How Visitors Get Around Mỹ Tho
Mỹ Tho sits on the Mekong Delta's road-and-water transport network, and getting around is mostly a matter of choosing between walking, two wheels, four wheels, or a boat. There is no railway anywhere in the Mekong Delta, so transport here is by road and water only.
On Foot
The town centre is compact and walkable. Everything is within walking distance except the bus station where you'll be dropped off. Do note that the pagoda and the quay are not close to each other, so plan on a bit of a stroll or a short ride between the two.
Rail, Metro and Trams
There is no railway anywhere in the Mekong Delta, and Mỹ Tho has no metro or tram network. Road and water are the only ways to move around and to reach the town.
Buses and Public Transport
Buses are the mainstay of public transport, both for reaching Mỹ Tho and for continuing onward through the delta.
- From Ho Chi Minh City: Lots of buses run daily from Bến xe Miền Tây (Miền Tây) bus station to Mỹ Tho's bus station. An express bus is faster; a local bus is cheaper but slower. Buses from Miền Tây run constantly and cost a few dollars.
- Arriving at the station: Mỹ Tho's bus station sits outside the centre. From the station to the centre of town, a motorbike ride is inexpensive, and a local bus can be even cheaper. Xe ôm (motorbike taxis) and regular taxis also connect the station to downtown.
- Onward connections: Buses link Mỹ Tho to elsewhere in the delta, including Ben Tre, Vinh Long, Can Tho, Cao Lanh and Ho Chi Minh City. To reach Vinh Long, take a bus bound for Can Tho and get off en route; the Vinh Long–Mỹ Tho route is more complicated, so check Vinh Long bus station for schedules.
Taxis and Ride-Hailing
Ride-hailing apps make getting around straightforward and remove the need to negotiate fares. Grab and Be operate in the area, and Xanh SM is also listed; Grab works across the delta. A Grab or private car from Ho Chi Minh City takes roughly the same time as the bus at higher cost.
For short hops, regular taxis and xe ôm are readily available, including between the bus station and the centre. Crossing the river bridge by taxi is the most convenient way to travel between Mỹ Tho and Ben Tre, avoiding slow local buses and bus stations.
Boats
Boats are a primary local transport mode in Mỹ Tho, and river trips to the Mekong islands are a highlight of a visit.
- Tourist boat centre: Several tour companies operate from the tourist boat centre on 30 Thang 4 Street.
- Common island stops: Thoi Son Island, Phung Island and Qui Island.
- Tien Giang Tourist Company: Offers three-hour tours with prices depending on group size, plus two-day homestay tours with an overnight stay in a traditional Mekong Delta home.
- Budget option: A small jetty on Trung Trac Street, where local boat owners offer private two- to three-hour trips at lower rates. Be aware these boats are not licensed or insured for tourists, with a risk of overpaying or safety issues.
- Negotiating: At the quay, negotiate for the boat and the route rather than per person.
Mekong river cruises between Ho Chi Minh City, Cai Be, Chau Doc and Phnom Penh also call along this stretch.
Motorbike Rental
Renting a motorbike is best left to experienced riders with the correct licence. Road injury is cited as a leading serious danger to visitors in Vietnam, so weigh the risk carefully before getting on a bike.
Getting There from the Airport
There is no airport in Tiền Giang province. The nearest major airport is Tân Sơn Nhất in Ho Chi Minh City, so visitors fly in there and continue overland or by water.
- By bus: Head to Miền Tây bus station in Ho Chi Minh City and take a bus to Mỹ Tho. Buses run constantly and cost a few dollars; the expressway has cut travel times, though HCMC traffic congestion can still affect journeys.
- By taxi or ride-hailing: A Grab or private car from Ho Chi Minh City takes about the same time as the bus at higher cost, and spares you the trip out to the bus terminal.
- By tour: Many visitors arrive on day tours from Ho Chi Minh City, typically including round-trip transport, boat trips to nearby islands, a village walk and lunch, and a visit to a coconut candy factory in Ben Tre. Similar boat tours can be booked directly in Mỹ Tho.