Dong Thap Countryside Market Weekend: Food, Fun and Ferry Tips

This is a 2-day, 1-night itinerary for independent travelers, families with young children and international visitors who want to see a rustic side of the Mekong Delta, away from the busiest tour stops. The highlight is the countryside market on Tan Thuan Dong islet (Dong Thap), which only opens on Saturday afternoons. You can go year-round. The dry season (roughly December to April) brings little rain and easy travel. The flood season (roughly August to November) fills the rivers to the brim, offering a very distinctive landscape.

Trip overview

• Route: Ho Chi Minh City → Cao Lanh City (Dong Thap) → ferry to Tan Thuan Dong islet → Saturday afternoon countryside market → Sunday exploring the countryside or joining a Mekong day trip → back to Ho Chi Minh City.
• Main transport: coach or private car from Ho Chi Minh City to Cao Lanh, taking about 3–3.5 hours depending on the route and traffic. From the ferry landing, it's about 4 km by road to the market, an easy ride. You can go by motorbike or car, or hire a xe om (motorbike taxi) locally.
• Why this route: popular Mekong tours tend to funnel visitors to a handful of familiar spots. The islet market still keeps a slow pace of life, with bamboo stalls roofed in thatch and plenty of traditional cakes. There's something for the whole family, including small kids.

Day 1 (Saturday): From Saigon to Cao Lanh, ferry to the countryside market

Morning

Set off early, around 6–7am, to avoid traffic jams at the city gateways. There are plenty of rest stops along the way; families with young children should stop once so the kids can stretch their legs.

Midday

Once in Cao Lanh, check in or drop off your luggage, then have lunch. Try a Mekong-style family meal, with dishes placed in the middle of the table for everyone to share. If there's ca loc chien gion cuon banh trang (crispy fried snakehead fish wrapped in rice paper) with fresh herbs, cucumber and pineapple, don't miss it. Rest a little to wait out the midday heat.

Afternoon

Around 1:30pm, head to the ferry landing to cross to the islet. From the landing, it's about 4 km more to the Tan Thuan Dong countryside market. The market runs from 2pm to 8pm every Saturday. Arriving early makes it easier to take photos and choose your food.

The market opened in 2022 and has more than 35 stalls with over 200 dishes and local products. Things to do:

• Eat traditional cakes: banh xeo (crispy rice pancakes), various leaf-wrapped cakes, rice flour cakes, bun ca (fish noodle soup) and chilled nuoc sam (herbal cooling drink). Each item is cheap, perfect for sampling lots of things.
• Make your own banh xeo: kids usually love this activity.
• Rent an ao ba ba or ao dai and take photos on the banks of the Tien River. International visitors should give it a try for a set of photos full of southern Vietnamese character.
• Folk games: the market has games such as boat races for children.

A bonus: stalls use paper boxes, cups and spoons and biodegradable bags. You can bring your own water bottle to help cut down on waste.

Evening

Dusk is the best time to listen to don ca tai tu (southern Vietnamese amateur music, an intangible cultural heritage inscribed by UNESCO) and Dong Thap folk chants (ho). Have dinner right at the market with the dishes you haven't tried yet. Before the market closes at 8pm, keep an eye on the time so you can catch the ferry back to Cao Lanh for the night.

Day 2 (Sunday): River countryside or a Mekong day trip

You have two options depending on your family's energy and interests.

Morning

• Option A – stay in Dong Thap: rent a bicycle or take a small boat through the canals and fruit orchards around Cao Lanh. Nature lovers can look into Dong Thap's melaleuca forests and lotus fields. In lotus season, go very early.
• Option B – join a Mekong day tour: on the way back to Ho Chi Minh City, you can stop in Ben Tre, the famous coconut land. It's about a 2-hour drive from Ho Chi Minh City.

Midday

With option B, lunch is usually a home-style meal at an orchard house. Afterwards you'll be offered tea and fruit, and sometimes folk songs. If you stay in Dong Thap, try one more river specialty before leaving.

Afternoon

On a Mekong trip, you can take a boat into small canals, visit a handmade coconut candy workshop and cycle along village lanes and canal bridges. When choosing a tour, go for eco tours or small-group cycling tours. These are usually less crowded than mass-market tours and closer to local life.

Evening

Head back to Ho Chi Minh City. Leave before about 4pm to avoid the Sunday afternoon rush into the city.

How to choose a Mekong day trip to pair with the countryside market

• Check the itinerary carefully: pick tours that include boating in small canals, cycling and lunch at an orchard house. Avoid tours that only stop at shopping points.
• Ask about group size: small groups are more comfortable, especially with children or older travelers.
• Ask about drop-off points: some tours can drop you off at a town along the way, so you can continue to Dong Thap on your own, or do the route in reverse.
• Choose tours with bilingual guides if traveling with international visitors.

Estimated costs

Prices below are just for estimating and may change depending on timing and holiday seasons.

• Coach Ho Chi Minh City – Cao Lanh: about 150,000–250,000 VND per person each way.
• Ferry to the islet: a few thousand to a few tens of thousands of VND depending on vehicle type.
• Food at the countryside market: banh xeo about 25,000 VND per serving, bun ca about 25,000 VND per bowl, nuoc sam about 10,000 VND per glass. Trying 3 dishes costs only about 60,000 VND.
• Ao ba ba or ao dai rental: usually a few tens of thousands of VND per rental; ask the price first.
• Accommodation in Cao Lanh: guesthouses and budget hotels cost about 300,000–700,000 VND per night.
• Mekong day tour: varies widely by type; shared tours are cheaper than private tours or small-group eco tours.

Total cost for one independent traveler over 2 days is about 1–2 million VND, excluding private tours.

Tips

• The market only runs on Saturday afternoons (2pm–8pm). Plan to be there on the right day, and double-check the schedule before going, as it may change on holidays or in bad weather.
• Holidays and Tet are very crowded: at those times the market can welcome several thousand visitors a week. For a relaxed visit, go on a regular weekend and arrive early.
• Watch the return ferry times: ask locals or ferry staff about the last crossing of the day so you don't miss it.
• What to bring: a hat, sunscreen, mosquito repellent, a light raincoat (especially in the rainy season) and small-denomination cash.
• River safety: children should wear life jackets on boats and ferries. Adults should always keep an eye on kids playing near the riverbank.
• Eat in moderation: order small portions of each dish so you can try more kinds of cakes. Those with sensitive stomachs should bring common digestive medicine.