Mekong Delta

The Mekong river that takes its rise in China, when reach to Vietnam is divided in to 2 streams and then pour into the Pacific Ocean by 9 estuaries. We call it Cuu Long Giang. Cuu = 9, Long = dragon and Giang = river.

There are 2 float marets that are held in Cuu Long river: Cai Be and Cai Rang float markets. Does everbody ever hear about "float market"? Cai Be float market, belong to Tien Giang Province, just about a hundred kms or a bit more from Saigon (Hochiminh city) where I am living.

Last summer I took my little ducks and their grandmother for a boat cruise through part of Mekong Delta. From Saigon drove to My Tho, which is about 70 kms (about 66 miles) to the South West of my city. As we drove along, we passed many local industries such as the rice husker, the tofu maker and small business that made floor tiles and bricks.

After reaching My Tho we boarded a large river boat which took us upon the waters of the Mekong river and its some tributaries to experience a part of the day to day life in this part of my country. Along the muddy banks were many fishing villages and special planted orchards along the river banks with such prized Denta fruits as Cuu Long.

The boat continued on to Thoi Son island. There we went ashore to examine the local village life and to see how people there made rice wine, coconut candies and honey....

Then, we changed from a large boat to a much smaller sampan to trek up the narrow canals and futher experience local day to day life. In this part of Delta, there is a large system of canals and the people use sampans as their main ransportation from orchards to orachrds and houses to houses.

About mid day we had lunch in a local house where the people greeted use cheerfully and after a fine meal the lunch concluded with a short hammock nap under the shadow of deep green trees. After waking up, we were treated to being a part the life of the local people in the evening, where we enjoy a peaceful night's sleep in another local house.

With the rise of the sun and the passing of breakfast, the day continued in a sampan untill we reach the Cai Be floating market Can Tho province. There, people sold all kinds of agricultural produce: pinaple, rice, melon, mango, banana, a large veriety of sun dried sea food, sun dried fruits, pop-corn, pop-rice, rice wine and such a menu of other fresh items that I cannot remember.... The seller packed their products abroad their small boats and paddle their way to the float market before sun riseto create this wonderful wholesale market.

Along the river's banks there were many family-run enterprises making pop-corn, pop-rice. It would be good experience to visit those enterprises. Then tasting of these local products with green tea brought a great feeling of the tropical life....

After this wonderful interlude, we returned to My Tho where we boarded the large boat to Saigon where we arrived about 7 p.m. I was saddened that the trip had ended but we all had beautiful experience to share for years to come. Even though I grew up in Saigon that was the first time I ever had the opportunity and took the time to visit in the Mekong Delta. My dear ducklings had a wonderful experience as did my mom. We were a happy crew when we left that boat at the docks.


old penguin