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Top must-visit local markets in Can Tho
Top must-visit local markets in Can Tho
Top 9 local markets that you should visit when traveling to Can Tho: Cai Rang Floating Market, Tân An Market, An Lạc Market, Cai Khe…
10 Reasons Why Can Tho is the Next Big Destination
10 Reasons Why Can Tho is the Next Big Destination
Can Tho is a hidden gem that is fast becoming a popular tourist destination. Here are 10 reasons why Can Tho is the next big…
Top 11 Restaurants in Bui Vien Street: Saigon's Culinary Scene
Top 11 Restaurants in Bui Vien Street: Saigon's Culinary Scene
If you're a foodie looking to explore the culinary scene of Ho Chi Minh City (also known as Saigon), look no further than Bui Vien…
Binh Thuy ancient house in Can Tho: The 150-year-old history
Binh Thuy ancient house in Can Tho: The 150-year-old history
Binh Thuy ancient house in Can Tho is a place where East-West architecture intersects. Explore history, architecture, opening hours, and more!
Ultimate Travel Guide to Can Tho 2024
Ultimate Travel Guide to Can Tho 2024
A ultimate travel guide to Can Tho with tips on things to do, costs, best time to travel, food, cafe, transportation, accommodation, and more!
Top 9 BEST Vegetarian Restaurants in Can Tho
Top 9 BEST Vegetarian Restaurants in Can Tho
Top 9 best Vegan and Vegetarian Restaurants in Can Tho: 1. Sen Vang, 2. Thien Phuoc, 3. Minh Khoi, 4. Bach Thao, 5. Huu Vui,…
Top 8 must-visit temples in Can Tho
Top 8 must-visit temples in Can Tho
Top 8 temples that you should visit when traveling to Can Tho: Pitu Khosa Rangsay temple, Ong temple, Phat Hoc temple, Nam Nha temple,...
Top places for Christmas in Can Tho
Top places for Christmas in Can Tho
Christmas is coming to Can Tho with a vibrant atmosphere. If you have not chosen a place to enjoy Christmas, let’s visit those Christmas destinations.
11 Best Local Coffee Shops in Can Tho
11 Best Local Coffee Shops in Can Tho
Are you traveling in Can Tho and want to find a local coffee shop? Try walking along the streets, you will easily catch a lot…
Rustic boat life at Viet Nam Floating Market
Rustic boat life at Viet Nam Floating Market
The story of 30 years of boating on the Mekong River, feel the rustic river lifestyle of the Mekong people in the sound of rowing…
FAQ
The Mekong Delta is the most densely populated section of the Mekong River. It begins in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, where the Bassac River diverges from the mainstream Mekong. Together, the two rivers fan into a 62,520 km2 alluvial plain covering southern Vietnam from just north of Ho Chi Minh City. The Mekong crosses the border at Dong Thap province, where it is known as Song Tien or Tien River. It flows through Long Xuyen, Sa Dec and Vinh Long, and then splits into four distributaries before exiting into the East Sea. The Bassac, which flows south, enters Vietnam at Chau Doc, where it becomes known as the Song Hau-Hau River and passes through the major delta city of Can Tho. It disperses into three distributaries before exiting to the sea in Soc Trang. In Vietnam, the Mekong Delta is known as the Đồng Bằng Sông Cửu Long or ‘Nine Dragon River Delta’; the name is derived from the nine major channels.
The Mekong River originates high in the Tibetan plateau and passes through six countries: China, Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam.
The Mekong Delta is famous for its agricultural products. Here you can experience the local lifestyle, which is the floating life. Another interesting thing to do is try the local cuisine. A system of dense rivers and canals was created in the delta, stimulating the formation and development of several unique cultural features there, such as floating markets, monkey bridges, and so on. This “simple” but unique beauty has attracted a number of international visitors to come and explore every year. People in the Mekong Delta are friendly, hospitable, and humorous. They will be the best hosts for any tourists who come there to explore the land and the culture of the Mekong Delta.
The street infrastructure in the Mekong Delta has been sufficiently elevated to make it accessible for most types of vehicles. Motorbikes are the prevalent means of transportation to explore every corner of the countryside. Also, cars are used to moving on big streets, and it definitely feels good to sit in an air-conditioned car and not have to worry about all the heat outside. However, since the terrain of the Mekong Delta is well-known for its complicated systems of rivers and canals, traveling by boat is also commonly seen by both locals and tourists.

These are some of the must-visit attractions in the area.

  • Cai Rang Floating Market, Can Tho
  • Bang Lang Stork Sanctuary, Can Tho
  • Son Islet, Can Tho
  • Tra Su Bird Sanctuary, An Giang
  • Muoi Cuong Cacao Garden, Can Tho

There are some activities that tourists can do in the Mekong Delta:

Experience local life

Taking a walk or a bicycle ride around the village can give you a closer look at the locals’ lifestyle. You can see people napping on hammocks on the side of the street. You can see children riding their bicycles to school or even hear the sound of karaoke echoing from someone’s house.

Explore the Mekong Delta Floating Market

The most unique and peculiar thing about the Mekong Delta is none other than the floating markets, where you can see all the ways of life, daily activities, and culture of the people here. These markets have existed just for local farmers to sell fruits and vegetables to the folks on the land.

Visit pagodas and temples in the Mekong Delta

Vinh Trang Temple in My Tho and Bat Pagoda in Soc Trang are great recommendations for their unique architecture. They are representatives of the Buddhist temples in southern Vietnam.

Enjoy the fruits of the Mekong Delta

Coming to the Mekong Delta, you will find a dozen different kinds of tropical fruits that are grown here, such as pomelo, orange, coconut, mango, soursop, longan, etc. You can pay a visit to a local orchard to enjoy the fresh fruit while chatting with the locals.

Enjoy the specialities of the Mekong Delta

If you go to the Mekong Delta, you can enjoy the favorite folk dishes of the river region. Each dish leaves its own taste in the heart of each visitor.

Here are some suggestions for the food that you must try when visiting the Mekong Delta.

  • Fish noodle soup – Bun Ca
  • Snakehead fish thick noodle soup – Banh Canh Ca Loc
  • My Tho noodle soup – Hu tieu My Tho
  • Banh xeo
  • Spring rolls – Goi Cuon
  • Grilled Snakehead fish – ca loc nuong trui

Top 6 Souvenirs to Buy in the Mekong Delta:

  1. Cacao-based products
  2. Coconut candy
  3. Handicrafts such as hat leaves, coconut products, …
  4. Rice wine
  5. Tropical Honey
  6. Rice noodles

Besides necessary items, when coming to river regions, you should bring sandals or slippers to walk easily.

You should avoid carrying valuable jewelry. You only need to prepare cash or an ATM card.

When you go shopping, you should check the expiry date and products’ origin, and you must pay attention to your property when you are in crowded places.

You shouldn’t wear shorts, skirts, short dresses, or revealing clothes into temples or pagodas to show respect to religious beliefs.

There are quite a lot of mosquitoes in the Mekong Delta, especially when the rice harvests have just finished. So you should bring a bottle of anti-mosquito spray or cream.

The time you spend in the Mekong Delta depends on the place you want to visit. Here are some suggestions for you:

  • 3 days trip tour from Tien Giang to Can Tho and An Giang
  • 2 days in Can Tho
  • 1 day in Can Tho

The distance between Ho Chi Minh City and the Mekong Delta depends on the destination you would like to visit. The shortest distance is about 60km and the longest distance can come up to 210 KM.

  • Ho Chi Minh to My Tho, Mekong delta: 67 km, 1 hour 25 min transfer
  • Ho Chi Minh to Ben Tre, Mekong delta: 84 km, 1 hour 50 min transfer
  • Ho Chi Minh to Cai Be, Mekong delta: 109 km, 2.5 hours transfer
  • Ho Chi Minh to Can Tho, Mekong delta: 166 km, 3.5 hours transfer
  • Ho Chi Minh to Chau Doc, Mekong delta: 209 km, 5.5 hours transfer

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