LONG XUYEN, AN INVIGORATING STOP IN THE HEART OF MEKONG DELTA
Situated on one of the two great arms of the Mekong River, on the Hau River, Long Xuyen, capital of An Giang Province, is an invigorating stopover on your tour of the Mekong Delta. This bustling city is known for having one of the busiest floating markets in the region and for its delicious island, a true oasis of tranquility, stranded on the café au lait coloured waters of the Hau River.
Long Xuyen Floating Market
The Long Xuyen floating market is one of the largest floating markets in the Mekong Delta. It is a semi-wholesale market, which means that traders from Long Xuyen and surrounding villages come every day with their small boats to buy supplies from the vendors and their big boats loaded with goods. Each of these boats is specialized in selling one or two fruits or vegetables. Long before dawn, it is an incessant ballet of boats of all sizes, a real aquatic anthill that one never tires of observing. The haggling on the boats goes on, the activity is intense to load the boats, some take a nap, others take a little respite by swallowing a little soup on the deck of the boat. The good river scenes of a floating market; just the way we like it!
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Excursion to the "Tiger Island".
The "Tiger Island" or Ong Ho in Vietnamese, is a true oasis of tranquility stranded on the café au lait coloured waters of the Hau River. This idyllic little island, which is linked to the legend of the tiger feeding a couple, is also known to be the birthplace of the second president of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam, Tôn Duc Thang (1888-1980). A small museum is dedicated to him. You will enjoy cycling through this delicious piece of land drowned in lush vegetation. The island is dotted with magnificent houses nestling in the greenery, orchards overflowing with tropical fruits, small typical markets and touching scenes of life.
Crocodile farms
Crocodile farming is a flourishing activity in the Mekong Delta where crocodiles lived in large numbers in the wild as recently as 50 years ago. Today, crocodiles no longer haunt the arroyos and are now bred on farms that supply the skins for some of the great names in French fashion in particular. Part of the crocodiles will be found on local tables, as their flesh is highly appreciated by the inhabitants of the Mekong Delta.
The rich handicraft of Long Xuyen
As everywhere in the Mekong Delta, handicrafts are rich and varied in Long Xuyen. Many family-owned factories produce incense sticks, conical hats, rice cakes, silk clothes, various types of boats and more.
Best season: To stay at Long Xuyen in the best conditions, we advise you to visit between November and April during the dry season. However, be aware that the rainy season is not a prohibitive time to go to Long Xuyen. The rains are short and rather refreshing.
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