While you are planning for a perfect vacation in the Mekong Delta, Vietnam by yourself, Dong Thap will deserve to be placed in your list thanks to its rustic and serene charms. To get more information and things to know before packing and starting your journey, Dong Thap Travel Guide is always your companion.
When to Visit Dong Thap
It’s true to say that Dong Thap of the Mekong Delta is attracting enough to convince any globetrotters and even domestic travelers. Dong Thap is so fantastic that it can be visited any season all year round, but for gourmets who wish to enjoy as many local delicacies as possible, the floating season from the 8th to the 11th lunar month is the best time. Also, there will be lots of surprises this season brings back, so read Dong Thap Travel Guide to plan a perfect trip before you go at once.
How to Get to Dong Thap from Ho Chi Minh City
It’s just about 160 kilometers from Ho Chi Minh City to Cao Lanh City – Dong Thap Province, so you can reach there by either motorbike or bus.
– Motorbike: move along National Route 1, pass by Long An Province &Tien Giang Province. At the intersection of An Huu, turn right to National Route 30, and go straight to the city of Cao Lanh. It may take you about 4 hours to hit the destination.
– Bus:
+ Phuong Trang Bus Line:
- Departure: Mien Tay Bus Station – 395 An Duong Vuong Street, An Lac Ward, Binh Tan District
- Arrival: Cao Lanh Bus Station – 71/1 Ly Thuong Kiet Street, Ward 2, Cao Lanh City
- Bus fare: VND 100,000/one-way ticket. Tel: 1900 6067
+ Hue Nghia Bus Line:
- Departure: 11 Le Dai Hanh Street, District 11
- Arrival: Cao Lanh Bus Station
- Bus fare: VND 120,000/one-way ticket. Tel: 1900 969681
+ Quoc Hoang Bus Line:
- Departure: 53 Pham Huu Tri Street, Ward 12, District 5
- Arrival: 62 National Route 30, My Phu Ward, Cao Lanh City
- Bus fare: VND 90,000/one-way ticket. Tel: 803 955 1472.
– If you prefer a more convenient way to travel to Dong Thap Province and also explore more destinations, a tour to the Mekong Delta from some travel agent or tour operator in Ho Chi Minh City is surely what you are looking for. Just ask what places are included before deciding whether to buy the tour or not.
Where to Stay in Dong Thap
When having a trip to Dong Thap, you can choose an accommodation in Sa Dec City or Cao Lanh City since both of them are the most central positions of the province. An alternative is to stay overnight at Tram Chim National Park, very convenient for sightseeing next morning – Tel: 067 3827 307
Take a glance at some following accommodation recommendations:
- Cat Moc Hostel: 82 Ton Duc Thang Street, Sa Dec City. Price from VND400,000/night
- Thanh Gai Hostel: 45 Sa Nhien Street, Quy Dong Ward, Sa Dec City. Price from VND150,000/night
- Thanh Cong Hotel: 279 Provincial Route 848, Sa Dec City. Price from VND250,000/night
- Huong Sen Hotel: 18 Vo Truong Toan Street, Cao Lanh City. Price from VND600,000/night
- Mong Yen Hotel: 786 Pham Huu Cau Street, Cao Lanh City. Price from VND200,000/night
- Huynh Duc Hotel: 1 Ngo Thoi Nhiem Street, Cao Lanh City. Price from VND200,000/night
- Kim Le Hotel: 260 Ton Duc Thang Street, Cao Lanh City. Price from VND250,000/night
Best Places to visit in Dong Thap
Xeo Quyt Eco-Tourism Site
Xeo Quyt is locally known as one of the most famous historical and ecological sites in the Mekong Delta. A visit to the site enables you to admire the lush green cajuput forest especially by a local wooden sampan. While soaking up the fresh air and cool breeze from the forest, you are told Vietnamese people’s proud stories happening during the wartime. Apart from those activities, it’s also a chance to taste food which once saved lives of many guerillas in the past.
Address: My Long Commune, Cao Lanh District, Dong Thap Province.
Gao Giong Eco-Tourism Park
Gao Giong used to be a harsh and inhospitable land full of alum where there was no species found. Nevertheless, the local authority determined to reclaim the land and turn it into a beautiful eco-tourism park. Today, the park has received thousands of visitors every year. It’s not only the place of enchanting landscapes, but also has a rich diversity of flora and fauna species. It’s sure that you’ll find out the charm of peace and tranquility there.
Address: Gao Giong Commune, Cao Lanh District, Dong Thap Province.
Tan Quy Dong Flower Village
As the biggest flower village in the Mekong Delta, Tan Quy Dong is the provider of flowers to regions nearby. If you want to witness the most magnificent image of the village, it’s highly recommended that you should visit it at the end of year when locals are preparing for Tet Holiday – the biggest holiday in Vietnam. By that time, numerous species of flowers are in full bloom, actually great to become a perfect background for your photos.
Address: Tan Quy Dong Commune, Sa Dec City
Huynh Thuy Le Ancient House
This is an ancient house of Mr. Huynh Thuy Le – one of the richest merchants in Sa Dec; he was once the lover of Marguerite Duras – a French author. The house is indeed a harmonious mix of French and Vietnamese architectural styles, and everything inside has still been preserved carefully. Because of the house’s special design and the love story behind it, there are up to hundreds of visitors to it every day.
Address: 255A Nguyen Hue Street, Ward 2, Sa Dec City
Tram Chim National Park
Tram Chim is blessed with the unique and diverse ecosystem, including Red-crown Crane – a rare species in the world. Also, anyone who visits this site will get excited to see different species of flora varying according to seasons. It’s fantastic to move through corners of the park as if you get dipped in the wildlife.
Address: Phu Hiep Commune, Tam Nong District.
Lai Vung Mandarin Garden
It’s with great regret that you miss out a visit to Lai Vung Mandarin Garden while you have a Dong Thap trip. Why? It’s because Lai Vung is referred to as the biggest mandarin garden in the Mekong Delta. Nobody can resist the prospective in which countless of ripe mandarins hang on green trees. More than that is a try of sweet mandarin juice right at the garden.
Address: Lai Vung Town, Lai Vung District.
Where to eat in Dong Thap
If you’re not only a globetrotter, but also a gourmet, 10 following places to eat for a trip to Dong Thap – the Mekong Delta must definitely be put in your bucket list.
- A Hien Restaurant – Price from VND30,000 – VND130,000
Address: 193-195 Dien Bien Phu Street, My Phu Ward, Cao Lanh City
Tel: 01688 972 900
- Thuy Food Stall
Address: 439 Hung Vuong Street, Ward 1, Sa Dec Town
Tel: 0979 861 644
- Hoi Quan Bia Saigon
There is a wide selection of luscious specialties, such as roasted paddy rat, dishes with buffalo meat, poultry, and snake
Address: No.1 Ham Nghi Street, Cao Lanh
- Cao Lanh Night Market
The market is surely an ideal place to find out plenty of local delicacies, but it also lets you to immerse into unique items, e.g. souvenirs.
Address: Pham Huu Lau Street, Ward 6, Cao Lanh City
- Ba Tam Restaurant
Address: 53 Pham Huu Lau Street, Ward 4, Cao Lanh City
Tel: 0277 385 1599
- Phu Thanh Restaurant
Address: 75 Tran Hung Dao Street, Ward 2, Sa Dec City
- Dam Sen Food-court
Address: 74 – 76 Tran Quang Dieu Street, My Phu Ward, Cao Lanh City
Tel: 0918 107 132
- Tay Viet Restaurant
Address: 29 Pham Huu Lau Street, Cao Lanh City
Tel: 067 3881 395
- A Au Restaurant
Address: 42 Ly Thuong Kiet Street, Cao Lanh City
- Ngoc Mai Restaurant
Address: National Route 80, An Nhon Commune, Chau Thanh District
