Dong Thap Travel Guide
Dong Thap is one of the Mekong delta provinces in the south of Vietnam and has long been famous for having picturesque landscapes in the season of floating water, especially the beautiful lotus flower which has become the symbol of this land. A Vietnam tour package to Mekong delta from Ho Chi Minh city normally include the floating market of Cai Be in Vinh Long, Cai Rang in Can Tho or the boat trip in Ben Tre, but if tourists want to explore Mekong delta in depth, Dong Thap should be on list.
How to get there
By road: Dong Thap is about 170 km from Ho Chi Minh City, if you get there by private car, it will take around 4 hours and it is possible to stop on the way to visit the attractions of Mekong delta in Vinh Long or Can Tho.
By plane: There is no airport in Dong Thap, but Can Tho - the neighboring province has an airport and it is convenient to flight to this airport from Phu Quoc, Hanoi or Danang.
Note: Dong Thap has 2 international border gates named Thường Phước and Dinh Bà where tourists can cross the border to Cambodia or get in.
Best time to visit Dong Thap
The best time to visit Dong Thap is within the season of floating water from September to November when tourists can see busy life of people on floating water, lots of birds, flowers and have chance to taste delicious dishes during this special season.
Things to see in Dong Thap
Dong Thap is proud of having numerous tourist attractions, including 12 national historical and cultural heirtages, flower market, national park, etc. With a private Vietnam tour package, tourists will not miss anything when visiting Dong Thap. Below are the highlights of this province suggested by Holiday to Indochina.
Tram Chim National Park: Established in 1999, This is a famous Ramsar of Vietnam that preserves more than 100 vertebrates, 40 species of fish, 147 rare and precious species of birds, especially the red head cranes (in red book). If tourists come to Tram Chim National Park, it is possible to book a boat trip to explore this lowest land of Mekong delta.
Gao Gong bird sanctuary: An interesting place to visit by boat to discover the green island of Gao Gong where tourists have chance to discover the ecosystem, especially storks here.
Sa Dec flower market: This is a must - visit market during your Vietnam travel in Dong Thap. Thanks to favorable climate and fertile soil, some villages of Sa Dec plant flowers all year round and tourists can see all kinds of beautiful flowers in Sa Dec flower market.
Xeo Quyt base: The base used in the " Vietnam war", having secret ground cellars hidden in the primative cajuput forests. Blessed with beautiful nature and historical values, Xeo Quyt base becomes a spotlight of any Vietnam tour package to Dong Thap.
Go Thap: This is a special tourist site, having historical and cultural discoveries about the Oc Eo culture and the lost Fu Nan kingdom that existed 1500 years ago.
Other places: Kien An Cung pagoda with unqiue Chinese architecture or Huynh Thuy Le ancient house will be also ncie places to visit when in Dong Thap.
Accomodation in Dong Thap
Your Vietnam tour operator will take care of your hotel in Dong Thap as they know the best hotels that suit your needs and budget. However, if you travel to Dong Thap on your own, Huong Sen hotel, Bong Hong hotel, Hoa Binh hotel, Kim Le hotel are our suggestion.