Welcome you to Mekong Delta, known as the “rice bowl” of Vietnam. The delta is covered in a dizzying variety of greens, from the rice paddies to the coconut trees. You can discover a beautiful water-based life in Mekong Delta just by a trip. This is where boats, houses, and markets float upon the mighty rivers, canals, and streams for years. The harmonious land, the twisty river, the unique cuisine, and the friendliness of its citizen – are all there to create nostalgic memories for your Mekong Delta trip.
If you have only 24 hours to get lost in Mekong Delta, what should you do? Take a glance at the checklist below and plan you a trip today with AA Vietnam Travel!
1. Visit a floating market
There are many prominent floating markets in Mekong Delta such as Cai Rang, Tra On, Nga Nam. However, Cai Be floating market is the easiest to access if you do not have much time to stay in Mekong Delta. This market opens from 3 am to 5 pm with some peak hours.
You may feel a bit overwhelming as the first impact with the bustling atmosphere in this area. The goods are various from fruits, flowers, seafood, meat, and so on. Its size is imposing! It has about 400 to 500 rafts and boats packed with commodities floating along the river. The product samples in each vessel will be hung on a pole to attract customers. The vivid and dynamic scene will make you feel excited to join them immediately!
2. Attend a handmade workshop
You will know how the local people make their specialty treats like coconut candies, rice paper, or honey. Not only observing the manufacturing process, but you can also join the staff to make and taste your own treats. The protocol is visible to all visitors so you can see how fast and skillful the team is. At the end of the workshop, you can buy sweet treats and bring home as gifts.
3. Listen to Southern Vietnamese folk music
Southern Vietnamese folk music was developed in the 17th century. Then it quickly became a part of the spiritual life of Mekong Delta citizen. Worshipping music in Hue the ancient imperial capital, royal music course, and folk literature are the main inspiration for developing Southern Vietnamese folk music nowadays. It mainly focuses on live performance, emphasizes the singer’s technique and the natural sound of various musical instruments.
They usually perform as a band with male singers, female vocalists, and musicians. The instrument includes “dan nhi” (a two-string fiddle), “dan nguyet” (a two-string lute), “dan bau” (a one-string zither), “song lang” (two bamboo pieces for striking against each other to create base rhythms), and a concave-fret guitar.
The folk music is played by farmers in their nap to entertain themselves. The session always takes around 30-45 minutes during your lunch break. Therefore, you can enjoy the tasty Mekong Delta food while listening to the traditional music of Southern Vietnamese people.
4. Discover the local life
Get lost in the peaceful local life will give you the best experience of living in this harmonious land. You will have a chance to stay on the sampan boat relaxing under the mangrove palm canal. And then, wandering through a fruit garden of a local family will be fun. You can pick the fruit from the tree and eat them straight away. Trying heaps of fresh tropical fruits like longan or sapodilla is a part of the journey.
The shadow under the tree will comfort you from a bright sunny day. You can walk around or take a short nap like the local do – sleeping on a hammock hang between tree bodies. The tender breeze will make you quickly fall asleep among nature.
5. Enjoy Mekong Delta cuisine
Mekong Delta cuisine is distinctive because you can find the ingredient anywhere: upon the tree, on the ground or under the stream. Fresh fish, daily-picked vegetables, and home-grown herbs are essential elements of the everyday local meal. Stir-fry dishes, boiled vegetables, soup, and rice are all main dishes in a basic lunch, or dinner.
If you have more time to stay in Mekong Delta, there will be some specialty dishes you should try before you leave. For example, Bot Loc Cake is a small treat for you to try. It is made from rice flour, filled with shrimp or roasted pork. The cake is chewy and tasty, which makes you addicted to it right after the first bite!
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