What to do in Dong Thap – Top things to do in Dong Thap

With its vast expanse on both sides of the Tien River, Dong Thap is famous for its lush rice fields running alongside peaceful canals, pristine forests, and fragrant lotus ponds. Not only renowned for its vibrant nature, this southwestern region of Vietnam also boasts many fascinating travel destinations for adventure enthusiasts. Let’s explore SOHA Tourist’s list of What to do in Dong Thap!

What to do in Dong Thap – Top things to do in Dong Thap

Sa Dec Flower Village

Sa Dec Flower Village is a must-visit destination in Dong Thap for every travel enthusiast. Spanning over 500 hectares, it stands as one of the largest flower gardens in Southern Vietnam and the entire Mekong Delta. Originally a traditional ornamental flower village, Sa Dec has evolved into a communal home for over 1,900 households and boasts more than 2,000 species of flowers and ornamental plants.

Surrounded by the fertile Tien and Sa Đec rivers, enriched with alluvial soil, the 100-year-old Sa Dec Flower Village is synonymous with vibrant clusters of colorful flowers growing on trellises above water channels. Visitors to the flower village can experience water wading or take a boat to explore the gardens.

In addition to native Vietnamese flower varieties, the village cultivates numerous imported or hybrid species. Any season is beautiful here, but the ideal time to visit is around the Lunar New Year (before the 23rd of the twelfth lunar month). Located just about 3 km from downtown Sa Đéc, you can easily reach this destination by both road and waterway.

Huynh Thuy Le Ancient House 

Alongside Sa Dec Flower Village, the ancient house of Huynh Thuy Le stands out as another captivating attraction in Dong Thap, deeply intertwined with the region’s historical development. Constructed in 1895 in the bustling trading area along the Sa Đec River, this house has undergone renovations, blending harmoniously between Eastern and Western architectural styles.

Notably, this site is also associated with a cross-border love story between Huynh Thuy Le and the French writer Marguerite Duras. This three-winged house spans 258 square meters, featuring a grand facade reminiscent of a French villa and an interior styled in Chinese fashion. The house boasts thick brick walls, decorative tiled roofs, arched doorways, ornate gold-gilded furnishings, and Renaissance-style carvings, all contributing to the unique charm of this century-old residence.

Notably, many of the materials used in the 1917 renovation were imported directly from France. To this day, the Huynh Thuy Le ancient house still retains its pristine beauty from the 20th century. If you want to explore this structure further, you can book a tour of the ancient house and even stay one night at this famous residence.

Sa Dec flour village

Not only known for its rice fields and flower gardens in the Southwest of Vietnam, Đong Thap also boasts a traditional flour-making village with a history spanning hundreds of years. Situated along the Sa Dec River, the flour village is concentrated in approximately 5 wards and communes of this city. Importantly, it serves as a major source of flour supply for provinces in the Mekong Delta and Southeastern Vietnam.

Thanks to the fresh water from the Tien and Sa Dec rivers, the flour produced in this village is characterized by its pure white color, smooth texture, and unparalleled flavor. When visiting this intriguing attraction in Dong Thap, you can explore the flour-making process of the local people, get hands-on experience in making flour, and enjoy famous dishes made from Sa Dec flour.

Xeo Quyt Tourist Area

Located about 30km from downtown Cao Lanh, Xeo Quyt is a complex of historical relics and famous eco-tourism destination in the Mekong Delta. Stepping into Xeo Quyt, you will be amazed by the pristine beauty of nature and the reconstructed wartime base hidden deep within the maze of creeks leading into the primeval forest.

Not only featuring forests and historical sites, Xeo Quyt is also a conservation area with 170 plant species and 200 wild animal species, many of which are listed in the Vietnam Red Book. Covering an area of over 50 hectares, it’s advisable to plan a 2-day, 1-night itinerary to fully explore Xeo Quyt and nearby check-in spots in Dong Thap.

Xeo Quyt is beautiful throughout the year, but the best time to visit is from September to November. During this period, Dong Thap enters the flood season, filling the creeks, ponds, and lakes with water, making the greenery lush, and the migratory birds active and lively.

Phuoc Kien Pagoda

Compared to many temples in Dong Thap, Phuoc Kien Pagoda does not boast exceptionally distinctive or outstanding architecture. However, it is a popular tourist destination in Dong Thap among pilgrims due to its lotus pond featuring giant leaves known as “super giant”. Hence, this temple is also referred to by another name, Lotus Leaf Pagoda.

The pagoda dates back to the Nguyen Dynasty and was completely rebuilt in 1975 after being destroyed during the war. The temple complex includes the entrance gate, main hall, and a Buddhist tower. Despite its simple architecture, the highlight of the pagoda lies in its square lotus pond established in 1992. The lotus species growing in the pond are considered rare in Southeast Asia.

The lotus leaves can grow up to a maximum diameter of 4 meters, with edges that are 5 cm high from the water surface. These unique leaves resemble the wide-brimmed hats worn by Quan Ho folk singers and can support weights of up to 80 kg. To admire the lotus leaves in full bloom and abundance, it’s best to visit during the flooding season (around August to November).

Dong Thap Muoi lotus pond

Talking about tourist destinations in Dong Thap without visiting Dong Thap Muoi lotus pond would be truly regrettable. Located in a peaceful countryside 39km from downtown, this place features 11 hectares of ponds filled with pink lotuses amidst vast rice fields. Whenever you visit, the weather at Dong Thap Muoi lotus pond is cool and refreshing.

Visiting Thap Muoi, you will have the chance to experience the rustic life of the Mekong Delta, rowing boats to harvest lotus, fishing, or capturing photos amidst vast lotus ponds. Particularly, the local cuisine made from lotus is a highlight. You must try lotus rice rolls, lotus salad, grilled field mice, and snails steamed with lotus leaves…

For the best view of blooming lotus flowers, visit during the flood season (from August to November). During this time, the weather is cool and refreshing, and lotuses bloom all over, painting the entire lake pink. There are plenty of hotels near Dong Sen Thap Muoi, so you don’t need to worry about accommodation.

Tram Chim National Park

If you love nature tourism, Tram Chim National Park is a destination you shouldn’t miss. With an area of over 7,000 hectares spread across 7 districts, Tram Chim is considered a miniature painting of the Dong Thap Muoi wetland ecosystem. Notably, it is among the top 4 largest wetland conservation areas in Vietnam.

Tram Chim is home to 130 species of plants, 233 species of water birds, 40 species of fish, and 100 vertebrate species. Among them, the water bird population at Tram Chim constitutes 25% of Vietnam’s bird species, including many classified as rare (such as the Sarus Crane).

Similarly to Xeo Quyt, Tram Chim National Park is at its most beautiful during the flooding season (from August to November). This is when the water lilies bloom in the lakes and birds enter their breeding season. It’s also a great time to participate in authentic Mekong Delta activities like rowing a three-leaf boat, catching field mice, harvesting wild rice, and setting fishing nets.

Here is the list of 7 tourist destinations in Dong Thap you should check out at least once in your life. Not only featuring lotus flowers, but also beautiful nature, and authentic Mekong Delta cuisine, Dong Thap has much more waiting for you to explore.