Mekong ornamental sales at 5 riverbank sites

The HCMC Department of Transportation has announced five sales locations along the city’s rivers for ornamental potted-plants from the Mekong Delta before Lunar New Year.

The five sites are a 400-meter long area beside Phu Dinh River in Ward 16, District 8; a 200-meter long area along An Tai canal side in Ward 7, District 8; a 1.7km strip along the Tau Hu Canal stretching from the bridge on Ngang Canal to Cha Va  Bridge; a 470 meter-long area from Cha Va Bridge to Nguyen Quyen Street; an 800 meter-long area from the corner of Le Quang Kim & Hung Phu streets to Chu Y Bridge.

 “Only the five listed locations can sell ornamentals in the city,” Phan Cong Bang from the HCMC Department of Transportation, said.

To transport flowers from Mekong Delta provinces to HCMC, Mekong Delta gardeners should follow two routes. The first one is from Cho Dem’s river - Ben Luc - Cho Dem Bridge - Binh Dien Bridge – Doi Canal - Tau Hu Cabal. The second is from Vam Co Dong River - Nuoc Man Canal - Can Giuoc River - Tau Hu Canal.

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A change of pace in Buon Don

A bamboo bridge spans the Serepok River in Buon Don Town

On summer holidays, after a trip to the sea, you can travel to the highlands to discover nature and breathe the air of the forests. Buon Don Town in Buon Ma Thuot City in the highlands province of Daklak is a nice country retreat.

From HCMC, take National Road No. 14 about 500km to Binh Phuoc and Daklak Province. If you are coming from Nha Trang it’s 207 kilometers.

Tourists take an elephant ride around Buon Don Tourist Area - Photos: Mai Ly

Located nearly 50 kilometers northwest from Buon Ma Thuot City, Buon Don is home to the M’Nong, J’rai, Ede, Lao and Thai ethnic minority groups and for the last two centuries has been the center of all elephant hunting and taming in Vietnam.

Buon Don is a Lao name, meaning “island village” as it is near many islets in the swift flowing Serepok River.

About 15 kilometers from Buon Don is Ban Don Village and Bay Nhanh Waterfall. From the bamboo bridge you can see the waterfall and the stilt houses of the local tribe people.

Four kilometers from Ban Don is Buon Don Tourist Area. For about VND80,000 for three people, you can ride an elephant around for about fifteen minutes. If you have time and feel adventurous, you can hire an elephant to cross the Serepok River. Then walk across the100 meter long Buon Don Bamboo Bridge under the shade of banyan trees. It is veiled by vines and roots. The swinging bridge is not for the feint hearted.

Beyond the bridge is a swimming hole called Ea No oasis with many orchids. Beside the oasis, restaurants and hotels are tucked among the trees, one of which has a tree house in it with great views.

Next stop is an old stilt house built 120 years ago in Lao style with displays of utensils used by ethnic people and old weapons to hunt elephants. There are many stories about Buon Don’s history and customs of hunting and taming elephants. In March, tourists can join an elephant race festival.

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