TOURS TO MEKONG DELTA – A CHARMING WATER LAND IMBUED WITH RICH CULTURE
Check out Vietnam Motorbike Tours Prices then get the trip to the bustling Mekong Delta, a fertile delta, blessed by nature of agood climate, fragrance and fruits, charming natural scenery, fish bowl rivers. Located in the basin of Tien and Hau rivers, Mekong Delta region is known for criss-cross canals, charming rivers, vast rice fields, orchards laden with fruit year round, inspired coconut trees along the canal bank, gentle and hospitable people, sweet chants on canoes, melodious folk songs, and tourism destinations already known for a very long age: Ba Tri Bird Garden, Phung Hillock (Ben Tre), Dong Tam snake farm (Tien Giang), Binh Hoa Phuoc River Island (Vinh Long), Cai Rang floating market, Bang Lang stork garden, Tram Chim National Park (Dong Thap), Nga Bay floating market (Can Tho, Hau Giang), etc.
Besides those lush green landscapes, tasty local specialties, tourism in Mekong Delta should not miss exclusive festivals here.
Coconut spiritual ceremony (Thac Con festival), a traditional festival on the fifteenth day of February every year in Soc Trang province. The festival is taken place in An Hiep commune, Chau Thanh district. As the belief of local people, pure fresh coconut water symbolizes for luck, happiness. This is a unique cultural festival of the Southwest region.
Ok Om Bok festival – the largest festival in Mekong Delta, most anticipated festivals of Khmer people to worship the moon, this special festive occasion is organized on October 14th, 15thin the lunar calendar every year. Original and attractive part of Ok Om Bok festival is ark boats. The arksare cut from the Hope odorata trunk, their external appearance is painted like Nagar – Khmer’s mascot. Eachark can accommodate 40 rowers. Those rowers must be carefully selected, among young healthy men. The worshiping is to see off the water -god after crops to return back sea.
In addition to ark racing, paper lantern release is also an indispensable activity to send prayer downstream and desire for health, luck, prosperity. Not only that you can also soak in the cultural space of Khmer with their instrument, or the traditional dances, distinguished traits of the West.
Cow racing festival in An Giang province
This is as well one of the famous festivals of An Giang Province, celebrated every year on the occurrence of Dolta holiday. This anniversary is held on August 29th to September 1st in lunar calendar, to contribute the grandparents and ancestors.
In the traditional New Year’s Day, cow racing surely entices you, usually organized in Thamit temple, the temple of Ta Miet. It is a prominent cultural festival in Western region. Cow racing festival bears folk essence, attractive and vibrant that enthrall local people and visitors.
Cholchnam Thmay ceremony – traditional New Year’s Day of Khmer, held every year on 13th, 14th and 15th of the 3rd lunar month. This is the period when Khmer eases from farm work and celebrate the season. The customary festival similarize the frequent lunar New Year. In these days, Khmer people in western provinces often make banh tet, prepare fruit, visit Buddhist temples. This is also one of the unique cultural festival features, engaging tourists.
The cultural festivals feature an expression of western practices and ancient traditions of indigenous tribes. Thus, it should be a shame if you travel Mekong Delta without participating in those typical festivals. Attractive, exquisite festive atmosphere of the western culture will overwhelm the fatigue in your journey to this land.
Mekong Delta tourism shall be a journey to the fertile orchards, an ecological environment and exciting experiences to a rice cultivation culture. Drift along the river branches, observe the rout market and immerse in the flow of local fellows, you will sense all aspects of this place. Wish you had the interesting experience of cultural tourism to such a natural enriched land!
Mekong Delta Tour
How to travel here
From Hanoi: Take flight or train to Ho Chi Minh City and catch passenger cars to provinces in your itinerary. If you are not sure, it is advisable to join Vietnam Motorcycle Tours and we will take you to any sites.
From Ho Chi Minh city: Tourists might either travel by passenger car or motorbike. For those enthusiasts of backpacking travel, you should find information upon roads carefully before departure.