My Tho – formerly a riverside city of Tien Giang Province and, from July 2025, the provincial capital ward of Dong Thap – has long been a top choice for day trips from Ho Chi Minh City. With its poetic waterways and the distinctive riverine culture of the Mekong Delta, it is also an ideal destination to integrate outdoor team building activities.
With Exotic Vietnam by your side – an experienced organizer of team building programs rooted in riverine nature and local culture – events in My Tho go beyond simple recreation. They not only strengthen team spirit but also deliver memorable experiences and profound values for every participant.
The Distinct Advantages of My Tho
Prime Location Near Ho Chi Minh City – Saving Time and Optimizing Budget
Located along the CT01 Expressway, My Tho is just a 2 hour drive from Ho Chi Minh City, making it an ideal choice for day trips or short getaway programs. This proximity significantly reduces transportation costs, logistics expenses, and travel time, offering maximum convenience for both businesses and participants.
Riverine Nature Offering Open-Air Spaces
The Tien River flowing through My Tho – one of the Mekong’s main branches – creates a vast and fertile waterway. From its main channel, the river branches into multiple streams embracing lush islets, among which the “Four Sacred Animals” islets – Long (Dragon), Lan (Unicorn), Quy (Tortoise), and Phung (Phoenix) – are most renowned. With its emerald-green orchards laden with fruits and a refreshing atmosphere, this landscape provides the perfect setting for outdoor activities such as sampan paddling under nipa palms, fruit orchard exploration, or team challenges on the river. These activities not only entertain but also spark teamwork and creativity in problem-solving.
With extensive experience, Exotic Vietnam has developed diverse team building formats that maximize the “experiential nature” factor, allowing participants to step away from office walls and immerse themselves in a vibrant, relaxing environment.
Rich Local Culture and a Simple Way of Life
Beyond its natural beauty, My Tho also embodies the distinctive culture of the Mekong Delta – from don ca tai tu folk music and traditional handicrafts such as coconut candy-making and rice wine distillation, to signature Mekong Delta dishes like grilled freshwater prawns or crispy fried giant gourami. Visitors will also be delighted by My Tho’s famed fruits: Ngu Hiep durians, Trung Luong plums, Nhi Quy longans, and Lo Ren star apples.
Adding to the charm is the simplicity of life, the warm hospitality, and the gentle voices of local garden girls, all leaving lasting impressions on visitors. When skillfully incorporated, these cultural elements not only enrich team building programs but also create meaningful memories for participants.
Creative experiences such as “A Day on the Islet” or “Delta Treasure Hunt” – successfully organized by Exotic Vietnam – are prime examples of this innovative and distinctive approach.
Some Limitations to Note in My Tho
Weather with a 5-Month Rainy Season
My Tho is located in a tropical monsoon climate zone, with a rainy season lasting about five months, typically from June to October. This period may affect outdoor activities. However, the southern climate is generally “rain in harmony with the wind”, with few extreme weather events. Short afternoon showers that clear quickly often still allow events and team building programs to take place smoothly, even during the rainy season.
Infrastructure Not Yet Fully Developed
Currently, My Tho lacks high-end 5-star hotels, which makes day-trip programs from Ho Chi Minh City the most practical option for MICE groups. Most orchard areas are used by locals for cultivation, ponds, and canals, leaving limited open space for large-scale team building, especially for groups exceeding 100 participants. Without careful site inspection, companies may face challenges in selecting and arranging suitable venues
This requires organizers to have strong local knowledge, flexible adaptability, and scenarios tailored to actual conditions. With hands-on experience, Exotic Vietnam supports site surveys, consultation, and solutions to help businesses overcome these limitations.
Challenges in Ensuring Privacy
As a popular tourist destination, My Tho attracts large numbers of visitors, particularly during the summer months from May to September. Tourist hotspots such as Thoi Son (Unicorn Islet) and Con Phung (Phoenix Islet) are often crowded with group tours, which can diminish the impact of team building activities if private space is not secured. Therefore, identifying truly rustic venues or arranging exclusive areas dedicated to activities is essential to delivering an authentic orchard experience and ensuring program effectiveness.
With in-depth local expertise and close partnerships, Exotic Vietnam is ready to accompany businesses, offering consultation and recommending suitable venues tailored to the group size and program design.
Suggested Scenario: The Amazing Race in My Tho
Theme: The Amazing Race of the Four Sacred Animals – Strength in Unity
Description: An exhilarating race across the waterways of My Tho, taking teams to the four islets symbolizing the Four Sacred Animals: Long (Dragon), Lan (Unicorn), Quy (Tortoise), and Phung (Phoenix). Along the journey, participants not only immerse themselves in the rustic lifestyle of the Mekong Delta but also challenge themselves through culturally inspired and nature-based activities that spark creativity and foster teamwork.
Challenges:
- Team Division & Kick-off
Activity: From downtown My Tho, participants are divided into teams, board boats, and set off on their adventure.
Meaning: Reinforces role allocation and seamless coordination right from the starting line.
- Exploring Long Islet – The Shark Jaw Quest
Activity: Search for the symbolic shark jaw while learning about the old seafaring and shark-fishing traditions of local fishermen.
Meaning: Encourages exploration, observation, and problem-solving under time pressure.
- Exploring Quy Islet – Orchard Cultivation
Activity: Experience longan planting techniques on fertile alluvial soil and learn how to tend fruit trees.
Meaning: Fosters cooperation, patience, and the value of nurturing sustainable growth together.
- Exploring Phung Islet – The Coconut Monk’s Philosophy
Activity: Discover the spiritual beliefs and peaceful philosophy of the Coconut Monk, centered on harmony and human virtues.
Meaning: Inspires reflection on harmony, shared vision, and the cultivation of a compassionate corporate culture.
- Exploring Lan Islet – Rustic Riverside Life
Activity: Visit traditional wooden houses and try local crafts such as rice wine distilling and coconut candy making.
Meaning: Nurtures creativity, appreciation of local heritage, and hands-on learning of new skills.
- Final Challenge – The Unity Mural
Activity: Teams collaborate to create a collective artwork, using finger painting to depict the company’s bond with nature and local culture.
Meaning: Celebrates solidarity, imprints team spirit, and strengthens corporate pride.
Conclusion:
The journey “The Amazing Race of the Four Sacred Animals in My Tho” is more than an adventure of discovery and cultural immersion in the Mekong Delta. It leaves participants with invaluable lessons: effective communication, team spirit, adaptability, and the ability to harmonize individual strengths to achieve collective success.
Exotic Vietnam – A Trusted Partner for Team Building in My Tho
My Tho, the gateway to the Mekong Delta, captivates visitors with its riverine charm and four lush islets, making it an ideal destination for team building. To fully unlock this potential, companies need a professional organizer – and Exotic Vietnam is the partner you can trust.
We bring creative concepts that blend team challenges with authentic local culture. Programs such as The Amazing Race of the Four Sacred Animals allow teams to both play and learn, breaking free from repetitive activities. Every program is tailor-made to fit each company’s goals, group size, and budget, ensuring relevance and a distinctive experience. Exotic Vietnam also prioritizes sustainability: respecting the environment, preserving the beauty of orchard life, and generating positive impacts for local communities. Above all, we provide transparent, optimized, and reasonable costs so businesses gain both a high-quality experience and long-lasting team cohesion.
With Exotic Vietnam, team building in My Tho is more than just a trip – it is a sustainable journey that nurtures team spirit and amplifies corporate values.
