Top 10 Captivating Tourist Destinations in the Land of Pink Lotus - Dong Thap

If you ever find yourself in Ðồng Tháp, a must-visit historical site is the Memorial Area of Pho Bang Nguyen Sinh Sac, the final resting place of the beloved President Ho Chi Minh's adoptive father. Over the years, after numerous renovations and reconstructions, the memorial area has transformed into a site preserving the historical and cultural values of Ðồng Tháp, and the Mekong Delta region as a whole, combining modernity with deep historical significance. Despite its location in the heart of Cao Lãnh city, Ðồng Tháp province (123/1 Phạm Hữu Lầu Street, Ward 4), stepping inside brings a sense of tranquility and serenity. It's a place for visitors to pay their respects and gratitude to a Confucian scholar who 'loved the country and cared for the people' - a noble and humble personality who dedicated his life to the well-being of the nation and its people.

Nguyen Sinh Sac was born and raised in Nam Ðàn, Nghệ An province. In the Tân Sửu year (1901), he became a Deputy Minister, later appointed as the 'Thừa biện Bộ Lễ,' and in 1906, he assumed the role of 'Tri phủ lĩnh nhiệm Tri huyện Bình Khê' (Bình Định). During his tenure, he consistently stood with the poor, fought against bandits and oppressors, but his time in office was short-lived as he was dismissed by the Nguyen Dynasty. After his dismissal, he moved to the South, settling in Hòa An village, Ðồng Tháp province, to teach, dispense medicine, aid the poor, and lead a virtuous life until his passing. In gratitude for his contributions, the government and people of Ðồng Tháp built Nguyen Sinh Sac's tomb for locals and visitors to pay their respects. The construction was completed in 1977, and it was designated a National Heritage Site in 1992.

Address: Ward 4, Cao Lãnh City, Ðồng Tháp province.

The house originally belonged to Mr. Huynh Thuy Le, the first love of French writer Marguerite Duras. This love affair later became the inspiration for her famous novel 'The Lover,' published in 1984. The work was adapted into the film 'L’Amant' in 1992 by French director Jean-Jaques Annaud. The ancient house was constructed in 1895 by Mr. Huynh Cam Thuan (father of Mr. Huynh Thuy Le), a wealthy Chinese merchant from Phuc Kien, China, who once prospered in Sa Dec. Initially, it was a traditional three-compartment house of the Southwest, covering 258 m2 with precious wood as the main material and a yin-yang tiled boat-shaped roof. In 1917, the owner renovated the house using solid bricks, enclosing the wooden frame inside. Thus, from the outside, it appears as a French-style villa, while the interior features a distinctive blend of Chinese architecture. It's a harmonious fusion of Eastern and Western architectural styles. The entire house, built on a 258-square-meter area, follows the traditional Vietnamese house design, with a yin-yang tiled roof and curved boat-shaped ends resembling the structures in Northern temples, creating a soft and graceful look.

However, the interior architecture of Huynh Thuy Le Ancient House is elevated and cool, with walls made of solid bricks, 30 - 40cm thick, enveloping the wooden frame to enhance load-bearing capacity in the traditional French architectural style. The three-compartment house is adorned inside with Chinese-style decorations. Large embroidered banners, gilded lacquer, and carvings closely resemble a Chinese temple. The central large frame features a pair of intertwined Phoenix birds, symbolizing 'Harmony in Happiness.' The two side frames depict intricate patterns of birds, flowers, and leaves, signifying the prosperity of the family. A unique aspect of the building's decorative motifs is the incorporation of Feng Shui elements, with the depiction of the 'Four Supernatural Beings' as 'dragon, unicorn, bat (dơi), phoenix,' instead of 'dragon, unicorn, turtle, phoenix.'

Address: 255A Nguyen Hue Street, Ward 2, Sa Dec City, Ðồng Tháp province.

Dong Sen lies peacefully in the rural area of My Hoa, Thap Muoi district, approximately 39km from Cao Lanh city. The climate here is refreshing year-round, making it an ideal destination in any season. However, the best time to visit is during the summer when lotuses bloom abundantly and beautifully. You can leisurely stroll, inhale the fresh air, and admire the lotus ponds with their vibrant green leaves. Wooden pathways connect various huts around the lotus area. In the center of Dong Sen stands a tall tower. From its top, you can overlook the expansive rice fields. Visitors can also explore the lotus fields, breathe in the fragrance of pink lotuses, and even borrow traditional Vietnamese costumes like ao dai, bà ba, and conical hats to creatively capture beautiful moments amidst the lotus blooms with friends and family. To enter the ecotourism area, visitors must travel by boat. The slow drift of the boat allows you to enjoy the scenery on both sides of the river and participate in unique activities such as lotus picking, fishing, and experiencing the life of a farmer.

Dong Sen stretches endlessly, creating a simple and tranquil atmosphere. You will truly appreciate the beauty of the national flower, the lotus, representing the soul and elegance of the homeland. The gentle breeze carries the subtle fragrance of lotus flowers, providing a magical aroma that soothes the spirit. In the evening, flocks of birds return to their nests, forming dense black dots against the fading blue sky, creating a serene and peaceful scene. A visit to Dong Sen would be incomplete without savoring the local specialties of the river region, such as steamed peppered snails, lotus seed fried rice, dried snakehead fish mango salad, boiled field crabs, and braised carp... all prepared with a unique local culinary method, offering distinct flavors not easily found elsewhere. Or simply enjoy a cup of hot lotus tea while engaging in friendly conversations with the warm, hospitable people of the Mekong Delta. Sitting amidst the vast lotus field, savoring lotus specialties, will leave you with a truly distinctive experience.

Address: My Hoa Commune, Thap Muoi District, Ðồng Tháp province.

In the Mekong Delta region, the Phuoc Kien people form one of the three communities, alongside the Kinh (Vietnamese) and Khmer, harmoniously coexisting for generations while preserving their cultural essence and spirituality. Kiến An Cung stands as a testament to their spiritual journey. Also known as Ong Quach Pagoda, Kiến An Cung Pagoda boasts a history spanning over a century and is situated in the heart of Sa Dec city, a prominent tourist destination in Ðồng Tháp province. Recognized as a national historical relic in 1990, this iconic structure represents Chinese culture. The pagoda was established by a group of Chinese settlers from Phuc Kien province, China, who made Sa Dec their home to honor their ancestors, educate their descendants, and foster community unity for trade, information exchange, and discussions.

Kiến An Cung Pagoda commenced construction in 1924 (Year of the Rat) and was completed in 1927 (Year of the Cat). Over those three years, craftsmen from Phuc Kien worked tirelessly alongside local artisans in Sa Dec, meticulously crafting intricate details, patterns, decorations, and statues. This collaborative effort produced a grand architectural masterpiece in the style of Chinese temples. The distinctive feature of the pagoda is the fence, constructed with cement but crafted to resemble traditional bamboo poles. A visit to this heritage site allows you to marvel at its unique, splendid, and elegant architectural style. The pagoda faces the Cai Son canal, designed in an imposing 'Công' shape, symbolizing prestige and grandeur. The entire structure lacks pillars, with the load-bearing function performed by round wooden columns. The front facade is harmoniously designed with three main sections, and the yin-yang tiled roof with dragon wave patterns creates six majestic waves. At the apex of each wave, there are six miniature palaces, representing the spirit of overcoming challenges and achieving success.

Address: Ward 2, Sa Dec town, Ðồng Tháp province.

Located in Hòa Tân commune, Châu Thành district, Ðồng Tháp province, Khước Kiển Pagoda, or Lotus Leaf Pagoda, was built during the reign of Emperor Thiệu Trị. During wars, the pagoda served as a revolutionary base in two resistance campaigns against the French and the Americans. Locals often refer to it affectionately as the 'Pagoda of the King's Lotus.' Visitors to Phuoc Kien Pagoda can enjoy the fresh, cool, and tranquil atmosphere. The spacious and airy space, combined with the Buddha statues, makes the pagoda vibrant and appealing. However, what attracts and contributes to the fame of Phuoc Kien Pagoda is a rare and peculiar lotus species within the temple grounds. Legend has it that the king's lotus leaf can withstand a maximum weight of 140 kg without sinking, sparking the curiosity of many to witness it firsthand.

Introduced in the temple's pond in 1992, no one knows the exact name of this flower, leading to various names like the king's lotus, súng nia, or nong tầm. What gives this lotus the ability to bear such weight? It's because the lotus stem is nearly the size of an adult's wrist. The mature leaf can reach a diameter of 3m. The leaf edge stands 2-5cm above the water surface, resembling a nia hat or a traditional hat from the North, creating a fascinating appearance. The upper side of the leaf is smooth and shiny with a dominant light green color. The lower side features large veins and spikes, divided into small squares that are light red when young and gradually become darker as the leaf ages. Particularly during the flood season, the gigantic lotus in Phuoc Kien Pagoda can have leaves up to 2.5m wide, easily 'carrying' a person weighing up to 140kg without sinking.

Address: Hòa Tân commune, Châu Thành district, Ðồng Tháp province.

Southern Cultural Tourism Area is a cultural and spiritual tourist site that began construction on October 30, 2009, officially opening its doors to visitors on December 24, 2017. The project covers an extremely large area, up to 17 hectares, including 5 main sections: Southern Jade Linh Tu, Dang clan Southern Jade Linh Tu, the Dang family museum, the Southern museum, and a row of schools surrounding symbolizing the five continents. Additionally, the tourist area includes features like a 4-pond area for planting vegetables and aquatic plants symbolizing the four seas. The tourist area has 63 pots of apricot blossoms symbolizing the 63 provinces and cities of Vietnam. Alongside that, there are 54 species of ornamental flowers and trees reminiscent of the 54 ethnicities of our country. Particularly noteworthy, within the tourist area, there is a helipad and two parking lots for cars, along with a 3-hectare ceremony yard.

Southern Cultural Tourism Area has been recognized by Vietnam for two records: first, it is the first temple to worship the great figures who made significant contributions to the opening, preserving the southern land. Second, in the main hall of the temple area, there are many bronze statues of famous figures, some of which are the largest statues of the ancestors who opened the southern land. The first impression of tourists when visiting this famous tourist area in Đồng Tháp is its 'gigantic' scale, with an area of up to 17 hectares, featuring a large, vibrant pink lotus pond that stretches across the sky. Going deeper inside, visitors can admire hundreds of different bonsai trees and freely take pictures with precious flowers. More captivating are the various decorative scenes within the tourist area, creating beautiful photo spots for those who love virtual living, such as the Bali Gate, the red heart in the midst of the lotus pond, and the familiar yet strange conical hat road in the midst of the river region.

Address: Long Hưng A, Lấp Vò, Đồng Tháp.