Tour Overview
Important: This is a long day trip with several car transfers. Pickup is at 3:30 AM in Ho Chi Minh City, with arrival in Can Tho around 5:45 AM. After the floating market tour (ending around 7:30 AM), there is approximately a 1-hour drive to Lung Ngoc Hoang Nature Reserve, as the forest is located away from the floating market area. After exploring the forest, you will drive about 1 hour back to Can Tho for lunch before continuing the 3–3.5-hour journey back to Ho Chi Minh City. This tour is ideal for travelers who want to experience both Cai Rang Floating Market and Lung Ngoc Hoang Forest in a single day without staying overnight in Can Tho.
Special early PRIVATE day-tour (HCMC-CanTho-HCMC) at 03:30 AM. A unique customized Can Tho tour includes: Cruise in an authentic small sampan to Cai Rang Floating Market, enjoy a local (veggie-friendly) breakfast and coffee, and explore the lively Mekong fish and farmer markets. Discover vibrant river life, visit a hidden VC base at the ancient heritage tree, and then journey beyond the tourist trails to the untouched Lung Ngoc Hoang 2,800-hectare forest and wetland conservation area, where you will enjoy a peaceful green forest boat trip. Experience local authentic lunch (included) before heading back to HCMC.
Book This Tour
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the tour.
Journey Highlights
- Start in HCMC, tour Can Tho, dropoff back HCMC
- Take a small boat to the Cai Rang Floating Market
- Visit the Mekong fish and farmers market like a local
- Explore the unique Mekong Delta's forest by boat
- Enjoy panoramic views from the observation tower
- Visit a famous old giant ficus tree. Lunch included
Tour Inclusions
- Pickup, drop off from/to hotel in HCMC by car with driver only (no tour guide)
- Meet the tour guide at the meeting point in Can Tho city (Meeting point: Cho Co Ben Pha, 156 Hai Ba Trung Street, Can Tho)
- Includes breakfast (veggie-friendly) on the river, coffee & fresh exotic fruits
- Small boat (sampan) for floating market & life jacket
- Forest boat experience & watchtower
- Entrance fees & 500ml bottled water
- Lunch (set menu), lavie water 500ml
- Drop-off at the hotel in HCMC or in Can Tho if option selected.
TOUR MAP
Itinerary By Day
- Pickup: At 03:30 AM, your driver (no tour guide) will pick you up from your hotel in Ho Chi Minh City and transfer you to Can Tho City. Arrive in Can Tho at around 5:45 AM.
- Around 05:45 AM, your local tour guide will welcome you in Can Tho and escort you to the pier to board a traditional sampan (small boat) for the tour.
- Arrive at Cai Rang Floating Market – a must-see in Can Tho, Mekong Delta. Your guide will explain why it is an early morning floating market and how it is slowly disappearing. The experience includes the best noodle soup on the river (vegetarian option available). Find a reason to interact with the river life and enjoy fresh fruits during your tour.
- Visit the Mekong fish and farmers market (non-touristy) and see the Delta’s true heartbeat. It is where locals trade fresh fish, fruits, and produce in a lively, authentic setting untouched by mass tourism. You will witness real daily life, colorful scenes, and the strong sense of community that sustains the Mekong.
- Fresh seasonal tropical fruits are also included during the tour.
- Around 7:30 AM, get in the car in Can Tho and depart for Lung Ngoc Hoang forest.
- Explore Lung Ngoc Hoang Nature Reserve, a 2,800-hectare wetland forest in the Mekong Delta. Cruise through wild canals by boat and experience rich wildlife and nature.
- Upon arrival at the forest & wetland conservation area, the driver or tour guide (if selected option) will assist you with boat tickets (included). Enjoy a wonderful boat trip along wild canals. Then visit the 25–meter observation tower to enjoy panoramic views over the wetland forest and seasonal rice fields. (Approximately 1.5 hours in the forest, depending on your pace and sightseeing time.)
- Visit a famous giant old ficus microcarpa tree - a historic site where the Viet Cong used to camouflage and hide weapons during the war. Your guide (if selected option) will share more interesting stories about the Mekong region’s hist
- A local authentic lunch is included.
- Around 1:30 PM, your driver (no tour guide) will transfer you back to Ho Chi Minh City, arriving at approximately 4:30 PM. Alternatively, you may choose to be dropped off in Can Tho City.