The Mekong Delta is a vast maze of rivers, stilt houses, and rice paddies. With a dense system of rivers and canals, this destination is featured by unique landscapes that visitors will never find in any region in Vietnam. Here are the must-visit attractions in the area.
1. Cai Rang Floating Market, Can Tho
Opening early in the morning, packed into a section of the river, clusters of boats sell all sorts of fruits and vegetables grown in the Delta. When local people and surrounding areas often use middle-size boats, canoes to carry agricultural products to consume, the big boats are owned by traders to deliver fruit everywhere, even Cambodia and China, and small boats that sell soft drinks, wine, and food for breakfast to serve market-goers and visitors. Hanging around for a while, you will see the life of many families with several generations living together on boats. There are boats as “mobile apartments” on the river with flower pots, animals, and even TV, DVD…, which are not only the vehicle used to carry stocks but also the residence of the entire traders’ family. This is an amazing scene to witness and perhaps, can be found only in Can Tho Floating Market.
2. Bang Lang Stork Sanctuary, Can Tho
As one of the few spots in Can Tho to see the biodiversity of the Mekong Delta wetlands, which is located in Thot Not District, Bang Lang Stork Sanctuary is a magnificent 1.3-hectare bird sanctuary with astonishing views of thousands of resident storks and snowy egrets. There is a tall viewing platform to see the birds filling the branches, but the best times to view this incredible sight are around dawn and dusk, as from 6 AM to 7 AM the storks fly off to search for food, and from 5 PM to 6 PM when they return. It’s just a must-see peaceful scene in the rural area of Can Tho.
3. Sam Mountain, An Giang
Another famous tourist destination in Chau Doc is Sam Mountain – the highest mountain in Mekong Delta, located in the west of Chau Doc Town. This 230m high mountain is also one of the most beautiful landscapes in Vietnam with endless gold rice fields. On top of the mountain, you can have a really good view of the surrounding countryside and easily look out over Cambodia – a neighboring country of Vietnam. For Vietnamese, it’s also an important place of Buddhist pilgrimage. Three of the main pagodas, the destinations for pilgrims, are located on the northern side of the mountain. These see a steady flow of local visitors and become very crowded during lunar calendar events and Buddhist festivals like Tet.
4. Tra Su Bird Sanctuary, An Giang
Tra Su bird sanctuary is a surprisingly beautiful and serene spot around 25kms from Chau Doc. It is home to a rich array of birds and other wildlife that live among the canals and cajeput trees (tea trees) – all planted since the end of the Vietnam War. This immense forest is 800,000-hectare width and the home to an astounding number of wading birds. To visit Tra Su Bird Sanctuary, visitors normally make a short speedboat ride along the narrow channels through the gnarled and green sunken forest. It is a really beautiful and perfect trip to touch nature.
5. Cai Be Fruit Orchard, Tien Giang
Visiting Cai Be Fruit Orchard, the largest fruit orchard in the Mekong Delta, you will be able to find various fruits such as mango, grapefruit, guava, apple, jackfruit, dragon fruit, mangosteen, plums, durian, etc., being cultivated. Tourists often take a tour through the premises, pick ripe fruit off the trees and enjoy them right then and there.
6. Dong Tam Snake Farm, Tien Giang
Located on the bank of Tien River with an area of 30 hectares surrounded by green trees, this place is considered as the first museum of snakes in Vietnam, where you can see many types of snakes (over 400 species) from poisoned to normal ones. Also, you will have a chance to see how people take the venom from snakes which will be served for medicine and other uses. There is a snake-breeding zone with dozens of species to feed or even to play with. There are also crocodiles and other species of birds and animals on hand.
7. Vam Ho Bird Sanctuary, Ben Tre
Located in the two communes of My Hoa and Tan Xuan, Vam Ho is a mangrove forest with many wild plants and 84 different kinds of birds. Visit Vam Ho bird sanctuary, visitors can trek across the mangrove forest, visit the resistance base, go through the bamboo bridge and enjoy the fresh air. When you are tired, you can lie back on the hammock swaying under the shade and breathe the fresh air of Ba Lai River.
8. Cai Mon Orchard Village, Ben Tre
Cai Mon Orchard Village is considered as the kingdom of bonsai in Vietnam, and the cradle of fruit trees in South Vietnam, with fruit available in any season. Cai Mon’s professional village annually supplies products such as durians, mangosteens, mangoes, longans, and varieties of citrus. There are also many grafts and multiplication artisans who create the diversity of bonsai shapes by the very spectacular figures of deer, stag, dragon, phoenix… Walking along winding paths around lush green gardens and enjoying the melodious tune of Don Ca Tai Tu music and song, you will realize this is truly a like-no-other place to discover.
9. Tram Chim National Park, Dong Thap
Tram Chim National Park is certainly an ideal destination for bird lovers. The park is the paradise waterbirds. With an area of more than 7,500 hectares, the park is home to more than 200 types of birds, many of them are listed in the Vietnam Red Book. In particular, you will have an opportunity to watch the beautiful dance of red-headed crane – one of the rare birds listed on the Red Book of the world.
It is a wonderful feeling when jumping into a boat, rowing among vast wetlands, and watching thousands of birds on the top of trees. Every morning, flocks of birds turn back their nest under the sublime sunset. It offers a taste of peace to our soul among the wildland in the park.
10. U Minh Ha Mangrove Forests, Ca Mau
Ca Mau is one of the provinces in the Mekong Delta that owns a golden treasure of coastal mangrove ecosystems. The forest is filled with seawater and all of the water surfaces are covered with the green color of water-fern. It is a wonderful feeling of relaxation when rowing along lush melaleucas and enjoying a peaceful atmosphere among the vast space of the forest. There is no noisy sound of vehicles in big cities. Instead, it is a tranquil space with an impressive twitter of birds and the sound of paddles gliding through the water surface.
Conclusion
Throughout this article, we wish you to enjoy 10 must-visit places in the Mekong Delta. In case you are looking for your own travel agent, who can offer a wonderful and hassle-free trip to the Mekong Delta, please feel free to let us know. We always commit our best to make it your once-in-a-lifetime journey.
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