The Mekong Delta is a country of orchards, paddy crops, swamplands, and kind people. It may take you 2-3 days to learn about this place and even longer to explore all of its splendor. We understand that your time is limited and that you are perplexed about how to plan the right itinerary for your Mekong Delta tour. As a result, we are here to assist you. In this post, we will provide you an overview of the Mekong Delta and recommend the best time to visit.
Mekong River and The Mekong Delta in Vietnam
The Mekong River is the world's 12th longest river and Asia's 7th longest. It runs from the Tibetan plateau through six distinct nations, including China, Myanmar, Laos, Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam, before reaching the South China Sea. The river brings life to all it passes through and eventually creates a marshy delta that has become Vietnam's "Rice Bowl" – The Mekong Delta – an agricultural wonder that produces one-third of the country's annual food crop while occupying only 10% of the entire terrain.
The Vietnamese call the Mekong Delta "Cuu Long," which translates to "Nine Dragons," because the Mekong River breaks into nine branches when it reaches Vietnam's land. Even so, you won't be able to visit all nine branches on your Mekong Delta tour because two of them have been closed off, one by nature and one by human intervention because they have had a severe impact on the lives of locals.
People in the Mekong Delta now are a mix of Khmer, Vietnamese, and Chinese, with Khmer culture dominating. Before being acknowledged as a part of Dai Viet (the ancient kingdom of Vietnam), this area was occupied by the Khmer Krom at the end of the 17th century. But it had to be until France acquired control of the country in the 1860s until the fertile soil of the Mekong Delta was exploited for farming and taming. Although rice is the main crop, coconut palms, sugarcane, and tropical fruit orchards are all highly popular.
What makes Vietnam's Mekong Delta unique?
A Mekong River tour is much more than simply the scenery; it's also about the people. People in the Mekong Delta live a modest and generous lifestyle, willingly showing you how to find your way when you get lost or inviting you to eat with their family without expecting anything in return. They are constantly content with their existing situation, despite the fact that it is not simple. Long ago, the sight of conical-hatted farmers hard at work on their land became one of Vietnam's most iconic images.
With 7 rivers and a complex canal system contributing, floods occur every year. However, as you will learn on your Mekong Delta tour, the inhabitants do not regard flooding to be a calamity, but rather an opportunity to capitalize on the biodiversity of the water for temporary revenue and the preparation of delectable delicacies. The people in this region have reacted to the massive quantity of water that comes up every year by building floating dwellings and floating markets so that they can shop and live without having to go ashore as much. This feature piques the interest of a large number of foreigners, as well as domestic visitors, on their first Mekong Delta tour.
When is the best time to visit the Mekong Delta?
The climate in the Mekong Delta is tropical monsoon. As a result, it is extremely hot and humid throughout the year.
In the Mekong Delta, there are two seasons: rainy season and dry season. The dry season lasts from December to April, with mostly bright weather and little rain. The rainy season, which lasts from May to November, is characterized by heavy downpours, colder temperatures, and mosquitos. This is when the most fruits are available, the flora and fauna system is at its peak, and boat rides are more scenic.
In our opinion, the greatest time to visit the Mekong Delta is around the start of the rainy season (April, May and June).
Believe me, you will want to visit every location in the Mekong Delta. However, whether you are able to fully explore the area or not, you will need to focus on the most important destinations throughout your Mekong Delta tour. More information on the Mekong Delta may be found in our other posts to help you plan the perfect vacation for yourself.
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