9 ‘most amazing things’ to do in Mekong Delta

The Travel, a Canadian magazine, said Mekong Delta in Vietnam is "worthy of discerning travelers' bucket lists".

The magazine said this place, coined the “rice bowl” of the country where over 50% of Vietnam’s rice is produced, is "an ideal destination with many fascinating experiences".

It suggested nine "most amazing things to do" here.

Floating markets

"One of the most immersive experiences for tourists to discover the local way of life is the region's bustling floating markets,” The Travel wrote.

Mekong Delta is home to five well-known floating markets, namely Cai Rang, Cai Be, Phong Dien, Nga Nam, and Long Xuyen. Cai Rang and Cai Be are the most popular and busiest, with the former being the largest while the latter is only one reachable on a day trip from Ho Chi Minh City, the hub of southern Vietnam.

These floating markets are not for folks who struggle to get up early in the morning; the best time to visit any of them is as early as possible - as early as 3 a.m. when hundreds of vendors begin steering their sampans into the market area.

Vinh Trang pagoda

“Featuring a fascinating blend of Eastern and Western architecture, the 150-year-old Vinh Trang pagoda in My Tho, Tien Giang province is an icon known across Vietnam, and is celebrated for its architectural, historical, and religious importance.”

The Buddhist pagoda is a magnificent cultural relic surrounded by an enchanting series of ornate gardens home to four enormous, interconnected sections, five buildings, 60 statues, 178 pillars, and an old bell dating back to 1854, according to the magazine.

This place has vibrant mosaics showing off stories of nature and folklore, as well as 18 amazing arhats carved from the wood of jackfruit trees.

Tan Lap floating village

Tan Lap floating village in Long An province, one of Vietnam's renowned ecotourism spots, is popular among the most intrepid of travelers.

“Set in the midst of a mystic floating forest and swamp rivers, Tan Lap floating village is a tranquil place of tropical beauty left unfettered by the outside world of over-tourism and enterprise,” The Travel commented.

It's easily accessible from HCMC on a day trip since it's a mere 100 kilometers away, taking only about two hours to reach by car or motorbike.

Mekong River cruise

A cruise along Mekong River is enthralling, the magazine suggested.

"The perfect mix of scenery and cultural immersion can be had on a river cruise, many of which take travelers to lots more places than they might have first thought."

Costing a few hundred dollars to thousand dollars per person, there are many luxury liners that explore further for longer, taking explorers not only to parts of the Delta, but also to others like Phnom Penh and Siem Reap.

Sampan boat trip

Taking a simple sampan steered by a local is an experience no discerning travelers should skip during their stay in the delta.

For just a few dollars, three to four people per sampan can explore several known spots, like Tra Su Cajuput forest (An Giang province), Thi Tuong Lagoon (Ca Mau province), and Thoi Son Islet (Ben Tre province) to mention only a small handful of beautiful places.

Khmer pagodas

Tra Vinh used to be a part of the Khmer empire, with over 300,000 Khmer people residing in the province today.

The province boasts 140 Khmer temples peppered all over its lush landscapes, offering a unique look and feel to this part of the country unlike most others. The Khmer pagodas that should not be missed on one's trip to this part of the delta include Hang Pagoda and Kompong Chray Pagoda, according to The Travel.

Tra Su bird sanctuary

Succumb to the sweet songs of over 70 unique species of birds at the magnificent Tra Su Bird Sanctuary - a retreat of pure bliss and serenity set on 800,000 hectares of land and water and accessible via a boat ride.

Tra Su in Chau Doc, An Giang province is just 30 kilometers southwest of Chau Doc, covering a vast area of 850 hectares. Tra Su is an ecosystem of cajuput trees and a flooded mangrove forest that are home to many species of flora and fauna.

Local cuisine

"Vietnamese cuisine is a worldwide favorite, and the dishes to be discovered in its Mekong Delta region validate the country's celebrated culinary status truer than ever."

There is a wealth of taste bud tantalizing foods to try, including bun rieu (rice noodle soup with a tomato and crab soup base), pia cake, hu tieu (rice noodle soup with a few herbs, meat, eggs, and shrimp), Vietnamese pancake, and "for the very bravest travelers, coconut larvae".

Besides, flowers play a major role in many local dishes, including sesbania, sesban, and the lovely flower hotpot.

Fruit orchards

There are ample amounts of fruit orchards to visit in the area, with Tien Giang province being the largest fruit producer in the whole area thanks to Tien River's fertile surrounding terrain.

The Cai Be Fruit Orchard is one of the region's largest fruit gardens - one that specializes in longans, jackfruit, tangerines, guavas, rambutan, grapefruits, and more.

Another orchard worthy of a visit is Dragon Fruit Farm in Long An province, renowned for its bright pink, white, and yellow variants of this irresistible tropical fruit.

"Anyone with a taste for mangos should not miss out on a trip to Hoa Loc Mango Garden - one of the Delta's most iconic orchards."