1 Week in South Vietnam 2026: HCMC, Mekong Delta and Phu Quoc

One week in south Vietnam comfortably covers Ho Chi Minh City, a night or two in the Mekong Delta for the floating markets, and Phu Quoc island. This is a self-contained southern circuit that doesn’t require heading north.

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Day 1–2: Ho Chi Minh City

Arrive Tan Son Nhat. Day 1: War Remnants Museum (₫40,000, allow 2 hours), Reunification Palace (₫45,000), Ben Thanh Market, and a walk through the French Quarter. Evening: rooftop bar or the Bui Vien waterfront. Day 2: Cu Chi Tunnels (organised half-day trip, 40km northwest, ₫250,000–450,000 including transport), afternoon at Jade Emperor Pagoda and the Cho Lon market in District 5 (Chinese quarter).

Stay: Pham Ngu Lao (backpacker area) or D1 city centre. 2 nights.

Day 3: HCMC to Can Tho (Mekong Delta)

Morning bus from Mien Tay Bus Station to Can Tho (3 hours, Phuong Trang/Futa, ₫100,000–150,000). Arrive early afternoon. Check in near Ninh Kieu waterfront. Afternoon: canal boat tour from the waterfront (₫150,000–300,000 / $6–12), or bicycle to Phong Dien floating market area. Evening at the Ninh Kieu night market.

Important: Book the morning boat for the next day’s floating market visit as soon as you arrive.

Day 4: Cai Rang Floating Market → Vinh Long

Pre-dawn wake (04:30–05:00). Boat from Ninh Kieu pier to Cai Rang (30 minutes). Arrive for the 05:30–08:00 peak trading period. Watch wholesale boats trading fruit and vegetables by hanging samples from tall poles (cay beo). Rowing boat vendors bring breakfast — bun bo and banh mi — alongside.

After breakfast: bus or taxi from Can Tho to Vinh Long (60km north, 1 hour). Ferry to An Binh Island (₫5,000). Cycle the island circuit (20–30km of canal-side roads, coconut groves, and small bridges). Return to the mainland and bus to Phu Quoc via Ha Tien or fly from Can Tho airport.

Note on ferry to Phu Quoc: Can Tho → Ha Tien by bus (3 hours, ₫80,000–120,000) → ferry to Phu Quoc (45 minutes, ₫230,000–280,000). Alternatively, fly Can Tho → Phu Quoc (35 minutes, ₫500,000–1,200,000).

Day 5–6: Phu Quoc

Two days on the island. Day 5: Sao Beach for the full day (motorbike or Grab, 25km from Long Beach). Best sand on the island. Day 6: An Thoi Archipelago island hopping (₫350,000–600,000 group trip) or a dive trip to the An Thoi reefs. Evening: Duong Dong Night Market — grilled scallops, bun quay noodles, fresh coconut.

Stay: Long Beach north (guesthouses and hotels, easy access to the night market). 2 nights.

Day 7: Phu Quoc — return to HCMC

Morning at leisure — Long Beach, pepper farm visit, or fish sauce factory tour. Afternoon flight Phu Quoc → HCMC (45 minutes). Depart international from Tan Son Nhat.

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Practical notes

Floating market logistics: The Cai Rang floating market is the best in Vietnam but it is a wholesale market, not a performance for tourists. Arrive before 06:00 for the active trading. By 08:00 it begins to wind down.

Phu Quoc in wet season (May–October): Long Beach gets rough seas. Sao Beach is more protected. Diving visibility reduces but the island is still viable.

Budget: HCMC is inexpensive; Can Tho is cheap; Phu Quoc is the most expensive part of this trip. Total budget for 7 days (mid-range): ₫8,000,000–15,000,000 ($320–600) including accommodation, food, activities, and internal transport.