Mekong Delta in Vietnam

The Mekong Delta is the region in southwestern Vietnam where the Mekong River approaches and empties into the sea through a network of distributaries. With most of the land covered and divided by wetlands and water, creating a unique way of life and culture, it is home to myriad attractive destinations. 

However, too many tourists can not spend a long time exploring this region. Therefore, this guide will show you some of the best places in the delta.

What to see and do in the Mekong Delta?

Tourist destinations in the Mekong Delta are diverse, offering many interesting sights and activities. Life in the area revolves around water, from the famous floating markets to the vast jungle; a variety of agricultural products, fruits, flowers, and livestock grow in the region.

Below are attractive destinations in the Western tourist map, helping you answer the question “What to do and see in this region?”

Can Tho City

Can Tho is one of the busiest urban areas of the river region. It takes approximately four hours to get to Can Tho from Ho Chi Minh City by bus or car. Along with the rustic and generosity of locals, the city is famous for its beautiful natural scenery, many interesting attractions, such as:

• Cai Rang floating market. This is a busy trading place on the river, with hundreds of boats packed with a variety of agricultural products, bearing the typical culture of the Southwest region.
• Binh Thuy Ancient house is one of the three oldest houses in the Southwest region. The perfect combination of French architecture and traditional Vietnamese style leaves tourists feeling “overwhelmed” by this house.
• Phong Dien Fruit Garden: famous for its attractive eco-tourism areas and countless family gardens that are always ready to welcome visitors coming to enjoy the fresh air and attractive homegrown specialties.

An Giang

An Giang is famous for its rustic natural scenery. In particular, if you visit this land from September to November each year, do not forget to take the boat through the canals to enjoy the peaceful, poetic scenery of the river region. In addition, the area is known for its religious and ethnic diversity, which includes Khmer, Hoa, Chăm, and Kinh people.

Some impressive tourist destinations that you should not miss are:

• Tra Su Melaleuca forest is a symbol of the beauty of An Giang tourism during the floating season. The experience of sailing in the middle of the vast green carpet of duckweed, enjoying the cool, fresh climate, and exploring the birds’ habitat here.
• The Lady Temple is a famous sacred tourist destination in Chau Doc, often mentioned when talking about An Giang, welcoming thousands of visitors to worship each year. The temple is also proud to be one of the largest religious works in the West.
• Cam Mountain is located in the center of the That Son (Seven Mountains) region. Standing on Bo Hong peak on this mountain brings you a panoramic view of vast rice fields stretching to the Ha Tien sea and the southwestern border.
• The floating village in Chau Doc is a freshwater fish-farming village established in the 60s of the last century. This is home to the largest number of raft houses in the Mekong Delta region. In addition to developing traditional fish farming, the village is also known as a unique and interesting tourist spot that attracts many visitors.

An Giang is one of the largest provinces in the Southwest region, fully converging from plains, primeval forests, mountains, rivers, seas, and islands. Tourists coming here can visit famous scenic spots such as:

• Phu Quoc Island, in particular in An Giang, is impossible to miss. It is famous for its pleasant year-round climate, beautiful beaches with long white sand, and clear blue sea… Therefore, Phu Quoc not only attracts domestic tourists but also many foreign tourists come here to visit and relax.
• Ha Tien, located to the west and north of An Giang province, is endowed with many beautiful natural landscapes. One of the outstanding landscapes is Mui Nai beach, located in the southwest of the country, where you can watch a beautiful sunset and relax on the beach.
• U Minh Thuong Forest covers vast melaleuca forests and animals that can only be seen on television. The moment of sunset on the immense lagoon is also the reason to attract tens of thousands of visitors to the “golden forest” in Kiên Giang.

Dong Thap

Located along the poetic Tien River, Dong Thap is a land with the most obvious characteristics of river culture. The province is famous for its vast lotus fields, peaceful countryside scenery, and attractive eco-tourism areas; it is still considered a miniature West with charming scenery. It is so fantastic that you can visit any season all year round, but for gourmets who wish to enjoy as many local delicacies as possible, the floating season from the 8th to the 11th lunar month is the best time. Furthermore, coming to Dong Thap, visitors will experience many interesting activities such as:

• Cai Be floating market is one of the largest wholesale markets in the Southwest region, along with Cai Rang floating market. Cai Be floating market still retains the Mekong Delta’s typical cultural activities. You will see boats full of fruits and specialties of the West, such as pineapple, mango, dragon fruit, lentil, durian, mangosteen, green-skinned pomelo, star apple, mandarin… Cai Be floating is bustling in the early morning and gradually disperses by noon, but it remains active throughout the day.
• Thoi Son islet, also known as Unicorn, is considered the first choice for those who love the cool village space and unique experiences of river life. Coming to Thoi Son islet, you will experience the typical form of tourism of the river region, which is rowing boats along winding canals between two rows of dense nipa palm trees.
• Cai Be fruit garden is one of the famous gardens on the Western tourist map, where visitors can come year-round to relax and enjoy many types of fruit, such as rambutan, mango, pomelo, longan, durian, guava, apple, and mandarin. Besides, you can also walk along winding paths, pass through luxuriant orchards, and rest in the cool air.
• Tan Phong islet rises in the middle of the Tien River like a boat laden with sweet fruit. Especially during the season of ripe rambutan, the whole island is “dyed” red. Visitors to Tan Phong will experience the pleasure of cycling around the village, admiring the orchard, visiting the lives of people in the garden along the creeks, and listening to folk music.
• Dong Tam snake farm is one of the country’s largest snake-raising centers where venom is produced for local use and export, with its collection of over 50 species of snake, and also other animals such as crocodiles, bears, turtles, sheep, and ostriches as that long been an interesting tourist site for domestic and foreign visitors.
• Vinh Trang Pagoda is the largest pagoda in Dong Thap, surrounded by gardens of ornamental, ancient, and bonsai trees, creating a peaceful atmosphere. If you are interested in religion and truly want to enjoy the unique experience, you should not miss Vinh Trang Pagoda, an ancient architectural site in the province.

• Tram Chim National Park is a national park in the Plain of Reeds in Vietnam’s Mekong Delta. The park was created to restore a degraded wetland and protect several rare birds, especially Grus antigone sharpii, a species listed on the IUCN Red List. It is also a designated wetland of international importance under the Ramsar Convention.
• Gao Giong Eco-tourism area is home to more than 15 species of water birds, such as the red-spotted heron, goura, teal, wild ducks, and egrets. It is considered one of the largest stork gardens in the Plain of Reeds today. By coming here, visitors will admire and explore the lives of birds. When the rainy season comes, the fields in Gáo Giồng are filled with storks, creating a beautiful sight.
• Xeo Quyt relic area combined with historical relics, will give visitors the feeling of getting lost in a forest with wild natural scenery. It’s covered by 20 hectares of primary Melaleuca forest. Many large old Melaleuca trees with lifespans of more than 30 years rise majestically, along with the green vine system around them, forming huge cone-shaped blocks. Besides that, Xeo Quyt was the Revolutionary Base (from 1960 to 1975) in the war against the Americans.

Vinh Long

Located between the four corners of the Mekong River, Vinh Long has many canals and coconut groves. In addition to coconuts, the old Ben Tre (currently merged into Vinh Long) has many orchards scattered across districts that attract many visitors. 

Some of the places we should not miss:

• Phung Islet Tourist Area has preserved the original architecture of the Coconut Religion Holy Land site. There is also a handicraft village that produces furniture made from coconut materials. There are families who raise bees that produce honey from longan flowers.
• Quy Islet is one of the most famous destinations in Vinh Long, with its charming river atmosphere and the melody of the sweet Southern actor. You will live in a peaceful space, enjoy delicious fruit right in a garden… to drink a cup of honey smoke rose lightly, and enjoy the melody of amateurs who have been recognized by UNESCO as the intangible cultural heritage of mankind.
• Cai Mon flower and ornamental plants garden is famous for its tradition of growing flowers and shaping ornamental plants of various kinds by locals from the North and across Thailand. Cai Mon is also home to many artisans, the philosophic varieties that make up the bonsai, deer, dragons, phoenix… very nice.

• Vam Ho Bird Sanctuary is home to nearly 500,000 storks, herons, and other wild birds. The storks make their nests on thorny date trees while perching on mangroves after bathing. From 16 – 17 pm every day, an interesting event takes place. Thousands of storks are coming home, nearly whitening all of the treetops. Meanwhile, the herons begin their night in search of food. Creating various shapes and sounds.

Tay Ninh 

Tay Ninh Province attracts tourists with its picturesque lakes, pristine national parks, ecotourism destinations, and historical sites. Below are some popular attractions that visitors shouldn’t miss when exploring Tay Ninh.

• Ba Den (Black Virgin) Mountain – A Tourism Symbol of Tay Ninh. Dubbed the “roof of Southern Vietnam,” Mount Ba Den is nearly 1,000 meters above sea level. It is the most famous tourist destination in Tay Ninh, attracting millions of visitors every year. Visitors can take the modern cable car system to admire panoramic views of the southern plains from above. At the summit is a spiritual complex with a bronze statue of the Goddess of Mercy, one of the tallest in Asia. Besides pilgrimage, visitors can also go cloud hunting in the early morning, watch the sunset, or go mountain climbing.
• Tay Ninh Holy See: as the center of the Cao Dai religion, the Holy See impresses with its unique architecture combining Asian and European styles. The building features vibrant colors and many motifs with deep religious significance. Visitors can explore the vast grounds, learn about the history of the Cao Dai religion, and witness the daily rituals. This is an attractive destination for those who love exploring culture and architecture.

• Dau Tieng Reservoir is the largest artificial lake in Vietnam, boasting a peaceful and romantic natural landscape. The green lawns, clear blue lake surface, and small islands create a stunning natural scene. This place is suitable for activities such as overnight camping, SUP paddling and fishing, picnics with family and friends, and watching the sunrise and sunset by the lake. During the rainy season, Dau Tieng Lake becomes a popular spot for young people to take photos.
• Lo Go–Xa Mat National Park: if you love wild nature, Lo Go – Xa Mat National Park is an ideal choice. This is an important biosphere reserve with a diverse ecosystem. Visitors can observe wildlife, explore the forest by boat or bicycle, learn about rare flora and fauna, and experience the peaceful atmosphere amid pristine nature. This is a suitable destination for ecotourism and environmental education.
• Ma Thien Lanh Tourist Area is often called the “miniature Da Lat” of Tay Ninh for its cool climate and picturesque scenery. It features a clear blue lake, majestic mountains, and attractive trekking routes. Visitors to Ma Thien Lanh often choose to camp in nature, go hill climbing and explore, photograph the landscape, and organize outdoor activities.

• Go Ken Pagoda is one of the famous ancient pagodas of Tay Ninh. The structure impresses with its large statue of Quan Am (Guan Yin) facing a vast field, creating a serene scene.

Ca Mau

After administrative reorganization, Ca Mau Province remains Vietnam’s southernmost province, renowned for its unique mangrove ecosystem, vast melaleuca forests, and distinctive riverine culture. Not only is it a place to “check in” at the last landmark on Vietnam’s map, but Ca Mau also boasts many attractive tourist destinations for those who love nature and exploration. Below are some famous places visitors should not miss in Ca Mau.

• Ca Mau Cape – the only place on the Vietnamese mainland where you can see the sun rise over the East Sea and set over the West Sea. Here, visitors can take photos with the ship-heading-out-to-sea symbol, the national GPS coordinate marker 0001, and the Hanoi flagpole at the southernmost point. In addition, this area also has a system of bridges through mangrove forests, observation towers, and many beautiful viewpoints.
• U Minh Ha National Park is famous for its vast melaleuca forests, diverse flora and fauna, and rare pristine beauty. Here, visitors can climb the observation tower to admire the panoramic view of the vast green mangrove forest, participate in motorboat tours through the forest, or enjoy famous specialties such as grilled snakehead fish and forest honey. The flood season is the best time to explore U Minh Ha, when nature becomes more vibrant and abundant than ever.

• Da Bac Island (Silver Rock Island) is a cluster of small islands located near the shore, nổi with uniquely shaped granite rock formations created over millions of years of geological processes. This place attracts tourists not only with its fascinating scenery but also with its rich history. On the island, there is the temple of Ong Nam Hai (God of the South Sea) and a memorial to the achievements of the Vietnamese security forces in the CM12 operation. This is a suitable destination for sightseeing, photography, and learning about history.
• Thi Tuong Lagoon – A “Sea Lake” in the Heart of the Delta. Thi Tuong Lagoon is often likened to a sea lake in the Mekong Delta for its vast expanse and peaceful beauty. Here, visitors will encounter stilt houses amidst the lagoon, small fishing boats, and stunning sunsets over the water. Notable experiences include: taking a boat tour of the lagoon, learning about aquaculture, enjoying fresh seafood, and watching the sunrise and sunset.

• Ca Mau Bird Sanctuary is home to many rare waterbird species, including egrets, herons, storks, and cormorants. In the early morning or late afternoon, thousands of birds fill the sky, creating an impressive natural scene. This is an attractive destination for those who love photography and exploring the local ecosystem. 

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