Dong Thap Province Travel Guide
Located in the Mekong River Delta, Dong Thap province shares a border with Cambodia. Thanks to its fertile alluvial soil, the province provides the country with rice, fish and fruits, including mango, longan, and coconut. Dong Thap is endowed with many natural attractions, such as lotus and water lilies that bloom at sunrise and sunset.
The capital province is officially Sa Dec, but the main town is Cao Lanh. In Sa Dec, flower farms and the Tam Qui Dong flower gardens to be visited. Flowers are transported on barges and boats on the complex network of rivers and canals, and seeing a barge loaded with colorful flowers is well worth it. At Cao Lanh, Hoa Long pagoda is famous for housing the tomb of Nguyen Sinh Sac, Ho Chi Minh’s father.
Attractions in the province include bird grounds (Tam Nong and Tram Chim) with red-headed cranes, listed as an endangered species; Nodol pagoda; and Dong Thap Muoi (Plain of Reeds) swamp forest. Landmarks of the Go Thap Archaeological area are the Doc Binh Kieu temple, the 19th century Co Tu tower and the Ba Chua Xu temple. Do not leave the province before tasting the canh chua, a sour soup made with fish from the Mekong river, and the so dua flower.
Dong Thap province is 160kms (100 miles) southwest Ho Chi Minh city and is accessible by road only.