnels in the morning, then four hours southwest into the delta. Evening along the Can Tho riverfront.
Day 4 — Cai Rang and the canals
On the water before dawn for the wholesale market, boats trading from boat to boat with their goods hung on a pole. Afternoon through the smaller canals by sampan.
Day 5 — Delta villages, fly to Phu Quoc
A morning among the orchards and the noodle workshops, then the short flight out to the island.
Day 6 — Phu Quoc
Nothing scheduled. The west coast beaches for the sunset, the national park in the north if you want a day out of the sun.
Day 7 — Phu Quoc
Also nothing scheduled. Snorkelling off the southern islands is the one thing worth booking ahead.
Day 8 — Depart
Direct international flights leave Phu Quoc, or connect through Ho Chi Minh City.
What you should know before booking this one
- The delta is wet from June to September — not unpleasant, but afternoon rain is daily and the light is flat.
- Phu Quoc's sea is calm on the west coast from November to April and choppier the rest of the year. Outside that window the snorkelling trips often do not run.
- Cai Rang means a five o'clock start. It is the single non-negotiable early morning in the route and it is the reason to be in Can Tho at all.
- Days
- 8
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