The Mekong Delta is the richest agricultural region of Vietnam. It is called the "bowl of Asia" as enough rice is produced not only to feed Vietnamese but also to export abroad. In the 19th century French people saw the potential of the area and pushed (harshly) for its development. In 75, Pol Pot tried to invade the delta claiming it as a Khmer territory. So Vietnamese had to defend this strategic area, straight after the end of the Vietnam war, and invaded Cambodia. It eventually led to Pol Pot terrible regime's fall.
People in the delta enjoy a very hot climate, three rice harvest a year, plenty of fruits and were never hungry even in the worst time of Vietnam recent history. Communication was mainly done by using the canals. Recently roads have improved and bridges have been built. The Mekong floods every year and roads maintenance is not easy. Floating markets where people from villages come to sell their goods are beautiful to see. From the market, goods are put in vans to go to bigger cities like Saigon.
We were surprised how much this area is densely populated and extremely busy! Environmental consciousness has not arrived yet in Vietnam and rubbish is just thrown away in the water...
We stopped in a few restaurants with special delicacies on the menu: crocodile (farmed on the premises), snake and rats...in the North they also eat dogs. Sometimes Vietnamese cuisine is just too diverse:-)
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| What you sell is on the mast. |
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| Women are captains too! |
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| Cooking rice pancakes |
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| Lotus flower |
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