Wednesday, December 5, 2012

Exploring Mekong Delta

One of the things to do when in Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City), Vietnam is to see the Mekong Delta.

The Mekong river, the 12th-longest river in the world and 7th-longest in Asia runs through 6 different countries namely China's Yunnan province, Burma (Myanmar), Laos, Thailand, Cambodia and ends in the Mekong Delta in Vietnam.

The Mekong Delta is is the region in southwestern Vietnam where the Mekong River approaches and empties into the sea through a network of distributary channels.

Although the Mekong Delta today has become so commercialized and overcrowded, but a glimpse of the waters that has travelled through 6 different countries is still an overwhelming experience. In the Mekong Delta tour, you can observe how the locals live (fishing, gardening, etc); try Asia's exotic fruits and how they grow; you will also see how they make coconut candies (a delicacy in the region) and of course, try different delicious Vietnamese food.

You can check out different tour/travel agencies at Pham Ngu Lao St.. The tour costs 10-20 USD per person and if you prefer not to be in a touristic group, you can book a private tour (which is more expensive 50-100 USD per person) and have you own travel guide.

Here are some of the websites of Private Tours:
Private Asia Tour
Vietnam Impressive
Vietnam Stay


The boat to explore the Mekong Delta..

How people transport things...

This fruit is called Carambola or Star Fruit..

Papaya tree with lotsa Papaya fruit...;)

Striking a pose before crossing this very 'adventurous' bridge!

This fruit is called the Dragon Fruit, The inside is colored white with tiny black seeds or pinkish with black seeds (depends which country in Asia it comes from) and tastes a little bit like Kiwi...

Papayas for sale for a very cheap price!!!

On the first island you visit, they serve different fruits and at the same time watch local people perform traditional Vietnamese dance/song while enjoying this lovely exotic fruits.

This boat will take you to the Coconut farm (2nd Island), where they also make Coconut candies.

View of the canals...

Local people passing by the canal with their unique boats.

On our way to the Coconut Farm.

Beautiful wild flowers...

This is one of the process of making Coconut candy....

Packing the Coconut candies one by one...:)

Lunchtime! Since we had a private tour, our free lunch was a little special!!!  They served a lot of yummy Vietnamese food.
In this photo, the waiter is teaching us how to make the famous Vietnamese spring rolls... The food in this cozy restaurant is really good...:)


 

Transporting Bananas...

Boats from smallest to biggest...:)

The reason why all the boats (big or small) have eyes, to protect them from crocodiles so the boats can see them...;)
Interesting!!!



All photos are owned by Travelling Moi.

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