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Discover the charm of Sa Dec flower village, explore the historic Huynh Thuy Le ancient house, or wander through the fruitful Lai Vung pink citrus garden... These are exciting experiences you should try when traveling to Dong Thap.
Embark on a 2-day journey to Dong Thap, combining flower viewing in Sa Dec with a visit to the Lai Vung citrus garden
Transportation Options
From Saigon, you can head to the Mien Tay bus station to purchase tickets to Dong Thap for approximately 90,000 – 120,000 VND per person, one way. Alternatively, since Dong Thap is not too far from Saigon, you can opt for a convenient motorcycle ride. Another option is to travel to Dong Thap by motorcycle following this route: from Saigon, go straight to the My Thuan Bridge via National Route 1A, then continue on National Route 80 to Sa Dec. From here, you can start your journey following the planned itinerary.
Day 1: Saigon – Sa Dec Flower Village – Huynh Thuy Le Ancient House
Morning: Spend your morning primarily on transportation, interspersed with enjoying local specialties along the way. Remember to stop in My Tho, Tien Giang to savor the famous My Tho noodle soup. Then continue your journey according to the schedule, arriving in Sa Dec for rest, lunch, and preparation for sightseeing.
Afternoon:
Sa Dec Flower Village: One of the renowned flower villages in the Southwest, Sa Dec Flower Village (Tan Quy Dong commune, Sa Dec City) is the main supplier of flowers to neighboring areas during Tet. It's also a favorite destination for tourists every Tet holiday. The predominant flower species in Sa Dec include chrysanthemums, marigolds, cosmos, sunflowers, peach blossoms, roses, ornamental peppers, and more. Especially this year, Sa Dec City is even organizing a week-long festival from January 7th to 14th, 2017, named 'The Four Seasons Showcase,' featuring numerous attractive activities for tourists.
Huynh Thuy Le Ancient House: Built in 1895 by the Chinese-Vietnamese businessman Huynh Cam Thuy (father of Huynh Thuy Le), this house was constructed using precious wood, displaying the traditional architecture of the Southwest. Despite undergoing major renovations in 1917, the house still retains its unique and original architectural style.
Evening: In the evening, Sa Dec City offers numerous entertainment activities. You can wander around local eateries to indulge in Mekong Delta specialties like field mice, sour soup with snakehead fish... then head to the night market for a platter of fresh fruits by the river, and admire the 'starlight' bridge version of Sa Dec. For accommodation in Sa Dec, you can choose from hotels like Phuong Nam, Bong Hong, Huong Sen... with prices ranging from 200,000 to 500,000 VND per room.
Day 2: Lai Vung Pink Citrus Garden – Saigon
After having breakfast, you will head to the Lai Vung pink citrus garden, about 17km from Sa Dec city. You can explore these attractions all day before returning to Saigon.
Currently, there are several pink citrus garden attractions in Lai Vung, but three main ones include: Phuong Nghi spot from the orchard of Dang Van Khanh in Tan Quy hamlet, Tan Phuoc commune; Ut Tuong spot from the garden of Nguyen Van Tuong located adjacent to provincial road 851, in Tan Khanh hamlet, Tan Thanh commune, Lai Vung district; Tu Rang attraction, located at 186D/5 (Kinh Cai Son Be) National Highway 54, Hoa Khanh hamlet, Vinh Thoi, Lai Vung.
For tourists interested in witnessing the citrus harvest, taking citrus to the roadside for sale, and concentrating on weighing for traders, it's advisable to visit familiar orchards from the 23rd of the lunar December. However, regardless of photography intentions, it's essential to inquire with the homeowner, as this is a busy trading season. Especially when visiting citrus gardens, besides filming and taking photos as mementos, tourists can also enjoy refreshments, taste pink citrus, sugar-coated citrus, specialty nem Lai Vung, and traditional Don Ca Tai Tu music performances.
By Ha Mi (Compiled)
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Reference: Mytour Travel Handbook
TravelHub.comJanuary 6, 2017
