Is the Mekong Delta better as a day trip or overnight stay?
A day trip gives a taste; an overnight gives the Delta a better chance. If the Mekong matters to you, do not make it a token add-on after too many city and transfer days.
Answer
The Mekong Delta suffers when it is treated as a compulsory final excursion from Ho Chi Minh City. A day trip can be useful if time is tight, especially for travellers who only want a change of scene. But the more satisfying version usually needs an overnight: early movement, river routines, markets and a sense of place beyond the tour script. Can Tho and nearby routes can work well when planned deliberately. The trade-off is time. If your itinerary is already thin, a rushed Mekong visit may feel like logistics with a boat attached. If southern Vietnam is a real focus, give the Delta room.