Ho Chi Minh to Ben Tre and My Tho: Private day trip

Founded in the 1680s by Chinese refugees, My Tho developed into the provincial capital thanks to its riverfront position. Because of its proximity to Ho Chi Minh City, and its Mekong mystique, My Tho is a popular destination for daytrippers. If you’re longing for the Mekong, you can enjoy a stroll along the waterfront, or take to one of the islands to visit a bee farm for some tea and other local specialties (some islands are only accessible by boat). Alternatively, you can head to the 19th century Vinh Trang Pagoda, a large, ornately decorated Buddhist temple that blends Chinese, Vietnamese, Khmer, and European architecture, and is rarely visited by large tourist groups. The visit is made even more memorable if you arrive in time for the monks’ morning rituals, which include chanting, drumming, and a procession, starting around 10:00AM.