Experience the essential highlights of the Mekong Delta on the classic "4 Islands" tour, a popular excursion navigating the Tien River between My Tho city and nearby Ben Tre province. Named after the four mythical creatures – Dragon (Long - largely eroded), Unicorn (Lân - usually Thoi Son Island), Tortoise (Quy), and Phoenix (Phụng) – this tour packages together many iconic Delta experiences, making it a convenient and accessible option, especially for day-trippers from Ho Chi Minh City or those staying locally in Ben Tre.
The typical tour involves cruising along the wide Tien River before stopping at various islands. A major stop is usually Thoi Son (Unicorn Island), the largest and most developed for tourism. Here, visitors often walk through fruit orchards, enjoy tastings of seasonal tropical fruits, listen to traditional Southern Vietnamese folk music (Đờn ca tài tử), visit bee farms to sample honey tea, and take memorable sampan rides through narrow, water coconut-lined canals. Other stops might include Qui (Tortoise Island), often for a riverside lunch featuring local specialties like deep-fried Elephant Ear Fish, and Phung (Phoenix Island), known for the unique and somewhat eccentric remnants of the "Coconut Monk" (Dao Dua) religion.
While this multi-island tour can feel quite structured and geared towards tourists (as of April 2025), it provides an excellent and efficient introduction to the Mekong Delta's diverse charms – showcasing the vital waterways, agricultural bounty, local crafts (like coconut candy, especially relevant when near Ben Tre), and cultural traditions all within a single trip. Its convenience and the variety of experiences offered make it a persistently popular choice for visitors wanting a snapshot of life on the Mekong.
