Tra Su Forest in An Giang

Just about 20 km southwest from Chau Doc, Tra Su Forest is an evergreen ecosystem of cajuput trees lining in dusty paths and a flooded mangrove forest. The forest of 850 hectares is a natural paradise which homes 140 types of flora, 70 species of birds, 11 types of animals, 25 species of reptiles, and 23 kinds of fish. After getting on a rustic narrow boat, you will begin your journey into the world of an endless green. You will find yourselves zipping through a living carpet of water lettuce, so dense that you might forget that you are actually on the water. It costs 150,000 VND ($6.66 USD) for a boat. So if you are by yourself see if you can split a boat with another group.

Tram Chim National Park in Dong Thap

The picturesque Tram Chim National Park, awash with tall grass, homes over 230 different birds, from slender-necked storks to the towering sarus cranes. The national park spreads around on 7,000 hectares of waterlogged land. Visit Tram Chim Park, you will have chance to admire the majestic flooded forests on boat, which will come within a few hundred meters from the various species of birds. You might also want to see the panoramas of the park’s greenery and birds in flight from the watchtower. There are several different routes for you to go around the park. The shortest route lasts for about 45 minutes (VND500,000 per boat) offer you a brief glimpse of the park. Longer routes will take you deeper into bird-watching territory.

Tan Lap Floating Village in Long An

Tan Lap floating village is an attractive tourism destination, exclusively for young backpackers. Located in the heart of Dong Thap Muoi Area, the village is a typical flooded land of the region. It is home to cajuput forest, lotus – water lily, water hyacinth, wild rice and hundred species of birds and fishes. Visit Tan Lap Floating Village Eco-tourism Site, you will have chance to walk on the path through cajuput forest and enjoy the panorama view of the cajuput forest from the observation tower. You may also want to take a boat along Rung Canal. It only costs 50,000 VND for one ticket with rowing boat and 130,000 VND for motorboat. The boatman will guide you to explore and learn about the vast eco-system of the forest.

U Minh Ha National Park in Ca Mau

Located in the southermost province of Ca Mau, U Minh Ha National Park is another natural gift of the Mekong Delta Vietnam. The 8,000ha national park has diverse varieties of flora and fauna typical of a seasonal wetland. The flora system includes immense cajuput forests on peat soil, seasonally flooded grasslands and vacant swamps. Visitors can use a boat or take in views from a 25-metre high tower. Freshwater fish are now reproducing in the park’s submerged forests. Visitors can join local people to fish, or collect honey from beehives.

Source: Blog.evivatour.com

Mekong river, and the end of its journey

Mekong river is the biggest river in Indochina Peninsula. Massive amounts of minerals and earth were delivered through the brown colored water, created huge fertilized delta, and it is still ongoing. Like other deltas of major rivers in the world, it has been feeding people for thousands of years, and this area takes the biggest portion of Vietnam total rice produce. Although brown colored water does not look beautiful in tourist’s perspective, it is carrying Vietnamese’s life.

Mekong river gets divided into nine branches when it reaches to the delta. Vietnamese has been calling it as nine dragons which are the most powerful, and mysterious animal in Asian culture. Furthermore, there has the widest biodiversity in Vietnam because there is still perfectly preserved nature. Sometimes, new animal species are discovered.

Floating Markets

This might be most uncommon market in the world. The market is actually on the water, and it moves if it is necessary. For the people in Mekong Delta, the river is everything in their life. They do all the business on the water, even living. Floating market in Can Tho is the best place to see the life in Mekong Delta. It is really fantastic to see people tossing goods from a boat to the others, and always they look very active. Eating local foods on a boat driven by expert driver, looking around, and interacting with natives are leading you to feel the culture.

Phong Dien floating market is where you will like to visit. This floating market is not dominated by mass tourists, so it will be the best destinations for people who want to experience the real one.

Local food restaurant, glossary stores moves with the stream, and driving. Furthermore, general goods, sewing store, and even machine repair shops are embarked. What makes this market more special compare to other floating markets are tradition, and authenticity. Boats are not motorized, so people row to transport. Morning is the busiest time as like ‘real’ local markets.

Wild Life in Mekong Delta

When you get out the crowded markets, and the city, huge marshy lands spread in your sight. Thanks to Nine Dragons river, thousands of vegetation kinds, and animals sheltered in Mekong Delta. Still there are plenty of species in the thick jungles, even unknown ones, without any disturbance from civilization. People haven’t modernized this area, but just adjusted to use the gifts from the great nature. Traveling out of beaten track in Mekong Delta is not relaxing, consuming things, but being a part of the nature.

Tram Chim National park is one of the best place to experience this eco-friendly travel. Vietnamese government invested this place in order to attract tourists, and protect the place at the same time. It has hundreds of fish, plant, animal species, but what makes it special is, this area is the most precious bird sanctuary. Almost two hundred types of birds inhabit in this area, and some of them are rare species. One of the well-known bird is Red-crown Crane that is 1.7m height, scarlet head, and wide wings. When you visit this national park, led by boat, seeing hundreds of beautiful birds flying in the jungle is just breathtaking. And then, you become a sophisticated traveler who appreciates the nature.

Haekang (http://blog.evivatour.com/discovering-mekong-delta/)