As with most areas situated around deltas, the silt coming from upper Mekong makes the South-western - Mekong River Delta region incredibly fertile, with rich and lush rice paddies. The region contributes to half of the country’s agricultural output.
Life here revolves around the network of waterways that crisscross all throughout the land. Villages and floating markets dot these waterways. Most villages are accessible by river and not so much by road.
The best time to visit the region is during the Lunar New Year (Tet) as well as during the Mid-Autumn Festival. Children will set hundreds of glowing candles on the river in celebration of these occasions. Small boat tours are a popular activity in Ben Tre, Cai Be, An Binh and Can Tho. Cai Be and Can Tho have floating markets.
An Giang
An Giang Province lies west of the Mekong River Delta and shares its border with Cambodia. It consists of low mountains and midlands. Long Xuyen, the provincial capital, is southeast of the border. It is the birth place of Thon Duc Thang, Vietnam’s second president.
Long Xuyen is a modestly prosperous town that thrives in agriculture and fishing. It has several attractions, such as the imposing modern Catholic Church which can seat up to 1000 and boasts a 50-metre tall bell tower, and the An Giang Museum which features photographs and belongings of Thon Duc Thang. Long Xuyen also boasts a colourful riverside market.
Long Xuyen has hotels and tourist accommodations but it serves mainly as transit point to the very colourful and diverse Chau Doc town on the Vietnamese-Cambodian border. Its shops are painted with pastel colours. Chau Doc is home to Khmer, Cham, and Chinese communities, and is a melting pot of Buddhists, Muslims, and Catholics. It also has a large population of the ethnic Hoa which has their own religion.
Can Tho
Can Tho province lies on the southern bank of Bassac River in the Mekong Delta. It is an important trade and transport centre, and one of the most popular travel destinations in the Delta region. The traditional mode of transport in the province is xe loi, a two-wheeled wagon attached to a motorbike.
The provincial capital Can Tho City is the largest city on the Delta, with a population of over a million. Can Tho City has a number of fine hotels, guesthouses, and other tourist accommodations, and a great choice of eateries. The city boasts a well developed infrastructure as well.
The colourful floating markets around Can Tho City are one of its main attractions. The biggest in the Mekong Delta is Cai Rang, also the most crowded and touristy. Fewer crowds go to Phong Dien, which has less motor boats and more charming rowing boats.
Hung Thanh Ward
Hung Thanh Ward, on the south side of Can Tho River, is the site of the 75-hectare My Hung urban development project, or residential quarter no 6.
My Hung is conveniently located close to the centre of Can Tho City, making it an ideal area for trade and business. It is near other new urban residential quarters and the International University.
The urban centre’s nearness to the new Can Tho Bridge caused a significant increase in land prices at residential projects in the area. The bridge, which is expected to be completed in March 2010, connects Can Tho City to Vinh Long Province in the Mekong River Delta. It has four lanes and two walkways, and will cut travel time by more than 30 minutes.