Dong Thap

Dong Thap

Area: 3.376,4 km2

Population: 1.665.420 people

Dong Thap is a province in the Mekong Delta region of southern Vietnam. Dong Thap is bordered by Long An and Tien Giang on the east; Vinh Long and Can Tho on the south; Can Tho and An Giang on the west; a 47,8 kilometers border with Pray Veng province - Cambodia on the north (with 4 border gates: Thong Binh, Dinh Ba, My Can and Thuong Phuoc). Center of Dong Thap is Cao Lanh city which is 162 km from Ho Chi Minh City.

There are 12 districts, towns and city: Cao Lanh city, Sa Dec, Hong Ngu town, and district of Cao Lanh, Chau Thanh, Hong Ngu, Lai Vung, Lap Vo, Tam Nong, Thanh Binh, Thap Muoi.

2/3 of Dong Thap area belongs to Dong Thap Muoi marsh so the landscape and ecology are very unique. Visit Dong Thap Muoi, visitors will see a lot of melaleuca forests, lotus ponds, stork garden, bird sanctuary belong to Dong Thap Muoi ecosystem, which is concerned by many international organization of nature conservation.

Monument – landscapes

• National bird indigo Forest: the national bird indigo forest has a natural area of 7,588 hectares belonging to 5 communes of Tam Nong District, 45 km from Cao Lanh city to the Northwest. This is a model of natural landscape of primitive Dong Thap Muoi where there is very beautiful natural landscape with infinite waterways, immensely green indigo forest and plentiful floristic composition of 130 different species. This forest is also a living place of 185 aquatics, 55 of fish species and more than 198 species of birds, many of which are valuable and rare bird spices in the world such as sarus crane (grus antigone), cairina scutulata, grey-headed lapwing…

• Gao Giong Eco-tourism Site: with the area of 350 ha, this torism area is in Gao Giong melaleuca forest, belonging to hamlet 6, Gao Giong commune, Cao Lanh district. It has a 40 ha bird sanctuary with many species of bird such as stock, Double-crested Cormorants, Purple Swamphen, Greater Coucal and many kinds of aqua species such as snakehead fish, climbing perch, Ghost Knife Fish, eel, snake… Visitors can go fishing to relax.

• Sa Dec Flower and Bonsai Village: belongs to Tan Quy Dong commune, Sa Det town. This is one of the biggest flower and bonsai villages in Mekong Delta. Some kinds of flower you can see here: marigold, rose, Red decorative dahlias, orchid… There are many kinds of rare bonsai like Palmaceae, Carmona, Ochnaceae….

• Junior doctor Nguyen Sinh Sac Imperial Tomb (President Ho’s father): is 1.5 km from Cao Lanh city center, on Pham Huu Lau Street, ward 4, Cao Lanh city. This monument was built in 1977. With the area of 4 ha, it is divided into 2 parts: his imperial tomb and President Ho’s house on stilts and lotus pond.

• Dinh Yen Night Sedge Mat Market: This market is 100 years old, on Hau river bank, belongs to Dinh Yen commune, Lap Vo district. People trade in night time only. Their products are material to weave mat, coloring and thousands of sedge mat for many different occasions.

• An Hoa Beach: Discovered in 1995, is a white crescent-shaped sand of more than 10 hectares, located on the Tien River,Cai Tau Ha town (Chau Thanh District). An Hoa beach is an ideal place for tourists to enjoy the western rivers. Currently, An Hoa beach attracts many tourists.

• Tien Islet (Fairy Islet): a white sand islet looks like a fairy lying in the sunshine. Tien islet is on Hau River, Dinh Hoa Commune, Lai Vung District. Visitors come to Tien islet can swim in the river, sunbathe, and enjoy the atmosphere of the countryside. Tien islet is a attractive destination for domestic and foreign tourists.

• Huynh Thuy Le’s Ancient House: address: 225A Nguyen Hue, ward 2, Sa Det town. Huynh Thuy Le’s ancient house is a monument of love story between Marguerite Dumas and Huynh Thuy Le. M.Dumas wrote the novel L’Amant (Lover) to tell about her love story. This book was transtale in to many languages and got the Goncourt award in 1984. In 1990, film L’Amant was filmed in this ancient house by a French movie crew.

Festivals

• Doc Binh Vang Anniversary Celebration: every year on 15th and 16th of the 2nd month of lunar calendar in Tan Trach commune, Thanh Binh district. Armiral Binh Vang-Tran Ngoc, is adivision commander and a head of military provisions in Minh MangDynasty. In 1837, on the way to An Giang, he known that An Giang wall was fallen, he ordered soldiers to destroy the boats, to lay down soldiers’ arms and he committed suicide. The Court awarded to him as senior lieutenant-general prince. People were grateful andregreted him, and they named small irrigation canal is Doc Vangcanal and they have worship him up to now.

• Ba Chua Xu Festival: is held annually on March 16 (lunar) at Ba Chua Xu temple, Thap Muoi district.

Specialties

Lai Vung fermented pork roll, Sa Dec noodle, Sa Giang snack, Cao Lanh mouse…

(Mekong Delta Tourist Portal)