Fruit-filled roads of the riverine region

Tan Lap Floating Village, Long An

Located in the Đồng Tháp Mười region of Long An province, near the Cambodian border and just 5 km from the Bình Hiệp border gate, Tân Lập floating village captivates visitors with its lush green forests and diverse natural landscapes. To reach the floating village, you must travel by rowboat or motorboat, sailing downstream along the Rạch Rừng canal, passing through areas where lotus and water lilies are grown. Along the way, you will glide through vast mangrove forests, with the green of water hyacinths floating on the water's surface. This is an interesting destination where you can immerse yourself in nature and learn about the ecosystem of this rare remaining wetland area.

The highlight of Tan Lap Floating Village tourist area is the 5-kilometer-long, 1-meter-wide concrete pathway that winds through the forest with numerous turns. Tall melaleuca trees line both sides of the path, forming a mysterious barrier, allowing sunlight to filter through. Stepping inside, you feel as if you've entered a naturally cool, air-conditioned area, where you can breathe freely and stroll leisurely along the seemingly endless path. This is an ideal photo spot for many young people.

Visiting Tan Lap floating village, you can also enjoy Western Vietnam specialties such as chicken hotpot with giang leaves, sour fish hotpot, crispy fried linh fish, braised tilapia, stir-fried eel with turmeric... and have the opportunity to explore the cultural identity of the local people through traditional crafts such as wood carving, boat building... or listen to traditional folk music.

Ben Tre, the capital of fruit trees and ornamental plants.

Cai Mon - Cho Lach in Ben Tre province has been recognized by the Vietnam Book of Records as the largest fruit tree seedling production area in the country. From Ho Chi Minh City towards Ben Tre, cross the Rach Mieu bridge, follow provincial road 884 to Tien Thuy market in Chau Thanh district, then take a speedboat for about an hour to reach Cai Mon canal.

Visiting this peaceful riverside area, you will be able to admire the flower and plant nurseries, along with many other traditional craft villages. Cai Mon has many rest and entertainment spots following the garden tourism model, and you can visit areas for planting, nursery cultivation, and bonsai crafting. Thousands of households cultivate traditional flowers such as marigolds, bougainvillea, peonies, carnations, etc., like rural artists painting a colorful picture. In addition, you can admire rare ornamental plants, some hundreds of years old, or trees shaped by artisans into flying dragons or dancing phoenixes.

Lai Vung pink tangerine orchard, Dong Thap

Known as the largest pink tangerine kingdom in the country, many people often visit the Lai Vung pink tangerine orchards in Dong Thap province first to satisfy their curiosity, and then to enjoy the intoxicating sweetness of the ripe, pink tangerines hanging abundantly on the branches. The Lai Vung pink tangerine orchards are about a 5-hour drive from Ho Chi Minh City and have recently become a popular destination.

Crossing the small wooden bridges, you'll find yourself lost in a tangerine orchard, with ripe fruit hanging overhead and falling at your feet. With thousands of lush, fruit-laden tangerine trees, you can easily reach out and pick ripe fruit from the branches. Peeling the tangerine and putting each segment into your mouth, you'll experience a gentle sweet and sour taste. Some people even mix tangerine juice with honey and ice to make a refreshing drink that quickly cools down the summer heat. The tangerines here are carefully cultivated and watered, resulting in uniformly large and sweet fruits.

Tan Quy Dong flower village, Dong Thap

Located on the fertile banks of the Tien River, Tan Quy Dong has long been associated with the famous Sa Dec flower village. One of the most memorable things for visitors is the traditional folk songs sung by farmers as they tend to the blooming flowers. People are also captivated by the diverse array of colors created by various flowers and ornamental plants such as water jasmine, amber pine, yellow apricot blossom, moonflower, chrysanthemum, marigold, etc.

Not a masterpiece of nature, but thanks to the love and passion for flowers and ornamental plants of the artisans in the alluvial river region, Sa Dec flower village has become one of the largest flower and ornamental plant hubs in Southern Vietnam. Here, you also have the opportunity to learn about the diverse world of flowers, their origins, and the stories woven behind them.

Additional information:

• Itinerary: Ho Chi Minh City - N2 Highway - Tan Lap, Long An - Cai Be - Sa Dec - Lai Vung - Ben Tre - Ho Chi Minh City. The first day involves visiting Tan Lap and staying overnight in Sa Dec. The second day includes visiting Tan Quy Dong flower village, Lai Vung pink tangerine orchards, then returning to Cai Mon to visit the flower market before heading back to Ho Chi Minh City.
• Local specialties: When visiting the Mekong Delta, you should try local specialties such as roasted field mouse, grilled snakehead fish, freshwater perch with young lotus shoots, water spinach pancake, snakehead fish porridge hotpot, etc.
• Note: Prepare mosquito repellent as there are many mosquitoes in the countryside. Bring a raincoat if traveling by motorbike as it may rain unexpectedly. Ensure you have adequate safety equipment while traveling.

Huong Thao