Riverside nightlife and boat tours in My Tho

Navigate the Rhythm of the Mekong River

The pulse of My Tho is tied directly to the water. Spend your afternoon navigating the Tien River, where the local life unfolds along the banks in a series of riverside villages. For those seeking an immersive experience on the water, you can join a river island boat tour; while official rates are set at USD25 per person, local touts on the waterfront may offer different arrangements, and a man on a bicycle offers a more modest deal of USD10 for two people.

A journey along the river provides access to unique cultural sites, such as the Dong Tam Snake-Breeding Farm. Here, you can observe the cultivation of medicinal plants and the breeding of snakes for venom export, alongside various birds and other species like crocodiles.

Explore the Markets and Plantations

Travel west along the Tien River to reach Cai Be, a major floating market in the Mekong Delta located 35km from My Tho. Open daily from 5:00 to 18:00, this market is where you can find a wide variety of fruits at low prices among the river-side gardens. As evening falls, the scene transforms as junks with lit lanterns appear on the water, illuminating the river.

For a change of pace, cross the Mekong into Ben Tre province to visit family-run cacao plantations located off the beaten track, or stop by to purchase local banana candy.

Time Your Visit for Local Traditions

While the atmosphere of the delta remains consistent year-round, certain dates offer specific cultural milestones. If you are visiting in late December, you can experience the transition into the New Year with Christmas Eve and Day celebrations on December 24th and 25th, followed by International New Year's Eve on December 31st.

The most significant cultural period occurs in early February. You can time your visit to experience the Vietnamese New Year (Tet) from February 5th through the 10th, a peak time for observing local customs and festivities.