Mekong Delta
The Mekong Delta covers an area of 67,000 square km in the Southernmost region of Vietnam and often referred to as Vietnam’s rice basket, is the biggest rice – growing region in the country, the rich alluvial soils producing 3 harvests a year and delta products include coconut, sugar cane, fruit and fish.
General information:
Area: 67,000 sq. km
Vietnamese name: Đồng bằng sông Cửu Long (The Nine Dragons river delta)
Provinces: Can Tho, An Giang, Bac Lieu, Ben Tre, Ca Mau, Dong Thap, Hau Giang, Kien Giang, Long An, Soc Trang, Tien Giang, Vinh Long and Tra Vinh.
Location:
The Mekong Delta region situates in the southernmost region of Vietnam. The locals also call it Southern Delta (Dong bang Nam Bo) or Western Region (Mien Tay). This name often referred to as Vietnam’s rice basket, is the biggest rice – growing region in the country, the rich alluvial soils producing 3 harvests a year and delta products include coconut, sugar cane, fruit and fish. It borders with the Southeast Region of Vietnam, Cambodia on the north, Thai gulf on the southwest and East Sea on the southeast.
Weather and climate:
Visitor can visit Mekong Delta all year-round as the rain normally lasts for one or tow hours. But the best time to visit is from December to May. Mekong Delta is periodically flood so the traditional transport station is by boat, along a vast network of canals. A cruise along these canals with their floating market always proves to be a fascinating and rewarding experience for travelers.
Tourism:
Tourism in Mekong delta region focuses on waterway travel. One of the most attractive activities is visiting floating markets by boat. Floating markets are held every morning from 5:00 to about 11:00. Phung Hiep market is the biggest since it is located at the intersection of 7 major canals. It is also a photographers’ delight because it can be seen above from a bridge. Cai Rang and Phong Dien are two other notable floating markets in the delta.
Boats loaded with produce from nearby orchards of the Mekong Delta converge to the floating market. They carry mostly fruits but also coconuts, vegetables and fishes. Buyers are local traders with bigger boats snapping everything by the bushels and resell at local markets or to wholesale dealers from big cities, often for a handsome profit.
Large floating markets are not complete without its floating restaurants, floating gas stations and an occasional tour boat filled with tourists.
Other thing to do in Mekong is a trip to visit fruit gardens, garden house and enjoy home-stay in the cottages by the river bank, especially in Can Tho. A biking trip or walking trip to the villages will help you gain insight a lot of experience about local life.
Off the eastern coast of the delta in the Gulf of Thailand, nearer Cambodia than Vietnam, is the island of Phu Quoc, the largest island in Vietnam and is also called the Emerald Island because of its natural treasures and infinite tourism potential. The island is well known throughout Vietnam for the production of black pepper and its fish sauce.
Related posts
- Trinh Nu Waterfall – the fall blends spring water and rocks
- Monuments of the Cham culture still stand
- Peaceful beauty of Phan Thiet
- Ha Giang – mountain and clouds
- Reunification Palace - Ho Chi Minh City
- Laughter with family in Hoi An
- Vam Sat Tourist Site
- Loc Yen Ancient Village
- Tay Ninh and cao Dai Temple
- Hiding from Hanoi
