Orchards attract tourists during the summer.

Beyond their alluring orchards laden with fruit, the Mekong Delta's rural destinations also leave a lasting impression with their local culture, rustic charm, and close connection to nature.

During the summer, when students begin their holidays and the demand for places to have fun and relax increases, eco- tourism areas in the Mekong Delta become a favorite choice for many families, groups of friends, and international tourists.

Enjoying the cool, green space

Without the need for modern structures, many destinations in the Mekong Delta attract visitors with their inherent advantages, such as lush green trees, abundant fruit orchards, winding canals, and the slow pace of life in the riverine region.

In Can Tho City, Tu Dung Ecological Garden (Nhon Ai commune) is one of the destinations chosen by many tourists on their journey to explore the countryside. Amidst the rapid development of many ecotourism models, the garden owner has chosen a unique path of preserving the natural beauty and minimizing the concrete construction of the space.

Tourists enjoy visiting the strawberry garden at Tu Dung Eco-tourism Garden. Photo: CA LINH

Ms. Tran Thi Kim Loan, owner of Tu Dung Ecological Garden, said that instead of building cement pathways, her family utilizes old tree trunks and discarded logs to create rustic walkways throughout the garden. "The investment cost for wooden walkways is quite high, and maintenance requires a lot of effort, but in return, it creates a unique atmosphere. Tourists, especially international visitors and city dwellers, often prefer natural, intimate spaces with minimal concrete impact," Ms. Loan shared.

Spanning approximately 18,000 square meters, the garden is planted with many types of fruit trees typical of the Mekong Delta, such as rambutan, green pomelo, jackfruit, longan, mangosteen, durian, and cocoa. Especially in the summer, many fruits are ready for harvest, creating a captivating sight as each garden is laden with fruit. For an entrance fee of 30,000 VND per person, visitors can not only sightsee but also experience the Southern Vietnamese culture through engaging activities such as free rowing of traditional sampan boats on small canals, exploring the orchards, and enjoying ripe seasonal fruits.

Ms. Tran Thi Anh Quyen (27 years old, residing in Ho Chi Minh City), a tourist visiting the area, shared that she was very impressed with the green space at Tu Dung Ecological Garden. "In my opinion, the special thing here is its rustic charm. The wooden pathways, rows of green trees, and lush fruit orchards create a relaxing atmosphere, a stark contrast to the crowded and bustling city. Tourists can truly immerse themselves in nature and appreciate the beauty of the Mekong Delta's countryside," Ms. Quyen said.

Foreign tourists experience cooking traditional Mekong Delta dishes at a tourist spot in Can Tho City. Photo: CA LINH

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Besides ecological gardens, community-based tourism destinations are also becoming a highlight in the journey of exploring the Mekong Delta. Among them, Con Son Island (Binh Thuy Ward, Can Tho City) has been considered a unique destination for many years, offering tourism products closely linked to the lives of local people. Mr. Tran Thanh Xuyen, a member of the advisory team of the Con Son Agricultural Tourism Cooperative, said that in the summer, the number of visitors to Con Son increases due to the demand for experiencing nature and activities that reflect the unique character of the Mekong Delta.

At Con Son Island, visitors can explore fruit orchards, enjoy local cuisine, learn about traditional crafts, and witness unique performances of flying snakehead fish. In addition, new experiences like fish foot massages add to the enjoyment for tourists. According to Mr. Xuyen, the appeal of Con Son Island lies in preserving the authentic charm of the riverside countryside. Every activity is connected to the real lives of the local people, allowing visitors not only to sightsee but also to have memorable experiences.

Improve service quality

In Vinh Long, An Binh islet is considered by many tourists to be a "green gem" in the middle of the Tien River, thanks to its vast orchards interspersed with winding canals. Unlike modern tourist destinations, An Binh islet is attractive for its peaceful atmosphere, fresh air, and slow pace of life. Tourists can choose to travel by motorbike, car, or tourist boat. Among these, the journey through the canals by boat is considered the most enjoyable experience. Sitting on the boat, tourists can better appreciate the beauty of the riverine area with its shady green trees, riverside houses, and the simple life of the local people.

Local people demonstrate their honey harvesting skills for tourists to observe and experience. Photo: VAN DU

Many tourists also choose to stay in homestays in the countryside instead of hotels to fully enjoy the rural atmosphere. Waking up to the sound of birdsong in the morning, rowing a boat on the small canals in the afternoon, and enjoying traditional folk music in the evening are the unique attractions of countryside tourism in the Mekong Delta.

Ms. Le Dinh Minh Thy - Director of Vietravel, Can Tho Branch - stated that the demand for green tourism experiences, close to nature, is increasing, especially during the summer. During the Can Tho Culture and Tourism Week 2026, the company is implementing many promotional programs to help tourists access itineraries exploring the Mekong Delta. Some tours, such as Can Tho - Soc Trang - Bac Lieu - Ca Mau - Ca Mau Cape (3 days 2 nights), are discounted by 7%, while the Can Tho - Ben Tre - Hai Van Farm - Vam Ho Primeval Forest itinerary is discounted by up to 25%...

According to travel businesses, the trend of seeking out nature and experiencing green spaces is becoming increasingly evident. This also presents an opportunity for garden tourism destinations in the Mekong Delta to further improve service quality, preserve their unique identity, and create more attractive products for tourists.

Ca Mau welcomed over 5.3 million visitors.

In Ca Mau, tourists can experience catching freshwater fish and collecting honey while traveling through vast mangrove forests, and enjoy dishes made from local specialties at reasonable prices. Mr. Nguyen Xuan Thang (40 years old; residing in Ho Chi Minh City) said that his family chose the Song Trem Eco-tourism Area in Ca Mau to experience traversing the mangrove forest by boat, checking traps to catch freshwater fish, and following local people to collect honey.

"Not only did we get to enjoy the cool air amidst the sweltering summer heat while traveling under the vast canopy of primeval melaleuca forests, but we also got to see many wild animals up close. After exploring the U Minh Ha area, my family will continue to travel to the community tourism destination in Dat Mui to participate in experiences such as harvesting shrimp and dismantling traps to catch sea crabs," Mr. Thang shared.

According to the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Ca Mau province, in the first six months of 2026, the locality welcomed over 5.3 million visitors, an increase of 4.3% compared to the same period last year, bringing in revenue of more than 5,400 billion VND. To achieve the target of attracting 8.6 million visitors and generating 9,500 billion VND in revenue in 2026, Ca Mau will not only organize attractive cultural and tourism events to promote the image of the southernmost region of Vietnam but also invest in developing tourism infrastructure in a synchronized manner and focus on developing products with unique characteristics. This includes focusing on solutions to attract a large number of tourists during the summer.

Source: https://nld.com.vn/miet-vuon-hut-khach-dip-he-196260621203225454.htm