Mekong Delta is an absolute must-see for anyone visiting South Vietnam. Not only is it an ecological treasure, but it also offers a welcome respite from the chaotic environment in Ho Chi Minh City.
The drive took about two hours and I saw countless roadside vendors selling steamed bao, roasted animals (chicken perhaps?), loaves of bread, and fruit. There were a lot of open-air restaurants filled with plastic chairs and hammocks. The best part of the ride was watching all the motorbikes, carrying everything I could have possibly imagined. With so much entertainment from my window, I barely noticed the time passing.
We eventually arrived at the waterfront and boarded a large motorboat for a trip down the river. We missed the floating market, which happens very early in the morning, but the environment was still beautiful to take in. It was evident that people here rely on the water for so many aspects of daily life.
The tour guide mentioned that some boats come all the way from Cambodia and people live on them for months at a time. Each boat was painted with a face-like design on the bow and was sheltered by only a small piece of material. The small confines of these boats made my hotel rooms feel spacious in comparison.
Eventually, we reached a small village and walked through some shops and homes. Everyone lives a very modest lifestyle and there is no such thing as air-conditioning or insulation. The homes were built so close to the water that I can imagine there being a lot of flooding during the monsoon season.
The walking tour of the village allowed us to taste fresh honey, coconut candy, whiskey (infused with snakes!), and freshly-puffed rice.
The tour guide gave us the opportunity to pose for a picture with a giant boa, but it was too active for any of us. The guide also mentioned that it is not uncommon to see snakes slithering around the roads and even in people's homes. I don't think I will be spending the night here any time soon!
After eating lunch at a nearby island, some of us rented bicycles and explored for a couple hours. It was beautiful to see such lush vegetation and the simple homes scattered sparsely along the paths. Each home had access to the water and they all had boats docked nearby. With no cars on the island and so few people around, I truly felt like I was on vacation.
Before heading back to Saigon, we hired some women to take us on a boat ride through the peaceful waterways. The sound of only insects in the trees and the water passing beneath the boat was so calming.
Visiting the Mekong Delta is certainly not an "action-packed" tourist activity, but I found it to be a wonderful contrast to crowds of Ho Chi Minh City. I experienced a small taste of what daily life is like for people in this region and was humbled by their lifestyle. Many tour guides suggest spending multiple days in Mekong Delta, but I think a one-day tour was perfectly sufficient.
The drive took about two hours and I saw countless roadside vendors selling steamed bao, roasted animals (chicken perhaps?), loaves of bread, and fruit. There were a lot of open-air restaurants filled with plastic chairs and hammocks. The best part of the ride was watching all the motorbikes, carrying everything I could have possibly imagined. With so much entertainment from my window, I barely noticed the time passing.
We eventually arrived at the waterfront and boarded a large motorboat for a trip down the river. We missed the floating market, which happens very early in the morning, but the environment was still beautiful to take in. It was evident that people here rely on the water for so many aspects of daily life.
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| The scene along the river |
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| A local watches the day pass on her boat |
The tour guide mentioned that some boats come all the way from Cambodia and people live on them for months at a time. Each boat was painted with a face-like design on the bow and was sheltered by only a small piece of material. The small confines of these boats made my hotel rooms feel spacious in comparison.
 |
| Houseboats lined up along the river |
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| A local prepares food on his boat |
Eventually, we reached a small village and walked through some shops and homes. Everyone lives a very modest lifestyle and there is no such thing as air-conditioning or insulation. The homes were built so close to the water that I can imagine there being a lot of flooding during the monsoon season.
The walking tour of the village allowed us to taste fresh honey, coconut candy, whiskey (infused with snakes!), and freshly-puffed rice.
 |
| I can't believe I drank whiskey out of this jar |
The tour guide gave us the opportunity to pose for a picture with a giant boa, but it was too active for any of us. The guide also mentioned that it is not uncommon to see snakes slithering around the roads and even in people's homes. I don't think I will be spending the night here any time soon!
 |
| Unusual fashion accessory |
After eating lunch at a nearby island, some of us rented bicycles and explored for a couple hours. It was beautiful to see such lush vegetation and the simple homes scattered sparsely along the paths. Each home had access to the water and they all had boats docked nearby. With no cars on the island and so few people around, I truly felt like I was on vacation.
 |
| The trees provided a nice canopy over the paths |
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| One of the homes built along the river |
Two Germans decided to try their luck at tandem riding, but they found that it is not as easy as it may appear. After losing their balance a few times and barely making it across this narrow bridge without falling into the water, they splurged for a second bicycle!
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| Tandem riding is not as easy as the locals make it look. |
Before heading back to Saigon, we hired some women to take us on a boat ride through the peaceful waterways. The sound of only insects in the trees and the water passing beneath the boat was so calming.
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| Mekong "taxis" |
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| Trying to blend in |
Visiting the Mekong Delta is certainly not an "action-packed" tourist activity, but I found it to be a wonderful contrast to crowds of Ho Chi Minh City. I experienced a small taste of what daily life is like for people in this region and was humbled by their lifestyle. Many tour guides suggest spending multiple days in Mekong Delta, but I think a one-day tour was perfectly sufficient.
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| Typical image from the beautiful Mekong Delta |
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