Vietnam, My Tho - River Cruise in the Mekong Delta

Note from the Author: This article was originally written in February 2000 based on my first ever visit to Ho Chi Minh City. Since then, rapid developments have taken place in Vietnam as the economy develops. Thus, I am sure what I experienced and saw during my trip may not be what will be experienced and seen by today's traveller to the same place. The photographs that accompanied this article were taken by myself using 35mm films and scanned into digital format simply because digital photography in the year 2000 was not only not popular but also really expensive! - Timothy, Nov 2014

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From its origins somewhere in the highlands of Tibet, the river flows to eventually empties itself into the South China Sea. This mighty river, the Mekong, cuts through parts of China, Myanmar, Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam to reach its destination. As it enters Vietnam from Cambodia, the Mekong splits into two main channels, Tien Giang and Hau Giang. As it continues on the final part of its journey, it splits further into nine branches.This thus gives rise to the Vietnames name of Cuu Long for the Mekong. In English, it simply means the River of Nine Dragons.

My Tho is near to Ho Chi Minh City, about 70 km south-west. The delta that is created when the river meets the sea, gives rise to much fertile land suitable for cultivation. Therefore, you will see lots of agricultural activities in the region. Rice fields are almost a standard issue whereever you go.

We travelled to My Tho by bus from Ho Chi Minh City. Along the way, our bus travelled on what is known as the South Korean Highway. Why the name? During the Vietnam War, this highway was built by South Korean troops sent to support the war effort against the communist guerillas. The completed highway was patrolled by American forces to guard the entrance into Saigon. Today, the war is over. The highway remains and is a useful channel for commuters between Ho Chi Minh City and the Mekong Delta.

My one day spent here consisted mainly of boat travel. After arrival at My Tho, we transferred to a small ferry that brought us to Tho Son (Unicorn). After disembarking at Tho Son, we boarded a small motorised boat that took us on a cruise along some small tributaries. Lots of Nipah Palm trees lined the sides of these tributaries. Colorful kingfishers could be seen in the foliage as our small boat cruised casually along the waterway until its motor broke down. We waited until another similar boat came by. It towed our boat to our destination and it was actually quite remarkable to observe the boatman using his acute judgement as he steered both boats carefully through the narrow body of water.

Mangroves along the My Tho, Tien Giang Province, Vietnam (2000)

We visited a small bee farm in the area before transferring back to the original ferry that took us to Tho Son. Our next stop was Tan Long (Dragon). Along the way, we passed by Phung (Phoenix). Our guide told us that there is a temple in Phung that was inhabited by a crazy monk, Nguyen Thanh Nam. In his younger days, Nguyen spent seven years studying engineering in France. After he returned to Vietnam, he decided to be a monk and spent his days meditating in his temple. Nguyen reportedly passed away in 1990 but his temple in Phung still stands to this day.

Soon, we arrived at Tan Long. There were lots of longan (a type of tropical fruit) tress growing in the orchards. At Tan Long, we again transferred to another mode of water transport. This was another small boat similar to the ones in Tho Son. But these boats were not motorised. They were rowed by two persons, one at each end of the craft. After a leisurely ride that lasted about fifteen minutes, we again transferred back to our ferry which took us back to dry land. Before returning to Ho Chi Minh City, a quick visit was made to the To Vinh Trang Pagoda.

We eventually returned Ho Chi Minh City and our hotel  at about 6.00pm in the evening, tired but happy.

Typical ferry plying the My Tho, Tien Giang Province, Vietnam (2000)