When mentioning the West, you will probably think of riverboat trips, floating markets with the most extensive fruit baskets in the country, or vast mangrove forests. You’re right, but there’s more to the West than that. Bring your Western travel experience and explore some attractions in Southwest with Yourvietnam.org!
When it comes to the West, people often think of fields straight from the wings of a stork, luscious fruit bowls, colorful floating markets, or the bandanas and ao dai of the warm and sincere people. It is because of this simple beauty that so many tourists have “fallen in love” with the West, where they can leave the hustle and bustle of urban life and immerse themselves in fresh nature.
Which season is most ideal to explore attractions in Southwest
Choosing the right time to travel to the West will help your experience be the most complete and unique. Unlike other provinces and cities, the time you travel to the West will determine your exploration experiences.
If you want to visit orchards when they are ripe, summer is the “golden time” for you to make your trip. You can immerse yourself in the fragrant scent of the lush orchard in season, enjoy ripe fruit right in the garden, or buy it as gifts for friends and relatives at highly reasonable prices.
Suppose you want to experience the feeling of traveling by boat. In that case, Yourvietnam.org suggests that the floating season from September to November will be an extremely favorable time. During this season, the water level of the Mekong River rises relatively high in the southwestern provinces. Still, it is not as intense as flood waters in the mountainous areas.
Traveling to the West this season, you will not be able to visit places on land. Still, in return, you will enjoy the poetic and tranquil scenery of mangrove forests, fishing villages, and floating markets – these are unique features. Products that can only be found here during the flood season.
==> Read more: Festival in Southwest: Top 11 most unique and largest festivals
Experience moving to Western provinces
There are many ways to get to the Western provinces, by many different means and with many suitable time frames, ticket prices, and starting locations.
Airplane tickets to the Western provinces
The West consists of many provinces, and the simplest way is to choose a big city to start your journey. It only takes about 2 hours to fly from Hanoi; you can arrive at Can Tho or Ca Mau airport and then continue your trip to other tourist destinations.
Travel by bus
If you have more time and want to immerse yourself in the idyllic village setting, you can choose to take a bus from Ho Chi Minh City. There are thousands of bus trips departing from Mien Tay bus station to Western provinces from 3:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. with many different prices and service quality, convenient for you to choose from.
High-quality tourist car with a tour
Some travel tour companies offer Western tours at affordable prices. You will not need to worry about transportation or how to catch a car properly; the travel company will take care of everything for you. Many people also choose this means of transport for their journey to make the trip most comfortable and convenient.
How to move when traveling to the West
If you choose to travel to the West by tour, you will not need to worry too much about transportation. However, if you want to travel independently and move between cities, renting a self-driving car, taxi, or motorbike are options you can consider.
Renting a motorbike: The West has relatively easy terrain, so the option of renting a motorbike is chosen by many young people because of its low cost and the ability to proactively choose the schedule. Remember to bring your driver’s license, citizen identification card/ID card/passport to rent a car.
Renting a self-driving car: This option will be suitable if you travel in a large group or family. The cost will be higher than renting a motorbike, but it is still convenient and helps you feel most comfortable on your trip. Many companies rent self-driving cars at affordable prices.
Hotels and homestays in the Western provinces
To have a complete and comfortable self-sufficient trip, finding a place to stay with quality and service is also a priority for many people. In recent years, investment has been focused on the hotel system in the Western provinces, bringing both modernity and rustic features of nature.
The West has many luxury and modern hotel options at reasonable prices or classy 5-star resorts to help visitors enjoy a wonderful vacation and enjoy the lyrical river scenery. Some famous hotels include:
- Mekong Riverside Boutique Resort & Spa – Tien Giang,
- Victoria Nui Sam Lodge Hotel – An Giang
- Victoria Can Tho Resort,
- Vinpearl Can Tho Hotel,
- Ben Tre Riverside Resort,
- Forever Green Resort – Ben Tre
- Muong Thanh Luxury Can Tho.
Relaxing at a homestay in the West is also an experience you should take advantage of. With a unique and authentic garden style, you can immerse yourself in nature with the surrounding space surrounded on all sides by shady coconut trees and fresh air filled with chirping birds. Yourvietnam.org suggests some lovely homestays, such as:
- Coco Riverside Lodge
- Maison En Bambou Phong – Le Vent,
- Cocoland Homestay,
- Coming to Uncle’s Homestay,
- Homestay Tu Ca Linh.
Enjoy the beautiful attractions in Southwest
The West attracts tourists not only because of its lyrical river scenery but also because of the simple and kind character of its people. Travel anywhere in the 12 provinces of the Southwest region, you will feel the hospitality of the people here. Join Yourvietnam.org to pocket each beautiful place in the Mekong Delta provinces when traveling to the Southwest!
Attractions in Southwest – Can Tho Tourism
Can Tho is the most developed city in the Mekong Delta, with many places to visit that you should definitely visit once in your life. Can Tho is increasingly investing in solid tourism development, which will surely satisfy you not only with the quality of service but also with activities around the city.
Ninh Kieu Wharf
Located on Can Tho River, coming to Ninh Kieu Pier, you will have the opportunity to cruise on luxury yachts, watch the city’s sparkling lights at night, and enjoy captivating amateur folk music.
- Location: Hai Ba Trung Street, Cai Rang District, Can Tho.
Cai Rang floating market
The market is famous for being bustling and crowded with activities of exchanging and trading agricultural products, fruits, food and drinks, and vegetables. Unlike markets on the mainland, trading goods are placed on boats, creating a unique and colorful scene. Each ship has a bamboo tree hanging on it, the typical items that the owner will sell to help customers easily recognize from afar.
- Location: Hai Ba Trung Street, Cai Rang District, Can Tho. 6km from the city center by road. Starting from Ninh Kieu Pier.
Garden tourism
In any season, especially in the summer, you will be taken around the gardens by dinghy, pick rambutans and mangosteens, and enjoy them right in the park.
- Location: Phong Dien Fruit Garden, 9 Hong Fruit Garden, Rach Ke Ecological Garden, My Khanh Fruit Garden, Vam Xang Fruit Garden, Ba Cong Fruit Garden, Ba Hiep Fruit Garden, Mr. Sau Duong Garden
Some other places, such as Ong Pagoda, Binh Thuy Ancient House, Bang Lang Stork Garden, Tay Do Night Market, and Southern Truc Lam Zen Monastery… are also places you should be aware of when traveling to Can Tho.
==> Read more: Top 18 exciting attractions in Southwest should not missed
Attractions in Southwest – An Giang tourism
An Giang is known as a sacred land with many mysterious anecdotes on Cam Mountain. This is also a land with many beautiful landscapes, such as Palmyra fields with straight stork wings, captivating any visitor who comes here.
Tra Su Melaleuca Forest
This is a particularly suitable place to visit during the flood season. After buying a ticket, a small boat (also known as a boat) will take you along the small canals, exploring the typical mangrove ecosystem west of the rich Hau River, with many species of flora and fauna. Rare. Occasionally, you will see flocks of white storks flying past, their calls echoing throughout a corner of the forest.
- Location: located about 30km Southwest of Chau Doc city and 64km Southwest of Long Xuyen city.
Chau Doc Market
This is a famous food market with many delicious An Giang dishes, especially fish sauce and tamarind. Entering the market, you will be overwhelmed by the aroma of specialties such as fish sauce hotpot, fish vermicelli, noodle soup, noodles…, and don’t forget to enjoy a cool glass of palmyra palm, a fruit. The typical sweetness of this region.
- Location: An Giang city center
Ta Pa Pagoda
The pagoda is located on a high mountain top; this is the most beautiful pagoda in An Giang province. The entire temple was built by monks and indigenous people, with many unique Khmer cultural, architectural works. Standing from here, you can admire the whole scenery of the peaceful and poetic Tri Ton district.
- Location: Nui To commune, Tri Ton district
Attractions in Southwest – Tinh Bien Market
The market is known as a paradise for all kinds of fish sauce. Tinh Bien Market is located adjacent to the Cambodian border. It is a large wholesale market in the Western region. Hence, the goods are cheap, and many unique and quality items are only available in some places.
- Location: 350 Xuan Hoa Hamlet, Tinh Bien Town, Tinh Bien District, An Giang
Cam Mountain tourist area
To serve tourists, the Cam Mountain tourist area is full of modern amenities such as cable cars and an indoor game area, especially the huge Maitreya Buddha statue – a sacred spiritual symbol of An province. Giang.
- Location: An Hao commune, Tinh Bien district, An Giang.
==> Read more: Suggested 13 MOST FASMOUS Attractions in Southwest
Attractions in Southwest – Dong Thap Tourism
From An Giang down to Dong Thap, the land is famous for the most considerable lotus output in the country, with vast flower villages. Here, visitors can experience the fishing life with many unique dishes.
Tram Chim National Park
This is home to many types of vertebrates, with 19 kinds of rare birds, dozens of fish species, and different plant species. October is the most ideal time to visit Tram Chim.
- Location: Tram Chim town, Tam Nong district, Dong Thap.
Attractions in Southwest – Sa Dec flower village
As an ideal place to visit for many people, especially during the Lunar New Year and New Year, Sa Dec Flower Village attracts tourists with its vast, brilliant, and fragrant flower fields. The flower garden grows many beautiful flowers such as raspberry daisies, gerbera daisies, petunias, auspicious flowers, marigolds, ten o’clock flowers, coconut flowers, purple evening primrose, pink willow, firecrackers,… Straight flower beds are tall and planted on a high platform; below is the water surface that flows in from the canals. You can wade barefoot or use a canoe in the high water season, creep into the flower beds that are blooming, and admire.
- Location: Tan Quy Dong commune, Sa Dec, Dong Thap, on the banks of Tien River with fertile alluvium all year round.
Xeo Quyt ecological area
Not located in the city center, this ecological area is still a famous tourist destination that many people visit every time they come to Dong Thap. Coming here, you will feel overwhelmed, lost in an ancient forest with a rich and lush mangrove system. There is also a dinghy here, so visitors can stroll around the garden, immersing themselves in the fresh, calm nature.
- Location: 30 km from Cao Lanh city center, along Highway 30, to the intersection of My Long Commune People’s Committee; turn left along Provincial Road 650 and go another 6km to reach the Xeo Quyt relic site.
==> Read more: Check in at exciting attractions in Southwest that should try once
Attractions in Southwest – Some other places to visit
In addition to An Giang, Dong Thap, and Can Tho, other provinces and cities also have many beautiful and symbolic tourist destinations of the Southwest region. Yourvietnam.org suggests a few more places for you to refer to!
Attractions in Southwest – Tan Lap Floating Village – Long An
Melaleuca forest is one of the most famous beauties of Tan Lap because of its pristine beauty that remains intact over the years. In addition, there are a number of other locations, such as Dong Thap Muoi, 7 Wonders of the World Park, Phuoc Tho Ancient Village, and Endless Field…
- Location: National Highway 62, Hamlet 3, Tan Lap commune, Moc Hoa district, Long An province
Xiem Can Pagoda – Soc Trang
The most beautiful and splendid Khmer pagoda in Bac Lieu with majesty and beautiful architecture. The difference in this temple is the sophistication and meticulousness in the architecture of each wall, roof, and pillar. The pagoda is an architectural complex with many items, clearly showing the traditional Angkor Khmer style, and all face East, leaving an unforgettable impression in the hearts of visitors.
- Location: 7km East of Bac Lieu city center in Bien Dong B hamlet, Vinh Thanh Dong Commune.
Attractions in Southwest – Pirate Island – Kien Giang
Also known as Ha Tien archipelago, Hai Tac island consists of 16 large and small islands. Coming here, you can freely immerse yourself in the vast blue beach and long white sand, participate in exciting beach games, or dive to see coral reefs with thousands of unique marine creatures. You can also experience a day of being a fisherman with activities such as squid and fish fishing at night, diving to catch oysters and snails, and going on a boat to see seafood with real fishermen. All are definitely memorable experiences.
- Location: 28km from Ha Tien coast and 40km from Phu Quoc island.
Attractions in Southwest – Bac Lieu Prince’s House
Speaking of Bac Lieu, it is impossible not to mention the anecdote about Ba Huy (Bac Lieu’s Prince), who was famous for his playboys. Traveling to Bac Lieu will only be complete if you visit the house of the Prince of Bac Lieu, witnessing with your own eyes the majestic architecture of the most prominent place in the 6 Western provinces at one time. The house has luxurious Western architecture built in 1917, with French design. As soon as you step in, you will be fascinated by the meticulous design lines, exuding a luxurious yet elegant and cozy look.
- Location: No. 13 Dien Bien Phu, Ward 3, Bac Lieu City, located next to the bank of Bac Lieu River.
Specialties that only the West has
Each piece of land is associated with delicious and attractive specialties. Yourvietnam.org suggests some delicious Western dishes you must try when traveling!
Western fish sauce noodle soup
Western fish sauce vermicelli is characterized by the broth made from fish sauce. Vermicelli is eaten with spring rolls, boiled meat, and some types of seafood such as shrimp, squid, mushrooms, etc., attracting visitors because the aroma of the broth blends powerfully with the flavor of other accompanying herbs.
Pan pancake
Western pancakes are 2-3 times larger than the palm of your hand. The thin, crispy layer of cake covers the filling made from mushrooms, meat, shrimp, carrots, and some other vegetables. To enjoy the full flavor, remember to enjoy this pancake with wild vegetables such as toad leaves, starfish, mango leaves, young plum leaves, perilla, basil…
Going market price cake
The cake is cylindrical and made from rice flour, shrimp, and bean sprouts. You should enjoy this cake while it’s still hot to feel the delicious taste of the crispy, greasy crust mixed with the sweetness of shrimp meat and the sour taste of mango sauce. Oh! Just thinking about it is hard to resist!
Snakehead fish soup
In the flood season, snakehead fish porridge is an indispensable typical dish of the lyrical river region. This is a dish full of nutrients, saves cooking time, and is suitable for unfavorable weather conditions. Porridge can be eaten with bitter vegetables or cooked with spinach to create an irresistible taste.
Through this article summarizing the whole experience of traveling to the West, Yourvietnam.org hopes that you have packed away the most necessary things for an upcoming memorable trip to visit the Mekong Delta.
