6 travel experiences that can only be found during the flood season in the Mekong Delta.

The North is famous for its vibrant spring on the highlands, while the coastal provinces boast a sun-drenched summer. Meanwhile, the Southwestern region of Vietnam takes on its most charming and romantic beauty during the flood season. Many provinces in the Mekong Delta attract tourists because of the unique characteristics of the region when the water rises. This makes tourism experiences in the Mekong Delta diverse, offering activities closely connected to nature and waterways.

Birdwatching at Tram Chim National Park

Nestled deep within the Tam Nong wetlands (Dong Thap province), Tram Chim National Park is one of Vietnam's eight most important bird conservation areas. It is also Vietnam's last remaining wetland grassland system, famous for its red-crowned crane – one of the world's rare and endangered bird species listed in the Red Book.

When the flood season arrives, Tram Chim National Park takes on a vibrant new color, with flocks of migratory birds coming to roost, feed, and live. Thousands of egrets soar and land, their calls echoing as if communicating with their kind. The entire park is bustling with the lively sounds of birds.

At dawn, Tram Chim National Park begins a new day with vibrant sounds. Birds of various species perch on branches, their songs blending harmoniously in the natural landscape like a melodious, lively symphony in the early morning. As dusk falls, flocks of birds begin to fly back to their nests to rest after a day of tireless foraging.

Enjoy lotus rice from Dong Thap

Dong Thap is one of the destinations with many characteristic attractions during the flood season. Located at the headwaters of the Mekong River, this province leaves visitors with the impression of its vast lotus fields. The delicious lotus leaf-wrapped rice must be cooked with red rice, a type of rice with small, translucent, elongated grains that tastes better than any other type of rice. The dish also incorporates lotus seeds. The seeds are mixed with sesame seeds and salt, wrapped in lotus leaves along with the rice, and then steamed until cooked.

When the fragrant aroma fills the air, the rice is cooked. The lotus leaves are opened, revealing the red rice, white lotus seeds, and striking black sesame salt. Enjoying this dish, you'll savor the distinctive flavors of the lotus seeds, the precious rice, and the nutty taste of the sesame salt. Chewing slowly and thoroughly, you'll also appreciate the subtle sweetness and lingering aroma.

Having breakfast at Cai Rang floating market.

Floating markets are a distinctive type of market in the Mekong Delta, with a history spanning over a hundred years. This is one of the three largest floating markets in the Southwest of Vietnam. During the high water season, Cai Rang floating market is always more vibrant and bustling, with countless boats and barges arriving from various regions. The goods brought to the floating market by traders are also more abundant than at other times of the year.

After exploring the floating market, it's time for breakfast. To cater to both locals and tourists, there are stalls selling a full range of typical dishes from the Southwestern region of Vietnam, such as noodle soup, crab noodle soup, and tapioca noodle soup. Sitting on a boat floating on the water, enjoying a rich, hot bowl of noodle soup, and sipping on a fragrant cup of coffee is definitely an experience you shouldn't miss.

Visit Tra Su Melaleuca Forest

Located about 100km from Long Xuyen city, Tra Su Melaleuca Forest is both a special-use forest system in Vietnam and an ecotourism area with rare natural beauty. Covering an area of ​​850 hectares, Tra Su Melaleuca Forest is mainly covered by thousands of decades-old melaleuca trees. Furthermore, it is also the most diverse flooded melaleuca forest in Southern Vietnam in terms of flora and fauna.

Located in Tinh Bien district (An Giang province), this area is covered in a vibrant green during the rainy season. Under the shade of the melaleuca forest, boats glide gently across the endless expanse of green water hyacinths amidst a rare, pristine, and refreshing landscape. Besides unique photo opportunities within the forest, you can also check in at the "Thousand-Step Bamboo Bridge" – the longest bamboo bridge xuyên through a forest in Vietnam. Additionally, you can participate in other activities such as taking a small boat ride on the river, admiring the melaleuca forest from an observation deck, and enjoying delicious local cuisine in the melaleuca forest.

Experience the spiritual culture in An Giang.

Chau Doc is famous for its many spiritual destinations as well as the unique Khmer culture. On your first visit, you can stop by the central market in the morning to eat fish noodle soup, then rent a motorbike to go to Mount Sam, visit the Ba Chua Xu Temple on Mount Sam, and check in at the infinity pool with a view of the rice fields.

Further from the town center are villages inhabited by the Cham people. There, the mosque is an ideal stop. Some villagers still make handmade sponge cakes using copper molds and a technique involving hot coals to bake them. If you travel towards Tan Chau, you can also find people preserving traditional weaving crafts.

Go bathing in the rice paddies

During the flood season, the entire Mekong Delta is submerged, making every place ideal for immersing yourself in the vast expanse of water – a unique feature of the Mekong Delta. Relaxing in the cool water will evoke wonderful childhood memories. Choose large, unobstructed fields to freely splash around, and remember to wear a life jacket for safety. The best time is when the water is still and receding; at this time, the water is very clear and about 2-3 meters deep, perfect for splashing around.

Anh Thi