5 Reasons Why the Mekong Delta in Vietnam is Worth Visiting

Referred to as “The rice bowl of Vietnam”, the Mekong Delta is blessed with a diversity of cultures, traditions, and tropical fruit orchards. Escape from the rush of the populous cities and take a trip to the tranquil Mekong Delta in Vietnam, you will have an unforgettable experience that shows you a snapshot of Vietnam’s agricultural heart.

Mekong Delta in Vietnam

There must be reasons why the Mekong Delta in Vietnam is always put on the tourist’s bucket list. Without the futuristic skyscrapers, iconic images, or ultramodern shopping malls, the Mekong Delta still attracts anyone with its rustic charm and many picturesque forests of cajuput and mangroves.

As a flow that moves to the rhythms of the mighty Mekong, a cruise trip navigating through the Mekong Delta region is guaranteed to give you a sense of serenity. To specify how interesting the Mekong Delta is as well as why you should put this location on your Vietnam bucket list, here are the top 5 reasons.

Floating markets

Floating markets have become a crucial part of the local life in Mekong Delta Vietnam. With hundreds of colorful boats floating daily, the Mekong Delta region seems to never sleep, making it become one of the main attractions in Southeast Asia.

The most accessible floating market along the Mekong Delta waterway is Cai Be, located in Tien Giang Province and sits 3.5 hours from Saigon by car. From 3 am, it has already been crowded with all kinds of boats selling veggies, fruits, and many other household goods.

Besides, there are also many other popular floating markets in the region including Cai Rang, Tra On, Nga Nam, Nga Bay & Long Xuyen floating market.

Cai Rang Floating Market, Can Tho City, Mekong Delta, Vietnam

Nature

If you wonder what to do in Mekong Delta Vietnam, the answer will simply be just enjoying the lush beauty of nature. Board a sampan, a small rickety wooden rowboat, and paddle your way through a vast maze of paddy fields, canals, and the immense forests of cajuput. The landscapes and waterscapes of the Delta will leave you mesmerized.

Picturesque Tra Su Cajuput Forest in An Giang Province

While living in the Delta mainly revolves around the river, the area encompasses a large section of land as well. The Mekong Delta region can always offer more than just a heap of boats and floating markets. Fruit gardens and colorful flower farms are also the main attractions in the region. 

As a fertile land, most of the fruits in the Mekong Delta are transported to other provinces and cities in Vietnam all year around. Among the agricultural areas on the river’s banks, Ben Tre Province is famed for its abundance of fruit orchards, providing some special varieties such as durian, green-skinned pomelo, mangosteen, and jackfruit.

Historical sites

The ancient Vinh Trang Buddhist Temple, My Tho City

There is a myriad of notable historical architectures in Mekong Delta Vietnam such as Thach Dong Cave Pagoda in Ha Tien, Vinh Trang Temple near My Tho, Xa Long Pagoda in Soc Trang, and Binh Thuy Ancient House in Can Tho, etc.

Usually, An Giang Province in the Delta is forgotten because its beauty can’t compete with the charm of Can Tho, a transport hub of the Delta. However, this is one of the places worth visiting in the Delta to discover the harsh Vietnamese history.

Ba Chuc, a remote hamlet of An Giang Province is well-known for the 12-day massacre carried out by Khmer Rouge in the late 1970s. 3157 civilians were killed here and nowadays, travelers can visit a system of the massacre’s evidence built by the An Giang government including Nha Mo (Tombs).

People

The Mekong people are straightforward and righteous. While poverty and low standard of living are still around, they are still some of the happiest and nicest people you have ever met in your lifetime.

The Mekong Delta Vietnam region is a multi-cultural land, moreover, due to its severe nature, the people here always have to struggle to survive and find new ways to earn a living. That’s why you can engage in trade with the locals right on their floating boats as they easily change their places.

Sincere smiles of the Mekong people

Blunt, friendly, and hospitable are probably there in the genes of the Mekong people. They can give everything they have to others because they believe that your sincerity is the most important thing as well as property is easy come and easy go.

To have an authentic off-the-beaten-path experience in the Mekong Delta Vietnam, don’t forget to make friends and learn about the traditional life of the local insiders. Your trip would be much more memorable than ever if you could immerse yourself in both the nature and culture of the region.

Traditional Vietnamese food

Last but not least, food is one of the greatest things in Mekong Delta Vietnam. A visitor will not want to miss the taste of Duong Dua (the coconut worm steamed in coconut juice), and Bun Mam (vermicelli served with fish sauce and topped with shrimp, fish, and chopped onions).

Banh Cong (Vietnamese crispy muffin cake made from glutinous rice flour and wheat flour then mixed with shrimp, sprouts, and minced pork) and Bot Loc (a starchy cake made with shrimp and pork then wrapped in a banana leaf), etc.

Bun Mam in Mekong Delta

The list may go much longer but it would be best if you can complete it by yourself to find the true excitements in your Mekong Delta Vietnam tour.

It’s not easy to show you all the quintessence of the Mekong Delta region in words. Just refer to our travel guide and consider experiencing the Delta on the soonest day. Want more information about what to do in Mekong Delta Vietnam? Asia Vacation Group is always here to help you customize your tour.

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