Mekong Delta
The meandering waterways and lush paddy fields of the Mekong Delta, south Vietnam's 'rice bowl' are a world away from high-rise Saigon – but make an easy-to-arrange seasonal day trip. A maze of rivers, it is home to bustling floating markets, wooden village houses and long-tail boats that cruise between orchards which you'll soon be passing down on your bicycle as well. Boat rides through the delta will also take visitors around local villages where daily life is lived out with fishing, farming and trading on water. Floating markets, like Cai Rang and Cai Be centres of bustling trade where packed boats filled with fresh fruits, vegetables & small-scale appliances offer locals a shopping experience not unlike any true brick-and-mortar retailer. The Mekong Delta is an essential stop on a Vietnam holiday packages or travel adventure in the country giving you chance to escape from city madness and take some time off with natural beauty.
Highlights:
> Boat Cruise: Get onboard a boat drifting through the winding rivers and dotted with tropical islands of Mekong River, experiencing life far from urban area.
> Floating Markets: Get lost in the hustle and bustle of Cai Rang, to experience this truly unique floating market where a huge array of fresh produce is traded.
> Traditional Villages: Visit traditional riverside villages, workshops and see local crafts being made as a great addition to your Vietnam travel itinerary.
> Tropical Fruit Orchards: Lose yourself in and leave with your pockets filled of favourite fruits once travelling to Vietnam as part of an adventure tours or holiday packages, wander through luscious orchids.
> Cultural Immersion: Explore the fascinating culture of Mekong Delta through its festivals, traditional music and local specialties to enrich your Vietnam vacation tours.
Best Time to Visit:
December to April, it is the dry season and that makes it one of the best times to discover Mekong Delta. Enjoy the balmy sun during this season which is perfect for exploring water bodies and visiting floating markets. Clear skies and less humid ambience are a feature one encounters during the dry season, which makes boating activities and outdoor fun more pleasant. During this period, it rains heavily and the water can flood at intervals; thus, being unfavourable to travel around the area. You can definitely enjoy a more refreshing and satisfying journey, even if you are on Vietnam travel packages, Vietnam private tours or during the dry season.
Speciality:
Unique Mekong Delta Cultural Experiences Its myriads of rivers and canals is one way unique to the region that travellers in Vietnam may experience local life outside bustling metropolises. The highlight here though are the floating markets which will allow you to see how trade was traditionally done. Furthermore, the delta also has luscious fruit orchards on display as well as original traditional villages showing agricultural skills and methods. Vietnam adventure tours and Vietnam travel packages should head to the Mekong Delta the country's most well-known vibrant local culture, where travellers can encounter traditional music, dance and festivals.
Nearby Attractions:
> Cu Chi Tunnels: Visit and explore the historic site near Ho Chi Minh City that served a major strategic function for Vietnamese fighters during their struggle with America, an incredible network of tunnels used by them to live in, hide from bombs and move soldiers around silently.
> My Tho: city in the Mekong Delta with tourist friendly river front and boat tours allowing visitor a taste of local culture & cuisine
> Ben Tre: Renowned for its coconut farms and imprint of traditional trade villages, Ben Tre is the destination in which you can see how they farm and produce such products.
Places to Stay:
> Mekong Rustic: A basic eco-lodge offering peace and relaxation along with authentic tastes of the remote region for travellers looking to escape from it all.
> Bassac Cruise: Unique overnight on a traditional wooden boat, The floating hotel offers breathtaking river views and amenities to be comfortable.
> Can Tho Victoria Hotel: This sophisticated hotel, located in the heart of Can Tho is an ideal spot to stay and visit the city as well as its floating markets.
How to Reach:
To go to the Mekong Delta from Ho Chi Minh City, you may catch a bus ride or travel by private car/organized tour. The drive is about 2-3 hours depending on where in the delta you are going. Otherwise, you may wish to reserve a boat tour from Ho Chi Minh City that stops at different delta sites. If they are coming from Hanoi or other cities, domestic flights to Can Tho and My Tho lead the way for passengers who have their next stop in this administrative region. Make sure you take care of this travel segment in your Vietnam trip planner for a smooth experience.
Activities to Do:
> Boat Tours: Travel the Mekong River and its canals on a boat to watch floating markets, traditional villages & scenic landscapes increasing your experience of Vietnam travel.
> Markets Visits: Visit colourful floating markets such as Cai Rang and Cai Be for fresh fruits, vegetables and regional treats.
> Fruit Orchard Tours: Take advantage of the local orchards to taste unique fruit and see farming how formally it was done!
> Village Visits: Visit some of the local workshops and traditional villages that Mekong Delta is known for to experience rural life.
> Cooking Classes: Take place in cooking classes to learn ways how traditional Vietnamese food is made from homemade ingredients.
