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Con Son is a small landmass situated on the tranquil Hau River between the provinces of Can Tho and Vinh Long. It serves as a unique tourist village and an excellent destination for you and your family to explore on the weekend.
Introduction to the Tourist Village of Con Son in Can Tho
Con Son is a small islet nestled in the flow of the Hau River, spanning an area of 70 hectares of fertile alluvial soil, enriched by sedimentation throughout the year. This place is blessed by nature with lush green fruit orchards, fragrant and sweet fruits, and a diverse ecosystem that reflects the distinctive charm of the Southern countryside. Moreover, the islanders are not only amiable, honest, and unpretentious but also exceedingly enthusiastic and hospitable, offering a sense of warmth and affection to anyone who has ever visited.
Within the Cồn Sơn tourist area, there is an abundance of lacquer trees, hence its simple yet fitting name. These lacquer trees are harvested for their sap, which is then used to create lacquer for various applications, including decorative items and wooden furniture.
The traditional occupation of the local people here initially revolved around harvesting lacquer tree sap and woodworking. Over time, this occupation has dwindled, and residents have transitioned to fish farming and fruit cultivation.
Tips for independent travel to Cồn Sơn
1. Best time to visit Cồn Sơn in Can Tho
From the city center of Cần Thơ, take Nguyễn Trãi Street – Nguyễn Trãi Bridge – Cách Mạng Tháng 8 Street – Bình Thủy Bridge – Lê Hồng Phong Street. At the intersection of Lê Hồng Phong and Đặng Văn Dầy streets, drive another 100m then turn right, and at the end of the road is the Cô Bắc ferry terminal.
To reach Cồn Sơn tourist village in Cần Thơ, you need to take a ferry from the Cô Bắc ferry terminal, which takes about 10 – 15 minutes cruising along the Hậu River. The ferry fare ranges from 10,000 – 20,000 VND per trip per person, depending on the number of people on board.
Exciting attractions at Cồn Sơn Cần Thơ
Tourism on Cồn Sơn mainly involves exploring and experiencing the everyday life of people in the Mekong Delta, so the scenery here is beautifully simple and natural.
Order of destinations:
- Chú Bảy Bon Fish Farm (directly accessible from the Cô Bắc ferry terminal)
- Explore various tourist spots on Cồn Sơn, Cần Thơ (in a circular route)
1. Explore Chú Bảy Bon Fish Farm
Originally a fish farm supplying eateries in Cần Thơ, the locals of Cồn have transformed their river-based production facilities into tourist attractions. Chú Bảy Bon Fish Farm is located at the entrance of Cồn Sơn, just 500m from the ferry terminal, and is visited by many tourists before officially setting foot on the islet.
Here lies an enchanting spectacle of over 30 small and large fish ponds (approximately 5,000m2) arranged in a long row near the trees, nurturing various types of fish, predominantly the indigenous delicacy known as 'thac lac cuom' - a specialty of the Mekong Delta.
Visiting the fish ponds, you'll have the opportunity to admire thousands of exotic fish, vibrant in colors, frolicking beneath the surface, including catfish, thac lac fish, Koi fish... Particularly intriguing are those kept solely for viewing, like the nearly 50cm-long tiger fish. Moreover, there's an exciting feeding experience awaiting. Just release a handful of prepared feed provided by the pond owner, and hundreds of fish will gather, splashing and creating a mesmerizing sight.
Stepping onto Con Son Island, one feels immersed in boundless shades of green. Green hues emanate from lush rice paddies, dense riverbank vegetation; verdant orchards and vegetable gardens. Indulge in moments of utter relaxation, breathing in the pure, cool air devoid of the hustle and bustle of urban life.
2. Witness the flying snakehead fish at Con Son Island
One of the most fascinating experiences when visiting Con Son in Can Tho is witnessing the flying snakehead fish model. These snakehead fish are raised in cages and trained to eat at specific times according to the schedule set by the cage owner.
At feeding time, the fish cage owner will signal by tapping a stick to let the snakehead fish know it's time to eat. Then, the food will be put into a container and tossed into the fish cage. The snakehead fish will instinctively leap up to catch their prey, creating an extremely captivating scene that will surely leave you amazed. This is the legendary 'flying snakehead fish' performance that has been widely popular on television and social media platforms in recent years.
Feeding fish rice
In addition to the 'flying snakehead fish' attraction, Song Khanh garden also offers a unique and novel experience called 'feeding fish rice'. Here, you'll have the chance to feed schools of catfish and basa fish with spoonfuls of rice. At meal times, locals use sticks to create noise, attracting the attention of the fish in the pond. However, not everyone gets to experience this service. Therefore, make sure to contact Song Khanh garden before your visit!
Indulge in the specialties of the Mekong Delta:
After marveling at the performances of the snakehead fish and feeding them rice, you can wander around the guava and crispy pear orchards, experience the monkey bridge over the lotus pond, enjoy homemade lotus tea, row a three-leaf boat around the small canals, and savor garden-fresh meals... all of these are included in the entrance ticket for everyone.
Here, the locals raise a plethora of snakehead fish in cages. So, if you're feeling tired from all the fun, you should have lunch right here on Con Son Island with the incredibly delicious dishes made from snakehead fish, such as snakehead fish sausage, snakehead fish hotpot, grilled snakehead fish... bursting with the flavors of the countryside.
Additionally, you can also enjoy other delicacies such as: stir-fried frog at Chinh Nho's house; coconut water snail hotpot and pigeon soup from Nam Cong garden; field crab dish, grilled snakehead fish from Song Khanh garden; giant gourami dish from Sister Nam's house; crispy pancakes, small savory pancakes from Sister Minh's house... The 'community feast' offers a multitude of dishes, diverse flavors, and irresistible allure.
3. Experience Traditional Southern Baking
From the snakehead fish area, to move faster and without exerting yourself, you should travel by boat or canoe to the traditional baking area.
Visiting the traditional baking area on Con Son Island, you'll not only savor the sweet flavors of various specialty cakes from the Mekong Delta like steamed sponge cake, pyramid-shaped dumplings, rolled cakes... but also have the opportunity to personally make various cakes from tapioca cake, jackfruit leaf cake, pig skin cake, molded cake to crispy pancakes, small savory pancakes...
You can pre-order a buffet of traditional cakes if you're traveling in a large group to enjoy a wide variety of cakes. However, if you're traveling in a group of 1-4 people, you should only learn how to make 1-2 types of cakes, depending on the type and number of people, the price will vary.
4. Explore and Enjoy Fresh Fruits Right in the Con Son Orchard
The fertile soil on the island, enriched by sediment all year round, yields lush fruits year-round, boasting fruits like rambutan, milk fruit, and Hạ Châu strawberries... The peak fruit season is usually from April to July every year.
The sensation of savoring freshly picked fruits right from the orchard is truly marvelous. You'll experience the full flavor, freshness, and crispness of the fruits. It's truly regrettable if you don't buy some fruits as gifts for your loved ones or friends because it's rare to find fruits of such excellent quality, free from chemicals, and at such incredibly low prices right in the orchard like this.
Must-Visit Fruit Orchards:
5. Experience the Challenge of Canal Fishing
When you travel to Con Son in Can Tho, you'll get to experience a day in the life of a farmer through activities like fishing, crabbing, snail hunting, and canal fishing... After hours of diving, getting muddy, the rewarding catch of freshwater fish (snakehead fish, tilapia, catfish...) will bring you immense joy and excitement.
With these catches, you can join locals in cooking right on the spot with ingredients readily available in the garden, creating fantastic countryside dishes like grilled fish in straw, grilled fish wrapped in banana leaves, grilled snails, salt-roasted crabs...
Note: There's no limit on the number of people fishing or the number of fish caught. You won't be charged for the fish you catch, only for the processing fee if you ask the locals to help. Additionally, you'll be provided with Western attire and fishing gear like baskets, hats, and nets... you'll look just like a native farmer!
6. Enjoy Southern Amateur Music Performances
During your trip to Con Son in Can Tho, don't forget to enjoy the sweet melodies of Southern amateur music - a specialty of the Southern folk culture. You'll also have the opportunity to learn how to sing Southern amateur music from the club members.
Things to Note When Traveling to Con Son in Can Tho
Posted by: Lý Nguyễn
Keyword: Independent Weekend Travel Experience in Con Son for Beginners
