Exploring Rach Gia - Mekong Delta
The prosperous capital of Kien Giang province, Rach Gia is a booming port city on the Gulf of Thailand. The population includes significant numbers of both ethnic Chinese and ethnic Khmers. Most travellers give the chaotic centre short shrift, heading straight to the port for boats to Phu Quoc Island. Those who linger, however, might be charmed by the quaint waterfront and sleepy nearby streets, which provide great opportunities for both pleasant strolls and sonic decent seafood.
With its easy access to the sea and the proximity of Cambodia and Thailand, fishing, agriculture and smuggling are profitable trades in this province. The area was once famous for supplying the large feathers used to make ceremonial fans for the Imperial Court.
What to see in Rach Gia city, Kien Giang.
RACH GIA MUSEUM The Rach Gia Museum (Tell: 863 727; 21 D Nguyen Van Troi; admission free;
7-11am Mon-Fri plus 1-5pm Mon-Wed) was recently restored and is worth a visit to see the Oc-Eo artefacts and pottery.
NGUYEN TRUNG TRUC TEMPLE
This temple (18 D Nguyen Cong Tru) is dedicated to Nguyen Trung Truc, a leader of the resistance campaign of the 1860s against the newly arrived French. 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 TrucNguyen Trung Truc continued to fight until 1868, when the French took his mother and a number of civilians hostage and threatened to kill them it he did not surrender. 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.
PHAT LON PAGODA
This large Cambodian Hinayana Buddhist pagoda, whose name means Big Buddha, was founded about two centuries ago. Though all of the three dozen monks who live here are ethnic Khmers, ethnic Vietnamese also frequent the pagoda.
Inside the sanctuary (vihara), figures of the Thich Ca Buddha wear Cambodian- and Thai-style pointed hats. Around the exterior of the main hall are eight small altars.
The two towers near the main entrance are used to cremate the bodies of deceased monks. Near the pagoda are the tombs of about two dozen monks.
Prayers are held here daily from -1am to 6am and 5pm to 7pm. The pagoda, off D Quang Trung, is officially open during the seventh, eighth and ninth lunar months (summer season), but guests are welcome all year round.
PHO MINH PAGODA
Only a handful of Buddhist nuns live at Pho Minh Pagoda (cnr D Co Bac & D Nguyen Van Cu; Chi prayers 3.30-4.30am & 6.30-7.30pm). This small pagoda was built in 1967 and contains a large Thai-style Thich Ca Buddha that was donated by a Buddhist organisation based in Thailand. Near the Thai-style Buddha there is a Vietnamese-style Thich Ca Buddha. The nuns living here reside in a building located behind the main hall. The pagoda is open to visitors and prayers are held daily.
TAM BAO PAGODA
This pagoda ( prayers 4.30-5.30am & 5.30-6.30pm), which dates from the early 19th century, is near the corner of D Thich Thien An and D Ngo Quyen; it was last rebuilt in 1913. The garden contains numerous trees sculpted as dragons, deer and other animals.
CAO DAI TEMPLE
This small Cao Dai Temple (189 D Nguyen Trung Truc) was constructed in 1969 and is worth a peek if you missed the Great Temple in Tay Ninh.
How to get to Rach Gia, Kien Giang
AIR
Vietnam Airlines flies between HCMC and Rach Gia twice weekly; for more details. The same flight carries on to Phu Quoc Island .
BOAT
At the western end of D Nguyen Cong Tru is Rach Gia Park, where you catch the ferries across to Phu Quoc Island.
Mui Voi ferry terminal (mui means nose and voi means elephant - so named because of the shape of the island) is at the northeastern end of D Nguyen Thoai Hau.
Approximately three boats daily leave for Ca Mau (80,000d, three to five hours) from the Rach Meo ferry terminal ( 747 D Ngo Quyen), about 2km south of town.
BUS
Buses from HCMC to Rach Gia leave from the Mien Tay bus station; the express bus takes six to seven hours (around 90,000d). Night buses leave Rach Gia for HCMC between 7pm and 11pm.
The Central bus station (D Nguyen Binh Khiem) is in town, near the Rach Gia New Trade Center, and has daily express services to Can The (40,000d, three hours, every two hours), Ha Tien (22,000d, three hours, hourly), Long Xuyen, Sa Dec and HCMC. You can catch buses to Hon Chong (25,000d. 21/2 hours, three daily).
There's also a bigger Rach Gia bus station (Ben Xe Rach Soi; 78 D Nguyen Trung Truc). 7km south of the city (towards Long Xuyen and Can Tho). Buses link Rach Gia with Can Tho, Dong Thap, Ha Tien, Long Xuyen and HCMC.
CAR & MOTORBIKE
Rach Gia is 92km from Ha Tien, 125km from Can Tho and 248km from HCMC.
If you are looking for a homestay in Rach Gia, Mekong Delta (Rach Gia Homestay) then contact us at : ExploringMekong@gmail.com
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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