The Mekong Delta’s floating season, a time when nature gifts this land with a unique and enchanting beauty, is no longer an unfamiliar concept to those who love exploration. Instead of the aridness of the dry season, the Mekong Delta dons a new coat, brimming with vitality with vast floodwaters, fields filled with the green of water hyacinth, and bustling life on the rivers. If you are seeking new experiences and want to fully admire the beauty of the floating season, let’s explore the must-visit destinations in the Mekong Delta.
An Giang – Discovering the Untamed Beauty of the Floating Season
An Giang, with its diverse terrain ranging from mountains to plains, is always an attractive destination for tourists year-round. But during the floating season, An Giang takes on a very distinct beauty, both wild and bountiful. The floodwaters not only bring abundant aquatic resources but also create unique landscapes, attracting nature lovers and explorers.
Ba Chua Xu Temple, Sam Mountain – A Spiritual Haven During the Floods
Ba Chua Xu Temple on Sam Mountain, one of the most famous spiritual sites in the Mekong Delta, still retains its solemn and sacred aura even during the floating season. The temple’s unique architecture, imbued with Chinese cultural influences, becomes even more prominent amidst the vast riverine space. Visitors come here not only to pray for peace and fortune but also to admire the architectural beauty and feel the solemn, serene atmosphere. Although roads may be flooded during the flood season, this does not deter pilgrims and tourists from all directions from coming to Ba Chua Temple, because it is in this special setting that the spiritual experience becomes even deeper and more memorable.
Ancient architecture of Ba Chua Xu Temple in Chau Doc, An Giang, highlighted during the Mekong Delta's floating season
Pilgrims visiting Ba Chua Xu Temple in Chau Doc to pray for blessings during the floating season
Ta Pa Lake – The Mekong Delta’s “Love Valley” When Waters Rise
Ta Pa Lake, already famous for its pristine beauty and year-round jade-green water, becomes even more enchanting during the floating season. Rainwater and floodwaters flow in, filling the lake to the brim, and the water color turns to a deeper blue, creating a scene that is both majestic and poetic. The cliffs surrounding the lake are reflected in the still water, creating a “Love Valley” version of the Mekong Delta. Late afternoon is the best time to visit Ta Pa Lake, when the sunset paints golden hues on the lake surface, creating a beautiful and romantic natural painting. Visitors can follow the trails around the lake to explore its beauty from different angles, or simply sit by the lake shore, immerse themselves in the peaceful space, and enjoy the fresh air.
Poetic scenery of Ta Pa Lake in An Giang during the floating season with jade-green water
Untamed and peaceful beauty of Ta Pa Lake as floodwaters arrive
Tra Su Cajuput Forest – Exploring a Unique Ecosystem During the Floating Season
Tra Su Cajuput Forest is a must-visit destination when traveling to the Mekong Delta during the floating season. In this season, the cajuput forest is “re-clothed” with the lush green of water hyacinth covering the water surface, creating a unique and impressive vegetation carpet. Sitting on a small wooden boat weaving through the cajuput forest, visitors will admire the pristine, tranquil beauty of nature, listen to the chirping of birds, and feel the coolness and freshness of the air. The journey to explore Tra Su Cajuput Forest is not only an exciting ecotourism experience but also an opportunity to learn about the characteristic mangrove ecosystem of the Mekong Delta and enjoy rustic dishes right in the heart of the cajuput forest.
Boat gliding gently on the green water hyacinth carpet in Tra Su Cajuput Forest during the floating season
Scenery of Tra Su Cajuput Forest in An Giang during the floating season with sampan boats
Untamed and majestic beauty of Tra Su Cajuput Forest during the floating season
Rice Fields and Heart-Shaped Palm Tree – Unique Features Amidst the Vast Water
Even the vast rice fields of An Giang during the floating season take on a very distinct beauty. Although most of the area is submerged in water, this creates lush green “islands” amidst the immense sea of water. In particular, the image of the famous heart-shaped palm tree in the middle of the field becomes even more impressive when surrounded by floodwaters. This is a unique check-in spot that visitors cannot miss when coming to An Giang during the floating season. Standing in the vast space of rice fields, breathing in the fresh air, and admiring the surrounding scenery, you will feel the peace and tranquility that is rare to find elsewhere.
An Giang rice fields during the floating season creating a unique and impressive landscape
Unique heart-shaped palm tree amidst the rice fields during the floating season in An Giang
Peaceful and poetic scenery of rice fields and heart-shaped palm tree during the floating season
Chau Doc Market – Experiencing Unique Culinary Culture During the Floating Season
Chau Doc Market is not only the largest commercial center in An Giang but also a distinctive culinary and cultural destination. Visiting Chau Doc Market during the floating season, tourists will immerse themselves in the bustling atmosphere of buying and selling, discover countless local products, and enjoy the typical dishes of the flood season. From various types of “mam” (fermented fish), dried fish, to “lau mam” (fermented fish hotpot), and “ca linh bong dien dien” (small fish and sesbania sesban flower), all carry the rich flavors of the riverine region. Chau Doc Market is not only a place for shopping but also a place to experience and deeply feel the life and culture of the Mekong Delta people during the floating season.
Bustling atmosphere and diverse goods at Chau Doc Market in An Giang
Can Tho – Modern Beauty by the Hau River During the Floods
Can Tho, the economic and cultural center of the Mekong Delta, is also an attractive destination during the floating season. Not only possessing the modern beauty of a dynamic city, Can Tho also captivates visitors with the unique charms of the riverine region, especially during the floating season.
Love Bridge and Ninh Kieu Wharf – Admiring Can Tho as Waters Rise
Love Bridge and Ninh Kieu Wharf are symbols of Can Tho, where visitors can fully enjoy the beauty of the city by the Hau River. During the floating season, the Hau River becomes more immense, the water rises higher, creating a majestic and romantic scene. Standing on Love Bridge or strolling along Ninh Kieu Wharf, visitors can admire the panoramic view of Can Tho sparkling at night, see Can Tho Bridge majestically spanning the Hau River, and feel the vibrant pace of life in this riverine city. Especially during the floating season, the atmosphere at Ninh Kieu Wharf becomes cooler and more pleasant, very suitable for visitors to relax and enjoy the airy space.
Romantic scenery of Love Bridge in Can Tho at night during the floating season
Bustling and poetic Ninh Kieu Wharf in Can Tho by the Hau River during the floating season
Experiencing Mekong Delta Floating Season Cuisine
The floating season is not only a season of beautiful scenery but also a season of unique cuisine. Coming to the Mekong Delta at this time, visitors cannot miss the opportunity to enjoy specialties only available during the flood season.
Distinctive Flavors of the Floating Season
Mekong Delta floating season dishes often use fresh ingredients from rivers and canals such as “ca linh” fish, “bong dien dien” flowers, field mice, snails, mussels… Prepared in many different ways, from grilling, frying, stir-frying to hotpot, each dish carries a distinctive flavor, imbued with the riverine identity. Some typical dishes include “lau mam ca linh bong dien dien” (fermented fish hotpot with small fish and sesbania sesban flower), “ca linh kho mia” (small fish braised with sugarcane), “bong dien dien xao tep” (sesbania sesban flower stir-fried with shrimp), grilled field mice with salt and chili, “bun ca” (fish noodle soup)…
Bun ca Chau Doc, a specialty of Mekong Delta cuisine during the floating season
Lau mam ca bong dien dien – a must-try dish during the Mekong Delta floating season
Stir-fried Bong Dien Dien – a rustic vegetable dish with distinctive floating season flavor
Hat é (sweet basil seeds drink) – a familiar refreshing drink at Chau Doc market during the floating season
Dishes with rich riverine flavors at Tra Su Cajuput Forest
Conclusion
The Mekong Delta floating season is not just a natural phenomenon but also a distinctive cultural feature of this land. Coming to the Mekong Delta during the floating season, visitors will admire unique natural landscapes, experience the simple riverine life, and enjoy distinctive cuisine. An Giang and Can Tho are just two of the many wonderful destinations to admire the Mekong Delta floating season. Plan your trip and discover the beauty of the floating season in your own way, you are sure to have memorable and unforgettable experiences.