Mekong Delta

themoonnight

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Posts: 43

Mekong Delta

« on: March 10, 2008, 09:46:22 AM »

The Mekong Delta, at the south end of Vietnam is a vast and low plain, divided by the "Nine Dragons", the arms of the mighty Mekong River. The country most fertile soil is formed by alluvions and sediments deposited by the great river. This prosperous region produces close to half the agricultural production of the country, with only 12% of its superficy. It is a world of rice fields, orchards, arroyos, and canals, where water and earth are intrically interlaced, where in many places a boat is the most convenient way of transportation, where many people live on the water, depend on the water for fish and rice, and perform functions such as shopping and eating on the water. The insularity of the Delta has made it a refuge for minority religions such as the curious indigenous Cao Dai religion and the Muslim faith of the descendants of the Cham people.

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themoonnight

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Posts: 43

Tay Ninh

« Reply #1 on: March 10, 2008, 09:47:00 AM »

Tay Ninh is the holy site of Caodaism, probably Vietnam's most curious indigenous religion. Caodaism, founded in 1926 by Ngo Minh Chieu, is an attempt at an ideal religion, using religious and philosophical traditions from the West and the East, including Buddhism, Confusianism, Taoism, Hinduism, native Vietnamese spiritism, Christianity and Islam. The eclectism of the religion is reflected in the Great Temple. Built between 1933 and 1955, it combines architectural elements of a church, a pagoda in an extravagant rocco style. The ceremony at the Great Cao Dai temple has a visually beautiful ritual, with the ordinary clergy in white robes and only the high priest wearing color. Traditional music is sung and played as well. It takes place daily at noon (there are three others during the day, but it's too dark then), and visitors are admitted on upstairs balconies. Past the first half-hour, the crowds of tourists will thin out, so there is no need to jockey for position.


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themoonnight

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Posts: 43

Ha Tien

« Reply #2 on: March 10, 2008, 09:48:03 AM »

Ha Tien, close to the Cambodia border, has very calm waters, and the area is known for its sea food production.


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themoonnight

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Posts: 43

Hong Chong peninsula

« Reply #3 on: March 10, 2008, 09:48:38 AM »

The coast close to the Cambodia border, is dotted with towering limestone formations which make it quite picturesque, unlike the rest of the Delta coast, which is flat. The fishing villages of the Hon Chong peninsula, between Ha Tien and Rach Gia, have so far escaped modern development. Most of the villagers live in houses made of banana leaves, right on the white sand beach.


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themoonnight

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Posts: 43

Vung Tau

« Reply #4 on: March 10, 2008, 09:49:29 AM »

Vung Tau is a beach resort 128 km of Saigon. Because of the proximity, it as become a favorite escape from the city. Although most of the town has seen lots of touristic development, and massage parlors mushrooming, there is also still an important fishing fleet. Ben Da, on the north peninsula, just a few kms from the crowded beaches has remained a traditional fishing village.


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themoonnight

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Posts: 43

Can Tho

« Reply #5 on: March 10, 2008, 09:50:40 AM »

Can Tho is the main city of the Mekong Delta. It is the transportation center for the region, as it is connected to the other towns of the Delta by an extensive system of rivers and canals. The Mekong river is particularly wide there, and must be crossed by ferry, but it is along the smaller canals that most of the rural population lives. One of the most interesting sights in the Delta are the floating markets and associated river life. Near Can Tho, there are three different floating markets. Although they are well-known, the level of "commercialization" is still considerably less than the floating markets of Thailand. Often you won't see other travellers on the water at all.


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themoonnight

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Posts: 43

Chau Doc

« Reply #6 on: March 10, 2008, 09:51:46 AM »

Chau Doc is a river city close to the Cambodia border. There are a number of floating houses (the floats are empty metal drums) which provide a convenient way for families to raise fish underneath. What makes Chau Doc interesting is it's mix of communities, Khmer, Cham, and Chinese. The Cham are mostly muslim, and leave in isolated communities across the river, complete with mosques. The Sam mountain, which provides an outstanding view over the Cambodia border, has dozens of pagodas and shrines where the Chinese influence is obvious. At it's base lie the Tay Anh pagoda, whose architecture is influenced by Hindu and Islamic style, and the temple of the Lady Chua Xu to whom offerings of whole roasted pigs and lavishly embroided clothes are made


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themoonnight

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Posts: 43

My Tho and Ben Tre

« Reply #7 on: March 10, 2008, 09:52:42 AM »

My Tho and Ben Tre offer to the traveler comming from Saigon the first glimpse of the Mekong River, which is crossed by ferry at My Tho, as well as the first glimpse of the fertile contryside of the Delta.