Life on the Mekong Delta

Biking along the mighty Mekong River.

What a difference a border can make. Our entry in Vietnam from Cambodia was relatively smooth, minus the woman sitting next to Elizabeth who was throwing up for the duration of the bus ride. Yuck! That aside, it was like we entered a whole new world. Roads were smoothly paved again. Houses and storefronts showed signs of life and modern amenities, and most importantly there was a sense of calm and happiness amongst the people we saw from the bus window. It is amazing that both Cambodia and Vietnam were in massive wars in the 1970's, yet Vietnam has visibly rebounded. More on this in a blog to come.

But first, we want to take you on a two-day boat journey along the Mekong River in Vietnam, which is south of Ho Chi Minh City (also known as Saigon).

Day 1...

The Mekong River runs from Tibet into the South China Sea in Vietnam. It is the centerpiece of life for many Vietnamese.

After a bike ride in the Delta region, we hopped on a row boat and then onto a power boat. We shared the experience with new Dutch friends Hester and Freek (pronounced Frrrrrake). The little Vietnamese women were very tired from rowing us heavy westerner passengers!

The river is where many Vietnamese in the region live, work, and play. We saw several floating markets. Many peoples' boats are their homes and storefronts. Others live and work in open style houses along the shore.

Locals make several food items from products that either grow along the Mekong or are transported via boat on the river. We went to a factory that makes rice paper, puffed rice and coconut candies wrapped in rice paper. The women hand wrapped each coconut candy in rice paper in lightening speed!

Locals catch fish in the Mekong. They cook using the water and then clean their dishes in it.

They wash their bodies in it.

And do laundry.

Heading home from school.

The river seems a bit murky and unhealthy to us given how much use it gets, but the local kids don't seem to mind! After school, children play and bathe in and along the Mekong. At the end of a long hot day of work, adults do the same.

Resting on the Mekong.

The Mekong and a neighboring path is used for transportation.

The day ends peacefully on the Mekong.

Day 2 ...

The Can Tho Floating Market is one of the largest in the country. It is a wholesale produce market, with larger boats selling fruit and vegetables and smaller boats travelling around to make purchases. Everything is sold in bulk and then brought back to land to either sell in markets, or to use at restaurants.

The sticks on the stern of the boat advertise what they are selling.

The young and old help with the family business.

The market in the city of Can Tho sells products from the floating market...

Rice paddies and factories are a major part of life on land in the Mekong Delta.

And some insightful locals at a cafe in the city.

- Dave & Elizabeth