The Mekong River Delta (which in Vietnamese means “delta of the River of Nine Dragons”) is the river delta formed at the mouth of the Mekong River, in the South China Sea. The Mekong River is a long river, nearly 5,000 kilometres in length, that flows southeast across the entire Indochina Peninsula, emptying an astonishing more than 450 km3 of water into the sea each year. Its great length also makes the Mekong the eighth-longest river on Earth. It rises on the Tibetan Plateau, fed by the seasonal flow of glacial meltwater, and it also receives water from numerous highly significant tributaries that increase its volume considerably. The extreme seasonal variations in its flow—caused by spring thaw in the Northern Hemisphere—and the presence of rapids and waterfalls—since in some stretches the river runs through mountainous, steep terrain—have made navigation along most of its course impossible. Its name comes from the contraction of the Thai words Mae Nam Khong. It also has other names that vary depending on the countries it crosses: in China it is called Lancang; in Laos, Ménom Khong; and in Cambodia, Mékōngk or Tonle. The Mekong specifically runs through China, Myanmar, Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam, where it finally empties into the sea, forming one of the most famous deltas on the planet. The Mekong River itself serves as a natural border on several occasions along its course, for example between Laos and Thailand, between Laos and Myanmar, and between Myanmar and China.
The Mekong Delta: a key environment
The Mekong Delta is one of the most important river deltas in the world. Its prestige lies in the rich and varied ecosystem it provides at a biological and human development level: jungle areas, swamps, and forests—a true green lung—that contain a great variety of endemic animals, plants, amphibians, and birds of this region—new species are cataloged every year in the most remote and still unexplored areas of the delta. The Mekong Delta also forms an intrinsic part of the history of human and regional development for the inhabitants of this area of Vietnam and much of Asia, as the fertile sediments carried by the river to the delta provide cultivation areas and food to sustain the economy and lives of millions of people. The Mekong Delta area has been inhabited since prehistoric times, although it was from 68 AD, when the Kingdom of Funan was established there, that the foundations for permanent human settlements that have lasted to this day were created. Currently, approximately 20 million people live in the delta area.
Three-day excursion through the Mekong Delta
If you visit southern Vietnam and Ho Chi Minh City—formerly Saigon—or are planning to travel here from Hanoi, it is an excellent idea to plan an itinerary to visit the most interesting areas of the Mekong Delta. In this article, we propose a route that starts in Ho Chi Minh City and, by combining several means of transport such as bus, boat and bicycle, will allow you to visit one of the most important river deltas in Asia and the world. There you will find small islands hidden among the mangroves, floating markets, fishermen, old colonial houses and a great deal of culture.
Day 1 – From Ho Chi Minh to the river
From Ho Chi Minh, head south by road. After about 100 kilometers, the first stop is Cái Bè, one of Vietnam’s so-called districts. It is a rural district in Tien Giang province, home to approximately 300,000 people. Like many towns in this area, Cai Be is a mixed land and floating town. We recommend renting a bicycle to explore the area comfortably. One of Cai Be’s biggest attractions is its colonial houses, the most famous of which is Bà Kiet House, or Mr. Kiet’s house. It is a well-preserved old colonial house accessible only by boat. It can currently be visited, and it is very interesting to stroll through its lush gardens or observe the furniture and utensils from 150 years ago. It also offers restaurant service, allowing you to enjoy a meal in a unique setting.
Tan Phong Island and by boat to Vĩnh Long
Not far from there, just a few kilometers away, you will find Tan Phong Island, an area completely off the traditional tourist routes where you can enjoy various outdoor activities. On Tan Phong Island, you can also attend traditional Vietnamese music performances and visit its tranquil gardens. From Tan Phong Island, take a boat to Can Tho, where we recommend spending the first night.
Day 2 – The Mekong Delta’s Floating Markets
On this second day of our proposed Mekong Delta excursion, wake up early for a boat trip along the largest tributary of the Mekong River: the Bassac. This area is also home to the Cai Rang market, the most active in the entire Mekong Delta. Despite not being the largest floating market, Cai Rang market has the most commercial activity. This will give you the opportunity to observe the comings and goings of merchants and buyers. As it is a floating market, all activity takes place on boats, ships, launches, canoes, and all kinds of vessels. Some of the small boats you will see in this market are loaded to the brim with fruits, rice, vegetables, and even other products such as clothes and utensils. In this river area, there is also heavy traffic of larger vessels dedicated to transporting goods to other parts of Vietnam or even to the Cambodian border. Cai Rang market operates every day of the year and is busiest early in the morning. Activity begins to cease as midday approaches, so we recommend visiting the market approximately between 7 and 8 AM. If you want to shop at Cai Rang market, navigation is easier than it seems: all boats selling the same or similar products are grouped together.
In this area, you can also try one of the typical dishes of Vietnamese cuisine: the famous vermicelli noodle soup. Rice vermicelli are very thin noodles made from rice. Vietnamese cuisine—and that of many Southeast Asian countries—includes many types of noodles, and vermicelli are one of them.
The Vietnamese “monkey bridges”
“Monkey bridges” are simple arched pedestrian crossings built from tree trunks and bamboo. They have been used for centuries so that people can comfortably cross the thousands of canals in this area of the Mekong Delta. At first glance, monkey bridges look unstable and fragile, although it is very surprising to see how Vietnamese people cross them without any problems, sometimes carrying bags, suitcases, or on a bicycle. Monkey bridges have gradually been removed and replaced by safer bridges and elevated walkways built from concrete and metal, although many still remain in urban areas or as a Vietnamese cultural symbol.
The Tra Su Bird Sanctuary
The Tra Sú bird sanctuary is one of the most highly recommended visits in the Mekong Delta. It is a small, unspoilt natural area where the delta’s original flora and fauna have been preserved. Boatmen guide canoes through the park’s labyrinth of natural channels, full of aquatic plants and mangroves. The photos you will be able to take will be spectacular. The best time of year to visit the sanctuary is during the rainy season, between August and September: with more water there are more fish and, therefore, more birds in search of food.
Mount Sam
If you have time, after visiting the Tra Sú bird sanctuary, head to Mount Sam, a small mountain in the area from which Vietnamese people in the past monitored attempts by the Cambodian army to cross the border. The views of the delta and the rice fields are spectacular. You can find accommodation for tonight in Chau Doc.
Day 3
Take advantage of the last day to visit several local floating fishing villages in this area and some villages of the Cham ethnic group before returning to Ho Chi Minh.
