MEKONG DELTA - WHAT TO EXPECT FROM THE HIDDEN GEM OF VIETNAM

What is Mekong Delta?

The Mekong Delta is located in southwestern Vietnam. It is named after the Mekong River, which is one of the longest rivers in Asia and flows through multiple countries, starting at Tibet and run 3000 miles through China, Myanmar (Burma), Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, before entering Vietnam’s delta.

The Mekong Delta is known for its fertile lands and complex network of distributaries and canals. In Vietnamese, it is called “Song Cuu Long” meaning “9 dragons” symbolizing the nine branches that created a vast Mekong delta region of 12 provinces and one city of the South. It is a major agricultural region and often referred to as the "Rice Bowl" of Vietnam because of its significant rice production. The region is also involved in the cultivation of various other crops, such as fruits, vegetables, and fish farming.

The Mekong Delta is characterized by its lush green rice paddies, riverside villages, and floating markets. It is a popular tourist destination, attracting visitors who want to experience the unique culture, scenic landscapes, and traditional way of life in the delta. The area is also known for its diverse wildlife and is home to several national parks and nature reserves.

What to do and see while in Mekong Delta?

1. Visiting the floating markets  

The most unique and iconic feature of the Mekong Delta is no other than floating markets where you can see all the way of life, daily activities and culture of the people here. Visitors can witness the bustling trade as vendors sell fruits, vegetables, and other goods from their boats. These markets have been existing just simply for local farmers to sell fruits and vegetables to the folks on the land.

On arriving in the delta, you can start the motorized boat to visit the local floating market and experience how people exchange goods on the water. As early as 3.00 in the early morning, markets are filled with sounds of boats and people trading. All goods are transported to the market by boat and exchanged by being moved from one to another. Selling and buying are done right on the river. For everyone to know what is sold, sellers will suspend their products on the top of a long stick.

Some of the markets include:

• Cai Rang floating market (Can Tho)
• Cai Be floating market (Tien Giang)
• Nga Nam floating market (Soc Trang)
• Nga Bay/ Phung Hiep floating market (Hau Giang)

Some things you have to take note of when traveling to floating markets are:

• Frequent weather checking
• Bargaining plus talking clear about the time and destinations when hiring a boat
• Combining the market with other destinations in your itinerary
• Ask for the price before eating anything as rip-off can still exist
• For fresh fruits, getting to know about price or joining the following activity for a better experience.

2. Take a boat trip through the canals:

The best way to explore the beauty and uniqueness of Mekong Delta is through the canals with a boat trip. Sitting on the boat, you will have a beautiful view of lush orchards, rice fields, lines of coconut trees and local houses. While immersing in a scenic boat trip through this immense delta, you will not only discover the bustling colors of floating markets, but also experience the traditional lifestyle around the Mekong River as well as take a close glimpse at rural Vietnam. On the larger rivers, motorized sloops are used to cover greater distances. In the smaller side canals, you can enjoy a traditional sampan rowing boat that is propelled by the locals while paddling.

Going on a river cruise can be a wonderful way to see the Mekong Delta. Imagine days and nights drifting wide, tropical waterways, with mangroves and palm trees lining the riverbanks, plus a constant stream of passing villages and colorful boats to catch your eye.

3. Use a bicycle to explore the surrounding area:

Exploring the Mekong Delta by bicycle offers a wonderful opportunity to fully immerse yourself in the local culture. During your stay at a homestay, you will stand a great chance to cycle through the local villages, especially in the early morning when the air is fresh and cool. Riding alongside the local children, you'll pedal through the serene countryside on well-maintained rural roads, passing by endless rice fields and vegetable farms. You'll have the chance to navigate through narrow pathways, visit traditional villages, observe agricultural practices, and interact with the friendly locals.

Cycling in the Mekong Delta allows you to savor the experience without any time constraints. You can stop wherever you desire and buy yourself some food, tea, or coffee to fill your empty stomach in the morning before embarking on another day of exploration. Take your time as you traverse the countryside, weaving through miniature walkways, crossing over bridges just wide enough for one person to cross, and through green fields and coconut groves.

4. Go bird watching at Tram Chim National Park:

Tram Chim National Park is a significant nature reserve located in Tam Nong District, Dong Thap Province, in the southern part of Vietnam's Mekong Delta region and covers an area of approximately 7,588 hectares. It is well-known for its diverse wetland ecosystem and serves as a vital sanctuary for various bird species (no less than a quarter of the bird population in Vietnam), including several rare and endangered ones. It is home to over 230 bird species, including the Sarus Crane, which is the park's most iconic and endangered species.

Tram Chim National Park offers several activities for visitors to engage with its natural beauty. Guided boat tours and walking trails allow visitors to explore the park while observing the diverse birdlife and experiencing its tranquil environment. Bird spotting in general is already one of the best things to do in the Mekong Delta, because you find a lot of rare birds here and there are huge areas of reserves for them to live.

Tram Chim National Park stands as a valuable natural treasure within the Mekong Delta, providing a sanctuary for birds and showcasing the region's remarkable wetland ecosystem.

5. Explore Vinh Trang Pagoda:

Vinh Trang Pagoda is a renowned Buddhist temple located in the city of My Tho in the Mekong Delta region of Vietnam. It is one of the most popular and historically significant pagodas in the country. It was built in 1849 and help brings together Chinese, Vietnamese, Khmer and European architecture and features various Buddha statues. The temple is located in Tien Giang province, only 5 km from My Tho. The pagoda has a rich history dating back to the 19th century and has undergone several renovations and expansions over the years.

The pagoda makes the first impression on visitors near and far by its superficial scale and sophisticated architecture and decoration. The pagoda has an area of ​​​​about 2 hectares, including many areas such as Amitabha Buddha station, main hall, Quan Am station, tower garden, book publishing room, …

Vinh Trang Pagoda was built in a general architectural style that is the interference between Asian – European architecture such as French, Roman, Thai and Cham architecture. All these architectural patterns come together in harmony, creating a beautiful work. Due to the features of the West mixed with the East, up to now, the temple is many years old but still has modern and ancient features.

However, the core type of sculptural architecture is still boldly traditional for the Vietnamese people. Built in the shape of the letter Quoc, including 4 consecutive compartments: front hall, main hall, ancestral house and back house.