Mỹ Tho Travel Guide
City City in Vietnam known for its agricultural products
Mỹ Tho kicks open the Mekong Delta with boat tours to coconut islands, Vinh Trang Pagoda visits, floating markets, and diners serving fish cooked with fresh herbs.
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Why Visit Mỹ Tho? #
Sit beside the Mekong and you’ll find Mỹ Tho’s appeal in its river-born lifestyle, from sampan rides through coconut groves to bustling floating markets. Vinh Trang Pagoda and Thoi Son Island give a mix of ornate temple architecture and hands-on rural flavor, while stalls and riverside eateries serve specialties such as hu tieu My Tho and fresh seafood. Short day trips into the nearby delta reveal patchwork canals and coconut-candy workshops that make the region distinct.
Who's Mỹ Tho For?
Mỹ Tho is a Mekong Delta food destination: try fresh river fish, cơm tấm stalls and coconut-candy workshops. Floating-market snacks and riverside cafés are affordable and showcase classic Delta flavours and sweets.
The city is a hub for Mekong boat trips and island-hopping to Ben Tre and local orchards. Short river cruises and bicycle tours on small islands are ideal for gentle nature immersion and wildlife spotting.
Mỹ Tho’s short boat trips and calm river islands make it perfect for family day trips. Homestays and small hotels are affordable, and hands-on experiences like coconut workshops engage children and teens.
Cheap ferries, budget guesthouses and plentiful day-trip options make Mỹ Tho a comfortable base for backpackers exploring the Mekong Delta. Street-food breakfasts and bicycle rentals keep daily costs low.
Best Things to Do in Mỹ Tho
Mỹ Tho Bucket List
- Chùa Vĩnh Tràng (Vĩnh Tràng Pagoda) - 19th-century Buddhist complex with mixed Asian-European architecture and ornate statues.
- Cồn Thới Sơn (Thoi Son Island) - Fruit orchards, bee shows, and boat rides on a quiet Mekong islet.
- Cồn Phụng (Phụng Islet) - Craft workshops, traditional boat routes, and village museums on a lively islet.
- Cầu Rạch Miễu (Rạch Miễu Bridge) - Major cable-stayed bridge linking My Tho to Ben Tre with panoramic river views.
- Chợ Mỹ Tho (My Tho Market) - Bustling local market where vendors sell seafood, produce, and noodle breakfasts.
- Bến tàu du lịch Mỹ Tho (My Tho tourist pier) - Departure point for island tours; lively in the early morning.
- Làng nghề kẹo dừa Thới Sơn (Thoi Son coconut-candy workshops) - Small-family workshops demo coconut-candy making with tastings and traditional crafts.
- Vườn trái cây Cồn Thới Sơn (Thoi Son fruit gardens) - Shade-dappled orchards offering fruit tasting, hammock naps, and short village walks.
- Chợ nổi Cái Bè (Cái Bè floating market) - Early-morning floating market with wholesale fruit trade and river vendors.
- Bến Tre (Bến Tre city) - Coconut-country tours and scenic canal rides in the province capital.
- Thành phố Hồ Chí Minh (Ho Chi Minh City) - Vietnam's largest city with museums, markets, and dynamic street-food scenes.
- Cần Thơ (Can Tho) - Home to Cai Rang floating market, riverside cafés, and colonial canal neighborhoods.
- Sa Đéc (Sa Dec) - Flower-shrine town famous for artisan floral markets and Huỳnh Thủy Lê's historic house.
Regions of Mỹ Tho #
Downtown
Downtown Mỹ Tho is compact and easy to walk: the market, a few banks and the riverfront where tourism starts. It’s the practical place to book boat tours, try local eats and feel the city’s everyday rhythm. Expect friendly vendors and inexpensive meals.
Top Spots
- Mỹ Tho Market (Chợ Mỹ Tho) - central market for fruit, snacks and river-trip tickets.
- Main riverside promenade - cafés and boat piers where ferries depart for the delta.
- Local bánh mì stalls - grab a quick sandwich and Vietnamese coffee.
Riverside Piers
This is where most visitors arrive for short Mekong trips: a tangle of piers, tour booths and sampans. It’s busy in the morning and mellows by late afternoon. Ideal for people who want easy access to day trips and island snacks.
Top Spots
- Mỹ Tho Boat Piers (Bến tàu du lịch) - departure point for Mekong boat trips to the nearby islets.
- Dragon boat sellers - small operators offering short island tours and coconut candy tastings.
- Island sampan stops - access to Cồn Phụng and other small islets.
Vĩnh Tràng & Temple Area
Vĩnh Tràng is a short ride from the center and worth the trip for its large, well-kept pagoda and quiet grounds. It’s a favorite for photographers and anyone wanting a calm slice of local religious life away from the piers.
Top Spots
- Vĩnh Tràng Pagoda - the region’s most visited temple with gardens and ornate architecture.
- Temple souvenir stalls - small shops selling religious items and local crafts.
- Nearby riverfront cafés - peaceful spots for an iced drink after visiting the pagoda.
Plan Your Visit to Mỹ Tho #
Best Time to Visit Mỹ Tho #
Visit My Tho in the dry, cooler months (November-February) when humidity drops and river cruises, markets and cycling around the Mekong Delta are most pleasant. March-April brings the hottest, sunniest weather and peak fruit season, while May-October is the monsoon period with frequent heavy rains but lush scenery and fewer tourists.
Best Time to Visit Mỹ Tho #
Mỹ Tho's climate is classified as Tropical Savanna - Tropical Savanna climate with consistently warm temperatures year-round. Temperatures range from 22°C to 34°C. Abundant rainfall (1451 mm/year), wettest in October with a pronounced dry season.
January
January is warm with highs of 30°C and lows of 22°C. Almost no rain and partly cloudy skies.
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February
February is warm with highs of 31°C and lows of 23°C. The driest month with just 2 mm.
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March
March is hot, feeling like 30°C. Almost no rain and partly cloudy skies.
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April
April is the hottest month, feeling like 32°C. Moderate rainfall (38 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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May
May is hot, feeling like 34°C due to high humidity. Significant rainfall (160 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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June
June is hot, feeling like 33°C with oppressive humidity. Heavy rain (204 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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July
July is hot, feeling like 33°C with oppressive humidity. Heavy rain (209 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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August
August is hot, feeling like 32°C with oppressive humidity. Significant rainfall (179 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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September
September is hot, feeling like 32°C with oppressive humidity. Heavy rain (231 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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October
October is hot, feeling like 32°C with oppressive humidity. The wettest month with heavy rain (255 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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November
November is warm with muggy conditions (dew point 24°C). Significant rainfall (117 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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December
December is warm with highs of 30°C and lows of 23°C. Moderate rainfall (44 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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How to Get to Mỹ Tho
Mỹ Tho is a Mekong Delta city best reached by road from Ho Chi Minh City (Tan Son Nhat, SGN) or by regional transfer from Can Tho (VCA). The main long-distance bus hub for connections is Bến xe Miền Tây in HCMC, with frequent coaches to Mỹ Tho taking roughly two hours.
Tan Son Nhat International Airport (SGN): From SGN (Ho Chi Minh City) the usual route to Mỹ Tho is by road. Take a taxi/Grab directly (long-distance fare typically 700,000-1,200,000 VND, 1.5-2.5 hours depending on traffic) or get a short taxi/Grab to Bến xe Miền Tây (Mien Tay Bus Station) in District 8/ Bình Tân (10-20 minutes, ~80,000-200,000 VND) then a scheduled intercity bus to Mỹ Tho (see bus card) - buses take about 2 hours and cost around 60,000-120,000 VND.
Can Tho International Airport (VCA): Can Tho is the other nearby commercial airport serving the Mekong Delta. From VCA you can take a taxi or private transfer to Mỹ Tho (roughly 1.5-2.5 hours by road); expect fares for a private taxi/transfer in the region of 700,000-1,200,000 VND depending on vehicle and negotiation. There are fewer direct scheduled shuttles from VCA to Mỹ Tho than from HCMC, so pre-booked transfers or taxis are the most reliable option.
Train: There is no direct passenger rail service into Mỹ Tho. The nearest major railway hub is Ga Sài Gòn (Saigon Railway Station) in Ho Chi Minh City for north-south trains. From Ga Sài Gòn you will need to transfer by taxi/Grab to Bến xe Miền Tây or other bus terminals to continue by road to Mỹ Tho.
Bus: The primary way to reach Mỹ Tho is by intercity coach from Bến xe Miền Tây (Mien Tay Bus Station) in Ho Chi Minh City. Operators such as Phuong Trang (FUTA) and other regional coaches run frequent services; fares are typically around 60,000-120,000 VND and the journey takes about 2-2.5 hours. Regional buses and shuttle vans also connect Can Tho and other Mekong Delta towns to Mỹ Tho with similar travel times.
How to Get Around Mỹ Tho
Mỹ Tho is easiest to get around by a mix of short Grab/xe ôm rides and walking in the centre; hire a motorbike if you want independence to reach nearby islands and rural spots. For intercity travel use scheduled coaches from Bến xe Miền Tây - boats are indispensable for island visits and river excursions.
- Taxi / Grab (30,000-200,000 VND) - Grab (car and moto) and local taxis are the most convenient way to get around Mỹ Tho and to nearby riverside attractions. Grab is widely available and often cheaper than metered taxis for short trips; for longer rides to nearby islands or between towns agree a price or use the app. Use reputable companies or the app-based ride to avoid misunderstandings.
- Motorbike taxi (Xe ôm) & Motorbike rental (10,000-200,000 VND) - Xe ôm drivers are common for short hops around town and to riverfront piers; fares are low for short distances but always agree a price first or use GrabMoto. Daily motorbike rental is useful for exploring surrounding countryside and islands at your own pace-inspect the bike and paperwork before renting and expect basic helmets only.
- Local buses (5,000-20,000 VND) - Mỹ Tho does not have an extensive urban bus network like larger cities, but you may find a few local routes and minibuses for short, cheap trips. Schedules can be sparse and signage limited, so buses are best for budget travellers familiar with the stops or who have local help. For most visitors, other modes (motorbike, taxi) are faster and simpler.
- Intercity buses & coaches (60,000-120,000 VND) - Regional coaches from Bến xe Miền Tây (HCMC) and other Delta towns are the main way to enter/leave Mỹ Tho. Operators like Phuong Trang (FUTA) run regular, air‑conditioned services - book in advance at busy times. Buses are comfortable, inexpensive, and the most reliable option for travel between cities in the Mekong Delta.
- Boat / River taxi and tours (50,000-300,000 VND) - Riverboats and small ferries are essential for visiting the Tiền River islands, coconut groves and floating-activity piers near Mỹ Tho; most tours depart from the riverfront near the city centre. Prices vary by length and group (simple island visits and short boat trips from ~50,000 VND per person; half-day private tours higher). Boats are the best way to experience the Mekong landscape but check safety and engine condition.
- Walking - The city centre and riverfront are compact and very walkable; strolling is the best way to discover markets, temples and riverside cafés. Paths can be uneven in places, so wear comfortable shoes and be cautious near traffic and quay edges.
Where to Stay in Mỹ Tho #
Where to Eat in Mỹ Tho #
Breakdown of cuisine types found across Mỹ Tho's restaurants and food venues, based on OpenStreetMap data.
Nightlife in Mỹ Tho #
Shopping in Mỹ Tho #
Mỹ Tho is the Mekong Delta’s busy river town with markets selling fresh fruit, river fish and local sweets. The central market (Chợ Mỹ Tho) is lively - a great place to pick up tropical fruit, coconut-based treats and local sauces. Small riverside shops sell souvenirs and packaged local food products for take-home gifts.
Best Bets
- Chợ Mỹ Tho (Mỹ Tho Market) - Main market for fruit, seafood and delta specialties.
- Downtown shopping streets - Small shops with clothing, souvenirs and household goods.
- Local food producers - Buy coconut candy, sauces and preserved fruits.
- Nearby craft shops (Ben Tre region) - Woven items and coconut-based handicrafts from the delta.
- Supermarkets & mini-marts - For packaged goods and imported pantry items.
- Riverfront stalls - Souvenirs and snacks sold along the river piers.
