Drifting through the delta

Phu Tu Island in Phu Quoc offshore Kien Giang Province

If central Vietnam is my favorite place to travel and learn about history, the Mekong Delta region is where I am touched by the hardship that these people endure.

My journey starts from Dong Tam Snake Farm in Tien Giang Province. It is one of the country’s largest snake-farms where venom is produced for local use and export. The center also has other rare animals such as bears, monkeys and golden turtles.

Down the river to An Giang Province, I had time to visit many places such as Ba Chua Xu Temple, built in 1820 at the foot of Sam Mountain, Chau Doc District, where people pray to Ba Chua Xu for better crops and lives. From Sam Mountain visitors can see the Vietnam and Cambodia border and That Son Mountain Range where there are many old pagodas.

I also had a chance to see artisans weaving brocades in Cham Chau Giang craft village. And visited Dong Thap to see the tomb of Sinh Sac, the father of Uncle Ho.

A seller at Cai Rang Floating Market in Can Tho City at dawn Photos: Dang Khoa

Then I left for Kien Giang Province, a must-see for all travelers to the delta. I went first to Ha Tien Town and looked around Mui Nai Beach, Thon Van Stone Cave, Chong Islet and many historical and cultural relics.

From the center of Ha Tien Township, I stopped at the royal tombs and temples of the Mac Cuu family at Binh San Mountain. They were the family who first settled the town 300 years ago. The mountain was nice to trek around then I cooled off at some of the temples and the ancient Phu Dung Pagoda

If you go to Kien Giang Province, you shouldn’t miss the boat ride to Phu Quoc Island, to see the peaceful tropical paradise and float in the warm turquoise waters of the Gulf of Thailand.

I came back via Can Tho City, checked out Cai Rang Floating Market – listening to the cries of sellers drifting along the canals and rivers.

In Can Tho, I also watched a performance of don ca tai tu (southern opera singing).

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Drifting through the delta

Phu Tu Island in Phu Quoc offshore Kien Giang Province

If central Vietnam is my favorite place to travel and learn about history, the Mekong Delta region is where I am touched by the hardship that these people endure.

My journey starts from Dong Tam Snake Farm in Tien Giang Province. It is one of the country’s largest snake-farms where venom is produced for local use and export. The center also has other rare animals such as bears, monkeys and golden turtles.

Down the river to An Giang Province, I had time to visit many places such as Ba Chua Xu Temple, built in 1820 at the foot of Sam Mountain, Chau Doc District, where people pray to Ba Chua Xu for better crops and lives. From Sam Mountain visitors can see the Vietnam and Cambodia border and That Son Mountain Range where there are many old pagodas.

I also had a chance to see artisans weaving brocades in Cham Chau Giang craft village. And visited Dong Thap to see the tomb of Sinh Sac, the father of Uncle Ho.

A seller at Cai Rang Floating Market in Can Tho City at dawn Photos: Dang Khoa

Then I left for Kien Giang Province, a must-see for all travelers to the delta. I went first to Ha Tien Town and looked around Mui Nai Beach, Thon Van Stone Cave, Chong Islet and many historical and cultural relics.

From the center of Ha Tien Township, I stopped at the royal tombs and temples of the Mac Cuu family at Binh San Mountain. They were the family who first settled the town 300 years ago. The mountain was nice to trek around then I cooled off at some of the temples and the ancient Phu Dung Pagoda

If you go to Kien Giang Province, you shouldn’t miss the boat ride to Phu Quoc Island, to see the peaceful tropical paradise and float in the warm turquoise waters of the Gulf of Thailand.

I came back via Can Tho City, checked out Cai Rang Floating Market – listening to the cries of sellers drifting along the canals and rivers.

In Can Tho, I also watched a performance of don ca tai tu (southern opera singing).

Related Articles

• Drifting through the delta
• Wrong diagnoses almost kill two in delta hospital
• Electric Bicycle World Tour returns to Vietnam
• Passing on folk dance skills
• Saigon-Hanoi charity caravan heads north

Drifting through the delta

Phu Tu Island in Phu Quoc offshore Kien Giang Province

If central Vietnam is my favorite place to travel and learn about history, the Mekong Delta region is where I am touched by the hardship that these people endure.

My journey starts from Dong Tam Snake Farm in Tien Giang Province. It is one of the country’s largest snake-farms where venom is produced for local use and export. The center also has other rare animals such as bears, monkeys and golden turtles.

Down the river to An Giang Province, I had time to visit many places such as Ba Chua Xu Temple, built in 1820 at the foot of Sam Mountain, Chau Doc District, where people pray to Ba Chua Xu for better crops and lives. From Sam Mountain visitors can see the Vietnam and Cambodia border and That Son Mountain Range where there are many old pagodas.

I also had a chance to see artisans weaving brocades in Cham Chau Giang craft village. And visited Dong Thap to see the tomb of Sinh Sac, the father of Uncle Ho.

A seller at Cai Rang Floating Market in Can Tho City at dawn Photos: Dang Khoa

Then I left for Kien Giang Province, a must-see for all travelers to the delta. I went first to Ha Tien Town and looked around Mui Nai Beach, Thon Van Stone Cave, Chong Islet and many historical and cultural relics.

From the center of Ha Tien Township, I stopped at the royal tombs and temples of the Mac Cuu family at Binh San Mountain. They were the family who first settled the town 300 years ago. The mountain was nice to trek around then I cooled off at some of the temples and the ancient Phu Dung Pagoda

If you go to Kien Giang Province, you shouldn’t miss the boat ride to Phu Quoc Island, to see the peaceful tropical paradise and float in the warm turquoise waters of the Gulf of Thailand.

I came back via Can Tho City, checked out Cai Rang Floating Market – listening to the cries of sellers drifting along the canals and rivers.

In Can Tho, I also watched a performance of don ca tai tu (southern opera singing).

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• Drifting through the delta
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• Saigon-Hanoi charity caravan heads north

Drifting through the delta

Phu Tu Island in Phu Quoc offshore Kien Giang Province

If central Vietnam is my favorite place to travel and learn about history, the Mekong Delta region is where I am touched by the hardship that these people endure.

My journey starts from Dong Tam Snake Farm in Tien Giang Province. It is one of the country’s largest snake-farms where venom is produced for local use and export. The center also has other rare animals such as bears, monkeys and golden turtles.

Down the river to An Giang Province, I had time to visit many places such as Ba Chua Xu Temple, built in 1820 at the foot of Sam Mountain, Chau Doc District, where people pray to Ba Chua Xu for better crops and lives. From Sam Mountain visitors can see the Vietnam and Cambodia border and That Son Mountain Range where there are many old pagodas.

I also had a chance to see artisans weaving brocades in Cham Chau Giang craft village. And visited Dong Thap to see the tomb of Sinh Sac, the father of Uncle Ho.

A seller at Cai Rang Floating Market in Can Tho City at dawn Photos: Dang Khoa

Then I left for Kien Giang Province, a must-see for all travelers to the delta. I went first to Ha Tien Town and looked around Mui Nai Beach, Thon Van Stone Cave, Chong Islet and many historical and cultural relics.

From the center of Ha Tien Township, I stopped at the royal tombs and temples of the Mac Cuu family at Binh San Mountain. They were the family who first settled the town 300 years ago. The mountain was nice to trek around then I cooled off at some of the temples and the ancient Phu Dung Pagoda

If you go to Kien Giang Province, you shouldn’t miss the boat ride to Phu Quoc Island, to see the peaceful tropical paradise and float in the warm turquoise waters of the Gulf of Thailand.

I came back via Can Tho City, checked out Cai Rang Floating Market – listening to the cries of sellers drifting along the canals and rivers.

In Can Tho, I also watched a performance of don ca tai tu (southern opera singing).

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• Drifting through the delta
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• Prime Minister discusses relations, co-operation with Lao counterpart
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The view from Ba Na Mountain

A view of Ba Na Mountain seen from the cable car

We just took a trip to Ba Na mountain of the central city of Danang last week. It was more exciting than in the past. The weather was still cool with light showers but there were plenty of people there enjoying the new things to see and plenty of convenient services compared to the deserted atmosphere of some years ago.

The 5,000 meter cable car system that started operation early last year is a big attraction. The cable climbs to nearly 1,300 meters above sea level. From the top you can see the forests stretching to the horizon.

Just a few years ago there was very little set up for visitors, but that has changed. The gardens and attractions are better maintained and there are excellent food and beverage outlets.

The cable car starts early in the morning to the evening. We arrived there in the morning, enjoyed some sight seeing and then had lunch in the restaurant on the mountain. We brought laptops with us and used the wifi while we waited for the cable car.

A cable car ticket costs VND220,000 per adult, and VND180,000 per child. Tourists can see more information via the website: http://www.banahills.com.vn

Visitors at the entrance of the Linh Ung temple, one of the attractions on Ba Na mountain - Photos: Minh Duy

. (Inset) The fruit of this Cycas revoluta palm tree on the mountain.

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Ba Den Mountain in Tay Ninh

Tourists take cable cars up Ba Den Mountain in Tay Ninh Province

Climbing the mountain sometimes called the roof of Southern Vietnam is a once in a lifetime experience for visitors to Tay Ninh Province.

About 10 kilometers northeast of Tay Ninh Town and straddling three communes, the Nui Ba mountain range stretches 24 square kilometers and comprises three mountains, Heo (Pig) Mountain, Phung (Phoenix) Mountain and Ba Den (Black Lady) Mountain. The mountains have grottoes and pagodas and ancient trees, attracting hundreds of tourists and pilgrims everyday.

The 986 meter tall Ba Den Mountain with its good tourist facilities is the best option to climb. The path winding to the top passes many falls and narrow streams. Halfway up the mountain, there are some mysterious caves with giant rocks and old temples.

If you don’t want the exercise there’s a cable car to the top. Along the way there are views of a waterfall, caves and forest.

Cao Dai Cathedral - Photos: Dang Hoang Tham

Once on the top, trekkers should visit the Ba Temple Complex. It contains old pagodas such as Ha Pagoda, Thuong Pagoda and Hang Pagoda and caves such as Ba Co Cave, Thien Thai Cave and Ba Tuan Cave. All present typical features of Buddhist culture and folk beliefs.

Another highlight of Tay Ninh Province is the mammoth Cao Dai Pagoda that has 100-hectare grounds. The temple is a magnificent architectural work with 12 doors.  Built in 1933, the pagoda is a mix of Cao Dai religion, Taoism, Buddhism and Confucianism, with Christianity and Islam as well as some internationally famous faces.

To enter the Cao Dai sects’ main headquarters, males must enter on the right and females to the left and shoes have to be removed before entering the main hall. Naturally lit and filled with icons, the hall is a sanctuary away from the world.

Central in the Cao Dai hall is a Divine Eye encased in a triangle. It is a recurring motif on walls and ceilings. Gaudy pink pillars down both sides are wrapped with snarling green dragons.

Binh Thanh Ancient Tower is also a must-to-see destination. The Cham tower built in the Oc Eo era is more than 1,000 years old.

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Ba Den Mountain in Tay Ninh

Tourists take cable cars up Ba Den Mountain in Tay Ninh Province

Climbing the mountain sometimes called the roof of Southern Vietnam is a once in a lifetime experience for visitors to Tay Ninh Province.

About 10 kilometers northeast of Tay Ninh Town and straddling three communes, the Nui Ba mountain range stretches 24 square kilometers and comprises three mountains, Heo (Pig) Mountain, Phung (Phoenix) Mountain and Ba Den (Black Lady) Mountain. The mountains have grottoes and pagodas and ancient trees, attracting hundreds of tourists and pilgrims everyday.

The 986 meter tall Ba Den Mountain with its good tourist facilities is the best option to climb. The path winding to the top passes many falls and narrow streams. Halfway up the mountain, there are some mysterious caves with giant rocks and old temples.

If you don’t want the exercise there’s a cable car to the top. Along the way there are views of a waterfall, caves and forest.

Cao Dai Cathedral - Photos: Dang Hoang Tham

Once on the top, trekkers should visit the Ba Temple Complex. It contains old pagodas such as Ha Pagoda, Thuong Pagoda and Hang Pagoda and caves such as Ba Co Cave, Thien Thai Cave and Ba Tuan Cave. All present typical features of Buddhist culture and folk beliefs.

Another highlight of Tay Ninh Province is the mammoth Cao Dai Pagoda that has 100-hectare grounds. The temple is a magnificent architectural work with 12 doors.  Built in 1933, the pagoda is a mix of Cao Dai religion, Taoism, Buddhism and Confucianism, with Christianity and Islam as well as some internationally famous faces.

To enter the Cao Dai sects’ main headquarters, males must enter on the right and females to the left and shoes have to be removed before entering the main hall. Naturally lit and filled with icons, the hall is a sanctuary away from the world.

Central in the Cao Dai hall is a Divine Eye encased in a triangle. It is a recurring motif on walls and ceilings. Gaudy pink pillars down both sides are wrapped with snarling green dragons.

Binh Thanh Ancient Tower is also a must-to-see destination. The Cham tower built in the Oc Eo era is more than 1,000 years old.

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Stone Turtle on Water Mountain

Linh Buu Pagoda at the foot of Nui Nuoc Mountain in An Giang Province

Anyone who has visited the Mekong Delta province of An Giang has probably heard about That Son Mountain Range (otherwise known as Bay Nui) near the Cambodian border.

The stone turtle is on the top of the mountain - Photos: Dang Hoang Tham

The Mountain Range has more than 40 peaks. The seven that are best known are Thien Cam Son, Ngoa Long Son, Ngu Ho Son, Phung Hoang Son, Thuy Dai Son, Anh Vu Son and Lien Hoa Son. Among them, Thuy Dai Son or Nui Nuoc (water mountain) is the smallest.

The mountain is about 54 meters tall and about a kilometer in circumference, surrounded by rice fields. Despite its small size, the locals believe the mountain is mysterious and sacred, so many pilgrims often come to Linh Buu Pagoda to worship the Buddha and pray for a better life and harvest.

There is also a sacred old stone turtle that protects the mountain. The turtle is on the top so pilgrims have to climb up the path to show their respect to the turtle that they believe is a god.

The pagoda was built in 1884.

Nui Nuoc has some small caves and very old trees to explore on the peak.

It’s a nice hike for nature enthusiasts as the path is shaded by the large trees.

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Stone Turtle on Water Mountain

Linh Buu Pagoda at the foot of Nui Nuoc Mountain in An Giang Province

Anyone who has visited the Mekong Delta province of An Giang has probably heard about That Son Mountain Range (otherwise known as Bay Nui) near the Cambodian border.

The stone turtle is on the top of the mountain - Photos: Dang Hoang Tham

The Mountain Range has more than 40 peaks. The seven that are best known are Thien Cam Son, Ngoa Long Son, Ngu Ho Son, Phung Hoang Son, Thuy Dai Son, Anh Vu Son and Lien Hoa Son. Among them, Thuy Dai Son or Nui Nuoc (water mountain) is the smallest.

The mountain is about 54 meters tall and about a kilometer in circumference, surrounded by rice fields. Despite its small size, the locals believe the mountain is mysterious and sacred, so many pilgrims often come to Linh Buu Pagoda to worship the Buddha and pray for a better life and harvest.

There is also a sacred old stone turtle that protects the mountain. The turtle is on the top so pilgrims have to climb up the path to show their respect to the turtle that they believe is a god.

The pagoda was built in 1884.

Nui Nuoc has some small caves and very old trees to explore on the peak.

It’s a nice hike for nature enthusiasts as the path is shaded by the large trees.

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• Stone Turtle on Water Mountain
• Foreign sea leases deprive locals of living
• Blue seas and unspoiled beaches
• Party reports come in from provinces
• Victims of food poisoning leave hospital