Dos and Donts when travelling to Vietnam.

Dos and Donts when travelling to Vietnam.


I'd like to add some more information on the top of this post. There was a sinking boat killed over 11 forein tourists in Ha Long Bay in Feb, not long enough since that day, another boat sank right in HaLong Bay. Fortunetly, no one was killed . Another sinking boat killed over 12 local people when they were having a party on the boat in Binh Duong Province, not far from HCM City.


Firstly, I want to introduce to everyone a little bit about the Mekong Delta because I have read on many travel forums and see that many people dont know clearly about Mekong Delta. Mekong Delta includes 13 provinces from Ca Mau, located on the gulf of Thailand, to Long An. (Ca Mau, Kien Giang, Soc Trang, Bac Lieu, Tra Vinh, Vinh Long, An Giang, Can Tho, Long An, Tien Giang, Dong Thap, Hau Giang). There are many nice places to see and various cultures in each province, but some people only know about floating markets in Can Tho like a symbol of Mekong Delta. There is no doubt if saying that Mekong delta people are friendliest in Viet Nam. You can walk while talking on the fone. You can see many people smile with you. You can see many people wave their hands and say hello with you... and here is my dos-and-donts list for you when exploring Mekong Delta, Vietnam.

Things To Do when Travelling to Vietnam
- Keep a raincoat in your backpack when TRavelling to Vietnam in wet season. Although It's not many rainny days these years in wet season but you should keep it in your bag.
- Remember you should not pay more than 30VNĐ for Motorbike river (Xe Om) for 10km. If you are coming from HCM and want to get to Phu Quoc ferry, Do not take a Xe Om, but wait for a free transportation in the bus tation. If you do want to take a Xe Om to get to Phu Quoc ferry then do not pay higher than 20VNĐ.
- Always carry a helmet with you if you are exploring Mekong Delta by motorbikes, and do not speed over 40km/h in Cities.
- If you are coming from HCMC, only take Mai Linh bus or Vinashun bus
- Do not wear short pants when visiting temples, and remember removing your hat when going inside a temple
- One last thing to remember is: Do not take photo in frontier areas.

Take a hotel business card from the reception desk before venturing out from your hotel. This will make your return to the hotel in a taxi or cyclo much easier.

Carry a roll of toilet paper in your daypack on long excursions from your base hotel. You never know when you might need it!

Dress appropriately. Not only for the prevailing weather, but also not to cause offence to the local people. Vietnamese have conservative dress codes, and it is only in larger cities that these codes are a little more relaxed. Do not wear revealing clothing.

If invited into a Vietnamese home, always remove your shoes at the front door when entering.

Ask for permission when taking a photograph of someone. If they indicate that they do not want you to, then abide by their wishes.

Things Not To Do in Vietnam

Offer money or push the issue.

Drink plenty of bottled water. During the summer months you should be drinking a minimum of 2 litres per day. If you drink tea, coffee and alcohol you should increase you water intake accordingly as these will help to dehydrate you.

Never carry more money than you need when walking around the streets.

Do not wear large amounts of jewellery. There are two reasons for not doing this (1) It is considered impolite to flaunt wealth in public; (2) It is more likely that you may become a victim of a pickpocket or drive-by bag snatcher.

Don't be paranoid about your security, just be aware of your surroundings.

Don't wear singlets, shorts, dresses or skirts, or tops with low-neck lines and bare shoulders to Temples and Pagodas. To do this is considered extremely rude and offensive.

Avoid giving empty water bottles, sweets and candies or pens to the local people when trekking through ethnic minority villages. You cannot guarantee that the empty bottles will be disposed of in a correct manner, and the people have no access to dental health. If you want to give pens, ask your guide to introduce you to the local teacher and donate them to the whole community.

Never sleep or sit with the soles of your feet pointing towards the family altar when in someone’s house.

Never lose your temper in public or when bargaining for a purchase. This is considered a serious loss of face for both parties. Always maintain a cool and happy demeanour and you will be reciprocated with the same.

Do not try to take photographs of military installations or anything to do with the military. This can be seen as a breach of national security.

Never take video cameras into the ethnic minority villages. They are considered to be too intrusive by the local people.

The above advice is meant to help you have a perfect trip to Vietnam.

Do not be overly paranoid though. Generally, Vietnamese people are very appreciative if they see you trying to abide by their customs, and very forgiving if you get it wrong, or forget. If you make the effort, you will be rewarded.
If you have any problems when exploring Mekong Delta, do not hesitate sending me a message through: Nhanphotors@gmail.com or Exploringmekong@gmail.com. Hope you have a nice trip.

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To explore Phu Quoc – a passionate island involved with nature

To explore Phu Quoc – a passionate island involved with nature

To explore Mekong Delta I suggest you to visit Phu Quoc island, The biggest island in Vietnam – Phu Quoc or “Pearl Island” – is loved by thousands of people thanks to it beautiful natural sea landscape and huge potential

Overview
“Pearl Island” Phu Quoc is a large tropical island off the coast of Vietnam. It is the biggest one in the 22-island complex of Vietnam in the Gulf of Thailand, Kien Giang province. Its northeast cape is 4 sea miles from the neighbour Cambodia. The island is 62 sea miles east of Kien Giang capital (Rach Gia town), and 25 sea miles from Ha Tien town. Phu Quoc together with other 22 islands makes up an island district of 56,500 hectares in total area, which approximates that of Singapore island nation. Wheareas Phu QuocPhu Quoc itself has a total area of as much as 574 sq. km, in a triangular shape. Some author has compared the island to a swimming fish with its head turning to the North. is ringed with some of most beautiful beaches and best seafood in Vietnam, promising quite a few absorptive elements for tourists.
Climate
Phu Quoc is featured with a monsoon tropical climate (hot, wet and rainy), but its special location in Gulf of Thailand minimizes natural calamities. It has two seasons, dry season from December to May, and rainy season from June to November. The former is affected by Northeast monsoon with an average humidity of 78%, temperature goes up to 35^oC as the highest in April and May. In rainy season, the island acts as the gateway to West-South West monsoon. The annual average rainfall is around 3,000 mm.
History
The island has a special name attached to an interesting historical story. In 1671, about 400 Chinese people led by a man from Guang Dong, China took a ship to cross the ocean to reach and settle down in a wild islands land in the Gulf of Thailand.
In 1680, they established a series of hamlets, which were scattered around in the land. Some soon became significant commercial ports where ships, boats and junks gathered and traded with one another. The increasingly bustling and eventful atmosphere led to their idea of setting up 7 casinos, each in an individual island, one of which was situated in Koh Tral island (today’s Phu Quoc island). The success of commercial and entertainment activities resulted in that the whole island area was renamed into “Căn Khẩu quốc” or “Kingdom of Prosperity”, and Koh Tral island was also recalled “Phú Quốc” (Phu Quoc: “Fu Guo” in Chinese transcription), which meant an Affluent Land in Vietnamese.

Phu Quoc Island served as a base for French missionary Pigneau de Behaine from the 1760-80s and once provided shelter for Prince Nguyen Anh (later Emperor Gia Long) when he was hunted by the Tay Son rebels. During the Vietnam war, there was little fighting here but the Island was used by the Americans as a prison for captured Viet Cong.
The island of today still retains what was expressed in its righteous name in the past, and has become one of the nation’s ideal tourist destinations to lure huge numbers of visitors.
Religion
Many religious people would like to visit Phu Quoc since this is where Cao Dai religion descended. Today there is still a Cao Dai oratories in Duong Dong town, Phu Quoc.
The only Catholic Church on the island is situated in An Thoi, which was the gathering site of migration from the North in 1954.
One has said: “Visiting pagodas in Duong Dong town on the occasion of the “wandering souls day” on mid Lunar July, you will explore the Buddhist religious life of Phu Quoc indeed”. This is a very rare occasion, so you should really come and join it yourself!
Specialties
Should you ever have a vacation in Vietnam, you must have heard about Phu Quoc fermented fish source (nước mắm), the best one in the nation! Talking about Phu Quoc, this specialty, which is worldwide famous for a unique delicious taste, could not be missed. Another special spice of Phu Quoc is high quality pepper, an agricultural product of the local traditional craft villages, sold around the world.
In addition to the two special specialties, Phu Quoc’s seafood is also fantastic. Numerous fish, dried fish, lobsters, crabs, squid, oyster, arca, etc. are available at your enjoyment. Just come and taste delicious seafood and the local unique specialties, you will feel the very tasty and fragrant Island zone!
By the way, another point of interest in Phu Quoc that must be mentioned is the island’s native Dog, which was originally a wild animal and later trained as a hunting dog by local people. These days they are very domesticated and it’s unusual to go anywhere on the Island without seeing one of these dogs! These animals have unusually sharp teeth (as they tear their food when they eat it rather than bite) and have claws that over the years have been conditioned for catching their prey and are razor sharp.
Where to go and what to do?
Phu Quoc is considered a famous national tourism zone of Vietnam. The island’s beautiful beaches have been voted to be “The Cleanest and Most Beautiful Beaches of the World” by ABC News ever since the end of February, 2008.
Coming here, tourists are lured away from their busy daily life. Phu Quoc National Park should be on top of the visiting places. Here is covered with a plentiful fresh & green floristic composition and natural resources of jungle & sea. Thanks to the tropical favorable climate, Phu Quoc is of great potential for ecological tourism development. Try to get out on a boat in the evening for some squid fishing yourself, or make a visit to Phu Quoc National Park and swim in a quiet pool! This will be very relaxing!
Pristine beaches here are seemingly captivating to those fond of unspoilt beauties. The one listed in the “World Hidden Beaches” is “Long Bank” (“Bãi Dài”), which is most beautiful from October to March. The beach honorably ranks higher in the list to many other world famous beaches, such as Wildcat Beach in California, the USA, Pink Beach in Barbuda, or Cayo Costa State, south Florida, and so forth.
Besides, other suggested beaches to visit are Kem Bank, Dam Bank, Sao Bank, Ong Doi Cape, and so forth. You can come here by ship or airplane (Hochiminh City – Phu Quoc Flight). Swimming, sun bathing, boat-sailing, scuba-diving, etc. are all the exciting and relaxing seaside activities, healthful for every individual tourist. Try SCUBA diving: the shallow waters (max deep to 12-16m) allow even unexperienced divers to have nice dives. There is some nice coral to see and if you are lucky you might see a bamboo shark. After about an hour dipping yourself in the cool and clean blue sea water, imagine that you are now served with a series of specially tasty seafood, you would feel like you were the happiest guy in the world!
In case one has interest in the local fishing life, he may pay a visit to Ham Ninh fishing village, where the routine daily fishing work of the locals are available at your observation.
Motorcycles are plentiful and cheap, hire one off a local and go cruising around the island. Petrol can usually be purchased around the island at various beaches served fresh in glass bottles. Also Bicycles is a great way to observe the island. You can rent a mountain bike for around 50,000 VND per day at Saigon Phu Quoc Hotel or some local shops (be sure to write ‘xe dap’ because few Vietnameses here could speak English well). A few days could not be enough to contemplate all the special beauties, thus you should best come back at least once.
Huge potential
The seaview, the beautiful islands and the precious tropical jungle with a priceless flora-fauna  system contribute to a huge tourism potential of Phu Quoc. On understanding of this, the Government has allowed huge investment in the island district. In the long run, we will have an enormously marvellous tourism-entertainment complex of extremely high quality. A project with hotels zone, 5-star casinos, 2 four-star hotels, 1 three-star hotel, a number of resorts, restaurants, shopping areas, high-quality entertainment area (with waterparks, cinemas, etc.), international hospital, a 3-golf ground system of international quality, international airport services and so on, is going to turn up in this “Pearl Island”. The project will hopefully make Phu Quoc a much greater destination for tourists worldwide.

You may be wondering that should you stay a night exploring Rach Gia before getting to Phu Quoc island, and you may ask that is Rach Gia worth seeing. My quick answer is, yes, It's worth seeing. You can stay in somewhere near the beach enjoying your night life by exploring some exciting coffe shops, drinking bars. It's more exciting to enjoy local people night life, and you may be impressived because they are friendly and easy to talk to. If you are looking for local homestay in Rach Gia then also contact Mr.Lane at Exploringmekong@gmail.com for more information. Or you are just looking to meet up someone for a drink, do not hesitate to write him a message. He will help you planning your trip and show your his beautiful photographs.


Can you find a volunteer in Rach Gia city - Kien Giang Province?


Yes, You can. We also have some students who are studying tourism in college and want to practice their skill before being hired. So you will have good chance to get a free tour guide in Rach Gia or around the Mekong Delta. So if you are looking for volunteers in Rach Gia or Mekong Delta, please contact us. 


How to book? Just send us an email including your infomation. We well check and let you know as soon as possible. 

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To explore Bai Thom, Phu Quoc - Phu Quoc homestay

 To explore Bai Thom, Phu Quoc - Phu Quoc homestay

 Many people have explored Phu Quoc island before, and I can not remember how many times that I have visited Phu Quoc. I usually stay in a hotel right in Duong Dong, Phu Quoc every time I get there, but that time is different, staying in friend's home instead. It was a good trip of mine in Phu Quoc. If you want to explore the Mekong Delta, I recommend you to explore Phu Quoc. You will love the island as soon as I am

When my friend invited me to explore Phu Quoc island and to stay at his friend house - who lives in Bai Thom, Phu Quoc - 30km far away from Duong Dong-  I was not very interested in because I thought It was too far from the central, so I told him to hire a hotel right in Duong Dong instead. After one day exploring around the Island as many usual travellers do, He invited again to visit his friend, I said yes, then we started to explore something new that I haven't seen before although I had been visited to Phu Quoc many times a go.

It tooks us maybe an our to find his house because the road was being built at that time and hard to get to there, and I did thought that was not a good experience at that time but I had to go. When we got to his house everything in my mind changed, He invited us to go for fishing, after knowing I am interested in photography he told me go for sunset pics. Standing in his village, I could see the cambodia's kampot and their boats on the beach also. We walked a around his place and he introduce me to some places that people haven't visited before, and I was really surprised so I took many pictures there.

After that, we went back to his house and started dinner. That was amazing dinner. His mother cooked some chicken and seafood that we fished in the ealy afternoon. This was the first time that I could enjoy local life in Phu Quoc. They also invited us to drink some special wine which made by horse-fish. We stayed there a night, imagine, I could heard the soud of the beach at night. That was a peaceful place and I will visit there whenever I get there.

You may be wondering that should you stay a night exploring Rach Gia before getting to Phu Quoc island, and you may ask that is Rach Gia worth seeing. My quick answer is, yes, It's worth seeing. You can stay in somewhere near the beach enjoying your night life by exploring some exciting coffe shops, drinking bars. It's more exciting to enjoy local people night life, and you may be impressived because they are friendly and easy to talk to. If you are looking for local homestay in Rach Gia then also contact Mr.Lane at Exploringmekong@gmail.com for more information. Or you are just looking to meet up someone for a drink, do not hesitate to write him a message. He will help you planning your trip and show your his beautiful photographs.

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Vietnamese wine

When we say that Vietnam is warming with reds these days, we aren’t making a political statement, of course. We’re talking about wine. With the easing of government restrictions, both commercial and cultural, the past ten years have seen a welcome increase in wine importing and awareness. You can now find a good quality Bordeaux in most upscale and many mid-range restaurants or chic wine bars and shops in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. Nevertheless, while international wines are making headway, the most interesting vintner we find on the market are local contenders.

Rice alcohol. Alcohol has been called spirit because it symbolizes for men willingness in the old time. Besides tea, plain rice alcohol is also offered respectfully on the ancestor altar in rituals or ceremonies to show deep gratitude such as wedding parties, ground – breaking, Tet holiday… Vietnamese also drink alcohol to celebrate joy to reduce sadness or wish for blessings.
However, the way Vietnamese drink alcohol is worth mentioning. Unlike Western countries where bigger cups or glasses are frequently used, buffalo – eyed cup is more preferred to serve in Vietnam.
How can rice become wine?
Yes, Vietnamese alcohol is made from rice so it is called rice alcohol. Firstly, rice is steamed, and then fermented for a couple of days before being distilled. With several traditional methods and materials, you will have many kinds of rice alcohol; however, their flavors are totally different from each other. In some cases, herbs or snakes are pickled in alcohol jar to use as medicine.
Can wine. The name can wine comes from the reason that Vietnamese call a stem – a small bamboo straw- to consume wine from the jar. This kind of wine is the most special one in Vietnam even it belongs to minority groups in highland and some other places in Vietnam.
Can wine is special for the way it is made and served.
Firstly, simple available local materials such as cassava, tapioca, sweet potato are altogether fermented by wild herb in a pottery jar for days. Of course, its taste is total different from rice alcohol or any kind of wine – can wine is so bitter or strong that may lead you dizziness. Its sweet taste would make you drunk – a sweet and slow drunk – without any predictable consciousness.

The way can wine is served clearly shows the community unity and hospitality of highlanders. Now, let’s see how Vietnamese drink ruou can to serve dear guests, special celebrations or ceremonies. At these moments, the spirit container would be fixedly placed in the middle of the yard, house or even communal long house (called nha rong – in central highland). Then, both host and guest take seats around while fresh water from a buffalo horn will be slowly leaked out through a small holed. Now, it should be time for the village master to try through one of stems dipped into the jar. In some cases, he can offer it to honorable guests. After that, turns will come to the rest whenever they want. Every body will try to offer stems to each other to show their willingness and respect. The container would never be dry, it always requires fully filled with water by ladies. Besides, there would be gong performance, which is usually accompanied by dancing during the time.
Snake Wine. It is an alcoholic beverage that can be found at Snake Village near Hanoi, any major city of Vietnam as well as other countries across South East Asia. The snakes are immersed in 100% rice wine in special glass bottles and then, they are sealed and stored in a cellar for five years. The wines which contain substances necessary for the human body are high quality tonics. Regularly drinking appropriate quantities of the wines can moisturize your skin, improve your appetite, as well as strengthen your bones, tendons and muscles. They are used to treat general fatigue, hair loss, migraine headaches, rheumatism and neurasthenia. Surprisingly, the tonic wines do not cause dryness syndrome, such as constipation, thirst, dryness of the throat and nose. People of all ages and both sexes, including pregnant women can drink them in four seasons.
Vang Da Lat. As with most other Asian countries, wine is not the first commodity that comes to mind when thinking about Vietnam. However, Dalat, with its cool central highland climate and strong French heritage, is an anomaly that producing artichokes, asparagus, strawberries and most recently- wine.
Unlike its more sophisticated brethren in France, Northern California and South Africa, Vang Dalat uses table grapes from nearby Phan Rang – a Vietnam’s main grape-growing region. Nguyen Van Viet who has been with his wine company since 1999 explains that Vietnam has a limited history with wine. The French introduced an elite wine culture pre-1954, and during the past decade, due to the improvement in living standards, more people fond of traveling overseas and being exposed to foreign wines.
With this in mind, Nguyen considered how Vang Dalat could produce a European-style wine similar to traditional Vietnamese wines that any family could afford. Today, his company produces 1.5 million liters of wine a year, including a Superior Red (all grape, 11% alcohol), Strong Red (grape/mulberry blend, 16% alcohol) and even a sparkling white…
In the meantime, Vang Dalat is just one more good reason to visit Vietnam. If you make it to Dalat, we recommend dinner at Maison Long Hoa, a genteel establishment run by a Vietnamese Francophile. Classical rather than tinny pop plays over the stereo, hearty Vietnamese food offers comfort against the chill outside, and—along with the strawberry wine made by the owner’s wife—Vang Dalat vintages top the wine list.

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Exploring Mekong Delta - Full-moon Festival in Mekong Delta

 Exploring Mekong Delta - Full-moon Festival in Mekong Delta

The Khmer ethnic people annually celebrated their traditional Ok Om Bok Festival on the Full-Moon day (15th day) of the middle Winter to shows their gratitude to the Moon Goddess for giving them a bumper harvest and rich aquatic sources.
Ok Om Bok is now a popular festival celebrated not only in Soc Trang but also in other Mekong Delta provinces of Vinh Long, Tra Vinh, Can Tho, Kien Giang and An Giang. In the Khmer belief, the Moon Goddess is the one who cares for the crops, aquatic sources and human life. Also called Festival of Worshipping the Moon, the Ok Om Bok Festival of each village takes place on the yard of a local pagoda, and the whole province’s Ok Om Bok Festival takes place at Ba Om Pond. The festival is one of the three typical festivals of the Khmer in the circle of one year.
Interesting traditional activities…
Ok Om Bok features folk religion originated from Buddhism. The festival opens by a Ngo Boat Race (Um Tuk Ngua in the Khmer language), one of the most attractive activities of the Khmers. The race drew hundreds of thousands of Khmer people in the region and tourists nationwide. On the noon of the 14th day, on the Long Binh River takes place the exciting Ngo Boat Race in the echoing sounds of the Five tones of the traditional musical scale and the resounding encouragement shouts of tens of thousands of audiences. The racing teams from different town and districts on the territory of Tra Vinh Province and neaby provinces bring a noisy and stirring atmosphere for the festival. Ngo Boat Race is both a game and a way to express the strength of consolidation, as well as a traditional ritual to see off the God Water to the ocean after the growing season, and a religious ritual of the Khmer to commemorate the Snake God Nagar, who once turned into a lump of wood to help the Buddha cross the river. It is honored as a sacred relic, used only in essential festivals like Ok Om Bok and is kept and preserved carefully in local pagodas. The boat is about 24 meters long, 1.2 meter wide and is able to hold about 40 people. Sitting in two lines midway along the sides, young Khmer men and women move gently in harmony with the sounds of gongs and waves. As the first boat crosses the finish line, the crowds on both riverbanks cheer loudly and enthusiastically for their victory. Hundreds of people enthusiastically support their favourite teams and enjoy the race. Attending the festival, you will have a chance to watch the jubilant and competitive boat race of the Khmer people.
During full-moon the night, Khmer family members gather in front of the communal pagoda or their houses and prepare a special feast with green rice flakes, ripe bananas, fresh peeled coconuts and mangoes to offer to the moon. When the God Moon rises, the offering ceremony begins with all family members sitting flat on the ground and clasping their hands in wait for the moon to rise. An elderly man expresses their gratitude to the moon and prays for continued good crops and good health. They prayed to the Moon for bumper harvests all the year round, prosperity and happiness. A jubilant atmosphere prevailed over the celebration sites where large members of people gathered to enjoy folk art performances, including floating flames, flying balloons, and Khmer stage arts of Du Ke and Ro Bam. Then, the village elders will pick up handfuls of “com dep” to put into the children’s mouths with a wish for their strong eating and rapid development (the word Ok om bok literally
means eating “com dep” by picking up it and put into the mouth). After the ceremony, they continue looking at the moon, while receiving green rice flakes from an elderly man and making their wishes. At the festive nights, tourists and locals walk in groups around the ponds and enjoy local food and buy souvenirs. All seem to forget tiring daily work and drift with the melodies and sounds of folk songs, diverse instruments and dance of the Khmer.
The night becomes more exciting with ethnic games and traditional fashion shows. Some join a contest of flying lanterns and silently contemplate the colors. A flying lantern is made with a bamboo frame pasted with paper. A tinder is tied under the frame then fired, which makes the lantern fly high in the air. The flying lantern rises higher and higher in a mysterious and romantic breeze as if bringing the hopes and beliefs of the Khmer people to the Moon God, who is tucking up the clouds to look down at the earth. At Ba Om Pond, the ritual of the flying-lantern release has become an exciting contest with the participation of tens of pagodas in the province under the encouragement of tens of thousands of festival participants.
The event also features water-lanterns made from bamboo and paper in the shape of a boat with colorful decorations. People make a line with a drum band ahead, whisper their prayers to God and gently drop paper-boats on the water. The river is indulged in peaceful and fanciful scenery. This is also the traditional time for couples to pray for their love and destiny. The festival celebrations also included traditional Khmer rituals and special performances by art troupes from other provinces. People also flocked to downtown Soc Trang for shopping at trade fairs and watching traditional sports and games.
Really interesting and meaningful, Ok Om Bok Festival is the most imposing festival in Mekong Delta. Once taking part in, and you will realize…

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Exploring Chau Doc - Pilgrims flood Ba Chua Xu Temple Festival

 Exploring Chau Doc - Pilgrims flood Ba Chua Xu Temple Festival

A pilgrimage to Ba Chua Xu Temple Festival will help you to experience the local culture. It is a very colorful and attractive festival attended by people from all over Vietnam and is surely a treat for the tourists.

Ba Chua Xu Temple was built in 1820, at the foot of Sam Mountain, Vinh Te Commune, Chau Doc Town, An Giang Province. Ba Chua Xu Temple is constructed according to the Chinese character “quoc”, has 4 square roofs, roofed with blue pile-shaped tiles. According to a legend, in the early 1800s, villagers found a statue of a lady dating to the 6th century in the forest. They built a temple in her honour, hoping that she would bring them better crops and better lives. This is why the marble statue of Ba Chua Xu, meaning “country lady” is worshipped. In the festival, worshippers touch her statue and ask for her protection and benediction.Ba Chua Xu Temple Festival is the biggest folk festivity of Southern Vietnam. The festival is held annually from the 23rd to the 27th of the fourth lunar month with the ceremonies as follows:
The statue of Ba Chua Xu washing rite
During the days of the festival, various rituals are performed. On the first night, the statue of Ba Chua is bathed in perfumed water and she is also made to wear fresh robes for the occasion. Then Ba Chua’s discarded garments are cut into little bits and handed out among the worshippers. These are considered lucky charms to keep the possessor in good health and drive away evil spirits.
Tuc Yet rite
Tue Yet Rite commences after the ceremony of washing. During this ritual of the Ba Chua Xu Temple Festival, the worshippers appeal for Ba Chua’s recommendations to the heaven. A grand parade of dragon dance is presented along with it and is followed by a chanting ritual in Ba Chua’s temple. Lastly the Duc Boi rite is performed by a man from the village, who sings aloud for the well being of the country and mankind.
Participants dressed in smart traditional costumes stand on the two sides and the master of ceremonies stands in front of the statue of Ba Chua. The offerings include a white pig, a dish of pig’s blood and a little hair, called mao huyet, a tray of sticky rice, a tray of fruits, a tray of areca and betel, a dish of rice and salt, which are place on a table before the statue. The master of ceremonies and notables burn incense on the altar.
Xay Chau riteThe Xay Chau rite is performed after the Tuc Yet rite. In order to prepare for this rite, people replace the table before the altar with a drum. The master of ceremonies holds two drumsticks and says his prayers before the altar. After that, he dips a branch of willow into a water bowl on the left of the altar, and sprinkles water on the floor. When he finishes the ritual, he put the bowl and the willow branch on the altar, and beats three salvos of drumbeat to begin the hat boi (classical opera) performance.
Chanh Te rite
The Chanh Te rite takes place at 4 a.m of the 26th with the rituals similar to Tuc Yet rite. On the afternoon of the 27th day, the four tablets are brought back to Thoai Ngoc Hau Mausoleum, marking the end of the festival.
Moreover, during the festival days, many traditional cultural activities are organised, including unicorn dance, dance with dishes and cups. Ba Chua Xu Temple Festival is rich in the national identity and the southern colours. Peace and tranquility, Ba Chua Xu Temple is one of the major religious sites in the Mekong Delta and attracts thousands of travellers who are flocking to An Giang Province to experience the one week festival and ask the famous goddess of wealth for a prosperous life.
The traditional trip to Ba Chua Xu Temple Festival is to create a peaceful and contented atmosphere for pilgrims, who will light incense sticks for good health and good luck.

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Exploring Rach Gia - Nguyen Trung Truc Temple Festival

 Exploring Rach Gia - Nguyen Trung Truc Temple Festival

From the 18^th to the 19^th day of the tenth lunar month, Nguyen Trung Truc Temple Festival is annually organized in Long Kien Commune, Cho Moi District, An Giang Province.
The temple is dedicated to Nguyen Trung Truc, the leader of an insurrection who rose up against the French in the South. Among other exploits, he led the raid that resulted in the burning of the French warship Esperance. Despite repeated attempts to capture him, Nguyen Trung Truc continued to fight until 1868, when the French took his mother and a number of civilians hostage and threatened to kill them, he did not surrender. Nguyen Trung Truc turned himself in and was executed by the French in the market place of Rach Gia on 27 October 1868.
The first temple structure was a simple building with a thatched roof; over the years it has been enlarged and rebuilt several times. The last reconstruction took place between 1964 and 1970. In the centre of the main hall is a portrait of Nguyen Trung Truc on an altar.
In the festival, the locals organize incense-offering ceremony, recalling sacrifices-offering ceremony, reperformance of the battle of destroying a French warships on the Nhat Tao River in the 19^th century. The festival involves boat rowing, Chinese chess and other fun games.
Since 2003, Nguyen Trung Truc Temple Festival has been considered as one of national cultual events with many typical entertainment activities. The festival attracts hundreds of visitors to participate. Beside traditional ceremory, a cultural program is held for the purpose of cultural exchange between ethnic groups of Kinh – Hoa – Khmer. Moreover, there remains a number of interesting folk games.
Visiting An Giang Province on the occasion of Nguyen Trung Truc Temple Festival, you will be able to explore and understand the cultural beauty in the region…

Actually, if you wanna see how people celebrate Nguyen Trung Truc festival you should go to visit Kien Giang province. You will see hundred thousand of people who from every part in Mekong delta, especially from An Giang, comming to Kien Giang to visit his temple. There is a statue of Nguyen Trung Truc right in center of Rach Gia, many people come there and spray for their family luck in the years. Besides that, you can visit his temple in Phu Quoc.


Can you find a volunteer in Rach Gia city - Kien Giang Province?


Yes, You can. We also have some students who are studying tourism in college and want to practice their skill before being hired. So you will have good chance to get a free tour guide in Rach Gia or around the Mekong Delta. So if you are looking for volunteers in Rach Gia or Mekong Delta, please contact us. 


How to book? Just send us an email including your infomation. We well check and let you know as soon as possible. 

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Vietnamese Lunar New Year

Vietnamese Lunar New Year

he festival is the best epitomizes Vietnam’s cultural identity

Meaning of Vietnamese New Year

The festival which best epitomizes Vietnam’s cultural identity is Vietnamese New Year or Tet.
“Tet” is the phonetic deformation of “Tiet”, a Sino Vietnamese term which means “Joint of a bamboo stern” and in a wider sense, the “beginning of a period of the year”. The passage from one period to the next may cause a meteorological disturbance (heat, rain, mist) that must be exercised by ritual sacrifices and festivities. There are many Tets throughout the year (Mid-autumn Vietnamese New Year, Cold Food Vietnamese New Year, etc.). But the most significant of all is “Vietnamese New Year”, which marks the Lunar New Year.
Vietnamese New Year occurs somewhere in the last ten days of January or the first twenty days of February, nearly halfway between winter solstice and spring equinox. Although the Lunar New Year is observed throughout East Asia, each country celebrates Vietnamese New Year in its own way in conformity with its own national psyche and cultural conditions.
For the Vietnamese people, Vietnamese New Year is like a combination of Western Saint Sylvester, New Year’s Day, Christmas, Easter and Thanksgiving. It is the festival of Purity and Renewal.
Vietnamese New Year Customs
1. Clean and decorate the home
Homes are often cleaned and decorated before New Year’s Eve. Children are in charge of sweeping and scrubbing the floor. The kitchen needs to be cleaned before the 23rd night of the last month. Usually, the head of the household cleans the dust and ashes (from incense) from the ancestral altars. It is a common belief that cleaning the house will get rid of the bad fortunes associated with the old year. Some people would paint their house and decorate with festive items.

2. Literally means “getting new clothes”
This is often the most exciting part of the Vietnamese New Year among children. Parents usually purchase new clothes and shoes for their children a month prior to the New Year. However, children cannot wear their new clothes until the first day of the New Year and onward. The best outfit is always worn on the first day of the year.
3. Farewell ceremony for the Kitchen Gods (Ong Tao)
Seven days (the 23rd night of the last lunar month) prior to Tet, each Vietnamese family offers a farewell ceremony for Ong Tao to go up to Heaven Palace. His task is to make an annual report to the Jade Emperor of the family’s affairs throughout the year.
4. Lunar New Year’s Eve
However, in a literal translation, it means “Passage from the Old to the New Year”. It is a common belief among Vietnamese people that there are 12 Sacred Animals from the Zodiac taking turn monitoring and controlling the affairs of the earth. Thus, Giao Thua (New Year’s Eve)is the moment of seeing the old chief (Dragon for 2000) end his ruling term and pass his power to the new chief (Snake for 2001). Giao Thua is also the time for Ong Tao (Kitchen God) to return to earth after making the report to the Jade Emperor. Every single family should offer an open-air ceremony to welcome him back to their kitchen.
5. The Aura of the Earth
Giao Thua is the most sacred time of the year. Therefore, the first houseguest to offer the first greeting is very important. If that particular guest has a good aura (well respected, well educated, successful, famous, etc.), then the family believes that they will receive luck and good fortune throughout the year. The belief of xong dat still remains nowadays, especially among families with businesses.
6. Apricot flowers and peach flowers

Flower buds and blossoms are the symbols for new beginning. These two distinctive flowers are widely sold and purchased during Tet. Hoa Mai are the yellow apricot flowers often seen in Southern Viet Nam. Hoa Mai are more adaptable to the hot weather of southern regions, thus, it is known as the primary flower in every home. Hoa Dao are the warm pink of the peach blossoms that match well with the dry, cold weather from the North. Tet is not Tet if there is no sight of Hoa Mai (south) or Hoa Dao (north) in every home.
7. Giving away red envelopes (filled with lucky money)
This is a cultural practice that has been maintained for generations. The red envelopes symbolize luck and wealth. It is very common to see older people giving away sealed red envelopes to younger people. Reciprocally, the older ones would return good advice and words of wisdom, encouraging the younger ones to keep up with the schoolwork, live harmoniously with others, and obey their parents.
This greeting ritual and Li Xi is also known as Mung Tuoi, honoring the achievement of another year to one’s life.
8. Making offers for the Ancestors
This ceremony is held on the first day of the New Year before noontime. The head of the household should perform the proper ritual (offering food, wine, cakes, fruits, and burn incense) to invite the souls of the ancestors to join the celebration with the family. This is the time families honor the souls of their ancestors and present the welfare of the family.
Vietnamese New Year Foods
One of the most traditional special foods for New Years (Tet) of Vietnamese is Banh Chung or sticky rice cake. Banh Chung is made of sticky rice, pork meat and green bean, every ingredient is wrapper inside a special leaf which calls Dong. Making the Banh Chung requires care and precision in every step. The rice and green bean has to be soaked in water for a day to make it stickier. The pork meat is usually soaked with pepper for several hours. Squaring off and tying the cakes with bamboo strings require skillful hands to make it a perfect square.
Banh Chung is a must among other foods to be placed on the ancestors’ altars during Tet holiday. In the old time, one or two days before Tet, every family prepares and cooks the Banh Chung around the warm fire. It is also the time for parents to tell their children folklore stories. Nowadays, families which live in villages still maitain making Banh Chung before New Years but the people in the city does not. They don’t have time and prefer to go to the shop to buy it.

Source : The internet

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Full moon (Mid-Autumn) Festival

Full moon (Mid-Autumn) Festival

Tet Trung Thu, as it is known in Vietnam, or the Mid-Autumn Moon Festival as we refer to in foreign countries, is a wonderful, ancient festival that revolves around children.
Vietnam’s Mid-Autumn Moon Festival (or Full moon Festival) takes place on the full moon night (15^th of the Lunar August), the most charming and picturesque night of the year. The festival involves the customs of moon contemplating, procession of star & moon – shaped lanterns, lion dance, as well as holding parties with moon cakes and fruits. Do you know why we have this special festival?
The origin…
The Festival dates back as far as 15-20,000 years ago in Southeast Asia, and is traditionally held on the 15th day of the 8th Lunar Month. Looking at the moon on this day, you will see that its orbit is at the lowest angle to the horizon, making the moon appear brighter and larger than at any other time of the year. Thus, accordingly, there came a festival with a series of entertainment activities in honor of the beautiful full moon.
There are several explanations for that phenomenon as well as the tradition of celebrating the Mid-autumn Festival. Some said that it began since the reign of King Duong Minh Hoang in China, at the beginning of the 8th century. According to ancient manuscripts, the Emperor often wished to visit the
Lantern Procession
Palace on the Moon. Then, with the help of a magician, he was taken to the Moon and welcomed by a lot of beautiful fairies. He expressed his admiration for their dance, which was called Nghe Thuong Vu Y, and tried to memorize. Later, he accidentally found that there were similarities between Nghe Thuong Vu Y and Ba La Mon styles. After combining the two songs and dances styles into one, he gradually introduced it to everyone in their far ruling countries. The tradition of watching the moon, the dance and songs later became a traditional event in the Mid-Autumn celebration.
Celebration on animated  streets
The festival is very much like a combination of Halloween and Thanksgiving. On the night of Lunar August 15^th, the streets are full of people buying festival stuff and wandering. Besides the assorted paper lanterns, cakes, candies, the toy animals made of rice dough, the dragon heads and faces of the Earth God made of paper are displayed everywhere in the markets. Children parade on the streets, singing and carrying colorful lanterns of different sizes and shapes, such as fishes, stars, butterflies, which spin when candles are inserted, representing the earth circling the sun. In well-off families, the mid-autumn banquet is to show up their nubile girls’ cooking abilities.
Lion Dance
This festival is mostly geared to children, thus, to help children get ready for the Festival, parents can help them make their lanterns and costumes for the lantern procession and discuss the history and culture of Vietnam. Showing our love for our children and teaching of Vietnam’s love for their children is a wonderful reason to celebrate!
Lion dances and moon cake.
One important event before and during Vietnamese Mid-Autumn Festival is lion dancing. Both non-professional and professional children groups perform dances on the streets or go to houses. If accepted by the host, “the lion” will come in and start dancing as a wish of luck.
Beside the lion dance, it is customary to offer Banh Trung Thu, boxes of moon cakes, which are traditionally very rich in taste. The cakes are filled with lotus seeds, ground beans and orange peels and have a bright yoke in the center to represent the moon.  “Banh deo” is the white cake, made of sticky rice and filled with sweet mixture of lotus seeds, pumpkin seeds or green bean. “Banh nuong” is the brown cake and has salty taste with a mixture of egg, pork fat, fried onion, peanut and lemon leaves inside. Both can be in round or square shapes.
Where in Ha Noi and Ho Chi Minh City could we join this event?
In Ha Noi, you can come to Ho Tay Water Park, Van Ho Exhibition Centre and Giang Vo Exhibition Centre to have musical performances for children in these two days.
In Ho Chi Minh city. Between 10^th and 15th of August, Ho Chi Minh City government holds “Full Moon Festival” parties for children. Are you interested in the disadvantage children? On this occasion, the city arranges for some 5.000 children to participate in lantern processions along the main streets.
Today, the Mid-Autumn Moon Festival, together with the encouraging affection for children, promotes education, poetry, dance, arts and crafts. Most overseas Vietnamese family, though far away from their home country, would like to bring their kids back to the home country right in Full moon festival time, one amongst the most important ones in Vietnam. Otherwise, most of them hold a distant festival on their own in the country where they live to remind the kids of their origin and national culture.
Not only locals, but also foreign tourists are warmly welcomed you to join in this special festival. Surely, you will have much fun when taking part in the crowds, seeing children carrying the lanterns, eating cakes and receiving gifts of celebration during the Mid-Autumn Festival!

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Exploring Chau Doc - Sam moutain (Nui sam) - a place of pilgrimage for the Vietnamese

Exploring Chau Doc -  Sam moutain (Nui sam) - a place of pilgrimage for the Vietnamese

Located about 6km to the west of Chau Doc Town, An Giang Province, you will have a chance to view the 230m-high Sam Mountain with beautiful landscapes and many historic remains. It's one of the That son moutains
Sam Mountain is the highest mountain in the Mekong Delta. On the way there, you can enjoy the sights of the two rice fields along the road, and drop by for a short visit to a small Khmer village. You will have a short walk up on the mountain side to see the daily life of mountain people. There are dozens of pagodas and temples, many of them set in caves, around Sam Mountain. The Chinese influence is obvious and Sam Mountain is a favourite spot for ethnic Chinese (both pilgrims from Vietnam and abroad).
The mountain does not only offer beautiful landscapes, but it is also where many historic remains deeply loved by the inhabitants of Nam Bo plain are located. Ba Chua Xu Temple, Tay An Pagoda, Thoai Ngoc Hau Tomb, Tao Ngo Garden, and Bach Van Hill are among the famous sites to visit near Sam Mountain. To the top of the mountain, there is a shrine with good views of the surrounding countryside.
Climbing the peak is, of course, the highlight of a visit to Sam Mountain. The views from the top are spectacular if weather permitting and you can easily look out over Cambodia. There is a military outpost on the summit, a legacy of the days when the Khmer Rouge made cross-border. The outpost is still functional and the soldiers are quite used to tourists taking photos now; however, you should ask permission and perhaps ply the soldiers with cigarettes before taking photos of them or anything that could be considered militarily sensitive.
Walking down is easier than walking up, so if you want to cheat, have a motorbike take you to the summit. The road to the top is on the east side of the mountain. You can walk down along a peaceful, traffic-free trail on the north side which will bring you to the main temple area. The summit road has been decorated with amusement-park ceramic dinosaurs and the like. But there are also some small shrines and pavilions, which add a bit of charm and also remind you that this is indeed Vietnam and not Disneyland.
People from all over Vietnam make the pilgrimage to Sam Mountain. If you are in Chau Doc, it is worth visiting..

How to get there: Take a Mai Linh bus, which takes 6-7 hours to get to Chau Doc, An Giang. You can hire a motorbike to explore Chau Doc yourself. If you need more information about Chau Doc then send me a message or in the comment box below. 

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Exploring Kien Giang - U Minh Thuong National park the highest bird species richness among any sites visited

Exploring Kien Giang -  U Minh Thuong  National park the highest bird species richness among any sites visited

Take your time to enjoy one of the most interesting National park in Mekong Delta, U Minh Thuong, which is located about 40km away from Rach Gia City, Kien Giang Province. The place of boats and floating markets. If you come here someday, You will see people go to a wedding by boats and boats, and the only transportation in U Minh Thuong may be boats. Let take a look to know what U Minh Thuong is.

Located in An Minh and Vinh Thuan districts,Kien Giang Province and about 365km south-west of Ho Chi Minh City, U Minh Thuong National Park is recognized as one of the three highest priority sites for wetland conservation in the Mekong Delta.
Outstanding features.
One salient characteristic that will strongly impress you is that U Minh Thuong National Park situates in an area of freshwater wetlands, comprising peat swamp forest, seasonally inundated grassland. The core zone of U Minh Thuong NationalPark is surrounded by a perimeter canal and dyke system, with a series of gates, which are used to manage the water level.

Biodiversity values.
U Minh Thuong National Park supports one of the last significant areas of peat swamp forest remaining in Vietnam as well as one of the three highest priority sites for wetland conservation in the Mekong Delta.
Fauna. In the past, the park supported one of the largest breeding colonies of water birds in the Mekong Delta. However, this was heavily disturbed by a fire in 2002.  Surveys to date have confirmed the presence of 187 bird species at U Minh Thuong National Park, including 9 species of global conservation concern such as: oriental darter, spot-billed pelican, painted stork, lesser adjutant, black-headed ibis, glossy ibis, greater spotted eagle, grey-headed fish eagle and Asian golden weaver. In addition, at least eight species of economically valuable fish are found at this park.
The Melaleuca forest in the core zone of U Minh Thuong National Park plays an important role in maintaining the soil and water quality in the buffer zone by preventing the acidification of topsoil and surface water, filtering ground water and storing freshwater during the dry season. This park harbors a diversity of flora with 226 species of non-cultivated vascular plants which are very rare in South-East Asia . The natural vegetation was classified into 10 types, belonging to four main classes: Melaleuca forests, seasonally inundated grasslands, permanent swamps and vegetation along canals and streams.
U Minh Thuong National Park also has historical values because the area was used as a military base by resistance forces during the First and Second Indochina Wars. Due to the complete loss of natural forest in the Mekong Delta region, U Minh Thuong is one of the few places where you can see the landscape as primary as it was. In addition, you can find the archaeological remains dating back to the Oc Eo civilization in this area.
Furthermore, with the advantage of the road and water way (only 50 km from Rach Gia), the park is now an idea destination for tourists who prefer ecosystem. To date, most of the tourists come here is from Western,Singapore, Philippine…
Being a nature-lover, you should not miss a trip to U Minh Thuong National Park with a binocular and you will have a chance to view more than 187 bird species as well as the salient landscape of the park…

Join our tour to explore Rach Gia City Kieng Giang Province - including Rach Gia stork Garden, U Minh Thuong National park, Ha Tien... You will save up to 20%.



Can you find a volunteer in Rach Gia city - Kien Giang Province?


Yes, You can. We also have some students who are studying tourism in college and want to practice their skill before being hired. So you will have good chance to get a free tour guide in Rach Gia or around the Mekong Delta. So if you are looking for volunteers in Rach Gia or Mekong Delta, please contact us. 


How to book? Just send us an email including your infomation. We well check and let you know as soon as possible. 

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To explore Ben Tre - Coconut palms, the symbol of Ben Tre

Exploring Ben Tre - Coconut palms, the symbol of Ben Tre

Travelling by boats along rivers and canals intertwined under the shade of coconut trees in Ben Tre Province, you can enjoy traditional special dishes in its orchards and coconut gardens.

Ben Tre is a province that lies in the lowest part of the Mekong River Basin, some 85 km south of Ho Chi Minh City. Ben Tre is made up of three main islands wedged between the Tien Giang River to the north and to Co Chien River to the south with the Ham Luong River running straight down the centre. All are effectively offshoots of the Mekong River as it splits out into many fingers before spilling out into the South China Sea.
Verdant and flat, the province is mostly given over to rice and fruit cultivation. Traditional Mekong life is the norm here and it’s a very unadulterated scene — wandering the market, sipping the coffee, doing a boat trip and skipping through the local museum are the main pastimes.
Coconut palms has been seen as the symbol of Ben Tre ever since the early days of land opening in the Southern part. Famous for its coconut desserts, Ben Tre is suitably covered in coconut trees. During the war, these coconut trees were used to make coconut oil which was then used as a valuable substitute for kerosene. The province now has nearly 36,000 hectares of coconut woods. Even through years of fierce wars, coconut survived and stayed as close as a dear flesh-and-blood friend of the Ben Tre people. There was a time, many people in Ben Tre felled the tree for economic reasons, but have later been back with it because they realized it was with the coconut tree that their livelihood could be sustained for quite a long time. Today, Ben Tre’s coconut area is approximately 36,000 hectares, yielding around 242 million nuts per year.
In Ben Tre, you have a chance to look at fine handicraft items made from coconut materials such as sandals, dolls, small baskets, bed lamps and vases. You can also watch how candy is made and taste it right at the workshops. If you take one of the tourist tours, you will be brought to some of the local shops. The most typical shop you will visit is coconut candy
shop, a worker will explain you the process of making this product. At the end of the presentation, you can taste and buy the coconut candy.
Besides cononuts, Ben Tre is also the royal of others special fruits. Its area of orchards is around 41,000 ha, annually yielding 375,000 tonnes of fruits. The province also has a large number of famous speciality fruit trees, such as the milk yellow-meat and no-stone durian, the green-skin pomelo, the Cai Mon mangosteen, the high-yield Four Season mango, the special orange of Mo Cay, and tens of other specialities imported from other region or abroad.
Visiting Ben Tre, you can enjoy not only coconut candy and special fruits but also traditional crafts and folk culture, which are all the region’s specific identity…

Source : The internet

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Exploring Dong Thap - Tan Qui Dong The town of flowers

Exploring Dong Thap - Tan Qui Dong The town of flowers

Today, I am going to post the information about Tan Qui Dong village which is known as the village of flowers. Located about 150km from HCM, not far from HCMC but It seems a hidden spot that not many people know about it, and there are no tourists have introduced to travellers. It's worth visitng for travellers who interested in photography or exploring new thing in Mekong delta.
For more than 100 years, Sa Dec has been known all over the country for the cultivation of flowers and ornamental plants. Sa Dec flowers and plants have been provided to all parts of the country and exported to many foreign markets. Tan Qui Dong, where has over 1,500 house holds who are engaged in growing flowers and omanmental plants of more than 1,000 varieties, creating a unique colourful feature of the town by the Tien River. Every year, Sa Dec floricultural area provides over two million baskets of ornamental plants, of which 40-50% are roses, daisies, dahlias and Mang dinh hong.
How to get there : Take a Mai Linh bus at Mai Linh office which is located on Le Hong Phong district 10 or Ben Xe Mien Tay ( Mien tay bus station); It takes about 5 hours to get to Sa Dec.  Best time to visit this town would be in spring when people busy working with their flowers before exporting to other parts.

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To explore Hang Pagoda - Tra Vinh Province

Exploring  Hang Pagoda - Tra Vinh Province

Hang Pagoda - Located in Chau Thanh District, Tra Vinh Province. Hang pagoda is one of the Khmer ancient pagoda system in Tra Vinh, and the architecture is uniqe. If you visit Hang pagoda you will see that they are not only monks but also artirst.
also known as the stork pagoda owing to the great white birds that nest in the tall trees here. Although the pagoda itself is modern and painted in soft pastels, the birds are a worthwhile sight if you come at the right time - around dusk during the rainy season.

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To explore Ha Tien

Exploring Ha Tien - Kien Giang, Mekong Delta

Located about 100km away from Rach Gia City, Kien Giang province. Lying just 8km from the Cambodian border, Ha Tien is on the Gulf of Thailand and has a vastly different feel from other delta settlements. All around the area are lovely, towering limestone formations, which support a network of caves, some of which have been turned into temples.
 If you are planning to visit Ha Tien, I suggest you to visit some nice places below :

- MAC CUU FAMILY TOMBS
On a low ridge not far from town are the Mac Cuu Family Tombs (Lang Mac Cuu). They are known locally as Nui Lang, the Hill of the Tombs. Several dozen relatives of Mac Cuu are buried here in traditional Chinese tombs decorated with figures of dragon phoenixes, lions and guardians.
The largest tomb is that of Mac Cuu him-self; it was constructed in 1809 on the orders of Emperor Gia Long and is decorated with finely carved figures of Thanh Long (Green Dragon) and Bach Ho (While Tiger). The tomb of Mac Cuu's first wife is Hanked by ragons and phoenixes. At the bottom of the ridge is a shrine dedicated to the Mac family.
TAM BAO PAGODA
Founded by Mac Cuu in 1730 is the Tam Bao Pagoda (Sac Tu Tam Bao Tu; 328 D Phuong Thanh; prayers 8-9am & 2-3pm). It is now home to several Buddhist nuns. In front of the pagoda is a statue of Quan The Am Bo Tat standing on a lotus blossom in the middle of a pond. Inside the sanctuary, the largest statue on the dais is of A Di Da, the Buddha of the Past. It is made of bronze, but has been painted. Outside the building are the tombs of 16 monks.
Near Tarn Bao Pagoda is a section of the city wall dating from the early 18th century.
PHU DUNG PAGODA
This pagoda (Phu Cu Am Tu; players 4-5am & 7-8pm) was founded in the mid- 18th century by Mac Thien Tich's wife, Nguyen Thi Xuan. It is now home to one monk.
In the middle of the main hall is a statue of nine dragons embracing a newly born Thich Ca Buddha. The most interesting statue on the main dais is a bronze Thich Ca Buddha from China. On the hillside behind the main hall are the tombs of Nguyen Thi Xuan and one of her female servants, neaiby are four monks' tombs.
Behind the main hall is a small temple, Dien Ngoc Hoang, dedicated to the Taoist Jade Ern peror. The figures inside arc of Ngoc Hoang;flanked by Nam Tao, the Taoist God of the Southern Palar Star and the God of Happiness (on the right); and Bac Dao, the Taoist God of the Northern Polar Star and the God of Longevity (on the left). The statues are made of papier-mache moulded ever bamboo frames.
To get to Phu Dung Pagoda, turn off D Phuong Thanh at No 374.
THACH DONG CAVE PAGODA
Also known as Chua Thanh Van, this is a sub terranean Buddhist temple 4km from town.
To the left of the entrance is the Stele of Hatred (Bia Cam Thu), which commemorates the massacre by the Khmer Rouge of 130 peo- pie here on 14 March 1978.
Several of the chambers contain funerary tablets and altars to Ngoc Hoang, Quan The Am Bo Tat and the two Buddhist monks who founded the temples of this pagoda. The wind here creates extraordinary sounds as it blows through the grotto's passageways. Openings in several branches of the cave afford views of nearby Cambodia.

Aslo take your time to visit Mui Nai beach to enjoy eating seafood then head to the long beach to visit Hang templete with is next to Hon Phu Tu, so do not forget to buy the tickets to get around the Hon Phu Tu. It's worth seeing. Also visit Da Dung moutain which can be seen on the bottom of the picture above.
How to get to Ha Tien : Take a Mai Linh or Phuong Trang bus to Rach Gia, which takes you 6-7 hours to get to Rach Gia; then take another bus to get to Ha Tien, which takes you 1-1/2 hours to get to Ha Tien, from Rach Gia bus station. There are no direct buses to Ha Tien.




Can you find a volunteer in Rach Gia city - Kien Giang Province?


Yes, You can. We also have some students who are studying tourism in college and want to practice their skill before being hired. So you will have good chance to get a free tour guide in Rach Gia or around the Mekong Delta. So if you are looking for volunteers in Rach Gia or Mekong Delta, please contact us. 


How to book? Just send us an email including your infomation. We well check and let you know as soon as possible. 


Exploringmekong@gmail.com 

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To explore Bai Thom, Phu Quoc island

Bai Thom is located 30km from DuongDong District; It was being built when I visited in June, 2010. It was the hardest road to ride a motorbike and impossible to drive a car. I have a friend who lives there so he asked me to visit his home, and I decided to try. It took me up to 2 hours to get there although It's only 30km from Duong Dong To there. Anyways It was worth visiting, he invited me to go fishing with him and we got some delicious seafood then his mom cooked it. He also introduced me to the border to cambodia; What a surprise, I can see cambodia by standing from there. I stayed at his house, and It was one of my great trip. Thanks my friend for helping me!

You may be wondering that should you stay a night exploring Rach Gia before getting to Phu Quoc island, and you may ask that is Rach Gia worth seeing. My quick answer is, yes, It's worth seeing. You can stay in somewhere near the beach enjoying your night life by exploring some exciting coffe shops, drinking bars. It's more exciting to enjoy local people night life, and you may be impressived because they are friendly and easy to talk to. If you are looking for local homestay in Rach Gia then also contact Mr.Lane at Exploringmekong@gmail.com for more information. Or you are just looking to meet up someone for a drink, do not hesitate to write him a message. He will help you planning your trip and show your his beautiful photographs.

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To explore Can Tho floating markets

Exploring Can Tho floating markets

Cần Thơ, the name comes from cầm thi giang; - river of poems, is a city in Vietnam. The city, regarded as;Western capital;, with an estimated population of 1,121,000, is the biggest city in the Mekong Delta. The city is located on the south bank of the Hậu River, the bigger branch of the Mekong River. It is 169 km from Hồ Chí Minh City, Vietnam’s largest city. Cần Thơ’s climate is tropical and monsoonal with two seasons: rainy, from May to November; and dry, from December to April. Average annual humidity is 83%, rainfall 1,635 mm and temperature 27 °C.

Cần Thơ City constitutes an independent municipality at the same level as provinces of Vietnam. It was created in the beginning of 2004 by a split of the former Cần Thơ Province into two new administrative units: Cần Thơ City and Hậu Giang Province.

It borders the provinces of An Giang, Hậu Giang, Kiên Giang, Vĩnh Long and Đồng Tháp.

Can Tho is connected to the rest of the country by National Road 1A and Can Tho Airport. The Can Tho Bridge is opened for the traffic on April 2010. The 6-lane Saigon-Can Tho express way is also done in parts from Ho Chi Minh City to Trung Luong of My Tho. The hydrofoil express boat links this city with Saigon.

The Mekong Delta is considered to be the “rice basket of Vietnam,” contributing more than 50% of the nation’s rice production. People say of Cần Thơ:

“Cần Thơ, white rice, clear waters,
All who come wish never to leave”

Can Tho is famous for its floating markets, Cai Rang and Phung Hiep, where people sell and buy things on the river, its bird gardens (Bằng Lăng), and Ninh Kieu port. The city offers a wide range of tropical fruits such as pomelo, longan, jackfruit, mango and durian.

Chợ nổi Cái Răng, the most famous floating market in Can Tho and the whole Mekong Delta. After 120 years of development, the city now is the delta's most important centre of economics, culture, science and technology. It has a large freshwater port and two industrial parks. With its stable infrastructure, the city is calling for and expecting larger foreign investment.
Source : The Internet :)
How to get to Can Tho
You can take  a Mai Linh bus to get to Can Tho from HCMC (Day or Night doesn't matter, whenever you want). You should visit the floating markets in the morning then head to My Khanh orchard garden. Some people asked me whether they visit Phong Dien or Cai Rang because they do not have enough time. So you can visit both of them because they are located not far way, about 3-5 km.

If you visit Can Tho I suggest you to enjoy floating restaurants.

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To explore Ham Ninh, Phu Quoc

Exploring Ham Ninh, Phu Quoc

Ham Ninh, which is located 30km from Duong Dong district, known as a good place for eating seafood in Phu Quoc and a good place for photography- If you want to enjoy eating seafood I will recommend you visiting Kim Cuong Restaurant, It's a good restaurant and the owner also love taking photographs so ask him if you have a meet. If you come there in the morning you will see that the water looks like a mirror, and there are many boats stopping there. You can also get to Ha Tien from there; It only takes you 40km instead of 120km from RachGia. There are many people who write the information about PhuQuoc so I am trying to give you a little more about this place. If you need any more question then send me a message here.

How to get to Phu Quoc, Ham Ninh

How to get to Ham Ninh: - If you are riding a motorbike then just ask how to get to Suoi Tranh then go straight a head, do not turn right, about 3km you will get to Ham Ninh. Also try some house-sea wine, you will love it. Any more information please send me an email at : exploringmekong@gmail.com
Hope you have a nice exploring in Ham Ninh, Phu Quoc.

You may be wondering that should you stay a night exploring Rach Gia before getting to Phu Quoc island, and you may ask that is Rach Gia worth seeing. My quick answer is, yes, It's worth seeing. You can stay in somewhere near the beach enjoying your night life by exploring some exciting coffe shops, drinking bars. It's more exciting to enjoy local people night life, and you may be impressived because they are friendly and easy to talk to. If you are looking for local homestay in Rach Gia then also contact Mr.Lane at Exploringmekong@gmail.com for more information. Or you are just looking to meet up someone for a drink, do not hesitate to write him a message. He will help you planning your trip and show your his beautiful photographs.

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Travelling Phu Quoc - Phu Quoc island

 Travelling Phu Quoc - Phu Quoc island

The tear-shaped Phu Quoc (Vietnamese Phú Quốc) is part of the Kien Giang province. The distance from Phu Quoc to mainland Viet Nam is 45 km to Ha Tien and 120 km to Rach Gia. The island is 50 km long (from north to south) and 25 km wide (from east to west at its widest part).

Surrounded by more than 40 km of white beaches decorated with coconut palms, Phu Quoc , situated in the Gulf of Thailand near the Cambodian border, is Vietnam’s largest island. Its western coastline is sparsely populated while the interior is largely covered with jungle and mainly deserted.

You can start exploring the island in Duong Dong, the biggest town on the island (west of Phu Quoc), where most of hotels and resorts are located. Going south, you can drive along Bãi Trường (Long Beach), which is a 20 km long, spectacular beach. You will see two pearl farms on the right, the second is worth a visit. At the end of the road turn left (you can’t miss it) and follow the signs, you will reach the fisherman village An Thới and the An Thới pier, the island’s southern tip. From here the An Thới Islands, a very nice snorkelling and diving area consisting of 15 small islands and islets surrounded by coral reefs in crystal clear water, can be visited by boat.

Continuing to travel north-east, you will see a sign to Bãi Sao (the sign is somewhat hidden, around 1 km away from the main road). Bãi Sao, with its marvelous white sand and green-turquoise water, is one of the most beautiful, quite untouched beaches on Phu Quoc island. There are a number of simple, on-the-sand restaurants with tasty, fresh seafood in this area.

Before going back to Dương Đông, there are some recommendable springs and falls: Suoi Tranh and Suoi Da Ban. Suoi Tranh (some 10 km north of Bai Sao) is a stream connecting tiny ponds at different levels through small waterfalls. Suoi Da Ban (a stony surface stream, north-east of Duong Dong) is an easily accessible white-water creek, gracefully flowing down huge granite boulders, on which you can wake; in some places there are natural pools waiting for a refreshing swim.

A stay on Phu Quoc Island would not be complete without visiting one of the factories producing Nuoc Mam (fish sauce), one of the most popular ingredients of the Vietnamese cooking as well as one of the pearl farms with panels describing the formation of pearls and shops selling pearl jewellery.

The island has a unique species of dogs, the Phu Quoc Ridgeback, which has a ridge of hair that runs along its back in the opposite direction to the rest of the coat. Much of this island’s nature is still protected. Around 70% of the island, an area of 31,422 hectares, became a national park in 2001. The rainy season on Phu Quoc is from July to November and the peak season for tourism is midwinter, when the sky is blue and the sea is calm.

Travelers who know the Thai islands Ko Samui and Phuket often comment: “The island of Phú Quốc is still natural and untouched like Ko Samui 10 years and Phuket 20 years ago”. Not surprising, a larger international airport is being built on the island of Phú Quốc, expected to operate within five years. A golf course and a casino will also be completed. If you like untouched nature and pre-touristic surrounding, you should hurry up!
Source from VietNam


You may be wondering that should you stay a night exploring Rach Gia before getting to Phu Quoc island, and you may ask that is Rach Gia worth seeing. My quick answer is, yes, It's worth seeing. You can stay in somewhere near the beach enjoying your night life by exploring some exciting coffe shops, drinking bars. It's more exciting to enjoy local people night life, and you may be impressived because they are friendly and easy to talk to. If you are looking for local homestay in Rach Gia then also contact Mr.Lane at Exploringmekong@gmail.com for more information. Or you are just looking to meet up someone for a drink, do not hesitate to write him a message. He will help you planning your trip and show your his beautiful photographs.

Read More