Mekong

Mekong Overview

The Mekong Delta is located in the southwestern area of Vietnam. Here the famous Mekong River goes through and then empties into the sea through various distributaries.

Also, the delta is Vietnam’s rice basket as it is the largest rice-growing area in the country. Visiting here, you will easily catch the scenes of massive paddy fields spreading hundreds of hectares.

Besides, it is worthwhile to awake in the early morning to experience floating markets such as Cai Be Floating Market and Cai Rang Floating Market. It is amazing! You will see many vendors trading their produce right on the boats.

Other highlights of the region consist of visits to flower markets, fish farms, and local orchards. You can take a boat trip to enjoy the beauty of floating fish farms with a bunch of wooden houses.

Besides, Mekong also features many bird sanctuaries, rugged beach getaways, and incredible Khmer pagodas. You see, a lot of places are waiting for you to visit the Mekong.

Generally, if you are seeking an idyllic land with completely natural landscapes, Mekong is your exact answer. 

Mekong Map

Mekong Vietnam – All You Need To Know

Mekong attraction

It is not wrong to say the Mekong is a fusion of ancient and modern beauty, as well as the Vietnamese, Cham, and Khmer cultures. Home to many stunning attractions, Mekong boasts excellent potential in developing the tourism industry.

Here are the top destinations that you should visit in the Mekong.

Cai Rang Floating Market

This unique market has been luring many tourists across the country and the world. It is usually open from the early morning at about 3:00 AM. So if you want to experience the atmosphere here fully, wake up early. You will be impressed by the way that vendors sell their produce. They trade goods through boats right on the river, which is so exciting.

Cai Be Fruit Orchard

The orchard is located in Cai Be district of Tien Giang province, which is an area specializing in fruit cultivation. Visiting here, you will have a chance to see many kinds of fruits of the tropical climate. Besides, you can harvest fruits by yourself in the orchard and enjoy them. It sounds great, doesn’t it?

Tan Lap Floating Village

At the heart of Dong Thap Muoi, Long An lies Tan Lap Floating Village. It is home to many kinds of wild animals, as well as Cajuput forest, rice paddies, and lotus flowers. So if you want to immerse in nature, you should add it to your bucket list right now.

Tra Su Mangrove Forest

The diverse ecosystem Tra Su houses many different animals, especially colorful birds. You can take a boat trip to enjoy the beauty of this attraction. It can take you about 3 hours to finish the whole journey in Tra Su.

Mekong Restaurants and Dining

The Mekong not only has beautiful natural landscapes but also features incredibly delicious food. There are a host of dishes served in the region with savory flavors. But for us, here are some top dishes that you must try in the Mekong.

Nam Vang noodle soup

It is quite popular so that you can find it almost everywhere in the Mekong. The combination of major ingredients, including crunchy noodles, pork, quail egg, seafood, and organ create an incredible flavor for the dish.

Banh xeo (Vietnamese pancake)

Banh xeo in the Mekong is different from those in other parts of the country. It is quite bigger, and it is made with rice flour, flour, coconut water, bean sprouts, and mung beans. You should try it in some small eateries when visiting the Mekong.

Goi cuon (Spring roll)

It is so easy to find goi cuon in the Mekong. To make this dish, you will use rice paper to wrap with meat, noodles, and many kinds of herbs. The combination of materials to make goi cuon, along with yummy sauce, will definitely make you fall in love with it.

Mekong Nightlife 

You only have diverse options for nightlife in big cities in the Mekong like Can Tho, Ca Mau, Rach Gia, or Long Xuyen. In other parts, the activities at night are quite limited. So if you want to hang out or have a drink in pubs, bars, and clubs, you should come to the places mentioned above.

We have compiled a list of top nightlife spots in the Mekong for your consideration. We hope it is useful for you.

• Tap Craft Beer – Rach Gia
• Co Bi – Can Tho
• 1985 Café – Can Tho
• Boke Station – Chau Doc
• King Beer – Tra Vinh

Mekong Shopping

Along with breathtaking scenery and unique cuisine delights, shopping is also a great reason that many tourists come to this region. In the Mekong, markets are more popular than malls. There are various items sold here, ranging from fresh produces to handicrafts such as carved statues and handmade textiles. We must say visiting local markets is a great experience that you should try. You can have a chance to explore the daily lifestyle here and communicate with the locals.

Here are some addresses for you to go shopping in the Mekong.

• Cai Be Floating Market
• Cai Rang Floating Market
• Tay Do Night Market
• Can Tho Market

Mekong – Best time to visit

The Mekong shares a similar climate as Southern Vietnam, which is a typical tropical monsoon climate. Accordingly, there are two distinct seasons in the region – the dry season and the rainy season. The rain starts to fall in late April or early May and ends by November. Meanwhile, the dry season lasts from November to April. Especially between December and January, the weather is quite pleasant with a cool temperature.

Regarding the best time to visit the Mekong, the answer is definitely the dry season as you can only enjoy outdoor activities wholly without rain. 

Mekong – Where to stay?

Finding a comfortable place to stay during your trip to the Mekong is quite important. There are various options for accommodation in the region, meeting all budget levels. However, the best ones are mostly located in big cities such as Can Tho, Long Xuyen, Rach Gia, etc.

Check out our ten best hotels in the Mekong to find the right place for you.

• Vinpearl Hotel Can Tho
• Sele House Ha Tien
• Phu Quoc Bambusa Resort
• Phu Quoc Valley Sen Bungalow
• KP Hotel Can Tho
• Bao Thy Hotel Chau Doc
• Sao Mai Hotel Cai Be
• Cottage Village Phu Quoc
• Peppercorn Beach Resort Phu Quoc
• TTC Hotel Can Tho

Mekong Itinerary for Ideal days? 

The Mekong is a great place for tourists to get an authentic taste of the idyllic countryside in Vietnam. Visiting here, you can easily catch the scenes of bloats floating in the rivers, ripe fruits adorning the trees, and buffalos wandering in the rice paddies. It is so peaceful!

If you want to visit here, check out our suggested two-day itinerary below.

Day 1: Cai Be – Can Tho

You should wake up early to go to Cai Be Floating Market at about 5:00 AM. After having lunch and a short rest, you should come to Can Tho, which may take 90 minutes.

As soon as you arrive in Can Tho, you should check in to your accommodation, and then visit Ninh Kieu Quay. It is a famous romantic destination in this city.

Day 2: Cai Rang Floating Market – Countryside Discovery

Like Cai Be Floating Market, you also come to this market early in the morning. Here you can try buying fruits on the river, along with sampling different kinds of produce. Then you can take a boat trip to the nearby countryside to experience the life in the Mekong more. Accordingly, you can have a chance to explore vast gardens with many different fruits. You can take them as much as you want for free. Surprise?

Then you can rent a bike to cycle around here. It is great to ride a bike in the rice paddles.

After finishing the bike trip, you can come back to your home or continue the adventure.