MEKONG DELTA
This highly fertile plain with its lush, green paddy fields, myriad waterways, tropical fruit orchards and fish farms is considered the southern rice basket of Vietnam. Rural life is lived here in many ways not dissimilar to how it was lived far back in history. Ecotourism is taking root and places of interest include My Tho, Vinh Long, Can Tho and Chau Doc.
MEKONG DELTA
This highly fertile plain with its lush, green paddy fields, myriad waterways, tropical fruit orchards and fish farms is considered the southern rice basket of Vietnam. Rural life is lived here in many ways not dissimilar to how it was lived far back in history. Ecotourism is taking root and places of interest include My Tho, Vinh Long, Can Tho and Chau Doc.
Showing 1–4 of 8 results
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CAO DAI TEMPLE
After Tay Ninh, this temple is the largest such structure in Vietnam, serving about 50,000 followers in central Vietnam. As with all Cao Dai temples, prayers are held four times a day, at 5.30am, 11.30am, 5.30pm and 11.30pm. The left-hand gate to the complex is for women; the right-hand gate for men. The doors to the sanctuary are similarly segregated, although priests of either gender use the central door. Behind the main altar sits an enormous globe with the Cao Dai ‘divine eye’ symbol on it. A sign reading van giao nhat ly (all religions have the same reason) hangs from the ceiling in front of the altar. Behind the gilded letters is a picture of the founders of five of the world’s great religions. From left to right are Mohammed, Laotse (wearing Eastern Orthodox-style robes), Jesus, a Southeast Asian-looking Buddha and Confucius (looking as Chinese as could be).
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BINH THUY ANCIENT HOUSE
Binh Thuy ancient house in the Mekong Delta city of Can Tho is an ideal place to explore the region’s history. Located at 26/1A Bui Huu Nghia Street in Binh Thuy ward, about five kilometres from downtown Can Tho, the house is filled with features that represent rural areas in the Mekong Delta region during the 20th century. The French-style house was built in 1870 by the Duong family on an area of nearly 6,000 sq m. Its base is about one metre higher than the land surface. In order to keep warm and avoid termites, the house owner sprayed a 10 cm layer of salt under the floorboards. With front and back gardens, the five-room house offers a comfortable environment full of fresh air and brilliant sunshine. The house is now preserved by Duong Minh Hien, the sixth generation of the Duong family. Hien said the house has an orchid garden with various types of flowers, which his father, Duong Van Ngon, spent a lot of time and effort on. According to Le Hung Dung, Chairman of the municipal People’s Committee, there are very few ancient houses in the Mekong Delta region and Can Tho city in particular. He underlined the need for the city to devise strategic measures in order to preserve and promote the house’s traditional values, thus serving tourism development. Binh Thuy ancient house has been captured in many films such as “The silt ways,” “The Bac Lieu mandarin’s son” and “The lover” of French director J. Annaud.
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CAI RANG FLOATING MARKET
Just 6km from Can Tho in the direction of Soc Trang is Cai Rang, the biggest floating market in the Mekong Delta. There is a bridge here that serves as a great vantage point for photography. The market is best before 9am, although some vendors hang out until noon. It is quite an experience to see this in full swing, but it is well worth getting up extra early to beat the tour group crowds or you may end up seeing almost as many foreigners as market traders. Cai Rang can be seen from the road, but getting here is far more interesting by boat. From the market area in Can Tho it takes about an hour by river, or you can drive to the Cau Dau Sau boat landing(by the Dau Sau Bridge) , from where it takes only about 10 minutes to reach the market.
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PHUOC LONG PAGODA
Phuoc Long Pagoda is located in Cai Rang district, Can Tho city.
