Tien Giang province
Tien Giang province is the closest Mekong Delta province to Saigon and is a very popular destination for organised tours out of Saigon. The provincial capital sits on the northern bank of the Mekong (Tien Giang) River and has a number of offshore islands that can be visited. Unfortunately the local authorities have taken an uninspired view of tourism development here, meaning that unless you are willing to joing a larger tour, travelling around this part of the river independently is prohibitively expensive.
Most tours throughout Tien Giang province run in boats that seat 20-plus people and while such numbers bring costs down to a more reasonable level, the downside is you'll visit attractions en masse and be herded around. If you're interested in exploring riverine life, we'd suggest heading further south to Can Tho or west to Chau Doc, where prices far more reasonable and well-tailored to independent travellers.
