Mekong Delta

The great river flows into the South China Sea, before splitting into several hundred branches and channels, forming an amazing area that includes 19 provinces of Vietnam. The Mekong Delta reaches 40 thousand square kilometers and is considered a unique attraction of the country, attracting a huge number of tourists every year.

The Great Mekong

Its importance to the Vietnamese is comparable to that of the Nile to the Egyptians. The Mekong is the source of life and prosperity and is revered as the River of Nine Dragons, based on the number of major rivers that flow into the mainstream. The Mekong River valley and delta in Vietnam consists of many large and small islands and mangroves.

In the maze of ducts at first glance is simply impossible to navigate, but the locals feel in these intricacies, like fish in water. Their life begins near the waters of this great river, passes on its expanses. Even the deep seniors, who can no longer hold their legs, are surprisingly nimble with their oars, ferrying the weightless boats from one island to the next with ease.

The source of the Mekong is located in the Tibetan Plateau and carries its waters through five countries:

• China;
• Thailand;
• Laos;
• Cambodia;
• Vietnam.

At the southwestern tip, the river splits into smaller channels, forming a unique ecosystem with its own laws, landscapes, and lifestyle. The fertile soil gives unprecedented yields of legumes, rice, corn, vegetables, and exotic fruits. The river is one of the largest waterways in the world.

The main sources of income for the valley’s inhabitants are agriculture and fishing.

Here huts are still built of straw and majestic temples of stones. Seeing these unique places is considered part of the obligatory program to get to know the country.

Mekong Delta sightseeing programs

Excursions to the Mekong Delta from Ho Chi Minh City are very popular with tourists. Here, unimaginable exoticism of mangroves, a fair share of adrenaline from waiting for alligators or giant snakes, the delight of unusual plants and luxurious nature are woven into one tangle.

The Mekong Delta ranks first among the country’s attractions, often ahead of the rest:

• Kuti tunnels;
• the forbidden purple city;
• Mishon temple complex;
• Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum;
• Cham towers.

Interesting feature! There are virtually no roads in the Mekong Delta in Vietnam, water trails replace them, and transport is provided by small, nimble boats or wide cargo barges.

The main part of the excursion programs is designed for 1 day. We will have to move in boats with rare trips to the shore. It is better not to take small children on the trip. They have a hard time staying in a confined space for a long time and the epidemiological situation also leaves much to be desired.

During the trip, tourists are encouraged to visit:

• factories for the production of interior items, paintings, crocodile and snakeskin products;
• apiary;
• Coconut candy and rice paper companies;
• bakeries;
• restaurant with national cuisine.

Separate excursions are organized to the Mekong Delta cities, ancient temples, pagodas and towers, museums, national parks and ornithological reserves.

Cities

Each of them has a unique appearance and at the same time they are united by their involvement in the great waterway of the country.

1. Chowdok is almost on the border with Cambodia. It preserves the traditional way of life, operates a floating market, where they sell basic necessities and samples of national crafts. It is famous for its annual pirogue boat races, which are attended by craftsmen from nearby provinces.
2. Kantho is a popular tourist center and commercial port. It is famous for its large floating markets, ancient examples of architecture, beautiful Buddhist temples and well-developed infrastructure.
3. Mitho is the closest to Ho Chi Minh City. The architecture seamlessly blends traditional Asian and colonial European styles, which gives its streets a special charm. It is one of the major financial and industrial centers in the Mekong Delta. The main attraction is the Vinh Chang Buddhist Pagoda.
4. Vinh Long is the center of the province of the same name, and territorially it is also located in the middle of the river valley. Foodies come here to enjoy the many sauces of Vietnamese cuisine. Exotic dishes, including rare swordfish, crocodile roast, assorted fruits, freshly squeezed juices are on the menu of most cafes and restaurants in the city. Viñlong is called the heart of the delta and is home to the famous plantations of a special, sticky variety of rice, which is used to make traditional rice cakes with a variety of fillings.
5. Cairo seems tiny compared to other cities, the unhurried flow of time leaves an opportunity to observe the life of citizens, appreciate its identity and marvel at how people get used to any conditions.
6. Ho Chi Minh City is a modern metropolis. The city has a developed industry, high-rise buildings prevail, there are offices of large companies. There are a lot of mopeds on the streets, which greatly relieves the traffic arteries. It attracts those looking for comfort and nightlife. This is where most of the Mekong Delta hiking trails start.

National Parks

There are about 30 parks of different sizes. They are formed to preserve nature and its rare inhabitants. Active human interference in the delicate balance often puts an ecosystem in danger and its inhabitants on the brink of extinction.

The most famous nature reserves in the Mekong Delta are:

• Chamtim;
• Uminh Thuong;
• Phu Quoc;
• Muikamau.

They are home to more than 100 species of birds, the Malay bear, palm civet, big and little fat lory, flying squirrels, dogs, foxes, mice, and the Vietnamese frog.

Prices for Mekong River Tours

The Mekong Delta is so large that it would take more than one month to examine it in detail. Excursion programs include a large number of attractions, collected in a kind of kaleidoscope. Most tours are of an overview nature and are designed for a period of 1 to 3 days. As you travel through the waterways, you can see leatherback turtles, freshwater dolphins, reptiles and reptiles, perky little monkeys, and phlegmatic rhinos.

The price of the trip is based on the number of days and the number of objects planned to see

A standard one-day tour costs VND 200,000. The entertainment includes a visit to a bee and coconut farm, tasting, concert of national music, lunch, a boat ride, where the Mekong delta reveals its secrets. May additionally include a tour of the floating market, souvenir stores, crocodile farm. VIP version of the tour costs VND 780 thousand and is characterized by greater comfort travel, a more diverse diet, a small group. The price includes a bike ride and a Vietnamese cooking master class.

A more extensive program is prepared for trips of 2 or 3 days. The first is priced at 650,000 dong, the second at 350,000 dong more. The cost of tours varies depending on the season, group occupancy, the inclusion of additional items.

Video overview of the Mekong Delta tour

The Mekong Delta will leave many amazing impressions and memories of a trip along one of the largest and most majestic rivers on the planet.