Discover the Hidden Soul of Long Xuyen: Vietnam’s Authentic Mekong Gem
Step off the crowded tourist trails and let Long Xuyen reveal itself to you. Known as the Mekong Delta’s second city after Can Tho, this destination pulses with raw beauty and untamed charm—especially during the magical flooding season. Here, the river breathes life into floating markets, submerged forests, and villages that seem to float on water.
Start your journey at the Long Xuyen Floating Market, where the day begins before sunrise. By 5 AM, the river is alive with movement, and by 6 AM, the first light of day turns the water into shimmering gold. This isn’t the tourist-packed Cai Rang Market, it’s quieter, more intimate, with about a hundred boats gently bobbing on the water. Hop into a small sampan and drift among them. Chat with traders, sip steaming cups of Vietnamese coffee brewed right on floating kitchens, taste simple fried noodles, and bite into fresh tropical fruits: pineapples, coconuts, jackfruit, and more, all sold at honest prices. This floating wonder, just two kilometers from the city center, offers a glimpse of a life still rooted in the rhythms of the river.
From August to November, the Mekong Delta in Cambodia and Vietnam undergoes its most dramatic transformation. Vietnamese locals say, “Six months of dry land, six months of water,” and during the floods, An Giang becomes a tranquil watercolor painting. Fields disappear under a mirror of water reflecting blue skies and lush greenery. Journey beyond Long Xuyen to the submerged landscapes of Tinh Bien, Tri Ton, and Chau Doc in Vietnam. What might seem like a disaster is actually renewal—floodwaters bring life back to the land, feeding the soil and sustaining livelihoods.
One of the season’s most breathtaking sights lies in Tra Su Melaleuca Forest. Spread over 850 hectares, this flooded forest is a dream of green—walls of cajuput trees rise from the still water, their reflections broken only by clusters of lotus and bright yellow blossoms. Glide silently in a small boat along narrow canals, listening to the quiet hum of nature. Climb the watchtower for sweeping views of this emerald sanctuary, or take the unique “ten thousand-step bamboo bridge” that weaves through the trees. When hunger strikes, enjoy rustic dishes like grilled snakehead fish or braised perch in a simple forest eatery, the flavors enriched by the surrounding wilderness.
Life on the water runs deeper still at the floating village along the Hau River, about 40 kilometers from Long Xuyen near Chau Doc of Vietnam. Here, for ten kilometers, houses float on rafts or rise on stilts above the river. These homes, no bigger than 4 by 8 meters, are hubs of daily life, complete with hammocks, potted plants, and boats tied to the porch. The villagers have long survived by raising fish, especially basa, in cages under their homes. Visit during the flooding season, watch fishermen at work, and even toss in food to see the fish leap and splash at the surface. It’s a way of life born from the river, enduring for generations since the 1960s.
Cross the river to My Hoa Hung—better known as Tiger Island—and step into a world of legend and history. Here, locals tell the story of the “Tiger of Love,” a wild creature who returned every year to honor the elderly couple who once saved its life. When the tiger died at their grave, the villagers built Buu Long Pagoda, still standing today. The island is also the birthplace of Ton Duc Thang, Vietnam’s second President. His childhood stilt house remains, preserved as a national monument. Walk along narrow, shaded paths under arching trees, past wooden homes that whisper stories of another time. If you’re lucky enough to visit during the Year of the Tiger or on the island’s annual festival in the tenth lunar month, the experience becomes even more magical.
Long Xuyen is not just a stop on a map, it’s the Mekong Delta at its most genuine. A floating market steeped in tradition, landscapes reborn under floodwaters, forests teeming with life, villages floating in quiet resilience, and an island where myth meets history. Come for the culture, stay for the serenity, and let the river’s heartbeat guide you through a world that feels both timeless and unforgettable.
