Getting to the Mekong Delta 2026: Buses, Boats and Day Trips from HCMC

The Mekong Delta is 60–200km from HCMC depending on your destination. All access is by road — no trains serve the delta.

To Can Tho (main delta hub)

Express bus from HCMC: Multiple operators run HCMC → Can Tho buses departing from Mien Tay Bus Station in An Lac (15km from D1 — take Grab from the city). Journey: 3 hours. Price: ₫100,000–150,000 ($4–6).

Bus operators: Phuong Trang (Futa Bus), Kumho Samco, and several others. All are air-conditioned and punctual. Buy tickets online or at the station.

From Can Tho Airport: Vietnam Airlines flies direct from Hanoi to Can Tho (1.5 hours). Useful for travellers arriving from the north who don’t want to transit through HCMC.

To My Tho (closest delta town)

Bus from HCMC (Mien Tay): 70km, 1.5 hours. ₫60,000–90,000 ($2.40–3.60). Regular departures from 05:00.

Day trip buses from D1: Multiple tour operators and open-tour bus companies run direct D1 hotel pickups to My Tho for day trips. ₫350,000–700,000 ($14–28) for the tour.

To Ben Tre

No direct bus from HCMC — change at My Tho (30 minutes, frequent local connections). Or take a day tour that combines both towns.

To Chau Doc (Cambodia border crossing)

Bus from HCMC: Approximately 5 hours. ₫120,000–200,000 ($4.80–8). Phuong Trang runs regular services.

Boat from HCMC: A speedboat service from the Bach Dang pier in HCMC runs to Chau Doc along the Mekong (4–5 hours). Scenic but longer than bus.

HCMC to Can Tho by motorbike

The most flexible option for independent exploration. Highway 1 south from HCMC, then the expressway to Can Tho: 170km, 3–4 hours including traffic. The expressway (Highway 61B) is fast but the old National Highway 1 through the towns is more interesting.

Getting around in the delta

Within Can Tho: Grab is available. Motorbike taxis and bicycle hire are the main local options.

Between delta towns: Local buses connect all the main delta towns — My Tho, Ben Tre, Vinh Long, Sa Dec, Can Tho, Chau Doc. Frequency varies; the Can Tho hub is best served.

Motorbike: The most flexible option for independent delta exploration. Roads are flat and navigation is straightforward with offline maps.