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South (Vietnam)
From Wikitravel
Asia : Southeast Asia : Vietnam : South
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Contents
South Vietnam covers the Mekong Delta, the extreme southern end of the Mekong River, and the area around Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon), Vietnam.
  Mekong Delta, April 2002
[edit] Understand
As all deltas, it receives the bounty of the siltation from the upper Mekong, and as such is a very rich and lush area, covered with rice fields. It produces about half of the total of Vietnam's agricultural output, and is the place for timeless sceneries of farmers planting or harvesting rice.
The Mekong splits in Cambodia into two main rivers, the Bassac (Hậu Giang) and the First river (Tiền Giang), then in Vietnam into a more complex system, creating a maze of small canals, rivers and arroyos interspersed with villages and floating markets.
Life in the Mekong Delta revolves much around the river, and all the villages are often accessible by river rather than by road.
The high times of life in the Mekong delta are the lunar new year (Tet, or Tết), and the mid-autumn festival (Tết trung thu), where children will set hundreds of candles on their way on the river on as many tiny skiffs.
If you know how to take your time, or are guided by an able guide, you will certainly enjoy your stay in the Mekong delta.
[edit] Regions and cities
The most renowned places in the Mekong delta are My Tho (Mỹ Tho) and Cai Be (Caí Bè) near Ho Chi Minh City, then, more to the heart of the region, Vinh Long (Vĩnh Long) and Can Tho (Cần Thơ), from where it is possible to reach the remotest confines of the delta, South towards the mangrove and the South China Sea, North towards Chau Doc (Châu Đốc) and Cambodia, or West towards the island of Phu Quoc (Phú Quốc).
Provinces:
An Giang
Bạc Liêu
Ba Ria-Vung Tau
Ben Tre
Binh Duong
Binh Phuoc
Binh Thuan
Ca Mau
Dong Nai
Dong Thap
Hau Giang
Kien Giang
Long An
Ninh Thuan
Soc Trang
Tay Ninh
Tien Giang
Tra Vinh
Vinh Long
[edit] Other destinations
If the most populated places are rather much visited, as soon as you get away from the crowds, you are getting in touch with the nice people of the delta and their always welcoming attitude. Consider a trip to sleepy Ben Tre just over the river from My Tho or Khmer-culture influenced Soc Trang in the very southwest to get that real life feeling.
[edit] Get in
The Mekong delta is near to Ho Chi Minh City, and Can Tho (Cần Thơ) is merely 4 hours' drive away, so it is easy to access by road, although there is only one main road, and as such it is rather crowded.
There are some flights between Ho Chi Minh City and Rach Gia. Rach Gia can also be reached by boat or plane from the island of Phu Quoc.
There used to be hydrofoil connections from Ho Chi Minh City to My Tho(Mỹ Tho) then to Can Tho(Cần Thơ) in about 4 hours, but the option does not exist any more. Alternatives are speed boat transfers, or for those who would enjoy unspoilt nature, cruises from Cai Be(Cái Bè) to Can Tho or back.
The Mekong delta is also a natural passageway from southern Vietnam to Cambodia, which can be entered overland or by river. Visas on entry to Cambodia are possible at some (but not all) entry points, however visas for Vietnam must be obtained in advance.
[edit] Get around
Countless travel agencies in Ho Chi Minh City can arrange Mekong Delta tours.
Most of the interest of the place resides in its floating markets, and the life around the rivers criss-crossing the area; also the national parks and nature reserves.
It is possible to take tours on small boats around My Tho (Mỹ Tho) and the islands north of Ben Tre (Bến Tre); around Cai Be (Cái Bè) and the An Binh peninsula; and around Can Tho (Cần Thơ). Both Cai Be and Can Tho feature floating markets.
It is also possible to get away from the main road and into the more remote rivers on board larger river cruisers for discovery cruises of the area in comfort.
[edit] Stay safe
[edit] Get out
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