
Take a journey to Vietnam with Jess
Experience the secret side of Vietnam
There’s a large area in south-western Vietnam that extends from the border with Cambodia, all the way to the South China Sea. It’s a cornucopia of lush, fertile landscapes and gleaming rice fields, woven through by a fan of nine rivers, or nine dragons according to legend. This is the Mekong Delta, the ‘rice bowl’ of Vietnam, and a spectacular network of rivers and tributaries that is as popular with locals as a trading route as it is with visitors. Life is lived on the water and you’ll spot floating markets, jam-packed with wares, and sampans laden with coconuts, fresh fruit and fisherman moving down the tributaries. A rice barge cruise (naturally) is the best way to experience the Delta, but don’t forgo an exploration on land either. There are a multitude of hidden tracks and paths running alongside Buddhist temples and sugarcane plantations that are made for cycling and walking, and the cities are distinctive, atmospheric and surprising.
Start with a recommended trip or create one from scratch
Vietnam's portion of the Mekong Delta extends all the way from its border with Cambodia to the South China Sea. Of course, the best way to experience this tapestry of rivers, channels, mangroves and rice fields is on a cruise. When you're not blissfully watching the scenery from on board (keep your eyes peeled for a pod of freshwater dolphins), hop in a sampan boat to visit floating villages and markets overflowing with fresh fruit, and stop to explore tiny islands. You could also do a little adventuring on land. Walk or cycle past Buddhist temples and sugarcane fields, and learn about traditional crafts from a local artisan.
The laidback lifestyle, the enchanting people – and the chance to spot river dolphins in the quieter waterways!
Many cruises begin in Ho Chi Minh and end in Phnom Penh, combining a fabulous experience with a practical means of moving from one country to the next.
The Delta is beautiful, mesmerising, and for Westerners, totally unique – but it’s also life for many, which, in this part of the world, can be hard.
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