Mekong Delta Travel Information

The delta has rich alluvial soils carried downstream by the river. Such is the extent of the silt it extends the coastline by about 80 metres each year. The fertile soils are not wasted and the area is regarded as the rice bowl of the country and is intensively farmed. More than half of the agricultural produce of Vietnam is produced here and includes not just rice but also sugar cane, fruits and coconut. More rice is produced in this area than all of Korea and Japan combined. The huge network of waterways are also home to many fish farms.

The rivers are the roads here and villages are frequently of the floating variety. The landscape of green fields and brown waterways is inhabited by people renowned for their friendliness and good nature. Visitors will love mixing with the locals in the floating fruit markets and can enjoy a home stay experiencing a way of life that is far from typical for most people.

Tours on small boats are a great way to experience places like My Tho, and the sleepy village of Ben Tre. To take a look at some floating markets go to Cai Be and Can Tho. Soc Trang in the far south west is Khmer influenced and offers another taste of Vietnamese life away from the tourist hot spots.