This area is not too splendid and luxurious but has a peaceful, simple and quiet beauty. When traveling to the Mekong River Delta, you will experience a completely different travel journey compared to other destinations in Vietnam. Such as: sitting on a boat on the river, visiting floating markets, fruit gardens full of fruit, traditional craft villages or stork gardens, bird gardens, … Let’s explore this special place with Origin Vietnam.
1. Where is the Mekong River Delta?
The Mekong River Delta is located in the southwestern region of Vietnam and is also known as the Western Region. It is located about 160 km southwest of Ho Chi Minh City, geographically adjacent to the following areas:
- The Southeast borders the East Sea.
- The Southwest is the Gulf of Thailand.
- The North borders Cambodia.
2. How is the Mekong River Delta unique?
The Mekong River Delta has a typical ecological landscape with terrain mainly consisting of plains and islands. This is a charming and charming river region, with fruit trees all year round, a fresh environment and many traditional folk festivals with unique cultural identities. In particular, the Southern people are gentle, hospitable, generous and harmonious. It has created truly unique and interesting tourism products, attracting a large number of tourists to visit and relax.
With a total natural land area of 40,577.6 km², accounting for about 12.8% of the total area of Vietnam. As of 2022, the total population of the provinces of the Southwest is 17,744,947 people, accounting for about 17.9% of the country’s population. This is known as a fertile land, nourished by many rivers and has the largest population in Vietnam.
In addition, the Mekong River Delta is a large area covering all 13 provinces and countless small islands in the sea. Its administrative structure includes provinces such as: Bac Lieu, Hau Giang, Kien Giang, Tra Vinh, Vinh Long, Ben Tre, Ca Mau, Dong Thap, An Giang, Tien Giang, Soc Trang, Long An. In which, there is 1 city directly under the Central Government, Can Tho.
It’s even more special
In addition, because they all originate from the Mekong River, the provinces of the Mekong Delta all have beautiful natural landscapes and create a strong river civilization identity. Tourist destinations in the Southwest are often associated with nature, gardens, canals and rice fields, etc., and especially you can explore the West region by traveling by boat or raft, which is extremely unique.
The routes leading to the provinces of the Mekong River Delta will take you through fruit-laden orchards, crisscrossing canals, vast rice fields, cool green cajuput forests, bird gardens, national mangrove forests and beautiful beaches that are not inferior to the beaches in Central or Northern Vietnam.
3. When is the best time to visit the Mekong River Delta?
The Mekong River Delta is located in a tropical monsoon climate zone with an average annual temperature of about 28 degrees Celsius. When traveling here, you will feel that there are two distinct seasons: the dry season and the rainy season.
Moreover, nature has favored a mild, pleasant climate all year round. Therefore, you can come here at any time. Each season, the tourist destinations here have their own unique activities. And it promises to bring you the most interesting experiences.
- Ripe fruit season: From June to August every year. This is the time when the West begins to enter summer, and it is also the time when the fruit gardens begin to be heavy with fruit. Therefore, if you like to enjoy delicious fresh fruits and check-in with ripe orchards, then travel here at this time.
- Flood season: From September to November every year. At this time, the Mekong River Delta begins to enter the flood season. You will have the opportunity to sit on a boat, ferry, and weave through the intricate canals, visiting the floating market. Traveling during the floating season will definitely bring many memorable memories.
- Holidays, Tet: From December to February every year. At this time, Spring is coming, the Tet atmosphere is bustling everywhere and this place is equally bustling. On this occasion, you can visit famous flower villages such as: Sa Dec, Tan Dong Quy, Vi Thanh, … to admire the beautiful natural scenery between the land and sky.
4. How to get to the Mekong River Delta?
4.1 From Hanoi or the Northern and Central provinces of Vietnam
The distance from the Northern and Central provinces of Vietnam to the Mekong River Delta is about 1,000km to 2,000km. Therefore, the fastest and most effective means of transportation that you should use to travel is by plane. Currently, the Western region only has 2 airports in Can Tho and Ca Mau. So you can choose to land at 1 of these 2 airports and continue your journey to explore the West.
In addition, you can also choose to stop at Tan Son Nhat airport in Saigon and Phu Quoc. After arriving at these places, you can take a bus or motorbike to the province or city in the Mekong Delta that you want to visit.
4.2 From Ho Chi Minh City or Southern provinces of Vietnam
If departing from Ho Chi Minh City and neighboring provinces such as Dong Nai, Binh Duong, Binh Phuoc, etc., you can easily reach the Mekong River Delta by means of transport such as: passenger vans, motorbikes. Every day, there are hundreds of passenger vans from Ho Chi Minh City and neighboring provinces’ bus stations to the Western provinces. The operating hours of the bus companies last from 3am to 12am.
You can buy bus tickets by contacting the bus company directly or contacting Origin Vietnam. Note that you should also book your bus tickets about 5-7 days in advance to choose a suitable seat. Especially during holidays, the high demand for travel can lead to the situation of tickets running out early.
4.3 Means of transport when traveling within Mekong River Delta
If you travel to the Mekong River Delta on a tour, you will not need to worry about transportation because there are travel companies and tour guides to support you. You can refer to some of the following means of transport to easily make a choice.
4.3.1 By taxi
A fairly popular form of transport that you can use when coming to the provinces in the Mekong River Delta is taxi. Taxis will be suitable if you travel in groups and families, especially in groups with adults and children. With this type of vehicle, you just pick up the phone to call the switchboard of the taxi company you want and wait for the driver to pick you up.
You will not have to worry about the sun, rain or dust. You just sit in the car and enjoy the cool air. The driver will take you to the exact location you want.
4.3.2 By renting a tourist car
If you do not know the way, you can choose to rent a tourist car for convenience. This form of transport is similar to a taxi but has some outstanding points. First, when renting a car with a driver through a travel agency, they will help you set up a suitable travel schedule.
At the same time, you will also know in advance the total cost for the entire travel schedule. From there, you can make some adjustments to suit your budget. Finally, the drivers are mostly locals and they are very enthusiastic about introducing you to attractive tourist destinations and specialties here.
4.3.3 By motorbike
According to experience traveling to the Mekong River Delta, traveling by motorbike is very suitable for tourists who love to explore. You can easily rent a motorbike at the hotel where you stay or at motorbike rental businesses.
With motorbike rental prices ranging from about 100,000 – 150,000 VND/day. When renting a motorbike, you should bring your ID card/CCCD as well as your driver’s license if the renter requires it. With a motorbike, you can be proactive in terms of time and travel schedule.
5. Outstanding tourist destinations in the Mekong River Delta
The Mekong River Delta attracts and retains tourists not only by its sweet, poetic scenery but also by the honest, kind-hearted people. When you come to any place here, you can clearly feel the affection of the locals for tourists.
5.1 Can Tho
Can Tho is an ideal stopover for your first trip to the Mekong River Delta. This is the most developed city in the Mekong Delta, with many beautiful tourist attractions.
Moreover, it is known for its beautiful natural scenery, many interesting tourist destinations. Along with that is the rusticity and generosity of the local people. Can Tho is surrounded by a system of intricate and peaceful canals. You can rent a rowing boat for a few hours to visit the canals. Or stop at small workshops to see how rice paper and handmade noodles are made.
5.1.1 Cai Rang Floating Market:
This is an extremely bustling and crowded floating market, where activities of exchanging, buying and selling agricultural products, fruits, food and drinks, and vegetables take place. Instead of being sold on land, goods are arranged on boats, which look very beautiful. Each boat has a pole, on which hangs typical items that the owner sells so that people from afar can easily recognize and come to buy. The market opens from 4am to 8am.
5.1.2 Ninh Kieu Wharf:
Located on the dreamy Can Tho River, when you come to Ninh Kieu Wharf, you also have the opportunity to sit on luxury yachts, watch the city at night. And listen to familiar folk songs. The beauty of Ninh Kieu Wharf is likened to the beauty of a beautiful woman, the more you visit, the more you love, admire and discover many new things. Today, this place has become the most modern tourist park in the Mekong Delta with many luxury yachts and valuable photo angles.
5.1.3 Garden tourism:
Traveling to the Mekong River Delta without visiting the fruit gardens is a pity. You can refer to the gardens such as: My Khanh, Phung Hiep, Binh Thuy,… Each season has its own fruit, you will be taken around the garden by sampan, pick rambutan, longan, mangosteen and enjoy them right there.
5.1.4 Binh Thuy Ancient House:
Built in 1870, Binh Thuy Ancient House is owned by the Duong family and has appeared in many famous Vietnamese films. This is one of the few ancient houses with a combination of East-West architecture. The living room is decorated in European style but in harmony with the altar with a purely Vietnamese design. It shows the homeowner’s sophisticated aesthetic taste.
In addition to the above locations, you can refer to some famous tourist attractions in Can Tho such as: Ong Pagoda, Bang Lang Stork Garden, My Khanh Tourist Village, Tay Do Night Market, Truc Lam Southern Zen Monastery,…
5.2 An Giang
An Giang is famous for its rustic natural scenery, along with historical sites associated with this “sacred land of talented people”. When exploring An Giang, you can see the whole view of Tra Su Melaleuca forest from the observation deck, check in at Cam Mountain or save beautiful pictures at Ta Pa Pagoda.
Moreover, An Giang is worthy of being a tourist destination with many beautiful landscapes. The palm fields lying on the vast rice fields are enough to make visitors fascinated and not want to return.
5.2.1 Tra Su Melaleuca Forest:
The best time to visit here is during the flood season. After buying tickets, small boats will be waiting at the wharf and take you to visit the small canals around the forest. When the water rises, green duckweed covers the lake, fish and shrimp breed and breed. Occasionally, you will see flocks of storks flying in large flocks, calling loudly throughout a corner of the forest.
5.2.2 Chau Doc Market:
This is a famous food market that sells many delicious An Giang dishes. In addition, fish sauce and tamarind are also specialties worth noting when coming here. Entering the Chau Doc market food court, you will be attracted by the aroma of delicious dishes wafting in the air. For example: fish sauce hotpot, fish noodles, rice noodles, rice noodles,… After enjoying it, don’t forget to order a glass of cool palm sugar to enjoy the sweet taste of this special fruit.
5.2.3 Ta Pa Pagoda:
This pagoda is located in Tri Ton district, on a high mountain top, this is one of the most beautiful pagodas in An Giang province. What surprises and impresses people the most here is that the entire pagoda was built by monks and local people, with many extremely solid structures. The main hall of the pagoda is built on extremely high stone pillars. When standing here, you can observe the entire scene of the peaceful Tri Ton district
5.2.4 Ta Pa Lake:
This is a newly emerged check-in spot, the lake water is clear emerald green. Previously, the lake was a place for stone mining, so there are still a few remaining rocks. This is also a great place to take pictures for those who love photography or wedding photography.
5.2.5 Tinh Bien Market:
This market is adjacent to the Cambodian border. According to the experience of traveling to the Mekong River Delta, if you want to buy a variety of items at affordable prices, you must definitely visit this market. Tinh Bien Market sells a lot of fish sauce, tamarind and clothing items, household items, it seems like there is no shortage of anything.
5.2.6 Nui Cam Tourist Area:
Nui Cam Tourist Area, also known as Thien Cam Son, is 710m above sea level. When coming to Nui Cam Tourist Area, you will definitely be conquered by the wild and majestic natural beauty. Along with that, the airy and cool atmosphere in Nui Cam Tourist Area will also help your soul to be more relaxed.
Moreover, you will admire the unique religious architecture in the Nui Cam Tourist Area. Typical examples include: Van Linh Pagoda, Big Buddha Zen Monastery, Gia Long King relic, 13-storey palace, etc. In addition, the attractive tourist experience waiting for you is to explore Thuy Liem Cave, Bo Hong Cliff, Thanh Long Stream, etc.
5.3 Dong Thap
When mentioning Dong Thap, visitors immediately think of the fields of storks flying straight or the fragrant lotus gardens. However, Dong Thap is not only about pink lotus. This place also has a vast cajuput forest, the brilliant Sa Dec flower garden, Tram Chim National Park – a shelter for hundreds of species of birds, storks, etc.
In particular, if you travel to Dong Thap during the flood season, you will admire the most vivid and beautiful natural picture. The feeling of sitting on a boat along the river, weaving through the flower beds blooming in the early morning sun. It will make you temporarily forget the daily fatigue and immerse yourself in the wild nature.
5.3.1 Tram Chim National Park:
Tram Chim National Park has a total area of over 7,500 hectares with a rich ecosystem. According to statistics, the waterfowl fauna in Tram Chim National Park has up to 233 species, belonging to 25 genera and 49 families. Among them is the largest species of red-headed crane belonging to the family of Cranes and is a priceless natural asset. In addition, there is a rich fish system that plays a role in ecological balance and is a source of food for birds. Some rare species listed in the Vietnam Red Book are: eel fish, tiger fish, southern seahorse, flying fish, eel fish, giant catfish, etc.
5.3.2 Sa Dec flower village:
During Tet holidays, tourists from all over gather here to admire the vast, colorful flower fields. In addition, with reasonable prices, this is an ideal place for many people to visit and shop for flowers for Tet.
5.3.3 Garden Tourism:
In Dong Thap, there are many garden houses for you to visit, experience the feeling of caring for and picking fruits to enjoy right on the spot.
5.3.4 Xeo Quyt Ecological Area:
Although not located in the center of Cao Lanh city, Xeo Quyt is a quite famous tourist destination in Dong Thap. When you come here, you feel like you are lost in a primeval forest with a lush mangrove forest system. In particular, there are also sampans so you can row around the garden and admire the richness of the forest.
5.4 Kien Giang
Kien Giang is the second largest province in the Southwest region. This place is considered a miniature Vietnam because it has all the elements of terrain and geomorphology. From plains, primeval forests, mountains and hills to rivers and islands. When you come here, you can visit famous scenic spots such as: Tranh stream, Dinh Cau, Bai Sao, …
In particular, when mentioning Kien Giang, it is impossible not to mention Phu Quoc tourism. This island is famous for its pleasant climate all year round with beautiful beaches with long stretches of white sand, clear blue water, … Therefore, Phu Quoc island is an ideal destination that attracts many tourists to visit and relax.
5.5 Long An
Long An is the only province in the Mekong River Delta that connects the gateway to Ho Chi Minh City. Therefore, this place attracts a lot of tourists to visit every year. When traveling to Long An, you will be able to admire the charming and poetic river scenery and participate in many interesting tourism activities in the Southwest region. Such as: Tan Lap floating village, Dong Thap Muoi, and endless fields, …
In addition, Long An is also one of the provinces with the most historical relics with 16 national historical relics and 63 provincial historical relics. Therefore, if you like to explore cultural and historical sites, this will be the ideal destination for you. With landmarks such as: Ton Thanh pagoda, Tram Cot house, Nguyen Huynh Duc temple and most notably, nearly 100 Oc Eo cultural relics in Duc Hoa.
5.6 Soc Trang
If you skip the destinations in Soc Trang, your tour will definitely not be complete. This land is the harmony and connection of 3 ethnic groups: Kinh, Khmer and Hoa. Therefore, this place is famous for its ancient temples with unique architecture, rich cuisine and gentle, friendly people.
If you plan to visit Soc Trang, don’t forget to check out the tourist attractions in the West here. Such as: Khmer museum, Bat pagoda, Som Rong pagoda, Chen Kieu pagoda, Kh’leang pagoda, Tan Long stork garden, Ho Be eco-tourism area, etc.
5.7 Tien Giang
Located along the poetic Tien River, Tien Giang is a land with the most distinct characteristics of river culture. Although the area is not too large, this place is still considered a miniature West with charming scenery, fertile land.
When coming to Tien Giang, you will experience many interesting activities. Such as: going to Cai Be floating market, exploring Cai Be orchards, visiting Thoi Son islet, walking around Go Cong beach, etc. And most of all, feeling the warm humanity of the local people.
5.8 Ca Mau
Ca Mau is the land at the end of Vietnam and is considered one of the must-visit places in the life of every Vietnamese person. This place is surrounded by the sea on three sides, famous for its wild natural landscape and ancient culture.
When traveling to Ca Mau, you will have the opportunity to visit milestone 001, the sacred Ca Mau ship of the Fatherland and admire the sunset on the vast sea. In addition, this land is also known for a number of other famous tourist destinations. Such as: U Minh Ha forest, Ca Mau bird sanctuary, Hon Khoai island, …
5.9 Bac Lieu
Bac Lieu is famous for the legend of the son of Bac Lieu who burned money like paper, spent lavishly for a time. People often mistakenly think that this place is bustling, prosperous and luxurious. However, few people know that this land has experienced many ups and downs. And only when you set foot here will you feel and understand the rhythm of life here.
When traveling to this land, you will have the opportunity to visit the house of the young master of Bac Lieu, listen to the folk music performed by the garden singers. Or explore the famous wind power field, visit the hundred-year-old longan garden or Bac Lieu bird garden, … In addition, Bac Lieu also has Cu Lao pagoda, one of the most beautiful Khmer pagodas in the Mekong River Delta, with unique architecture and sophisticated carvings.
5.10 Hau Giang
Hau Giang is a province in the Southwest, about 230km southwest of Ho Chi Minh City. This place is famous for its cool, mild climate; fertile land. With immense rice fields, crisscrossing canals and the hospitality of the local people.
When coming to Hau Giang, you can freely enjoy the pleasures of the river region and explore the beauty that nature has bestowed upon this place. Not only that, Hau Giang is also famous for its many fruit gardens, primeval forests, and long-standing historical relics. In particular, if you come here, you should definitely not miss the Kittyd & Minnied amusement park, which is considered a miniature Disneyland with many vibrant festivals.
5.11 Ben Tre
If you want to find an ideal place to temporarily leave the hustle and bustle of the city, Ben Tre will definitely be the ideal destination. When you come here, you will be immersed in the simple life of the people, and enjoy the specialties of the garden. And enjoy the countryside scenery covered with cool green coconut trees.
Ben Tre tourism is not beach tourism, nor mountain tourism, but this place is famous for its eco-tourism areas, garden tourism and experiential tourism. Some famous tourist destinations here are: Quy Islet, Phung Islet, Dao Dua relic site, Con Bung beach, Cai Mon fruit garden, …
5.12 Vinh Long
Vinh Long is located in the center of the Mekong River Delta, about 130km from Ho Chi Minh City. Not as noisy as Saigon, not as ancient as An Giang, Vinh Long has a very unique color, attracting many tourists to visit.
This tourist destination is famous for its lush fruit gardens, diverse fruit trees. When you come here, you will have the opportunity to enjoy delicious fruits. Such as: rambutan, durian, longan, … at very reasonable prices. In addition, you can refer to some other attractions in Vinh Long such as: Vinh Sang tourist area, Phat Xa Loi pagoda, Mang Thit brick village, …
5.13 Tra Vinh
Tra Vinh is a coastal province surrounded by the Tien and Hau rivers. Therefore, the tourist destinations here have diverse landscapes with canals, rivers, ponds, lakes and long beaches. It forms a unique landscape of the Mekong River Delta.
This land is the place where the Kinh, Khmer and Chinese people have long lived and formed a multi-ethnic culture. When visiting Tra Vinh, you will be impressed by many unique religious architectural works. With 140 Khmer pagodas, 50 Kinh pagodas and 5 pagodas of the Chinese community.
6. Activities and experiences when traveling to the Mekong River Delta
6.1 Visiting the orchards
In tours to the Mekong River Delta, visiting and picking fruits in the orchards of Cai Be, Cho Lach or Thoi Son islet is a must-do activity. Because for a long time, this land has been known as the “fruit granary” of the whole country of Vietnam with thousands of lush, fruit-laden orchards.
Traveling to Ben Tre, Tien Giang, Long An, Dong Thap, Can Tho or any other Western province. You will also be able to visit the orchards and enjoy delicious, sweet, ripe fruits right on the spot. Fruits such as durian, rambutan, longan, mangosteen, tangerine, grapefruit, plum, guava, … will make your trip much sweeter and more enjoyable.
6.2 Catching fish in ditches
When visiting the river area, you definitely cannot miss the experience of wading in ditches and catching fish. And you can also enjoy the “spoils of war” right on the spot. This is an interesting folk game that almost every tourist wants to participate in when traveling to the West.
6.3 Rowing a three-leaf boat
This is a land of crisscrossing canals intertwined with boats drifting along the water. Therefore, when traveling to the Mekong River Delta, do not forget to register for a trip on a three-leaf boat to drift along the cool green canals. To explore the typical means of transportation of the local people, try participating in this activity once and feel the excitement.
6.4 Going to the floating market in the Mekong River Delta
It is not wrong to say that the floating market is a unique “specialty”, a prominent color of the Mekong River Delta. Anyone who comes here without going to the floating market at least once, the trip is much less interesting.
The largest and most bustling floating markets in the West can be named as follows:
- Cai Rang Floating Market. Address: Cai Rang District, Can Tho City.
- Cai Be Floating Market. Address: Cai Be District, Tien Giang Province.
- Nga Nam Floating Market. Address: Nga Nam Town, Soc Trang Province.
- Nga Bay Floating Market (Phung Hiep Floating Market). Address: Nga Bay, Hau Giang Province.
- Tra On Floating Market. Address: Tra On District, Vinh Long Province.
- Miet Thu Floating Market. Address: Vinh Thuan, Kien Giang Province.
- Ca Mau Floating Market. Address: Ward 8, Ca Mau City, Ca Mau Province.
Note: According to the experience of traveling to the Mekong River Delta, you should wake up very early to visit the floating market. It is best to wake up before 6am to observe, experience and feel all the beauty and unique features of this interesting activity. Because the time when the floating market is most crowded and bustling is around 6 – 7 am, after that the market will gradually disperse.
6.5 Listening to Southern amateur music
Not only is the Mekong River Delta a fertile land, it is also a place with a diverse and unique culture with many religions and unique art forms. One of them is the traditional folk music form of Southern Vietnam, which was formed a long time ago in the South. It can be said that this is an art form associated with memories, deeply rooted in the subconscious of every local person.
If you have the opportunity to travel to this land, do not forget to participate in a performance of Southern amateur music. Take the time to listen to the sweet and captivating vọng cổ to understand more about an indispensable part of the spiritual life of the people of the West. Especially when traveling to Bac Lieu, do not miss the opportunity to listen to the 6-verse vọng cổ in the hometown of the late musician Cao Van Lau.
6.6 Participating in festivals in the Mekong River Delta
When mentioning folk and religious festivals, many people will immediately think of the provinces in the midland plains of Northern Vietnam. However, in the West – the land of red river branches with heavy alluvium and long fields with beaches adjacent to river mouths, … there are also many unique festivals. Most of the festivals here are associated with the history of land reclamation from ancient times.
Therefore, if you are someone who likes to learn about religious culture and loves the bustling, bustling atmosphere. Then you should plan to visit the West at the right time when the big and prominent festivals take place in some provinces of the West.
These are Phu Le communal house festival and Nghinh Ong festival in Ben Tre, Chol Chnam Thmay New Year festival, Nghinh Ong festival. Or Ok Om Bok moon worship festival, Tet Nguyen Tieu festival in Tra Vinh, Cung Dua festival in Soc Trang, bull racing festival. And the Dolta festival, Ba Chua Xu festival in An Giang, Binh Thuy communal house festival in Can Tho, Southern wind-tossing festival, Kathina festival,…
Specific times for the festivals are as follows:
- Chol Chnam Thmay festival: the beginning of the Khmer month of Chet.
- Kathina festival: held after 3 months of summer retreat.
- Ba Chua Xu festival: 23rd – 27th of the 4th lunar month.
- Western fruit festival: Doan Ngo festival.
- Nghinh Ong festival: 16th of the 8th lunar month.
- Bay Nui bull racing festival: 30th of the 8th lunar month.
- Don Ta festival: 29th of the 8th lunar month – 1st of the 9th lunar month.
- Ok Om Bok moon worshiping festival: 14th – 15th of the 10th lunar month.
6.7 Visiting traditional craft villages
The Mekong River Delta is not only the rice granary and fruit granary of the whole country of Vietnam. It also has famous traditional craft villages. If you have the opportunity to go to the river region, remember to visit famous craft villages and kilns. Such as: coconut candy kilns, honey kilns in the islands of Ben Tre, Tien Giang, rice paper kilns, Can Tho noodle kilns, green rice kilns, Mang Thit Vinh Long pottery kilns, Dinh Yen mat village, Dong Thap,… All are places where you can learn and enjoy traditional hometown gifts. Or beautiful handicraft products using simple, yet familiar and rich in the flavor of the homeland.
6.8 Some other interesting activities and experiences
In addition to the typical activities in the land of fields stretching as far as the eye can see, fruit gardens full of fruit and canals like a chessboard. The Mekong River Delta also has many other unique experiences for visitors. Especially recently, when eco-tourism and garden tourism are flourishing. There are more and more folk games, experiences about rivers and fields attracting tourists from all over.
Check in at Lan Vuong, Lang Yen, My Khanh, Tan Quy island tourist areas, … You will have the opportunity to participate in special games, such as: ditch slapping, crocodile fishing, watching fish drinking milk, watching pig racing, dog racing, monkey circus. Or riding ostriches, grass sliding, sitting on the universe wheel, water balloons, …
7. Specialties when traveling to the Mekong River Delta
When traveling to the Mekong River Delta, you can not only admire the beautiful rustic natural scenery of the villages in Southern Vietnam. But you can also enjoy the rustic and traditional dishes of the people here.
7.1 Bun mam mien Tay (The West region fish noodle)
Bun mam mien Tay always has a unique flavor because the broth is cooked from fish sauce. In particular, in addition to boiled meat, when processing, people also add sausage, or some types of seafood such as shrimp, squid, mushrooms, etc. When enjoying, the aroma of vermicelli with fish sauce is even more strongly promoted when eaten with other herbs.
7.2 Pancakes
If Nha Trang pancakes are only as small as the palm of your hand, Western pancakes are 2-3 times larger than normal. Pancakes are poured into extremely large pans, with thin and crispy layers. In particular, the filling is made from mushrooms, meat, carrots or some other vegetables. The characteristic of Western pancakes lies in the basket of vegetables served with them. To fully enjoy the flavor, diners must eat them with wild vegetables. Such as: coc leaves, sao toa, bang lang leaves, mango leaves, young plum leaves, perilla, basil,….
7.3 Beef Sliced
If you have the opportunity to travel to An Giang, passing through the land of Bay Nui, Chau Doc, you will surely hear about beef Tung Sliced. In fact, this is a roasted veal dish, when enjoying it, the owner will use a knife to carve off each part of the beef to process into food. According to many people, beef Tung Sliced has quite soft, chewy, fragrant meat. If you are a gourmet, you will immediately know whether it is beef from An Giang or not.
7.4 Banh Gia Cho Giong (Gia cake in Giong market)
Banh Gia Cho Giong is cylindrical, made from rice flour, shrimp or bean sprouts. Enjoying it while it is still hot will increase the delicious flavor of the cake. The crust is crispy, fatty, when biting into the shrimp part, there will be a sweet and interesting part of the meat. Pour a layer of sour mango sauce on top, just looking at it makes you crave it, hard to resist.
7.5 Chicken soup with Giang leaves
Chicken soup with Giang leaves has the sour taste of vegetables, the sweetness and fatness of chicken. The more skillful the cook is in seasoning, knowing how to choose Giang leaves that are not too old, not too young, the more delicious the chicken soup will be. When traveling to the Mekong River Delta, you will often be introduced to this dish, as an indispensable culinary feature.
7.6 Snakehead fish porridge
On days when the water rises, people in the West region often cook fish porridge, served with bitter vegetables. This dish is both nutritious and saves cooking time, suitable for days when the weather is not very favorable. In addition to eating bitter vegetables, people also cook fish porridge with Malabar spinach.
7.7 Linh fish hotpot with dien dien flowers
Everyone in the Mekong River Delta knows about Linh fish. And tourists who have enjoyed this fish will be forever impressed because its meat has a very unique taste. Linh fish is delicious and attractive no matter how it is processed. Such as: fried crispy Linh fish, Linh fish stewed with shrimp paste, stewed with sugarcane, stewed with pineapple, sour soup with Linh fish, etc.
Although it is just a rustic dish, Linh fish hotpot with wild sesban flowers conquers diners right away with its color, faint aroma and the sour taste of the broth. Although it is available in all regions, Dong Thap, Long An, An Giang, and Can Tho are famous for Linh fish hotpot with wild sesban flowers.
7.8 Mam hotpot
Mam hotpot is a dish that has existed in Can Tho for a long time and is praised as one of the best dishes in the Mekong River Delta that tourists cannot miss. The main ingredient is made from mam sac or mam Linh fish in Chau Doc – An Giang, the hotpot broth is cooked from fish sauce with coconut water or pork bone broth.
7.9 Grilled snakehead fish
Grilled snakehead fish is a specialty of people throughout the Mekong River Delta provinces. The dish is not difficult to prepare when you just need to skewer a fresh bamboo branch along the fish body, then stick the fish head down into the ground, then pile straw on top and burn it. Just add a little salt and chili, a few garden vegetables and you can enjoy the delicious, rich flavor of this dish.
7.10 Fish noodle soup
This is a popular dish in the West with different variations such as Chau Doc fish noodle soup, Kien Giang fish noodle soup, Soc Trang fish noodle soup, etc. Unlike the fish noodle soup of the Central region which people made it from sea fish. They made fish noodle soup of the West region from fat snakehead fish caught in the rivers and fields here. Although it is a simple dish, it contains a harmonious picture of the countryside between color and taste.
7.11 Hu Tieu (A kind of noodle)
One of the delicious dishes that many people love in the West region is Hu Tieu. The clear broth of the noodles has the fragrant smell of grilled squid, dried shrimp, fried onions, etc. The marrow bones, pork leg and young ribs are stewed until soft. The noodles are small and thin like vermicelli noodles with moderate toughness, not too tough but not too soft. The most famous places for noodles are My Tho and Sa Dec.
7.12 Field mice
The West region has large fields suitable for field mice to grow and field mouse meat. It is also a famous specialty in this river region. At first hearing, almost everyone feels hesitant. But after enjoying dishes made from field mice, many people praise it as “awesome”. This dish is quite famous in provinces such as Dong Thap, An Giang, Can Tho.
8. Accommodation when traveling to the Mekong River Delta
The Mekong Delta is a large area with many tourist destinations. And in each region, each tourist destination has places and forms of accommodation suitable for the diverse needs, interests and budgets of tourists.
However, Can Tho city is the traffic hub of the whole region. And most tours in the Mekong River Delta have starting or ending points in Can Tho city. Therefore, when traveling to the Mekong Delta, you can refer to some of the following accommodations:
- Vinpearl Hotel Can Tho. Address: 302 30/4 Street, Xuan Khanh Ward, Nink Kieu, Can Tho.
- Victoria Nui Sam Lodge. Address: Vinh Dong 1, Nui Sam, Chau Doc, An Giang.
- Hau Giang Hotel. Address: 34 Nam Ky Khoi Nghia, Tan An, Ninh Kieu, Can Tho.
- V’Luna Hotel. Address: No. 19-D3, Tran Quang Khai, An Hoi, Ninh Kieu, Can Tho.
- Sheraton Can Tho. Address: No. 209, 30/4 Street, Xuan Khanh Ward, Ninh Kieu District, Can Tho City.
- TC Hotel Premium – Can Tho. Address: No. 02 Hai Ba Trung, Tan An Ward, Ninh Kieu District, Can Tho City.
- West Hotel. Address: 90-92 Hai Ba Trung Street, Tan An, Ninh Kieu, Can Tho.
- Holiday One Hotel. Address: 59-61-63-65 Pham Ngoc Thach, Cai Khe, Ninh Kieu, Can Tho.
- Nesta Can Tho Hotel. Address: 9C Tran Phu, Cai Khe, Ninh Kieu, Can Tho.
- Iris Hotel. Address: 224 30/4 Street, Xuan Khanh, Ninh Kieu, Can Tho.
- Muong Thanh Luxury Hotel. Address: Area E1, Con, Ninh Kieu, Can Tho.
- Hoa Binh 1 Hotel. Address: 130 Tran Hung Dao, Long Xuyen, An Giang.
9. Some important notes when traveling to the Mekong River Delta
To make your trip to the Mekong River Delta safe and enjoyable. You need to refer to some necessary notes below:
- If you want to buy local specialties as gifts, you should consult the prices in many places. Don’t forget to ask the seller to carefully pack the specialties with strong smells (seafood, fish sauce, dried foods, durian).
- Always obey traffic safety laws if you use a motorbike when visiting. To ensure the safety of yourself and those around you.
- Bring all necessary luggage such as personal bandages. Such as: sunglasses, umbrellas, medical supplies, sunscreen, insect repellent, spare batteries, etc.
- You should wear polite and solemn clothes when visiting sacred places. For other tourist destinations, you should bring thin, cool, light clothes for easy movement.
- Wearing sports shoes and sandals with soft, low soles will be suitable during the trip. Because it is a river area, you can bring flip-flops and water shoes, …
- You should arrange the places to visit into a schedule for convenient travel.
- The personal documents you should bring are: ID card / CCCD, driver’s license, …
- You should check the weather before traveling to avoid rainy days.
- Join the locals to protect the environment to always be green – clean – beautiful. In particular, do not litter.
- You should bring bottled water and snacks to replenish energy when necessary.
- You should bring enough cash and you should proactively protect your property and personal belongings. Especially in crowded places such as festivals, …
It is worthy visiting Mekong River Delta
With updated and useful information about travel experiences in the Mekong River Delta. That Origin Vietnam – the leading tour operator in Vietnam, has just shared in the above article. You can now rest assured to leave the noisy, bustling city to return to the poetic river area, vast rice fields and enjoy many delicious dishes of the cuisine here. We are committed to accompanying you on the Vietnam tour to explore this rich Mekong River Delta with interesting activities and the most wonderful experiences.
