Dong Thap captivates visitors with its vibrant Sa Dec Flower Village, the year-round bird sanctuary of Tram Chim National Park, and a plethora of traditional craft villages.
This southern Vietnamese province also boasts a range of ecotourism spots, offering a unique blend of countryside charm and delectable local cuisine.
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| Tourists witness the traditional art of shawl weaving in Dong Thap Province, southern Vietnam. Photo: Dang Tuyet / Tuoi Tre |
A Wealth of Traditional Craft Villages
Dong Thap takes pride in its numerous craft villages, recognized as national heritage sites. These include the Long Khanh A Commune in Hong Ngu District, renowned for its shawl weaving; the mat weaving craft village in Lap Vo District; and the boat-making village in Lai Vung District.
Other notable craft villages are the nem (fermented pork) making village in Lai Vung and the Sa Dec rice-flour village, where the famous Vietnamese delicacy is crafted.
These villages showcase the ingenuity of past generations, who adapted to their natural surroundings to develop these unique crafts. Today, the younger generation is dedicated to preserving and promoting these traditional craft values.
According to Huynh Thanh Chon, deputy head of the Hong Ngu District Culture and Information Division, the Long Khanh A shawl weaving village is home to sixty-two households, producing approximately two million items annually for the local market.
The village’s artisans skillfully create shawls, striped scarves, ao ba ba (a traditional southern garment), ao dai (Vietnamese national dress), hats, and handbags.
Since its recognition as a national intangible cultural heritage site in 2023, the village has attracted many local and international tourists, curious to witness the ancient art of weaving.
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| Tram Chim National Park, a bird-watcher’s paradise in Dong Thap Province. Photo: Dang Tuyet / Tuoi Tre |
A Splash of Color and a Symphony of Birds
When it comes to Dong Thap, two iconic attractions come to mind: the Sa Dec flower village and Tram Chim National Park.
In January, leading up to the Lunar New Year, the flower village is a bustling hub of activity as farmers tend to their vibrant flower gardens, ensuring they are in full bloom for the biggest holiday of the year.
A visit to the village is a feast for the senses, with a myriad of colorful ornamental flowers and the sweet fragrance of blossoms filling the air.
Tram Chim National Park, on the other hand, is a bird-watcher’s paradise. With countless bird species, including year-round residents like storks, and fresh air, the park offers a peaceful and relaxing escape.
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| Tu Ton Rose Garden, a fragrant attraction in Sa Dec City, Dong Thap Province. Photo: Dang Tuyet / Tuoi Tre |
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| Dong Thap’s specialties: Lotus tea and steamed lotus seeds. Photo: Dang Tuyet / Tuoi Tre |
The Culinary Delights of Dong Thap
Dong Thap’s ecotourism sites provide a unique rural experience, coupled with a chance to indulge in the region’s mouthwatering specialties.
The province is famous for roasted rat, banh xeo (Vietnamese savory crepe), folk cakes, lau mam (fermented fish hotpot), and braised fish with pepper.
Some of the must-visit ecotourism areas to sample these delights include Tu Ton Rose Garden, My Phuoc Thanh Tourist Area, and Hoang Hao Garden Ecotourism Site.
In 2024, Dong Thap welcomed approximately 4.3 million tourists, including 39,000 international visitors, generating VND2.2 trillion (US$85 million) in tourism revenue.
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| Dong Thap’s local specialties, a culinary attraction. Photo: Dang Tuyet / Tuoi Tre |
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| The serene ambiance of My Phuoc Thanh Tourist Area at night, Dong Thap Province. Photo: Dang Tuyet / Tuoi Tre |
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| Tourists explore a renowned temple in Dong Thap Province. Photo: Dang Tuyet / Tuoi Tre |
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