My Tho City Vietnam Your Travel Guide To The Mekong Delta Gateway

Are you planning your trip to My Tho City Vietnam? This guide offers practical information about visiting this gateway city. My Tho lies in the My Tho Mekong Delta province of Tien Giang, a hop from Ho Chi Minh City. We include information about the city itself, how to get there from HCMC, the famous Vinh Trang Pagoda, classic My Tho tours and hotels, to help plan your trip.

Understanding My Tho City

Explore My Tho City Vietnam! A little background sets context for your visit to this Mekong Delta destination.

• Location & Role: My Tho is the designated capital of Tien Giang province. It is on the north bank of the Tien River (Sông Tiền). It is one of the two principal branches that the Mekong River divides into as it enters Vietnam. My Tho is one of the biggest gateway to the Mekong Delta for visitors coming from Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC) through and then located about 70 kilometers southwest of HCMC.
• City Status and Atmosphere: Recognized as a Type I provincial city, it is the main economic, administrative and cultural hub of Tien Giang province. Overall, My Tho city viet nam is more relaxed and provincial than the intensity of HCMC even though the river and market area can be bustling.
• Key Features: Ruins of parks along the riverfront. It serves as a center of local commerce, transportation and services. For tourism, it’s the primary departure point for boat trips to river islets nearby like Thoi Son. You will also enjoy riverside parks, local markets (will discuss later), and regional dishes.

This summary helps situate My Tho City Vietnam as the handy first point of entry into the delta for many travelers.

Detailed Guide How To Travel from HCMC Saigon to My Tho

Here is how to get from Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC/Saigon) to My Tho City Vietnam. Traveling to this specific destination is quite direct; the public bus is a commonplace and popular transportation choice.

By Bus Coach The Main Option

The number one, most popular, economical way to get from one city to the other is by taking the Ho Chi Minh to My Tho bus (otherwise known here in vietnamese as xe khách).

• Departure Point (HCMC): The buses to My Tho mainly leave from Mien Tay Bus Station (Western Bus Station). This is a big terminal in Binh Tan District, far from the city (District 1). The travel time between Mien Tay station and central HCMC (by taxi or Grab) is usually 30-60 minutes or more, so leave early enough.
• Getting in Arrival Point (My Tho): Buses arrive at the main Tien Giang bus station (Bến xe Tiền Giang), which services My Tho City Vietnam. Keep in mind: This station is located just outside the immediate city center, often along National Highway 1A. From the bus station, it’s a short taxi or motorbike taxi (xe ôm) to most hotels or the main tourist pier in My Tho.
• Bus Companies: The Saigon to My Tho route is offered by several well-known companies. One of the most popular and common choices is FUTA Bus Lines (Phương Trang), boasts highfrequency and easy online booking on its website and app. Other operators such as Thinh Phat or Thao Chau made the trip too, often accessible from the Mien Tay station or bookable through a website such as Vexere. When traveling in My Tho City Vietnam, it is recommended to use well-known service providers.
• Travel Time: The expressway means actual bus travel time for the Ho Chi Minh City to My Tho journey is typically only about 1.5 to 2 hours. This is the time spend on the road itself and does not include station waiting times.
• The Reference Fare: One-way fares are very cheap, normally ranging from around 70,000 VND to 100,000 VND/person (reference based on April – 2025). Double-check the exact current price with the operator or booking platform when you buy your ticket; prices are subject to change.
• Frequency: Very frequent departures, especially during daytime hours. Most major operators such as FUTA have scheduling of buses every 30 to 60 minutes (or less during peak hours), so wait times are usually very low.
• How to Book: Buy tickets at Mien Tay Bus Station: There are bus company counters inside the station. In case, booking in advance online at the official company website/app (like FUTA) or reliable third-party platforms (like Vexere) is 80 times easier, get your seat, and no standing in line or showing off language at the station is needed (especially is recommended for weekends or holidays)

Other Transport Options

lthough the bus is the normal method of transport, here are some other methods to arrive in My Tho City Vietnam:

• Private Car / Taxi / Ride-hailing: A private car will provide door-to-door service and flexibility. Taxis or ride-hailing apps may also be options for this route. This option is much more expensive than the bus but a lot comfortable.
• Motorbike: For advanced experienced drivers having appropriate licenses, those who have significant experience driving on the road in Vietnam. At around 70km, it allows you maximum freedom to explore when you get there. Get your bike ready to ride safely.

By My Tho City Vietnam however are the predominant realistic decisions.

Must Visit Attraction Vinh Trang Pagoda

The most famous My Tho temple that is worth to visit is definitely Vinh Trang Pagoda (Chùa Vĩnh Tràng). This is a huge and unique Buddhist temple complex in the outskirts of My Tho city.

• Architecture: The pagoda’s design is remarkable. It features an acute design of various lines of architecture using Vietnamese Traditional Architecture, Chinese (Hoa), and Khmer architectural elements and a French (colonial) influence. This blend is present in the entrance gate, facade details, designs of the pillars, and decorations on top of the roofing. This mix mirrors the cultural exchanges of My Tho City Vietnam in the past.
• Outdoor Buddha Statues: The large temple grounds have several very large outdoor Buddha statues. These usually consist of a tall white Amitabha Buddha in standing position, a large smiling face the Maitreya Buddha (Laughing Buddha), and a long reclining shape of the Buddha for _ of the entrance. The impressive statues are key landmarks within the complex.
• Special Things About Vinh Trang Pagoda: A brief history: Vinh Trang Pagoda was built in the middle of the 19th century, rebuilt and restored several times since. It continues to be an active place of worship and spiritual significance to the local Buddhist community.
• Visiting Information: Vinh Trang Pagoda My Tho is located a few kilometers outside the main city center. Accessible by taxi, Grab, or motorbike. The grounds are generally open during daylight hours, though check online or locally for specific opening times. When visiting within the temple buildings and the big compound, as is customary for religious sites in My Tho City Vietnam, please wear respectful clothing, i.e. covering up shoulders and knees!

Give yourself enough time to wander the grounds, gaze at the intricate architecture and take in the serene setting.

Popular Tours Involving My Tho

My Tho is often visited on an organized tour, particularly if you are coming in from Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC). Knowing how a My Tho Mekong Delta Tour typically looks allows you set some realistic expectations for the day.

The Common 1 Day My Tho And Ben Tre Combination

The most common tour type that includes My Tho is a combined tour. Usually, this includes attractions and things to do in My Tho (in the Tien Giang province), and also the nearby berry province, all in the same afternoon. This combined trip is a usual my tho day trip from ho chi minh.

• Typical day itinerary flow: While small details may vary widely between tour companies, most budget-friendly group day tours follow this general itinerary:
  1. Leave HCMC early for the drive to My Tho city in a bus/van.
  2. Usually the first tour stop sightseeing is visiting the majestic Vinh Trang Pagoda in My Tho.
  3. Take a motorized boat from a pier in My Tho for a ride on the Tien River.
  4. Travel to an islet, most commonly Thoi Son Islet (kind of in Tien Giang province), for short posts such as walking through fruit orchards, visiting a bee farm, and listening to a quick folk music show.
  5. Transfer to a smaller sampan (rowboat) for a ride along narrow, shaded canals. Frequently, this quintessential boat ride part of the tour happens inside the waterways within the Ben Tre province.
  6. Visit a coconut candy workshop where you can see how it’s done (this stop is also typically on the Ben Tre side).
  7. Lunch is included, often at a restaurant on one of the islets.
  8. Motorized boat back to My Tho pier, then return by road to HCMC, generally arriving late afternoon or early evening.
• Location note: Logistically speaking, this tour often starts and ends in My Tho, but the main activities (the sampan ride and the coconut workshop, for instance) are generally located in the neighboring Ben Tre province. A tour around My Tho City Vietnam is a highlight and it is   within an easy distance of the city and its neighboring region.
• Pro & Con Overview: This format is handy and gives you a look at several different aspects of the delta life quickly. Many itineraries feel like a sprint and have brief stops, and some activities may feel directed at mass tourism. This is a short version of My Tho City Vietnam & Ben Tre.

Other Tour Options

Less well known than the combined day trip:

• Private Tours: Private day tours can be requested. These give you the option to perhaps customize the itinerary, linger longer at certain stops, or ask for your focus to be mainly My Tho City Vietnam and Tien Giang sights (but this may limit activity choice). Expect higher costs.
• Multi-Day Tours: Larger Mekong Delta tours (e.g., 2 or 3 days towards Can Tho or Chau Doc) may visit Vinh Trang Pagoda or have a My Tho river stop otheir first day, but very often, My Tho is not the premise of these longer day tours.

For more casual day tours focusing on My Tho, the multipurpose itinerary still reigns in popularity as it includes a stop at Ben Tre.

Hotel Options in My Tho

There are plenty of options for accommodation in My Tho City Vietnam if you are going to stay overnight. More budget and mid-range-focused than a city like Can Tho, the range is still more on the motionless end of the spectrum regardless.

• Variety & Standard: A Mekong My Tho hotel Vietnam can be by and large simple budget guesthouses and 1-2 star hotels to cozy mid-range (most 2-3 star) sector. Look for functional, basic rooms, often with air-conditioning and private bathrooms in the mid-range. There are few dedicated high-end luxury hotels in My Tho accommodation scene.
• Common Locations: Most options for hotels are only within My Tho city center. This accounts for walkable access to the area restaurants, city market, and occasionally the boat piers for Tien River tours. Some options may provide settings right on the Tien River waterfront.
• How to Find & Book: With OTAs (Online Travel Agencies), such as Booking. For example, using Websites such as Booking. Use their filters for price range, and also check the recent guest review scores (8.0+ or so, ideally, is a good number to start with here). Notable recent reviews and, better yet, reviews that go into detail help us gauge whether quality remains the same.
• Examples (For Reference Only – Research Needed!) Mid-range hotels are well-rated-on-average and often centrally located options typically popular with tourists (check their status & recent reviews before booking):
  • Minh Toan Hotel
  • Song Tien Hotel Annex (Khách sạn Sông Tiền Phụ) (Disclaimer: These names are completely fabricated and totally don’t represent endorsee or an exhaustive list). You MUST research yourself, according to recent reviews on booking platforms of your choice).

You can find great hotel options in My Tho City Vietnam with some careful research using online tools and recent reviews.

Conclusion My Tho A Convenient Gateway To The Delta

In short, My Tho City Vietnam mainly acts as an easily reachable entry point to the Mekong Delta for visitors traveling down from Ho Chi Minh City. As people can access its a few bus rides of 1.5 to 2 hours.

In My Tho, the main cultural sight is the architecturally distinctive Vinh Trang Pagoda. (The city also serves as the bedrock embarkation point or major stop-off of the hugely popular combined 1-day tours running through Tien River islets and related canal networks, often extending into Ben Tre province activities.) There are sufficient hotels in My Tho City Vietnam itself, targeting mainly tours like these and transit.

Overall, My Tho is a simple but easy way to experience the river side of the Mekong Delta, good for travelers who have limited time and would like to experience it by day trip (from HCMC).