Detailed Content
Geography Classroom: Four Spirits Island Between My Tho and Ben Tre lies the wide Mekong River, which has four famous small islands named after the Four Spirits:
Dragon Island
Phoenix Island: Also known as Coconut Monk Island.
Tortoise Island
Unicorn Island: This is the most visited island by tourists, where most sightseeing activities (beekeeping, fruit meals, sampan rides) are concentrated.
Must-Do Activities
Sampan Ride This is the highlight of the Mekong River journey! You will switch to a small wooden boat (Sampan) that seats only 4 people, rowed by a boatman wearing a conical hat, taking you through the narrow canals lined with dense Nipa Palm trees. It is so quiet here that you can only hear the sound of paddling, making it a perfect scene for capturing the "most Vietnamese" photos.
Visit Vinh Trang Pagoda Located in the center of My Tho, it is the largest Buddhist temple in the area. Its architectural style is extremely unique, blending French colonial style, Roman arches with Chinese and Vietnamese decorations. Outside the temple, there are three giant Buddha statues (standing Buddha, reclining Buddha, Maitreya Buddha), which are very spectacular.
Coconut Candy Workshop Ben Tre is known as the "Coconut Kingdom." The itinerary usually includes a visit to a traditional handmade coconut candy workshop. You can see firsthand how workers peel coconuts, cook coconut milk, and cut the candy blocks, and you can even taste the freshly made, still warm soft candy (very fragrant!).
Taste Honey Tea and Enjoy "Don Ca Tai Tu" At the orchard rest stop on the island, locals will serve kumquat honey tea and royal jelly for tourists to taste. Then, while eating seasonal fruits (such as jackfruit, longan, pineapple), you can enjoy the traditional folk song, which is listed as an intangible cultural heritage—Don Ca Tai Tu.
Must-Try Dish: Elephant Ear Fish When you arrive at the Mekong Delta, there will definitely be a standing fish on the lunch table, which is the "Elephant Ear Fish." The fish is fried crispy, and even the scales can be eaten. Usually, the staff will help you scrape off the fish meat, wrap it in rice paper, and serve it with pineapple, cucumber, and rice noodles, dipped in fish sauce.
Logistics
Self-Travel: You need to take a bus from Ho Chi Minh City "Mien Tay Bus Station" to My Tho, and then take a taxi to the pier to hire a boat.
Charter/Day Tour: Since it involves transferring between boats and shuttle services between islands, if you do not understand Vietnamese, it is strongly recommended to hire a car with a guide or join a day tour for a much smoother experience.
