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The first of the Mekong Delta’s bustling towns is My Tho. The town has a long history of commercial trade beginning in 1680 when the Chinese merchants migrated to the region. In the late 19th century, French colonials built a train line from Saigon, and My Tho became a vital export center for overseas rice trade. Today, vestiges of this period can be seen in the stately French mansions resting on the river’s left bank. My Tho is dotted with serene Buddhist pagodas and surrounded by vast paddy fields and dense fruit gardens. The 150-year-old Vinh Trang Pagoda combines Vietnamese, Chinese, Khmer and French architecture which reflects the history of the land. Moreover, visitors can enjoy a cruise on boats and hand-rowed sampans viewing the daily activities of the local people along the tributaries of the Mekong River and taste fresh tropical fruit and honey directly from beehives on fertile islets.
Vinh Trang pagoda
With an area of 2,000 sq.m, Vinh Trang is one of the biggest pagoda in Mekong Delta. The pagoda was first built in the early 19th century and then in 1948 the pagoda was renovated. After times of restoration, now the pagoda’s construction is a result of the harmonious combination of Asian and European style.. Inside the main hall, there are many precious statues made of wood, among which there was a collection of 18 Bodhisattvas sculpted in 1907, representing the pinnacle of sculpture of the Mekong Delta.
Thoi Son islet
About 10 minutes by boat from My Tho, Thoi Son Islet is lying between Tien Giang Province and Ben Tre Province. This is one of the four big islets here named after four holy animals: Unicorn, Dragon, Turtle and Phoenix. The biggest islet is Thoi Son islet or Unicorn Islet covering an area of 11 sq.km. Coming to Thoi Son, visitors can see a typical house of rural Vietnam with three parts, tiled roof in which people from different generations have lived together. Moreover, visitors can enjoy fresh air in well-tended orchards of longan, bananas and dragon fruit. Traditional trades such as alcohol distilling, coconut candy making, hand embroidering, etc are also be observed here. The most interesting thing of the tour here is a hand-rowing sampan trip along palm-shaded creeks as well as the southern amateur music performance. However, it is rather crowded here because it is a tourist hub.
Ben Tre countryside
About 20 minutes by boat from My Tho, Ben Tre countryside including Rach Mieu Creek and An Khanh Creek is a new destination to indulge in unlimited green of Ben Tre, a neighbouring province of Tien Giang. The most significant signs of Ben Tre are immense coconut-tree gardens. Coconut- tree is the most useful for the locals: leaves for thatch, trunks for wood, coconuts for juice, especially coconut candy has made the name for Ben Tre. Visitors will discover small creeks which are green of water coconut-trees. Visiting the locals, tourists will witness the process of taking honey, enjoy cups of tea with honey and taste some kinds of tropical fruit. And if brave enough, visitors could to hold a python, that is breeding as a pet, for a snapshot. The locals are so hospitable that leave tourists unforgettable impressions.
Dong Tam snake farm
The snake farm is about 10km from My Tho towards Vinh Long. Most of the snake here have been raised here are pythons and cobras. The snake farm is a center for breeding snakes producing venom for export. Research on snakebite treatment is also conducted here. There are also crocodiles and other species of birds and animals. |
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