Mekong Delta Cycling: Saigon to Ben Tre Self-Launched
2 days · Mekong Delta, Vietnam
Mr Biker Saigon charges £180
No-markup version: ~£60 per person
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
A self-launched version of Mr Biker Saigon's 2-day Mekong Delta cycling loop: ride coconut-lined lanes and rice paddies from Saigon to Ben Tre, overnight in a traditional Mekong-style homestay, then boat to Coconut Island and cycle the estuary clam-farming beaches before returning to the city. Skip the guided group and private van by renting a bike in Saigon, using local buses and delta ferries, and booking a homestay direct. Roughly a third of the tour price — with the freedom to ride at your own pace and take the shuttle (bus) whenever legs get hot.
Day-by-day
Saigon to Ben Tre by bike and ferry
Ho Chi Minh City → Ben Tre
Leave District 1 early (07:00-07:30) and ride south out of the city along quiet lanes towards the My Tho / Ben Tre ferry crossings — the first 15-20km are busy, so an easy option is to hop the local bus from Mien Tay station to My Tho (~£2.50, 2hrs) with your bike, then start pedalling from there. Cross the Mekong by local ferry (a few pence per person plus a small bike fee), then follow concrete and dirt lanes through coconut groves, rice paddies and dragon fruit orchards, with flower farms near Cho Lach. Rent a decent hybrid or step-through bike in Saigon the day before (approx £8-12/day; city shops like Saigon Cycles & Tours or Mr Biker's own rental desk do day rentals) or arrange one direct with your Ben Tre homestay. Stop for lunch at a roadside com tam or hu tieu stall (£1.50-2.50). Arrive at Ut Trinh Homestay in Ben Tre (book direct or via Booking.com, ~£12-18/night) in the late afternoon, shower off, and join their home-cooked seasonal Mekong dinner (included in many homestay rates, otherwise ~£5). If the heat or distance gets too much, short-hop local buses and song thaew-style shared taxis run the main delta roads and will take you and a bike for a couple of pounds.
🚌Own or rented bicycle from Saigon; optional local bus Mien Tay → My Tho (~£2.50); local Mekong ferry crossings (~£0.30-0.70 each); shared taxi/bus backup on main roads
🛏Traditional Mekong-style homestay in Ben Tre (e.g. Ut Trinh Homestay or similar family homestay) — private room, £12-18/night
- →Ride out of Saigon into the delta countryside
- →Local Mekong River ferry crossing
- →Cycling through coconut groves, rice paddies and dragon fruit orchards
- →Flower farms near Cho Lach
- →Home-cooked Mekong dinner at the homestay
Coconut Island, estuary beaches and back to Saigon
Ben Tre → Coconut Island → Ho Chi Minh City
Breakfast at the homestay (£1-2), then take a short local boat trip out to Coconut Island (Con Phung / Con Quy area) — boats leave Ben Tre boat station regularly and cost roughly £3-5 per person on a shared boat, or £12-15 for a private longtail for two. Cycle the island's coconut plantations and lemongrass fields on gravel and concrete trails, then ride on through delta villages towards the Mekong estuary. Cross by ferry and follow the 10km muddy beach stretch past clam-farming flats — check tide times and bring a bandana for the spray. Lunch at a simple seaside seafood restaurant (£3-5). In the afternoon, instead of a private van back to Saigon, take the local bus or a shared/limousine minibus from Ben Tre to Saigon's Mien Tay station (~£3-5, 2-2.5hrs) — these run hourly until early evening and take bikes for a small extra fee. Aim to be back in the city by 18:00.
🚌Shared boat to Coconut Island (~£3-5 pp); bicycle on island trails; Mekong estuary ferry (~£0.50); local bus or shared limousine minibus Ben Tre → Saigon (~£3-5)
🛏Not included — own arrangements in Ho Chi Minh City (District 1 hostels from £6-10, budget hotels £15-25)
- →Boat trip to Coconut Island
- →Cycling coconut plantations and lemongrass fields
- →Delta village riding on gravel and concrete trails
- →Ferry across the Mekong estuary
- →10km muddy beach ride past clam farms
- →Seaside seafood lunch
Self-launched vs. Mr Biker Saigon
| This itinerary (self-launched) | Mr Biker Saigon | |
|---|---|---|
| Price per person | ~£60 | £180 |
| Duration | 2 days | 2 days |
| Who books it | You and your group, direct | Tour operator, guided group |
| Savings | £120 per person (67%) | |
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
Want to see more Mr Biker Saigon-style trips? Check them out here.~£60
estimated per person
You never pay Travel Crew for this — you pay hostels, transport, and activity providers directly, the same as if you'd booked it all yourself.
This publishes your dates so other travellers can find and join you — no tour operator needed.
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Frequently asked questions
How much does Mekong Delta Cycling: Saigon to Ben Tre Self-Launched cost?+
Doing it yourself with this self-launched itinerary costs an estimated £60 per person for 2 days in Mekong Delta, Vietnam. This is an AI-generated estimate based on typical budget-traveller prices — actual costs will vary by season and how you book.
Is this cheaper than booking with Mr Biker Saigon?+
Yes — Mr Biker Saigon charges around £180 per person for a similar tour. Doing the same route independently, using the same standard of accommodation and activities, costs an estimated £60 — a saving of roughly £120 (67%) per person.
How long is the Mekong Delta, Vietnam trip?+
This itinerary runs 2 days, covering 2 day-by-day stops through Mekong Delta, Vietnam.
How do I join this trip?+
You can join an existing open departure using this itinerary if one is scheduled, or launch your own departure with your own dates and invite other travellers to join you — no tour operator required.
Isn't it easier to just use a tour operator?+
Well, yes, a tour operator will book all the individual parts of your travel for you and provide a guide. That's obvious, but doing this has the potential to save the group thousands, which can in turn improve your itinerary substantially or save you huge amounts of money. Also, when you launch a departure, Travel Crew has tools in place to help you book the individual sections of the trip or make it easier for you to do this as a group. Really, you do not need a middle man. If you are more comfortable paying more and using a middle man, then you should certainly do this.
Is it safer to book through a tour operator?+
Arguably, there isn't much difference. A self-launched trip runs on the same principle as a group travel crew: collective responsibility, everyone looking out for each other, the same way it would if a group of friends organised the trip themselves — because that's exactly what's happening. You should always take out travel insurance before you go, self-launched or not; that doesn't change either way. Every open departure is published publicly with real dates and a real trip organiser, so it's never an anonymous arrangement, and our support team is reachable any time you need help, including in an emergency while you're away. Longer-term, we're building direct relationships with ground DMCs in popular destinations, offered as an optional paid add-on for extra on-the-ground support. Ultimately, though, the group is responsible for its own conduct and safety on a self-launched trip, same as on any trip you plan yourself.
What kind of trip is this?+
This is a adventure, culture, foodie trip through Mekong Delta, Vietnam, self-launched rather than run by a tour operator — you organise it with a group you find or bring yourself.
Would you like to name the operator, name the trip, or have any suggestions about how to improve this itinerary?
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