Although the flooding season this year is later than in previous years, it remains a source of livelihood for local people in the Mekong Delta and marks the start of a unique tourist season in this region. Saigontourist Travel Service Co. continues offering “Experiencing the Flooding Season” tours, including a two-day trip to Chau Doc, Tra Su cajuput forest and floating fish-cage village at VND1.879 million, departing on October 29 and November 19; a two-day trip to Sa Dec, Long Xuyen, Ong Ho Islet and Long Xuyen floating market at VND1.979 million, departing on October 22 and November 12; and a two-day trip to Cao Lanh, Tam Nong bird sanctuary and Dong Sen Tourist Area at VND1.779 million, departing on November 5 and 26. With departures on Saturdays, these tours are suitable for those looking for weekend trips. Tourists will visit natural landscapes such as Tra Su cajuput forest covered by green duckweeds, Tram Chim … [Read more...] about Mekong Delta in flooding season
2 day mekong delta tour
Going clippity clop in the Mekong Delta
The main road between Tan Thach and Quoi Son communes in Ben Tre Province has been trod on by horses for the past 20 years. As the only place in the country where one can still hear daily clops (after the only racetrack Phu Tho in Ho Chi Minh City was closed in 2011), the horsecart route of two kilometers has become an intrinsic part of the Mekong Delta tourism initerary. They don’t look quite as fancy as those in Walt Disney fairy tales with wooden wheels and wooden carriages that are driven by well-dressed gentlemen. Horsecarts in the province use rubber wheels to support an iron carriage that is open to the sky, and drivers are chubby women who smile very easily. Nearly 50 horsecarts serve hundreds of visitors, mostly westerners and some Japanese, every day. The tourists are brought here by travel agents in Ho Chi Minh City more than 80 kilometers away and usually offered a boat tour around many islets in the delta, or coconut candy factories, before the horse ride. The … [Read more...] about Going clippity clop in the Mekong Delta
Traveling on horse-drawn carts in the Mekong Delta
The road linking Tan Thach and Quoi Son communes in the Mekong Delta province of Ben Tre seems to be one of the most ‘retro’ in Vietnam, as horse-drawn carts still clang down it every day. The small, half-open vehicles with two wheels were previously used for transporting goods and passengers, but are now utilized for travel only. Each ‘one horsepower cart’ with five Westerners on board is pulled across small bridges on the road through villages and rice farms. The horses used to compete at the Phu Tho racecourse in Ho Chi Minh City. Horse racing at the facility ended in 2011. Travel companies advertise the horse cart service as a means of “learning the Mekong Delta lifestyle in one day.” Visitors are carried from nearby Tien Giang Province’s capital of My Tho City to the four touristy islets of Long, Lan, Quy, and Phung by boat, before crossing the Tien River to Ben Tre and jumping on the horse carts. The horse cart station, which houses … [Read more...] about Traveling on horse-drawn carts in the Mekong Delta
New air services bring more tourists to Mekong Delta
VietNamNet Bridge – New air services linking the Mekong Delta city of Can Tho and other parts of the nation have helped send visitors to the region surging, heard a media briefing in Can Tho last week. A new air route has been recently launched to connect Can Tho City in the Mekong Delta and Nha Trang City on the central coast in a bid to promote tourism. Truong Van Vinh, director of Vietravel’s branch in the Mekong Delta region, said passengers have fully booked Can Tho-Nha Trang flights during the upcoming Lunar New Year holiday (Tet), which begins on February 8. Tet flights between Can Tho and the Central Highlands resort town of Dalat are also full. Vietravel has joined hands with Vietnam Air Services Company (VASCO) and Vietjet to launch new air services linking Can Tho and Danang, Dalat and Nha Trang cities. Can Tho-Bangkok service will be kicked off after a test period. Vietravel plans to coordinate with airlines to transport more guests to the region if regular … [Read more...] about New air services bring more tourists to Mekong Delta
Mekong Delta upgrade infrastructure to promote tourism
In which, Tram Chim National Park, Nguyen Sinh Sac and Xeo Quyt relic sites were among the popular attractions. To boost tourism, the province has also promoted ecotourism and created tours to local fruit gardens.According to Nguyen Ngoc Thuong, director of the provincial Culture, Sports, and Tourism Department, the development plans, including better infrastructure and effective promotion campaigns, had brought about positive changes to the tourism sector.Around 5.3 million tourists visited Can Tho city in the first eight months of the year, up 43 percent year-on-year, according to the municipal Department of Culture, Sports, and Tourism. The city welcomed 76,700 arrivals during the National Day (September 2) holiday period, generating more than 48 billion VND (over 2 million USD) in revenue. The department aims to attract 5.5 million arrivals and earn 2 trillion VND (88 million USD) this year.Since Kien Giang has the most tourism potential in the Delta, the province in recent years … [Read more...] about Mekong Delta upgrade infrastructure to promote tourism