The Mekong experiences

 Orchard tour: Summer is the season of tropical fruits and the delta is definitely the place for that. Many orchards are open for visitors and you just buy an entrance ticket to enjoy the feast as much as you like. 

Photo: Nexagro/Zing

 Canal exploration: A journey on a small boat through the delta’s thick canals will help one understand how life is like here. 

Photo: Buoc Chan Khong Moi/Zing

 Candy: Coconut candy is a specialty of Ben Tre Province, where there are factories that let tourists observe the whole process from collecting coconuts to cooking. 

Photo: Linh San/Zing

 Dirty hands: Tourists can try catching fish from a muddy pond like a local. 

Photo: Linh San/Zing

 Birds watching: The Mekong Delta now has around 30 bird gardens in Tien Giang, Ben Tre, Vinh Long, Tra Vinh, Dong Thap, Can Tho, An Giang, Ca Mau and Kien Giang, which are home to many beautiful and some rare species.

 Into the sea: Kien Giang is popular thanks to beautiful beaches, with destinations like Phu Quoc and Ha Tien. There are other less known, and thus less crowded options in other Mekong provinces such as Ben Tre and Tien Giang. 

Photo: Salinda/Zing

 Island expedition: Nam Du, Hai Tac and Mong Tay off Kien Giang Province are some favorite islands among young travelers. Most are loved for beautiful and pristine beaches, and delicious seafood. 

Photo: Phong Vu Nam Du/Zing

 Flower gardens: Sa Dec Town in Dong Thap Province is one of the biggest flower suppliers in the country. Many gardens are built on shallow ponds. 

Photo: Nguyen Huu/Thanh Nien

Flooded forest: The Mekong Delta bucket list should include a boat tour around Tra Su, a famous flooded reserve with a large cajeput forest in An Giang Province. The place is peaceful enough you can even hear the sounds of bird chirping and fish swimming. 

Photo: Huu Trong Nguyen/Zing 

Sleeping afloat: Many tourism companies have provided overnight stay at the floating fishing village in Chau Doc, An Giang. 

Photo: Vinh Thong/Zing 

 Monsoon delicacies: Summer rains offer a great time for food in the Mekong Delta as many specialties such as "dien dien" (Sesbania sesban) flowers and white fish, like "linh" (pictured) are most available in flooded water. Roasted field rats is another popular option as they are easier to catch during this season. 

Photo: Huynh Hang/Zing

 Lotus pond: Bung Binh Thien is a natural lotus pond well known in An Giang Province. Bung Binh Thien, which means “the lake from the sky,” is blessed with both breathtaking landscape and a rich culture nurtured by Cham people. Tourists to the lake can sail out and join locals to pull fishing nets or collect lotus and dien dien flowers. 

Photo: An Huynh/Zing

 Holy stop: Almost any province in the delta has several temples that are crowded with pilgrims. 

Photo: Bat from Hell/Zing

Floating market: The markets usually meet around two to six hours a day, mostly selling fresh produce like fruit, vegetables and home-raised animals. Each boat advertises its merchandise by raising a pole with that product. The most famous floating markets are Cai Be in Tien Giang, Phung Hiep in Hau Giang, Chau Doc in An Giang, and Cai Rang and Phong Dien in Can Tho. 

Photo: Nguyen Quang/Zing