Ho Chi Minh City is also known as Saigon, and the Mekong river delta flows closely to this area. Many people who visit Vietnam decide to plan a trip along the Mekong, combining this with their visit to Saigon. There are multiple ways of travel between these two areas, some being as quick as 1 hour, and anywhere up to 8 hours of travel. Traveling to this region is a wonderful experience with many things to do and see. With so much history in Saigon, the opportunity to relax and see how locals live along the Mekong Delta, there is something for everyone.

Where are Saigon and Mekong?
Saigon is in southern Vietnam, and was the capital until 1975. The Mekong is 3 hours south of Saigon, and is a huge delta created by massive amounts of silt, carried downstream by the Mekong River. It empties into the South China Sea.
What is the weather like in Saigon and Mekong?
There are high temperatures year round in Saigon and Mekong, with two main seasons, rainy and dry. The dry season lasts from December to April. While the wettest season lasts from May through November.
Dry season: Temperatures are temperate at first but can climb up to 40 degrees celsius at the end of April while remaining very humid.
Wet season: During July through September is considered the wettest period. The temperatures will drop, but the rains are extremely heavy and most streets will be flooded at this time, especially along the Mekong.
When is the best time to visit Saigon and Mekong?
The best time to visit is between December to March. During this time it is dry and sunny, and February gets the least rain.
How do I get to Saigon and Mekong?
Saigon is also known as Ho Chi Mihn and there are many flights that fly in daily. There are five different methods to reach the Mekong Delta from Saigon: car, bus, motorbike, boat or plane.
Car: If you are traveling as a family, or prefer to travel privately, hiring a car is an option. You can either pay to have someone drive you, or rent your own car. One company is An Minh Car Rental that can be reached at: 0909 555 783.
Bus: There are a few options when booking a bus to the Mekong Delta. There is a company called Futa. You can purchase tickets online (or by phone: 19006067). Then go to the West Coach Station – Booth No.23. The address is: 395 Kinh Duong Vuong st, Binh Tan District, Ho Chi Minh City. Show your confirmation email to the ticket seller in order to get the tickets. Try to arrive at least 1 hour before departure.
Motorbike: The motorbike trip will take around 4 hours, but should only be done by experienced riders. Make sure to be aware of traffic police. It is possible to get lost, so consider participating in a riding tour with a good guide.
Boat: Usually this option needs to be arranged by a tour company as it is typically a Mekong Delta River Cruise. There are rental boat services for the route between Saigon and the Mekong Delta, since the daily rate is usually high, it can go up to $1000USD per hour depending on which type of boat.
Plane: This is the most expensive option anywhere from $64 to $128USD. These flights go from Saigon to Phu Quoc. The flight lasts around 1 hour.
What activities are there to do in Saigon and Mekong?
There are many activities to do in both areas, more historical options in Saigon, and more outdoor as well as cultural options in the Mekong.
Saigon:
●    Free walking tour: First thing to do when you get to Saigon is take a free walking tour. It is customary to tip your tour leader if they do a job well done. This will give you a good overview of the city.
●    Independence Palace. It will cost 40,000 dong for entrance which is $1.75USD.
●    Ben Thanh Market: This is a must stop for those who would like to taste the food of Ho Chi Minh. At this market you can try many different foods, and purchase anything you might need.
●    Cu Chi Tunnels: Another great historical activity is to visit Cu Chi Tunnels. These tunnels were used by the Viet Cong during the Vietnam/American war.
●    Nguyen Walking Street: This walkable street, sans traffic, starts at the Saigon River and goes all the way to City Hall. You will see colonial architecture from when the French colonized Vietnam, a fountain show, as well as a statue of Ho Chi Minh waving.
●    War Remnants Museum: This museum gives a lot of good information on the war.
●    Temples and pagodas: There are Buddhist, Taoist and Hindu temples/pagodas in Saigon. One of the most famous options is the Jade Emperor Pagoda. In the city’s Chinatown, there is the Quan Am Pagoda and Hau Thien temple.
●    Go on a bike tour: If you have ever ridden a motorbike, then try your hand at riding in Saigon. Saigon is a city with 8 million motorbikes, and it can be an exciting experience to take a tour while riding one. There are also tour opportunities to get on the back of a vespa and take a tour without having to drive yourself.
Mekong:
●    Boat cruise through the canals: The Mekong River includes a system of channels, and one of the first activities you can do is to take a boat cruise through the canals. From this boat cruise you can see rice paddies, orchards, coconut trees and local stilt houses.
●    Local floating market: During these cruises you can also stop by local floating markets. Here you will see people exchanging goods and fruits on their boats. They start as early as 3am, and you can buy things such as fresh fruits, dried foods, animals and other foods. Some boats even act as type of cafe. You can purchase coffee, tea and fruit juices aboard. Local foods are also sold like Hu Tieu, Banh Canh, Xoi, and Bun Ca.
●    Visit local orchards: Another thing to do along the Mekong is to visit local gardens and taste the fresh fruits. Some of the famous fruit orchards include: Cai Be Orchard in Tien Giang, Phong Dien and My Khanh Orchard in Can Tho, and Cai Mon Orchard in Ben Tre.
●    Catch and cook fish: Another activity that can be done on a boat, is local fishing. You will catch the local fish and eat them as well.
●    Listen to folk songs: This is also known as “Đờn Ca Tài Tử.” These are very emotional songs that communicate inner feelings, generosity, industriousness, and courage.
●    Explore the beautiful Phu Quoc Island: This is an incredibly popular thing to do in this area. Phu Quoc is beautiful white beaches, with coconut trees and crystal blue water.
Do I have to take a cruise along the Mekong?
It is unnecessary to take an overnight cruise, but there is no way to take your own small boat along the Mekong River Delta without a local guide. These “cruises” are small long boats that are not possible to be rented by a foreigner and taken on the river alone. It will also be to your benefit to have a local guide with you.
What is there to eat in Saigon?
There are many different types of food to eat in Saigon such as:
●    Bánh mì: Vietnamese sandwhiches on a french roll
●    Ốp la: Fried egg dish
●    Phở: A soup that is now very famous in the west
●    Bún riêu: Vietnamese soup of meat and rice vermicelli.
●    Bún mắm: Fermented thick Vietnamese vermicelli soup
●    Bún bò Huế: Vietnamese soup containing rice vermicelli and beef originating from the region of Hue.
What should I bring with me for a trip to Saigon and Mekong?
Dependant on what season you travel in, you will decide to bring certain clothing for your trip. You should pack lightly and bring breathable clothes. There will usually be sun and humidity on the Mekong Delta, so bring sunscreen as well. Raincoats or light slickers are helpful for sudden rains or splashes. Whether you are out in Saigon on cruising the Mekong Delta, always bring extra water to stay hydrated. Bring good insect repellents with 20-30% DEET to avoid mosquito bites.
Will I have phone reception on my tour through Saigon and Mekong?
If you choose to purchase a Vietnamese sim card, you should have good phone reception through both of these areas. The Vietnamese mobile internet provider is through the government, and is available in most areas of Vietnam.
The differences between Saigon and the Mekong Delta are completely different, and you will have many amazing experiences in both locations. From seeing water buffalo in swamps, boats full of fruit, and seeing local people in their daily lives on the Mekong; to learning about French colonization and the Vietnam/American war in Saigon. These areas of Vietnam have so much to see and discover.

ABOUT Le Toan Travel
Le Toan Travel is a local, trustworthy and professional Vietnam tour operator, offering a wide range of Vietnam and Indochina tour packages to the most exciting destinations at most competitive price. Our Business License Number is 0104000493 and our International Tour Operator License Number is 01 – 258. We are very pleased to be a member of Vietnam Administration of Tourism with financial guarantee – a deposit of 1.000,000,000 million Vietnam Dong (US$ 50,000) in a bank of Vietnam. Besides that, we are also official members of VISTA (Vietnam Society of Travel Agents), PATA (Pacific Asia Travel Association) and higky recommended on Tripadvisor.
Are you planning your Vietnam Holiday, but not sure how to arrange the trip? Getting lost in many tour options? Being sick of searching…? Just leave your troubles behind to read our Vietnam travel guide and send us your requests. Your private travel consultant at Le Toan Travel will help you design a perfectly suggested tour itinerary and quote which are tailor made to suit your wishes and budget.

* How to plan my Vietnam tour with you?
1. Send us an inquiry by submitting one of our online tour inquiry forms (Click). Tell us as much information as possible. For examples;
– Please tell us how many people will be traveling with you?
– Please tell us your preferred hotels, level of hotel (3, 4 or 5 stars), type of hotel, type of room…
– Please tell us your type of travel, length of travel and activities that you are interested in. For example; Family with kids, Couple’s vacation, Honeymoon, Friends, Shopping, Sightseeing, Leisure and Relaxing, Cuisine & Cooking, Kayaking, Caves & Grottoes, Fishing, Swimming, Hiking, Minority, Adventure & Discovery…
– Please tell us where and what you want to visit. If you do not know much about Vietnam and Indochina, just give us your travel plan and ideas and we will create a suggested tour for you.
– Most of our tour guides are English speaking tour guides, but if you want another language like French, Spanish, Italian, Russian, Chinese… we can always arrange. Please tell us what you do you expect from your guides, for example; you want a guide with sense of humor? Good knowledge in history & culture? Male/Female guide? Talkative/untalkative? Young/Old guide?
– Please advise if you want breakfast included only or also lunch and dinner. Please let us know if you are a vegetarian, the food you can eat or can’t? If you want local food in local restaurants or western food in tourist restaurant…? Actually, you do not have to send us all information, but the more we know, the better we plan your holiday.
2. After having received your inquiry, one of our professional Vietnam travel consultants will email and give you a proposal.
3. If you accept the proposal (you may modify it till you are satisfied with it), we will calculate the tour cost and send you the tour price. If you accept it, please confirm that you would like to book it.
* How Travel Experts at Le Toan Travel Service you?
“Highest Standards of Quality and Honesty” is the core value of each specialized team at Le Toan Travel.
Everyone in our company is working hard for only one goal, which is to ensure the highest level of service, luxury, and attention to detail from the minute you begin planning your trip, to the day you return home.

1-on-1 Travel Consultant
After sending us an inquiry, one of our travel consultants will get back to you within 0.5~23.5 hrs. In the next few days, he/she will be working closely with you to formulate a customized tour plan, as well as providing professional suggestions based on your travel interests, time, and budget.
Beside, he/she will keep in contact with you during your entire tour in Vietnam and Indochina, continually checking if everything is going well as planned.
* How to proceed to book Vietnam and Indochina tour with you?
When you decide to book your Vietnam and Indochina holiday with us, please send us your full names (name on passport) for hotel and domestic flight reservations, and your international flight details in and out Vietnam/Indochina for airport transfers / pick up & see off.
* How to pay the deposit and the balance?
Deposit: When the booking is completely confirmed, we will send you confirmation details including confirmed itinerary, invoice, voucher then deposit request of about 30% of the total tour cost (can be less). You can pay by credit cards (via onepay gateway, pay online), make wire transfer, western union. The deposit is used to pay the flight tickets, hotels, train tickets in advance.
Balance: You can pay the rest 2 weeks before your arrival, or you can pay us on your arrival in Vietnam by credit cards, cash (AUD, USD, EUROS, VND…)
* How to enjoy the tour?
Our job is to make your holiday a memorable experience. To make sure you will have a great time, there are something that we should share;
When you request the tour: Please let us know your personal interests so our travel consultants will design and include in the itinerary, or take notes for the hotels, tour guide, restaurants…
Before you come: One week before your arrival. we always send our clients an email to update about the weather and climate, booking status, and remind you to prepare/check the documents, visa…for the holiday.
When on tour: The tour is fixed, but you can always discuss with us if you want to make it more flexible. For example, you want to make some changes in the itinerary, restaurant (meals), tour guide… please just let us know, we will do the best for you.
Tour guide: Please let us know what do you expect from your tour guides and we will arrange the right ones for you.

* Can you buy the international flight tickets for us?
Yes, we do. However, we advise you to buy the flight tickets in and out Vietnam from your end as it is always cheaper than if booked in here.
* Do you offer any discounts?
Yes, we offer discounts for;
– Family with kids and children < 12 years old – Disable people – Old people (> 65 years old)
– Second trip with us
– Big group
* How can I pay you the money?
1) Credit card; (secure online payment gateway via Onepay)
ONEPAY – ONLINE PAYMENT GATEWAY (VISA, MASTERCARD, AMEX & JCB ACCEPTED)
Like PayPal, OnePAY is a payment gateway but specialized in Vietnam where the PayPal has not yet reached. This is a perfect and the first payment processor which gains reputation among clients about its efficiency and timely friendly support.
OnePAY in cooperation with biggest bank in Vietnam – Vietcombank which has been implemented this service among many tour operators in Vietnam.
OnePAY is approved by MasterCard for this payment collection on the behalf of us. OnePAY uses SSL Verisign® over internet transaction under 3D-Secure program by respective creditcard companies so you are free from worries your card information disclosed. OnePAY payment portal also meets standards of international financial system such as PCI DSS of PCI Security Standards Council, 3D-Secure of Visa, MasterCard and JCB.
2) Wire transfer (bank transfer)
3) Cash
4) Western union
5) Combination

* Is there any charge if i change my travel plan such as travel dates, tour itinerary, hotels,…?
We are happy to work on your requests, and will not charge you any money. However, if it is too urgent and the date is too close, the hotels or airlines may chare you some money, in this case we will let you know.
* What is the latest time that I can make my reservation?
We suggest you make reservations at least one month before the departure date. If you decide to travel to Vietnam in May, September or October which is peak season, we recommend you make the reservations two months (at least one) before your departure date. Late reservations can not be guaranteed for the availability of domestic flights, hotel rooms, etc.
However, we DO accept late reservations, things are possible at Le Toan Travel.

* What about Cancellation policy?
In case of cancellation, we will not impose any charges if we are not being charged and possible to get refund from our suppliers but if our suppliers apply charges for cancellation, you will have to pay those charges that apply. Cancellation policies vary, depending upon the type of service, the time of year, and the reason for cancellation. We will pass on to you all details of any cancellation policy with our transparent reply upon demand.
General cancellation charges that applied by travel services in Vietnam and Indochina.
– Domestic flights: 25% of the fares
– 3 star hotels, no charge if you cancel 5 -7 days before your arrival. (FIT)
– 4 star hotels, no charge if you cancel 10 – 15 days before your arrival (FIT)
– 5 stars hotels, no charge if you cancel 15 – 20 days before your arrival (FIT)
However, in peak season, we may have to pay the hotels one month before your arrival to secure the booking, and in this case, the cancellation policy will be based on the hotels’ cancellation plolicies.
* Can we get refund?
For the unused services, Le Toan Travel will refund you the money.
* How do I get a visa?
Vietnam Visa – For those who would like to avoid the perhaps lengthening visa procedures with their local Vietnam’s Embassies, the service of Vietnam Visa On Arrival is available for help. It is legitimated and supported by the Vietnamese Immigration Department. We recommend that you choose visa upon arrival, as picking up visa at the Vietnam int’l airport/border is quite simple, easy, no additional charges and no fail.
Steps to obtain Visa on arrival
a) Please provide the following information for us to apply for your visa.
1) Full name on passport
2) Passport number
3) Date of birth
4) Nationality
5) Date of arrival
6) Date of issue
7) Date of expire
8) Please make sure that your passport is still valid for 6 months
You can apply Vietnam visa online through our www.vietnamvisaprovider.com.
b) How long does it take?
It will take 2-3 days (Normal process), 01 day (Urgent process) to get the “Visa Approval Letter” which we will send you via mail. What you need is to print it out and take it along to get the stamp at airports/borders
c) Get the stamp
Upon arrival, you will need to fill in a certain form with your personal information, get the stamp and visa will be done. For this process, you will need to prepare 02 photos (4*6) and $25 USD each in cash which is stamping fee.
* Do our tour guides and drivers have meals with us?
The guide and the driver in each destination will dine at the same restaurant as yours. But, they will not join you unless you invite them.

* Where can I exchange our money into Vietnam currency?
We advise you to stop in any of a Vietnamese bank during the tour (Our tour guides will take you to the bank), you can also exchange money at your hotel, but the exchange rate is not really good.
* Can I use credit cards in Vietnam?
Major credit cards such as Master Card, Visa, Diner’s Card, American Express and JCB can be used to purchase goods in large shopping malls and stores in the big and medium cities, to pay for hotel rooms and for meals in some of the fancier restaurants, and to buy plane tickets with them.
Note: If you are to travel to those small cities or even remote rural areas, only cash in Dong can be used.
* Do I need to bring my medical record with me?
Yes, we suggest you take your medical record with you in case that you need it in the event of an emergency, and please also take with you your doctor’s name, address and phone number, emergency contact name and phone number, and your insurance company’s name, address and phone number.
* When I finish my tour in Vietnam, if I still have some local money, what can I do?
Upon leaving Vietnam, if you still have some local money, you can change them back to foreign currency with your passport and the exchange memos given by the banks or money exchange counters. So please keep those exchange memos well whenever you change money.
* Tipping
Tipping is not compulsory, but expected by your tour guide and driver.  We advise you to tip as below:
– US$10 – $15 per day for tour guide
– US$7 – US$10 per day for driver
Note:
– Tipping can be more or less or nothing that depends on how big is the group? And how do you enjoy our services?
– Other tipping for tuktuk, sampan boat, cyclo,… please check with your tour guide during the tour.

* Shopping
Le Toan Travel guarantees “no shopping tour”, which means we protect you from the tourist shopping centers or traps. However, if you want to buy something, our travel consultants, tour guides will give you suggestions, advices and help you buy to avoid being overcharged.
Bargaining is a “Must” when buying something in Vietnam and Indochina.