If you want to escape the hustle and bustle of city life, take a trip to Dong Thap Province, southern Vietnam, and become immersed in peaceful paddy fields and natural landscapes while enjoying fresh air and local specialties.

Dong Thap is famous for the year-round colorful Sa Dec Flower Village, Tram Chim National Park, and numerous craft villages.

The province also boasts multiple ecotourism areas where tourists can soak in the countryside vibe and savor local delicacies.

Tourists visit a shawl weaving facility in Dong Thap Province, southern Vietnam. Photo: Dang Tuyet / Tuoi Tre

Home to various traditional craft villages

Dong Thap Province prides itself on lots of craft villages that are certified as national heritage sites, including a shawl weaving craft village in Long Khanh A Commune in Hong Ngu District, a mat weaving craft village in Lap Vo District, and the boat making craft village in Lai Vung District.

Others are the nem (fermented pork) making craft village in Lai Vung District and the Sa Dec rice-flour village in Sa Dec City.

Visitors will see how previous generations adapted to natural conditions to develop these crafts, while the next generations are trying to promote traditional craft values.

Huynh Thanh Chon, deputy head of the Hong Ngu District Culture and Information Division, said that the Long Khanh A shawl weaving craft village houses sixty-two households, supplying some two million items to the local market annually.

The village produces shawls, striped scarves, ao ba ba (a traditional garment of people in the southern region), ao dai (Vietnamese traditional costume), hats, and handbags.

Since 2023 when the village was recognized as a national intangible cultural heritage, many groups of local and international tourists have visited, Chon said.

Tram Chim National Park in Dong Thap Province is home to various species of birds. Photo: Dang Tuyet / Tuoi Tre

Colorful flowers and various birds make Dong Thap more attractive

The Sa Dec flower village and Tram Chim National Park come to mind when Dong Thap Province is mentioned.

In January, farmers devote a designated period leading up to the Lunar New Year to take care of their flower gardens and make them ready during the biggest holiday of the year.

Visiting the village, tourists are treated to a wide range of ornamental flowers and plants and can revel in the aroma of flowers.

With countless bird species, including storks year round, at Tram Chim National Park, coupled with the fresh air, tourists can enjoy a peaceful, airy, and relaxing space.

Tu Ton Rose Garden in Sa Dec City, Dong Thap Province attracts tourists. Photo: Dang Tuyet / Tuoi Tre

Lotus tea and steamed lotus seeds are among Dong Thap Province’s specialties. Photo: Dang Tuyet / Tuoi Tre

Allure from food in Dong Thap

Many ecotourism sites in Dong Thap Province offer multiple experiences in the rural area while highlighting local dishes.

Among the specialties are roasted rat, banh xeo (Vietnamese sizzling crepe), folk cakes, lau mam (fermented fish hotpot), and braised fish with pepper.

Some ecotourism areas in the province include Tu Ton Rose Garden, My Phuoc Thanh Tourist Area, and Hoang Hao Garden Ecotourism Site.

In 2024, Dong Thap Province welcomed an estimated 4.3 million tourists, including 39,000 international visitors, and generated VND2.2 trillion (US$85 million) in tourism revenue.

Local specialties in Dong Thap Province captivate tourists. Photo: Dang Tuyet / Tuoi Tre

The night-time peace at My Phuoc Thanh Tourist Area in Dong Thap Province. Photo: Dang Tuyet / Tuoi Tre

Tourists visit a famous temple in Dong Thap Province. Photo: Dang Tuyet / Tuoi Tre

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