Tien Giang

Tien Giang

Area: 2.481,8 km2

Population: 1.670.216 people

Tien Giang is on Tien River bank with the length of 120km, bordered by Long An province and Ho Chi Minh city in the north and northeast, Dong Thap province in the west, Ben Tre and Vinh Long province in the south and East Sea in the east.

Tien Giang comprises 1 city (My Tho), 1 town, (Go Cong) and 8 districts (Go Cong Dong, Go Cong Tay, Cho Gao, Chau Thanh, Tan Phuoc, Cay Lay, Cai Be, Tan Phu Dong).

With the coast line of 32km, Tien Giang has advantages of aquaculture and many kinds of special fruits to develop eco-tourism and sea-tourism.

Monuments – Landscapes

• Go Thanh is a national monument, locating in Tan Than commune, Cho Gao District. The national monument of Oc-Eo Culture in Go Thanh was in the 1st to the 6th century. Some artifacts were found are some status of Vinus, Negasa, NamThan and many other copper, gold, pottery artifacts…

• Cai Be floating Market: is one of the most famous floating markets of Mekong delta since 18th century. Cai Be floating market is adjacent area of Vinh Long, Ben Tre and Tien Giang, near Tan Phong isle. This market is nearly 1000m long on the river, with many boats selling special products of the Mekong delta.

• Tan Thanh Beach: locates at Tan Thanh Commune, Go Cong Dong District, is 50km from My Tho to the east on Highway 50. Come to Tan Thanh Beach, tourist will enjoy a beautiful beach with many services such as relax, sunbathing, sports on beach…

• Thoi Son Isle is an isle on Tien River; it is on the opposite of My Tho city. There are many laden orchards on this isle. Tourist can enjoy the fresh atmosphere of the countryside, have some kinds of fruits and make friend with friendly orchard owners.

• Dong Tam Snake Farm: This is the reliable place of snake-bite treatment for the inhabitants in Mekong delta. Dong Tam snake farm is on the area of 11ha, in Tan Thuan Village, Binh Duc Commune, Chau Thanh District. To this place, tourists seemly stray into a snake kingdom with hundreds of different species. This place becomes a tourist site for many visitors.

• Vinh Trang Pagoda is the biggest and the most beautiful pagoda in Tien Giang, a historical and cultural monument of Vietnam. This pagoda is on an area of 2000 meters square, in My An village, My Phong commune, My Tho city. Vinh Trang pagoda was built by Mr and Mrs. Bui Cong Dat in early 19th century. In 1907, it was rebuilt in Asia architecture associated with the European’s in a perfectly general form, in a stunning beauty. There are 60 wooden statues, especially Thap Bat La Han were carved in 1970, is the pinnacle of artistic sculpting the Mekong delta. Vinh Trang pagoda attracts many domestic and foreign tourists to visit.

Festivals

• Ap Bac Victory: this is held annually on Ap Bac Victory day (January 2 1963) in Tan Phu commune, Cay Lay district.

• Vam Lang: this take place in Ong pagoda of Vam Lang and Kieng Phuoc commune, Go Cong Dong district on 9th to 10th of the third lunar month. This is Nghinh Ong festival (Dolphin greeting festival) of Tien Giang fishermen. At 9:00 am, Nghinh Ong boat is decorated, travel from Vam Lang canal to Xoai Rap river. There is traditional singing. At the end is the ceremony to take Ong to the pagoda for worshiping.

• Tu Kiet Festival: on 15th and 16th of the eighth lunar month, Tu Kiet Festival takes place in Thanh Hoa Commune, Cai Lay District to commemorate four heroes who fought against the French. After the ceremony, there are cultural and artistic activities with a great numbers of participants.

• Ky Yen Vinh Binh Festival is the biggest Ky Yen festival of the province, take place in Vinh Binh communal house, Go Cong Tay district, from 14th to 16th of the 12nd lunar month.

Specialties

Hoa Loc mango, Long Co Co pomelo, Lo Ren Vinh Kim star apple, Ngu Hiep durian, Go Cong watermelon and acerola, Tan Lap pineapple. Tien Giang is also famous for many dishes such as My Tho rice noodle, Cho Rong gia cake, fermented shrimp…

(Mekong Delta Tourist Portal)

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) 

Ben Tre

Ben Tre

Area: 2.322 km2

Population: 1.401.600 people (2008)

Ben Tre is adjacent to East Sea, the coastline is 60 km. Tien Giang province is on the North, the West and Southwest border Vinh Long province, the South border Tra Vinh. Ben Tre is 85 km from Ho Chi Minh city.

Ben tre comprises 9 districts: Ben Tre town, Chau Thanh, Cho Lach, Mo Cay Bac, Mo Cay Nam, Giong Trom, Binh Dai, BaTri, Thanh Phu.

Ben Tre’s tourism strength is characterized by the natural scenery, the ecological environment, coconut groves, and vast orchards

Monuments – Landscapes

• Phung islet (Mr. Dao Dua islet): Tan Trach commune, Chau Thanh district, Con Phung tourist area is on the floating isle in the middle of Tien River. There is Dao Dua monument with unique architecture. The inhabitants in Con Phung do handicraft with the materials from coconut palms and farm fruit trees for their living.

• Oc Islet (Hung Phong Islet): Hung Phong Commune, Giong Trom District, there are many coconut grove and orchards.

• Tien Islet: Tien Phong commune, Chau Thanh district, is a long and beautiful beach. Every year on May 5 (lunar) thousands of people come here to entertain.

• Vam Ho Bird Yard: My Hoa and Tan Xuan commune, Ba Tri district, about 500000 stocks and many kinds of birds live here with date palm forest and abundant vegetation.

• Cai Mon Orchard: Vinh Thanh commune, Cho Lach district, famous for many kinds of fruit such as mangos teen, durian, rambutan…

Festivals

• Phu Le Communal House Festival: Phu Le communal house is in Phu Khuong village, Phu Le commune, Ba Tri district. This is a place for Thanh Hoang Bon Canh worship. Every year, this festival take place twice, Ky Yen ceremony on March 18 to 19 (lunar) to pray for rain and wind (or for peace) and Cau Bong ceremony on November 9 and 10 (lunar) to pray for good crop. The festivities include a procession and a prayer consecrated to the village spirit who taught the inhabitants how to grow useful plants. At night, there is Hat Boi (a form of traditional drama) and amateur singing.

• Nghinh Ong (Dolphin Greeting) Festival is the festival for coastal village which takes place on 15th and 16th days of the Sixth Lunar month in Binh Dai and Ba Tri District. During the festival all the fishing boats anchor to participate in this ceremony.

• Fruit Festival is taken place at Cho Lach commune very year on the fifth of May (lunar). This is the exhibition and contest of the delicious fruit in Ben Tre. Visitors can come and enjoydelicious fruit on this occasion.

Specialties

Some specialties of Ben Tre are coconut, coconut candy, My Long rice paper, Son Doc chips, Cai Mon mangosteen, Cai Mon flowers, Chin Hoa durian, Phu Le alcohol….

(Mekong Delta Tourist Portal) 

An Giang

An Giang

Area: 3.406,2 km2

Population: 2.253.865 people (2008)

An Giang is in the South West of Vietnam. Northwest of An Giang border Cambodia, the Southwestern border Kien Giang province, Can Tho city is on the South and on the West is DongThap Province.

An Giang province comprises 1 city (Long Xuyên), one town (Chau Doc), 9 districts (An Phu, Chau Phu, Chau Thanh, Cho Moi, Phu Tan, Tan Chau, Thoai Son, Tinh Bien, Tri Ton).

An Giang is a place that is very potential for tourism, some typical landscape are:

Monuments - Landscapes

• Chau Doc is famous with Ba Chua Xu temple, Sam mountain resort with many historic monuments like Thoai Ngoc Hau tomb, Tay An pagoda…

• Chau Doc Raft village: famous with catfish, basa longstanding. There are hundreds fish farm on the river which is home to hundreds of families.

• Cam Mountain Park: Tinh Bien District, there are a road for cars to go up the mountain; there are Phat Lon pagoda and the largest Buddha statue.

• Tra Su Melaleuca Forest: this eco-tourism zone is wider than 700 ha, in Long Xuyen quadrangle (Van Giao commune, Tinh Bien district)

• Bung Binh Thien: (also known as the heaven lake) is a freshwater lake in An Phu District, the site for the annual festival.

• Ton Duc Thang President Monument: located at Ong Ho (tiger) isle, where president Ton Duc Thang lives childhood. This monument display pictures, artifacts and documents of life and career of the late president of Viet Nam.

• Historic Tuc Dup Hill: An Tuc Commune, Tri Ton District, this high hill is belong to Co To mountain. During the war, the USstrikes during 128 days and nights, the amount of bomb cost up to 2 million USD but has not captured the hill. Currently, Tuc Dup hill is named “2 million-dollar hill”, which is visited by a large number of visitors.

Festivals

• Ba Chua Xu Festival is held annually on April 23 to 25 (lunar calendar) at Ba Chua Xu temple.

• Chol Chnam Thmay Festival is known as Khmer New Year, in mid-April each year.

• Cow Racing Festival is held annually in late August early September (lunar calendar) at Bay Nui (seven mountains).

• Hat Gi (a kind of Vietnamese traditional singing) Festival: the festival of Cham people, was held December 7 to 12 (Islamic calendar).

Specialties

An Giang specialties are Chau Doc Mam (salted fish) and many other kind of salted fish (Tren fish, Sac Fish, Linh fish…); beef sausage (Cham call Tung-lo-mo), jaggery, dried beef, dried fish, Sau Dau salad, Vinh Trung noodle…

(Mekong Delta Tourist Portal) 

Hau Giang

Hau Giang

Area: 1.608km2

Population: 756.625 people

Hau Giang is 240 km from Ho Chi Minh City to the Southwest. Vi Thanh town is the center of Hau Giang, 60 km from Can Tho city. Hau Giang is bordered by Can Tho in the north, HauRiver and Vinh Long in the East, Kien Giang and Bac Lieu in the West.

The province comprises 2 towns (Vi Thanh, Nga Bay) and 5 districts (Chau thanh, Chau Thanh A, Long My, Phung Hiep, Vi Thuy).

Hau Giang is known as the granary of the Southwest of Vietnam.With the strength of fertile soil, rice and fruit trees of all kinds, Hau Giang has great potential to develop ecotourism and watery tourism.

Monuments – Landscapes

• Nga Bay Floating Market: belongs to Nga Bay town, is 30km from Can Tho city. The market opens at about 5:00 in the morning, with thousand of boats arriving with farm produce from 7 branches of Mekong River: Mang Ca, Kenh Xang, Bun Tau, Lai Hieu, Cai Con, Xeo Vong, Xeo Mon… Nga Bay was mentioned in a very famous traditional opera piece “Tinh anh ban chieu” (Love of a sedge mat seller) performed by Ut Tra On (a very famous traditional singer in Vietnam).

• Ngoc Hoang Swamp Nature Reserve: with the area of 2805 ha, this reserve belongs to Phuong Binh commune, Phung Hiep district. There are diversifying flora and an abundant fauna of more than 200 species such as tortoises, snakes, eels, typhoons, fishes and 153 bird species... Currently, Ngoc Hoang swamp nature reserve is invested to be an eco-tourism, is the last monument of wetland ecosystem.

• Tam Vu Monument: belongs to Thanh Xuan Commune, Chau Thanh A District, is 16km from Can Tho city. Tam Vu statue which is 8m tall is the center of this historic victory monument. This is the picture of Tam Vu historic victory on April 19, 1948, the victory help Vietnam army get the first 105mm canon from French army. This area is invested to be a historic monument.

• Ecological area of Vi Thuy indigo & bird Forest: belongs to Vinh Tuong commune, Vi Thuy district, with the area of 200 ha. Currently, this area is invested to be an eco-tourism.

• Ho Chi Minh Temple belongs to Luong Tam commune, Long My district, is 60 km from Can Tho city. This temple was built in 1969, was destroy by the war many times, and was rebuilt in 1990. Ho Chi Minh temple structure is like some southern communal house, surrounded by trees and bonsai,

• Tay Do Ecotourism: Locates along the provincial highway No. 61, is more than 25 km from Can Tho city, in Phung Hiep area. Tay Do ecotourism is a big tourist area of 20 hectares with bonsai –flower gardens, luxuriant sweety fruit trees, airy lakes, diversifying entertainment services such as: fishing, the south amateur music, visiting bonsai-flower gardens …specially, visitors can try some specialties of the countryside.

Festivals

• Chol Thnam Thmay Festival: This is New Year festival of Khmer ethnic, take place in 3 days (March 13th to 15th in lunar calendar).

• President Ho Chi Minh incense offering ceremony: this is a traditional ceremony of Hau Giang province. The ceremony takes place on May 19 (birthday of President Ho Chi Minh), September 2 (National day), Nguyen Dan New Year. On these days, thousands of people from many provinces come to offer incense to president Ho Chi Minh.

Specialties

Ghost Knife Fish, Cau Duc pineapple, Phu Huu pomelo, Long Tri sweet tangerine, Climbing Fern…

(Mekong Delta Tourist Portal) 

Kien Giang

Kien Giang

Area: 6.299km2

Population: 1.683.149 people

Kien Giang is a coastal province in Mekong delta; the center is Rach Gia city, which is 250km from Ho Chi Minh City to the West. It is bordered on the Northeast by Dong Thap; by Can Tho and Bac Lieu on the Southeast; by Ca Mau on the South; by 200 kilometers of Gulf of Thailand coastline on the West; by 54 kilometers border with Cambodia on the Northwest. It also lays claim to 105 islands. Kien Giang province is divided into 1 city (Rach Gia), 1 town (Ha Tien) and 13 districts (An Bien, An Ninh, Chau Thanh, Giong Rieng, Go Quao, Hon Dat, Kien Hai, Kien Luong, Phu Quoc, Tan Hiep, Vinh Thuan, U Minh Thuong, Giang Thanh).

Kien Giang province has tourism potential advantages of themountains, forests and sea. This is a great advantage for Kien Giang to invest diversity tourism such as eco-tourism, sea-tourism…

Monuments - Landscape

• Rach Gia: It is amazing to watch the sunset from Rach Gia city. There is reclamation area, Phu Quoc quay, Hero Nguyen Trung Truc temple, Tam Bao pagoda…

• Phu Quoc: Phu Quoc is the largest island of Vietnamwith the area of 573km2, is 120km from Rach Gia coast. Phu Quoc has not only the beautiful coast line of 120km but it also has tropical forest, 99 mountains, rivers, streams… Phu Quoc is a destination for visitors from Vietnam and many others countries. Some landscapes in Phu Quoc are Dinh Cau, Bai Sao, Phu Quoc national park, Bai Truong, Ganh Dau, Tranh stream, Da Ban stream, place where people produce fish sauce, pepper garden… 

• Ha Tien: there are many landscapes and destinations such as Phao Dai mountain (Kim Du Lan Dao), Mac Cuu temple (Binh San Diep Thuy), Tam Bao pagoda (Tieu Tu Than Chung), Giang Thanh (Giang Thanh da co), Thach Dong limestone, Da Dung mountain, Dong Ho, Ot-Hon Heo beach, Mui Nai, Lu Khe beach…

• Kien Luong: there are many destinations such as Hang pagoda – Phu Tu islet, Ba Lua islands with 40 islands, Mo So mountains with many cave, known as national historic site…

Festivals

• Hang pagoda (cave pagoda) Festival: is held annually from 8th to 15th of the 4th month of lunar calendar. This is the day to celebrate Buddhism’s birthday.

• Hero Nguyen Trung Truc Anniversary Celebration: takes place at Nguyen Trung Truc temple, 18 Nguyen Cong Tru street, Rach Gia city from 26th to 28th of the 8th month of lunar calendar.

• Khmer minority group Festivals: There are four festivals a year: Chol Chnam Thmay (New Year festival in 3 days 13th to 15thof the 3rd month of lunar year), Dolta (ancestors’ anniversary celebration, in the 8th month of lunar year), Oc Om Boc (moon worshipping ceremony on 15th of tenth month lunar year). Some activities of this festival are traditional singing and dancing, releasing flying lights, ngo boat racing (ngo boat is a tree trunk carved in the shape of a diamond with curved ends)…

Specialties

Phu Quoc fish sause, Phu Quoc pepper, Phu Quoc dog, Phu Quoc Sim alcohol...

(Mekong Delta Tourist Portal) 

Long An

Long An

Area: 4.491,87 km2

Population: 1.436.914 people

Long An is located on 10021’-12019’ North and 105030’-106059’ East, is bordered with Tay Ninh and Cambodia on the North, Tien Giang on the South, Dong Thap on the West and Ho Chi Minh city on the East. Although it is belong to the Mekong delta,Long An is in the transition area between the South East and South West, the terrain tends to be lower gradually from Northeast to Southwest. North and Northeast have some hills, the center of the province is plains and Dong Thap Muoi marsh with a large mangrove forest is in the southwest.

Long An comprises 1 city (Tan An) and 13 district (Ben Luc, Can Duoc, Can Giuoc, Chau Thanh, Duc Hoa, Duc Hue, Moc Hoa, Tan Hung, Tan Thanh, Tan Tru, Thanh Hoa, Thu Thua, Vinh Hung).

The most attraction of Long An travel is the humane value of Oc-Eo culture, Dong Thap Muoi melaleuca forest. This is the advantages of Long An to develop the historic and eco-tourism.

Monuments - landscapes

• Binh Ta archaeological vestige: In Duc Hoa Ha commune, Duc Hoa district, Long An province, it is 40 km from Tan An to the northeast of Tan An town. The vestiges are remnants of the Oc Eo-Phu Nam culture from the first to seventh centuries AD. On a collection of 26 gold objects discovered in Go Xoai, there are thin gold leaves with 646 words of Buddhist sutra written in the ancient Sanskrit language. Other valuable objects were also excavated here. There are pieces of Oc Eo pottery, metal, precious stones, sandstone and a series of other relics from primitive man discovered around the temple. Architectural works discovered in Binh Ta's vestiges are a temple dedicating to the Siva deity of Brahmanism which appeared in India around the first century BC and was introduced to southern Indochina at the beginning of the Christian era.

• Monument of the one hundred column house: belongs to Long Huu Dong commune, Can Duoc district, which is 50km from Tan An city. The whole house was built of wood (including barian kingwood, red Go wood, honey Go wood) 100 years ago with a very special and unique architecture, the interior was delicately carved by 15 skillful and talent artists. Standing in this house, the visitors feel like standing in a garden with flowers, trees and birds. This house is known as a national historic cultural monument. One hundred column houses is a destination for tourist and many carving artists.

• Long An museum: Locating in the center of Tan An town, ward 4, many valuable and rare antiques of cultural and artistic significance are displayed here, in which there are many exhibits excavated from the local cultural remains, which is very exciting for sightseeing and researching.

• Dong Thap Muoi ecologic tourist area: about 50km from Tan An, belonging to Moc Hoa, Vinh Hung, Thanh Hoa and Tan Thanh districts. Coming here, tourists will see thick and interminable forests by your own eyes, and there are also large lotus fields with a great many lotus flowers showing their color under sunlight. Many valuable and rare animal species have been protected in Dong Thap Muoi such as storks, red head cranes, turtles, snakes, etc; which makes the ecologic region more beautiful.

• Dragon fruit garden: locating in Chau Thanh District, which is 5km form Tan An city. This is an interesting destination with many dragon fruit trees and friendly owners.

• Dong Thap Muoi Research Center: locating in Binh Phong Thanh commune, Moc Hoa district. There is area of 1041ha, of which more than 800 ha is melaleuca forest. There are more than 100 higher plant species (vascular), 100 aquatic plant species, 200 fauna and aquatic animals. This center do research on medicine from plant in Dong Thap Muoi area such as melaleuca oil, honey…

Festivals

• Lam chay festival (a festival for deliverance of dead's souls): Taking place in Tam Vu commune, Chau Thanh district, on the 15th of the first month of Luna calendar. This is a big festival supported by Long An province.

• Tong phong festival is held annually on the 6th of the third month (lunar) in Tan Phuoc Tay commune, Tan Tru district, and Binh Lap – Tan An city. This celebration is to chase bad wind out of the village for villagers a better and healthier life. There are many ways to celebrate this festival: release banana canoe with foods and gifts, greeting Te Thien to chase goblin…

• Cau mua festival (a festival held to pray for good season): held in Can Duoc, Can Giuoc, Vam Co, as a boat racing competition. In the past, this festival is held when the weather is not good. Nowadays, this festival is held annually to say thanks to God. Besides, people also do the Dragon greeting ceremony to ask for more water form the heaven.

Specialties

Long An is famous with Nang Huong rice, Long Tri watermelon, Ben Luc pineapple, Duc Hoa peanut, Thu Thua sugarcane, Go Den rice alcohol, dragonfruit…

(Mekong Delta Tourist Portal) 

Soc Trang

Soc Trang

Area: 3.312,3 km2

Population: 1.289.441 people

Soc Trang is a coastal province, bordered by Hau Giang province in the North and Northwest, Bac Lieu province in the South and Southeast, Tra Vinh province in the Northeast, the sea on the East and Southeast with the coast line of 72 km. Soc Trang city is 231 km from Ho Chi Minh city.

Soc Trang comprises a city (Soc Trang) and 8 districts (Chau Thanh, Long Phu, Cu Lao Dung, My Tu, Thanh Tri, Vinh Chau, NgaNam, Ke Sach, My Xuyen).

The strength of Soc Trang is agriculture and fishery. Visitting Soc Trang, tourists will enjoy the view of immense rice fields, laden orchards, ancient temples, unique architecture…

Monuments – Landscapes

Bat pagoda 

• Bat pagoda: The bat pagoda is also called Ma Toc or Mahatuc pagoda. It is located at ward 3, Soc Trang city, Soc Trang province, on Le Hong Phong Street to My Xuyen, 1 kilometer from the city centre. This pagoda was built on 2ha area. The bat pagoda is a quiet beautiful pagoda with green nature and is also a living place for ten thousands of flying fox bats.

• Clay Pagoda is Buu Son Tu pagoda, is located in Soc Trang city. Clay pagoda was built in the late 18th century. Such works as Buddha statue, supernatural animals, Tram peak (Dinh tram), towers etc. are created from clay and seem to be made from real materials at first sight. Especially, there are 8 candles of which 6 big ones are not lighted yet and the 2 smaller ones are on fire. The weight of each candle is about 200 kilograms and its height is 1.6 m. Each big candle is estimated to be on constant fire for 70 years. There are also 3 scented incenses with 2 meter high each…

• Sa Lon Pagoda (small porcelain bowls pagoda): Sa Lon pagoda is located on the national highway 1A, 12 kilometers from Soc Trang city in the direction from Soc Trang city to Bac Lieu. It was built in 1815 with special structure and unique carving. In 1980, it was rebuilt and the special trait of the pagoda is to use pieces of broken porcelain bowls and dishes to veneer on the walls for decorating the pagoda, which is so called the Small Porcelain Bowls pagoda.

Kleng pagoda

• Kh’leang Pagoda is located at No. 71, Mau Than Street, Hamlet 5, Ward 6, Soc Trang city. This pagoda is featured in architecture, which is very majestic, magnificent, pure, and solemn.

Tan Long Stork Garden 

• Tan Long Stork Garden is belonging to Long Binh Commune, Nga Nam District, Soc Trang Province. This place has become a bird garden for nearly 30 years with thousands of storks living in bamboo trees, coconut trees familiar to Mr. Huynh Van Muoi family. The storks here include such varieties as white heron, nga stork, lbis, cormorant etc. The owner erects an observing tower with more than 10 metres high for tourists to contemplate storks in his garden with an area of 1.5 hectares.

Buying fruits in My Phuoc dune

• My Phuoc Dune is belonging to Nhon My Commune, Ke Sach District, Soc Trang Province and in the middle of Lower Mekong River, about 10 kilometers from Ke Sach. With the cool immense space and poetic charming waterways, this is a site attracting a lot of tourists. This dune land has been famous for such fruits as sapodilla plum, mango, durian, orange, tangerine, longan, etc. Every year, on the 5th of the fifth lunar month, thousands of tourists come to this place to visit.

Festivals

• Dolta festival: The Dolta festival or the ancestors worship is one of three great festivals of Khmers. It is organized during three days, from August 28 to 30 every year. First day, people prepare flowers, fruits, Tet cake (glutinous rice cake filled with green bean paste and pork), and rice to worship the ancestors. The second day, family prepare meal and bring to the pagoda for monks to worship their ancestor. The last day, each family still prepares the meals and the fruits to worship the ancestors and to say goodbye to them. Thenlisten to the preaching, pray for family peace and pray for thedeceased.

• Ooc Om Boc festival: This is the biggest festival of Soc Trang province. Ooc Om Bok festival or Moon worshipping ceremony takes place at 15th of the tenth lunar month by Khmer people. There are many traditional activities such as releasing flying lights and floating lights, tasted com dep (a kind of young sticky rice), Ngo boat (wooden boat carved on both bow and stern) race.

Specialties

Pia cake

Some of Soc Trang specialties are Pia cake, Chinese sausage, me lau cake (made of glutinous rice flour, taro, malt, sugar and sesame), bun nuoc leo (rice vermicelli with sauce)….

(Mekong Delta Tourist Portal) 

Tra Vinh

Tra Vinh

• Area: 2.368km2
• Population: 1.000.933 people

Tra Vinh is a coastal city, bounded by Ben Tre province on the north, Soc Trang province on the south, Vinh Long province on the west and 65 kms of coast line on the east.

Tra Vinh comprises 1 town (Tra Vinh) and 7 districts (Cang Long, Chau Thanh, Cau Ke, Tieu Can, Cau Ngang, Tra Cu, Duyen Hai). The center of Tra Vinh is Tra Vinh town, is 200km from Ho Chi Minh city and 100km from Can Tho city.

On the bank of Long Binh river

Tra Vinh is bounded by Tien and Hau rivers. Rivers on Tra Vinh area confluence to the sea via two main estuaries of Co Chien and Dinh An. Tra Vinh is an attractive destination for its rivers, sea and diversity culture.

On the bank of Long Binh river

Monuments – Landscapes

Ba Om Pond

• Ba Om Pond is located in Luong Hoa commune, Tra Vinh Town, along the national highway No. 53 to the southwest, about 7 kilometers from Tra Vinh town center to the southwest. Ba Om pond is also called a square pond, the scenery is poetic, the placid pond is about 12 hectares covered with lotus, water-lily, and surrounded by thousands of star trees (sao tree), big old oil trees (dau tree) of strange looking shapes shading the green grass. This is the national famous vestige, landscape recognized by the Ministry of Culture and Information in 1994.

• Ngheu (a kind of Clam) Isle attraction: Ngheu isle is in My Long Nam commune, Cau Ngang district. As a dune, it only appears when the tide is out and it is sunk under the sea when the tide is in. It is called Ngheu isle because there are much clam here. Clam is so much that you can pick them by your own hands and enjoy fresh clam at once.

Ba Dong beach

• Ba Dong Beach is 55kms from Tra Vinh town center; it is in the area of Truong Long Hoa Commune, Duyen Hai District. There are many works and infrastructures are invested for tourist potentiality development. Coming here, tourists shall enjoy the scenery, swimming and seafood.

Nodol pagoda gate

• Nodol Pagoda: Nodol pagoda is also called Stork pagoda in Giong Lon Hamlet, Dai An Commune, Tra Cu District, 40 kms from Tra Vinh town to the south. This is a big ancient pagoda with the unique architecture of Khmer culture in Tra Vinh. The sanctum section designed by the roofs bended in dragon tail shape, pointed tower peaks of Some mountain shape and familiar images such as Reihu, the god of four faces Mohabrom, god bird Kayno, Mahanok… The pagoda is surrounded by bamboos, rows of Sao, Dau (star and oil trees). The inhabitants call it Stork pagoda because for more than one hundred years, the pagoda precinct has been the domicile for thousands of birds of all kinds.

Ang pagoda

• Ang Pagoda is an ancient pagoda of Khmer, in the forest near Ba Om pond. There are hundreds of Budha statues with high astistic value. This pagoda is known as national historic cultural monument. You can see Ang pagoda in many Tra Vinh tour.

Ho Chi Minh temple

• Ho Chi Minh Temple is in Vinh Hoi village, Long Duc commune; it is 5kms from Tra Vinh town center. It was built in 1970. After the south was liberated in 1975, the temple was rebuilt many times to become one of the landscapes in Tra Vinh town.

Festivals

• My Long Sea Festival is held annually from 10th to 12thof the fifth lunar month in Ba Chua Xu temple, My Long town, Cau Ngang district. This is one of the biggest Nghinh Ong (Dolphin greeting) festivals in the Mekong Delta. This festival attracts thousand of people come to Tra Vinh to join some traditional games…

• Mr. Bon pagoda Festival is held solemnly in Mr. Bon pagoda, Cau Ke town, Cau Ke district from 15th to 18th of the seventh lunar month.

• Vu Lan Festival is held at Van Nien Phong Cung, Cau Ke town, Cau Ke district form 25th to 28th of the seventh lunar month. There are many folk custom in this festival.

Chol Chnam Thmay festival

• Chol Chnam Thmay Festival is the traditional New year of the Khmer minority group, held in the middle of the 4th month (lunar calendar).

Specialties

Cau Ke Sap coconut

Cau Ke Sap coconut (coconut with thick pulp), Ben Co noodle, Xuan Thanh rice alcohol, Vinh Kim dried shrimp, Tra Cuon Tet cake (glutinous rice cake filled with green bean paste and pork), Quach fruit, Cau Ngang watermelon…

(Mekong Delta Tourist Portal)