The Mekong Delta, also known as “Mien Tay” by locals, appears to be off-the-beaten-path for foreign tourists. Nonetheless, it proves to be an ideal destination with a plethora of fascinating experiences. Those who plan to visit here will find the suggested activities listed below useful.
Visit the colorful floating markets in the Mekong Delta
At 3 a.m., the markets are alive with the noises of boats and people trading. All commodities are delivered by boat to the market and exchanged by being moved from one location to another. On the river, people sell and buy things. Sellers will suspend their wares on the top of a long stick so that everyone can see what is being sold. You may buy fresh fruits or delicacies like bun rieu, banh mi, and drinks like coffee, soy milk, and coconut water for breakfast at the market, which is best visited between 4 and 5 a.m. The costs are fair.
The most popular 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)
That delta, which is mostly covered by wetlands and winding rivers, has demonstrated the importance of waterway travel. A cruise vacation can provide both sightseeing and cultural experiences. Sceneries on both river sides are a perfect combination of nature and humans, resulting in a strange way of life going on every day. Furthermore, traveling by cruise does not imply that you will only see things from afar. A cruise can take you to places you never expected to visit. Once you arrive at your destination, you are free to explore the surroundings and even participate in activities.
You can book a Mekong River cruise or a package tour that includes cruising in its itinerary to enjoy a cruise trip. A cruise will usually provide you with an overnight experience that includes many water-related activities and more destinations, whereas a package tour will only include cruising as one activity during the day, along with many others that are either inland or water-related.
In general, an experience on a sampan boat is a simpler, more traditional version of a Mekong River cruise. Once you've taken your seat, the sampan boat, sailed by locals, will take you through mangrove forests to some tourist attractions. The sense of peace when you see the sights is what distinguishes a sampan trip from a cruise. Lunch is served on some sampans, which adds to the enthralling experience.
You can start your sampan trip in the delta and visit places like Thoi Son Islet (Ben Tre), Tra Su Cajuput Forest (An Giang), and Thi Tuong Lagoon (Ca Mau).
Travel up the Mekong for a homestay with a lovely local family, and you will learn about daily life and gain a true appreciation for why this area is known as Vietnam's "rice bowl."
During the day, you may cycle alongside the local kids down village paths to crowded markets, where you can stock up on garden-fresh delicacies and put your haggling skills to the test with vendors. When evening falls, relax in a hammock while sipping fresh juice and watching the sun set from the riverbank will bring you peace. You can spend the evening with the host's family, conversing with them while having a home-cooked meal.
You will have the opportunity to cycle through the local villages while staying at a homestay. The activity can be done early in the morning when the air is fresh and cool. The purpose of Mekong biking is not to provide you with an adrenaline rush, but rather to provide you with an experience of tranquility and refreshment. You can stop anywhere along the way to get some food, tea, or coffee to fill your empty stomach in the morning and be ready for another day of traveling. Because life is so slow, you can take time to recharge your mind and body before resuming your ride on the roller coaster.
The delta is known for its local foods rather than its fine dining. If you come here, you must try Hu Tieu, Bun Rieu, Pia Cake, Vietnamese pancake, and, for the courageous, Coconut Larvae. One of the things I like about these cuisines is that they may be produced with any natural ingredients. You may hear about floral meals such as common sesban, sesbania, or flower hotpot from time to time. They may sound unusual, but they're actually quite tasty.
You can visit any floating market in the Mekong Delta to sample native cuisine. However, because the markets are held early in the morning, just breakfast will be served. You can go to the nearby village's markets and eateries for other meals of the day.
The delta is known as a big granary of fruits due to its fertile alluvial soil and suitable temperature. This explains why sampling the fruits is one of the most enjoyable activities in the area. Floating markets sell a wide variety of fruits. Eating them in the orchards, on the other hand, is a much more memorable experience. Furthermore, the activity is a component of agro-ecological tourism, which is recognized as one of the alternatives for long-term tourism development. By participating, you may help to mitigate the negative environmental effects of traditional tourism.
Fruit enthusiasts can remain all day, from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m., for a fixed charge. Simply stroll in, pick what you want, and eat as much as you want. All selected fruits must be consumed as soon as possible to maintain their pleasant and fresh flavor. Simply relax in the shade and savor your garden-fresh, delectable fruit buffet. Some people are drawn to the quiet environment rather than the fruits.
Some orchards will have comfortable rest places where you may eat and drink tea. Drinks and foods prepared from fruits, as well as several Mekong delicacies, are available for purchase at various locations.
After days of traveling along large and small rivers, you can spend an hour visiting historical and cultural sites. Each attraction has its own unique beauty and has been linked to a story for many years. Some includes:
- Tra Su Bird Sanctuary
- Tan Lap floating village
- Tram Chim National Park
- Dong Tam snake farm
- The prince of Mac Lieu’s Mansion
- Xiem Can Pagoda
- The Bat Pagoda
- Ba Chua Xu Temple
- The Seven Mountain
- Ca Mau Cape
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