Top 10 Captivating Destinations in Western Vietnam

When the Mekong Delta is flooded, it not only brings alluvium to the fields and abundant seafood to fishermen but also creates a poetic scenery that captures the hearts of travelers. This is the ideal time for visitors to explore the wild beauty of Vam Nao (An Giang), witness the vast and tranquil water landscapes of the countryside.

The Vam Nao River stretches nearly 7km horizontally between the Tien and Hau rivers, with depths ranging from 15-20m. Flowing through the communes of Kien An, My Hoi Dong (Chau Moi district), Tan Trung commune (Phu Tan district), and Binh Thuy commune (Chau Phu district, An Giang province), the river is short but deep, known for its swirling currents. The name 'Vam Nao' is explained by the swirling water whirlpools that make people passing by feel dizzy.

Throughout the seasons, Vam Nao offers unique landscapes, but the most beautiful and famous period is during the flood season. Visitors will experience the freshness of nature and the richness of creatures, witnessing the unique phenomenon of water flowing from the Tien River to the Hau River. Enjoy activities like catching linh fish, immerse yourself in the daily life of the locals during the flood season. Rowing boats to handpick clusters of water lilies amidst the vast water surface is an unforgettable experience.

A must-try experience here is joining the locals in harvesting arrowroot tubers. Arrowroot is an aquatic plant with distinctive black, horn-shaped tubers containing white, sweet, and starchy flour, favored by the people of the Mekong Delta. Additionally, participating in fishing activities, dragging nets, and catching fish like the local fishermen on the Vam Nao River is a highlight of the flood season tour.

An Giang province is not only famous for the lush Tra Su cajuput forest, the majestic Co To mountain, or the sacred site like Ba Chua Xu Temple,... but also for the largest freshwater lake in the Southwest region. That is Bung Binh Thien, also known as the 'sky lake,' blessed by nature with a diverse ecosystem of freshwater species. Playing a crucial role in regulating water for a part of the Mekong Delta, this serene and evergreen lake is an attractive destination for travelers who love exploring the unique culture of the Cham people in the upper Mekong region.

Bung Binh Thien consists of two connected lakes: Bung Lon (Big Lake) and Bung Nho (Small Lake). The larger lake, Bung Lon, covers an area of 193 hectares with an average depth of about 5 meters. Visitors can come to Bung Binh Thien at any time of the year, but according to experienced travelers, the most beautiful period is during the flood season (from the 7th to the 10th lunar month).

Every August, the Mekong River rushes water from Cambodia to Vietnam, creating the first floods in the upper reaches of the Tien and Hau rivers. The rising water overflows, converging into Bung Binh Thien, submerging the surrounding area into a vast expanse of water. The lake's surface area during the flood season can reach up to 900 hectares. The lake is covered with water lilies, lotuses, and arrowroots, forming a poetic landscape full of vitality.

Since Bung Binh Thien is a lake, the main means of transportation for sightseeing is by boat. Typically, each boat carries about 4-10 tourists, with prices ranging from 150,000 - 300,000 VND per person. A boat tour takes approximately 40 minutes. Boating on the lake allows visitors to fully experience the gifts of nature to this land. The fresh air, cool breeze, clear water, and the vibrant colors of blooming flowers create a serene atmosphere. Fishing boats drift leisurely, giving a sense of everything here moving slowly and peacefully, just like the life of the local people. In addition to sightseeing and photography, visitors can also experience activities such as fishing with nets, catching frogs, and picking water lilies.

Tra Su Cajuput Forest is located in An Giang province. It is a typical flooded cajuput forest in the Western Hau River region. This area boasts a diverse ecosystem, serving as the habitat for numerous species of animals and plants within the specialized forest system of Vietnam.

Visiting Tra Su Cajuput Forest, you will immerse yourself in the vast, refreshing nature. A vibrant green color covers the entire area. Water hyacinths blanket the water surface, and on both sides of the road are clusters of cajuput trees rising above the water. Sitting on a boat along this waterway, you can touch the water hyacinths right next to the surface, creating an incredibly enjoyable sensation.

Did you know? The most beautiful time to explore the cajuput forest is during the flood season. As you venture deeper into the forest, you will witness a world of incredibly beautiful birds. Tra Su Cajuput Forest is home to many bird species listed in the red book. Upon entering the forest, it feels like entering a magical world, where the beauty of nature is so stunning and marvelous that words can no longer describe. This is truly one of the most beautiful forests in Vietnam. If you have the chance, visit Tra Su Cajuput Forest to experience the fresh and invigorating atmosphere here.

Not only famous for the fragrant aroma of blooming lotus fields, the romantic beauty of hundreds of flowers in Sa Dec flower village, and the endless rice fields where white storks soar... Dong Thap also boasts ecological tourism areas that captivate visitors from near and far.

One of the outstanding ecological tourism destinations in Dong Thap is Tram Chim National Park - a Ramsar site of international importance, ranking 2,000th worldwide and 4th in Vietnam. This place features a beautiful natural landscape with the rare and famous red-headed crane, known for its graceful and enchanting dance. With its colorful and beautiful natural scenery, it will undoubtedly be an interesting destination for those who love travel.

Especially, this is a stopover for the rare crane species that fascinate people's hearts. You can take a boat ride along the green canals, admiring various flying birds. Not only that, but you can also immerse yourself in the flooded season with a vast landscape of water and sky mingling with lush vegetation. If you have the opportunity to visit Dong Thap, remember to explore Tram Chim National Park in Tam Nong.

Located in the Thất Sơn range of An Giang province, Ta Pa Mountain (Tri Ton) resembles a fairyland of serene beauty. This place offers a refreshing atmosphere and stunning landscapes that captivate tourists with the solemnity of the mountain temple. Ta Pa Hill comprises three famous tourist destinations: Ta Pa Fields, Ta Pa Lake, and Ta Pa Pagoda. Ta Pa Fields lie at the foot of Ta Pa Mountain and Cô Tô, about 1 km from Tri Ton town, in Nui To commune, Tri Ton district, An Giang province. Ta Pa Fields are considered the most unique fields in the Mekong Delta due to the Khmer people's practice of 'field co-cultivation.' Khmer farmers often gather together to cultivate these fields collectively. As the harvest season approaches, the field transforms into vibrant patches of colors: the lush green of the growing rice, the light yellow of the ripening rice, the bright yellow of the fields ready for harvest, and the deep brown of the scattered rice stalks.

According to the travel experience in An Giang, Ta Pa Fields are most beautiful from September to early November when the rice is in harvest season, allowing visitors to enjoy the radiant yellow and green scenery. After November, Ta Pa Fields enter a new crop season, and the entire landscape turns a pale green, adding even more interest to the scenery. Moreover, during this time, water from the upper Mekong River floods over the hills, covering the lush green rice fields and creating a breathtaking reflection under the blue sky.

Ta Pa Lake is an unmissable destination in the exploration of Tri Ton. This lake is famous for its crystal-clear water, allowing you to see the bottom. On sunny days, beneath the clear water, you can even observe the layers of moss and aquatic grass on the lake floor. On the mountain, there is Ta Pa Pagoda, one of the popular attractions for tourists in this region. The Khmer Buddhist pagoda, situated near the mountain's summit, exudes a peaceful atmosphere with a panoramic view of the rice fields below. The pagoda, following the Southern Buddhist tradition, features distinctive Khmer architecture. The grand structure is intricately carved and adorned with various sculptures of mythical creatures like the Garuda bird, Naga serpent, and the Tree of Knowledge. Ta Pa, a renowned destination, is a must-visit in An Giang!

Dong Thap is a land famous for its valuable historical and cultural relics, unique culinary arts, and especially the Sa Dec ornamental flower village – the flower capital of the Mekong Delta. Sa Dec Flower Village (Dong Thap province) originated from Tan Quy Dong Flower Village, a traditional village over 100 years old. Situated on the banks of the Tien River, it is always windy, with rich alluvium, abundant sunlight, and known as the land of ornamental flowers. When traveling to Dong Thap, visiting Sa Dec Flower Village allows you to admire the magnificent scenery with countless species of flowers displaying vibrant colors and delightful fragrances.

Today, Sa Dec Flower Village maintains its distinctiveness with images of straight flower beds on the fields. Here, flowers are grown on tall trellises, with water underneath flowing in from the surrounding canals. Locals wade through the fields, using boats during the flood season to care for the flowers.

Sa Dec Flower Garden cultivates various beautiful flower species such as chrysanthemums, tiger lilies, dollar plants, Dendrobium, portulacas, marigolds, ten o'clock flowers, coconut flowers, dahlias, pink willows, and fireworks flowers. There are also about 50 varieties of exported roses. The region is also famous for rare and valuable bonsai trees, with some nearly a hundred years old, alongside common trees like star apples, areca palms, areca catechu, silk-cotton trees, and apricots. Through the meticulous hands and talent of artisans, they have become beautiful and unique bonsai trees.

With years of experience and advances in science and technology, Sa Dec ornamental flowers are now not only present in the provinces of the Mekong Delta but also exported to countries in the region such as Laos, Cambodia, Thailand, and China. Hence, this place has become a familiar destination for flower enthusiasts.

The Mekong Delta in Southern Vietnam is renowned for its vast fields, abundant orchards, meandering rivers, intricate canals, along with its islets and submerged melaleuca forests, exuding a wild and charming beauty. Here, you can immerse yourself in the expansive waterways and orchards flourishing with countless shades of green fruits. During each fruit season, the fertile land warmly welcomes visitors with a variety of sweet and delicious fruits that can be picked and enjoyed right in the orchards or taken as gifts for family and friends.

When in the Mekong Delta, you cannot miss the extensive fruit orchards in places like Cai Mon (Ben Tre), Vinh Kim (Tien Giang), My Khanh (Can Tho), etc. You will have the opportunity to pick and savor fresh fruits directly from the orchards and purchase them at a reasonable price to bring back for your loved ones.

These renowned fruit orchards promise to provide you with a delightful and memorable day. Take a break from the hustle and bustle of the city, venture into the orchards to indulge in traditional dishes and conclude your meal with locally grown, preservative-free fruits, creating unforgettable moments.

An Binh Islet, comprising 4 communes: An Binh, Hoa Ninh, Dong Phu, and Binh Hoa Phuoc in Long Ho district, Vinh Long province. With its landscape as small pieces of land surrounded by the Co Chien and Ham Luong rivers, it has become an enticing Vinh Long tourist destination, offering unforgettable experiences of a rich Mekong Delta river region. Visiting the Mekong is exploring unique eco-tourism areas, suitable for sightseeing and relaxation. An Binh Islet in Vinh Long is famous for its orchards, tourist areas, and the unique culture of the locals. Thousands of tourists visit here every year. An Binh Islet is where visitors can paddle a sampan through narrow canals, enjoying the scenic riverside on both sides. The cool breeze and folk songs on the boat will leave you with unforgettable impressions. Or cycling on shaded village roads, breathing in the peaceful air amidst lush greenery. Explore the lychee orchards with ripe red lychees or visit longan, orange, and pomelo orchards, typical of the Mekong Delta fruit orchard tourism. Visit local orchards, and you can enjoy fruits in the orchard almost all year round.

An Binh Islet, created by land reclamation, naturally grows greenery that creates a pleasant color even under the scorching heat. Not only can you explore the rivers and canals, but you can also visit fruit orchards with many clean fruit varieties. The local dishes are also unique and rich in Mekong Delta flavors. Nature has blessed An Binh Islet with sweet and delicious fruits all year round, and the locals have innovatively used rivers, canals, and fruit orchards as tourist attractions. After a day of exploration, visitors can stay overnight in homestays at orchards, eat and live with the locals. Enjoying typical dishes of the river region such as fried elephant ear fish, crispy spring rolls, grilled snakehead fish, sizzling pancakes, and fruit wine, you'll savor the essence of the Mekong Delta and enjoy traditional folk performances.

When it comes to the provinces in the Mekong Delta, floating markets are a truly unique 'tourism specialty.' Besides Cai Rang Floating Market in Can Tho, Soc Trang has the renowned Ngã Năm Floating Market. Ngã Năm Floating Market is one of the three largest floating markets in the Southwestern region. It is situated right at the center of five major canals: one branch flows upstream to Nga Bay to reach the Hau River, one flows downstream to Bac Lieu, Ca Mau, and the remaining three branches are Rạch Cái Trầu flowing into Rạch Xẻo Chích towards Vinh Quoi - Ngan Gua, Phu Loc - Thanh Tri, and Kênh Xáng Chìm flowing into Trà Bang - to the Cai Lon River in Long My district - Hau Giang. The floating market belongs to Nga Nam town, Thanh Tri district, Soc Trang province, where everything is traded, especially the special fruits of the river region.

The beauty of Ngã Năm Floating Market resembles a vivid painting of the people of Soc Trang. Visiting Ngã Năm Floating Market, tourists will enjoy specialties and gain insights into the local life. The market usually starts at 3 a.m., and the busiest time is from 3 a.m. to 5 a.m. Here, each boat has bamboo poles with advertisements made from bamboo or wood.

If you love exploring pristine and mysterious nature, don't miss the travel journey to U Minh Ha Forest when in Ca Mau. With an extremely rich and diverse ecosystem, U Minh Ha National Park is a giant nature museum, preserving and breeding rare species, contributing to the scientific, cultural, and historical development of the country. Through the famous movie 'Southern Land,' U Minh Ha Forest is portrayed as a wild world, full of challenges depicted through stories of pioneering and land reclamation by ancestors hundreds of years ago. With a total area of over 8527 hectares, U Minh Ha Forest is recognized by UNESCO as one of the three largest biosphere reserves in the world, with more than 250 plant species, 180 bird species, and 20 common reptile species. Additionally, there are many rare animals hiding deep in the dense forest, waiting for biologists to explore.

When visiting U Minh Ha, tourists will have the opportunity to experience the feeling of forest exploration on boats to admire and immerse their souls in the deep and mysterious forest scenery, both primitive and enchanting like the ancient primordial period. Besides, you can savor local delicacies unique to this region, such as roasted field mice, snake cooked with green beans, eel simmered in nhau leaves, and more. Surely, a trip to U Minh Ha will leave a profound impression on everyone's life. Especially under the forest canopy, diligent bees collect nectar from the flowers of the cajeput trees to bring back to their hives, yielding a large harvest every year. During the bee-keeping season from December to June, visiting U Minh Ha Forest, you will have the chance to follow the footsteps of the beekeepers into the forest to collect honey, both an exciting experience and an opportunity to enjoy fresh honeycombs dipped in shiny golden honey, sweet and captivating.