We had the time and the $10 each. So we figured this brochure quote was the best use for our day:
ONE DAY ME KONG TOUR
Overview: Mekong delta, the place is well- known for Vietnam’s rice basket, will attract tourists by its unique beauty. Thinking of this area, people will think of many rivers, floating market on the rivers and fruitful garden on two river banks. Furthermore, the local people with very warm hospitality will make tourists unforgettable. Please com there for an interesting experience in life time.
Itinerary: A smooth one-and-half-hour bus ride through rice field scenery along National Highway 1 brings you to the beautiful rural district of Trung Luong.
Take a motor boat to enter My Tho city through Bao Dinh natural canal. Then pay a visit to My Tho's colorful street fruit market alongside the canal to soak up the lively atmosphere and watch the locals trade their produce. Take a leisurely cruise on the Tien River to Tortoise island. En route, view the fishing port, the traditional stilt houses and boat building workshops, and the other three evocatively-named islands - Dragon, Phoenix and Unicorn islands.
Enjoy a sumptuous lunch served right in the heart of the orchard to the accompaniment of Southern Vietnamese folk music performed by the islanders. After visiting the coconut candy mill, take an amazing rowing boat trip along the small canal.
Then continue to Ben Tre province, "the country of coconuts", to see a typical agricultural model known as "Garden - Pond - Cage". Enjoy a relaxing cup of honey tea before returning to My Tho via Tan Thach natural canal, cruising under the shadows of water coconut palms. Return to Ho Chi Minh City by bus.
There was sufficient downtime but it was a good way to spend the day. For example, after lunch we had an hour to walk or bike around the real villages and see the life of the residents. Going by a school was interesting. Most importantly, gliding through tropical canals was the closest I will probably ever get to the iconic movie experience. The day was long too. We didn't get back into Saigon until 6:30 pm. So, I think it was day well spent.