When researching the must see and things to do in Ho Chi Minh, the Mekong Delta was at the top of the list. Even though we had already travelled the Mekong River from Thailand to Laos, the Mekong Delta was a new place to explore.
We were staying at the Sanouva Hotel in the Ben Thanh district. Everyone seemed to be up early for breakfast, so the hotel produced what looked like picnic tables. A temporary measure but for those of us with long legs, not that comfortable. Oh well, at least Maura was enjoying Congee (rice, chicken soup) and Terry the abundance of fresh passion fruit.
To find more things to do in Ho Chi Minh you can read more here Ho Chi Minh.
EXO Travel to Mekong Delta
The EXO Travel arrived on time providing us with a guide and driver for our day out to the Mekong Delta. The drive to My Tho and the Mekong Delta was about 1.5 hours drive. It gave us an opportunity to chat with our guide about life in Vietnam.
Our road trip would take us out over the new motorway for cars and trucks only. This is to avoid the 24 deaths per day where motorbikes meet vehicles. And the motorway forms part of the longest highway in Vietnam, stretching from North Vietnam to the South.
Along the way, the farmers were preparing the dry rice fields for the rain in a months time. But why were there so many tombstones in the rice fields. Our guide explained they house ashes from family members from long ago. Ensuring the rice harvest will be successful.
Our Local Skipper and Boat to Cruise the Mekong Delta
Our boat driver was happy to see us with his toothless smile. As with most of the Vietnamese we meet, their happiness is contagious.
The area of the Mekong Delta we would be exploring consisted of four islands named Dragon, Unicorn, Turtle and Phoenix.
The first island stop was to taste some locally grown fruit while listening to some traditional folk songs. It was an unexpected highlight to enjoy the songs while eating some delicious varieties of fruit.
The jackfruit was sweet and tasty. The pineapple we dipped in salt and chilli – a nice change. And we did love the mango which we also ate dipped in salt.
Seeing the women in their national costume is stunning. Terry couldn’t take his eyes off them, even when they aren’t real.
Royal Jelly from the Honey Farm
Next was the honey farm to meet the friendly bees who were OK with us holding their honeycomb.
Again we had a variation on the tasting, having a drink of sesame seeds and liquid honey mixed with warm water.
The lady serving us was insistent on selling us a product. We chose a jar of Royal jelly – great for the body internally and externally we were told. But it was the suggestion to apply it to clean skin at night to rehydrate skin for smoothness, which took our interest. We did give this a go. The royal jelly was a little sticky, so when we went to kiss goodnight, we stuck together for a bit! However, the skin did feel good after an application.
Coconut Handicrafts
Back onto the boat for a cruise to another island, this time to watch the making of coconut toffee.
It was interesting to learn some coconuts grow from trees in the water. While another coconut variety is used for the making of coconut toffee. And older coconuts are shredded as the coconut meat is thicker, harder and easy to shred.
Our guide unwrapped the outer paper of the coconut toffee and then said eat. The rice paper wrapped around the toffee is edible too.
Next, it was time to try our hand at making rice paper.
But then our guide Khoa suggested a shot of snake and scorpion whiskey. We had seen this in Luang Prabang, and a group of us were close to trying it, but we backed out. So, it was time to be adventuorous and take a shot. It wasn’t too bad, but one shot was enough!
A Pony and Cart Ride
We are not sure where we are heading next as we walk along the path with the guide. Until we see a pony and cart and told to get in. What? We take one look at the pony (actually a small horse) and wonder how it is going to carry four adults along the path!
What we learnt, was the horse and cart were used to transport rice and straw from the fields before the introduction of the motorbike.
A boat ride along the Xep Canal
Our horse and cart journey stopped in a small village where we found one of the highlights of the day. A boat ride along the Xep Canal.
Our guide explained the canal to be the only form of transport around the island to visit and purchase at markets until they built roads. And with the canal set amongst a forest of palm trees. it was very tranquil as we moved along the canal.
At the end of the ride, our local boat driver was waiting to take us back to the mainland.
The Mekong Tien Giang (Mekong Rest Stop)
Time for lunch (included in the tour) at Mekong Tien Giang. The large restaurant was catering to the many tour groups passing through this area of the Mekong Delta.
To have an 8-course menu with some fantastic dishes, one being the sticky rice ball, the other the Elephant Ear fish was such a gastronomic experience.
It was no surprise to find us in the hammocks after our feast.
What a great adventure so far and I’m enjoying all the updates.
Enjoy your week on the beach 🙂
Thanks Deb, arrived late into Nha Trang after 6 hours at the airport and probably 45 mins in the plane on the ground in the heat with air con hardly working, pretty uncomfortable, but we made it