Vĩnh LongVĩnh Long at a Glance
Costs: USD 20-35 per day - very inexpensive local prices; river tours and markets are cheap.
Safety: Generally safe for tourists - low violent crime; petty theft possible in busy market areas.
Best Time: December-April (dry season) - dry months are best for smooth river travel and sunshine.
Why Visit Vĩnh Long?
Life on the Mekong Delta islands is the main reason to visit: floating markets, narrow canals and fruit orchards define daily rhythms around the city. An Binh Island and nearby floating markets such as Cái Bè give a close-up look at river-based commerce and homestay culture, with fresh tropical fruit and riverside cooking on offer. Simple riverine scenery and warm hospitality make it a window into delta living.
Vĩnh Long Bucket List
Don't Miss
Cồn An Bình (An Binh Island) - Island of fruit gardens, homestays and traditional artisan workshops in the Mekong River.
Bảo tàng Vĩnh Long - Local museum presenting regional history, traditional crafts and Mekong Delta culture exhibits.
Vĩnh Long Riverside - Waterfront promenade lined with cafes, boat services and views of the Mekong channels.
Hidden Gems
Nhà cổ Huỳnh Cương - Preserved traditional house offering insight into local architecture and merchant family history.
Lò kẹo dừa Cồn Thới Sơn - Small coconut candy workshop where visitors see production and sample fresh sweets.
Chợ Nổi Vĩnh Long - Smaller floating market frequented by locals for fresh produce and river commerce.
Day Trips
Cái Bè Floating Market - Lively Mekong floating market with traders selling produce directly from boats, a short trip away.
Cần Thơ - Regional hub known for its riverside market and the Cai Rang floating market accessible by boat.
Nearby Cities #
Best Time to Visit Vĩnh Long
Visit during the dry season (November-April) for easier boat trips and market visits with less rain and lower humidity. The May-October monsoon brings heavy afternoon storms and higher water levels.
Rainy Season
Rainy season brings frequent heavy afternoon downpours and high humidity; river cruises can be disrupted but landscapes are lush and vibrant.
Dry Season
Dry season is cooler, sunnier and ideal for boat trips through the Mekong, cycling and market visits - expect fewer mosquitoes.
Hot Season
Hot season before the monsoon is oppressively hot and sticky; mid-afternoon feels unbearable but mornings remain pleasant for exploring and best tackled early.
Vĩnh Long'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 (1445 mm/year), wettest in October with a pronounced dry season.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Excellent | 22° - 30° | 26° | 9 mm | partly cloudy | 70% | 1.8 m/s | 1.8 very high | 11.5h |
| February | Excellent | 23° - 31° | 28° | 2 mm | partly cloudy | 63% | 1.8 m/s | 2.0 extreme | 11.7h |
| March | Excellent | 24° - 33° | 30° | 6 mm | partly cloudy | 62% | 1.9 m/s | 2.2 extreme | 12.0h |
| April | Very Good | 25° - 34° | 32° | 36 mm | partly cloudy | 63% | 1.6 m/s | 2.3 extreme | 12.3h |
| May | Acceptable | 25° - 33° | 34° | 158 mm | overcast | 75% | 1.6 m/s | 2.1 extreme | 12.5h |
| June | Acceptable | 25° - 32° | 33° | 192 mm | overcast | 85% | 1.9 m/s | 2.0 extreme | 12.6h |
| July | Acceptable | 25° - 31° | 33° | 199 mm | overcast | 87% | 1.7 m/s | 2.0 extreme | 12.6h |
| August | Acceptable | 25° - 31° | 33° | 184 mm | overcast | 87% | 1.9 m/s | 2.1 extreme | 12.3h |
| September | Acceptable | 25° - 31° | 33° | 225 mm | overcast | 87% | 1.7 m/s | 2.0 extreme | 12.1h |
| October | Acceptable | 25° - 30° | 32° | 246 mm | overcast | 87% | 1.1 m/s | 1.9 very high | 11.8h |
| November | Very Good | 24° - 30° | 30° | 142 mm | partly cloudy | 85% | 1.5 m/s | 1.8 very high | 11.5h |
| December | Excellent | 23° - 30° | 26° | 46 mm | partly cloudy | 79% | 1.7 m/s | 1.8 very high | 11.4h |
How to Get to Vĩnh Long
Vĩnh Long is reached chiefly by road from Can Tho Airport or from Ho Chi Minh City by bus. Minibuses and coaches are the usual options; there is no direct national rail service to the city.
Can Tho International Airport (VCA): The nearest airport to Vĩnh Long (about 35-50 km by road). From Can Tho you can take shuttle buses or interprovincial minibuses toward Vĩnh Long (travel time ~1-1.5 hours, fares commonly VND 60,000-150,000) or a taxi (approx VND 600,000-900,000, ~1 hour depending on traffic).
Ho Chi Minh City - Tân Sơn Nhất (SGN): For more international flight options many visitors arrive at SGN and take a direct coach or bus to Vĩnh Long (journey ~3-4 hours, fares typically VND 120,000-250,000).
Train: There is no direct national rail service to Vĩnh Long; the main rail axis runs along a different corridor. Trains terminate at larger hubs (e.g., Saigon), from which you must continue by road.
Bus: Regular coach and minibus services link Vĩnh Long with Can Tho and Ho Chi Minh City from central bus stations. Buses are frequent; expect travel times of about 1 hour from Can Tho and 3-4 hours from Ho Chi Minh City, with fares in the VND 60,000-250,000 range depending on distance and service level.
How to Get Around Vĩnh Long
Vĩnh Long is best approached by road from Can Tho Airport or Ho Chi Minh City; coaches/minibuses and taxis handle most passenger flows. Within the city, motorbike taxis, boats and walking cover short trips efficiently.
- Interprovincial bus / minibus (VND 60,000-250,000) - Coaches and private minibuses run frequently between Vĩnh Long, Can Tho and Ho Chi Minh City. Minibuses are faster but can be less comfortable; book through reputable providers or hotels. Services are the primary public link for most travelers.
- Taxi / Grab (VND 30,000-900,000) - Taxis and Grab (ride‑hail) are available for local journeys and airport transfers; Grab coverage improves flexibility but may be limited in some districts. For trips from Can Tho Airport expect fares in the VND 600k-900k range by taxi; negotiate fixed rates for longer transfers if necessary.
- Boat / ferry (VND 5,000-100,000) - Vĩnh Long sits on the Mekong tributaries and uses river transport for short crossings and local trips; ferries and motorboats operate between islands and riverside communes. Useful for sightseeing and essential local connections-ask locally for timetables and prices.
- Motorbike taxi (xe ôm) (VND 10,000-50,000) - Motorbike taxis are ubiquitous for short hops around town and for negotiating narrow streets. Use GrabBike where available for clearer pricing, and agree fares beforehand for street‑hired xe ôm.
- Car rental (VND 800,000-2,000,000/day) - Rental cars give flexibility to explore the Mekong delta but are less common domestically; hire a driver if you are not accustomed to local traffic. Roads are generally good between major towns but can be narrow in rural areas.
- Walking - The riverside centre and market areas are compact and pleasant on foot for short visits. Use caution crossing busy roads and carry insect repellent when walking near water.
Where to Stay in Vĩnh Long
Budget
Riverside / City center - ₫200,000-600,000/night
Vĩnh Long has many small, affordable guesthouses and simple hotels near the river; basic facilities but convenient locations.
Local guesthouses and budget hotels (search) - Small family-run guesthouses available
Budget listings (Agoda search) - Common booking platform for Vietnam
Mid-Range
Riverside / Market area - ₫600,000-1,400,000/night
Mid-range riverfront hotels offer comfortable rooms and breakfast with easy access to Mekong tours and night markets.
Saigon Vinh Long Hotel - Prominent mid-range option on the riverfront
Other mid-range hotels (search) - Comfortable hotels near markets and river
Luxury
Can Tho / HCMC for luxury - ₫1,800,000+/night
Vĩnh Long has limited true luxury hotels; for premium amenities and known international brands, stay in Can Tho or Ho Chi Minh City.
Luxury stays - Ho Chi Minh City or Can Tho - Full luxury mostly in larger cities nearby
International chains in regional centers - Best upscale hotels a short drive away
Where to Eat in Vĩnh Long
Breakdown of cuisine types found across Vĩnh Long’s restaurants and food venues, based on OpenStreetMap data.
Nightlife in Vĩnh Long
Nightlife is modest and family-oriented: riverside cafés, small bars and a local night market offer evening activity. There aren’t many late-night clubs; most spots close at a reasonable hour. If you want a livelier scene, consider a longer trip to larger Mekong Delta hubs.
Shopping in Vĩnh Long
Shopping in Vĩnh Long is local-market focused: wet markets, street stalls and small shops sell regional produce, seafood and daily goods. You can find simple souvenirs and handcrafted items at markets, but large tourist shopping areas are limited. For bigger purchases or brand-name stores, you’ll need to travel to larger nearby cities.