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Discover the Advantages of the Mekong River to attract tourists

The Mekong River is vital to uphold local economies and heritage preservation. It powers livelihoods across the board: ranging from fishermen to farmers, artisans and tour operators. In addition to the above, the Mekong was a role model for responsible tourism and ecotourism. Protecting its vulnerable environment and encouraging eco-friendly habits are two key aspects of preserving this exotic oasis, which future generations deserve the opportunity to witness. Then, let us embark to discover the advantages of the Mekong River to attract tourists!

Natural Beauty and Biodiversity

Luang Prabang - advantages of the Mekong River to attract tourists

Luang Prabang

Scenic Landscapes

Lush green forests, towering limestone cliffs and tranquil bodies of water reflect the azure sky. From the misty mountains of Laos to the verdant delta in Vietnam, nearly every curve has a different panorama that will leave you breathless.

Key dates are the Mekong Delta which is known as the Rice Bowl of Vietnam. These canals pass between swaying coconut palms and bumper to colorful fruit orchards. Remember to also explore the delightful Luang Prabang where the Mekong meets with its tributary, Nam Khan river forming a beautiful confluence surrounded by graceful temples and charming French colonial buildings.

Rich Biodiversity

The biodiversity of the Mekong River is first-rate among rivers in terms of it flora and fauna living within its waters. After all, it has the 2nd richest hotspot of biodiversity next to the Amazon. Encompassing a variety of habitats, the river is home to more than 1,200 fish species as well countless bird and other endangered animals – rare creatures such as the Irrawaddy dolphin or giant Mekong catfish.

Eco-tours are great for animal watching. Rare bird species in the flooded forests of Cambodia, a pod of dolphins playing in Kratie. The experiences, in addition to fascinating the naturalists also highlight a proposition for why eco-tourism and conservation tourism linked with the waters of the Mekong have merit.

Cultural and Historical Significance

Cultural Heritage Sites

Natural attractiveness is not the only reason the Mekong River can attract tourists. This river is a rich source of historical and cultural wealth. Some of the important sights along the Mekong.

  • Luang Prabang (Laos) UNESCO World Heritage Site Traditional Lao wooden houses and Colonial architecture blend with the scenic location of both the Mekong meets Nam Khan Rivers. The temple of Wat Xieng Thong
  • Then head to the nearby Tonle Sap Lake where we tour Angkor Wat in Cambodia, another UNESCO World Heritage Site. This expansive temple complex is a fine example of the beauty and craftsmanship that defined the Khmer Empire.
  • The Vinh Trang Pagoda, blending Vietnamese and Khmer motifs in My Tho is one of the highlights of a Mekong Delta tour. The floating markets, and the old trade routes add to the rich cultural environment.
The Vinh Trang Pagoda - advantages of the Mekong River to attract tourists

The Vinh Trang Pagoda

Local Traditions and Festivals

Of the magical powers of advantages of the Mekong River to attract tourists should mention local people and festivals on this continent. The local people in the Mekong region are well known for their ethnic diversity and the custom of each community.

Laos: The Bun Pha Wet celebrates the birth of Prince Vessantara. The Water Festival, Bon Om Touk, in Cambodia marks the end of the monsoon season with boat races and fireworks. Pictured: Tet Nguyen Dan, the Vietnamese Lunar New Year, calls for family reunions and public celebrations.

Unique Experiences for Tourists

River Cruises and Boat Tours

The river cruises and boat tours are some of the most the magical powers of advantages of the Mekong River to attract tourists should mention local people and festivals on this continent. The local people in the Mekong region are well known for their ethnic diversity and customs of each community. But for a beautiful way to take in the Mekong, these cruises cannot be beaten.

A Mekong River cruise usually features elegant cabins, delicious foods, and daily visits to local villages or historical attractions. They are mesmerized by the enchanting sunset on a day cruise around Vientiane or visiting local craft villages for half-days from Phnom Penh.

Floating Markets and Villages

Life of people in the floating village - advantages of the Mekong River to attract tourists

Life of people in the floating village

The appeal of the Mekong River is also enhanced by its floating markets and villages. These are cultural epicenters with community life centered around the waterways.

More about Cai Rang Floating Market on the Mekong Delta, Vietnam Dawn at the river is a hive of activity with boats doing brisk trade selling just-harvested fruits and local specialties. The Chong Kneas Floating Village in Siem Reap, Cambodia showcases an insight on the water of life with its floating schools and markets.

Adventure and Outdoor Activities

Trekking and Hiking

A major advantage of the Mekong River to attract tourists is an overwhelming array of trek and hike occasions. There are trails for everyone in the Mekong region, from gentle walks to more challenging hikes.

Explore the Bolaven Plateau with its lush jungles and impressive waterfalls like Tad Fane in Laos. The Cardamom Mountains of Cambodia are made up of hard rainforests and the national wildlife appears in Cat Tien National Park with treks leading to peaceful getaway spots like Crocodile Lake, while Myanmar is a sacred Indo-Myanmar hotspot. These are the adventures that… display some of the great natural beauty and excitement waiting for you when you venture out.

Water Sports and Activities

For water enthusiasts, the Mekong River is a playground! Kayak through the 4000 Islands of Laos and see if you can spot rare Irrawaddy dolphins. The Mekong River is a place to fish for different types of fishes using traditional methods The cool waters from the river are great for swims during summertime. These events are proof of the benefit derived from the Mekong River to attract tourists and turn it into an adventure destination.

Gastronomy and Culinary Tourism

Floating market cuisine - advantages of the Mekong River to attract tourists

Floating market cuisine

Local Cuisine

Foodies, rejoice! The Mekong River is a food lover’s paradise One of the advantages of the Mekong River to attract tourists is its culinary diversity. Enjoy dishes such as hu tieu & banh xeo in Vietnam Fish amok and bai sach chrouk (Cambodia) laap & tam mak hoong Laos Now cooking class not only helps in getting you to experience the way it is cooked once and then eat many, thus saving a lot of time on preparing your food but also teaches far much more that will allow a person can prepare those dishes at home.

Famous Food Markets

Going to the food markets along the Mekong riverbanks: of course everyone needs to go. Cai Rang Floating Market – Vietnam With street food abound, this place is a feast for the senses. Culinary culture is a major feature of Central Market — Cambodia and Vientiane Night Market in Laos, with countless foods just the way you like. Serving to add exposure of the tourist potentiality and local substances markets illustrate what makes the allure of the Mekong River headed for tourists.

Sustainable and Responsible Tourism

Kayaking on the river - advantages of the Mekong River to attract tourists

Kayaking on the river

Eco-Tourism Initiatives

One of the great benefits that boost its attractiveness to tourists is how the Mekong River concentrates on sustainable tourism. Nam Et-Phou Louey National Protected Area, Laos: Eco-tourism programs assist conservation efforts. In Cambodia, for example, you can stay in eco-lodges around Tonle Sap Lake as well as do some bird watching and traditional fishing. Take a bike or by foot along the Mekong delta -Vietnam. two-day excursion in the Vietnamese countryside focusing on eco-friendly preservation efforts.

Community-Based Tourism

One of the most favorable aspects that draws travelers to visit the Mekong River is community-based tourism. Village homestays and traditional crafts in Laos. Go on a forest trek and sample some Khmer cuisine at the Chambok ecotourism site, in Cambodia. Make your way to Vietnam where you will visit sustainable farms and try handicrafts workshops. They help to sustain local communities and cultural heritage.

Conclusion

We’ve explored the many advantages of the Mekong River to attract tourists: natural attraction, biodiversity, diversity in cultures and experience like no other. Hiking and water sports, local cuisine, and alive markets are all experienced in these regions of the Mekong. These become more attractive in sustainable tourism as we connect with experiences grounded both in place and community.

Now get ready to take the trip and find out how many benefits of Mekong River can gain visitors. The Mekong River offers experiences and memories that you will never forget. Don’t forget to regularly follow our Fanpage for more interesting information about traveling Mekong to and to book Mekong Tours at the best prices.

References and Further Reading

  • Official Laos Tourism Website
  • Cambodia’s Ministry of Tourism
  • Vietnam National Administration of Tourism

Mekong Tours 2 days 1 night with IMPRESS TRAVEL

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The Mekong River, the ‘Mother of Waters’, is the heart and soul of mainland South-East Asia. Millions of people depend on its waters. It’s a way of life, a home for the spirits, the defining element in the everlasting battle for survival, and the foundation and boundaries of cultures and kingdoms across eons. The river speaks of the past and the future, of the eternally recurring cycles of nature, of the people living upstream and downstream, of survival, beauty and danger.

Foreigners can’t appreciate the role of the river in the lives of those who live in the Mekong basin. It influences every aspect of their daily existence, shaping not only the land, but also the people themselves.

The Mekong Basin extends over 795,000km2. More than 70 million people, 55 million of which inhabit the watershed area lying within Laos, Thailand, Cambodia and Viet Nam, depend on the river and its tributaries for food, water and transport. At 4,350km, the Mekong is the longest river in Southeast Asia and the 12th longest in the world.

The river runs from its source deep in China’s Tsinghai Province through the eastern part of Tibet. From Yunnan province, it becomes the border between Myanmar and Laos, and between Laos and Thailand. From there it surges across Cambodia to Phnom Penh, where the Bassac River branches off. The two rivers continue to divide into nine outlets, the Cuu Long (Nine Dragons) of Vietnam’s Mekong Delta, and finally discharge into the East Sea. The river is navigable from the delta to Southern Laos, where massive waterfalls near the Cambodian border prevent boats from travelling further.

About nine-tenths of the people in the Lower Mekong Basin are engaged in agriculture, mostly rice production on a massive scale, for which irrigation from the Mekong River is essential. A substantial proportion is exported, thus providing the staple diet of a far greater number than just those living in the area.

The Mekong River is also very rich in fish, the single most important source of animal protein in the diet of people living in the Lower Mekong Basin.

Tours Itinerary

Day 01

HO CHI MINH CITY TO CAN THO HOTEL (L)

  • Impress Travel’s Mekong Tours Team will pick you up at the hotel, then leaving Ho Chi Minh City at 8.00 AM
  • We need 2 hour driving to Cai Be, We emerge the beautiful scenery of the countryside in the Mekong river delta of Vietnam.
    Visit Cai Be floating market by Sampan that is the well-known floating market in Mekong delta ( Note: the market today is not as busy as in past times)
  • To enjoy the traditional music & performance show – Dai Ca Tai Tu that was recognized by UNESCO as an intangible cultural heritage of the world, we enjoy the Mekong’s fresh fruits while watching the show.
  • Ride a rowing boat via the water coconut canals.
  • Do a biking tour through the rural villages to Mr. Sau Ca Family’s orchard
  • Enjoy local lunch with Mr. Sau Ca family
    Relax before getting on a Sampan to Vinh Long the car/ van will pick you up to drive to Can Tho city ( One hour driving to Can Tho)
  • Arrival in Can Tho then checks in the hotel, free time to explore Can Tho city at night.
  • The tour guide will recommend you the best place for dinner in Can Tho city.

What is included: Transfer, tour guide, hotel in Can Tho, lunch, entrance fee(s), boat trip in Cai Be

Day 02

Cai Rang floating market – Khmer Pagoda – Lunch – Ho Chi Minh City (B,L)

  • Good morning Mekong Delta with quiet and fresh air,
  • Enjoy buffet breakfast at hotel and morning tea break before leaving by Sampan to visit Cai Rang Floating market.
  • Ride a bicycle through the countryside to Khmer Pagoda & local farms.
  • Have a lunch and tea break
  • Mekong Tours – Impress Travel Team will bring you back to Ho Chi Minh City (3.5-hour driving)

What is included: Transfer, tour guide, hotel breakfast, lunch, entrance fee(s), boat trip in Can Tho

What’s included in this trip:

  • Accommodation based on Twin/Double sharing room, ( notice: a single room is surcharged following single supplement policy/ all room night including daily hotel breakfast.
  • All the meals as mentioned in the detailed itinerary
  • Entrance Fee to visit attractive places are mentioned as itinerary
  • Private Car/Van/Bus with air-conditioned and good experienced driver.
  • Boat trip in My Tho, Cai Be
  • Experienced English speaking tour guides as specified ( French-speaking guide/ Chinese speaking guide are available on request )
  • Complimentary drink water and Tissue on Van/Bus/Van as mentioned on itinerary


  • What’s excluded in this trip:

  • International Ticket Fare with insurance surcharge and Fuel surcharge
  • Arport tax.
  • Visa Fees & Travels insurance
  • Porter Charges & Camera Fees.
  • Meals (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner) do not mentioned as in this itinerary
  • Tipping for Tour guides, Bus driver, Crew
  • Other personal expenses such as beverages, telephone calls, laundry services, Minibar, etc….
  • Other services are not specifically mentioned in the tour Itinerary and the above Inclusion

 
Hotels in Can Tho
Star Hotel Room Type
3-Star hotel in Can Tho Hau Giang Hotel Superior
4-Star hotel in Can Tho Muong Thanh Hotel Superior
5-Star hotel in Can Tho Victoria Hotel Superior

Mekong Delta Travel Map

Ranana

You feel like organized tour, but you are in a privet tour. Impress Travel make the different.

We went on a private trip to Vietnam and Cambodia, the whole trip plan was organized for us by the Impress Travel Company from Vietnam, the company did an amazing job, the whole trip was organized in a wonderful way with an amazing match between the various parties, their choices were correct and the quality of the hotels chosen were very high quality and it is important to note that the price was low in comparison To other agencies, thanks to Impress Travel and especially to Daniel who was tolerant and open to changes and organized the route for us.

Ebrahim

Tour of Vietnam

Impress travel were amazing. Did my bookings with Daniel for our tour of Vietnam and I must say Daniel was very professional and prompt with his services. All the arrangement, plans, pick-up & drop-off services, hotels, vehicles, sightseeing tours and guides were spot on and excellent. Did 4 nights Hanoi, 1 night Hà Long Bay cruise, 3 nights Hoian, 4 nights Saigon and 1 night in Can Tho. It was totally awesome. Every part of the journey was superbly arranged and planned. I will highly recommend Impress Travel for anyone interested in visiting Vietnam. Very organized and reliable!

Solly Pochee

The tour was fantastic

I booked with Impress Travel in July. My contact person was Tommy Thang. He is an amazing person. He was very helpful. He changed my program twice for me. Very accommodating!
We started our holiday in the north (Sapa)of Vietnam and travelled down to HCMC.
The tour was fantastic, Tommy's arrangements were to the"T".
I will always use them if I have to visit the area again and recommend them to one and all.
Thank you once again Mr.Tommy and the Impress Team.
Sulaiman Pochee

Bernard Lim

Great value for money with 4 stars hotel

Great value for money with 4 stars hotel accommodation for 4 couples. The tour guide has been very helpful and brought us to amazing places in Sapa. We want to thanks Thuy the tour guide and especially Mark from Impress Travel for his great service and assurance throughout our trip. We’ll definitely use his service for other tour packages in other parts of Vietnam.

Derek.Schooling

We enjoyed our holiday with Impress travel

This is the second time we travel to Vietnam with IMPRESS Travel. First time, we booked our holiday to Hanoi, Halong Bay & Sapa during Dec 2018 with Impress.
Second time, we travel to Hoi An, Hue & Danang (Central Vietnam) during Jan 2019.

My friends & I are very glad & happy with all the hotels stay in Central Vietnam, the meals provided are delicious. We are greatly appreciated with all the tour arrangement by Tommy & his team (tour guide).
Especially, Mr. NHAT C.V. He is helpful, cheerful, knowledgeable and very professional. He always volunteer to take a nice pictures for six of us (group) .

We enjoyed our holiday with Impress travel. We will definitely come back to Vietnam again with Impress

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