Dong Thap is a province located in the southern part of Vietnam, within the Mekong Delta region and shares a border with Cambodia. This region is well-known for its picturesque landscapes, including lush rice fields along serene canals, pristine forests, and charming lotus lakes. Apart from its stunning natural beauty, Dong Thap also offers a wide range of fascinating tourist destinations that are sure to entice all travel enthusiasts. In this article, we will explore the top 8 most alluring Dong Thap tourist attractions.
Sa Dec Flower Village
Sa Dec Flower Village is a must-visit destination for every tourist to Dong Thap. Spanning over 500 hectares, it is one of the largest flower villages in the Mekong Delta and Southern Vietnam. This place started as a traditional ornamental flower village. But now it has become a home for over 1,900 households and more than 2,000 species of flowers and ornamental plants.
Situated between two rivers, Tien and Sa Dec, the 100-year-old flower village is renowned for its colorful flowers growing on trellises. To explore the village, visitors can enjoy wading or canoeing in the waters surrounding the village.
In addition to the indigenous Vietnamese flowers, this village also cultivates a wide variety of imported and hybrid flowers. While the village is full of flowers year-round, the best time to visit it is during the days leading up to Tet holiday (before December 23rd) as most of flowers will bloom at that time. Sa Dec Flower Village is just 3 kilometers from the center of Sa Dec and can be reached by both road and waterways.
Huynh Thuy Le Ancient House
Another fascinating attraction in Dong Thap that reflects the development history of this region is the Huynh Thuy Le Ancient House. This house is located in a bustling shopping area along the Sa Dec River. It was built in 1895 and has undergone restoration to create a harmonious blend of Eastern and Western architecture.
In particular, this house is also associated with the border-crossing love story of Mr. Huynh Thuy Le and the French female writer – Marguerite Duras. The three-room house covers a total area of 258 square meters and has a grand façade resembling a French villa with a Chinese-style interior. In particular, the roof, thick brick walls, flower bricks, door arches, gilded interior and Renaissance-style carvings are the noteworthy features of this 100-year-old house. Many of the materials used during the 1917 restoration were directly imported from France, adding to the allure of the house.
Today, the Huynh Thuy Le Ancient House still exudes its ancient and mysterious beauty from the 20th century. To explore this remarkable attraction further, visitors can book a tour to visit the whole house and even stay overnight.
Sa Dec Flour Village
Dong Thap is not just known as the rice and flower field of the Southwest region, but it is also home to a centuries-old traditional flour-making village named Sa Dec. This village is situated along the Sa Dec river, stretching across 5 wards of this city.
The flour produced in this village is renowned for its pure white color, smooth texture, and unique taste. The fresh water from the Tien and Sa Dec rivers make a big contribution to the high quality of this flour. When you visit this attraction, you can learn about the flour production process of the locals, have the opportunity to make your own flour, and savor the famous flour-based dishes of Sa Dec.
Xeo Quyt Tourist Area – Natural Dong Thap tourist attraction
Xeo Quyt is a popular ecotourism destination and historical site in Dong Thap. It is about 30 km away from Cao Lanh in the Southwest region. Visitors to Xeo Quyt are often captivated by the beautiful natural scenery and the preserved war zone situated deep in the canals that lead to the primeval forest.
Apart from the forests and historical relics, Xeo Quyt is also a conservation area that is home to more than 170 species of plants and 200 species of wild animals, many of which are protected under the Red Book of Vietnam. The area spans more than 50 hectares, and to fully explore Xeo Quyt and nearby attractions in Dong Thap, it is recommended to spend at least 2 days and 1 night.
Xeo Quyt is a great place to visit year-round, but the best time to come here is from September to November when Dong Thap is in the floating season. During this time, the canals, ponds, and lakes are full of water, green trees and birds are abundant, making it an ideal time for birdwatchers and nature lovers.
Phuoc Kien Pagoda
Compared to other pagodas in Dong Thap, Phuoc Kien Pagoda’s architecture is not very unique or exceptional. However, pilgrims love this Dong Thap tourist spot because of its lake filled with king lotus that has super-giant leaves. Due to this feature, the pagoda is also known as La Sen (Lotus Leaf) Pagoda.
The pagoda dates back to the Nguyen Dynasty and was completely reconstructed in 1975 after being destroyed by war. The pagoda grounds include the entrance gate, the main hall, and the Buddha tower. The highlight of the pagoda is its square lotus pond, established in 1992. The lotus species growing in the pond is rare in Southeast Asia.
The lotus leaves in the pond can grow up to 4 meters in diameter and 5 centimeters in height from the water surface. They can support up to 80 kilograms. To witness the most beautiful and abundant lotus leaves, visit this pagoda during the floating season, which is from August to November.
Dong Sen Thap Muoi Tourist Area
It’s a regrettable mistake to talk about Dong Thap’s tourist attractions without visiting Dong Sen Thap Muoi. This place is in a serene countryside area, about 39 kilometers from the city center. It includes 11 hectares of ponds and lakes filled with pink lotuses, surrounded by vast rice fields. That’s why the atmosphere at Dong Sen Thap Muoi is always refreshing and cool.
Visitors can experience the rustic lifestyle of the Southwest region by rowing boats to pick lotuses, catch fish, or take pictures in the immense lotus fields when coming here. The lotus dishes are a must-try here. Don’t miss out on the lotus rice rolls, lotus salad, grilled field mouses, steamed snails with pepper and lotus flowers.
If you want to see the most beautiful lotus, visit during the floating season (August – November). The weather is exceptionally cool at this time, and lotus flowers bloom everywhere, covering the entire pond. There are plenty of hotels near Dong Sen Thap Muoi, so you don’t have to worry about accommodations.
Tram Chim National Park
Tram Chim National Park is a must-see for nature enthusiasts. Covering over 7,000 hectares across 7 communes, this place is a miniature representation of the ecosystem in Dong Thap Muoi. It’s also one of the top 4 largest wetland conservation areas in Vietnam.
This park is home to 130 plant species, 233 water bird species, 40 fish species, and 100 vertebrate species. The water bird system alone makes up 25% of bird species in Vietnam, including many rare species like the red-crowned crane.
Just like Xeo Quyt, Tram Chim National Park is at its most stunning during the floating season from August to November. During this time, water lilies fully bloom, covering all the ponds and lakes, and birds are in their breeding season. This season is also perfect for Western-style activities like rowing dinghy, catching field mice, harvesting rice, and spreading fish nets.
Date-palm Garden
The Date-palm Garden is a new and popular destination for nature lovers visiting Dong Thap. Located on the same road as Sa Dec Flower Village, this garden is home to more than 200 10-year-old date palms imported from Cambodia. It is 4000 square meters so visitors can easily explore the entire garden in half a day.
The best time to come here is during the two summer months, particularly from mid-April, when the trees are at their most magnificent, resembling those in Arabian stories. It is therefore advisable to arrange transportation and book a hotel in Sa Dec well in advance in order to enjoy the date-palm season.
After visiting, you can also enjoy the dates right at the garden or buy some dried dates to bring back as a gift. A visit to the Date-palm Garden is quite affordable with a ticket price of only 20,000 VND.
Above are the 8 most famous Dong Thap tourist attractions. With its cultural and natural attractions, Dong Thap promises an unforgettable travel experience for all. So, if you’re planning a trip to Vietnam, or want to go somewhere outside of Ho Chi Minh City, be sure to stop by Dong Thap to immerse yourself in the beauty and splendor of this enchanting province.
Read more Dong Thap travel guides:
- Dong Thap Travel Guide: Best Advice for First-Time Visitors
- Discover the Irresistible 9 Dong Thap Local Food
