6-Day Mekong Delta Motorcycle Tour from Saigon

Ride a six-day, self-drive motorcycle loop from Saigon into the heart of the Mekong Delta. This Grand Mekong route follows narrow backroads, rural lanes and ferry crossings through Ben Tre, Soc Trang and Tra Vinh before reaching the wetlands of U Minh Thuong National Park and the coastal province of Kien Giang. The full overland loop covers about 1,017 km across six riding days, turning north through Chau Doc and Can Tho for the return to Saigon.

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The Mekong is the lifeline of the delta. Its branches shape how people travel, farm, fish and trade, and the scenery changes from coconut and shrimp farms to Khmer temples, wetlands, river towns and floating markets. This guided motorcycle tour brings you close to those waterways: you ride along their banks, cross major channels on local ferries and stop in communities that are rarely part of a standard coach itinerary.

Before departure, the guide/mechanic checks the motorcycle, gears, brakes and riding equipment with you. The tour is self-drive and suits riders who are comfortable handling a motorcycle on rural roads, narrow bridges and ferries. Daily distances range from about 140 km to 226 km, so expect several substantial riding days.

Tour highlights

• Follow small tracks and backroads beside the waterways of the Mekong Delta.
• Cross wide river branches by local ferry and see how boats connect riverside communities.
• Ride through Ben Tre’s coconut and aquaculture country and the Khmer communities of Soc Trang and Tra Vinh.
• Visit Mahatup Pagoda, also known as Bat Pagoda, and take a boat through U Minh Thuong National Park.
• Choose the Day 4 onward speedboat to Phu Quoc or continue overland via Chau Doc and Can Tho to Saigon.
• Visit Cai Rang floating market, an inland market and a local noodle factory on the final day.

Six-day Mekong Delta itinerary

Day 1

Route: Saigon to Ben Tre
Distance: 140 km
Ferry crossings: About 4

Meet your guide in Saigon at about 7:30 am, check the motorcycle and riding equipment, then head south through boatyards, shrimp farms and mangroves. After crossing the first branch of the Mekong, continue along rural roads toward Ben Tre, a fertile province shaped by the river and known for coconut products, bonsai and topiary, fishing and aquaculture.

A late-morning ferry crossing leads to a fishing town for lunch. Along the river, small piers and wooden landing places serve local fishing boats and fish trading. The afternoon brings narrow trails, small bridges and more river crossings. Overnight in a modest local guesthouse in Ben Tre. If you would prefer a more comfortable hotel, ask about arranging one before departure.

Day 2

Route: Ben Tre to Soc Trang via Tra Vinh
Distance: 148 km
Ferry crossings: About 8

Ride through Tra Vinh and Soc Trang, where Khmer communities have shaped the region’s religious life, festivals, temples and monasteries. The route passes shrimp farms and quiet Khmer hamlets, then crosses the river repeatedly on ferries of different sizes. These crossings are part of the day’s travel and offer a close look at how people, motorbikes, produce and boats move between communities.

Take breaks at ferry landings and local food stops, where there may be time to talk with residents and observe daily life. This is a long day with many crossings, so keep water handy and allow time to board and disembark safely.

Day 3

Route: Soc Trang to Rach Gia via U Minh Thuong National Park
Distance: 226 km
Ferry crossings: About 4

Begin with a visit to Mahatup Pagoda, also called Bat Pagoda, known for the large fruit bats that roost there. Then ride west toward U Minh Thuong National Park. The village roads include narrow bridges and long stretches of countryside; this is the longest riding day of the loop, so keep your camera and water accessible and follow the guide’s instructions on bridges and village roads.

U Minh Thuong is a major wetland habitat for native mammals, fish and waterbirds. After lunch, take a small boat along the park’s canals to the bird reserve in the core area. The boat trip gives you a different view of the delta’s flooded forest and waterways before you continue to Rach Gia for the night.

Day 4

Route: Rach Gia to Phu Quoc by speedboat or overland to Chau Doc
Distance: About 130 km by motorcycle on the overland option

At Rach Gia, choose how you want to continue. The two options follow different routes from this point.

Option A — Phu Quoc: Your guide can help book a Superdong ferry ticket to Phu Quoc Island. The boat transfer is included when this option is arranged with your tour. Your motorcycle will be shipped back to Saigon for an additional fee, as listed under Not included (US$80–120 per bike). Ferry timetables can change, so confirm the departure time and onward arrangements with your guide.

Option B — Chau Doc: Continue by motorcycle through rice-growing country to Ba Chuc Memorial, a place of remembrance for villagers killed during the 1978 Khmer Rouge attacks. Please allow time for a respectful visit. Ride onward to Tra Su Bird Sanctuary, where a boat takes you through channels among mangroves and melaleuca trees. Have lunch in the reserve, then continue to Sam Mountain for views over the Mekong floodplains at sunset. Overnight in Chau Doc.

Overland option: Days 5 and 6 below apply to guests continuing by motorcycle from Rach Gia via Chau Doc to Saigon. Guests taking the boat to Phu Quoc should confirm their onward itinerary and tour end point with their guide.

Day 5

Route: Chau Doc to Can Tho
Distance: 173 km
Ferry crossings: About 5

Visit a fishing village and fish farm near Chau Doc, where rice and basa fish are part of the local economy. Then ride through rice paddies, straw-mat weaving villages and citrus farms toward Can Tho. Several ferry crossings connect the rural roads along the way.

After the quieter countryside, Can Tho offers a livelier river city with markets, restaurants and riverside streets. In the evening, check in and take a walk along the riverside promenade, a popular place for local residents to relax.

Day 6

Route: Can Tho to Saigon
Distance: 200 km
Ferry crossings: About 4

Start early with a boat trip to Cai Rang floating market. As you move among the boats, vendors display the produce they are selling by hanging samples from tall bamboo poles. Continue to an inland market to compare the two trading places, then visit a nearby noodle factory before returning to Saigon by motorcycle.

The ride back passes farming villages and small lanes, with opportunities for short stops along the way. This is the final 200 km day of the overland loop, which concludes in Saigon after six days on the road.

Price

Rates are per rider, per riding day. The total price for this six-day tour depends on your group size.

• 1 rider: US$260/day
• 2 riders: US$180/person/day
• 3 riders: US$170/person/day
• 4+ riders: US$160/person/day

Single-room surcharge: US$40/night.

Optional support vehicle with driver for luggage: US$180/day.

Prices may change during Vietnamese public holidays. Confirm the current rate and availability for your dates.

What’s included:

• Japanese 250cc motorcycle and spare parts
• English-speaking tour guide/mechanic
• Fuel
• Riding gear: helmet, gloves, and arm and knee protection
• Shared double/twin accommodation or homestay
• Local Vietnamese meals and drinking water
• Entrance fees and boat tickets for the selected itinerary. The scheduled Rach Gia–Phu Quoc speedboat transfer is included when the Phu Quoc option is confirmed as part of your booking.

What’s excluded:

• Personal travel insurance
• Emergency transportation and related costs, if required
• Alcohol and tips
• Single-room surcharge (see Price section above)
• Optional support vehicle with driver for luggage (see Price section above)
• Motorcycle shipping when starting or finishing outside Saigon: US$80–120 per bike, depending on location
• Repair costs for motorcycle damage caused by improper riding, crashes, dropping the bike, misuse, riding beyond your ability, or failure to follow the guide’s safety instructions.

  Examples of chargeable damage may include heavily bent rims, bent handlebars, frame damage, damaged lights, broken turn signals, damaged body plastics, or burnt clutch plates.

Ask us about 250–400cc motorcycle options and passenger arrangements. Riders are responsible for meeting local motorcycle licensing requirements.

Before you ride

• Be comfortable riding for several hours a day and crossing ferries with your motorcycle.
• Bring sun and rain protection, drinking water and a charged phone or camera; follow your guide’s advice on local road conditions.
• Tell Saigon Riders in advance if you need a single room, support vehicle, passenger arrangement or larger motorcycle.
• Confirm the Day 4 route, Phu Quoc boat schedule, accommodation preferences and current prices before booking.

Compare Mekong Delta motorcycle tours

For a shorter trip, see our 2-day Mekong Delta motorcycle tour from Saigon. To ride toward Cambodia, compare the 3-day Mekong Delta tour to Cambodia or Saigon. For an island-bound route, see the 3-day Mekong Delta motorcycle tour to Phu Quoc. For mangroves and a village overnight, explore the 2-day Can Gio and Mekong homestay tour.