Mekong Delta Vs. Red River Delta

The Mekong and Red Rivers are deltas that positively impact the daily lives of Vietnamese people. In addition to providing large amounts of nutrients to the land, they also bring many other economic benefits, especially for the tourism industry. This article will provide information about the two largest agricultural areas in the country and tourist attractions that are always mentioned in the Vietnam holiday packages. Do not miss the list of “must-go” places when visiting them!

Overview On Mekong Delta

Located in the Southernmost region of Vietnam, the Mekong Delta is also known by the people as the Southwest or the West. This delta is considered one of the country’s two major granaries because of its fertile alluvial soil formed over thousands of years from the river’s flow of the same name. The area of more than 40,577 square kilometers is home to more than 21.55 million people and is considered one of the most populated areas in Vietnam. Most of the land is cultivated in rice fields, perennial industrial crops, and seafood farms.

The fertility has turned the place into a “biological treasure,” home to more than 1,000 species of plants and animals, including species considered extinct, such as the Lao rock rat. Most of the area is bordered by the sea, so it also has problems with coastal erosion and salinity affecting the ecosystem. However, these also give it a unique cultural, culinary, customs, and natural diversity.

Overview On Red River Delta

The Hong River Delta, located in northern Vietnam, is the country’s second rice granary, along with the Mekong Delta. This area is hollow and flat, formed by the same river, and connected to the Thai Binh River. Its total area is the smallest at about 15,000 square kilometers, but it has a high population density of about 22 million people. Alluvial-rich soil is the basis for green growth here, promoting crop diversification. The Red River Delta is estimated to account for 20% of the country’s crop area. Even in 2004, UNESCO designated it a Biosphere Reserve, part of its Man and the Biosphere Programme.

Of which, the majority of the land area is rice cultivation; as a result, the delta is surrounded by a solid dyke system. In addition, residents here make a living by aquaculture, mangrove forestry, and port construction. However, overexploitation also leads to many environmental problems, putting pressure on the ecosystems of many animals and plants and destroying nature.

Mekong Delta Vs. Red River Delta

Beauty

The Vietnam holiday packages suggest visiting the Mekong Delta from November to February, the beginning of the dry season. Currently, the plain is covered with green forests and rice fields suitable for outdoor activities. Tourists can experience bustling commercial areas mixed with quiet countryside, wander fragrant rice fields, or learn about local people’s farming. Movement in this area depends heavily on waterways, such as boats, ships, rafts, or large baskets. Thanks to that, visitors can complete a trip to the floating market, admiring the floating houses or the green mangrove forests surrounding the road.

Spring is the best time to visit the Hong River Delta because the weather is good, and you can participate in traditional festivals. This place welcomes visitors with majestic high mountains covered with ancient tropical forests, home to many rare animals. In traditional craft villages, you can also easily learn handicrafts, such as silk production, wooden furniture, or pottery. Besides, enjoying local cuisine and participating in folk games such as rowing and water puppetry are all pieces of the puzzle that create experiential tourism in this area.

Destinations

Mekong Delta

The Mekong Delta stretches across more than 12 provinces and 1 city, with each place having interesting destinations that give visitors unique experiences, such as:

• An Giang: Ba Chua Xu Temple, Cam Mountain, Tra Su Melaleuca Forest, Basa fish monument (Chau Doc City)
• Ben Tre: Quy Hillock, Phung Hillock, craft villages (My Long Rice Paper, Son Doc Pong Cake, and Phuoc Tuy weaving), Binh Dai beach
• Ca Mau: Dat Mui, Ngoc Hien Bird Sanctuary, Silver Rock, Khai Long Beach
  Can Tho: Ninh Kieu Wharf, Cai Rang Floating Market, Binh Thuy Ancient House
• Dong Thap: Sa Dec flower village, Huynh Thuy Le ancient house, Sa Dec flower village, Xeo Quyt tourist area, La Sen pagoda, Tram Chim National Park
• Hau Giang: Aranhut Pagoda, Nga Bay Floating Market, Tu Sang Bamboo Road, Reed Field Bridge
• Kien Giang: Suoi Tranh, Dinh Cau, Bai Sao
• Long An: Tan Lap Floating Village, Hundred Pillar Ancient House, Phuoc Loc Tho Ancient Village, Endless Field Ecotourism Area, Lang Sen Wetland Reserve
• Soc Trang: Chau Doc floating market, Khmer pagoda, Bat pagoda, Khleang pagoda
• Tien Giang: Dong Tam Snake Farm, Vinh Trang Pagoda, Cai Be Floating Market & Fruit Plantation, Thoi Son Islet
• Tra Vinh: Ba Dong Beach, Huynh Kha Ecotourism Area, Tan Quy Islet, Khmer Museum, Ba Om Lake
• Vinh Long: Brickyard, Tra On Floating Market, My Thuan Bridge, Khmer Pu Ly Pagoda, Temple Of Literature

Red River Delta

On the other hand, the Red River Delta, considered the gateway to Northern Vietnam, stretches across 11 provinces and cities. They all have advanced infrastructure, conveniently intersecting by road, waterway, air, and railway. Tourist attractions in any Vietnam holiday packages that can make your trip more memorable include:

• Bac Ninh: Ba Chua Kho Temple, Do Temple, Dong Ho Folk Painting Village, Phat Tich Pagoda, Luy Lau Ancient Citadel
• Hai Duong: Con Son Relic and Scenic Area, Con Son Pagoda, Well of Jade, Kiep Bac Temple, Kinh Chu Pagoda
• Hai Phong: Do Son Beach, Lan Ha Bay, Island (Bach Long Vy, Cat Ba, Long Chau), Voi Mountain
• Ha Nam: Bat Canh Son, Ba Danh Pagoda, Tam Chuc Complex, Tien Ong Temple
• Hanoi: Hanoi Opera House, Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, One Pillar Pagoda, Temple Of Literature (Quoc Tu Giam), The Old Quarter
• Hung Yen: Chu Dong Tu Temple, Phuc Lam Pagoda, Cao Thon Incense Village, Cuc Chi Flower Field, Thu Sy Wicker Craft Village
• Nam Dinh: Bui Chu Cathedral, Phu Day Relic, Tran Temple Complex, Xuan Thuy National Park
• Ninh Binh: Hoa Lu Ancient Capital, Tam Coc-Bich Dong caves, Trang An Scenic Landscape Complex
• Quang Ninh: Bach Dang historical relic, Cua Ong Temple, Ha Long Bay, Yen Tu Pagoda
• Thai Binh: Bach Thuan Garden Village, Dong Chau Sea, Dong Xam Silver Carving Village, Hoi Mat Weaving Craft Village
• Vinh Phuc: Son Doong Village, Tay Thien Zen Monastery

Is The Mekong River’s Delta The Greatest?

According to rankings compiled by Static GK, the Mekong Delta is only ranked second in the list of the 10 largest deltas in the world, with an area of nearly 60,000 square kilometers. Its coverage includes a dense network of canals and dykes. Topping this list is the Ganges-Brahmaputra Delta, located between Bangladesh and India, with 100,000 square kilometers.

Meanwhile, the Mekong River basin is the 12th largest in the world and drains six countries: Cambodia, China, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam. Therefore, it is essential to ensure food security for Southeast Asia and Vietnam.

Conclusion

Despite their vast differences in total area and population density, both deltas offer abundant food. They also support the formation of cultures and customs, are home to many plants and animals, and support the conservation of natural areas. Any Vietnam holiday packages related to the Mekong and Red River Delta offers a multi-dimensional experience, with all kinds of exciting activities, whether on land or water, from modern to past, etc., for tourists to spend their downtime.

Vietnam Fast Tours

“Spare your time, Florish your travel”, Vietnam Fast Tours provide fully private personalized holiday packages at highgest quality services. As a local tour operator based in Vietnam, the company offers wide range of travel styles from family hoildays, adventure tours, beach vacation, honeymoon tours to luxury spa & wellness holiday to Southeast Asia. With Vietnam Fast Tours, the clients will experience Southeast Asia in their own way.