Mekong Delta Tips and Tricks
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The Mekong Delta is famous for its paradisal setting of water living and greenery: floating markets with tropical fruit bonanza, storks flying over endless rice paddies, and mouth-watering cuisine from freshly caught and harvested ingredients. It is a harmonized world of beautiful climate, picturesque sights and the hospitable locals, for which the Mekong Delta should always be on the top of your bucket list if you travel to Vietnam for the first time.
But before anything else, good preparation is the key to a successful and unforgettable traveling experience. Therefore, I am happy to share with you some tips that everybody wishes to know before traveling to the Mekong Delta.
Mekong Delta Debrief
The Mekong Delta is Ho Chi Minh City’s (or Saigon)’s backyard, literally, it is right next to the city to the south-west. The Mekong Delta is so huge that it takes up two thirds of the whole southern region of Vietnam, so you cannot fully explore the delta in just a day. The area consists of one municipality (first class city) – Can Tho – and 12 provinces: Long An, Tien Giang, Ben Tre, Vinh Long, Tra Vinh, Dong Thap, Hau Giang, Soc Trang, An Giang, Kien Giang, Bac Lieu, and Ca Mau. Each of these cities boasts its own unique experiences that will make you wish that you can visit them all, especially the diversified cuisine.
The Beautiful Climate of the Mekong Delta
With its lush evergreen climate year-round, the Mekong Delta has the most potential in tourism compared to every other destination in the country. The area has a pleasant tropical monsoon climate with two seasons: dry season and rainy season. There is just a marginal difference in the temperature between the two seasons and almost no storms or typhoons during the year.
Rainy season is from May to November, causing occasional floods in Dong Thap Muoi, An Giang, Kien Giang, and Can Tho. Other areas should be fine with daily showers that last around two hours in this season. Dry season spans from December until the next April or May, and there is no rain at all. Therefore, it is possible to visit the most famous provinces of the delta – Tien Giang and Ben Tre without any problem, and it is preferable to explore the whole area in the dry season from November untill May.
Best Months to Get the Most out of the Mekong Delta
Even though the weather is easy-going throughout the year, which makes traveling to the Mekong Delta hassle-free at all times, you still need to pay attention to the optimal time to visit.
At the start of the rainy season, from April to the beginning of June, the weather is the most comfortable with light rain to make up for the heat. You will surely have a good time exploring corners of the rivers and wandering through fruit gardens. In addition, traveling during this time will bring you interesting festivals such as the Cholchonam Thomay (Khmer’s New Year) and the Crop Season Opening Festival.
From June to September, at the peak of the rainy season, it will be truly hot and humid (summer plus rain). But only then will you get the most variety of tropical fruits that the delta has to offer.
October and November are the flooding months of the Mekong Delta. Everything is almost wiped away in less popular destinations of Dong Thap, An Giang, and Kien Giang. The city of Can Tho is also flowing with water. So, it is best to stay informed of the weather forecast before making your move to these areas. But it is not the end of the world yet, as nature gifts the locals with an endless supply of fish and water vegetables, from which they concoct unrivaled delicacies. And these are also the best months for budget traveling.
After the rain comes the sun, the dry months from December up to May is when the Mekong Delta unveils its gorgeous beauty: sunny clear blue sky, lush green lands, fresh air, and calm water.
To sum up the weather, a trip to the Mekong Delta is possible all year round with four-season fruits and a pleasant environment. In addition, the delta is most vibrant with flower season during the springtime from January to March and tastiest during the fruit season in the summer months starting with May. It is also the best time to visit Saigon and Vietnam in general.
Tips for Visiting the Mekong Delta
Clothing and Packing Recommendations
Overall, you should pack lightly, wear breathable and comfortable clothes to take on the heat and the humidity of the Mekong Delta. Sunscreen is also needed to combat the extreme sunlight during the day time.
A raincoat always comes in handy for sudden rains and splashes when traversing the rivers, with disposable options for less than 20,000 VND (almost 1 USD) available anywhere.
You must bring extra water, just to keep yourself hydrated when going on long trips. The heat is more tolerable than the central region during the summer, and the Mekong Delta will surely not let you starve, but a small bottle of water on your side is a great idea.
Health Issues
Avoid drinking, swimming or exposing an open wound to the river water. This way you can prevent parasites, from big (fat leeches) to small (tiny little worms), from entering your body. Only drink bottled water or boiled tap water.
Mosquitos carrying malaria is rare in the Mekong Delta, but Dengue fever does have occasional outbreaks. It is advisable to avoid mosquitos at all costs. Here are some tips for keeping away the mosquitos:
You should bring a couple of good insect repellents with 20% – 30% DEET for a trip to anywhere in the country, and apply the spray before taking trips to the rivers, jungles, and swamps. Read the instructions carefully, as you may need to spray again after a certain period of time.
Wear neutral-colored clothes (e.g. beige, light grey), as bright and hot colors attract mosquitoes. Breathable long-sleeves are recommended also.
Stay away from dodgy local water sources (wells and pots), always keep your water in a closed container.
Make sure the windows and doors are completely closed during your night stay, and check to see the insect screens of the accommodation are intact.
Please do not take any malaria or dengue preventing drugs without a detailed doctor’s note. Taking medications on your own can lead to masking the symptoms and misdiagnosis later-on due to possible wrong specification and drug resistant strains in Vietnam.