MÊ KONG DELTA
v Introduction
Mekong delta is the
largest delta in Vietnam, and besides Red river delta, it is one of country's
two main rice bowls (it provides 60% of nation’s rice). In Vietnam, people
don’t call this land “Mekong delta”, but they call “Nine dragons delta” because
when Mekong river flows into Vietnam’s territory, it divides into 2 small
branches, then 2 branches divide into 9 mouths going to the East Sea. Looking
at the map, people can easily realize that the river now looks like 9 dragons. Around
it, we mostly find low lying rice paddies, dense mangroves, rivers and canals
v Geography
Mekong
delta is the region in the southwestern of Vietnam where Mekong river flows
over. It includes one central city (Can Tho) and 12 provinces ( Long An, Tien
Giang, Ben Tre, Vinh Long, Tra Vinh, Hau Giang, Soc Trang, Dong Thap, An Giang,
Kien Giang, Bac Lieu and Ca Mau). It bordes with Cambodia to the north, the
Gulf of Thailand to the southwest and the southeast is the South China Sea.
According to the General Statistics Office of Vietnam in 2011, the total area
of the provinces in the Mekong Delta is 40,548.2 km².
v Population
Mekong’s
residents are mainly Viet group. In the past, it was a part of Khmer Empire so
it concentrates many Khmer people except in Cambodia. The Khmer live primarily
in Tra Vinh, Soc Trang, the Cham who go to the Islam living in Tan Chau, An
Giang. Besides, a large amount of Hoa group is in Kien Giang and Tra Vinh.
Mekong delta’s population estimates at 17.33 million people in 2011.
v Sightseeing
Ninh Kieu pier which is also known as
Ninh Kieu park, is a wharf and a tourist, cultural destination of Can Tho
province. It was formed in the 19th century, located on the right
bank of Hau River, borders with Hai Ba Trung street, Tan An ward, Ninh Kieu
district. This place attracts tourists due to charming river landscape and suitable
position overlooking Hau river. Thus, it is always in bustle even day or night.
In the morning, you can walk and enjoy fresh atmosphere or do morning exercise
or play sports. In the evening, there are many food with Vietnamese taste.
Especially, Ninh Kieu pier is very shine with brilliant lights. The pier,
therefore, has become a heaven of backpackers.
Vinh Trang pagoda is located on Nguyen
Trung Truc street, My Tho city, Tien Giang province, was built by Mr.Bui Van
Dat in the early 19th century. First, the Most Venerable Abbot Thich
Hue Dang named it was Vinh Truong, but the residents got used to calling it
Vinh Trang. The religious site was
seriously damaged by French colonists in 1861 and a severe storm in 1904. However,
it was restored the pagoda like its original splendor. Specially, Vinh Trang
Pagoda is the greatest pagoda of Tien Giang Province, with an area of 2,000m2 and many beautiful
trees. It is in the shape of “Nation” letter according to Chinese characters. The
unique feature is in a mixture of Chinese, Vietnamese, and Angkor (Cambodian)
architectural styles. The pagoda contains 5 buildings, 2 ornamental yards, and
178 pillars. Inside the pagoda, there are many statues of Buddhas including
Amitabha Buddha, Gautama Buddha, various of arahants and bodhisattvas. In
addition, the statues of 18 arahants are carved from wood. Each statue is
approximately 80 centimeters tall and 58 centimeters in width. Moreover, this
pagoda is surrounded by gardens of ornamental trees, ancient trees and bonsai,
creating a peaceful atmosphere. It provided shelter for Vietnamese patriots and
is recognized as a national historical and cultural relic by the government.
Dragon Island – Ben Tre provine where you may fill
your stomach with luscious tropical fruit and enjoy a yummy lunch with local
specialties, typically included elephant ear fish, crispy southern spring
rolls, sweet- sour soup and rice or noodles.
Cai Be floating market is owned by Tien Giang province. This is a place where people exchanging goods, fruit and many
other commodities on their vessels. Beside Phung Hiep, Cai Be is one of the most
renown floating markets in the western region of southern Vietnam, was formed under the Nguyen Dynasty in the 19th
century. It is always busy, bearing all the characteristics of the locals’ life
in the western region. This market has variety of goods from fabrics, furniture for customers to
poultry, seafood ... including both food and drink. However, it is most famous
for fruits and is the basket of Tien Giang province with green grape-fruit, Tan
Lap pineapple, oranges, tangerines... All the goods are transported to the
market by rafts and boats. The sellers hang samples of their goods on the tall
wooden poles, so buyers can easily see what each boat is selling. Thus, Cai Be
floating market is not only a place for exchanging goods but also for having
unique cultural features that create such a beautiful river painting.
MeKong restop restaurant is owned
by Tan Ly Dong village, Chau Thanh district, Tien Giang province. This is one
of the most beautiful restaurant in the West. As an eco-tourism area, with lotus
pond, garden, coconut, river, fish pond .... and souvenirs from the west, Mekong
RestStop restaurant is really similar to a small peaceful village. Indeed,
there are many delicious rustic dishes like ‘ca tai tuong chien xu cuon banh
trang, ca loc chui cuon banh trang mam nem, banh xeo mien tay, goi sen…’. All materials
are fresh so the foods are certainly fresh, tasty and high quality. Besides,
the waiters and waitress are very friendly, pretty and serve professionally. Therefore,
MeKong restop restaurant welcomes thousands of tourists each year.
Hoa Khoai island is 14.6 km away to the
southwest of Nam Can town, Ngoc Hien district of Ca Mau province. It is a rocky
island with hills and forests including various kinds of precious wood. It has
name Hon Khoai because of its shape like a giant potato. On this island, you
can listen to the many types of bird’s and running water sound. Additionally,
you also can enjoy delicious dishes making from numerous algae. Furthermore,
Hon Khoai island has a renowned lighthouse that is 18 meters in height, built in
1920 by the French colonist and remains its orginal architecture. With cool
climate and beautiful scenery, Hon Khoai is suitable for ecological and
discovery tourism. In 1994, the Ministry of Culture and Information recognized
Hon Khoai as a national landscape.
v Gastronomy
Due to water features, the
main source of food is rice, fish and vegetables, fruits. They are many various
and plentiful. The inhabitant’s taste is very special: super sweet, super hot,
super salty…The simple refectory is having table, on the ground, even under the
tree. Indeed, you could taste coconut as
well as see the process making coconut candy or eat some rice paper comes from
rice or go to the orchards.
v Climate
Mekong
delta has equatorial climate so that it is suitable to develop the agriculture
(rain much, heat), especially in developing rice cultivation and crop. However,
lying in the low coastal region, it is easily affected by the floods leading to
rising the sea level due to climate change.
v Get it
The Mekong delta is very near
Ho Chi Minh City, and Can Tho thus it only takes 4 hours- drive. Although there is only one main road to
transfer to Mekong delta, it is easy to access by road, and but attention crowd
and guard traffic jam.
There are some flights
between Ho Chi Minh City and Rach Gia, and also between Ho Chi Minh City and
Phu Quoc island.
Another transportation is
boat to enjoy unspoilt nature, cruises from Cai Be to Can Tho or contrary.
Moreover, Mekong delta is
a natural passageway linking the southern Vietnam with Cambodia, which can be
entered overland or by river.