Sa Dec, a hidden gem nestled in the heart of Dong Thap province, has long been known as the “flower kingdom” of the Mekong Delta. This destination captivates visitors not only with the vibrant beauty of countless blooming flowers but also with its distinctive garden culture, rich cuisine, and unforgettable, unique travel experiences. Join “Discovery Around The World” as we explore Sa Dec, a destination promising a colorful and emotionally resonant journey.
Step into the “Flower Kingdom” of Sa Dec Flower Village
Speaking of Sa Dec tourism, one cannot miss Sa Dec Flower Village, a tourism symbol of this city. With over a century of history, the flower village has become the largest flower granary in the Mekong Delta region, supplying flowers and ornamental plants throughout the country, especially during the Lunar New Year. Upon arriving at the flower village, you will be overwhelmed by a radiant sea of flowers with thousands of species blooming, from familiar flowers like chrysanthemums, marigolds, sunflowers to unique and rare ornamental flowers.
What sets Sa Dec Flower Village apart is not only the diversity of flower species but also the unique method of growing flowers on elevated racks. This elevated flower farming model has helped locals adapt to annual flooding conditions while creating an incredibly impressive and unique landscape. Visitors here not only get to admire and photograph flowers but also have the opportunity to learn about the flower cultivation and care process of local people, as well as discover interesting stories about the history and culture of the flower village.
Sa Dec Flower Village tourism, a vibrant flower market in Mekong Delta, Vietnam
Every Lunar New Year, Sa Dec Flower Village becomes even more bustling and vibrant than ever. Millions of flowers compete to show off their colors, creating a stunning spring picture. This is also the ideal time for tourists to visit the flower village, immerse themselves in the traditional Tet atmosphere, and admire the shimmering beauty of myriad flowers. You can stroll along the flower paths, admire the meticulously shaped ornamental flower pots, and choose your favorite pots to bring home to decorate your house during Tet.
Discover Other Attractive Destinations in Sa Dec
Besides Sa Dec Flower Village, this city also boasts many other attractive destinations, promising you diverse and enriching travel experiences.
Lai Vung Mandarin Orange Garden: Sweet Flavors of the Mekong Delta
Not far from the center of Sa Dec, Lai Vung Mandarin Orange Garden is a must-visit destination for those who love orchard fruits. Especially near Tet, Lai Vung mandarin orange gardens become extremely appealing with rows of trees laden with ripe, golden oranges, plump under the sunlight. Coming here, you will witness the radiant beauty of the orange garden, hand-pick ripe oranges, and enjoy the sweet, delicious, and distinctive flavor of Lai Vung mandarin oranges.
Lai Vung Mandarin Orange Garden in Sa Dec, Mekong Delta, Vietnam
Not only can you enjoy oranges in the garden, but you can also buy mandarin oranges and other Lai Vung specialty fruits as gifts for relatives and friends. Lai Vung Mandarin Orange Garden is not only an attractive ecotourism destination but also a distinctive cultural feature of the Mekong Delta gardens in Dong Thap.
Lotus Leaf Pagoda (Phuoc Kien Pagoda): Unique Pagoda with Giant Lotus Leaves
Lotus Leaf Pagoda, also known as Phuoc Kien Pagoda, is a unique and famous pagoda in Sa Dec. The pagoda attracts visitors with its unique architecture and especially the giant lotus leaves in the pagoda pond. The lotus leaves here are very large, with a diameter of up to 2-3 meters, and the leaf edges curl up like giant winnowing baskets. Miraculously, these lotus leaves can “carry” a person weighing up to 70-80kg.
Lotus Leaf Pagoda (Chua La Sen) in Sa Dec, Vietnam, featuring giant lotus leaves
Visiting Lotus Leaf Pagoda, you will be amazed by the wonders of nature and the bonsai skills of the monks in the pagoda. You can try experiencing standing on a giant lotus leaf to take souvenir photos, or simply immerse yourself in the peaceful and tranquil space of the pagoda to find inner peace.
Sa Dec Rice Noodle Village: Discover Traditional Craft and Unique Cuisine
Sa Dec Rice Noodle Village is an interesting destination for those who want to learn about the traditional rice noodle making craft and enjoy the unique cuisine of Sa Dec. With a history of over 100 years, the noodle village has become one of the most famous craft villages in Dong Thap. Coming here, you will witness firsthand the traditional handmade noodle-making process, from selecting rice, grinding flour, settling flour until creating batches of smooth white noodles.
Traditional rice noodle making in Sa Dec Rice Noodle Village, Mekong Delta, Vietnam
Not only can you learn about the noodle-making process, but you also have the opportunity to enjoy countless delicious dishes made from Sa Dec noodles such as “bánh canh bột gạo” (thick rice noodle soup), “hủ tiếu Sa Đéc” (Sa Dec rice noodle soup), “bánh tằm bì” (silkworm cake with shredded pork skin), “bánh bò” (honeycomb cake), “bánh da lợn” (steamed layer cake)… Each dish has its own unique flavor, imbued with Sa Dec’s culinary identity. You can visit famous eateries and restaurants in the noodle village to enjoy these delicacies and buy Sa Dec noodles as gifts.
Sa Dec Cuisine: Unforgettable Rich Flavors
Sa Dec cuisine is an indispensable part of the journey to explore this city. With a diversity of ingredients and cooking methods, Sa Dec cuisine offers visitors unique and unforgettable taste experiences.
One of the most famous dishes of Sa Dec is Sa Dec rice noodle soup (“hủ tiếu Sa Đéc”). Chewy noodles, rich and fragrant broth, combined with pork, shrimp, quail eggs… create an irresistible and attractive dish. You can enjoy Sa Dec rice noodle soup at any eatery in the city, from humble sidewalk stalls to luxurious restaurants.
Besides rice noodle soup, Sa Dec is also famous for Lai Vung fermented pork roll (“nem Lai Vung”). Lai Vung fermented pork roll has a distinctive sweet and sour taste, made from pork, pork skin, and spices. Lai Vung fermented pork roll is usually served with rice paper, fresh herbs, and sweet and sour dipping sauce. You can buy Lai Vung fermented pork roll at famous production facilities in Lai Vung or markets and supermarkets in Sa Dec.
In addition, Sa Dec also has many other specialties such as grilled snakehead fish (“cá lóc nướng trui”), fermented fish hotpot (“lẩu mắm”), fresh spring rolls (“gỏi cuốn”), crispy pancake (“bánh xèo”), sweet tapioca and coconut cream dessert (“chè bột lọc bọc dừa”)… Each dish has its own unique flavor, reflecting the creativity and sophistication in the cuisine of Sa Dec people.
Sa Dec Travel Tips: Suggested Itinerary and Useful Advice
To have a complete and memorable trip to Sa Dec, “Discovery Around The World” would like to suggest some experiences and useful tips as follows:
Ideal time to visit: The best time to visit Sa Dec is during the dry season, from December to April of the following year. At this time, the weather is dry and cool, very suitable for outdoor sightseeing and activities. Especially, if you want to see Sa Dec flowers in full bloom, you should come during the Lunar New Year.
Transportation: Sa Dec is about 150km from Ho Chi Minh City, you can travel by bus or motorbike. If traveling by bus, you can catch a bus at the Western Bus Station and it takes about 3-4 hours to reach Sa Dec. If traveling by motorbike, you can follow National Highway 1A or Trung Luong – My Thuan expressway.
Accommodation: Sa Dec has many accommodation options from budget hotels and guesthouses to homestays and luxury resorts. You can choose accommodation that suits your needs and budget. If you want to experience a peaceful space close to nature, you can choose garden homestays.
Suggested itinerary:
- Day 1:
- Morning: Visit Sa Dec Flower Village.
- Noon: Have lunch at a restaurant in Sa Dec and enjoy local specialties.
- Afternoon: Visit Lai Vung Mandarin Orange Garden and Lai Vung Fermented Pork Roll Facility.
- Evening: Stroll around Sa Dec night market, enjoy street food.
- Day 2:
- Morning: Visit Lotus Leaf Pagoda and Sa Dec Rice Noodle Village.
- Noon: Have lunch at Sa Dec Rice Noodle Village.
- Afternoon: Buy Sa Dec specialties as gifts and depart back.
Useful tips:
- You should bring sunscreen, hats, sunglasses, and comfortable clothes for outdoor sightseeing.
- You should prepare cash because not everywhere in Sa Dec accepts card payments.
- You should ask for the price before buying goods or using services to avoid being ripped off.
- You should research destinations in advance and plan a specific itinerary to save time and travel efficiently.
Conclusion
Traveling to Sa Dec promises to be an exciting and memorable journey to explore the Mekong Delta. From the radiant beauty of Sa Dec Flower Village, the sweet taste of Lai Vung Mandarin Orange Garden, the uniqueness of Lotus Leaf Pagoda to the rich and diverse cuisine, Sa Dec offers visitors unforgettable experiences. Come to Sa Dec to feel the beauty of the Mekong Delta and discover the unique cultural features of this land.